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Report highlights Scots jobless

The Scottish unemployment rate is higher than in the UK

Scotland’s unemployment rate has reached its highest level since 1996, according to findings by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Its report said unemployment and child poverty had risen faster in Scotland than England.

The statistic comes on the day the Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, visits Edinburgh as part of his consultation on welfare reforms.

The report also said that the recession had affected men more than women.

New tropical storm hits Mexico

People carrying their belongings along a flooded street in Veracruz

The worst flooding has been in the eastern state of Veracruz

A tropical storm has hit the Baja California peninsula on Mexico’s northern Pacific coast, bringing torrential rains and pounding waves.

Tropical Storm Georgette made landfall near the resort town of Cabo San Lucas, on the tip of the peninsula.

It struck days after Hurricane Karl swept across south-eastern Mexico, flooding large areas and killing at least 15 people.

Parts of the country are enduring their worst rainy season on record.

Heavy downpours have continued to drench southern and central Mexico in the wake of Hurricane Karl, causing floods and landslides.

On Monday night a hillside collapsed on a bus near the town of Villa Guerrero, 60km (35 miles) south-west of Mexico City, killing at least seven people.

Rescuers have been digging through the mud in search of others who are missing.

In the eastern state of Veracruz, which bore the brunt of Hurricane Karl, around 40,000 people were still living in emergency shelters on Tuesday.

“Nearly half the state is under water,” Veracruz governor Fidel Herrera said.

The southern states of Oaxaca and Tabasco have also suffered severe floods.

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

Quartet urges settlement freeze

George Mitchell, Hillary Clinton, Ban Ki-moon, Sergei Lavrov, Catherine Ashton and Tony Blair at UN headquarters in New York (21 September 2010)

Senior diplomats from the Quartet met at the UN’s headquarters in New York

The Quartet of Middle East peace mediators has urged Israel to extend its partial freeze on the construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

It called the freeze, due to expire at the end of the month, commendable and said it had had a positive impact.

The Quartet also encouraged both sides to continue their newly resumed direct talks “in a constructive manner”.

The Palestinian Authority says it will pull out if the freeze is not extended, but Israel has so far refused.

Meetings in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh and Jerusalem last week appeared to fail to resolve the matter, although the US special envoy, George Mitchell, said “progress” had been made.

Senior diplomats from the Quartet – the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia – met on Tuesday at the UN’s headquarters in New York to discuss a way forward in the negotiations.

“The Quartet noted that the commendable Israeli settlement moratorium instituted last November has had a positive impact and urged its continuation,” a statement issued afterwards said.

“The Quartet encouraged the parties to work together to find a way to ensure that negotiations continue in a constructive manner.”

Israeli settlements on occupied land

The Jewish settlement of Pisgat Zeev, seen behind the controversial West Bank barrier, on the outskirts of Jerusalem (4 August 2010)

More than 430,000 settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, alongside 2.5 million Palestinians20,000 settlers live in the Golan HeightsSettlements and the area they take up cover 40% of the West BankThere are about 100 settlements not authorised by the Israeli government in the West BankAn Israeli settlement in close-up In the shadow of an Israeli settlement

Earlier, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon indicated that his government disagreed with the view that ending the settlement construction freeze threatened to bring a premature halt to the talks.

“Settlements have never been an issue, because once we agree on borders everything will be obvious. So let’s concentrate on the real issues and not just put the obstacle in the settlements,” he told reporters at the UN.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will not extend the freeze, but indicated he could limit construction work to major settlement blocs.

Before the Quartet meeting, a spokesman for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the next 10 days would be “decisive and determine the fate of the direct negotiations”.

“There is a very large international effort made to overcome the obstacles in the way of direct negotiations. In particular, the obstacle of the settlements,” Nabil Abu Rudeina told the AFP news agency.

The Quartet representative, Tony Blair, remained optimistic that a compromise could be reached.

“The good news in a sense, and the thing that should encourage us to find a way round this impasse, is that there’s no doubt at all that both parties are absolutely serious about finding an agreement,” he said.

Nearly half a million Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since Israel’s 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. They are held to be illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.

Israeli President Shimon Peres held private talks late on Monday with Mr Abbas in New York. They spoke briefly to reporters afterwards, but did not discuss any particular developments, including settlements.

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

‘Lost’ frogs found again after decades

The Omaniundu reed frog was last seen in 1979, until the recent expedition

A mission aimed at rediscovering amphibian species thought to be extinct has yielded its first results.

Conservationists have turned up live specimens of two West African frogs and a cave-dwelling salamander from Mexico.

The salamander was last seen in 1941, and was rediscovered by abseiling into caves deep in the forest.

The expeditions are partially designed to bring attention to the plight of amphibians around the world, with a third of species at risk of extinction.

“These rediscovered animals are the lucky ones”

Dr Robin Moore

“It’s pretty extraordinary to think about just how long it has been since these animals were last seen,” observed project co-ordinator Robin Moore of Conservation International (CI).

“The last time that the Mexican salamander was seen, Glenn Miller was one of the world’s biggest stars.

“The Omaniundu reed frog disappeared the year that Sony sold its first ever Walkman.”

The expeditions, formally launched last month, collectively aim to find out whether 100 species thought extinct are in fact still alive.

The West African species – the Omaniundu reed frog (Hyperolius sankuruensis) from Democratic Republic of Congo, last seen in 1979, and the Mount Nimba reed frog (Hyperolius nimbae) from Ivory Coast, unknown since 1967 – are particularly intriguing, as both countries are subject to fairly intensive habitat loss.

As the human footprint expands, many amphibians are being pushed back into marginal areas, such as the Mexican cave system where the cave splayfoot salamander (Chiropterotriton mosaueri) turned up.

There had been no sightings of this salamander since its initial discovery in 1941.

It was thought to need humid caves, and conservationists feared it had been wiped out as the forests dried out after extensive logging.

Gaining access to the remaining cave splayfoot salamanders was not plain abseiling

“These are fantastic finds and could have important implications for people as well as for amphibians,” said Dr Moore.

“We don’t know whether study of these animals could provide new medicinal compounds – as other amphibians have – and at least one of these animals lives in an area that is important to protect as it provides drinking water to urban areas.

“But these rediscovered animals are the lucky ones – many other species we have been looking for have probably gone for good.”

The re-discovery mission is scheduled to produce its final tally before October’s summit of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, to be held in Nagoya, Japan.

There, governments will discuss the human factors that are pushing many plant and animal species towards extinction, with amphibians in the vanguard.

[email protected]

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

Scots drink price plan faces defeat

The Scottish government wants a minimum price for alcohol

The Scottish government’s plans for minimum drink pricing are set to be defeated at Holyrood, despite a last-minute offer to save the measure.

Holyrood’s health committee is expected to back a Tory amendment to strike from the Alcohol Bill plans for a minimum price per unit of alcohol of 45p.

The SNP has offered to insert a sunset clause in the legislation, which would review the policy after six years.

But the move has not gained enough opposition support.

Ministers say minimum pricing is needed to help tackle Scotland’s drinking culture.

“There is simply no political support for the SNP’s blanket minimum pricing”

Mary Scanlon Tory health spokeswoman

But rival politicians said the blanket policy would hit responsible drinkers, and have pulled together to oppose the minority government’s plan.

Nationalist MSP, Dr Ian McKee, said a levy of 45p would mean 1,200 fewer hospital admissions, a £5.5m fall in health care costs, 50 fewer deaths and nearly 23,000 fewer days absent from work in the first year.

He added: “Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon’s offer of a sunset clause gives parliament the opportunity to see the benefits minimum pricing will bring to Scotland’s communities and to review it properly after a set time.

“There are no grounds for rejecting that opportunity.”

But the Tories’ Mary Scanlon, added: “There is simply no political support for the SNP’s blanket minimum pricing.

“These plans would penalise responsible drinkers, harm the Scotch whisky industry, cost jobs and is probably illegal.”

Rock-bottom prices

Ross Finnie, the Lib Dem health spokesman, said all parties must work together to tackle Scotland’s alcohol problems.

But he warned: “We remain unconvinced by the government’s proposals for minimum pricing.

“It impacts heavily on the low paid, has a marginal effect on hazardous drinkers and gives a windfall to retailers.”

Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie, added: “According to the Scottish government’s own study, a minimum price of 45p per unit will deliver more than £140m of extra revenue per year for retailers – but it won’t create a single extra penny for more police or the NHS.”

If agreed, the minimum pricing policy would see a two-litre bottle of Tesco brand cider go from £1.32 to £3.80, while Asda whisky would rise from £9.20 to £12.60.

Ms Sturgeon has maintained that costs would only rise for high-strength products sold at rock-bottom prices.

The cross-party health committee is set to amend the Alcohol Bill, which is in the second of its three parliamentary stages.

The Tory amendment is to be backed by Labour and Lib Dem MSPs.

Ministers will have a further attempt to re-insert minimum pricing in the bill at its final stage.

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

Lifeboat teams report busy summer

The RNLI said there were 430 launches over the summer in Scotland

Scotland’s lifeboats turned out nearly five times each day during the summer, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has revealed.

The charity said there were 430 lifeboat launches over June, July and August.

The busiest of Scotland’s 45 lifeboat stations was Queensferry, in South Queensferry, with 36 launches, compared with 22 last year.

Nearly 3,500 volunteers were needed to crew the launches.

Antipsychotic drugs clot ‘link’

Blood clots are a serious condition that need prompt medical attention

Antipsychotic drugs taken by thousands in the UK raise the risk of dangerous blood clots, scientists believe.

The latest research, published in the British Medical Journal, provides the strongest evidence yet of a link.

People given antipsychotics in the past two years had a third greater risk of clots like deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The Nottingham University study looking at 25,000 cases found the risk was even higher for the newer “atypical” antipsychotics.

US Supreme Court allows execution

Teresa Lewis was convicted of plotting to kill her husband and stepson

The US Supreme Court has refused to halt the Virginia execution of Teresa Lewis, scheduled for Thursday.

She is the first woman to face the death penalty in the US for five years.

Teresa Lewis, who has learning difficulties, conspired with two men to kill her husband and stepson in 2002, leaving a door unlocked so the gunmen could enter the family home.

Two of three women in the nine-judge court voted to halt the execution.

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor voted against. but there was no other comment from the court.

Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell has said he will not commute the death penalty, despite claims Lewis, who pleaded guilty, has learning disabilities.

The two gunmen who carried out the killings received life sentences.

Lewis – due to die by lethal injection on Thursday – will be the first woman executed in Virginia since 1912.

Her lawyers filed a petition for executive clemency on 25 August 2010.

Declining to commute the sentence, Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell said: “Lewis does not deny that she committed these heinous crimes.

“Numerous psychiatrists and psychologists have analysed Lewis, both before and after her sentencing.

“After numerous evaluations, no medical professional has concluded that Teresa Lewis meets the medical or statutory definition of mentally retarded.”

Lewis’s husband, Julian Lewis, and stepson, Charles Lewis, were killed with shotgun blasts by Matthew Shallenberger and Rodney Fuller at their home in Danville, Virginia.

Fuller reportedly arranged a deal with prosecutors and received a life sentence.

Shallenberger – who was Lewis’s lover – was also sentenced to life. Lewis’s lawyers argue that he manipulated her.

Lewis was motivated by inheriting her husband’s assets and her stepson’s life insurance. She paid for the weapons and ammunition used in the murders.

Prosecutors said Lewis’s husband was still alive after the shootings and that she waited 45 minutes before ringing police.

“I’m a little nervous… I’m also scared. But I am peaceful because I’ve got Jesus with me,” Lewis said in an interview with CNN hours before her appeal for clemency was denied.

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

Vulnerable pregnant ‘missing out’

Antenatal classes can help pick up health problems during pregnancy

Many of the most vulnerable pregnant women are missing out on vital care in England and Wales, experts say.

NHS watchdog NICE said teenage mothers, domestic abuse victims, drug users and non-English speakers were the least likely to use antenatal services despite being the most in need.

The body said the health service needed to become more flexible and welcoming.

In particular, it suggested one option would be for schools and colleges to start hosting classes.

NICE, which acts as the official advisory body to the health service, said antenatal classes played an essential role in improving the health of mothers and babies.

They offer lifestyle advice about drinking and smoking, as well as helping to spot medical problems such as pre-eclampsia and a form of diabetes linked to pregnancy.

But NICE said that despite teenage mothers, domestic abuse victims, drug users and non-English speakers being the most likely to encounter problems, antenatal attendance among these groups remained low – although it was unable to supply figures, and instead based its report on anecdotal evidence.

NICE said not using antenatal services was a factor in the high rates of complications.

Fourteen in 100,000 women die during pregnancy or after childbirth on average, but in deprived communities that figure rises five-fold. Stillbirths and infant mortality rates are also higher, according to official figures.

Interpreters

NICE said the NHS should take a range of steps to ensure more women from difficult backgrounds accessed antenatal care.

As well as providing classes in schools and colleges where appropriate, the body called for more interpreters for those with difficulty speaking English, out-of-hours contacts, a text-messaging service to remind women of appointments and one-on-one sessions to allow sensitive subjects to be discussed.

NICE said antenatal services could also help refer women in difficult situations on to other services, such as social care.

“Implementing the recommendations will require additional resourcing and staffing at a level that it is not clearly available in the current context of cutbacks in NHS spending”

Louise Silverton Royal College of Midwives

Its experts said many of their suggestions were already being used in some of the best-performing places, but said the majority of the NHS could still make improvements.

They also highlighted that some women from these groups had complained that staff had been judgemental about their situations.

There are more than 600,000 pregnancies a year, of which 30,000 are to substance abusers, 40,000 to under 20-year-olds, 47,000 to domestic abuse victims and 70,000 to non-English speakers.

Dr Gillian Leng, NICE’s deputy chief executive, said: “Although these women represent a small proportion of those having babies in the UK each year, they and their unborn children deserve the same level of care as anyone else.”

Louise Silverton, from the Royal College of Midwives, said the proposals would help improve care.

But she added midwives were often hampered in providing the best services because of a lack of resources.

“Implementing the recommendations will require additional resourcing and staffing at a level that it is not clearly available in the current context of cutbacks in NHS spending,” she said.

Mary Newburn, from the National Childbirth Trust parenting charity, said the proposals would make the NHS “more accessible and responsive to the complex needs of vulnerable women who can often slip through the net”.

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

France looks into al-Qaeda claim

French intelligence is looking into a claim by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb to have kidnapped seven foreign workers at a uranium mine in Niger.

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

Nipsa warn of protests over cuts

Nipsa said jobs would be lost across all sectors

Nipsa said the scale of the cuts will lead to thousands of jobs being lost in the public and private sector.

The General Secretary of Northern Ireland’s largest public sector trade union has warned that the £2bn of cuts to the NI budget will be met with “stiff resistance”.

Finance minister Sammy Wilson said on Tuesday that the cutbacks will be “fairly massive” for some departments.

Nipsa said the scale of the cuts will lead to thousands of jobs being lost in the public and private sector.

It warned it will wreck the NI economy and deprive communities of services.

Nipsa General Secretary Brian Campfield said “The cuts represent economic vandalism and ignore the fact that it was banks and other financial institutions which precipitated the crisis yet it is low and middle income earners, women and young people who will bear the brunt of the cuts.”

Mr Campfield said the government must consider a different model for reducing the deficit which does not entail “dumping hundreds of thousands of workers onto the dole and decimating important public services”.

Nipsa said a series of protests have been organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions over the coming weeks.

Sammy Wilson has warned that the cutbacks will be “fairly massive” for some departments.

Speaking at Stormont on Tuesday, Mr Wilson said the Treasury would have no sympathy for the argument that NI is ‘a basket case economy’, deserving special treatment.

He said the current budget, which funds ongoing government programmes, would be cut by over £1.5bn, more than 10%.

The capital budget, which funds roads and buildings will be cut by more than 30% or £500m.

The scale of the cutbacks will start to become clear when the Chancellor reveals the outcome of the UK wide spending review on 20 October.

The size of Northern Ireland’s block grant will be revealed on the same day and Mr Wilson said he hoped to get a budget through the Assembly early in the new year.

He said things “could get fairly messy” as the fine detail of the spending plans are worked out by the Executive.

However, he warned against any “procrastination”, saying front-line managers in the public services need to know their budget position well in advance of the start of the financial year.

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