Babak Belurs

Sabtu, 21 Mei 2022

Trooping the Colour: Injuries as part of stand collapses - BBC

Evacuated stand during the Trooping the Colour event

Two people have been taken to hospital after part of a stand collapsed at a Trooping the Colour event at Horse Guards Parade in central London.

A section of one stand is reported to have given way just before 11:00 BST.

London Ambulance Service (LAS) said two patients were taken to a major trauma unit as a priority.

The area has been evacuated by the Army and police so safety checks can be made.

Eyewitnesses have described seeing a woman fall through the stand, although LAS could not confirm this nor the severity of the injuries that were sustained.

Marcus Dell, who was at the event, said he heard screams.

"Everyone had stood for the national anthem and there was a bit of a commotion. The first we heard was that one of floorboards had broken and someone had fallen through and hurt themselves.

"There was a lot of chatter in the stands and a few people did leave."

He said a floorboard had cracked behind him and then about 25 minutes later, there was a similar incident in the stand opposite.

Mr Dell said when the area was evacuated as a safety precaution, there was confusion, however the "police did a good job of making sure there wasn't any panic".

Paul Rogers, who was near the stand, said: "We heard a loud bang and a scream and a person shouting 'Help! Help!'.

"A number of people climbed over the back wall and went below the section of stand that had broken. It lasted about 20 minutes.

"It just seemed like a small section of the stand went," Mr Rogers said.

LAS said it was not able to confirm which collapse the injuries occurred in, because it treated it as one incident.

Up to 1,450 soldiers from the Household Division and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery were taking part in the parade, alongside about 400 musicians from the Massed Bands.

It is very similar to the Trooping the Colour event reviewed annually by the Queen - she is due to do so on 2 June as part of the Jubilee celebrations. Prince William is to review the troops next Saturday.

Trooping the Colour: Scaled back celebration for Queen's official birthday

Earlier, the troops were being reviewed by Maj Gen Christopher Ghika of the Household Division.

An LAS spokesperson said: "We sent a tactical response unit, an ambulance crew, two cycle responders and an incident response officer.

"We worked alongside St John Ambulance volunteers to treat five people at the scene. We took one patient to a major trauma centre as a priority. St John Ambulance took a second patient to a major trauma centre as a priority. We discharged three patients at the scene."

One witness said the stands were evacuated one by one.

They added that the evacuation was "very well organised, not chaos as quoted by some".

An Army spokesperson said: "We are supporting the emergency services following an incident on the Horse Guards Parade square. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

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What is Trooping the Colour?

It's a parade which has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign
It has been held for more than 260 years
Last year's parade was held in the grounds of Windsor Castle, rather than in central London
It is normally held on the Queen's official birthday which is marked on the second Saturday of June each year

Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

What is Trooping the Colour?

It's a parade which has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign
It has been held for more than 260 years
Last year's parade was held in the grounds of Windsor Castle, rather than in central London
It is normally held on the Queen's official birthday which is marked on the second Saturday of June each year

Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk

Jumat, 20 Mei 2022

COVID-19 alert level in UK reduced - as Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 reclassified as variants of concern - Sky News

The UK's coronavirus alert level has been reduced - as two rare types of Omicron have been reclassified as variants of concern.

The level has moved from four to three after advice from the four nations' chief medical officers and the NHS England medical director.

They said that "the current BA.2 driven Omicron wave is subsiding" and "direct COVID-19 healthcare pressures continue to decrease in all nations".

Their statement added: "Whilst it is reasonable to expect the number of cases to increase due to BA.4, BA.5 or BA2.12.1, it is unlikely in the immediate future to lead to significant direct COVID pressures."

The alert level was last raised on 12 December as Omicron spread rapidly.

UK coronavirus infections are now believed to be at their lowest for five months - and a quarter of what they were in March.

They have fallen again - from an estimated 1.5 million last week to 1.3 million, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey.

Around one in 55 people had the virus in private households in England in the week to 13 May, the ONS said.

Last week, it was one in 45.

Wales' infections fell from an estimated one in 35 to one in 40; Scotland's from one in 35 to one in 45; and in Northern Ireland it's down from one in 55 to one in 60.

New Omicron types may have 'immune escape'

Despite significant and consistent falls, two new sub-lineages of Omicron - BA.4 and BA.5 - have been reclassified as variants of concern by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

It said they are likely to have a growth advantage over the dominant BA.2 type.

Initial findings also suggest they may also have some degree of "immune escape", meaning the body may no longer be able to recognise or fight the virus.

However, there's so far no indication they are associated with new symptoms or more severe disease, according to vaccine alliance GAVI.

Only 115 probable or confirmed BA.4 cases have been identified in the UK as of 20 May.

There are 67 in England, 41 in Scotland, six in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.

Some 80 cases of BA.5 have been identified, including 48 in England, 25 in Scotland, six in Northern Ireland and one in Wales.

Dr Meera Chand, from the UKHSA, said: "The reclassification of these variants as variants of concern reflects emerging evidence on the growth of BA.4 and BA.5 internationally and in the UK.

"Whilst the impact of these variants is uncertain, the variant classification system aims to identify potential risk as early as possible.

"UKHSA is undertaking further detailed studies. Data and analysis will be released in due course through our regular surveillance reporting."

BA.4 and BA.5 were first detected in South Africa in January and February respectively, according to GAVI.

It said that the number of countries reporting cases, as well as overall cases, were rising.

"This growth could suggest that these variants are more transmissible than the existing Omicron variant, or it could the result of waning immunity from past infection or vaccination - it is too early to know for sure," it said.

The reclassification of BA.4 and BA.5 as variants of concern comes after UK experts recommended an autumn COVID booster jab for some people.

Over-65s, care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers, and people over 16 in vulnerable groups should be offered another vaccine to boost immunity ahead of the winter, said the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

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2022-05-20 16:24:47Z
1434368210

Ricky Morgan: 'Terminator' Tube machete attacker found guilty of attempted murder - Sky News

A machete-wielding attacker who hacked at a commuter on the London Underground in scenes likened to the Terminator film has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Passengers toppled over each other as they fled through carriages when Ricky Morgan, 34, launched an unprovoked assault on businessman James Porritt, the trial had heard.

Giving evidence, the victim, who suffered a severe injury to his hand and bone-deep cuts to his head and shin, said it was like a "horror movie" and the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi film.

CCTV footage of the frenzied onslaught has now been released by British Transport Police.

Morgan denied attempted murder on grounds of insanity, but was found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey after two days of deliberations.

He was also convicted of possessing a machete and a lock knife.

Morgan, 34, was heard to tell horrified onlookers: "This is not a terror attack, I only want him."

Describing the attack, Mr Porritt said: "He was like a machine. It was like that movie Terminator.

"But it seemed very focused and relentless, and he was just hell-bent on doing what he was doing.

"I've got nothing left now. I don't know how I escaped.

"I just knew, fight or flight. I just ran for my life. It was like a stampede, people were terrified."

Judge John Hillen adjourned sentencing until 22 July for a psychiatric report to be prepared.

Prosecutor Grace Ong had told jurors that Mr Porritt and Morgan were complete strangers.

She said: "This was, the prosecution say, a completely unprovoked attack on a commuter on the Jubilee line going about his daily business."

How the attack unfolded

On the evening of 9 July last year, Mr Porritt, a self-employed businessman, had visited a gym and was on his way to meet his girlfriend and her father in west London.

He got on a north-bound train at Westminster before Morgan produced the machete and a lock knife from his rucksack near Green Park.

In a video interview played in court, Mr Porritt said he had been minding his own business sat in the carriage looking at his phone when he heard a scream.

The next thing he knew was the defendant hitting him over the head, the court was told.

Describing the attack, he said: "I was pleading 'Please stop, please stop'.

"I was in shock, it was like a horror movie. I genuinely thought he was going to kill me."

Mr Porritt said he did not feel anything but saw the blood as Morgan smashed an object over his head.

He said: "He was just hitting me. It did not make sense. I didn't understand why this guy was hitting me. There was no confrontation. There was no issue, it was just bang, (he) started hitting me.

"He was like a machine. It was like that movie Terminator.

"He was emotionless. He did not seem to have any kind of compassion.

"But it seemed very focused and relentless and he was just hellbent on doing what he was doing.

"He was like on a mission. He kept hitting my shin and I genuinely thought I was going to die.

"I've got nothing left now. I don't know how I escaped. I was scared I was going to lose my little finger and I held it together.

"I just knew, fight or flight. I just ran for my life. It was like a stampede, people were terrified."

'I don't want anyone else, I just want him'

Morgan pursued him and lunged the "huge" blade through the window of the connecting carriage door, Mr Porritt said.

Pointing with the knife through the door, Morgan said: "I don't want anyone else, I just want him," the court heard.

Mr Porritt added: "It was just like he was a predator and he was hunting, and he decided he was hunting me.

"He just would not stop. He was relentless. He said he did not want anybody else, he just wanted me. He was fixated with me."

He managed to get away and through a carriage door, while holding the severed parts of his hand together.

One witness said the attacker let out an "unholy scream" as he hit out with the machete.

He was heard to say: "This is not a terrorist attack, I only want him.

"I don't want to kill you, I want to kill him, he was trying to kill me."

Member of the public told Morgan to 'calm down'

Another passenger bravely tried to engage with Morgan and told him to "calm down", the court heard.

Meanwhile, a doctor who happened to be on the train gave Mr Porritt first aid.

On being confronted by police, Morgan dropped the blade, put his hands up and got on the floor.

He went on to tell a psychiatrist he had been carrying the machete and lock knife around for some time.

Morgan, of no fixed address, declined to give evidence in court.

Following the guilty verdict, Mr Porritt said: "The events that took place on the Jubilee line train during rush hour have changed my family, my girlfriend's and my life forever; as well as every single person who witnessed the attack on the train that evening.

"It's been a long and traumatic road that I have had to travel. I am still in the process of recovery. Until I reach that destination, it's a road I continue to walk.

"The scars from this attack on my legs, elbow, arm, face/head and my entire right hand will remain with me for the rest of my life.

"My surgeon is unable to determine if I will ever regain the full use of my right, dominant hand."

'Brutal and unprovoked attack'

Detective Sergeant Nick Thompson of the BTP, said: "This was a brutal and unprovoked attack. The two men had never spoken, never met, and had never crossed paths until that day.

"Clearly it was terrifying situation for the victim, he was able to escape but this attack and the injuries he suffered continues to have a substantial impact on his life.

"BTP firearms officers were soon at the scene, Morgan was subdued and taken into custody. He is evidently a danger to the public and the jury saw fit to ensure he faces consequences equal to the severity of this attack."

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2022-05-20 14:03:45Z
1431877247

Sainsbury's evacuated and people treated for breathing problems after 'hazardous substances incident' - Sky News

Several people were treated for breathing problems after a "hazardous substances incident" at a Sainsbury's store in the West Midlands.

Emergency services were called to the supermarket in Longbridge, southwest of Birmingham, just before 10am on Friday after people began suffering from respiratory problems.

The store was evacuated and people were cleared from the area, while seven people were treated with breathing difficulties.

West Midlands Fire Service said around 150 people were evacuated with two people taken to hospital.

"Two fire engines and one of our 4x4 Brigade Response vehicles responded, from Northfield and Kings Norton fire stations, together with a number of officers and colleagues from the police and ambulance services," the fire service said.

The first crew was at the scene within three minutes of being mobilised.

The fire service added that a 50m cordon has been put in place with other stores within the cordon also evacuated.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Sainsburys and other nearby buildings were evacuated after several people inside the supermarket experienced respiratory problems.

"A total of seven patients were assessed by the ambulance service after displaying minor respiratory problems.

"Two women received treatment on scene before being conveyed by ambulance, in a stable condition, to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further checks.

"The remaining five patients were later discharged on scene.

"A number of other people at the scene, who were described as 'worried but well', received advice from the team of ambulance staff."

Longbridge Shopping said on Facebook: "Due to an instore issue Sainsbury's is currently closed, we will post further updates when we can."

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: "Emergency services attended our Longbridge store this morning. Safety is our highest priority and the store is closed while we assist the police with their investigations."

The fire service said that the High Street, which had been blocked off as part of the emergency cordon, would shortly reopen, but the Sainsbury's store would "remain closed for the time being" pending their ongoing investigations.

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2022-05-20 12:00:00Z
1438098296

Kamis, 19 Mei 2022

Monkeypox: What do we know about the UK's biggest-ever outbreak of the virus? - Sky News

Exactly what's driving the UK's largest-ever outbreak of monkeypox is a mystery.

Normally the disease is sporadic and linked to travel to parts of Africa where it is endemic.

But it's now clear that the virus is spreading within the UK, and many cases are likely to be going undetected.

Here's what we know.

The outbreak is of the West African sub-type of the virus, which causes generally mild symptoms including a fever, muscle aches and pains, and a rash that blisters and then scabs over.

In Africa it's usually spread by rodents - it doesn't transmit easily between people.

But while the first case, reported on 5 May, was in someone who had recently returned from Nigeria, the others have no travel history.

There are nine people known to be infected so far, all but two in London, according to official figures released on 18 May.

Two of the cases live together, but there's no direct contact between the rest.

And there is a separate cluster of cases in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

But all that leads to lots of questions.

Unlikely that monkeypox is being sexually transmitted

There must be more cases below the radar that link those known to be infected.

For the disease to have spread so far, it's quite likely that the cases we know about are outnumbered by those currently undetected.

Some people have also asked whether the virus is being sexually transmitted because most cases so far are in gay and bisexual men.

That doesn't seem likely - it hasn't been identified as a means of transmission in the past.

It's more likely that prolonged and intimate skin to skin contact is spreading the virus.

And the cluster in men who have sex with men may just be an unlucky accident - one of the unidentified cases may just happen to be gay or bisexual and perhaps had multiple partners.

It's something the epidemiological detectives at the UK Health Security Agency will be trying to work out by contact tracing.

You certainly can't infer that someone with monkeypox acquired it through sexual contact. Nor can you infer their sexuality.

Parallel outbreaks in Europe are puzzling

Another unusual aspect of the current situation are the parallel outbreaks in Spain and Portugal.

It's not known whether they are linked to what is going on in the UK or whether there have been multiple introductions of the virus from West Africa.

It's all a bit of a puzzle.

Fortunately, the cases are expected to make a full recovery after two or three weeks.

But there is some evidence from the past that children get more severe symptoms, so public health teams are trying to shut down the virus's spread as quickly as possible.

Anyone concerned about possible symptoms are being asked to come forward for a check-up.

And doctors are also dusting off vials of the smallpox vaccine, which hasn't been used routinely in the UK since 1971.

The two poxviruses are related and the jab should protect close contacts with monkeypox cases, helping to stop further spread.

This isn't another COVID. But the outbreak of monkeypox is unusual. And a good lesson to learn from the pandemic is not to let viruses that originate in animals spread in humans unchecked.

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2022-05-19 14:58:06Z
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Babak Belurs

Sabtu, 21 Mei 2022

Trooping the Colour: Injuries as part of stand collapses - BBC

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What is Trooping the Colour?

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Trooping the Colour: Injuries as part of stand collapses - BBC

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What is Trooping the Colour?

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Boris Johnson under pressure to 'urgently explain' why he privately met Sue Gray to discuss handling of partygate report - Sky News

Jumat, 20 Mei 2022

COVID-19 alert level in UK reduced - as Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 reclassified as variants of concern - Sky News

Ricky Morgan: 'Terminator' Tube machete attacker found guilty of attempted murder - Sky News

Sainsbury's evacuated and people treated for breathing problems after 'hazardous substances incident' - Sky News

Kamis, 19 Mei 2022

Monkeypox: What do we know about the UK's biggest-ever outbreak of the virus? - Sky News

Sabtu, 21 Mei 2022

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