Written By Emdua on Kamis, 20 September 2012 | 22.13
20 September 2012Last updated at09:37 ET
CCTV shows armed robbers smashing into Manchester Selfridges
Three "brazen" masked raiders stole £500,000 of designer watches from a Manchester department store while the shop was busy with customers.
They used an axe and crowbar to smash into cabinets at Selfridges and remove about 100 watches.
The men, who wore high-visibility jackets and trousers, escaped in a black BMW driven by a fourth man on Wednesday evening.
The haul included brands like Audemars Piguet, Hublot and Cartier.
The raid took place in Exchange Square and the car was found abandoned just over a mile (1.6km) away in Robert Street, in the Strangeways area of the city.
Det Con Adam Cronshaw, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "This was a brazen robbery while the store was open and busy with members of the public.
"It was clearly well planned and executed. These men were in and out in less than 80 seconds and were very particular about the watches they selected."
He added: "The offenders will, at some point, undoubtedly look to off load these watches and I would urge people to be mindful of this robbery and again if anyone is approached with a view to buying any of these items to please contact us."
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney has announced his spending plans aimed at stimulating Scotland's economy.
Setting out his 2013/14 budget, he pledged £180m over two years for skills, construction and the green economy.
It includes £40m of additional spending on affordable housing, starting this year, and £80m on new schools to support the construction sector.
He told parliament it was a "Scottish budget for jobs and growth".
"In these difficult economic times this government is doing everything within its limited power to stimuate Scotland's economy, to invest in our young people, protect households and support front line services," he said.
Mr Swinney said his budget maintained commitments on tuition fees, a council tax freeze, police numbers, free prescriptions and concessionary travel, as well as protection of the NHS budget.
The minister also announced that pay restraint for public sector workers would be eased with "a modest 1% increase".
The lower paid will see most of the additional money.
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£40m for affordable housing, starting this year
£80m for the Schools for the Future programme
Creation of an Energy Skills Academy
Employer recruitment initiative for young people
£17m for college education and student support
£6m for cycling
£1m for "elite athletes"
£2.5m for hybrid buses
£1.5m for VisitScotland
£1m for historic buildings
A freeze on public sector pay for those earning more than £21,000 was implemented in the 2011/12 financial year and was due to come to an end in March 2013.
Earlier Mr Swinney said his plans would be a "relentless pursuit of economic growth", despite UK government cuts.
Investments include £30m to be spent over three years on a Green Investment Package of energy efficiency measures, concentrating on domestic property.
And £17m will go towards college education and student support.
Mr Swinney announced support for a national employer recruitment initiative which he said would create up to 10,000 opportunities for small and medium sized companies to recruit young people.
An Energy Skills Academy will also be established to support the creation of skills in the oil and gas, renewables, thermal generation and carbon capture and storage industries.
Mr Swinney said: "We are doing everything we can to support growth, public services and opportunities for the future but the UK government needs to realise that more needs to be done.
"Only with the full levers of independence can Scotland properly capture economic opprotunity and tackle inequality and poverty and we can do so more efficiently and effectively than currently happens in the UK."
Mark Duggan pulled a gun from his waistband before armed police shot him dead in north London, a court heard.
A firearms officer told Snaresbrook Crown Court he saw Mr Duggan holding a weapon before he was shot.
Kevin Hutchinson-Foster, 30, denies giving Mr Duggan an illegal handgun 15 minutes before he was intercepted in Tottenham on 4 August last year.
Mr Duggan's shooting sparked riots in Tottenham which spread across London and then to cities in England.
Giving evidence in Mr Hutchinson-Foster's trial, the firearms officer told the court however, that when he went over to Mr Duggan he could not find a gun.
'State red'
Identified only as W70, the officer gave evidence from behind a screen in the court.
Prosecutors allege Mr Duggan was travelling in a cab from Leyton to Tottenham having picked up a loaded gun from Mr Hutchinson-Foster.
The officer recalled his firearms team had received a "state amber" at 18:00 on 4 August, which meant there was enough intelligence to arrest a suspect.
Thirteen minutes later, as he waited in an unmarked police car two cars behind Mark Duggan's cab, the officer said they received a "state red" over the police radio and the order "doors, doors", to leave the vehicle.
"The side door of the taxi was slid open," he said, and police officers were repeatedly shouting "armed police" at Mr Duggan.
"I saw the subject pivot out of the door in a stooped position," he said.
'Where was gun?'
"His right hand was crossed across his body with the hand inside the left hand side of his jacket towards his waistband, his left hand was holding the lower part of his left lapel.
"It very much appeared he was concealing something.
"As he pivoted... at the same time he very quickly drew out his right hand from the left hand side of his waistband and he was holding a self-loading pistol or handgun."
The officer said as Mr Duggan drew his right hand out of his jacket, he heard two shots to his left.
He said he caught hold of Mr Duggan's wrists as he fell to his knees and shouted: "Where's the gun?" but failed to find one and started first aid.
When Stuart Denney, QC for the defence, asked him: "Where was the gun?", W70 replied: "I have no idea".
The death of Mr Litvinenko led to a major diplomatic incident
A police report into the death of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko will be redacted to omit a section about his alleged links to British intelligence.
Mr Litvinenko, 43, is thought to have been poisoned with polonium-210 after having tea with two Russians at a central London hotel in November 2006.
Sir Robert Owen apologised for the delay in holding the inquest and said it would take place in early 2013.
The prime suspect, Andrei Lugovoi, has been elected as a Russian MP.
Ben Emmerson QC, counsel for Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina, said they believed Russia was responsible and added: "If that hypothesis were to be evidentially substantiated, this would be an act of state sponsored nuclear terrorism on the streets of London."
A pre-inquest review hearing on Thursday was told "interested parties" would receive a summary of Scotland Yard's investigation report into Mr Litvinenko's death but certain intelligence reports would be redacted.
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An inquest into Alexander Litvinenko's death was opened just weeks after he died but then immediately adjourned while a police investigation got under way.
That investigation led to the Crown Prosecution Service announcing it wanted Andrei Lugovoi extradited to stand trial.
But nearly six years after Mr Litvinenko's death and with no sign of a trial, Mr Litvinenko's family and friends have lost patience and pushed to re-open the inquest to try to provide some answers.
A key question is how broadly the inquest will range.
If it tries to answer not just how he died but why, and look at issues of where the radioactive polonium might have come from, then it may well lead to renewed diplomatic tensions with Moscow.
Relations had only just recovered from the original investigation in the wake of which both sides had expelled diplomats.
The Metropolitan Police had been asked to look at any links between Mr Litvinenko and British intelligence. That section will be redacted from the report given to interested parties but Mr Davies said this should not be taken as confirming any links.
Counsel to the inquest, Hugo Davies, said some foreign witnesses could give evidence by video link.
He said all competing theories would be examined, adding: "The court is committed to transparency."
Mr Lugovoi is currently represented as an interested person at the inquest but Dimitri Kovtun, another Russian former agent who was present at a crucial meeting with Mr Litvinenko on 1 November 2006, is not represented.
Others with interested person status include the Home Secretary, Theresa May, Mrs Litvinenko and her son Anatoly, and Russian tycoon Boris Berezvosky.
The BBC's security correspondent Gordon Corera tweeted: "Sir Robert (says) six-year gap between Alexander Litvinenko's death and inquest was to be regretted. 'There will be no further delay'."
A website has been launched for the inquest, which contains details about the legal process and short biographies about the lawyers involved - it will be updated during the inquest.
Earlier Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina told the BBC she hoped the inquest would establish the truth about what happened to him.
Mrs Litvinenko said: "I would like to know who killed him and why. I said this six years ago and I hope I will know this finally."
The death of Mr Litvinenko, a former Russian security officer who had obtained asylum in Britain, led to a major diplomatic incident as the Kremlin was accused of masterminding his murder.
British prosecutors named Mr Lugovoi as the main suspect but he was later elected as a Russian MP and Moscow refused to send him to the UK for questioning. He has denied involvement.
Prime Minister David Cameron raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin recently during his visit to London.
Earlier this year the then Justice Secretary, Ken Clarke, wrote to the then coroner asking for clarification about the estimated £4m inquest costs.
No charges are being brought against a footballer arrested after an abusive message was sent to Olympic diver Tom Daley.
Port Talbot Town FC suspended midfielder Daniel Thomas, 28, last month after a homophobic message was sent to Daley's Twitter page.
The Director of Public Prosecutions said while it may be offensive it was not considered a criminal offence.
Keir Starmer QC said the message was not meant for Daley.
Mr Thomas was arrested and released on bail after a homophobic message referring to Daley and fellow Olympic diver Peter Waterfield was posted on Twitter.
Port Talbot Town FC officials claimed the player had been the victim of a "misguided prank" after leaving his phone unattended.
In a statement confirming no charges would be brought, Mr Starmer warned people using social media websites to be careful, saying messages "intended for a few may reach millions".
He said said the time had come for "an informed debate about the boundaries of free speech in an age of social media", adding that social media is an "emerging phenomenon raising difficult issues of principle".
Continue reading the main story
The question for the CPS is not whether it was offensive, but whether it was so grossly offensive that criminal charges should be brought"
End QuoteKeir Starmer QCDirector of Public Prosecutions
Mr Starmer said the message was posted on 30 July relating to the divers before being widely distributed and prompting Mr Thomas's arrest and interview.
The matter was referred to CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) Wales to consider whether Mr Thomas should be charged with a criminal offence.
Remorse
The Communications Act 2003 makes it an offence to send a communication using a public electronic communications network if that communication is "grossly offensive".
Mr Starmer said: "There is no doubt that the message posted by Mr Thomas was offensive and would be regarded as such by reasonable members of society.
"But the question for the CPS is not whether it was offensive, but whether it was so grossly offensive that criminal charges should be brought."
Mr Starmer said the context and circumstances in this case showed that, however misguided, Mr Thomas intended the message to be humorous and it was not meant to go beyond his friends and family who followed him on Twitter.
He said Mr Thomas took reasonably swift action to remove the message and expressed remorse and was, for a period, suspended by his football club.
And he said that neither of the Olympians knew of the message until it was brought to their attention following reports in the media.
"This case is one of a growing number involving the use of social media that the CPS has had to consider," said Mr Starmer.
"There are likely to be many more.
"The recent increase in the use of social media has been profound."
Former London gangster Charlie Richardson has died at the age of 78.
With his brother Eddie, Richardson led a criminal gang to rival the Kray twins and during the mid 1960s there were violent clashes between them.
In 1967, he was jailed for 25 years for fraud, extortion and assault, after a case known as the "Torture Trial".
Jurors heard how the gang would nail their opponents to floors, pull out their teeth with pliers, or cut off their fingers and toes.
Richardson's death was confirmed by friend Bobby Cummings.
In a statement, Mr Cummings said: "It is a great sadness to inform you, as many of you may have already heard, that my dearest friend Charlie Richardson passed away this morning."
Richardson always claimed the torture stories heard at his trial were untrue.
After he was released from prison, he campaigned on behalf of young offenders.
Retail sales in the UK fell during in August as people put off shopping to watch the Olympics, figures show.
Sales fell 0.2% in August from July, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The ONS said the decline was driven by a fall in online sales, as consumers watched the Olympics instead of shopping on the internet.
However, sporting goods and toy stores saw a sales boost from the Olympics and the new football season.
Compared with a year earlier, sales volumes rose by 2.7% in August, said the ONS.
Online retail sales in August accounted for 8.1% of total retail sales, a fall from the 9.0% recorded in July. It was also the lowest proportion in a year, it said.
Analysts said the weak overall sales figure underlined persistent worries over the strength of the economy. Markets had been expecting a fall of 0.4%.
"With retail sales, there may have been a lot of distortions due to the Olympics and the risks are to the downside... there is no sign the UK will bounce back strongly," said Paul Robson, currency strategist at RBS.
Media regulator Ofcom has decided Sky is a "fit and proper" company to hold a broadcasting licence.
Ofcom was investigating the satellite broadcaster in the wake of the phone hacking scandal that engulfed Rupert Murdoch's News Corp media empire.
News Corp owns 39% of BSkyB, and James Murdoch, Rupert's son, was chairman until he stepped down in April.
Ofcom said, however, that "should further evidence become available" it would look at the issue further.
In a statement, Ofcom said: "In July 2011, in light of the public debate about phone hacking and other allegations, Ofcom confirmed that it had a duty to consider whether Sky was fit and proper to continue to hold its broadcast licences.
"Ofcom considers that, on the evidence currently available and having taken into account all the relevant factors, Sky is fit and proper to hold its broadcast licences.
"Should further relevant evidence become available in the future, Ofcom would need to consider that evidence in order to fulfil its duty."
Last May, the Commons media committee concluded that Rupert Murdoch was "not a fit person" to run a major international business. However, four of the 10 committee members disagreed, as the MPs split on party lines.
20 September 2012Last updated at00:02 ETBy Jane DreaperHealth correspondent, BBC News
'Martin's' wife spoke to the BBC's Jane Dreaper about her husband's torment
The wife of a man whose legal challenge was heard alongside Tony Nicklinson's has spoken of her husband's determination to continue his fight.
He wants professionals such as doctors to help him end his life, without them having the fear of prosecution.
The man, who can only be known as Martin, also has "locked-in" syndrome after a stroke four years ago.
Lawyers will hear in the next few weeks whether they are allowed a full hearing at the Court of Appeal.
Martin, 47, is seeking professional help - possibly resulting in a trip to the Swiss organisation Dignitas - to end his life.
His wife would be unlikely to be prosecuted if she assisted his suicide, but she cannot bear to help him.
She told BBC News: "I don't want him to die but I've got to respect his wishes.
"As much as I might not want him to go, that's his decision. I could never end somebody's life. That's who I am.
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"Start Quote
Some people with locked-in syndrome are able to thrive on what life they have - but for Martin and Tony, it's not what they wanted."
End QuoteWife of Martin, who has locked-in syndrome
"Some people with locked-in syndrome are able to thrive on what life they have - but certainly for Martin and Tony, it's not what they wanted. It's very difficult for them to cope with living that life.
"He has the option of refusing food. Since he's known that the courts would allow that and not make him be force-fed, he has far more of an inner peace. But that would be a traumatic way to die for him and those around him.
"We all have choices in life but he's not able to have a choice or to have a say in how his life ends.
"For Martin, his quality of life is not what he wants and he can't see a way out of that."
Reduced to tears
Tony Nicklinson was seeking permission for a doctor to be able to lawfully terminate his life in the UK, by creating a new defence for murder.
Martin wanted a change in prosecutors' guidance, which is much less tolerant of anyone acting in a professional capacity. Currently helping someone end their life is a criminal offence which can lead to 14 years in prison.
Last month, the High Court turned down the bid by both men to change the law, saying it was for Parliament - not the courts - to decide these matters.
Doctors' leaders welcomed the ruling. So far, neither MPs nor members of the Scottish Parliament have shown an appetite to change the law.
Campaigners against assisted suicide fear that any change in the law would erode the rights of other severely disabled people.
Tony Nicklinson died six days after the judgement. He was deeply upset by the ruling, and contracted pneumonia after refusing food.
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"Start Quote
Martin needs to know what his options are"
End QuoteRosa CurlingLeigh Day and Co
Martin's wife, who is a nurse, spoke of how her husband - previously a "butch" man - was often reduced to tears since suffering the brain stem stroke.
He spends his days watching DVDs of action films and rugby matches, and listening to music.
He cannot speak and is fed by people putting food into his mouth. He is able to swallow.
Decision expected
His wife broke down as she said: "It's hard because it's tiring. Every day is difficult at home - you never know what the day is going to bring. Life is very stressful.
"We have to have a 24-hour care package for Martin because he needs someone watching him or being there the whole time to make sure he's okay.
"I think Martin just finds he's a burden to everyone around him because he's so reliant on other people to care for him, even down to silly little things like scratching his nose.
"You can't even have a proper conversation, or share things like we did before the stroke.
"I don't think we're going to go down the road that's often brought up, that people are going to be coerced into ending their lives.
"I think there has to be strict rules and regulations. It has to come from the individual themselves if they have the capacity, which Martin does, on the decision to end his life."
Martin's legal team has applied for leave to appeal. It expects a decision in the next few weeks.
His solicitor, Rosa Curling, of Leigh Day and Co, said: "Martin needs to know what his options are. We're seeking better clarification on the guidelines from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"At the moment, there's a real risk that a professional who helps Martin would be prosecuted.
"The courts have said that if he chose to stop eating, he would be given pain relief to help him. But he wants to keep open the option of going to Dignitas."
Up to 60 Sri Lankan Tamils being deported from the UK on an overnight charter flight, despite warnings they may face torture on their return.
UK officials say those being sent back include failed asylum seekers and visa overstayers.
The flight department from the UK late on Wednesday, despite last-minute legal pleas against the deportation.
The Sri Lankan government says those being sent back will not be mistreated.
Presidential adviser Rajiva Wijesinha said Britain itself had established that returnees would not be tortured. He said most of those being deported were economic migrants.
Britain says that unless a Sri Lankan Tamil was a high-level activist with the separatist Tamil Tiger rebel group, he or she is unlikely to be targeted on returning to Sri Lanka.
But human rights groups such as Freedom from Torture and Human Rights Watch argue that Tamil people either linked or perceived to be linked to the Tigers - at any level - are at risk if they return.
One Tamil man due to be sent back told the BBC: "Instead of getting killed there I would far rather commit suicide in the UK."
The man, who asked not to be named, said that he would be singled out by the authorities because his uncle was a well-known Tamil Tiger rebel. He said that he had never been a member of the group, although he did run errands and was a courier on their behalf.
"The Tamil Tigers during the war were seen to be a movement representing legitimate Tamil aspirations and grievances," he said.
A man now on his second asylum application in Britain said he was beaten, deprived of sleep and almost suffocated in polythene and petrol by the Sri Lankan police, the BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo reports.
The UK Border Agency says the removal of a person only happens where it is satisfied that he or she has no protection needs.
Both Freedom from Torture and Human Rights Watch say that they have interviewed nearly 40 people who subsequently escaped back to Britain and gave accounts of alleged torture by the Sri Lankan authorities which the groups say is medically verified.
The deaths of two unarmed police officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has "devastated" the force, Home Secretary Theresa May has said.
Mrs May condemned the "savage acts of pure brutality" that led to the deaths of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes.
They suffered fatal injuries in a gun and grenade attack when responding to reports of a burglary in Mottram, Tameside, on Tuesday morning.
Dale Cregan, 29, remains in custody on suspicion of their murders.
He had been the subject of a huge manhunt following two murders earlier this year of a father and son in separate attacks in the area.
A 28-year-old man is also being held on conspiracy to commit murder.
Mrs May cut short her holiday to travel back to the UK to visit GMP's headquarters.
The minister was given a two-hour briefing by senior officers conducting the investigation and met Sir Peter Fahy, the force's chief constable.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, Mrs May said: "(The attacks) have left grieving families, they have devastated Greater Manchester police force.
"These were brave and talented officers who were going about their everyday duty, doing what police officers do day in and day out, protecting the public and fighting crime.
"They were incredibly brave and their deaths remind us what police officers can face every day."
Gun recovered
PC Bone, 32 and PC Hughes, 23, had been sent to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report in Abbey Gardens, Mottram, on Tuesday morning when they were attacked.
Eyewitnesses said a hail of bullets was fired and then a grenade was used during the attack.
Post-mortem examinations revealed both officers died as a result of gunshot wounds. A gun believed to have been used during the attack has been recovered.
Detectives are continuing to question Mr Cregan, previously described as Manchester's most wanted man, over the deaths.
The second man was detained in the Hattersley area on Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
Mr Cregan was arrested when he walked into Hyde police station a short time after the shooting.
On Wednesday, police confirmed Mr Cregan was on bail over a fatal pub shooting in Greater Manchester earlier this year.
Sir Peter Fahy warned at a press conference on Wednesday of a long-standing feud between gangs in the area.
He said the force had issued Osman warnings - notices given to people under threat of being murdered or seriously injured - to "a large number of individuals".
A Conservative council is set to defy the government over a relaxation of planning rules for building extensions.
The proposals, covering England and intended to boost the economy, will allow larger home and business extensions without planning permission.
But, amid fears of a rash of ugly extensions, Richmond council officials, in south-west London, are considering ways to circumvent the policy.
The government said councils still had powers to block developments.
A month-long consultation is currently under way on the proposal to ease rules, for a three-year period, on developments including home extensions of up to 8m - compared with the current 3-4m limit on extensions without planning permission.
Unveiling the proposals earlier this month, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This government means business in delivering plans to help people build new homes and kick-start the economy.
"We're determined to cut through the bureaucracy that holds us back. That starts with getting the planners off our backs, getting behind the businesses that have the ambition to expand and meeting the aspirations of families that want to buy or improve a home."
But, according to BBC deputy political editor James Landale, the plan "has angered many Conservative MPs and councillors who think the policy would alienate many of the party's suburban supporters if unattractive extensions sprang up across the country".
'Foolish proposals'
The BBC has learned that Richmond council has formally agreed a motion to "oppose the government's proposals to significantly extend permitted development rights".
On Tuesday evening, council leader Nick True told colleagues: "I have already asked the chief executive with officers to consider what this council might be able to do if we are not successful in getting these, in my view, very foolish proposals changed."
Council officials said they were "reading through the proposals with legal advisers with a fine tooth-comb to identify any flexibility".
Conservative sources in Westminster said it was right for the party to support aspiration and people who wanted to improve their homes.
A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "The government has eased the planning restrictions and costly bureaucracy that prevents families and businesses from making improvements to their properties because it will help thousands of people move up the property ladder or expand their business without having to relocate.
"However, if there are genuine local concerns councils can withdraw permitted development rights locally using existing powers - known as article four directions - if the exercise of those planning freedoms resulted in unacceptable impacts on their community."
19 September 2012Last updated at21:21 ETBy Roger HarrabinEnvironment analyst
A committee of MPs has called for a moratorium on drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic until safety is improved.
They say current techniques for dealing with any spill do not inspire confidence.
The Environmental Audit Committee fears that a spill could have caused unprecedented environmental damage.
The MPs want to see a standard pan-Arctic spill response standard, unlimited liability for firms and an Arctic environmental sanctuary.
But the UK has no power over the Arctic - and Arctic states are under pressure to cash in on oil and gas.
The British government has observer status on the Arctic Council - the grouping of Arctic states that discusses Arctic issues.
The committee wants the UK to try to use its influence to improve environmental safeguards but in evidence the MPs heard, that governance of the region was fragmented and weak.
The BBC understands that relations between Russia and the other Arctic nations were particularly problematic.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office, which deals with Arctic issues for the UK, told BBC News: "The Arctic is changing rapidly, primarily as a result of climate change. It is not the Arctic of 20 years ago and it will likely be different again 20 years from now.
"The Government therefore welcomes the useful and timely Environmental Audit Committee's report into protecting the Arctic that explored many of the challenges and opportunities facing the Arctic.
"The Government is carefully considering the findings and recommendations made by the Committee and will formally respond in due course."
Sweden, currently in the chair of the Arctic Council, declined to comment on the moratorium proposal.
Put on ice
Arctic drilling has been happening since the 1920s, but it has become much more contentious as BP's Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico dominated the headlines whilst firms were scrambling to expand production in the far North.
BP's Arctic ambitions are temporarily on hold, but Shell has reputedly invested almost $5bn in its Arctic projects. It suffered a major setback at the weekend after a huge containment dome designed to corral any Arctic spill broke down under trials. Shell abandoned drilling for the winter.
The cost of extra safety investment may slow Arctic drilling for a while, especially as we are in a glut of cheap shale gas. But the committee heard that Lloyds estimated that investment in the Arctic could potentially reach $100bn or more over the next 10 years.
The committee heard from several witnesses that safety standards were inadequate. Prof Peter Wadhams, an Arctic ice expert from Cambridge University told them: "If they can't cap the blowout off, or drill a relief well before the winter, the blowout will operate right through the winter months, with oil and gas coming up under the ice.
"The oil coats the bottom of the ice, and if the ice is moving, which is often at about 10km a day, it acts like a great sheet of moving blotting paper, absorbing the oil coming up under it, and carrying it away downstream.
"You will have a trail of oiled ice floes 1,000 kilometres or more in length covering a whole swathe of the Arctic. The oil disappears into the interior of each floe, because new ice grows underneath it, so you have an 'oil sandwich' which lasts all through the winter.
"Then the oil rises to the top surface of the ice in the spring and summer and retains its toxicity. By now it is spread thinly around such a huge area that it is very, very difficult to … get rid of."
BP wouldn't give evidence to the MPs but Shell told them the spill response was adequate.
Coming clean
In fact, the company said that, in some circumstances, Arctic conditions would make it easier to recover oil. It said independent tests in Arctic conditions have shown that ice can slow oil weathering, dampen waves, prevent oil from spreading over large distances, and allow more time to respond.
Shell told MPs that in Alaska available mechanical recovery assets had "a combined capacity that exceeds the worst-case discharge potential of the well we are drilling".
A Scottish-based firm, Cairn Energy, suggested that "sections of oiled ice can be cut out and allow the ice to thaw in a heated warehouse and then separating the oil from its water".
The chair of the Committee, Joan Walley MP, said: "The oil companies should come clean and admit that dealing with an oil spill in the icy extremes of the Arctic would be exceptionally difficult."
"The infrastructure to mount a big clean-up operation is simply not in place and conventional oil spill response techniques have not been proven to work in such severe conditions."
Vicky Wyatt, head of Greenpeace's Arctic campaign, said: "Oil giants like Shell shouldn't be drilling in the fragile and pristine Arctic. By calling for a halt, these MPs have hit the nail on the head. An oil spill in this unique place would be catastrophic for the Arctic."
The committee also highlighted the irony that drilling was eased because the Arctic was already warming much faster than anywhere else on the planet.
Chris Barton, head of international energy security at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), told MPs that "we will still need more and new oil and gas production, and the likelihood is that some of that will come from the Arctic", even "if we hit our 2C (climate change) target".
He acknowledged that "ultimately we are going to need to reduce - if not very largely eliminate -our use of oil but it is not going to happen overnight".
The MPs said: "There appears to be a lack of strategic thinking and policy coherence within Government on this issue, illustrated by its failure to demonstrate how future oil and gas extraction from the Arctic can be reconciled to commitments to limit temperature rises to 2°C. The Government should seek to resolve this matter."
A British servicewoman has given birth to a baby boy in Afghanistan having not realised she was pregnant.
"Mother and baby are both in a stable condition," said the Ministry of Defence, following the birth on Tuesday in Camp Bastion, Helmand province.
The woman, a Royal Artillery gunner who has not been named by the MoD, only learned she was about to give birth after complaining of stomach pains.
The child was conceived before she arrived in Afghanistan in March.
In a statement, the MoD said: "It is not military policy to allow servicewomen to deploy on operations if they are pregnant. In this instance the MoD was unaware of her pregnancy."
A specialist paediatric team from Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital is to fly to Afghanistan in the next few days, the statement added, "in order to provide appropriate care for mother and baby on the flight home".
The baby was born five weeks prematurely.
BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said it is the first time that a British soldier has given birth on the front line.
"Though up to 200 servicewomen have been sent home since 2003 from Iraq and Afghanistan when it was discovered they were pregnant," she said.
"Military rules ban pregnant servicewomen from front-line duties, though last year another female British soldier gave birth two weeks after returning from her six-month deployment to Afghanistan.
"This unusual case may well fuel further debate over whether more medical checks are needed before the armed forces deploy women to the front lines."
19 September 2012Last updated at20:02 ETBy Dominic CascianiHome affairs correspondent
The police watchdog says it has found more than 50 cases where officers and staff have allegedly taken sexual advantage of members of the public.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said there was no evidence assaults were commonplace but it did not know if all cases were reported.
It called on forces in England and Wales to create a code of conduct to prevent abuses of trust.
The report followed an officer being jailed for life for sex attacks.
Stephen Mitchell, who was convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2010, targeted vulnerable women he met while on duty in Newcastle upon Tyne, such as drug addicts and petty criminals.
He offered to help them while they were in the city centre's police station, but then sexually assaulted them.
The IPCC's report, which was produced with the co-operation of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said that while the Mitchell case was unusual because it was so serious, there were other instances of officers abusing their position by sexually exploiting vulnerable people.
The watchdog said that between April 2009 and March 2011, there had been 54 cases of corrupt behaviour by officers which it considered to be examples of sexual exploitation or assault.
The report stressed: "There are considerable inconsistencies in the referral of corruption cases in general to the IPCC by different forces. It is therefore possible that the true figure is higher."
Predatory behaviour
The IPCC said that it had deliberately excluded some types of allegations, including claims of sexual assault made during body searches.
The 54 cases included one of a police officer who was accused of rape by a woman with mental health problems who had called for help because she felt suicidal. The officer initially refused to co-operate, but following the recovery of DNA evidence he told his superiors there had been a consensual sexual act. He later quit the force.
A separate case involved an officer using police computer systems to make unauthorised checks on 176 women over three years. The officer was sacked.
One police officer resigned after he was investigated for predatory behaviour on a string of women which escalated after he was moved to a rural post. One member of the public tried to launch a petition to move the officer because of his behaviour around women.
The IPCC said there should be more vetting of officers in specific situations, such as if they apply for a position dealing with vulnerable people.
It said there should also be a short and specific code of conduct setting out the behaviour expected of officers - and the way in which superiors should investigate allegations.
The widow of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has told the BBC she hopes an inquest will find the truth about what happened to him.
Mr Litvinenko, 43, is thought to have been poisoned with polonium-210 after having tea with two Russians at a central London hotel in November 2006.
A full inquest will be held next year but a pre-inquest review is being held later to decide the parameters.
The prime suspect, Andrei Lugovoi, has since been elected as a Russian MP.
Marina Litvinenko said: "I would like to know who killed him and why. I said this six years ago and I hope I will know this finally."
The death of Mr Litvinenko, a former Russian security officer who had obtained asylum in Britain, led to a major diplomatic incident as the Kremlin was accused of masterminding his murder.
Continue reading the main story
An inquest into Alexander Litvinenko's death was opened just weeks after he died but then immediately adjourned while a police investigation got under way.
That investigation led to the Crown Prosecution Service announcing it wanted Andrei Lugovoi extradited to stand trial.
But nearly six years after Mr Litvinenko's death and with no sign of a trial, Mr Litvinenko's family and friends have lost patience and pushed to re-open the inquest to try to provide some answers.
A key question is how broadly the inquest will range.
If it tries to answer not just how he died but why, and look at issues of where the radioactive polonium might have come from, then it may well lead to renewed diplomatic tensions with Moscow.
Relations had only just recovered from the original investigation in the wake of which both sides had expelled diplomats.
British prosecutors named Mr Lugovoi as the main suspect but he was later elected as a Russian MP and Moscow refused to send him to the UK for questioning. He has denied involvement.
Prime Minister David Cameron raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin recently during his visit to London.
Earlier this year the then Justice Secretary, Ken Clarke, wrote to the then coroner asking for clarification about the estimated £4m costs of the inquest.
Subsequently High Court Judge Sir Robert Owen was appointed an assistant deputy coroner and he will be in charge of pre-inquest review and the inquest next year..
Mrs Litvinenko, who is expected to attend the hearing with her 18-year-old son, Anatoly, says it is very important to have an inquest into her husband's death.
She said she did not think there was a prospect of Mr Lugovoi facing a trial in Britain and the inquest was the best chance of her finding out the truth.
Mrs Litvinenko told the BBC: "It is very important to finalise what happened six years ago in London."
She said: "It is so difficult to live all this life without this truth and without this information. It's difficult for me, and our son, and for our friends."
Mrs Litvinenko said she believed the Russian state was responsible for her husband's death and added: "The polonium that was used... you can't buy or find anywhere because it's all under state control, and Lugovoi was protected. From nobody he became a member of parliament. Why? For what reason?"
Thursday's hearing is expected to decide:
How many witnesses there will be and who will be considered "interested persons"
How to disclose the details of Scotland Yard's investigation
Whether the proceedings will take place in English, with possible Russian translation
Arrangements for a website for the inquest, which might be similar to the Azelle Rodney Inquiry website.
19 September 2012Last updated at19:12 ETBy Nick TriggleHealth correspondent, BBC News
The number of NHS trusts in debt in England has more than doubled in a year - although overall the health service finished 2011-12 in surplus.
The Audit Commission report said 31 trusts posted a deficit - more than one in 10 of the hospital, mental health and community trusts in the NHS.
The figure is up from 13 the year before.
However, overall the health service posted a £2bn surplus - about 2% of its budget.
The development comes amid an unprecedented savings drive.
Squeeze on finances
The health service has been told to save £20bn by 2015 - the equivalent of 4% a year.
This has never been done before in the history of the health service.
Continue reading the main story
While nationally the NHS appears to be managing well financially and preparing itself for the changes and challenges ahead, a number of PCTs and trusts are facing severe financial problems"
End QuoteAndy McKeonAudit Commission
Prof John Appleby, chief economist at the King's Fund, said: "It seems like the squeeze is tipping trusts over into deficit. The chances are this will get worse in the coming years."
The Audit Commission report revealed "stark differences" in health finances around the country with the majority of the deficits focused in London and the south-east.
The trust with the highest deficit was South London Healthcare, which posted a £65.1m deficit. It has been put into administration because of its long-standing problems.
Andy McKeon, of the Audit Commission, said: "While nationally the NHS appears to be managing well financially and preparing itself for the changes and challenges ahead, a number of PCTs and trusts are facing severe financial problems.
"The Department of Health and other relevant national authorities need to focus their attention on the minority of organisations whose financial position is deteriorating."
A Department of Health spokesman acknowledged there were pressures in the health service, but said services were still being maintained.
"The NHS is delivering great results for patients. Waiting times have been kept low, infections have been reduced, there are more doctors, more diagnostic tests and more planned operations."
Schools in England must do more to ensure funding from the pupil premium is targeted to the disadvantaged pupils it is intended for, Ofsted says.
Chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw says heads must be able to demonstrate how the extra funding for low-income children is raising their attainment.
The cash - £600 per pupil this academic year - is a flagship coalition policy.
Sir Michael also warns bright pupils are being failed by mixed ability classes and early entry for GCSEs.
Of 117 head teachers surveyed, only 10%, all of whom led schools in deprived areas, said the extra cash from the pupil premium had "significantly" changed the way they worked, the schools watchdog found.
Half of the schools surveyed thought the pupil premium was having a positive impact on raising achievement, but few could provide evidence to back this up.
Continue reading the main story
THE PUPIL PREMIUM
The pupil premium was introduced in April 2011 for pupils in England from low-income families
In 2011-12 it was set at £488 per pupil - £625m in total and in 2012/13 it rose to £600 - £1.25bn in total
The premium is available for children eligible for free school meals and pupils in care
It has been extended from 2012-13 to pupils who have been eligible for free school meals at any point in the past six years
Schools are free to spend the extra funding as they see fit but from September 2012, the government requires schools to publish information about how they use it
There is also a service premium for children whose parents serve in the armed forces; this was £200 in 2011-12 and rose to £250 for 2012-13
Sir Michael said: "The big issue is that this money is for our poorest children to ensure that they achieve as well as others who come from more privileged backgrounds. It is simply not good enough for heads of schools to say that it is not changing policy.
"Schools have to look seriously at this - if the money is being subsumed into main budgets, as most of it is, then that's fine, as long as schools can demonstrate that this money is going to help the poorer youngsters to achieve what their richer colleagues can achieve."
Sir Michael said many schools used the extra funding to employ more teaching assistants, with the number of these rising from 80,00 in 2000 to 220,000 in 2011.
"It's rather worrying that the pupil premium is being used to appoint teaching assistants when we know they don't have the same impact as good teachers and good teaching."
A spokesman for the Department for Education said: "We have given schools the freedom to use the additional funding in innovative ways.
"However, it is vital they use it to boost results for the most disadvantaged pupils, drawing on the large amount of evidence on how to make the biggest difference."
High achievers
The chief inspector also criticised schools for their policy of entering children early for GCSE examinations, saying the very brightest were losing out on getting the top grades.
Data collated by Ofsted showed a sharp increase in early entries for maths and English GCSE over the past six years, with about a third of pupils sitting exams early.
In 2005 9,000 pupils took English GCSE early, rising to 241,000 in 2011. In 2005 24,000 took maths early, rising to 218,000 in 2011.
Continue reading the main story
"Start Quote
Early entry hurts the chances of the most able children getting the top grades of A*, A and B "
End QuoteSir Michael WilshawChief inspector
Sir Michael said that school league tables - where schools are measured by how many pupils achieve five A*-C GCSEs including maths and English - often provided a "perverse incentive" for heads to get as many children as possible achieving a C, rather than pushing high fliers to achieve top grades.
The watchdog found of those pupils who were the highest achievers at primary school (reaching Level 5 in national curriculum tests, known as Sats), just 37% (63,523) got a grade A or A* in English GCSE in 2011 after being entered early.
However, 49% (109,236) of these pupils scored an A or A* when they sat the exam at the standard time.
Similarly, in maths, 43% (57,303) of primary school high achievers got an A or A* when entered early compared with 54% (119,710) entered at the standard time.
Sir Michael said: "Early entry hurts the chances of the most able children getting the top grades of A*, A and B, which they need to progress to A-level and certainly to university.
"We will be critical of schools using early entry except where they are absolutely confident that youngsters are reaching their full potential. By full potential we mean A* and A actually if they are bright youngsters."
Publishing a report on how schools can improve their Ofsted rating, Sir Michael said schools should be wary of having low expectations of pupils, failing to track the progress of pupils sufficiently and "the curse of mixed ability classes" without skilled and targeted teaching.
"This is not a judgment on mixed ability as opposed to setting or streaming, it is saying where there are mixed ability classes unless there is differentiated teaching to groups of school children in the class, unless there are individual programmes of work, it doesn't work."
A spokesman for the Department for Education said: "Some pupils are being entered before they are ready, and 'banking' a C grade, but their performance at Key Stage 2 suggests that if they had continued to study the subject and taken the GCSE at the end of Year 11, they could have achieved a top grade."
Some 600,000 people are expected to be enrolled into a workplace pension by the end of the year under a new system that automatically diverts funds from their pay packet.
The automatic enrolment scheme begins on 1 October and will mark one of the biggest changes to the pension system in the UK.
It will start with the largest firms.
Employers and staff will pay contributions into pension savings unless the worker opts out.
Workers aged over 22, earning more than £8,105 and not already signed up to a workplace pension scheme will be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme.
However, this system will be phased in gradually, with workers in the smallest firms not seeing a change for a few years.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has outlined more details on the number of people expected to be signed up during the initial waves.
It estimates that 380,000 workers will be signed up in October, a total of 420,000 will be enrolled by the end of November, and 600,000 will be in place by the end of the year.
The aim is for more people to save for their retirement, rather than relying solely on the state pension.
Under automatic enrolment, employers will eventually contribute 3% of earnings to a worker's pension pot, the employee will have 4% of their earnings diverted, and there will be 1% tax relief.
However, these contributions will also be phased in gradually, starting at about 1% of earnings paid in by the employer and employee.
Roman Abramovich had "very good relations" with and "privileged access to" Russian President Vladimir Putin, a high court judge has observed.
But analysing Mr Abramovich's evidence, the judge said he had not been able to "pull the presidential strings".
Mrs Justice Gloster published her ruling after Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky's claims against Mr Abramovich were dismissed last month.
Mr Berezovsky had argued Mr Abramovich forced him to sell shares.
The judge's thoughts on the Chelsea Football Club owner were outlined in more detail in her ruling published on Wednesday.
"It was clear from the evidence that, at the material times, Mr Abramovich enjoyed very good relations with President Putin and others in power at the Kremlin," said the Mrs Justice Gloster.
"It was also clear that Mr Abramovich had privileged access to President Putin, in the sense that he could arrange meetings and discuss matters with him."
'Courteous and careful'
But she said there Mr Abramovich's influence was limited.
"There was no evidential basis supporting the contention that Mr Abramovich was in a position to manipulate, or otherwise influence, President Putin, or officers in his administration, to exercise their powers in such a way as to enable Mr Abramovich to achieve his own commercial goals," she added.
"I am prepared to assume that, on occasion, President Putin may have taken his views into account when making decisions, but the suggestion that Mr Abramovich was in a position to pull the presidential strings was simply not borne out by the evidence."
The judge also described Mr Abramovich as "courteous", "careful", "thoughtful" and "frank".
But she added: "I also had little doubt that, if the need arose, he would have been prepared to act ruthlessly in a business context to achieve his commercial goals."
Mr Berezovsky, 65, had claimed Mr Abramovich, 45, intimidated him into selling shares in Russian oil giant Sibneft. He was claiming £3bn ($4.7bn) in damages.
But ruling in Mr Abramovich's favour, the London Commercial Court judge said Mr Berozovsky had been an "inherently unreliable" witness.
Nick Clegg has apologised for the Lib Dems breaking their pledge to oppose an increase in student tuition fees.
In a party political broadcast to be aired next week, the Lib Dem leader says he is sorry the party "did not stick" to its pre-election promise.
"When you have made a mistake you should apologise," he adds.
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Clegg had resisted making such a "clear and direct" apology for nearly two years.
Mr Clegg believed the decision to break his word by first signing then breaking a pledge to vote against fee rises had become a weight around his and his party's ankles, Nick Robinson added.
However, Mr Clegg does not apologise for backing the decision to raise fees.
He continues to argue it was the right move in the circumstances and the package offered by the coalition - in which no fees are paid upfront - was fairer for students than the previous system of university finance.
MPs approved plans in 2010 to allow universities in England and Wales to charge annual tuition fees of up to £9,000, nearly three times the previous £3,200 limit.
'Not easy'
Before the 2010 election, all Lib Dems had said they would oppose any rise in fees.
More than 21 Lib Dem MPs voted against the proposals at the time, including former leaders Charles Kennedy and Sir Menzies Campbell, while a further eight abstained or did not vote.
Mr Clegg was among 27 Lib Dems to support the proposals.
In next week's broadcast, filmed in Mr Clegg's home, the deputy prime minister returns to an issue which has been the source of the biggest division in the party since it came to power in May 2010.
"There's no easy way to say this: we made a pledge, we didn't stick to it - and for that I am sorry," he says.
"When you've made a mistake you should apologise. But more importantly - most important of all - you've got to learn from your mistakes. And that's what we will do.
"I will never again make a pledge unless as a party we are absolutely clear about how we can keep it."
Speaking to the BBC in 2010, Mr Clegg said he was "not going to apologise for this for one minute", adding that "to govern is to choose particularly when there is not very much money".
The development comes ahead of the start of the Lib Dems autumn conference on Saturday.
A second man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of two police officers in a grenade and gun attack in Greater Manchester.
The 28-year-old man has been held on conspiracy to commit murder following the deaths of PCs Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes 23.
The latest arrest was revealed by Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy as he thanked the public for their support.
Dale Cregan, 29, remains in custody on suspicion of their murders.
Sir Peter said over 25,000 messages of support had been left on an online condolence page set up by the force.
The unarmed police constables had been sent to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report in Abbey Gardens, Mottram, on Tuesday morning when they were attacked.
Sir Peter also revealed that the grenade used may have come from a batch of 12 devices from eastern Europe and they had not all been recovered.
Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said the victims' families had shown "great dignity"
He said: "We have made it clear to our officers that the threat is still there.
"This has been a longstanding criminal feud between different outfits in Greater Manchester and the Tameside area."
A gun used during the attack on PCs Bone and Hughes has been recovered from the scene.
The force has received over 19,000 messages on Facebook and over 1,000 on Twitter.
Sir Peter added he was impressed by the "great dignity" of the families of the two police officers killed in the attack.
He said: "Both families separately said their loved ones died doing the job they loved".
Detectives are continuing to question Mr Cregan, previously described as Manchester's most wanted man, over the deaths of PCs Hughes and Bone.
Earlier, police confirmed Mr Cregan was on bail over a fatal pub shooting in Greater Manchester earlier this year.
He had been freed because there had been insufficient evidence to charge him over the shooting of Mark Short, 23, at the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden, on 25 May.
Queen's tribute
Mr Cregan was arrested when he walked into Hyde police station a short time after the shooting in Mottram on Tuesday.
He had also been the subject of a huge manhunt after the murder of David Short, 46, Mark Short's father. A £50,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
On 10 August, David Short was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, after describing his son's killers as cowards. He was found dead after an explosion was heard.
Home Secretary Theresa May is cutting her holiday short to travel to Manchester for a meeting with the chief constable.
The Queen has paid tribute to the two murdered police officers, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester's office said.
It said: "In a letter to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Sir Peter Fahy, Her Majesty expressed her sincere condolences to the families of PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone at the tragic loss of their lives."
Earlier, a minute's silence for the officers was held across the force.
19 September 2012Last updated at13:04 ETBy Steve Swann and Dominic CascianiBBC News
Four men jailed over a failed plot to bomb London in 2005 have launched a legal bid to overturn their convictions.
Lawyers for the men convicted of the 21 July attacks say a senior scientist raised concerns about key evidence.
The men say doubts about whether their bombs were viable were not disclosed to the defence during their 2007 trial.
Papers have been lodged with the Criminal Cases Review Commission and Court of Appeal.
Muktar Ibrahim, Yassin Omar and Ramzi Mohammed took rucksacks packed with explosives onto tube trains and a bus in July 2005, just a fortnight after four earlier bombers had killed 52 commuters. They were all jailed for life.
Manfo Asiedu backed out at the last minute and removed the battery from his bomb before ditching it in a bin in a West London park. He was jailed for 33 years.
The plots involved virtually identical homemade devices - but the trial of the 21 July bombers heard that the second set of bombs failed because the bombers had got the chemical recipe wrong.
During the 2007 trial, the men who boarded trains and a bus argued that they had deliberately constructed their devices so that they would not explode.
They said they had wanted to carry out a high profile hoax to protest against the invasion of Iraq. They were convicted along with another defendant, Hussein Osman, who is not part of this attempted appeal.
Lawyers acting on behalf of the men argue that the convictions were unsafe.
They point to concerns raised by Sean Doyle, former principal scientist at the Forensic Explosives Laboratory, a top security government facility, which carries out extensive tests on all bombs found in the UK. The results of those tests later formed the heart of prosecutions.
In a witness statement, Mr Doyle says a number of FEL scientists "openly expressed concerns" relating to the work of the prosecution's expert witness, Dr Stuart Black.
The bombs used during the two July 2005 attacks were based on a chemical used to bleach hair. They had never been seen before in the form they were used. That prompted government scientists to undertake a research programme to understand how they had been constructed and the dangers they posed.
Dr Black argued that the bombs were viable and would have worked.
But the papers submitted by the lawyers say that Mr Doyle told the Metropolitan Police that the "methodology employed by Dr Black and the interpretation of the results may not be reliable".
"In my opinion, the scientific evidence presented by Dr Black was not treated with the caution required of a novel forensic technique."
The lawyers for the four men argue that there was a failure to disclose Mr Doyle's doubts to the defence, meaning the convictions are unsafe.
Mr Doyle says in his statement that he left the FEL on good terms and moved to New Zealand for family reasons, where he continues to work as a scientist.
Osman and the three other men who tried to detonate their devices have already had one appeal rejected. They can only try again by asking the Criminal Cases Review Commission to examine whether there was a miscarriage of justice.
Manfo Asiedu was not part of that challenge so he can directly petition the Court of Appeal.
Written By Emdua on Rabu, 19 September 2012 | 23.42
19 September 2012Last updated at12:16 ET
Police have been granted a further 24 hours to question a man over the deaths of three members of a family in a house fire in Cwmbran, Torfaen.
Kim Buckley, 46, daughter Kayleigh, 17, and six-month-old grand-daughter Kimberley died on the Coed Eva estate.
A 27-year-old man from the Manchester area was arrested shortly after the fire on Tuesday and is being held on suspicion of murder.
Gwent Police said it was granted extra time by Caerphilly Magistrates' Court.
The force said on Wednesday officers were continuing to investigate the cause and the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Police have said neighbours tried to save the family but were beaten back by flames.
A Gwent Police statement said: "Gwent Police has been granted a warrant to further detain the 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday.
"A 24-hour warrant of further detention was granted by Caerphilly Magistrates' Court this afternoon."
Friends of the Buckley family have spoken of their shock at their loss.
Rachel Speed, from Fairwater High School which Kayleigh attended, said she was remembered fondly there.
"It was devastating today," she said. "Absolute travesty. Not just for the pupils and the staff but for the wider community as well.
"Even pupils who didn't know her particularly well have been traumatised by it. They've been offered counselling within the school."
Terena Mellor, 26, a friend of Kim Buckley, described her as "a character, very loud and fun-loving".
"If she saw you on the other side of the road she would have shouted out your name and asked you how you were," she said.
Ms Mellor said she believed daughter Kayleigh had been pregnant with twin daughters but had tragically lost one in birth. 'Difficult to believe'
The surviving daughter, Kimberley, had only recently been allowed home after spending time in intensive care at the Royal Gwent Hospital, in Newport.
Ms Mellor added: "This is such a tragedy. Kim and Kayleigh were very close and this should have been a happy time for everyone in the family.
"It is difficult to believe what has happened."
Police have referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as officers had been called to the address on other occasions.
Firefighters were called to the fire scene at around 03:30 BST on Tuesday.
Gwent Police said any witnesses should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 20 Sep, 2012
The police watchdog has received a referral from West Yorkshire Police Authority over the alleged conduct of its chief constable in the aftermath of the Hillsborough tragedy.
Sir Norman Bettison was an off-duty inspector with South Yorkshire Police at the football game in 1989 and took part in an internal inquiry afterwards.
He has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
The IPCC said it was conducting a "detailed assessment" of the referral.
The watchdog said it had received the referral following complaints from members of the public about Sir Norman allegedly being "involved in the production and supply of misleading information for the various inquiries that have been undertaken into the Hillsborough disaster".
It said a second element of the referral related to a statement he made last week, following the report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, in which he said the Liverpool fans' behaviour made policing at the tragedy "harder than it needed to be".
The IPCC said it was looking at the referral closely to work out how it should be investigated.
In a statement, it said: "This assessment is being conducted in parallel with our ongoing review of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report and supporting documentation.
"The review is being undertaken to identify from the report what conduct, by named or unnamed police officers, may require referral and to clarify our jurisdiction."
West Yorkshire Police Authority's Special Committee agreed last week to record a complaint against Sir Norman and immediately refer it to the IPCC for investigation.
Sir Norman said after the meeting he was pleased to have the matter investigated.
A woman whose body was found in a burning car in Somerset was likely to have been killed earlier and then placed in the car, police have said.
Catherine Wells-Burr was found in her red Ford Focus near the A358 in Ashill near Ilminster, Somerset, on 12 September at about 06:30 BST.
Det Ch Insp Simon Crisp said police believed she was killed hours before.
Ms Wells-Burr's boyfriend Rafal Nowak, 31, is one of two people have been charged with conspiring to murder her.
Mr Nowak, of Willow Way, Chard, appeared before Bristol Magistrates' Court earlier.
Business analyst
He has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear before Bristol Crown Court on 9 October.
Speaking outside court, Det Ch Insp Crisp, said: "We are in possession of information that leads us to strongly suspect that Catherine didn't die in the fire.
"We believe she was murdered in the early hours of last Wednesday morning and she was transported to the scene of the fire, which was lit at about 6am.
"We are really keen to speak to anybody who may have seen Catherine's car, which was also transported at the same time.
"We think potentially that car was in the company of another vehicle around the Chard area in the very early hours, travelling around Chard along the A358 to Ashill."
Mr Crisp added that a police operation to speak to motorists along the A358, one week on from when Miss Wells-Burr's blazing car was discovered, had unearthed "new lines of inquiry".
Anna Julia Lagwinowicz, 32, has also been charged with conspiring to murder the Bath Spa University graduate. A 38-year-old man remains in police custody.
Ms Lagwinowicz was remanded in custody by magistrates in Bristol on Tuesday. She will appear next at the city's crown court.
Ms Wells-Burr worked as a business analyst in Numatic International in Chard.
Detectives probing payments to public officials have arrested two journalists from the Sun and a serving policeman.
Two men, aged 32, from south London, and 51 and from Bristol, are being questioned over claims of conspiracy to corrupt and cause misconduct.
A 39-year-old with the Wiltshire force was held at his home in the county on suspicion of misconduct and conspiracy.
Some 50 people have so far been interviewed by Scotland Yard officers working on Operation Elveden.
The inquiry is investigating allegations of inappropriate payments to police and public officials, and runs alongside Operation Weeting, the probe into phone hacking.
Scotland Yard said the arrests were the result of information provided by News Corporation's management standards committee, which was set up in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.
A spokesperson said they "relate to suspected payments to a public official and suspected disclosure of confidential information by a police officer and are not about seeking journalists to reveal confidential sources in relation to information that has been obtained legitimately".
The Sun's publishers, News Corporation's News International unit, confirmed that the two arrested journalists work for the newspaper, but did not disclose further details.
A man suspected of killing two PCs in Greater Manchester was on bail over a fatal pub shooting, police have confirmed.
Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed in a gun and grenade attack after apparently being lured to Mottram by a hoax burglary report.
Dale Cregan is being held on suspicion of their murders and two others.
In June, Mr Cregan, 29, was questioned over the shooting of Mark Short in a Manchester pub and released on bail.
Detectives are continuing to question Mr Cregan, previously described as Manchester's most wanted man, over the deaths of PCs Hughes and Bone.
The police constables had been sent to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report in Abbey Gardens, Mottram, on Tuesday morning when they were attacked with a gun and grenade.
The silence was held by officers and staff in memory of their colleagues
Greater Manchester Police said it appeared they had been deliberately "drawn" to the scene.
A minute's silence for the officers was held earlier.
In a statement, Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said there had been insufficient evidence available to charge Mr Cregan over the pub shooting and he had to be released.
Mark Short, 23, was shot dead at the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, on 25 May. In June, Mr Cregan was arrested in connection with this death.
Sir Peter said: "It is absolutely normal in complex crime inquiries that when people are arrested there are occasions where there is insufficient evidence available for them to be charged.
Continue reading the main story
At the scene
Ed ThomasNorth of England Correspondent, BBC News
At exactly 11am the message across Greater Manchester Police radios was "can all officers stand by and observe a minute's silence".
Inside the police HQ it was a chance to pause and reflect on the deaths of their colleagues PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone.
How many officers like them will be called out to routine jobs today?
There is though a sense here that yesterday's grief is now turning to determination.
GMP's Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said he wants to bring each and every person involved to justice.
There are many questions the force must now answer as it investigates the deaths of the two officers and David and Mark Short.
Questions like where has Dale Cregan been for the past eight weeks? Who, if anyone has been helping him avoid the several hundred police officers and support staff trying to find him?
There must be support too for the officers who have been trying to find Mr Cregan. They are said to be shattered at how this manhunt ended.
The police authority here says it will do all it can to help them as officers try to understand what happened in a community they try to protect.
"In those circumstances suspects have to be released on bail as there are strict time limits covering how long suspects can be held in custody without charge.
"That is exactly what happened in this case."
Mr Cregan was arrested when he walked into Hyde police station a short time after the shooting in Mottram on Tuesday.
Sir Peter said he believed he had been "protected by a criminal conspiracy to harbour him".
Two people from the Abbey Gardens house, a man and a woman, continue to be questioned.
Home Secretary Theresa May is cutting her holiday short to travel to Manchester for a meeting with the chief constable.
The Queen has paid tribute to the two murdered police officers.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester released a letter she had written to Sir Peter.
The Lord-Lieutenant's office said: "In a letter to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Sir Peter Fahy, Her Majesty expressed her sincere condolences to the families of PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone at the tragic loss of their lives."
Sir Peter has said Tuesday was one of the "darkest days" in the history of the police service.
Describing the killings, he said it was "absolutely devastating... it felt like just a nightmare yesterday... that we hoped we'd wake up from but of course we didn't".
He said PC Bone, originally from Castle Donington, Leicestershire, had been a "calm, gentle woman", an "excellent bobby" and had been in the middle of planning her wedding.
She moved with her family to the Isle of Man in 1997, before studying for a degree at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.
The chief constable paid tribute to PC Hughes, from Oldham, describing her as a "chatterbox" and a "great bobby" who was always smiling.
PC Hughes's family paid tribute to their "beautiful child", who loved her job as a police officer.
Friend: PC Fiona Bone "enjoyed her job 100%"
"Nicola always wanted to make a difference and, in doing so, she made such a big difference to everyone she knew. She cared about everyone, especially her colleagues."
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said Tuesday had been "the hardest and most upsetting day" of his career.
"I want to publicly thank those who have taken time out to pay tribute to Fiona and Nicola and pass on their kind words of support, love and condolence," he said.
"Two hard-working and brave young women did not go home to their loved ones as a result of a calculated and malicious plan.
"We are determined to bring each and every person involved in this incident to justice."
PC Bone's father Paul has called for the death penalty for anyone convicted of murdering a police officer.
The incident has prompted renewed calls for the routine arming of police.
But Sir Peter said his force believed "passionately" that officers should remain unarmed, despite the tragedy.
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Dale Cregan
Police first released details of Dale Cregan after a grenade attack which killed David Short on 10 August.
The attack was caught on CCTV showing two hooded figures throwing a device at a house in Clayton, causing an explosion.
Police responded and discovered Mr Short, 46, with fatal injuries.
Greater Manchester Police then took the unusual step of naming Dale Cregan, 29, from Droylsden - who has one eye - and releasing his photograph.
But David Short was not the first member of his family to die in violent circumstances.
Police said they wanted to question Mr Cregan over the murder of David Short's son Mark, who was shot in the neck at the Cotton Tree Inn in Droylsden.
A major manhunt was launched to find Mr Cregan involving hundreds of officers.
That hunt ended when Mr Cregan walked into a police station in Hyde following the death of two unarmed female police officers.
Association of Chief Police Officers president Sir Hugh Orde also warned against a rush to routinely arm officers.
"You only have to look at the American experience. Many colleagues in America are lost without even drawing their gun at close ranges," he said.
The Greater Manchester force has opened a book of condolence for the dead policewomen on its website.
Police said 2,600 messages had already been left, many from fellow officers from forces across the UK.
A book of condolence has also been opened at Hyde Town Hall.
Officers and staff at Greater Manchester Police headquarters held a minute's silence to remember the officers.
About 100 people attended a service in St Barnabas Church, Hyde, earlier during which a candle for each officer was lit at the altar.
Manchester United announced its players would wear black armbands during their Champions League match against Galatasaray at Old Trafford later, as a mark of respect.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two young policewomen protecting our community.
"Fiona and Nicola were highly valued members of Greater Manchester Police and the local community.
"Our thoughts and prayers are now with their families and friends at this devastatingly sad time."
Mr Cregan had been the subject of a huge manhunt after the murder of David Short, 46, Mark Short's father. A £50,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
On 10 August, David Short was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, after describing his son's killers as cowards. He was found dead after an explosion was heard.
Four men have already been charged in connection with Mark Short's murder and are due to enter pleas at Manchester Crown Court in November.
A 33-year-old man and a 24-year-old man have been charged with the murder of David Short.
Mr Cregan is now being questioned about the deaths of David and Mark Short, as well as the murders of the two police officers.
