Category: news

A Saudi prince murdered his servant in an attack which had a “sexual element”, the Old Bailey has heard.

Bandar Abdulaziz, 32, was found beaten and strangled to death in the Landmark Hotel, Marylebone, central London, on 15 February.

The court was told Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud had carried out several assaults on the victim before he died.

Mr al Saud, 34, admits the killing but denies murder and one count of grievous bodily harm with intent.

The jury has been asked to decide whether he is guilty of manslaughter or murder.

When the body was found the prince claimed his aide had been attacked and robbed three weeks before his death.

But the jury was told Mr al-Saud carried out the killing – and injuries including bite marks to Mr Abdulaziz’s face showed the “ferocity of the attack to which he had been subjected”.

Jonathan Laidlaw QC, prosecuting, said hotel CCTV from 22 January revealed the victim had previously been subjected to a “really nasty assault” by the prince.

The court was told the servant was killed “in the privacy of the room he had shared with the defendant and when alone with him”.

The prince has claimed he was “friends and equals” with his servant, and denied being gay.

But Mr Laidlaw said: “The evidence establishes quite conclusively that he is either gay or that he has homosexual tendencies.

“It is clear that his abuse of Bandar was not confined simply to physical beatings.

“There is clear evidence, over and above the bite marks, that there was also a sexual element to his mistreatment of the victim.

“The defendant’s concealing of the sexual aspect to his abuse of the victim was for altogether more sinister reasons and it tends to suggest that there was a sexual element to the circumstances of the killing.”

The court heard that the prince and his aide had been staying together at the hotel since 20 January as part of an “extended holiday”.

Mr Abdulaziz’s body was found with blood on his pillow in room 312 and the defendant appeared “shocked and upset”, the court heard.

Mr al Saud told police officers he had been drinking in the hotel bar until the early hours of the morning before returning to the room and that when he woke at about 1500 GMT he could not rouse the victim.

Bloodstains found in the room were “consistent with the victim having been the subject of a series of separate assaults before he was killed”, the jury heard.

Mr al Saud had tried to clean up some of the blood and wash some of Mr Abdulaziz’s bloodstained clothing, Mr Laidlaw said.

The case continues.

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At least 400 children have died from lead poisoning in northern Nigeria this year, twice as many as previously reported, the UN says.

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An 80-year-old motorist who took a wrong turn in his car and drove on to a railway station platform in Surrey was arrested for dangerous driving.

Witnesses to the incident in Esher said the pensioner drove up the footpath by the Lower Green Road railway bridge, ending up on the London bound platform.

British Transport Police said it happened at about 1615 BST on Saturday.

They said the car was reversed from the platform by officers before being collected by a recovery vehicle.

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Scottish National Party MSP Alasdair Allan got a shock when comedian Russell Brand appeared in the garden lobby of the Scottish Parliament. Brand was in Edinburgh as part of his book signing tour.

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

Detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has filed a legal challenge over the dissolution of her party by the military authorities.

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A mother subjected to “obscene” insults by football fans on a train stood on the track at a railway station until police were called.

Lisa Robinson, 41, was on the train with her husband and son, five, when they were verbally abused by Cardiff City fans after a game against Milwall.

She stepped on to the tracks at Ystrad Mynach until police arrived.

The train was terminated and the fans had to end the journey on foot. British Transport Police are investigating.

Ms Robinson, a civil servant, and her husband Peter, 61, were on a day trip to Cardiff on 25 September to celebrate the their son’s birthday and were returning home.

She said about 30 drunken Cardiff fans were on the Penarth-to-Bargoed Arriva Trains Wales service, celebrating their team’s win after an early kick-off against the London club.

She said things turned nasty when they began shouting sexist chants at a woman on the platform at Lisvane railway station and Ms Robinson asked them to stop.

‘Effectively trapped’

She said: “Then their chanting became directly to me and it became sexist and quite obscene until by the time we got Caerphilly, I pulled the red handle and stopped the train.”

The train driver came out and Mr Robinson asked him to call the police, but the driver reset the handle and continued with the journey.

The family were then “effectively trapped” on the train until they arrived at their home station of Ystrad Mynach, said Ms Robinson.

At the station the family got off the train and Ms Robinson again asked the driver to call the police but she said again there was no action.

Ms Robinson said: “I slithered down off the platform on to the track.”

The police were eventually called, and the service was terminated.

British Transport Police said: “BTP officers attended Ystrad Mynach railway station after a report that a woman had been verbally abused by a group of football fans after she challenged their behaviour on board the train.

“BTP does not tolerate anti-social behaviour of any nature on the railway network and will do everything it can to identify offenders and bring them to justice.”

Peter Northcott, head of stations at Arriva Trains Wales, said: “We take all complaints very seriously and I personally contacted Mr and Mrs Robinson on the day of this incident.

“A full investigation is taking place with the British Transport Police.”

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Serbia’s leader says the ejection of Milosevic 10 years ago by crowds backed by a bulldozer marked the start of democracy.

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US President Barack Obama is to install solar panels on the White House roof, a move lauded by climate activists as symbolic of the nation’s energy future.

The panels will heat the Obamas’ water and provide some electric power.

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter installed solar panels later removed by Ronald Reagan. George W Bush put panels elsewhere on the White House grounds.

Mr Obama is a supporter of renewable energy but legislation aimed at cutting carbon emissions died in the Senate.

The solar panels are to be installed by the spring.

“Solar panels on one house, even this house, won’t save the climate, of course,” global warming activists 350.org wrote on their website. “But they’re a powerful symbol to the whole nation about where the future lies.”

The move was announced by US Energy Secretary Steven Chu at a conference in Washington on ways for the federal government to improve its environmental performance.

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

A “clerical error” has been blamed after a Welsh Assembly Government minister missed his flight to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

When Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones and an official got to Heathrow Airport the plane had left 12 hours earlier.

He has sent an apology to Welsh athletes after Saturday’s mix-up meant he missed the opening ceremony.

The assembly government says his other commitments mean he cannot now go, and examining if the money can be refunded.

Mr Jones was said to be extremely disappointed.

Last week he told journalists he was looking forward to the trip and had “discussions planned with a overseas representatives” on “a range of sporting issues”.

The Commonwealth Games is the only multi-sport event of its kind in which Wales competes as a nation.

Asked whether it was embarrassing for the assembly government, Environment Minister Jane Davidson said: “I know Alun Ffred was meant to be there but wasn’t able to be there.”

Meetings missed

In addition to attending the opening ceremony, Mr Jones was also due to meet members of Team Wales and take the opportunity to discuss sports and arts issues.

During his stay in Delhi, he was also expected to attend the fifth Commonwealth sports ministers meeting, and talk to representatives from New Zealand about their new sport and recreation strategy.

In addition, he was due to meet British Council officers to discuss collaboration between Wales and India on cultural projects.

Mr Jones had travelled to Heathrow on Saturday straight from a meeting with the UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt at the Ryder Cup.

He had been due to fly back on Tuesday morning.

Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne said it was hard for him to comment, as he did not know whose fault it was.

Mr Bourne said: “It doesn’t sound like it was the airline’s fault anyway. It’s unlikely a plane would leave 12 hours early.

“Certainly it’s regrettable from the Welsh team’s point of view… it’s disappointing that Alun Ffred wasn’t there obviously.”

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said that she was “not that interested” that Mr Jones had missed the flight.

She said: “I’m sure that the minister and those making his travel arrangements will be suitably embarrassed, but let’s face it – these things do happen.”

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

The Environment Minister could face contempt of court proceedings over media comments he made about the John Lewis planning application.

A judge has asked the Attorney General to consider Edwin Poots’ remarks on BBC Radio Ulster last Friday.

Mr Poots said it was “outrageous” for courts to allow judicial reviews when it was one commercial interest competing against another.

The judge said the “gravity” of the remarks “should not be underestimated.”

The minister has announced he is to seek urgent advice on any way he can stand aside from the decision making process.

Mr Poots made clear that his comments were not intended to influence the case brought over the proposed development at Sprucefield near Lisburn.

Businesses opposed to the 500,000 sq ft retail scheme have been granted leave to seek a judicial review over claims that a proper assessment was not carried out on the impact a development would have on badgers, bats and newts.

Mr Poots also told the Nolan Show on Friday that the actions of those involved in the litigation were “despicable and disgraceful” and “intolerable”.

‘Bias’

Lord Justice Girvan ruled that there was an arguable case that the minister’s remarks amounted to “bias and pre-determination”.

In a statement read to the court by a departmental lawyer on Tuesday, Mr Poots said: “I wish to make it absolutely clear that I did not intend and do not wish to exert any undue or inappropriate influence on the outcome of either the court’s proceedings in this case or the public inquiry itself.

“I am very conscious of and I fully respect the distinct roles of the courts, the PAC (Planning Appeals Commission) and the department in planning matters.”

He said he was aware that it was of “paramount importance” that the judicial function remained independent of government.

He said he had been conscious throughout his period of involvement that such allegations could be made due to the proposed development being close to his constituency and because of views he expressed before being appointed minister.

Mr Poots said he would refute any claim of apparent bias against him, and had checked with departmental advisers about whether his previous associations could in any way undermine the proper processing of the application.

‘Draft’

William Orbinson QC, appearing for retailers including the House of Fraser and other businesses in Belfast, pointed out there was no firm commitment to stand aside from the process.

He added: “The Minister’s statement, in our view, is somewhat of a retreat from Moscow.

“One wonders frankly whether it was drafted for the Minister.”

Lord Justice Girvan said it did not “sit easily” with his comments on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show.

He emphasised how the courts decide applications in accordance with the law and do not set planning policy.

“The minister’s comments should not be made at all while litigation is pending,” he said.

“The minister has failed to recognise what happened should not have happened.”

Lord Justice Girvan set out how the judicial review case had “taken an unusual and so far as I am concerned unprecedented course”.

He said as a consequence of what had happened the public inquiry into the John Lewis planning application had been postponed until the case was resolved.

“The whole situation can only be described as lamentable,” he said.

But he stressed that Mr Poots should neither have been invited onto the programme nor accepted the invitation.

He said: “The role of each of these parties should be considered by the Attorney General.”

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

TV coverage of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi showed many of the opening day’s events being played out in front of near-empty stadia. So how can you put bums on seats for those less high-profile occasions?

With a rich history stretching back 80 years and Delhi this year hosting 7,000 athletes from 71 countries, the Commonwealth Games are one of the world’s biggest sporting festivals.

But the opening day saw poor attendances at many events.

In an environment of cut-throat competition, maybe the “friendly games” were always going to be a hard sell.

Here, experts suggest a few ways to get punters through the turnstiles:

Bus in “fans”

It might sound extreme but that is exactly what happened at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Despite claiming that all 6.8 million tickets for the games had been sold, organisers became concerned about TV coverage revealing rows of empty seats at some of the early events.

Their solution was to bring in specially-trained volunteers.

Armed with inflatable batons and dressed in uniform bright yellow T-shirts, the fans were encouraged to clap and chant in unison – whoever was playing.

“They are told to cheer for both teams to create a better atmosphere. If the ticket-holders turn up then they get up and go,” Wang Wei, vice-president of the organising committee said at the time.

Sports marketing specialist Laura Walkerden says there’s a “time and place” for bussing people in but that with a good long-term strategy it should be avoided.

However, she warns, there is no one-size-fits-all solution: “You have to look at what the product is, identify the potential audience and then decide what’s the best way to reach them.”

If fans won’t come to the stadium…

“You can’t just expect an audience to roll out because they have historically,” warns Ms Walkerden, of London-based Fast Track Agency.

“You have to balance satisfying the hard-core support with attracting a new, younger audience.”

That could mean using social media – for example, keeping potential fans informed through an e-mail campaign – as a cheap and efficient way of promoting a sport.

Regular fans can be offered extras, such as the chance to attend special events or first refusal on tickets, to build loyalty.

“Taking the sport out of its normal context to the masses can also work,” she says.

When promoting UK Athletics, Fast Track organised a pole vault demonstration at Canary Wharf. It attempted to attract non-traditional supporters and help people understand the skill involved in a way that cannot be portrayed on TV.

“It’s great for the public to get a new perspective on the sport,” she adds.

Lay on some razzmatazz

When a Parisian rugby team moved from its 12,000-capacity ground to the newly built 74,000-seater national stadium, it had to do a lot of work to boost support.

Dr Guillaume Bodet says Stade Francais Paris rugby union club made the leap by laying on plenty of extras for fans.

“They might have can-can dancers before the game, a mini-concert at half-time and then end it all with a huge fireworks show,” says the lecturer in sports marketing at Loughborough University.

“At one event, Darth Vader came into the stadium – backed by the Star Wars music – to present the match ball to the players. It changed the image of rugby, making it more trendy and introduced new fans like younger people and families.”

However, Dr Bodet adds that this strategy carries the risk of alienating traditional support – a complaint often aired against Twenty20 cricket.

Make sure the price is right

The key to success is always value for money, according to Ms Walkerden – although giving too much away can be risky.

“If an event is priced too low, there can be a perception that it’s because [it’s] not that great. You have to understand how much people are willing to pay and if you don’t sell out, then it’s difficult to push prices up,” she says.

But Ms Walkerden says a jam-packed stadium is not always required for a special atmosphere.

“If you’ve got good action and great individual performances, a half-full stadium can be twice as noisy as one full of people who aren’t being entertained.”

Giving away tickets can devalue the event, she concedes. but admits “bums on seats” are essential at lower-profile events, with many sports offering cheap tickets to children.

Dr Bodet says the cheapest seats in the Stade de France were priced at around £5 for children.

“On a Saturday evening in Paris, what else could you do for that price? Not much,” he points out.

The strategy works not just for the spectators. It enables Stade Francais to generate huge crowds several times a year and enjoy the extra revenue that entails.

Use the power of celebrity

There is no doubt a bit of star quality can help drive ticket sales. Recently, athletics has been boosted by the success of Jessica Ennis, Phillips Idowu and – this year – long-distance runner Mo Farah.

Ms Walkerden says Farah’s likeable personality had always made him a draw for traditional athletics fans but that his European Championships double gold-medal winning exploits made him a name to millions more.

However, she warns that while promoters must maximise such assets, there are inherent dangers.

“Basing your marketing campaign around individuals can set you up for a fall, for example if they pull out, or get injured and can’t turn up.”

If all else fails… vinyl fans

With attendances languishing at around 4,000, Italian Serie B football team Triestina Calcio decided to give the fans rattling around their 32,454-capacity stadium some company.

Giant vinyl sheets, painted with virtual fans, were used to fill the 10,000-seat Colaussi stand.

While it might have given the impression there was something to shout about, it did not please everyone.

One fan reportedly called the move “depressing”, adding: “It’s as if we’re sending out the message that Trieste has no flesh-and-blood fans, just cardboard cutouts.”

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

The International Monetary Fund says the global financial system remains the weak link in the economic recovery.

In a new report, the IMF predicts a gradual improvement in the financial system, but adds that there is a substantial risk of further problems.

The IMF says that in the last six months there has been a setback to financial stability, which may affect the recovery from global recession.

That has been highlighted by the recent turmoil in European financial markets.