Couple convicted of plotting terror attack in London

crime reporter,London(wp/es): An aspiring suicide bomber and his secret wife have been convicted of plotting a major terror attack in London to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 bombings. Islamist extremist Mohammed Rehman, 25, - who called himself the 'Silent Bomber' - and his wife Sana Ahmed Khan, 24, were found guilty following a trial at the Old Bailey. The pair had planned to bomb the Westfield shopping centre or the London Underground - taking to Twitter to ask for suggested targets. Rehman stockpiled the chemicals needed to make a huge bomb at his family home in Reading and even filmed himself setting off a small explosion in his back garden. The prosecution said Rehman was just days away from completing the device which would have caused multiple casualties in the capital if he had not been stopped by anti-terror police. following a trial at the Old Bailey, the couple were found guilty of preparing an act of terrorism around May 28 this year. Rehman was also convicted of possessing an article for terrorist purposes. Their plot was aimed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 bombings in which 52 people were killed. The jury of seven women and five men found the pair guilty after three days of deliberations. Rehman, wearing a purple jumper, gold shirt and gold tie, and Khan, in a purple jumper and brown scarf, showed no emotion as the verdicts were read out, but Khan glanced up to the public gallery as they were led off to the cells. Prosecutor Tony Badenoch QC had said the pair shared a "common interest" in violent and extreme Islamic ideology and had repeatedly researched the 7/7 bombers. They also had a keen interest in Islamic State, and Rehman's online research showed he approved and "wished to play his own part". Khan helped fuel his violent ambition by paying for chemicals bought on eBay. Counter-terrorism officers foiled the plot after an undercover investigator spotted Rehman's tweet about potential targets. On May 12, Rehman used a profile picture of Jihadi John to post: "Westfield shopping centre or London underground? Any advice would be appreciated greatly." It was accompanied by a link to the al Qaida uncensored media release about the 7/7 bombings. The same day, he trawled YouTube for London bombings and Shehzad Tanweer - one of the 7/7 bombers who he referred to as his "beloved predecessor". He also told a Twitter user: "Why don't you head to the London Underground on the 7th July if you got the balls." The undercover investigator, who used the name Abu Mohammed, engaged with Rehman in a private conversation in which the defendant asked him "how dumb these Kuffar are lol". Rehman confided that he was preparing for martyrdom and asked the officer if he wanted to join him or go the "lone wolf route". Jurors were told his intentions could not have been clearer when he tweeted: "Now I just make explosives in preparation for kuffar lol and when I've made the required amount I'll be wearing them on my chest." Police swooped to arrest Rehman and Khan on May 28 - just over a month before the anniversary of the 7/7 attacks which killed 52 Londoners. Rehman fled his home to a nearby Co-op where he was stopped by armed police, despite trying to kick and punch his way out. He insisted there was nothing dangerous in his home, despite having tweeted that he had "a surprise waiting for them. He also claimed to have rigged up a bomb which could be triggered at the touch of a button at his bedside, saying: "Nobody gets in the way of my jihad." What officers found were a Jihadi John-style hunting knife and chemicals for a massive bomb which was days from completion. Officers seized more than 10kg of urea nitrate - a highly explosive chemical - which if detonated would have caused multiple fatalities in a public place, jurors were told. In police interview, Rehman admitted making and testing explosives but denied intending to harm anyone, saying he had used Twitter to draw attention to himself in the hope he would be arrested and put in custody. Khan refused to answer questions from police but admitted having conversations with Rehman about IS and jihad but denied knowing about his Twitter activities. Khan, who studied to degree level at the University of Greenwich in south-east London, had known Rehman for 10 years. She kept their Islamic marriage a secret from her family who did not approve of drug-taking divorcee Rehman, and they lived separately with their parents and siblings. Mr Badenoch told jurors that Rehman frequently had violent arguments with his family, causing his fearful father to spend time away and even sleep rough to avoid him. Rehman, of Radstock Road, Reading, and Khan, of Hutton Close, Reading, denied wrongdoing but refused to give evidence in the trial

Guns N’ Roses are planning to reform with founding members Axl Rose and Slash

entertainment reporter,London(wp/es): Guns N’ Roses are planning to reform with founding members Axl Rose and Slash, according to reports. Billboard reported that the band is getting back together to headline the Coachella Festival in California in April. Negotiations for a 25 football stadium tour in North America next summer, and a performance at the new Las Vegas Arena are also being discussed. The rumour mill went into overdrive when, during screenings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, footage of a concert crowd was shown with Guns N’ Roses music overdubbed. Fans also speculated the likelihood of a reunion after the band’s Facebook picture was changed from their logo to a crowd of people at a gig. One fan wrote: “ F*****G FINALLY. Knew it would have to happen sooner or later. With the logo/facebook picture change and the sneaky teaser before Star Wars, I think it's pretty obvious something big is coming. I CAN FEEL A SHIFT IN THE FORCE. COME ON BOYS!!!!!” Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx also seemingly confirmed the tour on Twitter last month after he replied to a fan asking if the band will reform: “They are. Everybody knows.” In September Slash spoke out about the band's break-up and said there was no longer any "animosity" between the members. He told CBS News: "I've got to be careful what I say there. I mean, if everybody wanted to do it and do it for the right reasons, I think the fans would love it. I think it might be fun at some point to try and do that. "There's no animosity. Over time we all just got sick and tired ofthe black cloud." Fans have been eagerly awaiting a comeback with Slash since the band's last gig together at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires in 1993. Guns N' Roses are famed for their 1987 album Appetite for Destruction and the hit single Sweet Child O’ Mine.

new study suggests no point in taking paracetamol for relieving the symptoms

health reporter,London(wp/es): New research published in the medical journal Respirology claims that the popular drug neither reduces fever or aches and pains When you feel yourself coming down with the sniffles, the first thing you’ll likely do is reach for the medicine cabinet and take a couple of paracetamol tablets to relieve the symptoms. But contrary to NHS advice, a new study suggests that the popular drug neither reduces fever nor other symptoms like aches and pains. The Medical Research Institute of New Zealand recently carried out a study in which 40 flu sufferers were given paracetamol for five days and 40 were given placebo pills. The study, published in the medical journal Respirology, found that paracetamol had no effect on the sufferer's condition. The study concluded: "Despite recommendations to administer paracetamol for symptom relief in influenza and influenza-like illnesses, this study has found that regular administration of paracetamol has no effect on viral or clinical outcomes in this setting." The researchers say their concerns were prompted by studies in animals exposed to flu, which showed that those given paracetamol and other fever-controlling drugs were more likely to die from the virus. Dr Irene Braithwaite, of the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, said: "We initially theorised that taking paracetamol might be harmful, as the influenza virus cannot replicate as well at higher temperatures and by reducing a person’s temperature the virus may have thrived. "Fortunately this was found not to be the case." However, the authors admitted their work may have been affected by the fact that all patients were given the anti-flu drug Tamiflu, as part of safety protocols in the study, which may have clouded the results, the Daily Mail reported. The NHS Choices website says in its section on treating flu: “If you feel unwell and have a fever, you can take paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen to lower your temperature and relieve aches.“ Of the study, the NHS commented: "The trial specifically looked at whether paracetamol had any effect on the amount of flu virus in the body (viral load). But it should be stressed this is something paracetamol is not designed to do. Paracetamol is designed to relieve symptoms, not cure any underlying infection. "The trial provides a route for further research, but with so many other studies reporting the opposite, it is too early to be changing recommendations."

prince charles very important messege for armed forces

royal correspondent,London(wp/es): The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to the great "personal sacrifice" of Britain's servicemen and women in a Christmas message to the armed forces. Charles spoke of his admiration for those who endure "great danger" to protect the country, and the families who support them. And he praised the "professionalism, understanding and cultural sensitivity" of those in the military. Delivering the address to Forces TV and BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Services) Radio, he said service personnel will face many challenging tasks over the festive period, some of which will "put our service people in great danger as they carry out their challenging duties". He said: "I am delighted to have this opportunity to send you all a Christmas message, for while many of the current news headlines around the world appear rather grim, they have reminded us all of the vital importance of the armed forces. "Sometimes it would appear that there is no real threat facing Britain and that therefore defence can perhaps seem somewhat irrelevant. "However, the extent of current global deployments of the UK's armed forces only goes to highlight the continued, essential role of the armed forces in today's society." Almost 23,000 military personnel will be stationed or deployed abroad over Christmas, including more than 3,000 on operations. Of those, 870 are involved in the campaign to counter Islamic State and 200 are carrying out training in Iraq. This month, HMS Defender and its 180-strong crew joined the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Indian Ocean to support operations against IS. The Type 45 air defence destroyer is on a nine-month deployment to the Middle East and is set to continue with the French Carrier Task Group well into 2016. There are almost 14,000 troops across Europe, including just over 3,000 in Cyprus, 1,170 across North Africa and the Middle East and about 1,000 in the Falklands. With pictures of Princes William and Harry in their military dress behind him, Charles also thanked the families of those stationed across the globe, saying their "loyalty and constant support are such a crucial part of the remarkable selflessness of the whole military He ended his message: "I can only wish you all the happiest possible Christmas and send you a sincere and heartfelt thank you for your continued service and personal sacrifice. "I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that this is hugely valued and appreciated."

Marks & Spencer executive has decided maternity leave from four months to a full year.

business correspondent,London(wp/es:) A top Marks & Spencer executive has decided to extend her maternity leave from four months to a full year. Laura Wade-Gery, who runs the multi-channel division, will now return on September 1 instead of early January. Until her return finance chief Helen Weir will maintain responsibility for e-commerce distribution, and Sacha Berendji,director of retail, and David Walmsley, director of M&S.com, will continue to report to Chief Executive Marc Bolland. M&S said in August that Wade-Gery, 50, would spend four months on maternity leave. The announcement made national headlines, raising questions about equality in the workplace. Wade-Gery has been widely tipped to fill chief executive Marc Bolland's shoes when he eventually departs the retailer, though her star waned somewhat last year when M&S's new online platform got off to a shaky start. Shares in M&S have fallen 12% over the last month on Christmas trading concerns. A second poor Christmas in a row is expected to put Bolland's position into question after five years in the job. The firm is due to publish a third-quarter trading update on January 7.

Britons back arming officers to tackle terror

staff reporter,London(wp/es): Britons want thousands of armed police deployed on the streets to protect against a terror attack. A poll has found that 58 per cent believe officers should be routinely armed, a move which would radically change the face of British policing. The BMG Research results, which exclude “don’t knows”, showed that 42 per cent were against ditching the long-held tradition of beat officers not carrying guns. More worryingly, two thirds of the public voicing a view believe the police and security forces are not sufficiently ready to respond to a Paris-style attack in London or another part of the UK. This stark finding was almost double the 34 per cent who think they are. “Across all ages, and the entire country, the vast majority of residents feel that officers are not suitably prepared for an attack similar to that seen in Paris,” said Michael Turner, research director at BMG Research. “Consequently, the results also show strong support for officers to be routinely armed in a way that is perhaps most commonly seen by Britons in continental Europe.” Those aged 25 to 44, a group more likely to have young families, are significantly more supportive of arming officers, the poll suggested. Women seemed to harbour more doubts than men over whether the police, military and intelligence services are ready to counter a marauding terrorist attack here. Following the Paris massacre in which at least 130 died, Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe increased the number of armed officers on patrol in London by a third. He also signalled that this number could rise while stressing his “confidence” that the force could respond well to a multiple-site terror strike even though “it would be a great challenge”. He believes London is a safe city and has warned against a “knee jerk towards a new type of policing where everyone is armed”. Widespread arming of the police may be seen as a defeat in the battle to protect British values in the face of the threat from Islamic State and other terror groups. But if more officers were armed, then those deployed first to incidents like the recent knife attack at Leytonstone Tube stati But if more officers were armed, then those deployed first to incidents like the recent knife attack at Leytonstone Tube station could be carrying weapons. Sir Bernard, though, defended the “fantastic” response by officers who used Tasers to resolve the situation in about 12 minutes. The Met’s strategy is to respond to alerts with well-trained officers for specific threats, who will arrive in numbers if necessary and be mobile to deal with a moving threat. Just under a fifth of respondents to the question about arming the police replied “don’t know”, so if they are included in the results the breakdown is 47 per cent in favour of doing so and 34 per cent against. On being ready to deal with a Paris-style attack, 23 per cent said “don’t know”, with 51 per cent believing the police and security forces are not and 26 per cent that they are. The terror threat level in the UK is currently at severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. Britain is seen as less vulnerable than Paris, Brussels and other European cities because of the expertise of the police and security services and as it does not have a land border firearms are more difficult to obtain.

A Young man. stabbed in east London

crime reporter,London(wp/es): A man has been taken to hospital after a stabbing in east London this afternoon. Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Dalston Lane, Hackney, at 2.30pm on Thursday. A Metropolitan Police Service spokesman said the male victim, who is in his 20s, was taken to hospital by ambulance. The nature of his injuries are currently unknown. One witness told the Standard one ambulance and three police cars were at the scene shortly after the incident.