2011年4月6日星期三

Alzheimer's disease linked to more genes

April 3, 2011 was last updated on 20: 30 ET by James Gallagher health reporter Elderly Patient , BBC News the Alzheimer's society predicts that the number of people with dementia will reach a million by 2021 five more genes that the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease increase have been identified, scientists say.

It takes the number of identified genes associated with Alzheimer's disease to 10-the new genes affect three ways the body works and goals for treatment.

If the effects of all 10 could be eliminated the risk of developing the disease would be reduced by 60%, research published in nature Genetics says.

The international team warns, however, new treatments would be 15 years away.

' Clueless '

The disease is seen as up to 80% genetic. The first gene associated with the disease, APOE, more than 17 years ago was discovered but no new genes were discovered until 2009.

As Professor Kevin Morgan, of the University of Nottingham, said: "we were basically clueless."

The newly discovered genes affect three processes in the body: the way it deals with fat and cholesterol; the mechanism by which brain cells handle large molecules (Endocytosis); and the immune system.

???Continue reading the main story immune system genes: CLU CR1, ABCA7, CD33 support and EPHA1 Fat processing genes: APOE, CLU and PICALM genes: ABCA7Cell membrane, BIN1, CD33 support and CD2APCardiff University of Professor Julie Williams, who led the international study, said: "what I find exciting is that we have found specific gene processenwe now have precise objectives to identify treatments."

They said that if the effects of these genes can be removed than the number of cases could be reduced by 60%.

"There are 500,000 people with Alzheimer's disease [in the United Kingdom] so if you could prevent 60% that would be 300,000 people," she said.

Ageing of the population

Prof Morgan said: "this disease is devastating, people are desperate for any hope or further. I have no doubt that it will come, but the time frame is 10 to 15 years. "

The disease is a growing problem in the context of an ageing population. Alzheimer's disease society predicts that the number of people with dementia will reach a million by 2021.

Health economists believe all that the costs for the United Kingdom is £ 23bn of dementia every year.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of Alzheimer's research United Kingdom, which part-funded the study, said: "these findings are a step in the direction of beat dementia.

"We are still looking for ways to stop this devastating condition, but this work is likely to spark off new ideas, collaborations and more research.

Dr. Susanne Sorensen, head of the research of Alzheimer's society, said: "these two robust studies mark an exciting development for scientists hope to identify a cause and find a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

"Although these studies will give us no nearer to predict who might be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, they will give scientists clues as how Alzheimer's disease might develop, especially their identification may also lead to the development of new drug treatments in the long term."


View the original article here

Arrest over killing of a woman, 80

April 2, 2011 was last updated on 14 Location map : 40 ET the woman's body was found in a house in Barrowby a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 80-year-old woman dead in her home Lincolnshire was found.

Body of the woman was discovered in the House in Barrowby, near Grantham, in the early hours of Saturday.

Lincolnshire police said later that a 53-year-old man was arrested in "the south Wales area".

Questions remain in an attempt to confirm the cause of death. Police said that they would not reveal the victim's name before family members had raised.

South Wales Police said the arrest was made "in the area of Swansea".


View the original article here

Benefit crackdown begins

April 3, 2011 was last updated on 23 Wheelchair user : 55 ET the Government wants to reduce the number of long-term incapacity benefit claimants of the one-and-a-half million people who claim incapacity benefit will begin to receive letters this week asking them to be tested on their ability to work.

The new evaluations are part of the Government plans to increase the number of long-term claimants in an ongoing programme through to 2014.

Nearly 30% of those who took the test during pilot projects in Burnley and Aberdeen were declared fit to work.

Disability Charities say however that many of the evaluations are unfair.

Potential

But Minister for work and pensions, Chris Grayling said: "my message to people who are worried about this process is that this is all about helping those who can return to work.

"It's not about forcing people to return to work, but we do the evaluations, unless we identify who has that potential, we never be able to offer help."

During the pilot scheme, a further 39% were rated as able to work but need the right support to do this.

Under the initiative, once plaintiffs have an assessment work capacity it will be placed in one of the three groups.

Directly suitable for work will be placed on the job seeker fee.

Which may be deemed unable to work because of illness or disability will be entitled to the highest rate of employment support allowance, and will not be expected to look for work.

A middle section-those who are long-term unemployed but judged capable of doing any kind of work will be placed in a "work-related activities group".

"Fair and effective"

They will be expected to prepare for a return to employment measures.

Early indications showed 70% of the incapacity benefit claimants had the potential to work.

The fitness test work was last year after widespread criticism changed.

Charities concern that wrongly focused on someone's physical ability to work and did not take into consideration other factors such as mental health.

They also warned that not enough people can prepare for the test were given.

This was supported by an independent evaluation of the system in November calling for a "more fair and effective" process.


View the original article here

Black poet ' axed from folders "

April 3, 2011, last updated on 09 Benjamin Zephaniah : 32 ET Benjamin Zephaniah urges the people to "everyone's telling" by backing AV defenders of AV voting system are accused of "airbrushing" black poet Benjamin Zephaniah from leaflets sent to parts of the country.

The campaign "Yes to AV" his photo on literature used in London used but another supporter-the actor Tony Robinson-featured in other parts of the United Kingdom, the Sunday Telegraph reports.

The "no" campaign said his rival embarrassed "" the poet's support.

But the "Yes" campaign called the allegation "a new low".

It said it varied the celebrity lenders are contained on folders if there were "a number".

Yes calls AV of literature people in support of a transition from first-past-the-post Westminster elections to an alternative vote in the national referendum will be held on 5 May.

Celebrities Joanna Lumley, Eddie Izzard, Colin Firth, Honor Blackman and Stephen Fry on both sets of folders displayed by the Sunday Telegraph.

???Continue reading the main story

Currently, members of Parliament elected by the first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency is elected.

On May 5, all registered UK voters can vote yes or no on whether to change the way MPs are elected to the alternative vote system.

Under the alternative vote system ranked voters in their constituency candidates in order of preference.

Everyone gets more than 50% of first-preference votes is selected.

If no one is 50% of the votes, the candidate with the least number of votes is eliminated and their backers second choices to the remaining assigned.

This process continues until one candidate is at least 50% of all votes in that round.

In London is a photo of Mr Zephaniah reportedly included, with the poet quoted demanding an electoral system that "everyone's count of votes makes".

But in near-identical folders, allegedly sent to locations, including Sussex and Cornwall, he is apparently replaced by Mr Robinson, star of the BBC comedy BlackAdder and the Channel 4 Archaeology Show Team.

Terry Paul, a spokesman for the NO to AV-campaign, said: "why are AV ashamed to Yes on the support of Benjamin Zephaniah in places such as Cornwall and Hampshire?

"The ' yes ' campaign leaflet offers a chilling preview of politics under the alternative vote.

"We have warned that AV parties admit to extremist views in a Chase for second and third preference votes would boost, but we never thought that the first example of such outdated ideas would come from the ' yes ' campaign itself."

A ' yes ' campaign spokesman said: "these accusations mark a new low point for the ' no ' campaign and their increasingly desperate smears.

"Let's put it this way: operation Black vote, the Islamic Council of Great Britain and a host of similar groups backed the ' yes ' campaign. The BNP back-the ' no ' campaign. People can draw their own conclusions. "


View the original article here

Britain's pupils are ' bad losers '

April 3, 2011 was last updated on 21: 59 ET by Hannah Richardson BBC News education Pitch parents reporter on the playing fields can be just as bad sports if their children the UK's school children find it difficult to lose graciously in sport, and their parents can be just as bad, a survey has suggested.

Two-thirds of parents of eight to 16-year-olds said that their children responded badly when they lost, the poll found.

A further two-thirds of the respondents said parents misbehaving when watching children matches.

Some 1,007 1008 parents and children in the age of eight to 16 were questioned for the survey by opinion matters.

Parents who were questioned described other parents if the opposition mocking and even using foul language with the referee or umpire.

Sulking, getting upset and crying were some of the most common antics of sore losers — whether they were parents or children.

A child in the survey described how after they beat someone at squash, their opponent kicked the wall and broke two of their toes.

Other recalled a teammate who swore loudly when he lost, then ran and locked themselves in the toilets.

However, it was not all bad news: 96% of parents said their children were refined in the victory.

And three quarters of the children said they shook hands with the opposition after losing the game.

In response, the Marylebone Cricket Club and the Cricket Foundation, which commissioned the study, sportsmanship lessons to schools from the beginning of the summer term.

The spirit of Cricket initiative teaches how to win and lose polite 4,000 young people in State schools.

"Valuable lessons '

On MCC head of cricket John Stephenson says: "want to win and try your hardest is important for anyone playing sport, young or old."

He added that the scheme merits of "healthy competition" highlighted as a win-at-all-costs mentality to discourage.

Wasim Khan, former county cricketer and chief executive of the Foundation, said the Cricket initiative learned "young people one of the most valuable lessons in life: how to claim victory and defeat accept promises".

"We want a child to ' keep a straight bat ', don't act like a sporty brat," he said.


View the original article here

Budget will ' cut ' income by £ 200

last updated April 3, 2011 at 12: 07 Finance ET the 2011 budget introduced 44 changes in tax and benefit systems-most of which will dent income a financial education charity says tax and benefit systems changes entered into force in the coming week will cease households £ 200 worse.

They include a one percentage point increase of the costs for national insurance and a lower threshold value at which the higher rate of tax applies.

Credit action says of the 44 changes in both systems only 13 will have a positive effect.

It says 26 of the changes will have a negative effect on people of bags.

The other changes, it says, have a mixed effect on the income of the household.

One of the greatest moves announced in the budget of March has the level of income that people begin to pay 40% higher rate tax up to £ 35,001.

The respected independent Institute for fiscal Studies estimated that an additional 750,000 people would bring in the top tax band for the first time.

Set against that is that raising the limit on what each income tax is levied by £ 1,000 to £ 7,475.

That means 500,000 people of income tax will be completely lifted.

Up and down

The main rate at which National Insurance is paid is increased from 11% to 12% from the beginning of the new fiscal year, but again, the level at which payments begin has been lifted from 110 € to £ 139.

Added together, the changes in income tax and National Insurance system to help low income, leaving someone on £ 7,475 £ 275 a year better off.

People at £ 35,000 sees each change in the amount of the tax and National Insurance they pay.

The biggest losers will be those earning more than £ 35,000, with someone on £ 50,000 see their take-home pay reduced by £ 500 per year, according to the Institute for fiscal Studies.

Extensive changes to the tax credits and benefits include a freeze in the rate at which child benefit is paid for three years, something that inflation means that its value at that time will erode.

Benefits and pensions in the future will increase in line with inflation, measured by the consumer price Index (CPI), instead of the Retail Prices Index (RPI), which is usually higher.

CPI was 3.1% in September, the month that increases are based on, while RPI to 4.8% was significantly higher.

Changes to the working tax credit, the local housing allowance, and one of the winter fuel allowance of income people will also negatively.

Plans for the reform of the statutory pension will be unveiled in the coming week-with a new flat-rate scheme to 2015 or 2016.

The flat-rate pension can be worth at least £ 155 for new retirees, which means that most people have a higher guaranteed non-means tested benefits thanks is current.

Also beginning this week, about half a million incapacity benefit claimants are declared fit for work after a re-evaluation of their health.

Tests of mandatory health checks for claimants in two parts of the country have found about a third of those tested were supposed to work.

The mental health charity, thoughts, have criticised the new work capability assessment (WCA), calling it not suitable for purpose.

It surveyed more than 300 people currently claiming the advantage and found 75% said concern about the WCA had exacerbated their mental health.


View the original article here

Djokovic unbeaten after Miami win

By Piers Newbery
Djokovic Novak Djokovic BBC Sport has not lost since the ATP World Tour Finals in London last November, Novak Djokovic expanded its unbeaten start to the end of 2011 with a stunning victory over world number one Rafael Nadal in the Sony Ericsson Open final.

The Serbian, 23, came to claim his seventh Masters Series win, his fourth title of the year and taking his record 2011 to 24-0 to 4-6 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

It is the best start of a year in men's tennis since Ivan Lendl with 25 consecutive wins in 1986.

Nadal and Djokovic now head to Europe for the start of the clay-court season.

And the world number two will look further to close the gap on Nadal on top of the standings, the Spaniard has a large number of ranking points to defend, have won all the major clay tournaments last year.

Or Djokovic is ready to surpass Nadal on clay remains open to question but after defeating his nearest rival in back-to-back Masters Series finals over the past two weeks, there is no doubt he is the man to beat now.

Nadal had won the set opening of their Indian Wells final two weeks ago, before Djokovic came storming back, and Sunday the contest in Miami followed a similar pattern.

A blustery wind hampered both men in the opening stages, with Nadal coping marginally better and grabbing the first break in game three before off three break points in the next game to see.

When Djokovic hit a forehand in the tram lines to fall down a double break the set was as good as done, but of 5-1 down he began to find his range.

His more aggressive style had Nadal on the flight and although the Spaniard the set seal, Djokovic reeled off six of the seven games to move 3-0 clear in the second and serve to force a Decider.

The final set exhibited after two sets of uneven play, the best of the top two players in the world, with each man appear to grab the momentum just for his opponent to wrestle it back.

Nadal of backhand proved unusually are more potent wing, while a few sublime lobs and numerous confidence flights on the net demonstrated how Djokovic of game has beware.

Neither man could force a breakpoint in a pulsating set and the resulting tie-break equally dramatic way with five consecutive points against serve opened.

It was a double fault from Nadal that proved crucial as he fell 3-2 before Djokovic finally held a Service point and, after the Spaniard saved two match points on serve, the world number two sealed victory after three hours and 21 minutes with a big serve followed by a crunching forehand in the corner.

"It was a close match," Djokovic said. "To win against the number one player in the world in a tie-break in the third set, it's just incredible.

"This is one of the best matches I have played in a while. I was able to find my rhythm at the end of the first set, and then in the entire second and third set I played very well, especially on my service games. "

Djokovic last singles defeat against Roger Federer in the ATP World Tour semi-finals in London in november last year ago, and now 26 matches in a row, including 24 this year has won.


View the original article here

Elephant abused moves to new home

April 3, 2011 was last updated on 23 Anne the elephant : 44 ET Anne withdrew from the Bobby Roberts Super Circus about 10 years ago a circus elephant who was filmed in the secret is abused by her bridegroom has been moved to a safari park.

The 57-year-old Asian elephant, named Anne, was filmed being kicked and beaten with a pitchfork by an employee of Bobby Roberts Super Circus.

Animal defenders International (ADI) that the filming, under the supervision of Anne's transfer at four star accommodation Safari Park in Wiltshire on Sunday.

The animal will be kept under a 24-hour watch by three keepers on four star accommodation.

Tim Phillips, campaigns Director for ADI, said: "it is undoubtedly the worldwide outpouring of public horror that has forced the circus to hand over this elephant.

"Everyone is overjoyed that Anne is safe and we will look forward to her with a bright future in her final years.

"Longleat is a place of safety for her, while they were on whether they should move somewhere where they will have more contact with other elephants have been reviewed."

He said the elephant, who suffers from severe arthritis, "stresses and traumatised" by her treatment was, but was otherwise unharmed.

ADI filmed footage of the attack on Anne in a barn in Northamptonshire earlier in the year.

Bobby Roberts Super Circus said earlier the bridegroom no longer worked for the company and was supposed to be returned to his native Romania.

Last week, a demonstration was held outside the circus for a performance in Knutsford, Cheshire.

ADI said it was consulting lawyers to discuss the possibility of a private prosecution against the circus.


View the original article here

Fulham 3-0 Blackpool

Translate Request has too much data
Parameter name: request
Translate Request has too much data
Parameter name: request
Fulham striker (right) powers in a shot for his opener against Blackpool Zamora produced an emphatic finish for his first goal

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora helped his side move a step closer to Premier League safety with two goals against fellow relegation battlers Blackpool.

Zamora pounced on a misplaced James Beattie pass to race clear and power in a shot to put the Cottagers ahead.

He then headed in a Damien Duff free-kick to extend his side's lead.

Blackpool's threat was fleeting and, after Clint Dempsey's header hit the post, Brede Hangeland crossed for Dickson Etuhu to tap in Fulham's third.

The focus before the game may have been on the Michael Jackson statue being unveiled outside Craven Cottage by the home side's chairman Mohamed Al Fayed but it was points rather than personality tributes that took precedence when the game got under way.

And it was Fulham who deservedly came away with a win that lifted them to 10th, while Blackpool, who have now conceded a concerning 63 goals in the Premier League this season, remain precariously placed - a point and a place above the drop zone.

Blackpool body language worries Holloway

Zamora was key to his side's win as he built on recent substitute appearances to make his first start for the Cottagers since recovering from a broken leg suffered on 11 September last year against Wolves.

The striker nodded down a Carlos Salcido cross for Moussa Dembele and he laid the ball off to Duff, whose low left-foot shot was excellently palmed on to the post by keeper Richard Kingson as Fulham provided a sign of things to come.

The move epitomised the cool and composed style to the west London outfit's passing, with the playmaking skills of Danny Murphy and the tough-tackling of fellow midfielder Etuhu giving them the platform from which to launch their attacks.

A powerful 25-yard shot by Chris Baird was parried by Kingson and gathered at the second attempt before Fulham were rewarded for their dominance after 23 minutes.

Zamora has boosted Fulham - Hughes

Seasiders striker Beattie inadvertently released Zamora and he surged towards the Blackpool goal before hammering in a right-foot shot.

The home side doubled their advantage five minutes later when Duff picked himself up from being fouled by Stephen Crainey to whip in a free-kick that Zamora headed in from close range.

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway had spent the recent international break watching Spain beat the Czech Republic and taking in training sessions at La Liga clubs Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Getafe.

But there was little evidence of anything he had learnt in his side's play as he had to watch on with the Seasiders' passing wayward and their impact on the game worryingly lacking.

The visitors did raise themselves briefly before the break and a mistake from Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer, who might have been influenced by his lack of involvement, almost gave Blackpool a ray of hope.

Schwarzer was beaten to a long Craig Cathcart ball by the head of Tangerines striker Brett Ormerod, whose goalbound effort was nodded wide just in time by Baird.

Fulham's Michael Jackson statue Jacko statue no thriller for pundits

Blackpool passed the ball with more assurance in the second half but were limited to an angled Beattie shot hitting the outside of the post in a rare strike on goal.

A wrong-footed Kingson did well to deny Fulham when he reacted quickly to keep out a deflected shot from Dempsey but it was not long before the keeper was again beaten.

Dempsey's header from Murphy's free-kick hit the post but the ball fell to Hangeland and he played the ball across for Etuhu to slot in.

Cathcart headed high and Gary Taylor-Fletcher slid a shot just wide as Blackpool failed to even grab a late consolation strike, while Fulham completed a fifth win in six home league games.

Sunday, 3 April 2011

Barclays Premier League

Zamora 23Zamora 28Etuhu 72Final Result Full Time 90:00+4:28 The referee blows for the end of the match. 90:00+3:53 The referee blows for offside against Sergey Kornilenko. Mark Schwarzer restarts play with the free kick. 90:00+2:42 Andrew Johnson is caught offside. Free kick taken by Richard Kingson. 90:00+1:57 Charlie Adam takes a shot. Save by Mark Schwarzer. Effort from deep inside the area by Gary Taylor-Fletcher misses to the left of the target. 89:30 Brede Hangeland challenges Charlie Adam unfairly and gives away a free kick. Charlie Adam crosses the ball, Craig Cathcart has a header from close in and clears the crossbar. 89:30 Booking Brede Hangeland is cautioned. 88:05 Charlie Adam concedes a free kick for a foul on Clint Dempsey. Free kick taken by Mark Schwarzer. 87:26 Gary Taylor-Fletcher produces a cross, save made by Mark Schwarzer. 86:50 Free kick awarded for a foul by Brede Hangeland on Sergey Kornilenko. Charlie Adam restarts play with the free kick. 85:50 Gary Taylor-Fletcher takes a short corner. 85:09 Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Adam from the right by-line, Chris Baird manages to make a clearance. 80:55 Substitution Damien Duff goes off and Simon Davies comes on. 80:38 Jason Puncheon takes a shot. Blocked by Brede Hangeland. 76:07 Substitution Steve Sidwell replaces Danny Murphy. 75:36 Moussa Dembele takes a shot. Alex Baptiste gets a block in. Clint Dempsey produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post. 75:05 Damien Duff fouled by Luke Varney, the ref awards a free kick. Mark Schwarzer takes the direct free kick. 74:16 The referee blows for offside against Andrew Johnson. Indirect free kick taken by Craig Cathcart. 71:57 Assist on the goal came from Brede Hangeland. 71:57 GOAL - Dickson Etuhu:Fulham 3 - 0 Blackpool Dickson Etuhu fires in a goal from inside the six-yard box high into the middle of the goal. Fulham 3-0 Blackpool. 71:24 Unfair challenge on Andrew Johnson by Craig Cathcart results in a free kick. Danny Murphy sends in a cross, Clint Dempsey produces a header from deep inside the area and hits the post. 69:37 Corner taken right-footed by Danny Murphy. 69:25 Moussa Dembele takes a shot. Blocked by Craig Cathcart. 68:53 Jason Puncheon takes a shot. Mark Schwarzer makes a comfortable save. 67:58 Substitution Brett Ormerod leaves the field to be replaced by Luke Varney. 67:41 Substitution James Beattie goes off and Sergey Kornilenko comes on. 67:11 Substitution Jason Puncheon comes on in place of Elliot Grandin. 64:22 Gary Taylor-Fletcher fouled by Danny Murphy, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Adam. 64:22 Booking The referee shows Danny Murphy a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. 63:09 The referee gives a free kick against Moussa Dembele for handball. Richard Kingson restarts play with the free kick. 61:20 Substitution Bobby Zamora goes off and Andrew Johnson comes on. 60:12 Free kick awarded for a foul by Dickson Etuhu on Charlie Adam. Charlie Adam restarts play with the free kick. 58:50 Shot by Clint Dempsey. Save by Richard Kingson. 57:57 Shot from inside the six-yard box by James Beattie goes wide right of the goal. 56:18 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Damien Duff. 56:05 Shot by Moussa Dembele. David Vaughan gets a block in. 52:25 Danny Murphy gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Charlie Adam. Charlie Adam delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, clearance by Chris Baird. 51:25 David Vaughan fouled by Clint Dempsey, the ref awards a free kick. Charlie Adam takes the direct free kick. 50:15 The referee blows for offside. Mark Schwarzer takes the free kick. 47:22 Clint Dempsey challenges Charlie Adam unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed by Charlie Adam, save by Mark Schwarzer. 46:59 Dickson Etuhu gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Vaughan. Direct free kick taken by Craig Cathcart. 45:01 The referee blows his whistle to start the second half. Half Time 45:00+1:19 The whistle is blown to end the first half. 45:00+0:35 A cross is delivered by Stephen Crainey, Carlos Salcido manages to make a clearance. 44:52 Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Charlie Adam. Short corner worked by Charlie Adam. 44:42 David Vaughan takes a shot. Blocked by Carlos Salcido. 44:18 Elliot Grandin takes a shot. Brede Hangeland gets a block in. 42:20 The offside flag is raised against Clint Dempsey. Free kick taken by Richard Kingson. 41:22 Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Adam from the right by-line. 41:05 Header at goal by Brett Ormerod, clearance by Chris Baird. 39:26 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Adam from the left by-line. 39:20 The ball is sent over by Elliot Grandin, Chris Baird makes a clearance. 35:40 Bobby Zamora concedes a free kick for a foul on David Vaughan. Stephen Crainey restarts play with the free kick. 35:11 Foul by Brede Hangeland on James Beattie, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Adam. 32:50 The ball is swung over by Alex Baptiste, Chris Baird manages to make a clearance. 31:40 Inswinging corner taken by Elliot Grandin from the left by-line, Mark Schwarzer makes a save. 30:45 Dickson Etuhu gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gary Taylor-Fletcher. David Vaughan takes the direct free kick. 27:38 Stephen Crainey concedes a free kick for a foul on Damien Duff. Assist by Damien Duff. 27:38 GOAL - Bobby Zamora:Fulham 2 - 0 Blackpool Bobby Zamora grabs a headed goal from close range. Fulham 2-0 Blackpool. 26:32 Chris Baird takes a shot. Blocked by Ian Evatt. 25:01 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Damien Duff, clearance made by Ian Evatt. 22:37 GOAL - Bobby Zamora:Fulham 1 - 0 Blackpool A goal is scored by Bobby Zamora from deep inside the penalty box to the top right corner of the goal. Fulham 1-0 Blackpool. 21:51 Damien Duff takes a shot. Ian Evatt gets a block in. 20:24 Shot from 25 yards by Chris Baird. Save made by Richard Kingson. The assistant referee flags for offside against Bobby Zamora. Free kick taken by Richard Kingson. 18:37 The assistant referee signals for offside against Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Mark Schwarzer restarts play with the free kick. 16:58 Unfair challenge on Charlie Adam by Damien Duff results in a free kick. Richard Kingson takes the direct free kick. 15:43 Damien Duff takes a shot. Save made by Richard Kingson. 13:23 Dickson Etuhu challenges Gary Taylor-Fletcher unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Ian Evatt. 10:40 Bobby Zamora concedes a free kick for a foul on Charlie Adam. Richard Kingson restarts play with the free kick. 8:52 Charlie Adam takes a shot. 7:15 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Bobby Zamora by Charlie Adam. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Danny Murphy, Alex Baptiste manages to make a clearance. 7:15 Booking Charlie Adam receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. 4:23 The ball is swung over by Damien Duff. 3:47 Corner taken right-footed by Danny Murphy from the left by-line, clearance made by Charlie Adam. 3:27 Moussa Dembele produces a cross, clearance made by Ian Evatt. 0:00 The ref blows the whistle to start the match. Live text and data provided by The Press Association.


View the original article here

Funeral service for stabbed girl

April 3, 2011 was last updated on 22 Lea Mount Drive in Bury, where Chloe Burke was found dead : 51 ET Chloe Burke was found dead in her home in Bury in February the funeral of a four-year-old girl was found dead in bed in her home in Greater Manchester later occurs.

Chloe Burke was found with multiple stab wounds at her house in Lea Mount Drive, Bury, in February.

Her mother, Dawn Makin, was discovered unconscious next to her. She remains in a stable condition in hospital.

The service takes place at St Joseph's Church in Peter Street, Bury, on Monday morning. A private funeral will be held afterwards.


View the original article here

Guatemala leader of divorce discontinued

April 2, 2011 was last updated on 16 Sandra Torres and Alvaro Colom in 2008 : 41 ET Sandra Torres said she would divorce her husband for the love of her country a court in Guatemala has ordered a halt on the divorce proceedings of the first pair of the country.

First Lady Sandra Torres said last week that she was looking divorce President Alvaro Colom, so they could stand for election to succeed him.

Guatemala the Constitution bans close relatives of the President is running for the top Office.

A group of students had petitioned the Court to stop the divorce, which she said that the Constitution would skip it.

The students called the move by the first few a farce.

Last week, told Ms Torres Guatemalans that she was leaving a loving marriage for the sake of the nation.

Death threats

The decision of the first few to search a divorce is controversial, with opposition politicians and the Catholic Church has been highly critical.

The main opposition candidate for the presidential elections in September, former General Otto Perez Molina, called it fraud in the elections.

A spokesman for the Court said that the couple would divorce proceedings on hold until a final decision was reached on whether the petition brought by the students would be allowed to continue.

On Friday, said the judge of the first few treats that they divorce case anonymous threats warning her not to grant the divorce had received.

Judge Mildred Roca said she got a call from a man who identified himself as belonging to a "group to defend the Constitution" and its warning that if they granted the divorce is a member of her family would be implemented.

Judge Roca de security detail has increased since the news of the threats emerge and runs an investigation to determine their source.

Sandra Torres is Mr Colom third wife and is already a divorcee. They have been married for eight years.

She played a prominent role in the Presidency Alvaro Colom, the supervision of the Government of poverty relief programs.

When she heard the news of the divorce last week, said Ms Torres confirmed the decision, that the first few to live apart, forcing will be "very difficult".


View the original article here

Health and safety research begins

last updated April 3, 2011 to 20 Protective goggles and gloves : 20 ET the HSE is proposing to reduce the controls in the workplace an investigation into the health and safety in Scotland is launched in Aberdeen.

It comes after a National Audit Office report confirmed that the cost of occupational accidents in the North of the border was about £ 187 million last year.

The number of deaths and serious injuries was also higher than in England and Wales.

Details of the assessment is announced by the Commission of the House of Commons Scottish Affairs.

The National Audit Office has suggested the higher rate of death and serious injuries in Scotland might be because a larger proportion of the country the workers working in high-risk sectors such as agriculture.

The research by members of Parliament will also investigate whether the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is doing all it can to help drive the figures down.

Chairman of the Committee on Scottish Affairs Ian Davidson said: "this is the launch of what we hope is a very thorough examination of the risks to which workers in Scotland.

"Every death or serious injury is a human tragedy and we want to work with both sides of the industry and the HSE to see what can be done to reduce this toll."

The Commission also wants the potential impact of the HSE facing 35 percent cut.

Earlier this month, the BBC learned that the Organization was proposed to the workplace unannounced inspections by a third party.

A leaked letter from the HSE outlined plans to withdraw inspections whole sectors of the industry, including some where "significant risk" remained.

However, the HSE said at the time that no final decision had been made.


View the original article here

2011年4月5日星期二

Hibernian 2-2 hearts

Translate Request has too much data
Parameter name: request
Translate Request has too much data
Parameter name: request
Ricardo Vaz Te and Derek Riordan celebrate for Hibs Vaz Te (left) scored his first goal since joining Hibs

Stephen Elliott's late equaliser saved a point for 10-man Hearts after an exciting derby against Hibernian.

Both sides threatened in a thrilling start before Ryan Stevenson's low drive gave Hearts a 24th-minute lead.

Marius Zaliukas was sent off for a push on Akpo Sodje and Liam Miller scored the resulting 35th-minute penalty.

Recent signing Ricardo Vaz Te prodded Hibs into a winning position with 10 minutes left, but Elliott volleyed in the equaliser three minutes later.

And it could rule out a fourth Edinburgh derby this season, with Hibs now seven points adrift of Motherwell in the battle to finish in the top six of the Scottish Premier League before it splits for the final five games.

Stevenson had been handed a start along with Andrew Driver, Ismael Bouzid and Jamie MacDonald as third-top Hearts were without goalkeeper Marian Kello and Rudi Skacel through injury and Andrian Mrowiec through suspension, while David Obua was dropped to the bench.

Milller and Jimmy Scott started in Hibs' first outing in almost a month and the latter set up Derek Riordan with an early chance.

The former Ross County midfielder's chip over Hearts defence fell kindly for the Scotland forward, only for Riordan to rush his shot and side-foot his effort well wide.

Stephen Elliott celebrates for Hearts Elliott struck for Hearts with seven minutes remaining

Hearts responded immediately with a low ball from Driver into the path of Elliott, but the striker fired straight at Mark Brown and the goalkeeper beat it away before it was thumped cleared.

Hibs left-back Callum Booth sent a powerful low drive at goal from edge of the box, but it was straight at goalkeeper MacDonald.

When Scott thrust his studs into the heel of midfield counterpart Ian Black, the game could have boiled over, but fortunately the excitement continued to be generated by the attacking play of both sides.

A Stevenson corner found the unmarked Elliott four yards out after being dummied by Ruben Palazuelos at the front post, but it reached the striker at chest height and he could only deflect it into the goalkeeper's arms.

Bouzid was next to squander a good chance for Hearts moments later from a curling Craig Thomson free-kick, the defender flicking his header wide of the far post.

Driver had been looking dangerous in only his second start of a season blighted by injury and provided the cross that set up the opening goal.

After it fell to Stevenson after being half-cleared by a Hibs head, the midfielder controlled it with his right before half-volleying home with his left from 16 yards.

Hearts were looking comfortable in their lead until Hibs equalised out of the blue thanks to a reckless Zaluikas challenge.

Zaliukas blatantly pushed Sodje as the Lithuanian realised that he was not going to reach a cross into the box and referee Iain Brines sent off the defender after awarding a penalty kick that Miller fired home clinically into the corner.

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies hauled off winger David Templeton as he bolstered his defence with Jason Thomson, but his side were now trapped in their own half.

Goalkeeper Brown raced off his line to kick clear when Riordan was played through on goal then Francis Dickoh should have done better than head down and over from 10 yards after rising to meet a fine curling Booth cross.

Hibs boss Colin Calderwood looked to continue the pressure on the Hearts defence by introducing former Bolton striker Ricardo Vaz Te in place of midfielder Scott at half-time.

Yet Hearts were the side who were the ones peppering the opposition penalty box in the early stages of the second half until Black's mis-control presented Hibs with a golden opportunity.

Miller's pass found Victor Palsson in space on the edge of the box, but the former Liverpool midfielder fired over the crossbar after the ball took an awkward bobble and struck his shin.

That ecouraged the home side and Riordan went close when he fired in a drive that MacDonald parried before the Hibs forward powered an effort on the rebound from a difficult angle just over the crossbar.

The Leith outfit looked to have snatched victory when Vaz Te flicked David Wotherspoon's cross into his own path before driving home from 14 yards.

However, Andy Webster headed a Craig Thomson free-kick into the six-yard box and Elliott provided the finish.

Two fine saves from MacDonald prevented Riordan and Matt Thornhill from restoring Hibs' lead as they forced Hearts into some desperate defending in the dying moments.

Sunday, 3 April 2011

Scottish Premier

Final Result Full Time 90:00+3:40 The match has reached full-time. 90:00+3:26 Ruben Palazuelos takes a shot. Save by Mark Brown. 90:00+2:49 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Jason Thomson played to the near post. 90:00+0:50 Derek Riordan produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post. 90:00+0:20 Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan McGowan on Ricardo Vaz Te. Direct free kick taken by Mark Brown. 89:08 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by David Wotherspoon. 89:00 Akpo Sodje sends in a cross, blocked by Craig Thomson. 88:33 Derek Riordan takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald. 87:16 Short corner taken by Matt Thornhill. 85:43 Rudi Skacel challenges Francis Dickoh unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Derek Riordan, save made by Jamie MacDonald. 84:03 Booking Stephen Elliott is booked. 82:54 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jason Thomson by Matt Thornhill. Assist by Andy Webster. 82:54 GOAL - Stephen Elliott:Hibernian 2 - 2 Hearts Stephen Elliott finds the back of the net with a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Hibernian 2-2 Hearts. 81:40 Substitution Rudi Skacel on for Ian Black. 81:12 Substitution Liam Miller leaves the field to be replaced by Ian Murray. 79:31 David Wotherspoon provided the assist for the goal. 79:31 GOAL - Ricardo Vaz Te:Hibernian 2 - 1 Hearts Ricardo Vaz Te grabs a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hibernian 2-1 Hearts. 78:36 Richie Towell sends in a cross, clearance by Jason Thomson. 77:56 Derek Riordan is caught offside. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick. 76:45 Ryan Stevenson takes a shot. Save by Mark Brown. 75:23 Derek Riordan sends in a cross, clearance made by Craig Thomson. 71:11 Substitution Ryan McGowan on for Andrew Driver. 71:01 Effort from inside the area by Derek Riordan misses to the right of the target. 70:49 Derek Riordan takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald. 70:20 David Wotherspoon crosses the ball, Akpo Sodje takes a shot. Andy Webster gets a block in. 68:52 Substitution (Hibernian) makes a substitution, with David Wotherspoon coming on for Victor Palsson. 68:28 Richie Towell crosses the ball, Shot by Ricardo Vaz Te from 12 yards. Andy Webster gets a block in. 67:56 The ball is swung over by Richie Towell, Jason Thomson manages to make a clearance. 67:44 The ball is sent over by Derek Riordan, clearance made by Andy Webster. 65:55 Ryan Stevenson fouled by Victor Palsson, the ref awards a free kick. The ball is crossed by Stephen Elliott, Headed effort from inside the area by Andy Webster misses to the left of the target. 64:53 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ian Black by Matt Thornhill. Jason Thomson takes the direct free kick. 60:38 Ricardo Vaz Te delivers the ball, save by Jamie MacDonald. 59:24 Corner taken by Callum Booth from the left by-line. 57:08 Ricardo Vaz Te takes a shot. Blocked by Andy Webster. 56:20 The ball is crossed by Richie Towell. 53:18 Victor Palsson produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar. 52:31 Corner taken right-footed by Craig Thomson from the left by-line, Paul Hanlon manages to make a clearance. 51:54 Inswinging corner taken by Craig Thomson from the left by-line played to the near post, Francis Dickoh manages to make a clearance. 50:58 The ball is crossed by Richie Towell. 49:10 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jason Thomson by Paul Hanlon. Free kick taken by Jason Thomson. 48:17 Ian Black gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Victor Palsson. Derek Riordan crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel, Andy Webster makes a clearance. 46:13 Stephen Elliott fouled by Francis Dickoh, the ref awards a free kick. Ian Black takes the direct free kick. 45:01 The referee gets the second half underway. 45:01 Substitution Ricardo Vaz Te comes on in place of Martin Scott. Half Time 45:00+1:04 The ref blows to signal half-time. 45:00+0:12 Francis Dickoh has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the target. 44:21 The referee gives a free kick against Ruben Palazuelos for handball. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Derek Riordan, clearance made by Andy Webster. 44:21 Booking Ruben Palazuelos receives a yellow card. 42:38 The ball is swung over by Derek Riordan, Andy Webster manages to make a clearance. 37:57 Free kick awarded for a foul by Matt Thornhill on Ruben Palazuelos. Ismael Bouzid restarts play with the free kick. 36:06 Ryan Stevenson is adjudged to have handled the ball. Mark Brown restarts play with the free kick. 35:10 Substitution David Templeton goes off and Jason Thomson comes on. 34:38 Booking Booking for Liam Miller for unsporting behaviour. Correction - 34:26 Marius Zaliukas gives away a Penalty for an unfair challenge on Akpo Sodje. The assist for the goal came from Akpo Sodje. 34:26 Marius Zaliukas challenges Akpo Sodje unfairly and gives away a Penalty. 34:26 GOAL - Liam Miller:Hibernian 1 - 1 Hearts Liam Miller scores a penalty. Hibernian 1-1 Hearts. 32:51 Sent off Marius Zaliukas receives a red card for professional foul. 31:53 Martin Scott produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal. 31:10 Ryan Stevenson is caught offside. Mark Brown restarts play with the free kick. 29:10 Stephen Elliott is penalised for a handball. Free kick taken by Mark Brown. 24:54 Liam Miller takes a shot. Jamie MacDonald makes a save. 24:13 Akpo Sodje produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area and misses left. 23:02 The assist for the goal came from Andrew Driver. 23:02 GOAL - Ryan Stevenson:Hibernian 0 - 1 Hearts Goal scored by Ryan Stevenson from just inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hibernian 0-1 Hearts. 21:24 Corner taken by Craig Thomson, save made by Mark Brown. 20:45 Marius Zaliukas concedes a free kick for a foul on Akpo Sodje. Direct free kick taken by Derek Riordan. 18:56 Shot from a long way out by Liam Miller goes wide of the left-hand post. 17:53 Matt Thornhill concedes a free kick for a foul on Craig Thomson. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick. 16:52 Craig Thomson crosses the ball, clearance made by Paul Hanlon. 14:50 Unfair challenge on David Templeton by Callum Booth results in a free kick. Craig Thomson sends in a cross, Header from close in by Ismael Bouzid misses to the left of the goal. 13:00 Header by Akpo Sodje from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target. 12:08 Craig Thomson takes a inswinging corner to the near post, save by Mark Brown. 9:44 Craig Thomson fouled by Akpo Sodje, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Craig Thomson. 8:58 Free kick awarded for a foul by Ismael Bouzid on Matt Thornhill. Victor Palsson takes the free kick. 7:02 Ian Black fouled by Martin Scott, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Andy Webster. 7:02 Booking Martin Scott booked for unsporting behaviour. 6:13 Richie Towell produces a cross. 5:15 Matt Thornhill takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald. 4:25 Unfair challenge on Craig Thomson by Richie Towell results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Craig Thomson, clearance by Paul Hanlon. 3:44 Stephen Elliott takes a shot. Mark Brown makes a save. 2:24 Corner taken by Craig Thomson, clearance made by Akpo Sodje. 1:43 Derek Riordan produces a volleyed right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post. 1:08 Centre by David Templeton. 0:22 Matt Thornhill challenges Ryan Stevenson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Craig Thomson from right channel, Matt Thornhill makes a clearance. 0:00 The game begins. Live text and data provided by The Press Association.


View the original article here

Indian MPs probe telecom scandal

4 April 2011 last updated 00: 25 Ratan Tata ET Ratan Tata is one of the most famous and influential businessmen in India an Indian parliamentary panel investigating the controversial grant of authorisations for telecommunications is due to some of the country's biggest tycoons question.

Ratan Tata and reliance on Anil Ambani belong to which due to appear at the hearing, which starts on Monday.

Police say that in 2007-08, when India 122 new Telecom licences, different rules were violated and bribes were paid for certain companies.

On Saturday, was a former Minister charged in relation to the sale.

Andimuthu Raja, who was Minister of telecommunications of the auction, has been charged with conspiracy, forgery and fraud.

The unfolding story has shaken both the Government and the business establishments.

Several of the permits are issued to enterprises with no experience in the telecommunications sector in a procedure that is described by an auditor as lack of transparency and "in an arbitrary, unfair and unjust manner".

' Bribes '

It said that some licences went to companies that do not qualify, or had suppressed relevant facts, and cost $ 39bn in lost revenue

Police have accused Mr Raja bribes from two companies that are now the local joint venture partners of Telenor and Etisalat have taken.

The Ministry of telecommunications is considering or cancel some 85 certificates that the audit report says are issued to enterprises that are not eligible for them were.

Many of India's largest business names have already made, including billionaires Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance ADA group, and Prashant Ruia, chief executive of Essar group.

Mr Raja denies misconduct. Last year he was forced to resign over the issue.

India Italian world's fastest growing mobile market, with about half a billion subscribers so far.


View the original article here

Japan's manufacturers pessimistic

April 3, 2011 was last updated on 21 worker checks for radiation at Nissan warehouse : 44 ET many manufacturers continue to face power cuts and supply chain deficits of Japan major manufacturers expecting conditions to worsen in the next three months, according to the Bank of Japan's Tankan survey.

But the decline in business sentiment was not as bad as many expected, leads to questions of accuracy.

The earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on 11 March have led to rolling power blackouts and a nuclear crisis.

The results of the quarterly Tankan survey are used to Japanese monetary policy.

The business sentiment index for June of this year at minus 2, showing that the major manufacturers are pessimistic.

A positive reading indicates that the sector is improved.

Accurate results?

In an unprecedented move, the Bank of Japan spent separate figures for March, to sentiment before and after the earthquake.

The post-quake index for major manufacturers was plus 6, which is the same as it was in the full survey results released on April 1.

"The positive figure for March seems to me to be a bit strange and it's a little hard to believe," said Koichi Ogawa of Daiwa SB investments.

"I wonder if the effects of the disaster is truly reflected in the result".

Some analysts say that the results of the survey would be misleading.

"Many companies are still fully understand the effects of the earthquake and the subsequent nuclear crisis," said Yasuo Yamamoto of Mizuho research institute.


View the original article here

Johnson calls Gove about EEA plans

April 1, 2011, last updated at 14: 27 ET by Ross Hawkins political correspondent Mayor Of London Boris Johnson , BBC News, Mr Johnson said he wanted "another look" on the new scheme The London Mayor is called Education Secretary Michael Gove to explain his concerns about plans to replace student education maintenance allowances.

Boris Johnson called Michael Gove after expressing reservations about the policy on the BBC question time programme.

The Greater London Authority would work with the Government to ensure that the plans do not have a disproportionate effect on Londoners, said a City Hall source.

But a source close to Michael Gove said that the policy would not change.

He added that a "courtesy meeting" between GLA and Department of education officials will take place.

The Government has announced a £ 180 m fee scheme to replace the education maintenance allowance (EMA), who last year in England were demolished. EMA schemes in Scotland and Wales and the fees remain in Northern Ireland are assessed.

EMAs grants for low-income 16 to 19-year-olds in the United Kingdom to continue them in education to help. Some existing recipients are still the fee is paid.

Talking about question time on Thursday, the mayor said that he was concerned that the changes would have a significant impact on young people in London.

He added: "If the Mayor of the city, yes I want to see, I would like to take another look at this.

"I am grateful for what Michael Gove did, I guess that was the right move. I think there is an evolution of the policy. "

But he added: "I have to tell you that I don't think we the end of the story have seen."

Mr Johnson is understood to agree with the principle of the change, but is concerned about the impact on London.

This is not the first time the conservative mayor has publicly decisions of Tory ministers challenged.

Last October he plans for a cap on housing benefits requested and told the BBC: "we will not accept a kind of Kosovo-like social cleansing of London."


View the original article here

Kazakh leader ' WINS 95% of votes '

April 3, 2011 was last updated on 22 Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and his wife Sara cast their votes at a polling station in Astana : 06 ET President Nazarbayev has been in power for more than 20 years, Exit polls from Kazakhstan the controversial presidential elections suggest incumbent Nursultan Nazarbayev 95% of the vote won.

The forecast is based on data from two different organisations, one of which reportedly 50,000 voters on the ex-Soviet State respondents.

Mr Nazarbayev, 70, is already more than 20 years in power.

Opponents say that they had not enough time to prepare for the election, less than two months ago.

But critics say that the opposition its weakness in having no strong candidate capable of challenging Mr Nazarbayev proven.

Under a constitutional amendment 2007 there is no limit on the number of terms in that the former Communist party boss in office can serve.

His current term was to have ended in 2012, but he called the early poll after a proposal to cancel the following two elections was ruled unconstitutional.

Three other candidates stood in Sunday elections: environmentalist Mels Yeleusizov, Gani Kasymov of the Party of Patriots of Kazakhstan and Zhambyl Akhmetbekov of of the people of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan.

' Prosperity before democracy '

After casting his vote on Sunday, President Nazarbayev said: "the task of the modernization of the State and society are still huge, so the vote today will determine our unity and our desire to satisfy our plans."

The preliminary results will be announced early on Monday, but Kazakhstan Association of sociologists and Politologists gave Mr Nazarbayev 94.82% of the vote, on the basis of an exit poll of 1.2% of those who voted.

The Institute of democracy polling 50,000 voters, and gave him 95.1%.

In the elections of 2005 won the Mr Nazarbayev 91.2%.

Almost 90% of the eligible voters of the country nine million casting their vote, the Electoral Commission said, up from 76.8% in the last elections.

Early voters and 18-year-olds casting their vote for the first time were rewarded with household goods such as food blenders and electric kettles, according to the Associated Press.

Campaign says for this poll was low-key – the most organized and visible by the main pro-presidential Nur Otan party, the BBC already Demytrie in Almaty.

Mr Nazarbayev has no real competition, our correspondent adds.

No elections in Kazakhstan have ever been convicted as free and fair by independent monitors.

"We have not fair elections in 20 years," said human rights leader Zauresh Battalova, a former member of the Senate.

The Organization for security and cooperation in Europe (OSCE) complained about the lack of transparency, competition and freedom of the media.

There were several reports that students were forced to vote by threats of expulsion from the University.

Writing in the Washington Post last week, Mr Nazarbayev argued that economic prosperity for democracy.

"Without this force, as we repeatedly all over the world have seen, stability has been compromised and democratic reform can founder," he argued.


View the original article here

Man charged over Omagh road death

April 3, 2011, last updated on 05 Police inspect crashed vehicle : 48 ET a 26-year-old man died in the car accident near Omagh, County Tyrone is an 18-year-old man charged with dangerous driving causing death, and other related motoring offences.

He appears Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday morning. The costs relate to a collision at Doogary road in Omagh.

Simon Glenn, 26, from the area of Strabane, was killed in the accident at about 0410 BST on Saturday happened.

Two women, age 48 and 23, and a three-year-old girl, were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.


View the original article here

Man City 5-0 Sunderland

Translate Request has too much data
Parameter name: request
Translate Request has too much data
Parameter name: request
Adam Johnson Johnson opened the scoring for City on only his ninth league start this season

Manchester City moved above Chelsea into third spot in the Premier League after an impressive attacking display against Sunderland.

Throwing away the conservatism that has blanketed recent displays, City opened the scoring when Adam Johnson exchanged passes with Yaya Toure to fire in.

Carlos Tevez then doubled the lead from the penalty spot on 15 minutes.

David Silva made it three before substitute Patrick Vieira slid in and Toure added a fifth on 73 minutes.

City could have easily made it more convincing but in contrast to recent performances, it was a showing full of purpose and promise marked by a change in the line-up and formation.

Mancini celebrates 'very important' win

Johnson, Tevez, Silva and Toure all showed what they can do when they have more licence to burst forward but they were given lots of room to create openings thanks to a poor defensive offering from Sunderland.

Even though they are a point above Chelsea, having played one game more, the manner of the victory will also give City boss Roberto Mancini food for thought ahead of crucial games against Liverpool in the league a week on Monday and against Manchester United in the FA Cup final on 16 April.

Perhaps the Italian manager was influenced by the defeat by Chelsea a fortnight ago, where they struggled to create any meaningful chances.

He opted for a more adventurous formation with Mario Balotelli and Tevez up front, while midfielder Gareth Barry was dropped to the bench, just five days after captaining England against Ghana.

More importantly, Johnson received only his ninth start of the season to give City added thrust on the right and it was not long before the winger was involved, setting up Balotelli for one of many shots that were blocked.

As early as the ninth minute, Sunderland were wary of the English 23-year-old and it was this space that helped create the well-taken opener.

The Black Cats stood off Johnson as he received a pass from Toure on the right and as the Ivorian took the return pass and set off down the wing, Johnson was on hand to receive his cutback, burying his shot into the net for his seventh goal of the season.

That fine goal seemed to knock the visitors sideways and just as they were trying to recover, Silva found Tevez with a diagonal ball to create a second.

Bruce urges Sunderland to bounce back

Following the lofted pass, the Argentine tried to lift the ball over Sunderland defender Michael Turner, but he was caught in the box leaving referee Howard Webb no option but to point to the spot.

Making his first start since November, Turner had no complaints about the penalty and Tevez duly tucked the ball into the corner for his 22nd goal of the season, although keeper Simon Mignolet got a hand to it.

City had chances to put the game out of sight before half-time with Tevez and Balotelli having further shots closed down, and at that stage the City fans watching must have wondered why Mancini had not opted for a similar line-up when the Premier League title was still within their grasp.

Sensing their standing in their game, City eased down a gear, allowing Sunderland to grasp more of the ball in midfield before half time.

In fact, the visitors finished the period the stronger team with Stephane Sessegnon setting up Danny Welbeck, who missed his kick, while Asamoah Gyan had Joe Hart scrabbling with a looping effort.

But the pressure was short-lived as Johnson impressed early in the second half to combine with Silva.

His energy was in contrast to the frustrating Balotelli, who had another shot blocked soon after, but the Italian did have a hand in the goal which ended the game as a contest just after the hour.

Tevez made a superb run across the back of the Sunderland defence and was found expertly by Nigel de Jong. And although his cross led to a Balotelli shot which was charged down, Silva was on hand to pick up the rebound to make the game safe.

City were out of sight soon after when Vieira came onto replace Johnson on 65 minutes and scored with his first touch.

Aleksandar Kolarov fired across goal following a cleared corner and Vieira slid in at the back post to steer the ball across the line.

A bad day got even worse for Sunderland when captain Lee Cattermole tried to square the ball to his defence from the left flank but his lobbed pass was a disaster waiting to happen and Toure nipped in to slot in City's fifth.

It finished off a miserable day for Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, whose side have not won a game for seven games now.

Where they once had European aspirations, they will now be looking down towards the bottom of the table, just six points above the relegation zone.

For City, an almost perfect day was denied towards the end when Balotelli's free-kick was well saved by Mignolet, but this win will give them a momentum that might be hard to break as the season comes to a conclusion.

Sunday, 3 April 2011

Barclays Premier League

Johnson 9Tevez (pen) 15Silva 63Vieira 67Y Toure 73Final Result Full Time 90:00+3:34 The final whistle is blown by the referee. 90:00+2:02 Foul by Michael Turner on Mario Balotelli, free kick awarded. Shot on goal comes in from Mario Balotelli from the free kick, save made by Simon Mignolet. 90:00+2:02 Booking Michael Turner receives a caution for unsporting behaviour. 90:00+1:36 Boudewijn Zenden takes a shot. Patrick Vieira gets a block in. 90:00+1:00 Boudewijn Zenden takes a shot. Save by Joe Hart. 89:43 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nigel De Jong by Stephane Sessegnon. Nigel De Jong takes the free kick. 89:01 John Mensah gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mario Balotelli. Patrick Vieira takes the direct free kick. 87:04 Foul by Danny Welbeck on Shaun Wright-Phillips, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Nigel De Jong. 85:22 Boudewijn Zenden sends in a cross. 84:21 Patrick Vieira challenges Boudewijn Zenden unfairly and gives away a free kick. Boudewijn Zenden takes the direct free kick. 84:21 Booking Patrick Vieira is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. 83:35 Headed effort from inside the area by Ahmed Elmohamady misses to the left of the target. 83:05 Foul by Ryan McGivern on Danny Welbeck, free kick awarded. Boudewijn Zenden restarts play with the free kick. 82:26 The ball is crossed by Shaun Wright-Phillips, Carlos Tevez has an effort at goal from close range which goes wide right of the goal. 81:32 Foul by Carlos Tevez on Michael Turner, free kick awarded. Michael Turner takes the direct free kick. 80:47 Asamoah Gyan concedes a free kick for a foul on Aleksandar Kolarov. Joe Hart takes the direct free kick. 79:31 Shot from 18 yards by Asamoah Gyan. Comfortable save by Joe Hart. 78:59 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Boudewijn Zenden from the right by-line, clearance made by Patrick Vieira. 78:25 Asamoah Gyan fouled by Vincent Kompany, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Boudewijn Zenden, clearance by Ryan McGivern. 77:37 Substitution Shaun Wright-Phillips replaces David Silva. 76:11 Ryan McGivern takes a shot. Blocked by Danny Welbeck. 74:40 Jack Colback has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left. 73:41 Foul by Asamoah Gyan on Nigel De Jong, free kick awarded. Patrick Vieira restarts play with the free kick. 72:30 GOAL - Gnegneri Toure Yaya:Man City 5 - 0 Sunderland Gnegneri Toure Yaya grabs a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Man City 5-0 Sunderland. 72:09 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Boudewijn Zenden from the right by-line. 71:54 Substitution Jack Colback comes on in place of Sulley Muntari. 69:41 Substitution Ryan McGivern replaces Dedryk Boyata. 69:18 Mario Balotelli takes a shot. Save by Simon Mignolet. 68:17 Stephane Sessegnon produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target. 66:20 Assist on the goal came from Joleon Lescott. 66:20 GOAL - Patrick Vieira:Man City 4 - 0 Sunderland Patrick Vieira finds the back of the net with a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Man City 4-0 Sunderland. 66:11 Corner taken by Aleksandar Kolarov. 65:44 Substitution Patrick Vieira replaces Adam Johnson. 62:17 Mario Balotelli takes a shot. Blocked by Michael Turner. Mario Balotelli provided the assist for the goal. 62:17 GOAL - David Silva:Man City 3 - 0 Sunderland David Silva scores a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Man City 3-0 Sunderland. 61:27 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Aleksandar Kolarov, John Mensah makes a clearance. 61:10 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nigel De Jong by Lee Cattermole. Aleksandar Kolarov takes the direct free kick. 60:01 Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Welbeck on Adam Johnson. Free kick taken by David Silva. 58:49 Substitution Boudewijn Zenden comes on in place of Jordan Henderson. 58:02 The assistant referee flags for offside against Carlos Tevez. Simon Mignolet takes the free kick. Correction - 54:14 Mario Balotelli takes a shot. Simon Mignolet makes a save. 54:14 Mario Balotelli takes a shot. Save made by Simon Mignolet. 53:18 The official flags Adam Johnson offside. Simon Mignolet takes the indirect free kick. 52:16 The assistant referee signals for offside against Carlos Tevez. Simon Mignolet restarts play with the free kick. 51:11 The ball is swung over by Jordan Henderson. 49:46 Short corner taken by Adam Johnson from the right by-line. 48:20 Corner taken left-footed by Sulley Muntari from the right by-line, save made by Joe Hart. 47:11 Inswinging corner taken by Sulley Muntari from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Mario Balotelli. 46:52 Foul by Nigel De Jong on Stephane Sessegnon, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Lee Cattermole. 46:43 Lee Cattermole fouled by Gnegneri Toure Yaya, the ref awards a free kick. Sulley Muntari takes the free kick. 45:56 Asamoah Gyan challenges Gnegneri Toure Yaya unfairly and gives away a free kick. Vincent Kompany takes the direct free kick. 45:01 The referee starts the second half. 45:01 Substitution Ahmed Elmohamady on for Phillip Bardsley. Half Time 45:00+1:06 The referee blows for half time. 44:22 Free kick awarded for a foul by Dedryk Boyata on Danny Welbeck. Direct free kick taken by Sulley Muntari. 43:34 Lee Cattermole gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Vincent Kompany. Direct free kick taken by Joe Hart. 40:35 David Silva produces a cross, Jordan Henderson makes a clearance. 39:57 Gnegneri Toure Yaya fouled by Lee Cattermole, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Nigel De Jong. Correction - 37:04 Asamoah Gyan produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target. 37:04 Stephane Sessegnon has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post. 35:21 Aleksandar Kolarov concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephane Sessegnon. Sulley Muntari delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Nigel De Jong makes a clearance. 35:21 Booking Booking for Aleksandar Kolarov for unsporting behaviour. 33:49 Adam Johnson produces a cross. 33:18 Adam Johnson takes a short corner. 32:27 Mario Balotelli takes a shot. Simon Mignolet makes a save. 30:38 John Mensah challenges Carlos Tevez unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Adam Johnson. 30:38 Booking Booking for John Mensah for unsporting behaviour. 29:51 Stephane Sessegnon takes a shot. Save made by Joe Hart. 28:05 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adam Johnson by Phillip Bardsley. Direct free kick taken by Gnegneri Toure Yaya. 25:12 Handball decision goes against Michael Turner. Strike on goal comes in from Aleksandar Kolarov from the free kick. 24:18 John Mensah concedes a free kick for a foul on Carlos Tevez. Gnegneri Toure Yaya takes the free kick. 23:08 Phillip Bardsley fouled by Mario Balotelli, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Simon Mignolet. 18:56 The referee gives a free kick against Sulley Muntari for handball. Gnegneri Toure Yaya restarts play with the free kick. 18:18 Adam Johnson takes a short corner. 17:59 Adam Johnson takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post. 17:41 Carlos Tevez takes a shot. Blocked by Phillip Bardsley. 14:37 GOAL - Carlos Tevez:Man City 2 - 0 Sunderland Penalty taken right-footed by Carlos Tevez and scored. Man City 2-0 Sunderland. 14:20 Booking Phillip Bardsley is booked. 14:13 Foul by Phillip Bardsley on Carlos Tevez, Penalty awarded. 13:33 Foul by Michael Turner on David Silva, free kick awarded. Nigel De Jong takes the direct free kick. 11:59 Unfair challenge on Nigel De Jong by Lee Cattermole results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Nigel De Jong. 9:58 The assistant referee flags for offside against Danny Welbeck. Nigel De Jong restarts play with the free kick. 8:44 Assist by Gnegneri Toure Yaya. 8:44 GOAL - Adam Johnson:Man City 1 - 0 Sunderland Adam Johnson fires in a goal from inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Man City 1-0 Sunderland. 8:07 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nigel De Jong by Danny Welbeck. Direct free kick taken by Dedryk Boyata. 7:01 Mario Balotelli takes a shot. Blocked by Michael Turner. 5:13 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mario Balotelli by Sulley Muntari. Gnegneri Toure Yaya restarts play with the free kick. 4:15 Jordan Henderson takes a short corner. 0:34 Mario Balotelli fouled by Michael Turner, the ref awards a free kick. Aleksandar Kolarov restarts play with the free kick. 0:00 The game kicks-off. Live text and data provided by The Press Association.


View the original article here

Ministers ' wrong ' on tuition

Translate Request has too much data
Parameter name: request
Translate Request has too much data
Parameter name: request
BBC News - Ministers wrong on tuition fees, says university chief British Broadcasting CorporationBBCHome

Accessibility links

Skip to content Skip to local navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk search Help Accessibility Help BBC News Education & Family Home US & Canada Latin America UK Africa Asia-Pac Europe Mid-East South Asia Business Health Sci/Environment Tech Entertainment Video England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales UK Politics Education Magazine 3 April 2011Last updated at 10:55 ET Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Ministers wrong on tuition fees, says university chief University students at graduation Universities will be able to charge up to £9,000 a year in tuition fees from 2012 Continue reading the main story University Funding Will the higher fees gamble pay off? Full list: Fees announced so far Graduates 'could pay back double' Q&A: Tuition fee rises Average tuition fees in England from next year will be higher than ministers expected, a senior academic has said.

Liverpool John Moores is one of the English universities applying to charge the maximum £9,000 for all its courses.

Vice-chancellor Professor Michael Brown said universities would struggle to keep the figure down to the £6,000.

But Universities Minister David Willetts said the average tuition fees charged by universities will be "significantly below" £9,000.

Speaking on the BBC's Politics Show, Mr Willetts said: "The Office for Fair Access's job, under the legislation we inherited from Labour, is to make sure that universities are doing everything they can to widen access. It is not an overall price regulator for the sector."

Course quality

Universities in England will be able to charge £6,000 for undergraduate courses from 2012, and up to £9,000 in "exceptional cases".

Prof Brown told the BBC's North West Politics Show the government had got its sums wrong and his university could not maintain the quality of its courses without charging the maximum fee.

"We're in pretty lean form as a university and yet the calculation we do is: we charge £6,000, we'll lose £26m. We can't do it," he said.

Continue reading the main story“Start Quote
It seems likely that some courses, possibly even some institutions, will close as students think long and hard before committing so much money to their education”

End Quote BBC's Arif Ansari on student fees Asked whether this meant no university could charge the government's preferred £6,000, he replied: "If they do, I don't think they'll be around for very long, and they'll be a very different institution in a few years' time with that under-investment."

With the intentions of 24 universities declared, the majority intend to charge fees of £9,000 for their undergraduate degree courses.

The government had modelled its plans for university funding on an estimate that universities would charge £7,500 for fees on average.

Ministers have warned that further cuts might be made to university teaching budgets if too many universities plump for higher amounts.

Originally, it had said it expected universities to charge £9,000 only in "exceptional circumstances", but universities are independent bodies and most say they need to charge maximum fees to make up for cuts to their teaching grants.

The government's changes to university funding are based on the idea that fees will rise and replace money being taken from teaching budgets.

Mr Willetts said: "There are further education colleges that are itching to come in at significantly below these headline top prices and one of the things we are looking at is how we can make it easier for people to go to these new alternative providers.

"When the dust settles, I think we will find there is a great range of options available to students and the average is significantly below that headline £9,000."

Please send further updates to educationnews@bbc.co.uk

UniversityTuition feeConfirmed or expectedUniversity groupFurther information Aston

£9,000

Confirmed

Tuition fees proposal for 2012

Bath

£9,000

Confirmed

1994 Group

Birmingham

£9,000

Confirmed

Russell

Financial support and fees

Bishop Grosseteste, Lincoln

£7,500

Confirmed

Guild HE

Fee level is for "majority of courses"

Cambridge

£9,000

Confirmed

Russell

Flexible financial support plan

Coventry

£4,600 - £9,000

Confirmed

Million+

Most full-time between £7,500 and £9,000

Durham

£9,000

Confirmed

1994 Group

"Fees market takes shape"

Essex

£9,000

Confirmed

1994 Group

University statement

Exeter

£9,000

Confirmed

1994 Group

University statement

Imperial

£9,000

Confirmed

Russell

Rector's statement

Lancaster

£9,000

Confirmed

1994 Group

Leeds

£9,000

Confirmed

Russell

University statement

Leeds Met

£8,500

Confirmed

Million+

Liverpool

£9,000

Expected

Russell

Liverpool John Moores

£9,000

Confirmed

University Alliance

University statement

London Met

£4,500 - £9,000

Expected

Million+

Expecting average to be £6,000-£7,000

Loughborough

£9,000

Confirmed

1994 Group

University statement

Manchester

£9,000

Confirmed

Russell

University statement

Oxford

£9,000

Confirmed

Russell

Fees and waivers

Reading

£9,000

Confirmed

1994 Group

University statement

Surrey

£9,000

Confirmed

1994 Group

Statement on need to raise fees

Sussex

£9,000

Confirmed

1994 Group

Details of scholarship scheme

St Mary's University College, Twickenham

£8,000

Confirmed

Guild HE

University statement

UCL

£9,000

Confirmed

Russell

Provost's statement

University Campus Suffolk

£7,500 - £8,000

Confirmed

University statement

Warwick

£9,000

Confirmed

Russell

Fees and widening participation statement

More on This Story University Funding Features & AnalysisUniversities Minister David WillettsWill the higher fees gamble pay off?

As more universities indicate they intend to charge fees of £9,000, Mike Baker asks whether the government can afford its own policy.

Full list: Fees announced so farGraduates 'could pay back double'Q&A: Tuition fee risesCan unis tackle social divide? Key StoriesLeeds Met to charge £8,500 feesUniversity funding falling by 12%Oxford plans £9,000 tuition feesEU students could face Scots feeFair access levy for universitiesDelay to higher education plans Your viewsFees protests: Eyewitness accountsStudent protests: Your pictures Related Internet links Liverpool John Moores University Department for Education Around the BBC BBC's North West Politics Show Arif Ansari on student fees The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites

Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print More Education & Family stories RSSProtesters outside Downing StreetMothers fighting Sure Start cuts

Mothers take their battle against cuts to Sure Start Children's Centres to Downing Street.

Britain's pupils 'are bad losers'Paternity leave rules take effect Top Stories Pro-Ouattara forces in Duekoue - photo 29 MarchAbidjan facing 'rapid offensive' Turkey ship rescues Libya injured Holed US jet 'had metal fatigue' Nigeria election postponed again Japan's manufacturers pessimistic Features & AnalysisGagarin representation (BBC / K. Moskvitch)From mud hut to orbit

Humble beginnings of the first man in space

US singer Bob DylanChanging times

Bob Dylan set to play first gig in China

Girl and Apples 2 by Joana RicouArt for rent

Website offers the chance to 'try before you buy'

Taxis in CairoTaken for a ride

Masterclass in fishing for a tip - from a Cairo taxi driver

Most PopularShared 1: US oil spill executives get bonus 2: Tsunami dog rescued at sea 3: Sheen live show bombs in Detroit 4: Al Fayed defends Jackson statue? 5: French take over Abidjan airport Read 1: Air France plane wreckage found 2: Abidjan facing 'rapid offensive' 3: Holed US jet 'had metal fatigue' 4: Japan's manufacturers pessimistic 5: Sheen live show bombs in Detroit 6: Turkey ship rescues Libya injured 7: 'Try before you buy' art comes to US 8: Forgotten home of Soviet space legend 9: Alzheimer's linked to more genes 10: US oil spill executives get bonus Video/Audio 1: One-minute World News Watch 2: Hundreds killed in Ivory Coast town Watch 3: Noisy trousers create jeans beat Watch 4: Misrata evacuees arrive in Benghazi Watch 5: Fighting rages in Ivory Coast Watch 6: Fierce battle in Ivory Coast city Watch 7: Bodies found after Ivory Coast massacre Watch 8: Libyan rebels renew fight for Brega Watch 9: US plane makes emergency landing Watch 10: Tsunami dog rescued at sea Watch Elsewhere on BBC News25c US on a golf teeBusiness tees up for the Masters

The first golfing major of 2011 is creating its annual economic boost for the city of Augusta

ProgrammesAn airport at the heart of a city (Pic: Aerotropolis)Fast Track Watch

With air passenger numbers set to increase, will giant airport-cities be the global hubs of the future?

Services ?News feeds ?Mobile ?Podcasts ?Alerts ?E-mail news About BBC News Editors' blog BBC College of Journalism News sources World Service Trust Mobile

Search term:

bbc.co.uk navigation News Sport Weather Travel TV Radio More CBBC CBeebies Comedy Food Health History Learning Music Science Nature Local Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Full A-Z of BBC sites BBC links About the BBC BBC Help Contact Us Accessibility Help Terms of Use Jobs Privacy & Cookies Advertise With Us BBC

BBC ? 2011 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.


View the original article here

Mothers certainly start to fight cuts

April 3, 2011, last updated at 07: 56 am ET by Hannah Richardson BBC News education Protesters outside Downing Street reporter the demonstrators chose mother's Day to hand in their petition a group of women have used mother's Day to take their campaign against cuts certainly start children centres to Downing Street.

Mothers and their infants of local campaigns on England have handed in a 50 000-name petition against cuts and closures of the centres.

Daycare Trust research suggests up to 86% of the centres are faced with budget cuts and that up to 250 in 2011.

But ministers say that there is enough money in the system to retain of the centres.

They want the centres to help more disadvantaged families, with health visitors picking up some of their early intervention work refocus.

Nursery rhymes

The Downing Street event was organized by mothers Louise King and Ruth Hardcastle, who formed the No cuts for Kids campaign in response to the cuts.

Louise King with her son RufusLouise King said that the cuts would have a devastating impact

Sure start children centres corners in some places because the grant funds to them was cut by 11% in the event of an emergency budget of last year, and again in the comprehensive review of spending almost the same percentage.

Then removed the Government protecting the budget certainly start. This has left them vulnerable as councils want to lose their grants from the Central Government on the whole.

???Continue reading the main story
we wanted to highlight the devastating consequences that these cuts have "
unquote Louise King of children Centre campaigners as local authorities their plans to reduce budgets have set out, local campaigns have sprung up from parents concerned about losing the services and help they provide to them and their children.

Campaigns on Sunday represented included mothers of Lambeth, Hampshire, Manchester, Camden, Stoke, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kirklees Derby who are online and on paper signatures.

After handing off their petition number 10, some 30 parents and their children sang rhymes and painted faces.

Organiser Ms King said: "on the day the nation's thoughts turn to mothers and the work they do, we wanted the devastating consequences that these cuts to mothers and children everywhere have highlight.

"Sure start children's centres are a great leveler in our society. Children from all walks of life mix and learn together.

"Parents can further their education and indispensable support. Take them away or force them to cut back, and we will see the next generation really suffering. "

The campaign also has the support of childcare charity Daycare Trust and online parenting website Netmums.

' Bottle of bleach '

Shadow children's Minister Sharon Hodgson called for the Government to recover from the countries in the budget certainly start.

She said she knew of some centres that their budget of £ 450,000 reduced to £ 19,000 per year saw but still children centres.

"This is not enough for the financing of a children's centre, it only would finance, a Concierge and a bottle of bleach," she added.

A Department of education spokesman said: "We have made sure there is enough money in the system to maintain a network of sure Start centres, and provided new investments for health visitors.

"Local authorities have a legal obligation to provide sufficient children Centre provision for the families in their areas and local communities well before close or change of children centres should consult.

"Good local authorities are restructuring with care and sensible changes-for example through clustering of centres-so they can continue to provide much needed services for families, but at a more efficient way."


View the original article here