Cornwall: New Year Paddler Swept Away By Sea

A major search is under way for a person who was swept out to sea after going for a New Year's Eve paddle with friends.

They were in the sea at Loe Bar, near Porthleven, Cornwall when the missing person, who has not been named, was swept off their feet by a large wave.   

One of the group alerted Falmouth Coastguard, which mobilised rescue teams from Penzance, Porthleven, Mullion and Porthoustock, and RNLI lifeboats from Penlee and Lizard.

A helicopter from RNAS Culdrose also helped in the search in atrocious conditions.

Phil Mathias, Falmouth Coastguard watch manager, said: "The weather for searching has been particularly challenging and as the night has gone on, conditions have deteriorated."

The search was suspended at 4.30am, but resumed at first light with fresh search teams.  

Meanwhile, a woman has drowned after being swept out to sea off the north Devon coast.

A coastguard helicopter and lifeboat crews were sent to find the unnamed woman, who was pulled from the water at around 1pm on Tuesday.

"She was airlifted to North Devon District Hospital where attempts to revive her were sadly unsuccessful," a Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said.

The woman, thought to be a holidaymaker visiting Croyde Bay, was swept out in rough waves near Braunton.

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Newport Teenager Vanishes Outside Her Home

A major police search is under way for a young woman who vanished after taking rubbish out.

Police and the family of Nida Ul-Naseer, 18, from Newport, south Wales, are increasingly concerned for her welfare.

The teenager has not been seen since 8pm on Saturday, December 28.

Police sniffer dogs and up to 40 police officers, some on horseback, have been searching open areas in teeming rain around her home in Linton Street.

Nida's disappearance is said to be uncharacteristic

Extra officers have been drafted after they became available when bad weather caused the cancellation of the Newport County vs Oxford City football match.

The teenager, whose disappearance is said to be out of character, is also in need of medication without which she is likely to become anaemic.

Chief Inspector Daniel Taylor, leading the Gwent Police search operation, said both police and her family are increasingly concerned for her welfare.

"She has gone missing from her home address, that is particularly the reason for the concern. There is no motive for it," he said.

"As far as we understand it she went out to the bins at the premises. That was the last time she was seen."

He said that forensic teams had examined the area and extensive searches have been carried out in the neighbourhood. "There is no forensic evidence that she has been taken."

Chief Insp Taylor also appealed to anyone who may know Nida to come forward with any information they may have about her social circle.

"There must be other people out there who know Nida who are not necessarily known to the family," he said.

Police say Nida is of Asian-Pakistani appearance and has long dark hair, is slim and is five feet three inches tall. She was last known to be wearing blue jeans and a black top.

Local officers will be in the area distributing leaflets and conducting house-to-house enquiries.

Anyone who can help police is asked to call 101 and quote log number 448 28/12/13.

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Boston Drawbridge Accident Leaves Mother Dead

A woman has been crushed to death between sections of a drawbridge over the Chelsea River in Boston.

Aura Garcia, a 46-year-old mother-of-two, was crossing the bridge on the way to a medical appointment when the operator, unaware she was there, began raising it for a boat to pass.

She grabbed hold of one of the sides of the bridge and the operator immediately lowered it when he heard her scream, but she became trapped in between the plates.

Witness Waldina Garcia told the Boston Globe: "I couldn't see her, but I could hear her.

"She was screaming and screaming and screaming."

Ms Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene.

Barriers come down when it is about to be raised Pic: CBS Boston

Investigators have said her death on the Meridian Street Bridge, which connects Chelsea and East Boston, was an accident.

An official said it was not clear whether she began crossing the bridge after warning lights and alarms were activated.

Police said the distraught bridge operator was taken to hospital for evaluation.

Dot Joyce, a spokeswoman for the Mayor's office, told the Boston Globe he had been placed on unpaid leave until the investigation was complete.

She added that this was standard procedure.

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Rory McIlroy And Caroline Wozniacki Engaged

Rory McIlroy has claimed an early victory in 2014 after tennis star Caroline Wozniacki accepted his marriage proposal.

Alongside a picture of the engagement ring and the smiling couple, the Northern Irish golfer tweeted: "Happy New Year everyone! I have a feeling it's going to be a great year!! My first victory of 2014 #shesaidyes!!"

The picture sent out to the world number six's 1.8 million followers also showed New Year's fireworks exploding above the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The couple at the DP World Tour Championship in November

A spokesman for McIlroy confirmed that he popped the question in Sydney, where Wozniacki is preparing for the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The Danish tennis player also tweeted, saying: "Happy New Year everyone! Rory and I started 2014 with a bang! ... I said YES!!!!"

Wozniacki caddies for McIlroy in a contest ahead of the US Open

The pair were rumoured to have become engaged in 2013 before later speculation that they had broken up.

They also endured difficulties professionally as McIlroy endured a winless US PGA season before victory at the Australian Open and Wozniacki still seeking her first Grand Slam title and slipping to 10th in the WTA rankings. 

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Kim Jong-Un: Uncle's Killing Removed 'Filth'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has hailed the elimination of "factional filth" after the execution of his uncle last month.

In his New Year message, broadcast on state television, Mr Kim said: "Our party took resolute action to remove ... scum elements within the party last year."

He accused General Jang Song-Thaek, who was once considered the second most powerful individual in the North, of trying to build his own power base within the ruling party.

Jang (L) was seen as North Korea's second-most powerful man

"Our party's timely, accurate decision to purge the anti-party, anti-revolutionary elements helped greatly cement solidarity within our party," Mr Kim said.

General Jang's death was announced by state news agency KCNA on December 13.

Branding him a "traitor" it said General Jang had been executed after a special military trial for committing such a "hideous crime as attempting to overthrow the state by all sorts of intrigues and despicable methods with a wild ambition to grab the supreme power of our party and state".

South Korean media said they believed he was killed by machine gun, a relatively common form of execution in the North.

Kim Jong-Un was pictured at a newly-built ski resort this week

General Jang, who was seen as vital in helping Mr Kim secure power after the death of his father, had earlier been removed from regime posts because of allegations of corruption, drug use, gambling, womanising, and generally leading a "dissolute and depraved life".

He was shown being dragged from his seat at a meeting and arrested on state TV shortly before his execution was announced.

Mr Kim also used his New Year message to warn that another war on the peninsula would prompt a "massive nuclear disaster" and the US would not be safe.

"We are faced with a dangerous situation in which a small, accidental military clash can lead to an all-out war," he said.

Jang was shown on state television being arrested

South Korea worries instability in the North Korean regime could lead to attacks on the South. The two countries are still technically at war after the Korean War ended in a 1953 armistice.

Last week, Pyongyang sent Seoul a fax warning of a "merciless" strike after effigies of the North Korean leader and his father were set on fire by crowds in the South.

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Migrant Numbers 'Should Be Decided By People'

By David Bowden, Senior News Correspondent

Britain should hold a referendum to decide how many EU migrants should be allowed to come to the UK, a leading MP has told Sky News.

The call was made by Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, as restrictions on Romanians and Bulgarians arriving to find jobs were lifted.

Speaking to Sky News from Luton Airport, which is one of a number of airports where flights from Bucharest and Sofia will land, Mr Vaz said: "This is an issue that does need to be put to the British people, so we don't get this kind of drama and people rushing around thinking hundreds of thousands of people are going to arrive at Luton on the first day.

"We do need to look at this sensibly.

"It needs to be part of negotiations for a reformed EU, because freedom of movement is very important.

"It's one of the cornerstones of the EU and we need to have a proper discussion, and that means at the end of the day the British people have to make that decision."

Many people arriving on a flight from Romania on Wednesday morning already worked in the UK, but one of those coming to the country for the first time was Victor Spiresau.

The 30-year-old who said he hoped to earn more in the UK, but was not planning on settling.

Damian Draghici says Britain is 'playing a political game'

He initially planned to wash cars, but wanted to find work in the building industry.

Mr Spiresau, who has left his wife behind in their small village, said: "I don't come to rob your country. I come to work and then go home.

"I don't want to stay here. I want to renovate my home and to make a good life in Romania because it's much easier to live in Romania because it's not expensive."

Also on the flight was Silviu Todea, who was returning to London after visiting Romania over the holidays.

He said he believed the majority of his fellow Romanians would want to work.

Mr Todea, 27, who has a job in marketing in the capital, said: "Everyone has their own opinions especially with their past experiences with other nations, but I think it won't be so bad."

Meanwhile, an adviser to the Romanian Prime Minister told Sky News that job seekers from his country will not 'invade' Britain, despite the ending of curbs.

Senator Damian Draghici, who is from a Roma family, accused those warning there would be a tide of Romanians and Bulgarians taking advantage of relaxed work restrictions of covering up failed policies at home.

He told Sky News: "I believe it's more of a political game or a way to blow things out of proportion, I don't think Romanians are going to invade England."

The outspoken politician added: "They are the voices of political extremists trying to cover up for unsatisfied public policies."

Mihai Fertig says he is not expecting a rush for seats

The UK imposed the seven-year restrictions on Romania and Bulgaria after they joined the EU in 2007, only allowing citizens a visa if they were self-employed, had a job offer, or were given a specialist role.

But from January 1, Romanians and Bulgarians are entitled to come to the UK for work and will be able to claim benefits like other EU citizens.

It has prompted fears of an influx of immigrants and David Cameron moved to counter concerns with a series of measures including banning migrants from claiming benefits for three months and making foreigners pay for NHS treatment.

Mr Draghici also had a message for Mr Cameron, wishing him a Happy New Year and issuing an invite to him. He told Sky News: "Why don't you come over?"

The Conservative leader of Westminster Council, Philippa Roe, has claimed the arrival of Bulgarians and Romanians would add to the burden on council taxpayers.

She said central London had a problem with Roma "causing a massive amount of disruption and low-level crime".

But in Bucharest's Berceni market, as stallholders prepared for the last shoppers of 2013, there was no real interest from anyone Sky News spoke to in spending 2014 working in the UK.

One man working on a fruit stall said: "My country is more beautiful, so not for the moment, but it's a nice idea."

A woman market trader said: " I make my money here, I have my relatives and my friends here, I feel at home here, I would never go."

A middle-aged man said: "Myself, I'd never consider it, I'm happy here. If somebody wants to work then then they'll find it anywhere, you don't need to go to Britain."

Mihai Fertig is the chief operating officer of the Romanian arm of the biggest coaching group in Europe.

He already runs three services a week to the UK, but he's not expecting a rush for seats to London.

He said: "No not really, we aren't enthusiastic. I think the main part of the people who want to work abroad are already there.

"We expect, because of the opening of the market, that the bookings will increase maybe 10%."

Most people in Romania do not understand what all the fuss is about in the UK, and most doubt the predictions that tens of thousands will flock to Britain seeking work.

They are more concerned with the so called "brain drain" of young qualified Romanians, especially doctors and nurses, that have already left to work in other countries since their homeland joined the EU seven years ago.

Analysts in Romania estimate there are between three and four million Romanians already working abroad, a small proportion of around 250,000 in the UK.

A University College London report in November found that immigrants had contributed £25bn to the UK economy between 2000 and 2011 - significantly more than they had claimed in handouts.

They were also, it said, 45 percent less likely to receive benefits than British people.

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Michael Schumacher: F1 Star Remains 'Stable'

Schumacher's Injuries 'Dangerous'

Updated: 12:14pm UK, Monday 30 December 2013

A leading neurosurgery specialist has described Michael Schumacher's condition as "very dangerous", warning that his injuries may take several days to "reach their peak".

Christopher Chandler, of the London Neurosurgery Partnership, said the haematoma and bruising the F1 champion suffered could cause "ferocious swelling".

"An intra-cranial haematoma is a blood clot, which causes swelling and pressure on the brain," he said. "The scenario may be that he had a blood clot in his brain that required immediate removal, which would explain the surgery.

"By bilateral lesions, I suspect they mean contusions or bruising to the brain. That bruising of the brain, which you can see on a scan, causes ferocious swelling and that is really serious.

"(Cerebral) contusions are often the most significant injury. Once you remove the clot, the swelling carries on and bruising precipitates and propagates that swelling.

"If you have a brain injury with sufficient severity to cause a coma, that indicates a very serious situation. The longer a patient is in a coma, the less likely they are to make a full recovery.

"You can't say that they won't recover, and you can't say they won't be brain- damaged, but an injury such as bilateral bruising, which means on both sides of the brain, is very serious, and can be very dangerous."

The consultant continued: "Brain swelling takes a number of days to reach its peak. The brain has a rigid unyielding box around it - the skull - which allows no room for growth, making swelling very, very dangerous.

"And once that injury occurs it's a vicious circle where a little bit of swelling causes more pressure, which causes more swelling, more pressure, and it starts to accelerate and affect vital parts of the brain.

"When that happens, you are in really deep trouble, but this man received probably the best possible care that you could imagine in the circumstances.

"He had the brain injury and within minutes a team of medics were there and they airlifted him to hospital. Within half an hour he was assessed and being flown to the neurological unit in Grenoble."

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Hartlepool Murder: Teen Held Over Boxer Death

By Gerard Tubb, North of England Correspondent

A murder inquiry has been launched after a man died at a New Year's Eve party in Hartlepool.

Mark Denton, a 31-year-old amateur boxer, was taken to hospital after suffering what the police have described as serious injuries at a house in the town.

A 17-year-old was arrested and is being questioned in connection with the incident, Cleveland Police said.

Officers were called to the house in in Hutton Avenue at 10.20pm.

Mr Denton was found at a semi-derelict property in the affluent street, a few doors away from the house lived in by Lord Mandelson when he was the local MP.

Bobby Gill, a friend of Mr Denton, told Sky News he had gone to the house with another man to attend a party.

He said: "He was a good lad, he was no angel but no one deserves this do they on New Year's Eve?"

A post-mortem examination will be carried out today to establish the cause of death.

Officers have cordoned off the address and are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 101.

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Stag Attack: Academic Kate Stone 'Critical'

A woman who was seriously injured when she was gored by a stag remains in a critical condition in hospital, according to a colleague.

Dr Kate Stone, 44, was injured by the animal near Fort William in the Highlands in the early hours of Monday, December 30.

She was treated by paramedics before being taken to Fort William's Belford hospital, and later transferred by air to the Southern General in Glasgow.

A statement released by a colleague at Dr Stone's print firm Novalia confirms she is in a critical but stable condition, and "doctors expect to operate in the next few days to repair damage to her trachea".

It continued: "Her sister and friends are with her and have received messages of support from her many friends around the world.

Dr Stone had been to a ceilidh on the night she was injured

"Our love and support goes to Kate and we wish her all the best for the speediest possible recovery."

Dr Stone was standing with a group of friends outside a private residence in Lochailort when the incident happened.

She had been on a short break in the Highlands, staying at the Mo-Dhachaidh B&B in Lochailort.

The Press and Journal newspaper reported that the animal appeared to single out Dr Stone, who at 6ft was the tallest of the group.

Her friends had initially thought she had just been knocked over in the attack.

Dr Stone studied at Cambridge for a PhD in physics and microelectronics and is now a research engineer at the university's institute of manufacturing.

Gary Burton, who owns the B&B where Dr Stone was staying, said: "I think what happened was that the stag panicked. It was trapped in a fenced garden having got through a gate.

"I don't think there was anywhere else to go and it charged out of the gate.

"This is a one-in-a-million event which has shocked the whole community. We are at one with nature in Lochailort, and we have deer all around us.

"We are all hoping and praying that Kate pulls through."

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Prague: Palestinian Ambassador Killed In Blast

The Palestinian ambassador to the Czech Republic has died from injuries sustained in an explosion, according to police.

Ambassador Jamal al Jamal was in his apartment with his family at the time of the explosion on Wednesday, a spokesman for the Palestinian Embassy said.

He was seriously injured and rushed to hospital, where he later died.

A forensic officer outside the apartment building

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the blast occurred when the 56-year-old diplomat was opened an old safe which had been brought from the previous embassy.

In a statement, it said: "Minutes after opening the safe the explosion took place, causing serious injury to Ambassador Jamal who was taken to hospital and operated on."

Martin Cervicek, the country's top police officer, told public television there was no evidence the explosion was an attack. 

Prague rescue service spokeswoman Jirina Ernestova said Mr al Jamal was placed in a medically induced coma when he arrived at Prague Military Hospital with abdominal, head and chest injuries.

She said a 52-year-old woman was taken to a different hospital suffering from shock.

The ambassador's apartment is in Prague's Suchdol neighbourhood. He had only moved to the residence two days ago, on the north of the capital, after taking office in October.

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