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US envoy hopes to ‘calm’ N Korea

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson at Albuquerque airport on his way to North Korea - 14 December 2010Mr Richardson has good contacts with senior North Korean officials

Bill Richardson, governor of the US state of New Mexico, is travelling to North Korea on an unofficial diplomatic mission to ease regional tensions.

Mr Richardson, who has been to Pyongyang several times in recent years, said he hoped to persuade the North Koreans to “calm down a bit”.

Tensions have been especially high between the two Koreas since the North shelled a South Korean island.

There are also renewed fears that the North has advanced its nuclear work.

The US State Department has said North Korea has “at least one other” uranium enrichment site in addition to the one shown to US experts last month.

And South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said he believed there were facilities in North Korea aside from the Yongbyon site shown to the US scientists.

Uranium can be enriched to provide fuel for nuclear power reactors, as Pyongyang says it is doing, or it can be enriched more highly to provide material for nuclear weapons.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and is believed to have enough plutonium to make about six bombs.

The US State Department has said Mr Richardson is not delivering a message to the North Korean government for President Barack Obama.

He was invited to Pyongyang by Kim Gye-gwan, North Korea’s lead negotiator in the stalled six-party talks on his country’s nuclear disarmament talks.

Before leaving the US, Mr Richardson said he would talk to the White House on his return.

“My objective is to try to get North Korea to calm down a bit, see if we can reduce tension in the Korean peninsula,” he said.

Analysts say his invitation is a sign of North Korea’s frustration at being denied formal negotiations with the US.

Pyongyang and its main ally, China, have been calling for a resumption of the six-party talks.

But South Korea and the US have said the North must stop its “provocative and belligerent” behaviour and take action to roll back its nuclear work.

South Korea was shocked by the shelling of Yeonpyeong island on 23 November. Two soldiers and two civilians were killed in the barrage, which came after South Korea held live fire exercises in the area.

South Korea has reviewed its rules of engagement and promised air strikes in response to any future attacks. On Wednesday it was due to hold a major civil defence drill.

The sinking of a South Korean warship, with the loss of 46 sailors, in March was blamed on North Korea. Pyongyang denies the accusation.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Final flight for Harrier jump jet

Harrier leaving the Ark RoyalThe Harrier was revolutionary when it was introduced in the late 1960s
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The Harrier jump jet will make its final operational flight on Wednesday, leaving from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland.

One of Britain’s greatest technical achievements was retired early after falling victim to defence cuts.

In celebration of the aircraft, Harriers will pass over seven military bases, the town centres of Stamford and Oakham, and Lincoln Cathedral.

The Harriers will be decommissioned in 2011 to be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter by the end of the decade.

Axing the Harrier is set to save £450m over the next four years and £900m in total, and involve the redeployment of 12,000 jobs in the Harrier force.

Overall, the defence review is cutting 5,000 personnel from the RAF – bringing the number serving in the air force down to 33,000 by 2015.

Last month, a formation of Harriers made a final journey from HMS Ark Royal – the last such flight from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier for about 10 years.

The four GR9 jets marked the end of an era when they roared off the deck near North Shields, North Tyneside.

The crew of the 22,000-tonne Ark Royal, which saw active service in the Balkans and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, lined the decks to watch the historic departure.

The Ark Royal is being scrapped under cost-saving measures, along with the Harriers.

The ship will be replaced by the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier at the end of the decade, which will carry F35s.

Meanwhile, the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards, has said the package of cuts announced in the government’s strategic defence and security review (SDSR) will “not be plain sailing”.

The head of the armed forces acknowledged that some decisions such as scrapping the Ark Royal and the Harrier had already provoked an “understandable emotional response”.

Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute think tank in Whitehall, he said: “The SDSR has undoubtedly meant taking difficult decisions.

“All three services and the civil service will lose manpower, and I am painfully aware of the understandable worry caused by the decisions we have made.

“Achieving this will not be plain sailing and much innovative and radical thinking will be required, including being prepared to shed outmoded or irrelevant attitudes and structures.”

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Man charged over 1973 murder

Eileen DohertyEileen Doherty was 19 when she was shot dead in 1973
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Two men have been arrested over the sectarian murder of a 19-year-old woman in 1973.

Eileen Doherty was shot dead by gunmen who hijacked a taxi she was taking from south Belfast’s Ormeau Road to Andersonstown on 30 September 1973.

The men, both aged 57, were arrested in Newtownards and south Belfast on Tuesday morning.

Police made a new appeal for information about the murder in September – 37 years after the killing.

On Tuesday, a PSNI spokeswoman said the Historical Enquiries Team had reviewed material in the case and identified “evidential opportunities”.

The investigation was then transferred to the Serious Crime Branch.

The two men are being questioned at Antrim PSNI station.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Lords back higher university fees

Aftermath of fees protestLabour will try to block the government’s proposals on student tuition fees in the Lords

Controversial government plans to raise university tuition fees in England to as much as £9,000 a year are to be debated by peers.

There were violent clashes between protesters and police as the Commons voted on the proposals last Thursday.

An internal police investigation is under way after one protester alleged officers pulled him from his wheelchair.

Jody McIntyre, who has cerebral palsy, is considering a formal complaint.

A video of Mr McIntyre apparently being wrenched from his wheelchair and onto the street by police has appeared on Youtube.

He told the BBC: “One of the police officers come running over towards me.

“He tipped me out of my wheelchair on to the road and then dragged me by my arms from the middle over to the side of the road.

“There is no way you can classify me as a physical threat when I am sitting in my wheelchair not doing anything.”

Scotland Yard said the issue had been referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards, an internal body that examines officers’ conduct.

Jody McIntrye says he will file a formal complaint soon

Video shows Jody McIntyre being pulled from his wheelchair

In the Lords’ vote, Labour peers will have to overturn a coalition majority of 40 to have a chance of blocking the government’s education proposals.

If Labour is successful, the government would have to to delay any increase in fees until after wider public consultation and a White Paper on higher education funding.

Labour’s leader in the Lords, Baroness Royall, said: “Labour opposed the government’s policy in the Commons last week, and Labour will oppose the government’s policy in the Lords this week.

“Regrettably, we were not successful in the Commons last week in preventing the government pressing ahead with its proposals for draconian cuts in the funding of higher education and a consequent massive rise in students’ tuition fees.

“We will have a tough fight in the Lords to prevent the government from going ahead with its plans, but we will fight to the last to do so.”

The Metropolitan Police said it had been liaising with counterparts in Northern Ireland over using water cannon in the future, but there were “no current plans” to use them.

Home Secretary Theresa May said water cannon were not currently approved by the government for use in England and Wales.

She said: “I don’t think anybody wants to see water cannon used on the streets of Britain.”

Mrs May also told MPs that a police report into an attack by protesters on a car carrying the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall was due on Friday.

The royal couple’s Rolls-Royce had a window smashed as they were caught up in the trouble on their way to an engagement.

A review is also under way by the Independent Police Complaints Commission after 43 protesters were injured, one seriously.

Student Alfie Meadows, 20, needed brain surgery after allegedly being hit with a police baton and knocked unconscious.

Mrs May told the Commons that 30 officers were injured and six were taken to hospital.

She said there had been 35 arrests so far, but could not give figures on how many had been charged.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Schoolboy stabbed mother’s killer

Scene of the stabbingPolice found Mr Killen “shaking uncontrollably”
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A teenager stabbed a neighbour to death after seeing the man fatally stab his mother at their home in Hertfordshire, a double inquest has heard.

The hearing has been told James Killen, 18, was getting ready for school in St Albans on 30 April when he heard his mother Sandra Crawford, 53, scream.

He found Ms Crawford being stabbed by next-door neighbour Jonathan London.

Mr Killen wrestled the knife from him and stabbed 47-year old Mr London 16 times, the inquest heard.

Mr London died at the scene from a punctured lung while Ms Crawford, who staggered onto the front lawn, died in hospital eight days later from chest and neck injuries.

In the months leading up to the incident, Mr London had been complaining of hearing noises in his head and on 29 April was taken to his GP and then to hospital by his family.

He was given a blood test and sent home, the inquest heard.

Psychiatric nurse Jocelyn Cusack, who saw Mr London that day, said his family was anxious that he stay at home.

She said he was delusional and it was one of the worst cases she had seen in 20 years.

Psychiatrist Dr Seshni Moodliar said she felt he did not pose a threat to himself or others.

A mental health team was due to see him at home at 1130 BST on 30 April, but at 0830 BST he left the house he shared with his elderly parents in Sherwood Avenue and attacked Ms Crawford.

Police officer Claire Moy, who attended the scene, told the inquest Mr Killen was “shaking uncontrollably” and kept asking after his mother.

Describing what Mr Killen had told her, she said: “He saw a man punching her (Ms Crawford) and screaming ‘die, die’.”

The hearing was told he got a knife and stabbed Mr London “a few times” but the man continued to attack his mother, who he realised was in “real danger”.

Mr Killen was arrested but no charges were brought against him.

The hearing continues.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

16 courts to close to save money

Cardigan Magistrates' CourtCardigan Magistrates’ Court is one of those which is set to close
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Twelve magistrates’ and four county courts in Wales are to close to save money, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

Abergavenny magistrates court’ and Llangefni county court both won a reprieve.

Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly said the reform would help deliver a modern, efficient justice system.

But the decision has been met with criticism by some MPs.

Originally, 103 magistrates’ courts and 54 county courts in England and Wales were to close, but that figure has been reduced to 93 magistrates’ and 49 county courts.

Mr Djanogly said: “Access to justice is not just about access to buildings. It’s about the type of justice delivered, decent facilities for victims and witnesses and efficient use of the system.

“Our court estate has simply not kept pace with the changing nature of our society or with the demands modern society places on our justice system.

MAGISTRATES’ COURT CLOSURESBarryAberdareLlwynypiaAmmanfordCardiganLlandoveryDenbighPwllheliFlintChepstowAbertilleryLlangefni

“An estate of over 500 court buildings is not now necessary or sustainable, nor is it a reasonable expense for the taxpayer.”

Some money will be spent on improving and modernising Prestatyn magistrates’ court.

Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns said £1m was spent on Barry magistrates’ court last year and its closure was simply wrong.

COUNTY COURT CLOSURESChepstowAberdareRhylPontypool

Ceredigion’s MP Mark Williams said a huge tract of west Wales would not have access to a magistrates’ court after Cardigan’s closure.

Elfyn Llwyd, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, accused the minister of using “fairytale figures”.

He said there was one court in his constituency to cover an area 100 miles in every direction. “Is that local justice?” he asked.

Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd said there was no bus to Merthyr from the Cynon Valley. She invited the minister to catch a local bus with her to find out how difficult transport would be.

The Ministry of Justice consulted over the closing of 18 courts in Wales in July.

The plans were questioned in October by the senior presiding judge, Lord Judge, who said five should remain open and a further six should be reviewed.

The Ministry of Justice plans were part of a wider cost-cutting exercise aimed at saving £37m.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.