Capital London welcomes 2019 with spectacular firework display in the heart of the city

Pic-London fireworks for welcome 2019 new year(wp/es)
staff reporter(wp/es):

London’s skyline was filled with an array of dazzling colours as an incredible fireworks display ensured the capital welcomed 2019 with bang.

More than 100,000 revellers descended on the heart of the city for its official New Year’s Eve light show along the banks of the River Thames on Monday night.

A spectacular display lit up the night sky over some of the capital’s most famous landmarks as onlookers watched in awe. Some 70,000 projectiles, made up of 12,000 fireworks, exploded over the city during the extravagant show.

The words "London is open" rang in the new year at the main celebration, which boasted the largest annual display in Europe. The phrase was spoken in seven languages around two minutes past midnight as the skyline filled with lights.

A soundtrack featuring Europe's finest musical artists celebrated the diversity of the capital, after Big Ben, silent for much of 2018 due to renovations, chimed once more.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the sold-out display would show Europe that the capital will remain "open-minded" and "outward looking" post-Brexit.

He said Westminster politicians had given the world the impression that Britain is "insular, inward looking", as Britain begins the new year countdown to Brexit.

Mr Khan said he hoped this year's event would "send a message of support" to the more than one million European citizens for whom London is home.

Festive lights also brought night skies alive all over the world, including in Dubai, Sydney, Auckland and Hong Kong.

As London waited for the big countdown, cities such as Paris, Tokyo, Sydney and Moscow had already welcomed the New Year with stunning firework shows of their own.

Ahead of the main event in London, the city’s mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Every year our capital puts on the greatest fireworks show in the world with the spectacular images of our skyline shared all around the globe.

"I'm proud that this year the millions watching around the world will see us send a message of support to more than one million EU citizens who call London their home.”

As has become a New Year’s Eve tradition in the UK capital, Transport for London (TfL) put on free travel for all its Tube and bus services between 11.45pm and 4.30am

Bus services in central London were disrupted due to the celebrations.

The Metropolitan Police also had a busy night on its hands, with Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi saying: "It is a lovely time of year and we would like everyone who comes to London to have a good time.

“The safety of those attending is our top priority and officers have been planning for several months for New Year’s Eve.

“Officers will be out and about to deter criminals and keep crowds safe but we need you to look after yourself and those around you as well.

"If you see anything suspicious or that causes you concern, please tell a steward or police officer. Keep an eye on your belongings and only bring what you need.”

Australia and New Zealand were among the first to welcome the arrival of 2019 in fine style with displays of fireworks watched by millions of people.

The first to bring in the New Year were people in Samoa. It became 2019 there at around 10am UK time.

Festive lights later splashed the night sky of Downtown Dubai as the city held an impressive celebration.

The skyline across the city was filled with an array of colours and smoke as a spellbinding fireworks display flew across the Burj Khalifa tower – the world’s tallest building - in the United Arab Emirates city.

In Paris, hundreds of revellers were seen lining the streets in the Champs-Elysees as the city celebrated its New Year's Celebrations.

Concerts and light shows were also held across the city of Moscow, in Russia, where parks and more than 1,000 ice rinks were opened for revellers.

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Baby joy for woman left 'heartbroken' by hospital after miscarriage

Pic:Emily Daft and her daughter Ayla Grace were home on 21 December, just in time for Christmas/bbc
Staff reporter(wp/bbc):

A woman who "lost faith" in her hospital because of the way she was treated when she miscarried has spoken of her joy at giving birth.

Emily Daft said she was left to miscarry at home in January 2017 after Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre refused to see her.

The QMC apologised to Mrs Daft, who has health issues and had miscarried before, for causing distress.

She had a baby girl at Nottingham City Hospital on 17 December.

Mrs Daft, 25, said Ayla Grace has been "a dream baby" and only wakes up in the night for feeds.

She said they never thought they would have her.

"We can't get our heads around it. It feels like we are on top of the world. I don't think it has sunk in that she is ours."

She and husband Adam, 27, had been trying for a baby for five years, a period that included an earlier miscarriage, a fight for IVF, as well as the miscarriage she suffered after the QMC told her to go home.

Despite successfully falling pregnant, because of Mrs Daft's previous experience she felt anxious right up to her due date.

"Up to the 24th week I was throwing up before every appointment," she said.

She was transferred to Nottingham City Hospital after her ninth week, where she said the care she received was "fantastic".

Mrs Daft left hospital with her baby on 21 December.

She said: "It has been such a long journey. It has been completely worthwhile, everything we went through. To finally be here is the most wonderful feeling.

"I would love for people who are going through what we went through to know it is worth the fight."

Manchester Victoria station stabbing: Three injured

Crime reporter,manchester(wp/bbc):

Three people - including a police officer - have been stabbed by a man wielding a knife at Manchester Victoria railway station.

A man and woman in their 50s were attacked at about 20:50 GMT, Greater Manchester Police said.

A British Transport Police officer was stabbed in the shoulder. A man has been held on suspicion of attempted murder.

Officers said counter terrorism police were leading the inquiry, but they were keeping an open mind on the motive.

The station is currently shut and officers remain at the scene.

Greater Manchester Police, which declared the attack a "critical incident", said there was "no intelligence to suggest that there is any wider threat at this time".

Officers said the attack victims' injuries were "serious" but not life-threatening.

BBC 5 live producer Sam Clack, who had been at the station at the time, said he saw a man stabbed on a tram platform at the station, which is next to Manchester Arena, "feet from me".

He added he was "close to jumping on the tracks" as the attacker had a "long kitchen knife".

'Pure fear'

Mr Clack said he first "heard this most blood-curdling scream and looked down the platform".

"It looked like they were having a fight, but the woman was screaming in this blood-curdling way. I saw police in high-vis come towards him. He came towards me.

"I looked down and saw he had a kitchen knife with a black handle with a good, 12in blade. It was just fear, pure fear."

He said police used pepper spray and a Taser on the detained man, who he said had been "resisting arrest".

He said he saw "six or seven" officers on top of the man, who he described as "very skittish".

"He was very aggressive and very intent on causing more harm than he actually did," he said.

"It was very, very scary."

Police said the woman had injuries to her face and abdomen and the man had injuries to his abdomen.

The New Year firework display in Albert Square went ahead.

City councillor Pat Karney said the authority was being kept informed by Greater Manchester Police.

May - Back my Brexit deal and let Britain 'turn a corner'

Political reporter(wp/reuters):
British Prime Minister Theresa May urged MPs on Monday to back her Brexit deal, promising that it would allow the country to “turn a corner” and let the government focus on solving domestic problems such as housing and a skill shortage.

May made the appeal in a New Year’s message little more than two weeks before a make-or-break vote in parliament on her plan for Britain’s exit from the European Union which is due to happen on March 29.

The vote, which May postponed in December to avoid defeat, will be a pivotal moment for the world’s fifth-largest economy: it will determine whether Britain follows her plan for a managed exit and relatively close economic ties, or faces massive uncertainty about the country’s next step.

“New Year is a time to look ahead and in 2019 the UK will start a new chapter. The Brexit deal I have negotiated delivers on the vote of the British people and in the next few weeks MPs (members of parliament) will have an important decision to make,” May said in a video released by her office.

“If parliament backs a deal, Britain can turn a corner.”

Attempting to appeal to those within her Conservative Party who have criticised her leadership, and responding to criticism from opponents that Brexit has stalled her domestic agenda, May stressed her desire to move beyond the EU exit debate.

“Important though Brexit is, it is not the only issue that counts,” she said, highlighting policies to address a lack of housing, skills shortages and strengthen the economy. “Together I believe we can start a new chapter with optimism and hope.”

The vote on May’s Brexit deal with the EU is scheduled to take place in the week beginning Jan. 14.

May is still seeking reassurances from Brussels that a deeply unpopular fallback arrangement within her proposed deal, over the Northern Irish border, would only be temporary.

It seeks to prevent the return of a hard border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland if a better solution to keep trade flowing freely cannot be agreed.

The so-called backstop is the main obstacle between May and a victory in parliament, costing her the support of dozens of members of her own party and the small Northern Irish party that props up her minority government.

The government and businesses are ramping up preparations in case a deal cannot be reached to smooth Britain’s exit from the bloc, amid warnings of delays at borders and disruption to supplies of medicines, food and components.

Abram death: Man killed in 'horrendous attack'

Pic:William Livesley's mother said he would "always be my baby"/bbc/wp
Crime reporter(wp/bbc):
A 21-year-old man has died in what police said was a "horrendous attack".

William Livesley was taken to hospital after the assault on Bickershaw Lane in Abram, Wigan, on Friday night, but died the next day. Greater Manchester Police are treating the death as murder.

Mr Livesley's mother Sylvia described her son as "one in a million".

Post-mortem tests showed Mr Livesley died of a head injury. Two men arrested in connection with the attack have since been released.

A 57-year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit attempted murder was earlier released while inquiries continue.

A 38-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has since been released with no further action.

'Destroyed our family'

Mr Livesley's mother said her son was "idolised" by his younger relatives.

"Billy was one in a million. Those responsible haven't just killed my son, they have destroyed me and our entire family.

"We will always love him and he will always be my baby."

Local football team Abram FC posted a tribute on Facebook, saying: "You were brilliant on the pitch and a brilliant lad off the pitch."

Det Ch Insp Stuart Wilkinson said: "This was a horrific attack on a young man who has tragically lost his life at the hands of others.

"We have specialist officers supporting Billy's family who have understandably been left completely devastated by this and my thoughts are very much with them at this incredibly difficult time."

He thanked local residents for their assistance and support, and urged anyone with information to contact the force.

Minority take up 'life-saving' free health check

Health reporter(wp/bbc):

Fewer than half of people eligible for a NHS health check in England have taken up the offer, despite it being free to everyone over 40.

The routine check can pick up heart problems early and help to prevent dementia, plus highlight the need to stop smoking, NHS England said.

The check-up takes 20 minutes and is carried out by a GP or nurse.

It involves tests on blood pressure, weight and height, and is offered every five years up to the age of 74.

Around 7.15 million people have had a free health check since 2013, yet 15 million are eligible, NHS stats show.

NHS England said identifying people with an irregular heartbeat or high blood pressure and giving them treatment would help to prevent dangerous blood clots which could lead to strokes.

And if more people went for their health check, the number of people having a stroke or other heart problems would reduce, potentially preventing thousands of cases of vascular dementia.

Who can have an NHS health check?

Anyone between the age of 40 and 74 who is generally healthy and doesn't already have any diseases.

You should automatically get an invitation through your GP surgery or local authority every five years.

After the age of 74 you can request a health check-up from your GP or nurse.

What problems can they spot?

By checking blood pressure, family history, lifestyle, height and weight, it is possible to give an idea of your risk of getting heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

Research shows that people with a history of heart diseases are at least twice as likely to develop vascular dementia.

You will receive personalised advice on how to lower your risk of all those conditions, usually by:

• improving your diet
• taking more exercise
• taking medicines to lower blood pressure or cholesterol
• losing weight
• stopping smoking

If you are 65 or over, you will be told the signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for.

Why this could be a 'life-saving step'

Alistair Burns, national clinical director for dementia and older people's mental health for NHS England said: "Heart disease and dementia are two of the biggest health risks facing people in our country.

"Attending a free NHS health check is a great opportunity to discuss existing health conditions, and to work out how to reduce the risk of developing dementia and other illness in the future."

He said the start of a new year was the right time to commit to "taking a simple, free and potentially life-saving step towards a healthier life".

Public Health England said the check looked at the top causes of premature death and ill health and supported people to take action to reduce their risks.