'Break-In' Murder: 13-Year-Old Charged

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Martin Thomas, who died from a stab wound during a suspected break-in at his home in southwest London.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, has been remanded in custody to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Monday.

A 15-year-old boy has already appeared in court charged with murder and has been remanded in custody.

A 17-year-old and a 16-year-old both arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail.

Mr Thomas, 39, was pronounced dead at his home in Huntingfield Road, Roehampton, on April 22.

A post-mortem revealed he died from a stab wound that punctured his lung.

Police are continuing to appeal for information surrounding his murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Charlie King, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said earlier: "At this early stage we are keeping an open mind about any possible motive.

"Members of the public have already provided us with accounts of three young men seen loitering in the area prior to the incident. I am directly appealing to these young men to come forward and speak us.

"I am also urging anyone who may have more information regarding this incident to contact us."

:: Anyone with information should call police on 0208 721 4205 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Sunday's National Newspaper Front Pages

A possible TV debate involving David Cameron and Nigel Farage, a Labour crackdown on junk food and a 'horror' plane landing are among the stories on the front pages.

And Scotland's Sunday Herald has become the first British newspaper to openly support Scottish independence ahead of the September referendum.

The Prime Minister has appointed his senior security adviser to lead a new drive for compensation for British victims of IRA terrorism, claims The Sunday Telegraph.

Mr Cameron is prepared to go head to head with the UKIP leader Mr Farage in a televised debate before the next general election, says The Sunday Times.

More than 30 of Ed Miliband's Labour parliamentary candidates have called for a bold new policy to improve rail services and control train fares, reports The Observer.

The Sunday Herald comes out in support of Scottish independence

The Mail On Sunday says the Labour leader is facing a party revolt over secret plans for a 'nanny state' crackdown on drinking, smoking and junk food.

A British Airways steward has been found dead on a beach after a horror landing that left the entire cabin crew unfit to fly, reports the Sunday Express.

A woman begged police for help 120 times as she endured a five-year reign of terror at the hands of a stalker, claims the Sunday People.

Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson is expecting a tough reception at his next public appearance on Barbados following his recent racism row, says the Daily Star Sunday.

The Independent On Sunday leads with free schools and reports a head teachers' union has said pupils 'learnt nothing all term'.

:: Watch the Press Preview on Sky News every evening at 10.30pm and 11.30pm.

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Slavery Becomes 'Big Business' In Britain

By Adele Robinson, Midlands Correspondent

The number of people being used as "slaves" in the UK is increasing, according to a charity.

Hope for Justice, which campaigns against human trafficking, says the problem of forced labour, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation is a "massive" problem in Britain.

Sky News has obtained Freedom of Information figures showing that within the last three years 336 "slavery" offences were investigated by police in the UK.

Allan Doherty, the head of operations for Hope for Justice, says the statistics are not a true representation of the problem.

"On estimate it must be at least 10 times that, and that is just for the number of offences being investigated by law enforcement agencies.

"The actual number of trafficking victims is probably 100 times that again, because at least 90% of victims probably never even come to the attention of authorities or charities such as ours because it's such a hidden crime."

The freedom of information figures show that out of 336 offences, 170 were investigated by the Metropolitan Police in London, and 88 in Scotland - both have dedicated human trafficking units.

One reason given for the low figure released under the Freedom of Information Act is the way in which crimes are recorded. Often the more serious offence, such as rape or assault, is logged instead.

Hope for Justice also says that in the past front line services have not recognised the signs of trafficking but the situation is getting better.

Last year alone, the charity trained up to 700 police officers and social services staff to spot the characteristics displayed by trafficking victims.

In a statement the Minister for Slavery and Organised Crime, Karen Bradley, said the Government is doing everything within its power "to stamp out the evil in our midst".

The Modern Slavery Bill is being introduced by the Government

"The Government is introducing a Modern Slavery Bill, the first of its kind in Europe. We have set up an international group of Police - the Santa Marta Group - so that we can work internationally to stamp out this very complex crime.

"The Bill will ensure that victims are protected and that slave drivers will for the first time face life imprisonment.

"Work is being done to establish a better intelligence picture of the scale of this horrendous crime, and our chief scientist is looking at how we can gather an improved picture of what we are dealing with."

Pavel, who wanted to remain anonymous, was brought over to the UK and became a victim of slavery.

He was forced to work seven days a week in a car wash for no pay, one meal a day, and had to sleep on the floor with two other men, also slaves, in the same room.

"I feel embarrassed to talk about it because I felt terrible. It's somehow impossible to describe, feeling worthlessness, losing my confidence, losing my pride - you feel abused and they treat you like a thing, without any feelings. Every word they say is false."

Pavel was made to work seven days a week for no pay

Pavel lived with the threat of violence and said that one of the other slaves, who had learning difficulties, was also treated as a "maid" within the house.

"He was cleaning their rooms, and he was bringing shopping bags up. He was just their slave.

"Even the police don't know where he ended up, he just disappeared somewhere and no one knows where he is, so I think about him a lot."

Ben Cooley, CEO of Hope for Justice, says modern day slavery is big business in the UK, seen as low risk, often cash in hand, and high profit.

"These traffickers, these slave owners in our country, will find any avenue to raise money, to make money, whether it be rape for profit, forced labour for profit, whether it be domestic servitude.

"They are in it to get money, and they are doing very well out of it. We have rescued victims who have actually made, in a matter of months, £15,000 profit."

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Headteachers Want End To Long School Holidays

Headteachers are considering plans to cut the length of the six-week summer holiday to avoid teacher exhaustion and high holiday prices.

The proposal is part of a new education manifesto that the National Association Of Head Teachers (NAHT) is drawing up at its annual conference this weekend ahead of next year's general election.

It follows Education Secretary Michael Gove's call that children should have shorter holidays as well as spend longer days and terms in the classroom.

Under the current system, state school pupils in England usually get two weeks off at Christmas and Easter as well as six weeks in the summer, and three, week-long half-term breaks.

But the union suggests that holidays should be spread more evenly throughout the year.

Traditionally, schools have a six-week school summer break

NAHT general secretary Russell Hobby said that there has been much debate and evidence recently over whether children suffer "learning loss" over the long summer holiday.

"One of the things that I'm concerned about is whether the current structure of holidays is also healthy for the people who work in schools as well," he said.

"It seems like, at the end of term, everyone is ready to drop and that actually, not reducing the amount of holiday but distributing it more evenly across the year might be one solution to that."

Under Government reforms, academies and free schools already have the freedom to set their own hours and term times and this is being extended to schools still under local council control.

Mr Hobby said that the union did not have "any particular liking" for every school setting its own dates as this could cause problems for families with children at more than one school.

Michael Gove wants to go a step further and have shorter holidays all-round

Stephen Watkins, a primary headteacher from Leeds, said he was against changes to the six-week holiday.

He said teachers often come in to school during their holidays to prepare for the forthcoming term and that children "need time to assimilate the learning that has taken place".

In a speech last year, Mr Gove called for longer school days and terms, warning that the current system is out of date.

He claimed that pupils are at a "significant handicap" compared with youngsters in East Asian nations who benefit from extra tuition and support from teachers.

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has also indicated he would like to see changes to the school calendar.

But the reforms have proved controversial, with some teachers' unions arguing that teachers and pupils already spend long hours in the classroom.

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Labour 'Plans Booze And Junk Food Crackdown'

Tough restrictions on the sale and advertising of alcohol, junk food and tobacco would be imposed under a Labour government, according to a leaked policy document.

It also contains plans to end sports sponsorship by drinks firms, a minimum alcohol pricing in a bid to cut the impact of drinking on health and restrictions on where drinks could be sold in supermarkets.

Included are new laws to limit the amount of sugar, fat and salt in food aimed at children, and a ban on junk food advertising on television before the 9pm watershed.

A ban on smoking in cars with children present is another measure advocated, as is the introduction of plain packaging.

The Mail On Sunday reports that the plans are detailed in a report to the "society" sub-group of the party's shadow cabinet, a copy of which the paper has obtained.

The ban on sports sponsorship by drinks companies would cost the sporting world £300m a year, the paper reports.

According to the document, measures to combat obesity could include a ban on some high-sugar breakfast cereals and removing sweets from supermarket checkouts.

A ban on junk food advertising before 9pm is one of the suggestions

A Labour spokesman said the leaked paper "represents a wide range of options" but was not official policy.

The party's shadow business secretary, Chuka Umunna, told Sky News' Murnaghan programme "a lot" of the story - which called the suggestions a "nanny state" plan that is causing a revolt in the party - is "garbage".

"Actually, what we want to do is to help people lead more healthy lives.

"It's not about forcing and imposing your view on people, we actually want to empower them to be able to live more healthy lives."

But Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps said the ideas were a case of "the same old Labour".

He said: "They claim they're worried about prices - but want to put up the cost of a drink.

"Not only would that make a drink after work more expensive, it would hit pubs hard, putting many out of business.

"It's becoming clearer every day that Ed Miliband just offers more of the same old Labour, and no economic plan to secure Britain's future."

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Woman Critical After Being Hit By Police Car

A woman is in a serious but stable condition after being hit by a police car in east London.

She was hit by the unmarked car, which had its emergency lights on, in Hackney just before 11.30pm on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Kingsland Road, near the Dalston Kingsland Overground station.

The woman was taken to hospital by ambulance, where she remains.

No arrests have been made, and the Independent Police Complaints Commission has been informed.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is being asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 597 4874, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

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Leeds Teacher Death: Man Charged Over Message

One man has been charged and another arrested in connection with what police describe as "malicious communications" following the murder of teacher Ann Maguire in Leeds.

Mrs Maguire, 61, was stabbed to death in front of her students at Corpus Christi Catholic College last Monday, where she had taught for more than 40 years.

West Yorkshire Police said Jake Newsome, 21, from the Harehills area in Leeds, has been released on bail after being charged for the alleged abuse.

He is due to appear before Leeds Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

A 42-year-old man, from Port Talbot, South Wales, has also been arrested and remains in custody.

Today prayers have been said at dozens of churches across West Yorkshire for the family of the dedicated Spanish teacher and mother-of-two.

Mrs Maguire was stabbed during a lesson at Corpus Christi Catholic College

The Catholic Diocese of Leeds wrote to around 90 churches and urged them to pray for Mrs Maguire, who was due to retire in September.

A spokesman for the diocese said: "We are asking everybody to remember Ann Maguire in their prayers, and to remember her family who will be under pressure and stress at this time.

"She was amazingly well known in the local community for what she had done for young people.

"Everybody is so hurt by what has happened and taking time to recover.

"This is a time to remember her. We are talking about three generations of people - children, parents and grandparents - whose lives she has touched.

"She made a major difference to a lot of people's lives through the care she gave them and her teaching.

"Part of her philosophy was to make sure that students achieved their best, and this is a chance to remember her."

A book of condolence has also been opened at the cathedral in Leeds for those who want to express their sympathies.

A 15-year-old boy is in custody charged with Mrs Maguire's murder.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via video-link at Leeds Crown Court on Friday. There was no application for bail.

The case was adjourned until July 11 for a plea and case management hearing.

A date for the start of the murder trial was set for November 3.

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David Cameron 'Ready For Farage TV Debate'

Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps has told Sky News "all options are on the table" when it comes to deciding who should take part in TV debates before the next election, amid reports Nigel Farage could be included.

The Sunday Times has reported that Prime Minister David Cameron is ready to sign up for three debates between party leaders - including one that could include the UKIP leader.

Speaking on Sky News' Murnaghan programme, Mr Shapps did not rule out the notion of Mr Farage taking part, and said negotiations would begin towards the end of this year.

A "2-3-5" plan reportedly drawn up by aides would include a debate between Mr Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband, another with Mr Miliband and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and a third featuring the three main party leaders along with Mr Farage and Natalie Bennett from the Green Party.

The newspaper said the format would allow for one debate during the campaign, while the others would be held beforehand.

But Mr Farage has said he did not think he would get the chance to take part.

Nigel Farage and Nick Clegg recently went head-to-head over Europe

"What David Cameron does, very often he makes these promises, vague promises, and then doesn't actually deliver afterwards," he told BBC1's Andrew Marr show.

"I don't think he has got any intention of allowing me into any of these debates."

Speaking on the same programme, Mr Miliband said it was "up to the broadcasters who they invite, whether they invite Nigel".

"My main desire is that the debates go ahead," he said.

"The Prime Minister doesn't own these debates, the British people own these debates and he can't wriggle out of them."

Last month Mr Miliband said the previous format of three debates between the three main party leaders over three weeks should be a "starting point" but that he was open to changes such as a less formal setting and greater voter participation.

David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown during the 2010 Sky News debate

Britain's first leaders' debates, between Mr Cameron, Gordon Brown and Mr Clegg were shown on Sky News, the BBC and ITV in 2010.

This followed negotiations between the parties and the TV companies which resulted in strict rules on the style of questioning and the division of time for leaders' answers.

Mr Cameron has since complained that the debates "took all the life out" of the campaign.

Mr Farage has repeatedly challenged the PM to agree to a TV debate with him.

Opinion polls suggested the UKIP leader beat Mr Clegg in two debates shown live on Sky News and the BBC ahead of this month's European elections.

Meanwhile, an opinion poll suggests UKIP is heading for victory in the European vote - but most voters believe the party attracts racists and bigots.

The YouGov poll for the Sun on Sunday put Mr Farage's party on 29%, ahead of Labour on 26%, the Conservatives on 23% and Liberal Democrats on 10%.

But 27% of those surveyed thought UKIP is a party with "racist views" and "many racist members", while 35% thought that, while the party is not racist, it "does seem to attract some candidates or supporters with racist, extreme or odd views".

Some 26% said UKIP is not racist and their "more controversial candidates are just saying the things ordinary people actually think".

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Miliband Urges Caution On Pfizer Takeover Bid

AstraZeneca: The Key Statistics

Updated: 11:23am UK, Friday 02 May 2014

American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, which makes Viagra, has until May 26 to confirm its intentions in what could be Britain's biggest ever takeover. Here are some key statistics and history about AstraZeneca:

:: Pfizer's original bid earlier this year for AstraZeneca valued the company at just under £60bn.

:: Its boosted bid on May 2 valued it at £63bn.

:: AstraZeneca operates in more than 100 countries and employs 51,500 people worldwide.

:: Around 9,000 of its staff work in research and development (R&D).

:: It attracted £15.6bn of annual sales in year ending December 31, 2013, however this was down 24% in two years - from £20.4bn in 2011.

:: Reported operating profits have fallen from £7.8bn to £2.2bn, a fall of 71% over the same period.

:: Key to these falling sales and profits is the loss of exclusivity on some of its blockbuster drugs including Arimidex, Atacand, Crestor, Nexium and Seroquel IR. In 2013, the loss of exclusivity directly reduced revenues by £1.3bn.

:: The group forecast that, with new drugs coming online and its extensive acquisition activity, revenues will be back in line with its 2013 figures by 2017.

:: In the three years to 2013, it has completed more than 150 acquisitions including Pearl Therapeutics and Omthera Pharmaceuticals.

:: In 2013, it bought Amplimmune for £700m to help the group secure future products.

:: Analysts see the group battling to sustain itself in a more competitive industry, where cheaper generics eat into the profits on successful drugs post exclusivity.

:: The R&D cost and difficulty of developing new equivalent blockbuster drugs keeps growing.

:: Pfizer's previous proposal on January 5 included a combination of cash and shares which represented an indicative value of £46.61 per AstraZeneca share.

:: The bid included a substantial premium of approximately 30% to AstraZeneca's closing share price of £35.86 on January 3.

:: AstraZeneca was formed in 1999 when Sweden's Astra - which was formed in 1913 - merged with the UK's Zeneca.

:: Zeneca was created in 1993 following a de-merger from ICI.

:: Pfizer's revenues were $51.6bn (£30.7bn) in 2013.

:: Pfizer employs 78,000 people worldwide including 900 in Britain.

:: It makes Viagra and Chap Stick.

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Gerry Adams 'Very Likely' To Be Released

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams is "very likely" to be released from custody this evening, according to Sky sources.

Sky's David Blevins says a file is likely to be sent to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service, which will then decide whether there is a case to answer.

Mr Adams has spent a fourth day being questioned by detectives about the 1972 murder of mother-of-10 Jean McConville, who was snatched from her home in front of her children.

On Friday, officers were granted another 48 hours to quiz the republican party leader at Antrim police station. They had to charge him or release him by 8pm tonight.

Martin McGuinness says Mr Adams arrest was politically motivated

Mr Adams, 65, has been questioned for up to 17 hours a day since his arrest, Sky News understands.

He vehemently denies allegations that he ordered the murder of Ms McConville.

No one has ever been charged with the murder of 37-year-old Ms McConville. Her body was finally discovered in 2003 on a beach 50 miles from her home.

Mr Adams arrest has led to a growing political row, with Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson accusing Sinn Fein of attempting to blackmail the police.

The party had warned it would review its support for policing if Mr Adams was charged.

Mr Robinson said: "The PSNI must not be the subject of republican bully boy tactics.

"The protest action taken by Sinn Fein is unacceptable in any democratic country operating under the rule of law.

"The publicly conveyed threat to the PSNI delivered by the highest levels of Sinn Fein that they will reassess their attitude to policing if Gerry Adams is charged is a despicable, thuggish attempt to blackmail the PSNI."

Peter Robinson has accused Sinn Fein of "bully boy tactics"

Senior Sinn Fein member Gerry Kelly told reporters outside Antrim police station he had seen Mr Adams and that he was being treated well.

"And like myself and all the members of Sinn Fein he believes that the timing of this was political, that the extension of it was political and he's worried about the damage that it might be doing to the image of policing as well and that it's been mishandled in that type of fashion," he said.

Speaking at the unveiling of a mural of Mr Adams in Belfast on Saturday, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness alleged some people in the PSNI are "hostile" to the peace process.

He said: "In my view this is a failed attempt at the replay of the effort in 1978 to charge Gerry Adams with membership of the IRA. That case was based on hearsay, gossip and newspaper articles.

"It failed then and it will fail now.

"Thirty-six years later those within the PSNI who are hostile to the peace process are using the same old dirty tricks. They are deliberately and cynically exploiting the awful killing of Jean McConville and the grief and hurt inflicted on her family."

Sinn Fein's decision to sign up to support the PSNI in 2007 was viewed as a major milestone in the peace process.

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