Greenpeace Activists Arrive Home From Russia

Five Britons detained in Russia as part of the so-called "Arctic 30" have arrived home in the UK.

The five were arrested amid claims of hooliganism following a protest about oil drilling, and held in jail for two months.

They have since been granted amnesty under a new Russian law.

Greenpeace member Anthony Perrett, 32, of Newport, South Wales, arrived in London with fellow activists Alex Harris and Phil Ball, crew member Iain Rogers and freelance videographer Kieron Bryan.

They left St Petersburg earlier today and arrived in Paris this afternoon before travelling to London's St Pancras station on Eurostar to be met by their families.

Ms Harris said being imprisoned had been "terrifying" but that she took comfort from knowing she was one of 29 other people in the same situation.

And she told Sky News she would not give up on the Arctic: "I've gone through a lot for this campaign, I'm not going to stop now."

The activists were onboard the Arctic Sunrise

Mr Perrett told reporters: "It has been a strange few months, but it is over now and it is good to be back. We're
very relieved to be home, it's good to be back and speaking English, which has been sorely missed."

Asked whether it had been worth it, he said: "Well, look at the media that's here today. We're trying to spread the word to save the Arctic and I think we have done that job fairly well."

Ms Harris said she thought the Russian government let the Arctic 30 go to avoid global criticism in the lead up to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

A sixth Briton, activist Frank Hewetson, has also been released and is travelling to another country.

The Arctic 30 - 28 activists and two freelance journalists - were arrested after Russian authorities boarded their ship, the Arctic Sunrise, during an anti-drilling demonstration in September.

The group were detained for protesting against an Arctic offshore oil rig owned by the Russian company Gazprom.

They were initially charged with piracy, but the charge was later changed to hooliganism.

They had their passports returned to them after being freed on bail by courts in St Petersburg, but initially did not have visas to leave Russia.

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Football: Standing May Return To Terraces

Standing on the terraces could return to all Football League divisions after a consultation document was sent to each of the 72 clubs.

Currently, standing is allowed in Leagues One and Two, but not the Championship, once a team has played there for three seasons.

The consultation paper, led by the Football League's new chief executive, Shaun Harvey, was sent to all clubs on Friday.

The Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) has campaigned for safe standing in recent years.

One solution would be to include hybrid rail seats that could be flipped up or down as required to allow safe standing behind chest-high rails.

Arsene Wenger says he would support safe standing

These are seen in the Bundesliga, such as at Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion.

As yet, there have been no official discussions around safe standing in the Premier League, where all-seater stadiums have been compulsory since 1994. 

David Gold, co-chairman of West Ham, said in the past week that he would "certainly consider" incorporating safe standing areas into the Olympic Stadium.

At Arsenal Arsène Wenger has said he agrees "100%" with safe standing while the chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, has said: "Why would you be against it, if you can do it safely?"

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Sales: Shoppers Ready For More Bargain Hunting

Bargain-hungry shoppers are expected to spend nearly £3bn today on the second day of the post-Christmas sales.

The amount of money spent is predicted to be more than the estimated £2.7bn spent in shops and online on Boxing Day.

High streets should see a repeat of some of the frenzied scenes witnessed yesterday as shoppers queued for hours to get the best bargains.

A total of £2.22bn was projected to have been spent in stores on Thursday, up 5.7% on last year, according to the Centre for Retail Research (CRR).

Online shoppers spent £540m - a new daily record - on Boxing Day, up 15% on last year, IMRG, the internet retailers' association, said.

Many people queued from before dawn in London

Total spending on Friday could be even higher, with shops expected to take £2.57bn - up more than 7% on last year's £2.4bn on December 27.

Online sales are expected to peak £400m.

Thousands of people hit British high streets yesterday for the traditional Boxing Day sales, with international tourists out in force and spending big.

Many keen bargain-hunters started queuing before dawn to ensure they were first in line when the shops opened.

Shoppers are predicted to spend £2.5bn in the high street on Friday

Selfridges on Oxford Street in central London saw some of the largest queues.

As 3,500 shoppers surrounded the huge shopping emporium, it was apparent the queue was made up of people from all around the world - particularly from China.

The significant presence of international shoppers was confirmed by Global Blue tax-free shopping experts.

Shoppers from Qatar spend the most on average per transaction (£1,714) followed by those from the United Arab Emirates (£1,372).

But a spokesman said Chinese shoppers are the biggest spenders overall.

They spend £1,367 on average per transaction but are more likely to return to the tills with more goods.

Selfridges celebrated its most successful ever first hour of trade, taking over £1.9 m between 9am and 10am - up 16% compared to last year.

Harrods also kicked off its winter sale and offered mugs of hot chocolate, smoked salmon canapes and blankets to keep people warm in the queue.

Department store Liberty offered designer goods at a fraction of their usual price, while both Next and Marks & Spencer boasted discounts of up to 50% on sale items.

Bluewater in Kent predicted more than 800,000 people will come through its doors between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.

More than 1.4m shoppers were expected to spend a total of more than £50m in London's West End today.

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Weather: Ireland And UK Battered By Storms

Storms with 100mph winds battered Britain and Ireland last night, causing flights to be diverted and downing trees - as more flood warnings were issued.

Days after heavy rain and gales lashed the UK, disrupting the Christmas travel plans of thousands of people, the Met Office has once again issued severe weather warnings.

The Environment Agency map showing flood warnings and alerts in the UK

Flights were diverted and cancelled overnight and some train companies said they would not be running any services until at least midday today. 

Cheshire Police said many trees had been uprooted as gales swept across the county.

"Many trees down due to strong winds. We would ask all drivers to exercise extreme caution whilst driving tonight," the force tweeted.

The storm is forecast to spread east across the UK during the morning, with the worst-affected areas expected to be northern England and northern parts of Wales.

Police and fire services across the country have reported road closures because of uprooted trees and Dublin Airport had to divert six planes because of strong winds.

The Bognor Regis rail route was closed after this landslip at Ockley

Gatwick Airport said it had "additional teams of engineers, electrical staff and volunteers at the airport to minimise the risk of disruption".

The Environment Agency (EA) is warning of more "significant disruption" across southern England.

This landslip also blocked the line on the Brighton Main Line near Redhill

A spokesperson for the Agency said: "It is possible that heavy rain may worsen the current flooding situation in some areas with rivers responding quickly to rain falling on already saturated ground."

The rain will exacerbate ongoing river flooding across the Somerset Levels, River Severn, River Thames and River Ouse in Cambridgeshire and rivers across Essex.

It will also worsen the situation along the River Medway and the Kentish Stour around Ashford and Canterbury.

There are 52 flood warnings and 157 flood alerts in place, but the EA said the number of alerts may increase as rivers respond to the further band of rainfall.

The Met Office recorded a gust of wind in Aberdaron, in west Wales, of 109mph early this morning.

General wind speeds of between 60mph and 80mph are expected in the UK.

A man removes items from his home after flooding in Tonbridge

More than 43,000 people were left without power following Monday night's storm and around 1,200 properties were flooded in England.

According to ESB Networks, in Ireland, some 15,000 homes and businesses are understood to be without power with engineers dealing with almost 300 individual faults.

This number is expected to increase by the morning.

A man paddles his canoe past a flooded property in Yalding

The South West of Ireland is the worst effected with at least 5,000 homes out in the Cork and Bandon areas.

A large fault in Dundalk is also impacting on 2,000 customers while Lisdoonvarna and Kilfenora in Clare are also without power.

In Limerick a fault in Abbeyfeale has left 2,000 customers without electricity.

Network Rail advises that routes will need to be checked at first light and tracks will need to be cleared of any fallen trees and any damage will need repaired before train services can start.

Southeastern said it is unlikely it will be able to run any metro or mainline train services until at least midday, while Network Rail added that services in Kent and Anglia will be delayed.

Robin Gisby, managing director of network operations at Network Rail, said: "Passengers have had a tough week of travelling and unfortunately that is likely to continue for at least another day.

"Thousands of railway workers have worked tirelessly over the holiday period to try and repair the significant damage caused by Monday's storm and will be called on again over the next 24 hours.

"As ever, safety comes first, as we ensure routes are safe for passenger services leading to a delayed start-up in some regions."

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Bargain Hunters Flock To Boxing Day Sales

Bargain hunters are set to flock to the high streets in their thousands today as shops open for the Boxing Day sales.

Shoppers are expected to start queuing up from dawn to ensure they are first in line when the shops open.

Harrods is kicking off its winter sale with the promise of mugs of hot chocolate, smoked salmon canapes and blankets to keep people warm in the queue.

They will also be serenaded by a string quartet and be treated to a performance by a street magician.

Some online sales started on Christmas Eve and millions are believed to have already snapped up goods from home.

Some 117 million visits to retail websites were estimated to have been made on Wednesday in the UK, with Boxing Day's figure set to rise to over 118 million.

Shopping habits are changing, according to analysts

Robert Goodman, Bluewater's general manager, said: "We are ready for a bumper Boxing Day this year.

"With the strongest retail offer to date, with 50 new brands launching with us this year, we are expecting visitor numbers to be on a par with Boxing Day last year.

"This will begin what is likely to be our busiest six days of the year."

James Murray, digital insight manager at Experian, said: "Christmas 2013 has consistently outperformed 2012 on virtually every single shopping day this December, with online visits from Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day up from last year, a record breaking Cyber Monday and the emergence of the even busier Middle Cyber Monday.

"Shopping habits are changing, with Christmas Day becoming a significant shopping day during the period.

"As a result, we anticipate a more sustained shopping pattern during this period, moving away from the traditional peaks and troughs usually evident during holiday season."

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Abbas Khan: Funeral For Syria-Death Doctor

The funeral of British doctor Abbas Khan who died in custody in Syria is due to take place in London today.

Dr Khan was on the verge of being released when his family were told of his death by what the Syrian government calls suicide and they say was political murder.

The 32-year-old orthopaedic surgeon, from London, was captured in November last year in the Syrian city of Aleppo after travelling from Turkey to help victims of hospital bombings.

His death was announced on December 17.

Dr Khan's mother Fatima

Dr Khan's family released a statement via their solicitor Nabeel Sheikh, announcing plans for the funeral and burial.

He said: "Dr Abbas Khan's funeral prayer will take place at midday on Boxing Day at Regent's Park Mosque, London.

"Dr Khan will then be taken to Ilford, east London, to be laid to rest. Anyone who wishes to pay their respects is welcome to attend."

The doctor's mother Fatima has denied claims made by Syria's deputy foreign minister Faisal Mekdad that her son killed himself.

The PM wrote a letter to Dr Khan's family

Earlier this month, the family revealed a letter in which the doctor expressed his optimism at being released, and his hopes of being home in time for Christmas.

On Sunday, David Cameron wrote a letter to Dr Khan's mother, describing her son's death as an "appalling tragedy" and calling for those responsible to be held to account.

He wrote a letter to Abbas Khan's mother Fatima on Friday, describing her son's death as an "appalling tragedy".

Dr Abbas leaves behind his wife Hanna, 30, son Abdullah, six, and daughter, Rurayya, seven.

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Queen's Speech: Monarch Reflects On 2013

By Paul Harrison, Royal correspondent

The Queen will reflect on key events of the past 12 months in her traditional Christmas broadcast, including the birth of her great-grandson Prince George and the 60th anniversary of her Coronation.

In her message, recorded earlier this month at Buckingham Palace, the 87-year-old Monarch will say: "We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection.

"With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock." 

The head of the Commonwealth will also use the theme of 'reflection' to look ahead to the Commonwealth Games being staged in Glasgow next year.

It is expected to be a full house at Sandringham this year with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joining the family for the festivities, including the traditional Christmas Day church service.

It will be their son Prince George's first Christmas at the Norfolk estate.

The Monarch will reflect on the birth of her great-grandson, Prince George

The Queen will refer in her message to her growing family by saying "...the arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope."

During the broadcast, behind-the-scenes footage will be shown for the first time of the photoshoot at Clarence House in October, shortly after the Christening of Prince George at the Chapel Royal.

One photograph taken was that of the Queen with the next three generations of monarchs including Princes Charles, William and George.

As the Queen speaks to the British people, and those of the Commonwealth, the historic photograph takes pride of place next to her at the Palace alongside a framed image of her father George VI and mother, the Queen Mother.

The Christmas address is written by the Queen and is one of the rare occasions when she does not turn to the Government for advice but is able to voice her own views.

It was this year recorded in Buckingham Palace's Blue Drawing Room which features a large Christmas tree decorated with coloured baubles.

During her message, the Queen is seated wearing a single crepe-wool primrose dress designed by Angela Kelly, which she wore to William and Kate's wedding in April 2011.

On her left shoulder is a diamond, ruby and sapphire brooch, a present from her parents to celebrate the birth of Charles in 1948, which she wore at George's Christening.

The message will be broadcast on Sky News at 3pm.

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Adverts 'Should Feature More Disabled Children'

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands correspondent

The owner of the UK's largest child talent and model agency says advertising companies should use disabled youngsters more often in campaigns.

Debi Clark has two disabled children on the books of her talent agency Bizzykids. But despite sending their details to advertisers, production companies and photographers, she has only had three requests for disabled children in 20 years.

She says: "It's great that they've broken the boundaries by using them at all, but what they do is they use them, and they hit the headlines, and it's sensationalising it, it's absolutely wonderful, great; but they're not used again."

Her comments come after clothing firm Boden used eight-year-old Holly Greenhow, who has athetoid cerebral palsy, in an online advertising campaign.

Last Christmas, Marks & Spencer used Seb White, who has Down's Syndrome, in one of their campaigns, and Francesca Griffiths, who has the same condition, was cast by Boots in their catalogue.

Holly's mother Fiona, 42, said: "It may be a token thing ... I'd like to think it wasn't ... If it does something to help promote children with learning difficulties in modelling, and make it more inclusive then fantastic. I'd like her to do more of it as an ambassador."

Rosemary Frazer, community campaigns manager at disability charity Scope, said: "It's extremely rare indeed either in advertising campaigns or really anywhere in the media. You would struggle to find any disabled people and that's a real shame.

"I think it's only through having that sort of high-profile role in the media that you begin to sort of challenge people's perceptions about disability, and actually then they can come to see that disabled people, like myself, we're very much like everybody else".

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Afghanistan: British Soldier Killed By Enemy Fire

A soldier from the Royal Engineers was killed in action under enemy fire east of Kabul, the Ministry of Defence has said.

A statement from the ministry said: "It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must announce the death of a soldier from the Royal Engineers in Afghanistan on 23 December, 2013.

"The serviceman was killed in action as a result of enemy fire whilst on operations east of Kabul."

Next of kin have been informed.

The death takes the number of UK service members who have lost their lives since operations began in Afghanistan in October 2001 to 447.

The majority of British forces are in Helmand Province, in the south of the country, but some also operate elsewhere, including in and around the capital, Kabul.

British combat troops are due to have left the country by the end of 2014.

There are just four bases remaining outside Camp Bastion, due to be closed down one by one in the new year, and the number of personnel has been reduced from 9,000 at the start of the year to around 5,200.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, visited the base last week where he said that Afghanistan was "mission accomplished" and that British troops could return to the UK with their "heads held high".

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Adoption: New Online Maps To Ease Process

Would-be adopters are being urged by a minister to use online maps to help match them to some of the 6,000 children in need of a home.

The interactive maps include local information such as the ratio of children in need of waiting adopters and the approval rate.

Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson said there had been "promising progress" to improve adoption rates but significantly more needed to be done.

"This Christmas I want anyone considering adoption to look carefully at the information in our interactive maps and consider whether they can offer a child a stable and loving home," said the minister, who has two adopted brothers.

"There remains significant work to do next year.

"Our new adoption leadership board will play an important role ensuring local authorities and adoption agencies stay on track and recruit more adopters.

Successful adoptions are up by 15% following reforms

"A further £50m for councils in 2014 will help them put the building blocks in place to implement our reforms."

Department for Education figures show a 34% increase in willing adopters and successful adoptions up by 15% following the implementation of reforms.

Adoption UK chief executive Hugh Thornbery said: "We've seen a rise in adoptions this year, but we still need more adopters to provide loving homes for some of society's most vulnerable children.

"We know that key to attracting more adopters is the assurance of accessible, timely and appropriate support."

David Simmonds, chair of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, said an increased focus on improving adoption services was a "positive move, but this isn't new money".

He said it represented a net reduction in funding for local authorities and could impact on services for vulnerable children.

"Councils have been working hard to recruit more adoptive mums and dads and are doing everything in their power to ensure that vulnerable children get the best start in life," he said.

"The fact remains that we still need thousands more potential adopters to come forward to offer loving homes.

"Councils also rightly acknowledge that there is variation in performance across the country and the LGA is working with the Government to help support improvement.

"However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach and decisions must be made on what is in the best interests of each individual child."

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Rolf Harris Faces Three More Assault Charges

Rolf Harris is to be prosecuted over three more allegations of indecent assault, including one relating to a seven or eight-year-old girl.

Harris already faces 13 other counts after being charged on August 29, 2013.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the first new charge is one offence of indecent assault of a 19-year-old girl in 1984 - the same complainant as six of the existing charges.

The other new charges are one offence of indecent assault of a girl aged seven or eight, in 1968 or 1969, and one offence of indecent assault of a girl aged 14, in 1975. 

Harris, 83, will next appear at London's Southwark Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on January 14.

His trial is scheduled to begin on April 30.

The 13 original charges against the Australian-born artist, musician and TV presenter relate to nine allegations of indecent assault and four of making indecent images of a child.

Harris was arrested by officers working on Operation Yewtree, the national investigation launched after abuse claims were made against Jimmy Savile, but the allegations against him have no connection to Savile.

He is currently on bail on the conditions that he does not contact prosecution witnesses, lives at his home address and does not spend time with anyone under 18 without being accompanied by someone over 21.

Harris, who has lived in Bray, Berkshire, for more than 50 years, has been in the public eye for decades.

He fronted the popular TV programme Animal Hospital and had several musical hits.

He painted a portrait of the Queen in 2005 and performed at her Diamond Jubilee concert last year.

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Sarah's Law Reveals
 700 Child Sex Offenders

More than 700 sex offenders have been unmasked using powers under Sarah's Law since it was rolled out nationwide in April 2011.

New figures - released by police forces in England, Wales and Scotland under the Freedom of Information Act - show on average about five child sex offenders have been revealed every week since the scheme was launched.

Avon and Somerset Police uncovered the most paedophiles, with 42 separate individuals being identified, followed closely by Devon and Cornwall Police which disclosed 39 offenders.

The figures also show police forces received 4,754 applications from parents and guardians wanting to know whether people who have contact with children pose a risk - meaning just one in seven result in a disclosure.

However, applications have fallen since the scheme was launched, from 1,944 in 2011/2012 to 1,106 so far in 2013/2014, while disclosures have also declined from 281 in the first year to 122 in current year to April.

Sara Payne led the campaign for the law to be implemented

Charities and campaigners have expressed concern that only one in seven applications result in a disclosure and raised questions over how well the scheme is being publicised in the face of waning numbers of applications.

However, other groups said the figures highlighted a "worrying shift of responsibility" away from the state and onto ordinary members of the public in dealing with sex offenders.

Donald Findlater, director of research and development at Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a charity which works with sexual abusers as well as victims, said: "Given the apparent drop in applications since the start of the scheme, albeit small, we have some concern that people may not know the scheme is available to them.

"We would like to see continued public awareness and publicity, whether by local forces or nationally by the Home Office, so that people know that this means of checking someone out exists.

"While the number of applications being made is small, at 4,754 over two and half years, the conversion rate of one in seven applications resulting in a disclosure is encouraging. It shows that adults can and do notice worrying behaviour in others around them - a key factor in keeping children safe.

"Our concern here would be the other six out of seven people who made an application but did not get a disclosure. The police know of only a proportion of offenders - many have not been caught and are not on any police database. For members of the public to make an application to police they must have had some concerns in the first place."

Sarah Payne's killer Roy Whiting was a known paedophile

The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, known as Sarah's Law, was brought in following a campaign by Sara Payne, whose eight-year-old daughter Sarah was murdered by convicted paedophile Roy Whiting in 2000.

The scheme is a watered-down version of laws in the US under which details of where convicted paedophiles live are actively publicised.

Under the Home Office scheme, parents can ask police about anyone with access to their children and officers will reveal details confidentially if they think it is in the child's interests.

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Clutha Tragedy: Comedy Gig To Help Raise Cash

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

Glasgow's comedians are lining up to raise a laugh for victims of the Clutha Pub tragedy.

They also hope tonight's comedy gig will raise several thousand pounds for the Clutha Appeal Fund, which has already amassed more than £220,000.

Friends and relatives of the 10 people who died when the Police Scotland helicopter crashed into the Glasgow pub have been invited to the show at the city's O2abc Academy. 

They will be joined in the audience by emergency service workers who helped at the scene of the tragedy.

Comedian Janey Godley told Sky News: "The love and affection of Glaswegians will carry every laugh from that stage right up into the rafters. That's who we are, as a people; you might knock us down but we'll get up and - do you know what? - we'll get up laughing."

Jai McDowall recording the tribute song Won't Forget

The comedy show is one a number of initiatives aimed at raising cash for bereaved families suffering financial hardship as a result of the crash on November 29.

Those who died included the three occupants of the helicopter along with seven customers in the pub. Five people remain in hospital, being treated for a range of serious injuries.

Four police officers who attended the scene of the accident have recorded a song called Won't Forget, which features Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall on vocals.

Police officers Paul Keenan (L) and Jamie Easton

PC Paul Keenan, who wrote the song, told Sky News: "It obviously involved our friends and colleagues, so we felt personally touched by it. It was a tragic loss of life, so we came up with the idea of recording a charity single."

PC Jamie Easton said: "The police is such a close-knit family and it was such a terrible disaster, everybody felt it. Being at the scene myself, it was terrible both for the emergency services and the public. You could see the effect it had on everybody, so I'm grateful to be able to play on the track."

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Migrants: Cameron Warned UK Faces Isolation

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

The Bulgarian President has warned David Cameron that he risks being judged by history as a Prime Minister who has isolated the UK and damaged its reputation.

Rosen Plevneliev said his countrymen were watching Britain's immigration debate unfold and raising questions about the "democratic, tolerant and humane British society".

It comes as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says the Lib Dems will not accept any further curbs to migrants and a Tory backbencher warns that the rhetoric on immigration could stop non-white people voting Conservative.

The stinging criticism - in an interview with The Observer newspaper - comes just 10 days before transitional controls on Romanian and Bulgarian migrants are lifted.

The Observer leads with a rebuke by the Bulgarian President

Some think-tanks have warned that 50,000 people could arrive from the two countries each year.

Mr Cameron has reacted to concerns about the move with a string of interventions including to limit access to benefits for those travelling to the UK.

And at the European Council meeting in Brussels this week he threatened to veto the EU accession of new countries such as Albania and Serbia without strict new immigration rules.

One idea put forward by the PM is to set a GDP limit below which countries will not be given free movement of labour if they join the EU.

Mr Plevneliev said he feared for the safety of Bulgarians in Britain. He said "iron curtains" should not remain in the 20th century, arguing that this was a time to bring down walls, not to build them.

"Mr Cameron should never forget that a politician is remembered in history not with the everyday business," he said.

Mr Clegg makes his comments in the Sunday Times. He has supported the crackdown on benefits for immigrants saying the right to move and work is not the same as the right to claim.

"But this is where we draw the line," he says, rejecting talk of "arbitrary" caps on EU nationals. That was a policy idea being considered by the Home Office that was leaked to the media in recent weeks.

Mr Clegg has warned he will block moves to curb immigration from the EU

Mr Clegg's party is traditionally liberal on immigration and did support an amnesty for illegal immigrants before the last election. But public fears have led the Lib Dems to drop the pledge, admitting that public trust in the immigration system is broken and it would be asking too much.

Mark Field, a Conservative backbencher, has also entered the debate saying the tough talk on immigration could turn off non-white voters.

He has warned Mr Cameron not to repeat the mistakes made by Mitt Romney, the US Republican candidate, in 2012. He said failure to reach out to the Hispanic community had meant it had failed to understand his stance on immigration.

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