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from the BeeB

Severe flood warnings are in place on parts of the east coast of England, with the Environment Agency warning of "extreme danger to life and property".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown was chairing an emergency Cobra meeting, as low pressure and strong winds combined to cause a North Sea tidal surge.

Norfolk and Suffolk have seven severe flood warnings. Parts of Kent, Essex, North Yorks and Lincs are on alert.

The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers were set to be closed at 2000 GMT.

The flood alerts are a response to weather and tide patterns being tracked this week by the Environment Agency and the Met Office.

'Gravely concerned'

In a brief Commons statement on Thursday afternoon, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "A tidal surge of up to 3m [10ft] is making its way down the North Sea which could coincide with peak high tides.

"There is a risk of flood defences being over-topped on the coast and in tidal rivers, especially in East Anglia, particularly the Norfolk Broads and the coast south of Great Yarmouth including Lowestoft, and areas south of this as far as the coast of Kent."

FLOOD ALERTS EXPLAINED
Severe Flood Warning - Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now!
Flood Warning - Flooding of homes and businesses is expected. Act now!
Flood Watch - Flooding of low lying land and roads is expected. Be aware, be prepared, watch out!
Source: Environment Agency


Flood threat to England and Wales 

The Environment Agency's Simon Hughes said: "We're watching the situation very closely and we're gravely concerned about the scope for some serious flooding."

Wind speeds of about 50mph (80km/h) are predicted, with the storm surge expected to peak early on Friday morning.

There are seven severe flood warnings, nine flood warnings and 24 flood watches nationally, covering North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and the north Kent coast.

The severe warnings in place from Great Yarmouth down to Shingle Street, and on parts of the River Bure and River Yare, carry an Environment Agency alert stating: "Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now."

Suffolk County Council said it was considering whether to order people in vulnerable areas to leave their homes because of possible flooding, while in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, sandbagging preparations were under way.

Localised flooding

From the north Kent coast around to Sandwich and Deal, people were being asked to keep an eye on the weather and tides.

The impact there is expected to be less severe - with predicted tides 1.5m (5ft) above average - but there is still a risk of localised flooding.

The Environment Agency said it had put Dover District Council on alert that any cars parked at Sandwich Quay could be damaged by flood waters.

"We all need to be vigilant overnight and through tomorrow [Friday] lunchtime as we could see some localised flooding around the north Kent coast," said the agency's Brian Vinall.

The Environment Agency, Met Office, emergency services and council planners will be constantly assessing the tidal and storm situation throughout Thursday evening and Friday morning.

Large parts of East Anglia were left under water in 1953 when high tides and a storm saw a tidal surge of 3.2m (10ft 6in).

The Environment Agency said it was "much better prepared now", but the Met Office added that it was predicting the highest tide since 1983 in Felixstowe, Suffolk.

This is another moral dilemma, if this was your nearest and dearest would you flout your religious beliefs and sign a form to save their life?

A young Jehovah's Witness has died after giving birth to twins, amid claims that she had refused a blood transfusion because of her faith.
Emma Gough, 22, of Telford, Shropshire, gave birth on 25 October. The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital said an internal review into the case would take place.

The twins, a boy and a girl, are healthy and are being cared for by their father, Anthony Gough, 24.

A friend said the family was going through "immense... turmoil and grief".

"We follow the Bible and abstain from blood and I've got no reason to believe that Emma didn't share those views," the friend Terry Lovejoy added.

  Because events such as this are so rare, it is normal practice to undertake a full internal review

Tom Taylor, CEO of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust


The right to die for Jehovah 

Christine Harris, a friend of Ms Gough's mother-in-law Sham Gough, said: "The family have told me that a blood transfusion wouldn't have saved Emma."

Tom Taylor, chief executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: "We have offered our deepest condolences to the family, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"Because events such as this are so rare, it is normal practice to undertake a full internal review and also to inform the coroner so an inquest can take place."

An inquest has been opened and adjourned for a date to be fixed.

Emma Gough's funeral took place at the Telford crematorium at 1530 GMT.

Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions because they believe that God has forbidden it in the Bible. They believe that accepting a blood transfusion is a sin.

Head of Science and Ethics at the British Medical Association, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, said: "If somebody believes that having blood will excommunicate them from their religious beliefs, then they will often say no and accept the risk of death."

Guys

is there a shortage of these things everywhere? I have tried Argos, all NI stores and ones in Manchester, London and Glasgow, Smyths, Toys R us, Wollies and all that.

Santa needs one, any ideas?

Yes its here and it isnt even Holloween yet!! 

Was in Tescos and Home base this morning and they are both putting up their Christmas decorations, Dunnes and a few others have the selection boxs out already.

[It heard that just over 40% of staff had no recorded absences, with a further 32.7% having just one sick day.]

Sickness absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service cost £25.6m during the last financial year.
Workers in the Department for Social Development took nearly four working weeks off sick, whilst those in Regional Development were off 9.2 days.

Civil servants took an average of 13.7 annual sick days, a slight rise on the previous year's figure.

Declan O'Loan, SDLP, said the cost was "unacceptable". The NIO said a plan to tackle sickness had been drawn up.

The figures on sickness for 2006/7 were contained in a report given to a Department of Finance and Personnel committee on Thursday.

AT A GLANCE
12.3% off for more than 20 working days
32.7% sick for one day
Highest absence - 18.9 days - among adminstrative officers
Workers take 18.7 sick days in Department for Social Development 

It heard that just over 40% of staff had no recorded absences, with a further 32.7% having just one sick day.


The high level of absence was mainly due to 12.3% of staff off on long-term sickness - more than 20 consecutive working days.

The sickness rate was highest among staff at administrative officer level - 18.9 days - with female officers at this grade accruing 22 sick days.

Mr O'Loan said he understood that there were many "harrowing and difficult" personal situations behind the figures.

"But we can't ignore the reality that far too many days are lost to sickness in the Civil Service," he said.


Margaret Ritchie's department has the worst sickness record

"It is far in excess of the private sector. The cost to the taxpayer is not acceptable."

Mr O'Loan said that the main reason for long-term absence was psychiatric or psychological illnesses.

The Department of Finance and Personnel said the main problem was the frequency and duration of long-term absence and it was tackling this.

It said the variation in figures between departments was down to differences in terms of grade, gender and age.

A spokesman added: "Ministers have now agreed a number of actions to be considered by officials, including accrued entitlement to occupational sick pay for new entrants, a focus on rehabilitation and more effective management of those on long-term absence."

He added that there was a "robust policy on inefficiency which can lead to sanctions, including dismissal".

Not one day off sick in 5 years, so dont blame me

bloody hell, more bad news for the farmimg community

The first-ever case of Bluetongue disease in Britain has been found in a cow near Ipswich, Suffolk.
Defra officials confirmed discovery of the insect-borne virus, which is usually found around the Mediterranean.

All ruminants, which include cattle, sheep, goats and deer, can be infected, but the viral infection is not thought to pose a risk to human health.

Since July there have been nearly 3,000 cases in Northern Europe, fuelling fears of its arrival in the UK.

It is transmitted by the Culicoides imicola midge. It is passed from animal to midge, and from midge to animal - it is not transmitted from animal to animal.

The virus has long blighted Africa, but in recent years has begun to spread northwards into Europe as the range of the biting insects has increased.

Some scientists believe that climate change could be behind its spread, as warmer temperatures have seen the midges gradually move north.

Farming under fire

Animals with the disease experience discomfort, with flu-like symptoms, swelling and haemorrhaging in and around the mouth and nose. They can also go lame and have difficulty eating properly.


There is no treatment once infected
"The premises where bluetongue has been found is under restrictions. One infected animal will be culled and epidemiological investigations are being carried out to assess the situation," said the farming ministry Defra in a statement.

The news came as the farming industry has struggled with movement and export restrictions imposed due to the foot-and-mouth outbreaks in Surrey. On Saturday cattle on a fourth farm were slaughtered and the protection zone was extended after a further case was confirmed.

Both the bluetongue infection, and efforts to contain it, were different from foot-and-mouth, the Defra statement said.

No vaccine is available currently for the strain of the disease that has hit Northern Europe, where export and animal movement bans have been imposed following outbreaks.

Once infected, up to 70% of a flock of sheep can die from the virus. While infected animals can recover - and become immune - productivity is reduced with milk yields in dairy herds dropping by about 40%.

Elvis

I look more like evlis than some of those blokes, and a better singer, and I am tone deaf.

Ex-American football star OJ Simpson has been arrested by Las Vegas police investigating an alleged armed robbery.
He is accused of taking part in a raid on a sports memorabilia dealer at a hotel room in the Palace Station Casino on Thursday.

He faces charges including robbery with a deadly weapon, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

Mr Simpson says he was trying to retrieve stolen items belonging to him, and denies any guns were involved.

Police are holding another man, named as Walter Alexander, 46, in connection with the case, and are looking for four other suspects.

Officers said two guns were confiscated during a raid on a house in the Las Vegas area.

Mr Simpson gained international notoriety in 1995 when he was tried and acquitted of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

'Facing time'

Las Vegas police said Mr Simpson was charged with two counts of robbery using a deadly weapon - the most serious offence he is accused of.

He was also charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit a crime, and burglary with a firearm.

Mr Simpson will be held in custody without bail at a detention centre until Thursday, when he is due to appear in court.

During a press conference, Clark County District Attorney David Roger said Mr Simpson was "facing a lot of time".
 
The 60-year-old Mr Simpson said he and other people were trying to get back mementos that were stolen from him.

But he said his past had prevented him from seeking help from the authorities in retrieving the items.

"The police, since my trouble, have not worked out for me," he told the Associated Press.

He claimed that whenever he had called the police in recent years, "it just becomes a story about OJ".

Settlements

Although Mr Simpson was cleared of murder in a criminal court in 1995, he was later found liable for the deaths at a civil trial.

He was ordered to pay $33.5m (£17m) in damages - money that has never been collected.

In July this year the rights to Mr Simpson's book, If I Did It, were awarded to Mr Goldman's family to help recoup some of those damages.

The book, in which Mr Simpson describes hypothetically how he could have killed his ex-wife and her friend, was published in the US last Thursday by Beaufort Books with the title, If I Did It: Confession of the Killer.

The publication followed months of legal wrangling after Rupert Murdoch's companies cancelled plans to publish the book following a public outcry in 2006

this is brilliant,


The governor of Ulyanovsk region in Russia is offering prizes to couples who have babies in exactly nine months - on Russia's national day on 12 June.
Sergei Morozov wants couples to take the day off work to have sex. If a baby is born on national day, they will receive cars, TVs or other prizes.

Mr Morozov has declared Wednesday "family contact day" as part of efforts to fight Russia's demographic crisis.

The population has sharply declined since the Soviet Union collapsed.

This is the third year that Ulyanovsk, in central Russia, is offering prizes for babies born on 12 June.

This year, a couple won the grand prize of a sports utility vehicle (SUV).

The initiative seems to be paying off, as the region's birth rate has risen by 4.5% over the last year.

"If there's a good, healthy atmosphere at home within the family, if the husband and wife both love each other and their child, they will be in good spirits... so there'll be a healthy atmosphere throughout the country," Mr Morozov told the Associated Press news agency.

Demographers estimate that Russia could lose 40 million people - almost a third of its current population - by the middle of the century.

A combination of falling birth rates, emigration and an ailing healthcare system has led to the decline.

President Vladimir Putin has introduced a scheme to encourage more children.

Women who have a second or third child are eligible to receive $9,000, which can be used to pay for education or home purchases.

IT was described as BRITNEY SPEARS' long awaited-comeback.

However after promising so much, the troubled star's performance of her eagerly-anticipated single Gimme More at the MTV awards in Las Vegas last night was a complete flop.

As in most train wrecks, it was hard to focus on just one thing as the disaster unfolded.

Out-of-synch lip-synching, a tacky stripper-style costume, lethargic movements and the paunch in place of Brit's once-taut belly were a clear reminder the old pop princess is not back quite yet.



judge for yourself  http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,11021-2006410749,00.html?channel=Celebs+Exposed&clipID=1347_SUN3548

not very good IMHO, oh and link isnt that good, listen to the jokes after the song.

[He was sending about 700 texts a week and resigned from his job after bosses found out he had sent 8,000 e-mails in one month.]

A teenager is being treated for text messaging and e-mail addiction in what is believed to be the first case of its kind in Scotland.
The 19-year-old from Paisley, who did not want to be identified, said texting was like "a game of ping-pong".

In the space of a year, 'Steven' spent £4,500 on text messaging.

He was sending about 700 texts a week and resigned from his job after bosses found out he had sent 8,000 e-mails in one month.

Realising there was a problem the public sector union Unison referred him to a counselling service where he is still being treated.

Counsellors at the Renfrewshire Council on Alcohol (RCA) Trust in Paisley said they have never seen anything like it in 25 years of treating addictions.

  When you look at your mobile and you've got a message you wonder who it could be

'Steven'

Steven said the majority of his e-mails were between him and his girlfriend, from whom he has since split up.

The problem came to light when one of his e-mails intended for his girlfriend was accidentally sent to work colleagues.

He said bosses at work confronted him with statistics showing the number of e-mails he had sent and demanded an explanation.

The teenager resigned from his job rather than face disciplinary procedures.

'Comforting texts'

Steven said there was something comforting about receiving text messages on his mobile phone and there was always an element of curiosity when he received a message.

He told BBC Scotland: "When you look at your mobile and you've got a message you wonder who it could be.

"It's kind of comforting when you get one. I like it, it's like a game of ping-pong, as you send one and get one back.

"There are quite a lot of people I know who text a lot and they don't really know that help is available, or they might not see it as a problem."

Philip Irvine, of the RCA, said: "We have never come across it before and I've been working in this field for 10 years.

"On any one day, he was sending about 300 e-mails to his girlfriend. He was texting her every day and probably spending £20 to £30 a week on texts."    
He is spending no more than £10 a week on texts, which is the goal we set and he has cut down on the e-mails altogether

Philip Irvine
RCA Trust

Mr Irvine said much of the problem ended when Steven split from his girlfriend.

"It was related to the relationship difficulties he was experiencing.

"In terms of an addiction, that isn't unusual - there are often underlying problems, problems at work, relationship problems, stress or not coping, or mental health difficulties.

"For him, it was all about gaining reassurance from his girlfriend, knowing where she was and knowing what she was doing."

Mr Irvine, who is counselling the teenager once a week, said he had successfully managed to cut down the number of texts and e-mails he was sending.

"He is spending no more than £10 a week on texts, which is the goal we set, and he has cut down on the e-mails altogether."

Professor Patrick O'Donnell, a psychologist from Glasgow University, said new technology could bring new dangers which could signal the beginning of a worrying trend.



whatever next, addiction to this board? never

8000 e-mails in say a 20 day working month, diddnt do a lot else I bet.

Despite the ending of the Cold War and the warming of relations between Washington and Moscow, the nuclear issue still features regularly on the international news agenda.
North Korea, Iran, China and Pakistan all get a mention these days, but just how prepared is Northern Ireland for any fallout from current arms race rumblings?



Well, you may be surprised to learn that, at present, there is only one nuclear bunker with room for just 235 people (Northern Ireland currently has a population of approximately 1.7m).

Furthermore, it's not located at Stormont, the Queen's NI residence - Hillsborough Castle - or in the caverns of Belfast City Hall.

Ballymena

No, Northern Ireland's only nuclear bunker is located in Ian Paisley's spiritual home, Ballymena, County Antrim.

At Woodside Industrial Estate, which is home to an array of businesses including a children's adventure playground, to be precise.

Work on the bunker began in 1987 and it was completed in 1989.


Work began on Northern Ireland's only nuclear bunker in 1987

An official source commenting on its current state of repair described it as being "generally maintained".


BBC News used the Freedom of Information Act to unearth the number of official nuclear bunkers in Northern Ireland and their location.


But just who will be Ballymena-bound if a nuclear attack is one day imminent?

"There is no list of people who would be admitted into it (the bunker)," said a spokesman for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

However, the spokesman's current bosses - Messrs Paisley and McGuinness - would presumably be in with a good chance of being included if one were to be drawn up.

Ballyfeckingmena, so the 4,5,6 or whatever it is warning sounds and you have to get to Ballymena in the mddle of rush hour, stick you head between your legs and kiss you ass goodbye......

So there is room for 235 and thats it guys, so if it ever happens and Ian and Marty have the pick, it would be some craic in there for, well, a hell of a long time, probably do eachother in.

heard this today,

Rhys Jones's father Stephen has written a poem dedicated to his murdered football-mad son.
The 11-year-old boy was shot by a teenager on a BMX bike near the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth as he walked home from playing football on 22 August.

Now god wanted a football match
And to play it up in heaven
But first he needed players
And select his first eleven


  Have fun my little blue boy
Your safe and in gods care
Till its time for me to get my boots
And join with you up there...


Georgie Best, big Brian Labone
The legend Dixie Dean
Alan Ball and Bobby Moore
All made it in the team

He needed one more player
Some one who would be quick
From up above he looked down
And saw Rhys there in his kit

So Rhys was taken up above
God took him by the hand
To play the game he loved so much
Where sponsorship is banned

There is no cheating either as
God is the referee
There are no mega wages
And the transfers they are free

The games are live on telly
You don't have to subscribe
The players all stay on their feet
Cos no one takes a dive

So Rhys plays now so happily
To the angels in the crowd
And every time he hits the net
They roar his name so loud

Have fun my little blue boy
Your safe and in gods care
Till its time for me to get my boots
And join with you up there

God bless Rhys

Love Mum, Dad & Owen xxxxxx

[A 43 year old woman in Northern Ireland is serving her 31st prison sentence.]

A 43 year old woman in Northern Ireland is serving her 31st prison sentence.    
The woman, who is currently imprisoned at Hydebank Wood on an assault charge, is Northern Ireland's fourth most 'prolific' prisoner.

New Prison Service figures show that only three other inmates, all male, have been in and out of prison more frequently.

Between them the men have nearly 100 separate periods of custody on their prison records.

The three males, whose ages range between 28 and 35, are also serving sentences in relation to assault charges.

Prison population

Of 1,421 people in prison in Northern Ireland, 27 inmates (26 males and the aforementioned female) have each been in and out of prison more than 20 times.

The Prison Service figures also show that the oldest person in prison in Northern Ireland at present is a 78-year-old male.

A total of 176 people in Northern Ireland are currently behind bars having been convicted of murder.



how in under god does the judicial system allow some to serve so many different terms of imprisonment!!!!

So the end of an era, no more wonderful summer days watching britains greatest tennis player get thumped. Dont mind him its all those balloxis who follow him

Here we go again.......

http://www.petitiononline.com/aga1/petition.html

been to a few of these over the years, a good craic all round, OK there will be a few things that will annoy certin people, if you get a chance do the graveyard tour, fasinating.

then theres this
Coiste Political Bus Tour of West Belfast and
Shankill
Starting Point: Art Shop, Falls Road.
Monday 6th, Wednesday 8th, Friday 10th and Saturday 11th August.
1pm (lasts approx 3 hours)
Coiste Political Tours, in conjunction with EPIC loyalist ex-prisoners,
provide in-depth tours of West Belfast and the Shankill. See the
authentic sites of historical and political interest in West Belfast with
members of the Irish republican ex-prisoner community as trained
guides. Swap to a Loyalist ex-prisoner tour guide at Lanark Way
Peace Line for a tour of the Shankill area. £10 per person. Booking
preferred but not essential.

http://www.feilebelfast.com/

Its a wonder this guy diddnt get a good swift kick to the ballocks.

man has been banned from talking to women for five years after committing a number of indecent assaults.
Paul Jennings, 23, pedalled up behind and grabbed the bottoms of five women jogging, cycling or walking in a park.

He would brake when confronted by an angry victim, hurl verbal abuse, blow them a kiss and pedal off.

The father-of-two from Swindon is forbidden from approaching any woman he does not know in the open air, unless for legitimate reasons.


At Swindon Crown Court, Judge Douglas Field handed Jennings the five-year order, a three-year community order and told him to attend a sex offenders programme.

The court heard Jennings cycled to Coate Water Country Park on the evening of 17 April.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, said his first victim was out jogging when Jennings cycled up and grabbed her from behind.

Minutes later a 28-year-old jogging with a friend was grabbed between the legs. Jennings again stopped in front of her and winked before riding off.

A 36-year-old pushing her bike up a hill was grabbed in a similar way, and Jennings shouted, before grabbing a 40-year-old jogger's bottom.

His final victim, a 44-year-old woman was standing by the park entrance when he grabbed her between the legs.

He then let go when she karate chopped him on the arm. When arrested Jennings told police he had made a mess of his life.

On the BBCs programme One they had a survey to see what faces should replace the paramilatary murals on the streets of belfast. think it was


5:    Barry McGuigan

4     David Healy

3     Van Morrison

2     James Nesbit

keep going






and more






have you guessed yet



1    Joey Dunlop

never would have guessed, what do you think?