Here at HCX we know how difficult it can be to keep up with sports, societies and social calendars at university, let alone worry about what is going on in the news! Although it is often shocking and sad, it is important to acknowledge daily occurrences locally, nationally and internationally. Not only is it interesting but also the news can often have a direct impact on our everyday lives. So in order to encourage our readers we are introducing this new weekly news column, which will summarise the stories to be aware of each week. So without further ado, here is the weekly news round up for the week ending 7th October.
1) Mark Bridger charged with murder
A man has been charged with the murder of missing five-year-old April Jones. Mark Bridger, 46, was arrested the day after April went missing from near her home in Machynlleth, mid Wales, on Monday evening. He has also been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice and child abduction. At a press conference on Saturday, police paid tribute to the ‘overwhelming’ effort made by members of the public and emergency services. Despite a huge search from the community and police, April has not yet been found. Detective Superintendent Ian John said the search would continue stating that “we are maintaining the momentum of the search and we remain focused and committed to finding April”.
2) How many stars were involved?
Last week allegations from five grown up women were aired in a documentary on national TV in which Sir Jimmy Savile was accused of being a sexual predator, who used his fame to rape and sexually abuse schoolgirls. Earlier this week a woman told how she watched Sir Jimmy Savile and Gary Glitter abuse underage girls in the DJ’s BBC dressing room. Police are now to investigate claims that Sir Jimmy Savile and an accomplice ran a sex ring at the BBC.
3) David Cameron has ‘no plans’ for new abortion law
Over the weekend, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt made a provocative call for the abortion time limit to be slashed from 24 weeks to just 12 weeks. However, Prime Minister David Cameron has assured that the government has “no plans” to bring in new laws governing when a women can legally have an abortion. Mr Cameron said Mr Hunt was “entitled to hold an individual view” but insisted it was not government policy. About 91 per cent of abortions currently take place before 12 weeks, but opponents argue a 12-week limit would effectively end testing for conditions such as Down’s syndrome. The 24-week limit applies to England, Wales and Scotland. Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland except in exceptional medical circumstances, such as when the mother’s health is at risk.
4) Abu Hamza extradited to US
Five suspected terrorists including Abu Hamza al-Masri have been extradited to the US, after judges threw out a last ditch attempt to stay in the UK, ending a long legal battle and the British taxpayer millions of pounds for Hamza’s detention and legal costs. Prime Minister Cameron said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Abu Hamza is now out of this country.” Hamza, 54, will finally face charges of 11 counts of criminal conduct related to the taking of 16 hostages in Yemen in 1998, advocating violent jihad in Afghanistan in 2001 and conspiring to establish a jihad training camp in Bly, Oregon, between June 2000 and December 2001. Mary Galligan, acting deputy head of the FBI, stated that the extraditions “Are a major milestone in our effort to see these alleged high-level terrorists face American justice”.
5) Pope’s butler Paolo Gabriele jailed
Pope Benedict’s ex-butler Paolo Gabriele has been found guilty of stealing confidential papers from him and sentenced to 18 months in jail. The former butler was accused of stealing and copying the Pope’s documents and leaking them to an Italian journalist. The sentence was reduced to 18 months from a potential three years due to a series of mitigating circumstances. Presiding judge Guiseppe Dalla Torre cut his sentence due to Gabriele’s lack of a criminal record, his apology to the Pope and past services rendered to the Church.