Northern Ireland Man Faces Syria Terror Charges

A Northern Irish man has appeared in court charged with offences connected to terrorist training in Syria.

Eamon Bradley, from Londonderry, appeared at the city's magistrates court on Saturday morning after being arrested on Thursday.

He is charged with two offences - possession of explosives with intent to endanger life, namely a grenade, and receiving training in arms and explosives in Syria.

Bradley, 25, from Melmore Gardens in the Creggan area of Derry, is alleged to have committed the offences between April and October this year.

Dressed in a black T-shirt, Bradley spoke only to confirm his date of birth and to say that he understood the charges he faces.

He was remanded in custody after his application for bail was refused by District Judge Barney McElholm.

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Osborne Claims 'Real Win' Over £1.7bn EU Bill

George Osborne has described his efforts to cut the surcharge Britain will pay towards the European Union budget as a "real win" after being accused by Labour of "trying to take the British people for fools".

The Chancellor and the Prime Minister claimed to have halved the UK's £1.7bn bill from the EU but critics said the reduction would have been achieved by bringing forward a rebate to which the UK would have been entitled anyway.

Mr Osborne and Mr Cameron have argued that it was not certain that the rebate would apply to the surcharge, which was demanded after a recalculation of Britain's gross national income relative to the other 27 member states, until the deal was struck in a summit with fellow EU finance ministers in Brussels.

The Chancellor defended their stance, saying: "Everyone said we were going to have to pay £1.7bn (but) instead we are going to have to pay half that so no-one should be in any doubt this is a real win for Britain."

He added: "It shows this Government can deliver for Britain in Europe.

Video: Cameron: 'Good News' On EU Bill

"Every time the Government sets out the goals it wants to achieve in Europe people say they're impossible to achieve.

"When we do achieve them, like cutting the European budget or getting out of the bailouts or now reducing this bill, people say that was inevitable. Well people shouldn't be in any doubt, it's a real win."

Labour has claimed the deal does not save the UK "a single penny", while the Chancellor's European counterparts also appeared to contradict his account of the deal.

Irish finance minister Michael Noonan said he believed that the UK "will pay the whole amount" while Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem said "it's not as if the British have been given a discount".

The European Commission's vice-president with responsibility for the budget, Kristalina Georgieva, said the additional contribution being demanded from the UK meant that its rebate was also increased, leading to a "downward correction" in the overall sum to be paid.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said: "David Cameron and George Osborne are trying to take the British people for fools.

Video: A Surcharge Victory Or Just Spin?

"Ministers have failed to get a better deal for the British taxpayer. Not a single penny has been saved for the taxpayer compared to two weeks ago when David Cameron was blustering in Brussels.

"By counting the rebate Britain was due anyway, they are desperately trying to claim that the backdated bill for £1.7bn has somehow been halved. But nobody will fall for this smoke and mirrors.

"The rebate was never in doubt and, in fact, was confirmed by the EU Budget Commissioner last month."

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "Osborne (is) trying to spin his way out of disaster.

"Borrowing what we are rightfully owed in the future to pay an unfair bill being levied now is not a victory. It's a sham."

The bill is now due to be paid after the next General Election, rather than on 1 December as originally demanded by the EU.

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Police Question UK 'Islamist Plot' Suspects

Counter-terror police have arrested four men in connection with an alleged Islamist terror plot following raids across west London and in the Thames Valley.

The arrests came ahead of this weekend's Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day events.

Earlier this month, senior police officers and MPs said there was likely to be a significant rise in the number of armed police at Sunday's commemorations in London due to increased fears of a terror attack.

A 27-year-old man was arrested at gunpoint in a car in the street in Southall, west London.

Two other suspects, aged 22 and 25, were detained at addresses in Hounslow and Uxbridge, also in the west of the capital.

Police vans and tape could be seen outside two High Wycombe addresses

The fourth man, 19, was detained at an address in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Armed police took part in the operations in Southall, Hounslow and High Wycombe but no shots were fired.

The arrests were made on Thursday evening and in the early hours of Friday.

Counter-terrorism officers were leading searches of various properties in Hounslow, High Wycombe, Uxbridge, Southall, Greenford and Hayes.

The properties include a terraced house on Desborough Avenue in High Wycombe, Sky's Tom Parmenter reported from the scene.

Parmenter said there was some concern in the community over the arrest of the man in the town and the alleged "disproportionate" use of force by anti-terror police.

Youth worker Saqib Deshmukh, who knows the suspect, told Sky News: "One of the concerns that we heard was that it was a disproportionate use of force and armed response. Did it necessitate that? Was there a need for that to happen?

"Was there an actual threat on the ground? And that's a concern - that the actual number of forces and the level of force used is disproportionate and it doesn't merit it based on the evidence."

Local shopkeeper Sutha Tangaraj works opposite the house and told Sky News he saw the armed police arrive.

"At about 7pm or 7:30pm at least half a dozen armed police surrounded the house, they knocked the door and no one answered.

"A lady in the house eventually opened the door and they went and have since been searching ever since."

He said police were at the same address six months ago.

It is understood the men were believed to be plotting an attack on UK soil

Mr Tangaraj said the man who lives at the property "is a regular customer and lives in the house with his family - his mother is very chatty".

The four men were all taken to police stations in central London. 

Scotland Yard said the arrests and subsequent searches were part of an "ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism".

Sky's home affairs editor Mark White said: "Scotland Yard are officially giving very little in the way of information on these arrests, but sources are suggesting it is linked to an alleged extremist plot against the UK."

The arrests came a few months after the national terror threat level in the UK was raised from substantial to severe, meaning a terrorist attack is "highly likely".

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More Older Men Struggling With Loneliness

By Katie Spencer, Sky News Reporter

A growing number of lonely older men in Britain are struggling with social isolation and lack proper support, charity Independent Age has told Sky News.

Simon Bottery from the organisation, which gives help and advice to older people, said the problem was becoming more apparent because men are living longer.

"It used to be that older women would live longer than men, but men are catching up, their health is improving, so they're living as long or even past their wives," he said.

"What happens then is it can be extremely difficult to cope with the grief and bereavement and then make and maintain social contacts afterwards."

New research conducted by Independent Age and the International Longevity Centre shows the number of older men living alone is expected to rise from 911,000 to 1.5 million by 2030.

Mr Mitchell has a good social life but understands how some could be lonely

It also found that, compared to women of the same age, there is a tendency for older men to have significantly less contact with their children, family and friends.

The charity says men need to see the findings as a "wake-up call" to maintain social contacts as they get older.

It also wants community groups to do more to make older men feel more included.

"Typically befriending services tend to be thought of in terms of older women but we're going to have to change the way we go about things in the voluntary sector."

Unlike some men his age, 90-year-old Jimmy Mitchell has forged strong links with his community in Brechin, Scotland.

Through his local church and outings with Contact the Elderly, the former RAF dispatch rider has built up a network of friends but says he can understand how some men end up isolated.

"It must be terrible for those who are on their own, stuck in their house all the time, not getting out and about."

"I go to church every Sunday, I have lots of friends there, some of them call in to see me and have a chat and a cup of tea.

"I'm more fortunate than a lot of people."

The Royal British Legion hopes its 16 new pop-in centres will make it easier for former veterans to access support.

"People can already phone our call centres or go online," said the charity's Bob Gamble.

"But for a number of people it's nicer to come and see a face.

"The legion has a fairly meaningful role with regard to people who are living on their own.

"They're really for people that are on their own, who want to go somewhere, hang their hat, and have a talk with someone with a shared experience."

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Wish Granted As Dying Woman And Horse Reunite

A dying woman lying in her hospital bed was reunited with her favourite horse for a final time hours before she passed away.

Sheila Marsh, who had terminal cancer, was granted her last wish as she was wheeled outside Wigan Royal Infirmary to say goodbye to Bronwen after the 77-year-old's condition deteriorated.

A photo has been released showing the animal gently nuzzling up against her owner near a medical unit after Bronwen was transported to the hospital premises.

Her family have thanked bosses at the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust for helping to organise the meeting which has been called a "beautiful moment".

Her daughter Tina Marsh, 33, said: "I was crying my eyes out and all the nurses were crying too. She took comfort out of it and it was a beautiful moment."

She told the Manchester Evening News: "She loved her horses and she loved and adored all animals. She had six horses, three dogs, three cats and other animals.

"Her condition did not get any better and the hospital allowed us to bring Bronwen in. It was a matter of hours later that she passed away. I want to thank the hospital and all the nurses.

"It was very important for my mum. She was one of the most hard-working people that you could meet and she would do anything for anyone."

Andrew Foster, chief executive of the trust, posted the image on Twitter and said it highlighted how trust staff went 'the extra mile' to make Mrs Marsh feel comfortable.

He wrote: "With the family's permission here is how @WWLNHS go the extra mile to deliver the wishes of a dying patient."

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Saturday Job Dying Out Among Young People

By Emma Birchley, Sky News Correspondent

The Saturday job is becoming a thing of the past for most young people as they increasingly rely on the bank of mum and dad instead.

Fewer than one in six 16 and 17-year-olds now have a part-time job outside their studies and there is concern they are missing out on experiencing life in the workplace.

Alice Prior, 17, is studying for her A levels but every weekend does a six-hour shift at the East of England Co-op in Framlingham, Suffolk.

"I think it shows I'm employable and I am self-motivated and that I actually have a bit of get-up-and-go about me… that I want to get out there and study and have a job.

"It also means I can earn my own money and not rely on my parents."

Her colleague, Stephen Barton, is also studying for his A levels and hopes working will stand him in good stead.

Courtney Yeomans-Woods says it's hard to fit in a job as well as study

"I want to save up for university and put it on my UCAS statement for a reference."

But figures from the Office for National Statistics show they are in the minority.

While 30% of 16 and 17-year-olds in full-time education had a job in 2000, now that has fallen to just over 15%.

Almost two thirds of them are female.

The Government wants more young people to follow Alice and Stephen's lead.

Business minister Matt Hancock, who did data entry as a schoolboy, said: "A Saturday job helps people understand what the world of work is like and doing it while you study… It's a bit of income but it's also very good for helping you to get a job when you come to the end of your study."

Paul Zacahariades (L) says being a 'shampoo boy' boosted his self-esteem

Head of food operations at the East of England Co-op, John Clarke, did a twice-daily paper round seven days a week as a boy and is keen to teach young students the same lessons he learnt.

"It was a tough job and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it gave you that discipline that you knew you had to turn up for a shift."

But for health and social care student Courtney Yeomans-Woods, who is 16 and from Norwich, it is tough fitting it all in.

"I'm finding it very hard to find a job. There are not many about.

"It's hard to fit in my assignments and hard to do two things at once, so it's a bit difficult really."

Paul Zacahariades, who owns barber's shop Kojaks on Norwich Market, loved his job as a "shampoo boy" washing women's hair as a 14-year-old.

"It gave me self-esteem. I was shampooing ladies hair and making them coffee and I enjoyed it."

He believes young people should be encouraged to work.

But fellow market trader Joe Silvester understands why such jobs are not being offered by small businesses.

"You employ someone on a Saturday or after school then you have to have public liability… employers' liability, and that adds to your costs, so you are best not to."

Those employed while at school are said to find it easier to get a job and end up earning more as adults.

It bodes well for Alice. She plans to join the police and is confident juggling school and work will ultimately pay off.

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Hidden Stories Revealed Through WW1 Footage

By Frazer Maude, North Of England Correspondent

For years, George Lumb's memories of his grandfather as a soldier were based on a handful of black and white photographs from almost 100 years ago.

But one night whilst surfing the web at his home near Rotherham, he came across some video footage from 1915 on the Yorkshire Film Archive's website.

It showed 1,000 troops of the 5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment parading through York before being sent to the front.

The 5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

And there, on the front row of squad of marching soldiers, he saw his grandfather, George.

"It's amazement more than anything," he said. "We're talking almost 100 years ago and there he is as a young man, with thousands of other young men who went through that war.

Video: Royals Plant Symbolic Poppies

"I am proud of him. And that's me being deep because I'm not that sort of person - I might think it but I don't say it a lot."

There are touching moments in the film like a young girl running across the parade ground, or a woman holding a soldiers hand as he marches over York's Lendal Bridge. 

The regiment were to see some of World War One's most gruelling campaigns. They were also the first regiment to face the horrendous phosgene gas attacks.

Video: WW1 Soldiers Reinterred In France

But despite an arduous campaign, George Lumb and his two brothers, John William and Alburt, all returned home safely to Yorkshire.

The footage forms part of the archive's Filmed And Not Forgotten project to allow public access to their collection.

Martin Watson from the YFA said: "What I think is startling for us is that this is not a happy occasion, but it is an upbeat occasion.

Video: WW1 Centenary: Lights Out In London

"The soldiers are smiling, it's their chance to fight for King and country, they're pleased to go, to make a difference. There isn't that desperately sad feeling that we see later in the war."

For us, almost 100 years on from this film being made, it's a chance to see, close up, the faces of the men we do so much to remember.

The film can be seen here, and the YFA would like to hear from anyone who finds a connection with any of the films in the archive's remarkable collection.

Video: Europe Honours WWI War Dead

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Call For Probe Into 'Cannibal' Killer's Release

The decision not to monitor a man who then murdered a woman in a reported act of cannibalism after he was released from prison must be investigated, a Welsh politician has said.

Cerys Marie Yemm, 22, died after an attack at a homeless hostel in the village of Argoed, South Wales.

Sources have said she was found with substantial facial injuries.

Police fired a 50,000-volt Taser at Matthew Williams to try to stop the attack in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The 34-year-old was arrested but later became "unresponsive" and died in custody.

Matthew Willliams is understood to have served time for violent offences

It is believed Williams had recently been released from jail after serving time for violent behaviour and the Ministry of Justice has confirmed he was not subject to probation conditions.

It is not clear if he had served his full term.

Video: 'I Feel Sickened And Shocked'

Welsh Assembly member William Graham said it was vital to look into the terms of the killer's release.

"It is now clear that Mr Williams posed a risk to the public and I am extremely concerned that monitoring appears to have been deemed unnecessary," he told the BBC.

"If true, a wider inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his release is urgently required.

"Questions must be answered by authorities and a full explanation provided on the decisions taken in this extremely tragic case."

The Ministry of Justice said a serious further offence review is carried out in all cases where a new offence is committed within 30 days of a prisoner being released.

Gwent Police have said they are not looking for any other suspects in the murder investigation.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has also started its own probe into the suspect's death.

The post-mortem examination on Miss Yemm has started but Chief Inspector Paul Staniforth said it would "take some time".

He refused to be drawn on gruesome speculation over the attack, telling reporters it was "unhelpful and very upsetting for the family of the deceased".

It is believed Miss Yemm, who worked at Next, had met her attacker through mutual friends.

Video: 'Two Dead On Our Doorstep'

"I feel stunned, shocked and sick to my stomach," said a friend, who did not want to be named.

"It's horrific. She was a lovely person. She didn't deserve to die like that."

People in Argoed, 20 miles north of Cardiff, have told Sky News they are "sickened" by the apparent savagery of the attack.

The Sirhowy Arms Hotel - where Miss Yemm was discovered - is used by Caerphilly Council to house homeless people while they wait for permanent accommodation.

Local resident Susan Gibbs told Sky: "We have had a lot of problems up there. Every other week, well every other day sometimes, there are police up there."

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Tower Poppy Display Section To Stay On View

A key part of the Tower of London poppy display is to stay on show until the end of the month, before travelling around the country.

Huge demand from the public to keep the installation for the First World War fallen at the London landmark triggered a campaign to extend its lifespan and the Prime Minister has now stepped in.  

The Wave section of the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red artwork will remain on view until the end of November.

Together with the Weeping Window section, it will then be sent on a tour of sites across the UK until 2018 before finally going on permanent display at the Imperial War Museum.

David Cameron said the installation, created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins and stage designer Tom Piper to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War, had become a "much loved and respected monument" in a short space of time.

Video: PM Visits London Poppy Tribute

"I think the exhibition of the poppies has really caught the public imagination, people have found that incredibly moving," he said.

"What we've managed to do is find a way of saving part of the exhibition for the nation and making sure it will be seen by many more people.

"Then it will be permanently saved by the Imperial War Museum - I think the right place for it to be - and something that marks the fact that everybody has found it so moving, so poignant, and such a brilliant idea.

Video: Tower Poppy Tribute From The Air

"By displaying parts of the installation around the country and then permanently in the Imperial War Museum, we have ensured that this poignant memorial will be saved for the nation."

Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha each planted a ceramic poppy at the Tower during a visit there on Saturday.

The tour around the country will be funded using £500,000 of penalty fines paid by banks over the Libor-fixing scandal, as well as donations from the Backstage Trust and the Clore Duffield Foundation.

Video: Should We Wear Poppies?

General the Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London, said: "We are delighted that key elements of Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red - the poppies installation at the Tower of London - which has so captured the heart of the nation, are to be preserved for many more thousands of people to see and appreciate over the coming four years."

Large crowds have been rushing to see the display in its entirety, which features 888,246 ceramic poppies that have progressively filled the Tower's famous moat. Floodlights are being used to ensure as many people as possible get to see it before it is dismantled on November 12 - the day after Armistice Day.

A team of 8,000 volunteers has been lined up to start removing and cleaning ceramic poppies, before dispatching them to buyers who have paid £25 each to raise money for armed forces charities.

Video: Poppy Appeal Launched In London

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1. Gallery: Queen Visits Poppy Installation

   The art installation will eventually consist of over 800,000 ceramic poppies, and serves to symbolise British and Colonial military fatalities in WWI

A total of 888,246 poppies will be planted in the moat by volunteers with the last poppy being planted on 11 November - Armistice Day

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War Widows To Keep Pensions After Remarrying

War widows will be able to keep their pensions if they remarry under changes to Armed Forces pension schemes to be introduced next year.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced the changes following a long-running campaign for equal pension rights for partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.

Currently, war widows receiving pensions from schemes in place between 1973 and 2005 lose their entitlements if they co-habit or remarry.

But the new pension arrangements will ensure a spouse or civil partner of all members of the Armed Forces will retain their pension for life if they remarry after 1 April next year.

The scheme is expected to affect some 3,000 widows and cost an estimated £120m over 40 years.

Video: Pension Decision 'Commendable'

Mr Cameron said it is "absolutely wrong" that under the current system some Armed Forces widows lose their pension if they choose to remarry.

"This means that people, who have made huge sacrifices for our country, have had to make an agonising choice between their financial security or loneliness," he said.

"That's why I was determined to put this right and to respond to the concerns of many who have campaigned for a long time on this issue.

"And I am delighted to announce that we will change the rules to ensure that when our Armed Forces widows find happiness with someone else they can keep their pension for life.

"This reflects our clear commitment to uphold the Armed Forces covenant which we enshrined in law."

Video: Anna Souby MP On War Widows Pension

Veterans minister Anna Soubry told Sky News that the reason it had taken so long was because all governments are reluctant to make changes retrospectively, but the Coalition had decided to evoke the military covenant.

Campaigners welcomed the change.

Irene Willis, chairman of the War Widows' Association, said: "After campaigning for this amendment, which will benefit a small number of war widows whose partners died in service to their country, we are delighted that the Government has decided to provide pensions for life."

Chris Simpkins, director general of the Royal British Legion, said: "The Armed Forces Covenant recognises that no one should suffer a disadvantage due to Service, and that the bereaved are entitled to special consideration.

"That is why today's announcement, that all widows and widowers will retain their pension for life, is so important."

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