Babak Belurs

Kamis, 24 Maret 2022

Duke of Cambridge expresses 'profound sorrow' for slave trade but stops short of full apology - Sky News

The Duke of Cambridge has expressed his "profound sorrow" about the horrors of the slave trade, adding that "the appalling atrocity... forever stains our history".

Speaking in Jamaica, in what will be his only speech of a three-day visit to the fourth-largest Commonwealth realm, he stopped short of apologising, but said: "I want to express my profound sorrow.

"Slavery was abhorrent.

"And it should never have happened."

He added: "I strongly agree with my father, The Prince of Wales, who said in Barbados last year that the appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history."

Prince William was referring to a speech made by Prince Charles as he witnessed Barbados cutting ties with the Royal Family and becoming a republic last November.

His words came after protests in Jamaica, and an open letter written by 100 of its prominent citizens, calling for him to apologise for the Royal Family's role in the slave trade.

It was a major moment for a country calling for reparations to help heal the wounds of the past, and a country that is questioning its future relationship with the British monarchy.

Prince William again highlighted the conflict in Ukraine, praising Jamaica for joining the international community in condemning the attacks.

He acknowledged the "irrefutable Jamaican belief in upholding democracy and working together with other nations in support of peace, security and international law".

He also referenced another controversial subject, giving his thanks to those of the Windrush generation, who came to the United Kingdom to help rebuild after the Second World War.

"We are forever grateful for the immense contribution that this generation and their descendants have made to British life, which continues to enrich and improve our society," he added.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on their first tour of the Caribbean, which is taking place to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

And the duke paid tribute to his grandmother after walking with Kate down the same stairs that Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh did in 1953.

He told the crowd: "It is no secret that the Queen has a deep affection for Jamaica, forged on her very first visit here with my grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1953.

"And likewise I have been touched to hear today from Jamaicans, young and old, about their affection for the Queen.

"Her dedication, commitment, and sense of duty to the Commonwealth family is deeply admired.

"She may be my actual grandmother, but everyone counts her as their grandmother too. And I'm ok with that."

The Queen remains head of state in Jamaica, but the Prime Minister Andrew Holness has already been very vocal about the need to become a republic in the future.

Earlier in the day, Mr Holness appeared to make it clear to William and Kate that a different kind of relationship between Jamaica and the UK will come, and sooner rather than later.

As they met in front of the cameras he was surprisingly blunt, saying: "There are issues here which are, as you would know, are unresolved.

"But your presence gives an opportunity for those issues to be placed in context, put front and centre, and to be addressed as best we can.

"Jamaica is, as you would see, a country that is very proud of what we have achieved.

"We are moving on and we intend to attain, in short order, our development goals and fulfil our true ambitions and destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country."

Since William and Kate landed on Tuesday there have been small pockets of protests but the couple have also been welcomed by excited crowds in the likes of Trench Town, the birthplace of reggae, and a hospital in Spanish Town.

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2022-03-24 01:55:34Z
1347364250

Rabu, 23 Maret 2022

London Aquatics Centre: 'Major incident' in Stratford 'involving the release of a gas' - Sky News

Emergency services are responding to a "major incident" at the London Aquatics Centre in Stratford and are treating "a number of patients".

London Fire Brigade said a "high quantity of chlorine gas" was released inside the building in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park due to a "chemical reaction".

The brigade tweeted: "Update Aquatic Centre in #Stratford. Due to a chemical reaction a high quantity of chlorine gas was released inside the centre.

"While we ventilate the premises we would ask those residents in the immediate vicinity to close their doors and windows."

The London Ambulance Service confirmed they were working alongside the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police at the scene.

Videos circulating on social media showed several ambulances rushing to the scene.

In a tweet, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park wrote: "There has been an incident at @AquaticsCentre this morning involving the release of a gas.

"The area has been cordoned off and evacuated. We're working with emergency services on site.

"There are a number of casualties with breathing difficulties being treated by @Ldn_Ambulance."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: "I remain in close contact with our emergency services who are dealing with a gas-related incident at the London Aquatics Centre this morning. A number of people are being treated by @Ldn_Ambulance.

"Please avoid the area which has been cordoned off and evacuated."

The Sky helicopter filmed people being treated by paramedics outside the building and sitting on large blankets on the ground.

Fire engines, police cars and ambulances could also be seen lining the roads around the swimming pool.

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2022-03-23 11:28:11Z
1352836903

February rise in food prices largest for 10 years as inflation soars - BBC

Food prices saw their largest rise in February for 10 years as inflation continued to soar, according to official figures.

Prices rose by 6.2% in the 12 months to February - the fastest for 30 years - as fuel, energy and food costs surged.

Soaring costs are squeezing household budgets, laying bare the challenge the chancellor faces ahead of his spring spending statement.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak faces growing calls to offer more support.

Prices are rising faster than wages and the Bank of England thinks inflation could hit double digits this year if energy prices continue to rise.

There is speculation Mr Sunak could cut fuel duty, boost benefits and raise the threshold for National Insurance when he sets out his Spring Statement later on Wednesday.

Inflation is the rate at which prices rise. If a bottle of milk costs £1 and that rises by 5p, then milk inflation is 5%.

Since December last year, prices have been rising at their fastest rate since the 1990s.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: "Rising inflation remains a significant concern for the economy, squeezing household incomes and increasing cost pressures on retailers."

Inflation is expected to accelerate in April when the energy price cap is increased. This will push up the average household fuel bill up by £693 a year in England, Scotland and Wales, while a planned rise in National Insurance will also put pressure on household budgets.

In February, gas prices were almost a third higher than a year earlier, and electricity prices were up by nearly a fifth, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Petrol and diesel price rises also pushed up the cost of living - February had the highest average diesel price recorded by the ONS - while clothes and footwear, furniture, and food and drink also rose in price.

Grant Fitzner, chief economist at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said prices had risen for a wide range of goods and services, from food to toys and games.

"Clothing and footwear saw a return to traditional February price rises after last year's falls when many shops were closed.

"Furniture and flooring also contributed to the rise in inflation as prices started to recover following new year sales.

"The price of goods leaving UK factories has also been rising substantially and is now at its highest rate for 14 years."

Cost pressures

As pandemic restrictions have eased around the world, firms have faced higher energy, shipping and wage costs, which they have passed on to consumers.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also led to higher prices for oil and other commodities.

Andrew Selley is chief executive of Bidfood, one of the largest UK food wholesalers, which supplies more than 45,000 caterers and food firms.

He told the BBC's Today programme that food prices were rising fast. "We're seeing much bigger increases on things like cooking oil, chicken, cheese, butter. Nothing exotic - these are standard food staples and we're seeing much bigger increases in those at the moment."

Mr Selley said that compared with last year the price of diesel was up by 40%, while "if I look at our electricity price that's 250% up on last year and those two things together make up over 10% of our total costs".

He added that a cut in fuel duty would help. "I mean, fuel is obviously a driver across the whole industry, both from getting it from the farmer to the manufacturer, from the manufacturers to ourselves and from ourselves to the customers, so any relief on fuel would help to mitigate some of those increases coming through."

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2022-03-23 08:16:57Z
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Selasa, 22 Maret 2022

St Helens dog attack: Girl aged 17 months killed at home - BBC

A 17-month-old girl has died after being attacked by a dog in her home.

Bella-Rae Birch died in hospital after the attack in St Helens at about 15:50 GMT on Monday, Merseyside Police said.

Officers said her "absolutely devastated" family had only bought the dog a week ago.

Police will carry out tests on the animal, which was killed by officers, to see if it was an illegal breed, as well as trying to identify its previous owners.

The attack happened at the family's home in Bidston Avenue in the Blackbrook area of St Helens.

One neighbour, who is due to go to university to train as a paramedic, said the child's parents were "hysterical".

"We pulled up from school and heard screaming. I just ran over to try to help and started CPR until the paramedics took over," she said.

"I didn't see the dog, I was just focusing on helping the baby."

Another neighbour who helped to give CPR said: "The parents doted on the children. It's too upsetting to say anything else."

Neighbour Joanne Matthews said she saw an ambulance outside the house and then about 10 police vehicles arrived.

"I saw them bring the dog out. I couldn't tell what breed it was but from the back it looked like a Staffordshire bull terrier or pit bull," she said.

Ms Matthews, 53, said the toddler was "a beautiful little girl".

"I'd see the family in passing, just to say hello, and they were always very pleasant," she said.

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she got home when the area was busy with police.

"The mum was on the field at the front of the house crying. She was hysterical," she said.

"It is usually very quiet here and safe for children, but when you hear something like this has happened it is so distressing."

At the scene

By BBC North West Tonight reporter Yunus Mulla

Police car outside house with two police officers

Two police officers remain at the family's home this morning.

The streets are quiet as people come to terms with the tragedy.

It is the early stages of the investigation and police are carrying out house-to-house inquiries and looking at CCTV footage.

As officers conduct tests to see what breed of dog it was, and try to trace its previous owners, they are also reassuring neighbours who are shocked and distressed at the attack.

Anyone who witnessed anything in the area at the time, or who has information about the dog, has been asked to contact police.

Det Insp Lisa Milligan said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the child's family at this devastating time.

"Whilst we are in the very early stages of the investigation into this extremely tragic incident we can confirm that the dog was only bought by the family a week ago."

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she was "devastated to hear news that a young girl tragically lost her life".

"Thoughts are with her family and loved ones," she tweeted.

She said police and St Helens Council were supporting the family and the local community.

St Helens Labour councillor Jeanie Bell said the girl's death was "absolutely awful".

She tweeted: "I cannot begin to imagine the heartbreak for their family."

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