Terminally ill boy Bradley Lowery, 5, receives more than 250,000 Christmas cards following world record bid

Pic:Bradley Lowery has touched hearts across the world following his courageous cancer battle
Staff reporter(wp/es):
 A terminally ill five-year-old boy has received more than 250,000 Christmas cards after his brave cancer battle touched hearts and minds across the world.

Friends launched a campaign on behalf of Hartlepool youngster Bradley Lowery to set a world record for most cards received by a one person after doctors said his neuroblastoma could not be beaten.

On Friday, Bradley, a huge Sunderland fan, began opening cards at his local community centre as members of the public helped with deliveries.

Friends said the total amount had passed 250,000 with cards sent from all corners of the globe following Bradley’s courageous battle against the childhood cancer.

Writing on his blog, Bradley’s mother Gemma said she had been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support for her son.

She wrote: “A massive thank you to everyone who came along to our local community centre last night to help opening Bradley’s xmas cards. Iv read some amazing messages the support he has received is over whelming.

It comes after a fundraising campaign raised £700,000 to pay for treatment in the United States. 

However, after learning the cancer had grown the money will now be passed to the Bradley Lowery Foundation to help other children beat the disease.

According to the BBC, a Guinness spokeswoman said the attempt could not be verified "due to the negative impact" on the postal service but praised the attempt.

Royal infant 'placed on crime watch database of terrorists and money launderers'

Pic:Maud Windsor, the daughter of Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor is reportedly included on the database
Royal Correspondent(wp/es):

A three-year-old Royal Family member is reportedly included on a list the world’s biggest banks use to identify terrorists and potential money launderers.

Analysis by The Times revealed thousands of people including Maud Windsor, daughter of Lord Frederick Windsor and actress Sophie Winkleman, are on the World-Check database just because they are related to minor public figures.

The list, which is restricted under European privacy laws, contains details about people and groups suspected of being involved in terrorism, organised crime and money laundering.

The Times has released analysis of a copy after it was leaked online in the summer. 

It is said to include the listing of Maud Windsor who was just nine months old when she was listed on the database.

Ms Windsor is 42nd in line to the throne, with Lord Freddie the only son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Those on the World-Check list can face extra scrutiny from banks or even have applications for bank accounts and mortgages rejected.

This mid-2014 version of the database contains some 2.2 million records and is used by 49 of the world's 50 largest banks, along with 300 government and intelligence agencies.

The leaked copy also contains hundreds of people based partly on unverified blog posts and extremist websites, according to The Times.

Sir Neil Cossons, a historian and the former chairman of English Heritage, is another said to appear on the list.

He told The Times: "I've never been involved in any party political activities nor in money laundering.

"I am most concerned to have been identified in any capacity on World-Check."

Thomson Reuters, the media company which maintains World-Check, does not tell people they are on the list, while banks have no obligation to inform customers of why they have been refused services.

David Crundwell, global head of corporate affairs at Thomson Reuters, said World-Check was just one of several services where it aggregated financial crime data from the public domain.

He added: "World-Check also collates law enforcement, regulatory enforcement and other publicly available information from reputable sources in order to help clients comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regulations.

"Customers can then use this data to follow their own regulatory compliance policies and procedures.

"Data protection laws and regulations governing World-Check prevent us from discussing any specific individual profile.

"World-Check has a clear privacy statement available on its website which also sets out how any individual can contact us if they believe any of the information held is inaccurate, and we would urge them to do so."

Theresa May calls on British people to 'come together' in first Christmas message

Pic:Theresa May has given her first Christmas message as Prime Minister
Political reporter(wp/es):

Theresa May has used her first Christmas message as Prime Minister to call on British people to "come together" after a year of divisions over the Brexit referendum.

Mrs May said it is important to "unite our country" as Britain seeks a "bold" new role on the world stage outside the European Union.

Her words may be seen as an attempt to address the splits between supporters and opponents of EU membership exposed by the June 23 vote, won by Leave by a 52 to 48 per cent margin.

At a time when families are coming together for the festive break, Mrs May said: "Coming together is also important for us as a country. As we leave the European Union we must seize an historic opportunity to forge a bold new role for ourselves in the world and to unite our country as we move forward into the future.

"And, with our international partners, we must work together to promote trade, increase prosperity and face the challenges to peace and security around the world."

Mrs May stressed that 2016 has seen much for Britain celebrate, including the Queen's 90th birthday and successes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In a separate video message to the armed forces, she promised to do more to help servicemen and women and their families in 2017, to show them that "this Government is on your side".

Describing Britain's troops as "the finest in the world", the Prime Minister said: "Over this holiday period, there will be around 5,000 members of our armed forces deployed on operations - in the desert, at sea, even under the sea operating our continuous nuclear deterrent. While even those who are able to be here in the UK will, in many cases, be on standby to deal with domestic incidents like the flood relief that so many of you helped with during your Christmas breaks last year.

"Just as your commitment to our country is unfaltering, so in return we owe you the same deep commitment and unflinching support. So as I made clear when I met some of your families on Salisbury Plain earlier this year, we will honour the commitments we have made to you, including helping you to buy your own home and providing support for your children in school.

"And, as we go into 2017, I know there is more we can do to help and I am determined that we should do so. Because I want you - and all your families - to know that this Government is on your side."

In her message to the nation, Mrs May said that, as the daughter of a vicar, she was aware of the demands placed on those who have to work over Christmas. She offered her gratitude to health and care workers, emergency services and members of the armed forces who will be separated by duty from their families and friends during the festivities.

Noting the persecution faced by Christians in other parts of the world at Christmas, she voiced her determination "to stand up for the freedom of people of all religions to practise their beliefs in peace and safety".

She concluded: "Wherever you are this Christmas, I wish you joy and peace in this season of celebration, along with health and happiness in the year ahead."

Five injured and two 'critical' after multi-car crash closes M1 on Christmas Eve

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A man is fighting for his life in hospital after a multi-car pile-up which has closed the M1 motorway heading to London.

Hundreds of thousands of motorists embarking on Christmas getaways are now facing severe delays after the major accident at 2.33am in Bedfordshire.

At least five people were injured in the crash between junctions 12 and 13, with two thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

One man, in his 20s, was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington where he remains “critical” after suffering a head injury.

Drivers are being warned of severe delays, particularly heading to Luton Airport and London, as the southbound M1 remained closed at 11am.

A diversion has been put in place while the northbound stretch of motorway was reopened but with only two lanes.

A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire police said: "Several people were injured and have been taken to hospital for treatment. Two people are thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries while a number of others are being treated for less serious injuries."

A Highways England spokesman said: “A signed diversion route is in place and drivers planning to travel to Luton airport are advised to allow extra time and to plan their journeys.

“Traffic for London is advised to use the A14/A1 and drivers heading towards the Midlands are being advised to use the M40.”

The southband carriageway of the M1 is expected to be closed until around 4pm.