Babak Belurs

Rabu, 28 Desember 2022

Strikes: Airport, rail and driving test staff resume strikes - BBC

Border Force staff are beginning the second in a series of strikes at UK airports until New Year's Eve.

Around 1,000 members of the PCS union, many of whom work in passport control, will walk out from 28 to 31 December.

Rail disruption will also continue on Wednesday and Thursday, with TSSA union members at Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains on strike.

Driving examiners are continuing a rolling walkout which will continue into January.

The Border Force strikes are over pay, jobs and conditions as the cost of living rises.

Civil servants will join military personnel to cover the strikers at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow airports, as well as the Port of Newhaven.

Earlier strikes from 23 to 26 December caused minimal disruption. A spokesperson for Heathrow said immigration halls for travellers were "free flowing" and that the airport experienced "no issues" resulting from the first series of strikes.

Meanwhile, driving examiners and rural payment officers at more than 250 sites across the UK are holding rolling strikes from 13 December to 16 January.

Members of the PCS union at 71 driving test centres in eastern England and the Midlands will be on strike over five days from Wednesday.

The PCS is calling for a 10% pay rise, better pensions, job security and no cuts to redundancy terms for all its members but the government has said the requested pay rises are "unaffordable".

Ahead of the first wave of airport staff strikes, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said his priorities were to reduce inflation.

"Part of that is being responsible when it comes to setting public sector pay. In the long term it's the right thing for the whole country that we beat inflation," Mr Sunak said.

Disruption to travel is also expected during upcoming rail strikes in January.

TSSA members who work for Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains will walk out from midday on Wednesday 28 December until midnight on Thursday. Talks between the union and two rail firms have yet to result in an agreement.

Nadine Rae, organising director at the TSSA, told the BBC the union believed negotiations had been progressing - but after almost four weeks of talks, the result was "completely different from what we were talking about".

That suggested the government "had interfered with the negotiation process", said Ms Rae.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said the transport secretary and rail minister had "worked hard to facilitate a fair and reasonable offer and it is incredibly disappointing that some continue to strike".

"We urge them to step back, reconsider and get back round the table, so we can start 2023 by ending this damaging dispute."

Separately, members of the TSSA employed by Network Rail, which owns and maintains the UK's rail system, have already agreed a deal over pay and conditions.

They will get at least a 9% wage rise over two years and there will be no compulsory redundancies until the end of January in 2025.

The latest wave of rail staff strikes is expected to disrupt journeys for those travelling back to work after Christmas and New Year breaks.

RMT union members at Network Rail will resume their strike action over pay and conditions on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 January.

They will walk out again on 6 and 7 January and there is a ban on any overtime for RMT members from 18 December to 2 January.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said the striking RMT rail staff would mean only around 20% of services will operate and "half of the network will shut down".

"There are likely to be even fewer services on 5 January due to a strike by drivers who belong to [the union] Aslef," the RDG warned.

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2022-12-28 09:05:42Z
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Cody Fisher: Police issue appeal over fatal stabbing of footballer in Birmingham nightclub as friend says 'I love you forever' in tribute - Sky News

Police have issued a fresh appeal for information about the alleged murder of footballer Cody Fisher as a friend paid tribute to him, begging for him to come home.

Mr Fisher, 23, was stabbed on the dancefloor of the Crane nightclub in the Digbeth area of Birmingham just before 11.45pm on Boxing Day.

Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead around half an hour later. A murder investigation has been launched.

One of his friends, Jess Chatwin, paid tribute to the footballer on Twitter, in a tweet that is no longer public.

She wrote: "You didn't deserve any of this. I'm so sorry this has happened to you my baby please come home. I love you forever Cody Fisher."

She also wrote in her Instagram bio: "Love you forever my code".

West Midlands Police wrote on Twitter: "Detectives have been working through the night and the investigation continues.

"We're really pleased with the response so far, but are still appealing for people to get in touch who saw/recorded what happened."

They included a link to submit information and photos or video footage.

In the appeal, they say no one has been arrested so far.

Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood, who is leading the investigation, said in a statement on the West Midlands Police page: "This was a young man enjoying himself with friends on a Boxing Day night out and our thoughts are with his friends and family today.

"We know there were hundreds of people in the nightclub at the time. While we've spoken to a number of them already, we still need to hear from anyone who was there and who witnessed or even filmed what happened.

"We believe that the victim was approached by a group of people, and was then stabbed, so we're working hard to identify all of those involved."

Mr Fisher's family said in a statement: "They have broken our hearts; I have lost my best friend. My family and I are asking for privacy and respectfulness at this heart-breaking time."

Mr Fisher played for Stratford Town FC, who are in the Southern League Premier Division Central. He had also played for Bromsgrove Sporting.

Stratford Town's chairman, Jed McCrory, told Sky News that "everyone is devastated by the news" and described Mr Fisher as a "talented footballer" and a "lovely, lovely young man".

One of Mr Fisher's friends, who played with him last season at Bromsgrove, told Sky News: "He was genuinely one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. He'd do anything for you."

The club released a statement and described Mr Fisher's death as a "tragic loss", adding: "Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends of Cody."

They said they were "deeply shocked and saddened" by the incident and added that the club's New Year's Eve event has been cancelled.

Detectives are viewing CCTV from the venue and urge anyone who was in the area to get in touch. The club will remain closed while evidence is collected, and police will remain in the area.

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2022-12-28 08:57:49Z
1717052709

Selasa, 27 Desember 2022

Cody Fisher stabbed to death on Birmingham nightclub dance floor - BBC

A 23-year-old man stabbed to death on the dance floor of a Birmingham nightclub has been described as a "best friend" by his family.

Cody Fisher, a non-league footballer and school sport coach, was fatally injured at The Crane nightclub, just before 23:45 GMT on 26 December.

Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later, West Midlands Police said.

His family said: "They have broken our hearts; I have lost my best friend."

Police are appealing for witnesses.

The incident happened during a Boxing Day event at the club, on Adderley Street, Digbeth and featured well-known techno DJ Marco Carola.

Mr Fisher played left back in local non-league football around Birmingham.

His picture, released by West Midlands police, shows him in the colours of a Bromsgrove side, and he also played for Stratford Town and Stourbridge.

He had been in the Birmingham City FC Academy, and was also a trainee with Walsall, according to social media and local media posts.

Police believe Mr Fisher was approached by a group before being stabbed and are urging anyone in the club to get in touch.

"We know there were hundreds of people in the nightclub at the time," added Det Insp Thurgood.

"While we've spoken to a number of them already, we still need to hear from anyone who was there and who witnessed or even filmed what happened."

One clubber told the PA news agency there were "groups of lads" who were "looking to cause trouble".

"As soon as me and my friends walked in, we got a very weird vibe and the atmosphere wasn't good," said Sydnee Power, 23, from Birmingham.

Another attendee from Wolverhampton said the event was a "disaster waiting to happen".

"Me and the friend I was with, not once did we get asked to clear our pockets out even though mine were full. I had cargo trousers on with pockets full," he said.

"They didn't even touch me whilst searching me, they just followed the outline of my body with their hands then tapped me to say go on through.

"Obviously you want everyone to have a good time and enjoy themselves [but] when we got in I said to my friend: 'That's the worst search I've ever seen'. Anyone could have brought anything in."

'Friend to many'

Bromsgrove Sporting FC tweeted it was "deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cody Fisher".

"Cody, was a friend to many at the club and we send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

Stratford Town FC posted a tribute on its website that said: "Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends of Cody Fisher.

"Our thoughts are with the you at this very difficult time.

"Cody made 54 appearance for The Bards and having started with the club in 2018."

Woodrow First School, where Mr Fisher coached children, said: "Everyone is devastated today to hear of the tragic and needless death of this bright, friendly and talented young man.

"Many of the children at school know Cody as their sports coach and have enjoyed working with him."

No arrests have been made but the scene remains closed while officers gather evidence and review CCTV footage.

In a statement, the venue said its staff were "deeply shocked and saddened" by the incident, which happened shortly before the event was due to finish at midnight.

It said "our thoughts are with the victim, and his family and friends" and staff were working closely with investigators.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk

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2022-12-27 20:15:08Z
1717052709

Man, 62, killed after being hit by police car - Sky News

A 62-year-old man died after being hit by a police car in Livingston on Boxing Day, Scotland's police investigations commissioner has said.

The man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and was pronounced dead a short time later.

He has not been formally identified; however his next of kin have been informed.

The male driver and sole occupant of the police car did not require medical treatment following the incident on Almond Link Road at around 10.15pm

Senior investigator Steven Carr, from the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner (PIRC), said: "Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the man who died.

"Our investigation into the circumstances of this incident is continuing, and I would urge any drivers with dash cam footage, or anyone who witnessed the collision, to please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference 3422 of 26 December 2022 or alternatively the PIRC during office hours on 01698 542900."

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2022-12-27 20:04:52Z
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