Babak Belurs

Selasa, 22 November 2022

King Charles welcomes South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa - in pictures - BBC

By Imogen James

BBC News

King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, welcomed Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday at the beginning of his two-day visit to the UK. It is the King's first state visit since he ascended the throne in September, and the first in more than three years due to the pandemic.

The royal carriage, black and gold, embarks on its journey pulled by white horses. In the foreground are people in red uniforms on horseback.

Standing in a line from right to left with soldiers saluting behind them: Cyril Ramaphosa, King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate.

Cyril Ramaphosa with a smiling Prince and Princess of Wales.

Mr Ramaphosa also met with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, looks out of a carriage window. She is wearing a hat, red coat and a brooch with diamonds. She also has pearl earrings on.

Queen Consort Camilla in a royal blue suit and hat, meeting with a man dressed in gold and blue robes.

Mr Ramaphosa holds a picture of Queen Elizabeth II with Nelson Mandela as he talks to Camilla and King Charles III.

During a visit to the Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery, the South African president was shown around an exhibition of Royal Collection artefacts.

Mr Ramaphosa picked up a photograph of the late Queen side by side with Mr Mandela at the state banquet in the Palace in 1996, saying: "This lovely picture."

The King remarked "you were lucky to have known both".

Soldiers dressed in dark clothing march along with guns in hands.

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman laughs. She is surrounded by officials.

The UK Prime Minister smiles as he lines up alongside men in various uniforms.

The King and South African president walk in front of a line of guards.

A huge amount of horses are ridden by soldiers down the Mall in London. British flags line the street on both sides. The royal carriage is in the middle.

Mr Ramaphosa stood in front of a lectern at the Palace of Westminster.

Mr Ramaphosa went on to address MPs and officials in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster.

South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort

The evening continued with a white-tie state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

The Princess of Wales wore a pearl bracelet belonging to the late Queen, as well as Diana, Princess of Wales's earrings, at the banquet.

The Princess of Wales and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, take part in a toast at the State Banquet held at Buckingham Palace

All pictures subject to copyright.

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2022-11-22 21:13:30Z
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King Charles welcomes South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa - in pictures - BBC

By Imogen James

BBC News

Mr Ramaphosa also met with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

During a visit to the Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery, the South African president was shown around an exhibition of Royal Collection artefacts.

Mr Ramaphosa picked up a photograph of the late Queen side by side with Mr Mandela at the state banquet in the Palace in 1996, saying: "This lovely picture."

The King remarked "you were lucky to have known both".

Mr Ramaphosa went on to address MPs and officials in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster.

All pictures subject to copyright.

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2022-11-22 16:46:32Z
CBMiLWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy9pbi1waWN0dXJlcy02MzcxNDYxMdIBMWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy9pbi1waWN0dXJlcy02MzcxNDYxMS5hbXA

Nottingham: Mother dies after fire that killed her children - BBC

A mother has died two days after a flat fire that killed her two daughters, police have confirmed.

Fatoumatta Hydara, 28, was taken to hospital after the fire in Fairisle Close, Clifton, Nottingham, on Sunday morning, but died on Tuesday.

Her children, one-year-old Naeemah Drammeh and Fatimah Drammeh, aged three, were taken to hospital but pronounced dead shortly after.

A man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday, remains in custody.

Nottinghamshire Police has been given an extra 36 hours to question the 31-year-old.

Det Ch Insp Mark Sinski, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are dealing with one of the most horrendous crimes - the death of two young children and their mother.

"This is a deeply upsetting tragedy and I can only imagine the family's pain. They include the woman's husband and the father of the two children, who was not in the UK at the time of the fire.

"Both he and other members of the family are being supported by specially-trained officers at this incredibly difficult time and we ask for the media to give them privacy while they deal with this incredible loss.

"This has been an extremely traumatic event for them and I'd like to reassure them we're doing everything we possibly can to bring them the justice they deserve."

Forensic officers in Fairlisle Close, Clifton

A man who lives next door to the family, who asked not to be named, said they had lived in the flat for at least the two years he had been there.

"I just know they're a nice family - they've never hurt nobody," he said.

"They've always kept themselves to themselves. They always said hello and the kids would say hello.

"To me they didn't have a hurtful bone in their body so I don't know who would want to do this to them."

Police said high-visibility patrols would remain in the area over the coming days to offer reassurance to people living nearby and answer questions.

Det Ch Insp Sinski said: "The local community has been shocked and deeply saddened by the events of the past two days and I want to thank those living in the area for the patience and understanding while we gather evidence at the scene.

"I also want to thank those who have already come forward, but I would urge anyone with any information, regardless of how insignificant you think it may be, to contact us."

Floral tributes have been left at the scene since the fire was put out at about 04:00 GMT on Sunday, and people have been lighting candles at a local church.

Adam Lamb, 40, who lives on the street, placed flowers and a teddy at the cordon.

He said: "Everyone's shocked at the moment. They didn't stand a chance did they?"

Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood said on Monday: "I'll do everything I can to support my constituents and the local community in the days and weeks ahead.

"It's devastating to hear that the fire was started deliberately. I hope that anyone who may have seen anything which could assist the police with their investigation will come forward."

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.

Senin, 21 November 2022

Cost of living: Energy suppliers failing vulnerable customers - Ofgem - BBC

By Kevin Peachey

Cost of living correspondent

Energy suppliers have been failing vulnerable customers, the sector's watchdog has said, as people face a cold and costly winter.

Regulator Ofgem has ordered improvements after it found problems at all 17 firms as part of a review.

Among its findings were examples of firms setting debt repayments so high that customers decided not to top-up their pre-payment meters.

But some of the suppliers hit back at Ofgem's "incomplete" review.

Consumer groups described the regulator's report as "hugely concerning" at a time when people were being hit by bills double the level of last winter amid the soaring cost of living.

Ofgem said some of the worst examples of poor practice included suppliers failing to read the meters of customers who could not do so themselves.

It also found that some vulnerable customers were unable to contact their supplier to top up their meter or to request support credit.

In some cases, debt repayment rates were set so high that vulnerable customers self-disconnected - in other words, did not top-up their prepayment meter when the credit ran out.

Five suppliers - Good Energy, Outfox, So Energy, Tru Energy and Utilita - were found to have "severe weaknesses", which prompted a strong response from some of the firms.

"Moderate weaknesses" were found at suppliers E (Gas & Electricity), Ecotricity, Green Energy UK, Octopus and Shell.

Ofgem said that seven others had shown minor weaknesses, including British Gas, Bulb, EDF, E.ON, Ovo, Scottish Power and Utility Warehouse.

Neil Lawrence, Ofgem's director of retail. said "most suppliers" took their responsibility to protect vulnerable customers seriously and added firms had launched new initiatives - including dedicated phone lines.

But he added: "We've seen a number of failings across the board which need to be urgently addressed.

"It's going to be a very challenging winter for everyone and customers must be confident they are getting the help and support they need."

It is Ofgem's third review into various aspects of suppliers' treatment of customers. The first demanded action on soaring direct debit demands and the second found more help was needed on payment plans for those struggling to pay.

This latest review required suppliers to give evidence about how they identified and kept records of customers in a vulnerable situation, and whether they were added to a priority register for help.

Suppliers also gave information about free gas safety checks and vulnerable prepayment meter customers.

All 17 suppliers which submitted data to the regulator were told they had to improve their practices.

Ofgem said that in general, there were risks that people were not identified as vulnerable and given the support they were entitled to.

But questions have been raised for the regulator itself, which has been accused of being asleep at the wheel when bills are soaring and suppliers failing.

In response, it said it had moved to proactive methods, rather than waiting for issues to be reported.

Suppliers hit back

To help households with higher bills, the government introduced a cap to limited price rises, meaning a typical home pays £2,500 a year for gas and electricity. However, the cap is on the unit price of energy, so those with higher usage will pay more.

This cap has been extended for 12 months from April, but will be at a higher level, so a typical household will pay £3,000 a year. Various cost-of-living payments have been announced to protect the more vulnerable, but charities and consumer groups have warned that many will still face a particularly tough time this winter.

Rocio Concha, from consumer group Which?, said suppliers needed to up their game to help people on the lowest incomes.

"It is hugely concerning to see Ofgem has found that so many energy firms are falling short on the support they provide to their most vulnerable customers," she added.

However, Energy UK, which represents suppliers, said many firms had gone beyond what they were required to do by the regulator.

"Identifying and supporting vulnerable customers is already a top priority," said Dhara Vyas, director of advocacy at Energy UK.

"Our members have responded swiftly to Ofgem's review - including providing additional documentation to demonstrate where processes were already in place, and will continue to look at all the ways they can make sure people get the help and support they need."

Some of the suppliers named as having the biggest problems reacted strongly to Ofgem's report.

Simon Oscroft, co-founder of So Energy, said: "Over the course of the last months and weeks, we have provided Ofgem with extensive additional information related to this review and we are disappointed that Ofgem has proceeded on the basis of incomplete information, and in a manner that may now cause vulnerable customers unnecessary concern."

A spokesman for Utilita said: "Ofgem's report does not represent where we are as a business today, nor does it acknowledge the significant progress we have made - and are making - since its initial assessment in early summer."

The BBC has contacted Good Energy, Outfox and Tru Energy for comment.

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2022-11-22 00:01:10Z
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Penge crash: Police driver posed clear risk to public, court hears - BBC

By Jeremy Britton

BBC News

A Met Police officer is on trial charged with causing the deaths of a 10-year-old boy and his aunt.

PC Edward Welch, 34, from Chatham, Kent, is alleged to have been driving dangerously while chasing a stolen car in south-east London.

Rozanne Cooper, 34 and child actor Makayah McDermott were run over as they walked along a pavement in Penge in August 2016.

A second child was badly injured in the crash, the Old Bailey heard.

PC Welch, who was the driver of a marked police BMW vehicle that was pursuing the stolen car, is accused of engaging in an "inappropriate" chase and of continuing the pursuit when this posed a "clear risk" to other users and pedestrians.

Opening the prosecution case, Duncan Atkinson KC said the officer's driving "fell well below acceptable standards" by reaching excessive speeds during the six-minute chase, including when crossing junctions and roundabouts and travelling the wrong side up one-way roads and through no-entry signs.

This "created and perpetuated a high level of very serious risk for a prolonged period," said the prosecutor.

The court heard the vehicle that was being chased was a Ford Focus that had been stolen six days earlier and was being driven by a man called Joshua Dobby.

He eventually lost control of the car on Lennard Road, crashing intro a bollard and crushing the three victims under the car.

Dobby was later convicted of two counts of manslaughter by gross negligence and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Mr Atkinson said this case was not about Dobby, but about the actions of the chasing car which, the court heard, had caused Dobby to start driving in a way that was "obviously and significantly dangerous".

At the time of the crash, PC Welch was an advanced driver qualified to carry out police pursuits.

He and his passenger, PC Jack Keher, had identified the Ford Focus was stolen and wanted to speak to the driver.

When PC Welch activated his blue lights and siren the stolen car accelerated away, the court heard.

Mr Atkinson said: "From that moment on it is clear the Ford Focus was trying to get away from, rather than to stop for, the police car and that whilst the police car continued to chase the stolen car it would drive in a dangerous manner in a determined effort to escape it."

The pursuit took place on both major and minor roads, the court heard.

The police car was in contact with the Met Police control room throughout, which was told that the risk posed by the chase was "low", the Old Bailey was told.

"On any sensible analysis the risk posed by the pursuit, taking account of the driving of both vehicles, was at a higher level of risk," said Mr Atkinson.

"The prosecution case here is that Welch engaged in a chase where to do so was inappropriate, and, more importantly, persisted in that chase when it should have been clear that this was disproportionate and posed a clear risk to other road users and pedestrians.

"This was not a police officer heading to an emergency, let alone an emergency involving a risk to life.

"Rather, all he wanted to do was to speak to the driver."

The court heard that when other officers had come across the same stolen car a few days earlier they had chosen to disengage from a chase.

PC Welch denies two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and an alternative charge of dangerous driving.

The trial, which is expected to last two weeks, continues.