Newslip Episode 29 26.07.09

Welcome to Newslip. Today is Sunday, 26th July 2009. I'm Wesley Gerrard and here are the stories making this week's news.

David Beckham got involved in an ugly confrontation with fans at his first home game for the Los Angeles Galaxy after returning from Italy. The former England captain attempted to jump over a barrier as he left the field at half-time into a section of the crowd that had been jeering him. He was held back by security staff, members of whom were also needed to restrain an angry fan who left his seat and rushed towards the footballer. The 34-year-old explained afterwards in comments broadcast on Sky Sports News: "I tried to shake one of the guy's hands but he didn't want any of it. That's the way it is." Beckham received a less than friendly welcome at his first home game after returning from a five-month loan spell at AC Milan - the team the Galaxy faced. Earlier this year, Beckham indicated he wanted to stay in Milan rather than return to America, stating that the standard of play was far higher in Italy.

36 children and four adults have been rescued from the sea at Tenby in Pembrokeshire. Lifeguards who rescued them after a sandbank they were on collapsed into the sea say the group could have drowned. All of the youngsters, from Brynaman, Carmarthenshire, are safe and well, but they said it had been "very scary". Two of the group who were on an activity holiday at a nearby caravan park were taken to hospital at Haverfordwest after the dramatic rescue. Jon Johnstone, lifeguard, said: "It was at low tide. The tide was turning, which is the strongest current on the beach. It's only soft sand around here, so basically the sand beneath them all just shifted with the tide which caused a rip current which was dragging them back out to sea.” The lifeguards were straight out to rescue the stranded fully-clothed swimmers and cleverly relayed them all to shore safely, providing immediate first aid prior to the arrival of ambulance teams.

A Russian warship preparing for a holiday celebration accidentally fired a dummy artillery shell into the courtyard of an apartment building in Vladivostok, a port city on Russia's Pacific Ocean coast close to China and Japan on Friday. Nobody was hurt but the shell's impact broke windows and left a small crater outside the nine-storey apartment building. "There were no explosives in the dummy shell," said Roman Martov, a spokesman for Russia's Vladivostok-based Pacific Fleet. He added, “"The reasons why the rocket-assisted projectile flew a greater distance than it had been assigned are unknown," The warship that fired the shell was taking part in rehearsals for Sunday's planned celebrations of the annual Navy Day holiday, which traditionally include a ceremonial procession of warships and mock naval battles.

The United States has urged Syria to co-operate with a peace plan for the Middle East. Speaking after talks in Damascus, Barack Obama's envoy George Mitchell said discussions with Syria's president had been "candid and positive". Mr Mitchell said he had told Syrian President Bashar Assad that Barack Obama was "determined to facilitate a truly comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace". Damascus is a major player in the region, because of its support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, its backing for Hezbollah in Lebanon, and its close links with Iran. The move brings an end to Syria’s pariah status as it was under the Bush administration. Presently, US-Israeli relations are unusually strained and the diplomat flew on to Israel to try to revive Israeli-Palestinian talks.

England cricket team are 1-0 up in the Ashes series against Australia after chalking up their first win at Lords over their fiercest rivals, for 75 years. They wrapped up the second test before lunch on the final day, to win by 115 runs. Andrew Flintoff was the hero of the hour. Battling against injury he took 3 wickets out of an innings total of five, just the target required to take England into a series lead. The news wasn’t all good for England this week as Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes after having surgery on an ongoing Achilles’ heel injury. The Third Test begins on Thursday and Australia will be battling against the odds if they do not wish to return home in disgrace, without the hallowed Ashes trophy.

The BBC’s Newsnight program made a freedom of information request to local authorities across the UK about the CCTV cameras they operate. One of the most dramatic revelations is that both the Shetland Islands Council and Corby Borough Council - among the smallest local authorities in the UK - have more CCTV cameras than the San Francisco Police Department. The borough of Wandsworth has the highest number of CCTV cameras in London, with just under four cameras per 1,000 people. Its total number of cameras - 1,113 - is more than the police departments of Boston [USA], Johannesburg and Dublin City Council combined. Although experts estimate the total number of cameras in the country at about 3.5 million which is about a million fewer than previously believed, The statistics confirm the British as the most watched nation on earth. There are that many cameras in this country that it is actually impossible to count them all.

German tourists can now reserve their poolside recliners before they have even left home. The German arm of Thomas Cook, Europe's second largest travel company, has been deluged with inquiries since announcing that holidaymakers at nine hotels in Turkey, Egypt and the Canary Islands can book recliners in advance for a fee. Germans are famous around Europe for rising early to reserve recliners near the pool with their towels, and then going back to bed or eating a lengthy breakfast. The offer is only applicable to applicants booking from within Germany.

Thousands of Chinese steel workers rioted at news of a takeover deal, beating one manager to death, a Hong Kong human rights group has said. About 100 people were hurt in violence in the north-eastern city of Tonghua after workers heard that Jianlong Steel would buy a majority share. They were reportedly frustrated at financial problems during Jianlong Steel's temporary control last year. Jianlong general manager Chen Guojun was beaten to death, the group said. The Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said 30,000 steel workers clashed with riot police on Friday in the north-east province of Jilin. The South China Morning Post quoted a police officer as saying the workers would not allow emergency medical staff to enter the building to help Mr Chen.

Firefighters in several parts of the Mediterranean are still fighting wildfires which began days ago and have left eight dead. Thousands of acres of woodland in Spain, France, Greece and Sardinia were destroyed by fires fuelled by high temperatures and strong winds. In Spain, where six firefighters died, two major fires were still burning, but seven were under control, reports said. Arsonists are suspected to be behind many of the blazes and there have been widespread arrests. Temperatures in southern Europe are expected to remain very high and firefighters are watching for new outbreaks.

And this week’s top story…

Liverpool captain and England midfielder, Steven Gerrard, has been cleared of charges of affray after a lengthy court case at Liverpool Crown Court. Liverpool crown court heard that Marcus McGee, 34, was punched in the face by the footballer in a brawl at a bar in Southport last December. Gerrard admitted hitting McGee three times but denied affray, saying he had been acting in self-defence as he thought the other man was about to strike him. During the court case, CCTV evidence from the bar was used to show the incident. Gerrard welled up with tears whilst hearing Liverpool legend, Kenny Dalgleish’s character reference. He described him as "quiet" and "very private". Despite his wealth, Dalgleish said, Gerrard had "never forgotten his roots"."He is a very respectful man who has always behaved to senior players in a respectful way," Dalgleish said. "He is a very humble man." Gerrard left the court to cries of ‘Rocky’ and told reporters how he was glad it was all over and how he wanted to focus on the forthcoming football season.

That's all for Newslip. Thanks for tuning in. See you again soon. Goodbye.

Newslip Episode 27 12.07.09

Welcome to Newslip. Today is Sunday, 12th July 2009. I'm Wesley Gerrard and here are the stories making this week's news...

The News of the World paper has apparently been employing private detectives to hack into and monitor the mobile phones of many celebrities. Among the targeted were John Prescott, Max Clifford, Tessa Jowell and Gordon Taylor, Chief Executive of the PFA. It is believed that in order not to expose the methods used, the parent company of the newspaper, News Group Newspapers, has made three bumper out of court settlement payments exceeding £1 million. Apparently the police were well aware of who was being monitored by the newspaper yet failed to inform the victims of the breach of their privacy or prosecuting anyone, leading John Prescott to question the police’s actions. The story was revealed in the Guardian newspaper based on information from police sources.

President Obama returned to the continent of his ancestors for a presidential visit Saturday, praising Africa's democratic successes but also challenging leaders to fight corruption and violence. In Accra, addressing the Ghanaian Parliament he said that history would favour leaders who "respect the will of their own people, like those who have opposed violence in Kenya and promoted free elections in Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Rather than visiting his father's home of Kenya, which saw intense postelection violence, Obama decided to visit Ghana -- saying he wanted to draw attention to the country's history of free elections and peaceful transfer of power between opposition parties. After a sombre tour of a former slave market, Obama concluded a weeklong foreign trip with a promise that he will make Africa a central part of his approach to foreign policy.

A science teacher at All Saints’ Roman Catholic School in Mansfield has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to murder a pupil in front of a packed class. Peter Harvey - affectionately dubbed "The Nutty Professor" - allegedly used a heavy metal weight to attack 14-year-old Jack Waterhouse, leaving him fighting for life. Apparently Mr Harvey lost his cool after a girl swore at him. When Jack tried intervening in the dispute the violent incident erupted. As Jack lay with blood pouring from his wounds, a boy and girl - both also 14 - reportedly dragged Harvey from his victim and restrained him. The teacher was apparently off work with stress earlier this year and although known as an eccentric, has no history of violence. Internet sites were set up in support of both pupil and teacher.

Michael Jackson's family have held a private funeral ceremony for the deceased pop singer in Los Angeles. Nearby, thousands of fans gathered to say their goodbyes to the pop star at a star-studded memorial service held at the Staples Center. It is uncertain what will happen to the body… A hearse removed the gold coffin containing the star but didn’t go to the cemetery… It is thought that the family are trying to arrange for Michael to be buried at Neverland. Jackson’s sister La Toya has been busy talking up her theories to the press. She says that Michael was murdered for his money. His father has been busy using the event’s publicity to promote his own music company. Sales of Michael Jackson albums are doublie the normal weekly amounts. Compilation Number Ones was the best-selling album followed by 1982 album Thriller.

A man has been jailed for life for murdering a father-of-two and trying to kill his 14-year-old son who were going to watch an Everton football match. Former Army corporal Graham McKenna, 45, was stabbed to death near his home in Wirral, Merseyside. His son Michael was stabbed but survived. At Liverpool Crown Court Gary Finlay, 46, pleaded guilty to the murder and attempted murder in January. He was sentenced this week to a minimum of twenty-five years in jail. Finlay was angry after his marriage to Mr McKenna’s wife sister broke down and after losing access to his children in a custody battle in which his inlaws gave evidence, he had vowed revenge. After the incident he went on the run and police launched a massive manhunt which lasted six weeks.

The fourth anniversary of the July 7th London bombings passed with a memorial service held in Hyde Park to commemorate the 52 victims of the suicide bombers who attacked the London Underground and a bus. Prince Charles paid tribute to the families who had lost loved ones saying that their bravery "offered us hope for the future". The victims' relatives at the unveiling said the permanent memorial, between the park's Lover's Walk and Park Lane, was a "fitting tribute". The launch of this memorial was attended by many major politicians and also members of the emergency services who were forced to deal with the crisis on that terrible day. The lives of London commuters has forever been scarred by the incident.

The number of British dead in Afghanistan has exceeded the amount killed during the second Gulf War after a particularly brutal period for the armed forces in which, during ten days, fifteen soldiers were killed. UK troops have spent recent weeks on an offensive - codenamed Panther's Claw – in order to ensure security ahead of the forthcoming Afghanistan elections. The extra deaths have been blamed on the use of improvised roadside bombs which are responsible for most of the casualties. Commanders spend a lot of time asking for more troops and better supplies and their voices are often overlooked by politicians. Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth rejected claims UK troops in Afghanistan are ill-equipped, saying more helicopters could not remove risk. Prime Minister Gordon Brown insists the mission is showing "signs of success".

Daniel Jimeno Romero, a 27-year-old from Madrid, was gored to death during the annual running of the bulls in Pamplona and nine others were injured in what became the bloodiest run in decades. Mr Romero died after a bull's horn pierced his neck and lungs during the half mile sprint through the cobbled streets of the northern Spanish town. He is the first man to be gored to death during the run for 14 years. Each morning at 8 o'clock during the eight-day fiesta six fighting bulls are released to stampede through the winding streets to the bullring. Fuelled by alcohol during what has become one of Europe's biggest street parties, participants test their bravado and sprint alongside the bulls while attempting to dodge their horns. Friday's run, the fourth of this year's San Fermin festival was described as the bloodiest in decades and raised the death toll to 15 since record-keeping began in 1911.

World leaders gathered together in Italy for the G8 summit at the earthquake city of L'Aquila. Top of the agenda was climate change and the economic crisis. Gordon Brown was suave at the meeting and sat perched next to Obama throughout, looking good for the media back home. It was agreed to cut emissions by 80% by 2050. This was criticised by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who said that not enough was being done by the world’s eight most industrious nations. The leaders went on to discuss how to deal with the possibility that a fragile global economy could suffer a double-dip recession. Also, there was talk on the prevention of nuclear weapons getting into the hands of North Korea and Iran.

And this week's top story...

Groups of ethnic Han Chinese have marched through the city of Urumqi carrying clubs and machetes, as tension grows between ethnic groups and police. Security forces imposed a curfew and fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, who said they were angry at violence carried out by ethnic Muslim Uighurs. The Uighurs are Muslims who are predominantly based in north-western China's Xinjiang region. Officials say 156 people - mostly ethnic Han Chinese - died in the violence. One official described Sunday's unrest as the "deadliest riot since New China was founded in 1949". President Obama joined other world leaders in urging the Chinese governement to exercise restraint when dealing with the incident.

That's all for Newslip. Thanks for tuning in. See you again soon. Goodbye.