Police search for missing girl last seen boarding Tube train

Pic:Missing: 14-year-old schoolgirl Paulina Miller
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Police are searching for a schoolgirl who was last seen boarding a Tube train in central London. 

Paulina Miller, 14, has not been seen since Wednesday evening.

The teenager, from Ealing, was spotted boarding a southbound Bakerloo Line train at Piccadilly Circus at about 7pm, police said. 

A spokesman added: "Paulina is described as white, around 5ft 4in tall, of slim build with blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair. It is not known what she may now been wearing.

"Officers are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare."

Politicians in Oregon could once again start settling disputes with duels

Political reporter(wp/es):

Politicians in Oregon may soon fight duels again as it emerged voters could be asked if they want the 172-year-old ban on them to be lifted.

Voters in the US state could see the question appear on their general election ballots if discussions on the issue lead to an agreement.

The constitutional ban on public officials duelling, the old fashioned way of resolving disputes, was signed into law in 1845.

But if the ban is repealed, the state could see a bloody history of politicians shooting each other revived.

In 1804, a bitter rivalry between US vice president Aaron Burr and the nation’s first treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton was settled with a fatal gunshot.

It was Hamilton who lost the squabble and died of a gunshot wound.

If it passes both chambers, the repeal will then be referred to voters for the final say.

During this week's hearing, chief sponsor of the peculiar proposal Brian Boquist said the article was not the only surprising constitutional provision.

He told the committee: "I want you to know that most of your stationery is probably in violation of the law because we have a constitutional clause as to how we can use our stationery.”

Mr Boquist acknowledged the best option would be to tackle all of these constitutional issues at once, rather than piece-by-piece as his proposal would do.

The state's constitution still makes references to slavery and titles of family nobility, he said.

Mr Boquist added: "The problem with ignoring all those things is that eventually they catch up to us."

Democratic senator Ginny Burdick, who chairs the Senate Rules Committee, kicked off the discussion by jokingly calling it "the bill I've been waiting all session for".

All proposals have until April 18 to be moved on from their initial policy committees or be referred to a special committee or they will fail.

Teenage boy stabbed in the face during fight near Vauxhall

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A teenage boy was stabbed in the face during a fight in south London.

The victim, in his mid-teens, is feared to have suffered “life-changing facial injuries” in the attack between Vauxhall and Stockwell on Saturday night. 

He also suffered stab wounds to his torso, police said. 

The boy was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service after police were called to Bolney Street at about 10.20pm.

The Met’s gang crime unit, Trident, is investigating and there have been no arrests.

Two-year-old boy and his parents rushed to hospital after 'acid attack' on Islington street

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A two-year-old boy has been rushed to hospital alongside his parents after an apparent acid attack on the family on a north London street.

Emergency services were called to a residential street in Islington just after 1pm on Saturday afternoon to reports of an assault.

They found a 40-year-old father, 36-year-old mother and their young child who had all had a harmful substance thrown at them in Copenhagen Street.

Firefighters attending the incident used water from a hose to cool down their burns at the scene before all three were taken to a north London hospital by ambulance.

The young boy was found to have slight chemical burns to his face although his injuries were being treated as “minor”.

However, his father's injuries were described as "life-changing".

Both parents suffered 15 per cent chemical burns on their hands and bodies, although the mother’s injuries were also only being treated as minor.

An investigation has now been launched into the alleged assault and to ascertain exactly what the liquid used was.

A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said tests had shown the unknown liquid had a PH level of 1. They added: “Tests have found a strong acid and oxidising substance.”

Detectives from the Met’s Central North Borough Command Unit are now investigating. There have not been any arrests.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Police were called by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) on Saturday, 8 April shortly after 13:05 hours to reports of an assault in Copenhagen Street junction with Caledonian Road, N1.

“Three people - a man, woman and a two-year-old boy - were found with injuries consistent with a noxious substance being thrown.

“The woman and child suffered minor injuries. The man's injuries are not being treated as life threatening, however we await an update as to whether they are life-changing. 

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and ascertain what the substance is.”

Woman, 27, fighting for life after being stabbed repeatedly in early hours of the morning

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A woman is fighting for her life after being repeatedly stabbed in the early hours of the morning in Stoke Newington.

The 27-year-old victim was rushed to hospital with multiple stab wounds after the attack near Rectory Road station in the well-to-do area of north-east London.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said she remained in after the attack at the junction of Rectory Road, where one bedroom flats can sell for more than £700,000, and Evering Road just before 3.30am on Sunday.

A heavy police presence was visible and a large cordon was in place after the stabbing.

Rectory Road and the station both remained closed on Sunday morning.

There have been no arrests and an investigation is ongoing, the Met said.

Murder probe launched after teenage boy shot dead in east London

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A murder investigation has been launched after a teenage boy was shot dead in east London.

Scotland Yard said a boy in his “mid-teens” was killed and another man in his early 20s was injured after the pair were shot in Newham on Friday night.

The boy was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering a gunshot wound, police said. The other victim is not thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries, and it is not yet clear whether the two shootings are linked.

Terrified witnesses told how they heard gunshots being fired just before 11pm before police descended on the scene in North Woolwich.

One said: "I went to the area to get some Chinese. Whilst I was there I heard a couple of shots, sudden bangs.

"Suddenly there was a tonne of police cars and squad cars in the area, lots of blue lights. Spoke to my former neighbour, she said she heard the same thing as me... sounded like gun shots."

She added that the boy was shot in the back, though police did not immediately confirm the report.

Another North Woolwich resident tweeted: "Last night 2 people were shot in North Woolwich. Since when did my area become like this?"

A Scotland Yard spokesman said a murder investigation was underway and that the boy’s next-of-kin were being informed.

He said: “Police were called at 10.44pm on Friday, 7 April to reports of shots heard and a teenager found injured on Rebourne Way, E16.

“Local officers, firearms officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found a boy, believed to be in his mid-teens, with a gunshot injury. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A short time later, a man aged in his early 20s, was found with a gunshot injury in Claremont Close. He was taken to an east London hospital where he remains in a stable condition; his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.”

There have been no arrests.

Woman killed after chasing dog onto motorway at rush hour

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A woman has died after being hit by a van while chasing her dog onto a motorway during rush hour.

The 66-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck on the M4 near Cardiff by a Ford Transit at around 6.15pm on Friday, police said.

South Wales Police believe she followed her dog after it ran into the road. The force appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The family of the victim, who had been driving a white Volkswagen Golf, has been informed.

The motorway was closed for five hours while police investigated.