Monty Python Create England World Cup Song

The stars of Monty Python have created their own unofficial England World Cup anthem with an updated version of Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

Eric Idle has written a new verse to mark the world's biggest football tournament, which includes a consolation for England fans should their team crash out of the tournament early.

The new version - released ahead of 10 reunion shows at London's O2 Arena in July - went on sale on Sunday.

The song was originally written by Idle for the final scene of the Python film The Life Of Brian, released in 1979.

But it has been adopted at sporting events and featured in the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The new verse reads: "When you're in the World Cup, and all your hopes are up, and everybody wants their team to win.

"Then they go and let you down, and come slinking back to town, it's time for this daft song to begin."

The official England World Cup anthem, which was set to feature Take That singer Gary Barlow, has been dropped.

The Monty Python team are releasing a number of recordings, with their Monty Python Sings album due to be reissued on June 30.

Their final live show in July will be broadcast in 450 cinemas in the UK and another 1,500 worldwide.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gareth Huntley: Fight Claims Investigated

Police in Malaysia are reportedly looking into claims that British backpacker Gareth Huntley could have been murdered.

The 34-year-old, from Hackney, east London, disappeared on Malaysia's Tioman Island on May 27 after going on a jungle trek.

It was initially suspected that Mr Huntley got lost in the dense jungle, although the location where his body was found has put that theory in doubt. 

His body was discovered less than 100m from the sea turtle conservation camp where he worked as a volunteer.

According to The Sunday Telegraph Malaysian police are looking into reports that he was involved in a fight shortly before his death.

It said they are now investigating locals' claims that he was murdered.

Mr Huntley with his mother Janet Southwell

Tour guides on the island have reported that Mr Huntley's throat had been slit.

Meanwhile, Mr Huntley's family said "no words can describe the void he will leave".

And they thanked "everyone who came together in the last week to do everything in their power to help find Gareth".

Search personnel reportedly discovered the body in a pond close to a kayak storage unit at around 12pm local time on Wednesday.

Zakaria Ahmad, head of crime investigation in the eastern state of Pahang, said DNA tests confirmed the body was that of the Briton.

The cause of death has not yet been established.

His girlfriend Kit Natariga also helped with the search

Mr Huntley disappeared after trying to find a waterfall nearly four miles away from the camp in the jungles of the paradise island.

He told friends at the turtle project he would be back by 2pm but failed to return.

His mother, Janet Southwell, and girlfriend, Kit Natariga, had travelled to the island off Malaysia's east coast to help with the search effort.

The family statement added: "There are no words that can capture the devastation we feel right now.

"No words that can capture the kindness, warmth and spirit that Gareth exuded; no words that can describe the void he will leave in all of the lives he touched.

The backpacker had been volunteering in a turtle sanctuary on the island

"Gareth lived every minute of his life as fully as he could; never without a smile and always with others in his heart. You will never leave our hearts Gareth."

Search teams were backed by paramilitary commandos, multiple helicopters, speedboats and sniffer dogs in the latter days of the hunt following initial criticism of the Malaysian authorities' response.

Prime Minister David Cameron reportedly spoke to Malaysia's prime minister Najib Razak after receiving an open letter from Mrs Southwell in which she urged him to seek more resources for the search.

Mr Huntley, who was originally from West Yorkshire, was on a sabbatical from his job in the City.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

England Held By Honduras In World Cup Warm-Up

Hodgson's Barkley Choice Has Echoes Of Gazza

Updated: 3:02am UK, Sunday 08 June 2014

By Paul Kelso, Sports Correspondent

England completed their preparations for the World Cup with a game that will be remembered longer for how it was stopped than anything that happened when it was on.

The match against Honduras was delayed for 40 minutes midway through the first half by the threat of lightning strikes.

Weather interruptions are a fact of life in the Florida hurricane belt, but Roy Hodgson may not have expected this when he selected the city as a preparation camp for the heat of Manaus.

Flashes of brilliance from his players were less evident on the field, though for a second game running an England friendly saw a red card, this time for Honduras's Brayan Beckeles.

A 0-0 draw against a team that will also be in Brazil is no cause for alarm, and this was a good workout for what could be Hodgson's starting XI against Italy next week.

The manager appears to have two choices.

First, whether to replace Danny Welbeck with Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, devastating in training but missing through suspension for his sending off against Ecuador on Wednesday.

The second is an almost existential decision.

Should Hodgson take a chance on the wonderfully gifted but utterly unproven Ross Barkley in the creative No 10 role?

Twice in a week Barkley has demonstrated his huge promise and the risk that would come with his selection.

No one in the England squad has his ability to spirit past opponents and few have his imagination on the ball.

But, and it is a but that weighs heavily on Hodgson's mind, his adventure can lead to him giving the ball away.

In international football that is a sin that can prove deadly.

The debate is reminiscent of that which surrounded Paul Gascoigne, the player Barkley most resembles, in the build up to Italia 90.

Gascoigne played his way into the squad in the spring of 1990 but Bobby Robson was still uncertain as the tournament loomed.

"At international level players have to be 100% reliable" he told author Pete Davies, in his seminal account of the tournament All Played Out.

In the end of course Robson trusted him, and it took England to a World Cup semi-final.

We wait to see if Hodgson takes a chance that could transform England's tournament.

My bet? He will not.

England likely starting XI v Italy: Hart; Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Lallana, Rooney, Sterling; Sturridge.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Metal Studs Treat The Homeless 'Like Animals'

By Siobhan Robbins, Sky News Reporter

Metal studs installed to stop homeless people from sleeping outside private flats in London have been described as "brutal" by a homelessness charity.

Residents at the block on Southwark Bridge Road said they appeared a few weeks ago after someone had been sleeping rough there.

In reaction, Howard Sinclair, Chief Executive of St Mungo's Broadway, said: "Each year our teams, in Southwark and elsewhere, help thousands of people off the streets.

"Part of their role is to prevent people adopting a street lifestyle which, on occasions, means adapting the physical environment to prevent people sleeping rough in a particular location on a regular basis. These 'studs' appear a rather brutal way of doing just that."

The studs are intended to prevent rough sleepers from using the doorway

Its not clear who ordered them and if they are solely to deter rough sleepers but their installation has sparked an angry reaction.

Emi Takehara lives in the block and told Sky News: "I feel really uncomfortable having these spikes in front of my home. It's like treating these homeless people like animals."

Andrew Horton spotted the studs on his way to work and posted pictures of them online.

It is split opinion on Twitter.

David Wells wrote: "These Anti homeless studs are like the spikes they use to keep pigeons off buildings. The destitute now considered vermin."

The anti-homeless devices appeared outside the flats a few weeks ago

Others, including Gavin Logan defended the installation, tweeting: "There will be a context behind those anti-homeless spikes. Possibly a last resort against someone who was aggressive and refused housing."

Homelessness charities say this is not a one-off, metal studs have been appearing across the country for the last decade as the number of people sleeping rough rises.

The management company has not been available for comment but Councillor Peter John, leader of Southwark Council, issued a statement confirming the council is not responsible.

He added: "The council can look into health and safety or planning concerns that are reported to us.

"With regards to people sleeping rough, the council has a dedicated officer who works closely with organisations like St Mungo's [a homelessness charity], who have a 'no second night out' policy to ensure rough sleepers are found shelter and support."

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

GPs 'Should Offer On-The-Spot Smear Tests'

By Harret Hadfield, Sky News Reporter

Women should be offered on-the-spot smear tests during regular doctor's appointments, according to a new study.

All women in the UK aged between 25 and 65 are offered the test regularly every three years to screen for cervical cancer.

A smear test can also detect pre-cancerous cells, that could lead to cancer, making it a highly effective preventative measure.

The recommendation comes from the think tank Demos, working alongside charity Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.

Jo Salter from Demos told Sky News: "We think that doctors are really crucial to tackling this problem because they are the gatekeepers who invite women to be screened, but often they are a barrier because they can't get an appointment or because their GP is quite off-putting about it."

It has found 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. Of those, 900 will die from the disease.

Cervical cancer is the third most common gynaecological cancer in the UK.

Improved screening rates will cut those diagnosed cancer in half

Currently only 78% of eligible women take up the test - but with a 100% screening rate, the number of those diagnosed with the illness would be cut in half.

For GPs, who are already very short of time, it is another thing to have to fit into an appointment slot.

Dr David Lloyd, from The Ridgeway Surgery in Harrow, said: "In a 10-minute appointment we have to cover the problem that the patient came with in the first place ... then, if she hadn't had a recent smear, we'd have to have a discussion with the patient.

"Some women may not want to have a smear at that stage as it's a bit more than just having your blood pressure taken and then there's a little extra time on everything else."

Embarrassment, busy lives and finding the test painful are among the reasons given by women who avoid screening.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Minimum Wage Dodgers 'Named And Shamed'

Twenty-five employers who failed to pay their staff the national minimum wage have been "named and shamed" by the Government.

It is the biggest number of employers publicly named since a new crackdown was announced last year.

Between them, they owe workers more than £43,000 in arrears, and face fines of over £21,000.

The minimum wage is currently set at £6.31 an hour.

Business Minister Jenny Willott said: "Paying less than the minimum wage is not only wrong, it's illegal. If employers break the law they need to know that they will face tough consequences.

"Any worker who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it. If anyone suspects they are not being paid the wage they are legally entitled to they should call the Pay and Work Rights helpline on 0800 917 2368."

The Government also plans to increase fines, so that an employer underpaying 10 workers could face fines of up to £200,000.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Under-paying your lowest paid staff is immoral and illegal. Employers caught in the act deserve to be fined and have their reputation ruined.

"This should send a clear message that dodging the minimum wage does not pay. All minimum wage cheats should be named and shamed, and HMRC need greater resources to catch even more crooks."

The 25 employers are as follows:

:: Christine Cadden and Nicola Banks of Renaissance, Wirral, neglected to pay £7,310.65 to three workers.

:: Alan King and John King of Arthur Simpson & Co, Bradford, neglected to pay £6,426.12 to a worker.

:: Central Heating Services Ltd, Hampshire, neglected to pay £6,200.28 to four workers.

:: Cargilfield School Ltd, Edinburgh, neglected to pay £3,739.58 to a worker.

:: A2ZEE Construction Ltd, Cramlington, neglected to pay £3,375.51 to 14 workers.

:: Mr and Mrs Balasco of Eugenio, Bristol, neglected to pay £3,037.53 to two workers.

:: Mr and Mrs Hampton of The Wheatsheaf Inn, Cheshire, neglected to pay £2,057.88 to five workers.

:: Steven Stainton of Steven Stainton Joinery, Cumbria, neglected to pay £1,415.82 to a worker.

:: Runbaro Ltd, Swindon, neglected to pay £1,413.88 to a worker.

:: Satwinder Singh Khatter and Tejinder Singh Khatter of The Bath Hotel, Reading, neglected to pay £1,237.79 to two workers.

:: Richard Last of Classic Carpentry, Godalming, neglected to pay £1,236.72 to a worker.

:: We are Mop! Ltd, London, neglected to pay £1,018.05 to two workers. 

:: Mrs Sue English of Legends Hairdressers, Colchester, neglected to pay £823.40 to a worker. 

:: Saftdwin Ltd, Hampshire, neglected to pay £806.37 to two workers.

:: Master Distribution Ltd, Essex, neglected to pay £718.62 to a worker.

:: Perth Hotels Ltd, Perth, neglected to pay £556.80 to a worker.

:: Bryants Nurseries Ltd, Hertfordshire, neglected to pay £494.07 to a worker.

:: Dove Mill Retail Outlet Ltd, Bolton, neglected to pay £461.84 to a worker.

:: Luigi's Little Italy Ltd, Yorkshire, neglected to pay £281.04 to five workers.

:: CPS SW Ltd, Exmouth, neglected to pay £261.29 to a worker.

:: Mr Gary Calder, Mr Richard Calder and Mr Neil Calder of Avenue Agricultural, Northamptonshire, neglected to pay £256.55 to a worker.

:: Dakal Ltd, Northampton, neglected to pay £252.00 to two workers.

:: Zoom Ltd, Havant, neglected to pay £242.28 to three workers.

:: HSS Hire Service Group Ltd, Manchester, neglected to pay £149.00 to 15 workers.

:: Sun Shack Ltd, Hamilton, neglected to pay £134.35 to eight workers.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

How Man's Best Friend Can Detect Disease

By Joe Tidy, Sky News Reporter

The use of dogs in medicine could lead to improved detection rates of disease and a better quality of life for sufferers, according to a charity.

Medical Detection Dogs trains canines to smell the odours that diseases like cancer and diabetes give off in sick patients.

The charity says some of its dogs can now detect disease with 93% accuracy and the organisation regularly receives samples from consultants wanting another way of testing.

Dogs are also being trained to look after sufferers of narcolepsy and for one patient this has changed her life.

Kelly Sears is one of 31,000 narcoleptics in the UK.

The dogs can detect disease with a 93% accuracy rate

She falls asleep without warning in sometimes dangerous places but says that with her specially trained dog Theo, life is much better.

The dog can smell the chemical changes in her body and warn her if she is going to fall.

If she falls, he rushes to her side to wake her up with nudges and licks.

Ms Sears told Sky News: "Before Theo I didn't go out on my own ever.

"With Theo, if I go out shopping with him and I fall, then he'll just nudge and bark until I wake up.

Narcolepsy sufferer Kelly Sears and her dog Theo

"Other people around me will quite often stop and watch and say to me: 'I didn't want to disturb you as he looked like he knew what he was doing.'"

Dr Claire Guest, chief executive of Medical Detection Dogs, said the use of dogs in medicine is becoming more common.

She said: "It's taken some time to get over the scepticism.

"This is an evidence-based work we've published in a number of journals and it's now proven that disease does have an odour.

"Dogs can be used in a whole variety of ways to warn us when these odours occur."

Dr Guest says some consultants are sending her samples of their patients on a regular basis. She hopes this will become a normal part of disease detection and patient assistance in the future.

"How we've missed this for so long without knowing that there are dogs around us that can do this is quite incredible," she added.

"It's a new, non-invasive way of keeping people safe."

Other organisations like Support Dogs have established the use of canines in helping epileptics, those with autism and physical disabilities.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Extremism Row: 'Firm Discipline' In Tory Ranks

Gove: 'I Am Not At War With Theresa May'

Updated: 2:00pm UK, Thursday 05 June 2014

Michael Gove has said he is not at war with the Home Secretary over alleged Islamic fundamentalism in Birmingham schools.

The Education Secretary insisted that "Theresa May is doing a fantastic job" when questioned about the spat between the two over the way extremism is being handled by the Government.

His comments come after David Cameron said he wanted answers on the row between two of his most senior ministers demanding "the full facts laid before him".

As the row unfolded on Wednesday, Mrs May and Mr Gove made significant efforts to show a united front and issued three statements saying they were "working together".

Mr Cameron was forced to intervene after it was disclosed on Wednesday morning the Education Secretary thought that Mrs May was failing to properly tackle Islamic fundamentalism.

Mr Gove is said to believe extremism is the gateway to more violent behaviour and that the Home Office has refused to tackle it until it can be linked to terrorism.

Mrs May responded by making public a letter written to the Education Secretary in which she accused the department of failing to act over radical Islamists apparently targeting Birmingham schools despite warnings dating back to 2010.

On Thursday morning Mr Gove was asked if he was at war with Mrs May and replied: "Certainly not, Theresa May is doing a fantastic job. There's a lot going on."

When asked if she was too soft on Islamic fundamentalism he said: "No, absolutely not. She's doing a very fine job."

Justice Minister Chris Grayling admitted there were "tensions and debates" within Government over how to tackle Islamist extremism but denied a rift between the two.

Mr Grayling told Radio 4's Today programme: "They were very clear yesterday. They issued a statement to say that they are working very closely together on this."

He said the rows in the coalition were nothing compared to the Tony Blair/Gordon Brown days.

When asked if Mrs May and Mr Gove got on during his weekly radio call in session on LBC, Nick Clegg, who is also reported to have fallen out with Mr Gove on a number of education issues, said: "Ask them".

Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt accused the ministers of being "asleep on the job" and said: "Instead of ministers rowing, we need leadership on how we confront the very serious and worrying reports about Birmingham schools."

Some 21 schools in Birmingham have been the subject of an Ofsted investigation after a letter, which is widely believed to be a hoax, referred to an alleged plot, known as the "Trojan Horse" plot, by hardline Muslims to seize control of governing boards in the city.

Earlier this week, Sky News disclosed one of the schools had been found to be "inadequate" after failing to protect pupils from extremism.

Inspectors found: "Students have a scant understanding of other religions, the focus is primarily on Islam."

Sky News also revealed senior leaders at three schools in Birmingham were so concerned about the influence of Muslim extremists in the 1990s they wrote a letter to education ministers, which was copied to then Prime Minister John Major.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scots Vote: 'English Politicians Keep Out'

English politicians getting involved in the Scottish independence debate is more likely to make Scots vote in favour of leaving the Union, an exclusive YouGov poll for Sky News' Murnaghan Programme has found.

Our poll shows almost a third of people in the UK (31%) believe English politicians should stay out of the debate.

In Scotland alone, the figure is higher - 44%.

When asked if English politicians getting involved would make it more or less likely Scotland votes yes to independence, 43% said they thought it would make that prospect more likely.

But when asked whether English politicians should keep quiet on the issue, Foreign Secretary William Hague said all sides of the debate are entitled to express their opinion.

He told the Murnaghan Programmne: "This is for the Scottish people to decide, of course.

"We all have a stake in it though, it is about the whole future of the United Kingdom. It will effect us all."

He said it was important, therefore, that the British government is able to set out its view of the facts along with everyone else.

Monday marks 100 days until the referendum, which will ask people the question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

The countdown will see both sides of the campaign step up their efforts to secure their preferred outcome.

Current polling shows that no camp has the advantage.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "The eyes of the world are on Scotland and we should be proud of the example we are setting in terms of the profoundly democratic and peaceful nature of the debate on our future - not something that is always the case elsewhere."

He added that independence is the only guarantee of further powers for Scotland, after the Scottish Conservatives pledged to "take the stabilisers off" and grant full income tax powers if it votes against independence.

:: Sky News will be in Scotland on Monday for a day of special coverage on the referendum - on TV, online and mobile. This will include interviews with leading figures from both sides of the debate.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Person Missing After Yacht And Dredger Collide

The coastguard is searching for a missing person after a yacht and dredger collided one mile off Felixstowe.

One person on board was pulled to safety but another person is unaccounted for.

The Felixstowe Coastguard Rescue Team, two lifeboats from Harwich, two pilot boats, a dive boat, the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham and a number of other vessels are currently involved in the search.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More