Battersea fire: 100 firefighters and 15 engines at the scene of major blaze in London - Express

A second-floor flat is on fire on Lombard Road in Battersea and ten fire engines were called to the incident, according to the London Fire Brigade. Firefighters from Battersea, Wandsworth, Clapham and Fulham were at the scene.

The firefighters were called to the blaze at the commercial and residential building at 11.22pm on Saturday.

The fire was under control by 1.25am, however, firefighters will remain on the scene throughout the night.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Most of a hotel room on the second floor of the building suffered damage and smoke affected floors above.

READ MORE: Prince Charles allegedly branded Edward an 'idiot' during furious row

“The fire in #Battersea is now under control but firefighters will remain on scene tonight,” London Fire Brigade announced on their Twitter.

“The fire was in a mixed-use commercial and residential block and damaged most of a hotel room on the second floor.”

Twitter has been flooded with people concerned after seeing the horrific scenes earlier in the night.

“Hope everybody involved is safe. Take care @LondonFire,” one Twitter user wrote.

“Stay safe,” another added.

“I hope everyone is ok,” a third wrote.

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2021-08-29 00:11:00Z
CAIiEOGgPp5CXrQ5AjWYfdc_6gUqGQgEKhAIACoHCAow9935CjCe0eYCMLXxzAU

Police fear girl, 2, has been 'abducted and taken to Spain' - Metro.co.uk

Lee Rogers and Kelly Gibson, the parents of Gracie-May Rogers are wanted on suspicion of child abduction (Picture: PA)

A two-year-old girl has been abducted from Lancaster and taken to Spain, police fear.

Gracie-May Rogers went missing earlier this week and Lancashire Police say her parents, Kelly Gibson and Lee Rogers, are wanted on suspicion of child abduction.

An urgent appeal has been issued over the missing toddler, who was last seen with Ms Gibson, 35, at about 10am on Tuesday.

It is now believed that the pair and Mr Rogers, 39, boarded a plane at Glasgow airport at 5.30pm on Wednesday and arrived in Alicante at 9.35pm.

Police said there have been no confirmed sightings of them in Spain.

Detective Inspector Andy Ellis said: ‘We are growing increasingly concerned, especially for the welfare of Gracie-May and Kelly Gibson, and we would appeal to anyone who sees the three of them together or separately to get in touch urgently.’

He said the family may have moved on since landing in Alicante.

Gracie-May was last seen on Tuesday (Picture: PA)

Lee Rogers and Kelly Gibson are thought to have flown out of Glasgow on Wednesday (Picture: PA)

The trio seen on CCTY at Glasgow Airport (Picture: PA)

Police are also concerned about Gibson’s welfare (Picture: PA)

There have been no confirmed sightings of Rogers in Spain (Picture: PA)

Mr Ellis added: ‘We appreciate that this incident may cause concern for some people but we are working closely with our partners in the Spanish Police and our overriding priority is the safe return of this young child.’

The force appealed to anyone who sees the trio or has information on where they could be to get in touch as a matter of urgency.

Those who believe they can help are asked to contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting log 0621 of August 25.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For sightings you can contact the local police in the relevant area.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE : Mum and son, 10, go missing after being told he faced being taken into care

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2021-08-28 21:53:00Z
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Police charge man, 29, with murder after 'beautiful' mother-of-four, 27, is found dead in a house - Daily Mail

Police charge man, 29, with murder after 'beautiful' mother-of-four, 27, is found dead in a house

• Russell Norman James Marsh of Shotton has been charged by detectives
• Charge comes after 27-year-old Jade Ward died following a Thursday incident
• Scores of floral tributes, balloons, photographs, written messages, candles and teddies were left on the pavement yards from where Ms Ward lived in Wales

By Chris Jewers For Mailonline

Published: 20:52 BST, 28 August 2021 | Updated: 20:52 BST, 28 August 2021

Police have charged a 29-year-old man with murder after a 'beautiful' mother of four was found dead in a house on Thursday morning.

Russell Norman James Marsh of Shotton, North Wales will appear before magistrates on Monday.

He was charged after 27-year-old Jade Ward died following an incident on Thursday in a house found in the same area Marsh lives.

A statement from North Wales Police said: 'Officers investigating an incident in Shotton in the early hours of Thursday, in which 27-year-old Jade Ward died, have charged a man with murder.

'Russell Norman James Marsh, 29, has been remanded in custody and will appear before magistrates on Monday.'

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Salisbury-Jones added: 'I would like to thank the local community for all the valuable assistance they have provided.

'If anyone has any information that will help us in our investigation, they should contact us via our live webchat or on 101, quoting reference 21000594238.'

Scores of floral tributes, balloons, photographs, written messages, candles and teddies were left on the pavement yards from the semi where Co-op worker Ms Ward was found dead on Thursday morning. 

Jade Ward, 27, was found dead at a property on Chevrons Road in Shotton, Flintshire, following reports of 'an incident' on Thursday morning

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder at an address on Chevrons Road in Shotton

Police officers at the scene of a suspected murder at an address on Chevrons Road

Police crime scene investigators were at a taped-off house in Chevrons Road, Shotton, and a blue and white tent was in the front garden. It is believed Jade lived with her mother and had been married. 

Jade's sister Taylor Wesley has now set up a GoFundMe page which has already raised more than £3,400 for Jade's children. 

'Our beautiful Jade was sadly taken from us on the 26th august 2021 in such a cruel and sad way! Our lives will never be the same without you baby girl a piece of us all went with you Jade,' she wrote on the page.  

Zack Robinson, her cousin, said she had four sons. He said: 'I am lost for words. It's a piece of everybody in the community who has gone. It will never be the same without her.' 

Taylor Wesley said: 'She had four beautiful boys. It's very, very tragic. No-one knows much at the moment about what happened.

'We were best mates. She was my soul sister. We used to go on day trips. There was never a day we didn't see each other. She had four kids and I have four as well.

'She was a much-loved member of the community, a devoted mother who lived and breathed for her children and worked part-time.

'There's a feeling of total shock in the local area. We are doing a balloon release tomorrow.'

Kennedy Plant added: 'There was always a smile on the face, always so happy. She loved life.' 

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Salisbury-Jones said: 'We would like to reassure the public that there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.  

Scores of floral tributes, balloons, photographs, written messages, candles and teddies were left on the pavement yards from the semi where Co-op worker Jade Ward, 27, was found dead on Thursday morning

Police officers at the scene of a suspected murder at an address on Chevrons Road

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Salisbury-Jones said: 'We would like to reassure the public that there is no ongoing threat to the wider community'

'Specially trained officers are supporting the family of the deceased.'

Taylor said they wished to raise money for Jade's sons to help them 'have the best start' following the tragedy and 'give them the best Christmas'.

She added that a balloon release would be held on Chevrons Road at 3pm on Saturday, with everybody welcome to attend and pay their respects - and said people could bring balloons of any bright colour to reflect Jade's 'bright personality'. 

A North Wales police spokeswoman said: 'Shortly before 9.20am this morning, we were made aware of an incident at a property on Chevrons Road, Shotton.

'A 27-year-old woman was sadly found deceased at the scene. A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and an investigation is underway.'   

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2021-08-28 19:52:53Z
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Afghanistan: Second British victim of Kabul airport terror attack named as grandfather who was visiting family - Sky News

The second British Afghan killed in Thursday's terror attack in Kabul has been named by his family as Musa Popal.

Mr Popal, 60, left his home in north London at the end of May to visit family in Kandahar and was killed in the airport bombing.

His son Hidayat told Sky News his father moved to the UK in 1999 and was a British passport holder.

Afghanistan latest news - follow live updates

Image: Hidayat Popal fears for the safety of his remaining family in Afghanistan

A "hard-working" man, Mr Popal opened a shop in Edgware called Madeena Supermarket, which he "built by himself" and ran with his children.

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His grandson, an Afghan national, is still missing after the blast.

His wife and other children are still in the country and have been unable to leave.

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Hidayat said he was worried about losing other family members, adding: "Every day when we open the social media we see, daily, people dying in Afghanistan, normally innocent people. My dad wasn't a criminal, wasn't a terrorist."

Mr Popal had gone to the airport with his family to show his passport to troops before the blast happened.

After having his documents checked and being interviewed, Hidayat said his father was turned away.

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British taxi driver killed in Kabul blast mourned by friend

"There should have been a different route for the British people, but they ignore them," he said.

If the blast had not happened, he believes his father would have been eventually evacuated - but he was not sure if the rest of his family would have gotten out.

Hidayat said his family was worried when they found out about the blast and contacted hospitals to find out whether Mr Popal was one of the victims.

"My whole family did not sleep from like three days, didn't eat, even myself," he said.

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Mr Popal normally visits the country every year to see his family and had planned to stay in the country for only three months.

"Life is too short," Hidayat said. "We have to help each other."

Mr Popal is one of two Britons known to have been killed in the Kabul attack.

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'Time to close phase of evacuation operation'

The other, Mohammad Niazi, died along with his wife and two of their children after he went to Afghanistan to rescue them.

The last dedicated evacuation flight back to the UK has now left Kabul, with remaining flights over the weekend expected to bring home British troops and the final small numbers of Afghan evacuees.

The Foreign Office has been approached for comment.

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2021-08-28 17:26:15Z
52781844360596

COVID-19: UK reports another 32,406 daily coronavirus cases and 133 deaths - Sky News

The UK has recorded 32,406 new coronavirus cases and 133 further deaths in the latest 24-hour period, daily government data shows.

The figures compare with 38,046 COVID-19 cases and 100 deaths reported on Friday.

This time last week, 21 August, 32,058 new cases and 104 deaths were recorded.

On Friday, 128,248 people received a second vaccine dose, which means 78.2% of the population aged over 16 is now fully inoculated.

And 43,160 people were given their first dose - taking the total to 47,958,928 (88.2%).

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It comes as a new study suggests people infected with the Delta variant are twice as likely to be admitted to hospital compared to those with the Alpha variant.

Research carried out by Public Health England (PHE) and Cambridge University is the first of its kind to compare the risk of the two variants.

More on Covid-19

First reported in India at the end of 2020, early studies of the Delta variant found it to be up to 50% more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which was first discovered in Kent.

Dr Gavin Dabrera, a consultant epidemiologist at PHE's National Infection Service, said: "We already know that vaccination offers excellent protection against Delta and as this variant accounts for over 98% of COVID-19 cases in the UK, it is vital that those who have not received two doses of vaccine do so as soon as possible."

Image: A new study suggests people infected with the Delta variant are twice as likely to be admitted to hospital

Meanwhile, there has been an increased uptake in vaccination amongst people from ethnically diverse communities, new analysis has found

Over 3.8 million first doses have been delivered since the start of the NHS's "grab-a-jab" campaign, launched at the end of June.

The campaign has allowed people to get vaccinated at pop-up walk in centres, mosques, town halls, football grounds and festivals.

Since the campaign was launched, more than 700,000 people from ethnically diverse backgrounds have been protected from COVID-19, NHS England said.

People from mixed Asian and white backgrounds saw the fastest growth in jab uptake, rising by almost a quarter - 81,933 people took the first dose by 20 June and 101,140 were vaccinated by 22 August.

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There was a 22.9% increase in the vaccinations for mixed white people, and it increased by 20.9% among black Africans.

In the same period, the first doses among white people increased by 11.1%.

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2021-08-28 15:22:22Z
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Afghanistan: Last dedicated evacuation flight to UK left Kabul overnight - defence sources - Sky News

The last dedicated evacuation flight back to the UK left Kabul overnight, Sky News understands.

Remaining flights over the weekend are set to bring home British troops as well as the final small numbers of Afghan evacuees who have permission to fly, defence sources said.

The UK ambassador in Kabul, Laurie Bristow, said in a video posted on social media that his team had been "working until the very last moment".

Almost 15,000 people have been airlifted to safety, he added, tweeting that "our commitment to the people of Afghanistan will endure".

Nearly 15,000 British nationals, Afghan staff and others at risk have been evacuated from Kabul since Operation Pitting began - our commitment to the people of Afghanistan will endure. pic.twitter.com/zUQ52ps1cE

— Laurie Bristow (@laurie_bristow) August 28, 2021

Earlier, the chief of the defence staff, General Sir Nick Carter, said the final stages of the withdrawal and evacuation represented the "hardest" of any phase of war.

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He added: "There has to be an ever diminishing rearguard that protects your back as you're evacuating yourselves, and of course there comes a point when it really is the last aeroplane out.

"There are all sorts of things that can go wrong" when the final planes leave, such as the "threat of terrorism", he said.

More on Afghanistan

"You are at your very most vulnerable at the point at which your last aeroplane is waiting to lift."

Sir Nick warned Britain is "not out of the woods yet", adding: "The operation will carry on for a little bit longer. But it's been a huge enterprise."

Troops are working in the face of a "very demanding threat" while also focusing on the "humanitarian job" with soldiers "holding a gun in one hand and a baby in the other".

"It has been very difficult," Sir Nick said.

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'We are not out of the woods yet'

"The plain fact is we have always got that in the back of our minds.

"For the troops on the ground, they have to be constantly alert and constantly thinking about how they can rebut the threat.

"I think we should be holding our breath and thinking very hard about that last airplane or several last airplane-loads and thinking about what a challenge it is going to be for those very brave people who are trying to effect their departure in as safe and orderly fashion as they can."

Sir Nick, who spent almost three years in Afghanistan, described his regret that the 20-year mission there had ended with the Taliban in charge and a grave terrorist threat.

He said of the withdrawal: "It's not how we hoped it would end, that's absolutely right."

He added: "I think we have done an extraordinary job to evacuate as many as we can but I'm afraid it's absolutely heart-breaking we can't get everybody out.

"If they are able to get out they will always be welcome but the awful fact of life is difficult decisions have to be made."

He told of his heartbreak that Britain was unable to rescue all Afghans with the right to travel to the UK, adding: "Not a day passes without me having a bit of a tear in my eye."

US forces, which have by far the largest presence, will be the last to depart ahead of a deadline of Tuesday, set by President Joe Biden.

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2021-08-28 12:07:28Z
CBMie2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FmZ2hhbmlzdGFuLWxhc3QtZGVkaWNhdGVkLWV2YWN1YXRpb24tZmxpZ2h0LXRvLXVrLWxlZnQta2FidWwtb3Zlcm5pZ2h0LWRlZmVuY2Utc291cmNlcy0xMjM5MzAxMNIBf2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC9hZmdoYW5pc3Rhbi1sYXN0LWRlZGljYXRlZC1ldmFjdWF0aW9uLWZsaWdodC10by11ay1sZWZ0LWthYnVsLW92ZXJuaWdodC1kZWZlbmNlLXNvdXJjZXMtMTIzOTMwMTA

Afghanistan: UK's Kabul evacuation ends today, says military - BBC News

The UK's evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan will end on Saturday, the head of the armed forces has said.

Gen Sir Nick Carter said there were still some civilian flights coming to the UK, but "very few now".

He added it was "heartbreaking" they had not been able to rescue everybody, with hundreds of Afghans eligible to come to the UK still in Afghanistan.

A mass airlift has been under way at Kabul airport since the Taliban took control of the capital this month.

On Friday, the Ministry of Defence said the UK had evacuated 14,543 people from Kabul since 13 August.

Sir Nick, chief of the defence staff, told Radio 4's Today programme: "We're reaching the end of the evacuation, which will take place during the course of today, and then of course it'll be necessary to bring our troops out on the remaining aircraft.

"It's gone as well as it could do in the circumstances... but we haven't been able to bring everybody out and that has been heartbreaking and there have been some very challenging judgements that have had to be made on the ground."

• Kabul airport attack: What do we know?
• British nationals killed in airport bombing
• 'Taliban killed my brother for protecting my family'

He said the number of Afghans who were eligible to come to the UK but remained in Afghanistan was in the "high hundreds".

He suggested some would not have wanted to take the risk of travelling to the airport - or been unable to - rather than it being down to "processing" issues.

But he added: "We are forever receiving messages and texts from our Afghan friends that are very distressing. So we're all living this in the most painful way."

He also said that people who hadn't been able to leave via evacuation flights but are able to get out another way "will always be welcome in Britain".

Those evacuated include British nationals as well as almost 8,000 Afghans eligible under the UK's relocation scheme for those who worked for the UK government and other vulnerable individuals.

As of Friday, the government said between 800 and 1,100 eligible Afghans and 100 to 150 Britons had not been evacuated.

Chairman of the foreign affairs select committee Tom Tugendhat, who served in the military in Afghanistan, told BBC Breakfast it left him "extremely sad" so many of his friends had been left behind - but he was continuing to work to get people out of the country.

However, he said people should "forget" about trying to get to Kabul airport, due to the numerous dangerous checkpoints that have been installed along the motorways.

The US has been running the airport in Afghanistan's capital, where a suicide bomb attack on Thursday may have killed as many as 170 people - including two British nationals and the child of a British national.

A 31 August deadline is in place for foreign troops to leave the country.

The UK's defence, home and foreign secretaries have written to MPs to reassure them of the government's continued support for those left behind in Afghanistan.

Ben Wallace, Priti Patel and Dominic Raab said the UK would use "every lever" to secure the safe passage of those who want to leave.

What happens to Afghan refugees coming to the UK?

• Arrivals on official flights enter a 10-day Covid quarantine in a hotel
• Government officials and local authorities are trying to find them permanent homes
• A shortage of suitable accommodation means many will be placed in hotels
• Some will get refugee status and can live in the UK permanently
• Others will get a five-year visa to live and work in the UK - and can then apply for permanent residence
• Afghans arriving independently will enter the normal system for asylum claims - which has a backlog of 70,000 people
• These people cannot settle, or work, while their claims are considered

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2021-08-28 08:40:42Z
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