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Apr 1
Yellow warning of very strong winds issued for parts of UK over Easter weekend

The Met Office said delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport were likely from 6pm on Saturday until midday Sunday for Scotland, Northern Ireland, North Wales and an area of northern England stretching from Liverpool to Newcastle. Winds of up to 90mph could be possible in western Scotland, with gusts of 70mph more widely. Forecasters added that there was a chance of power cuts, with the potential to affect other services such as mobile phone coverage. There were likely to be delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges, which could also close, the Met Office said. Read more from Sky News:Ryanair warns of jet fuel supply disruption in MayMigrant boat sinks off Turkish coast, killing 18 Areas in Wales affected by the weather warning include Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Isle of Anglesey. In North West England - Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside would be affected. In North East England, affected areas include Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Nearly all of Northern Ireland and Scotland are covered by the warning.

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Apr 1
Three more people arrested over arson attack on Golders Green Jewish charity ambulances

A 20-year-old man, a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested in the early hours of this morning at three separate addresses in East London, the Met Police said. Officers are also carrying out searches at those locations. The Met Police said two of those arrested are British nationals and the third is a dual British and Pakistani national. All three have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life and remain in police custody. A Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) investigation was launched after four ambulances from Hatzola, a volunteer-led ambulance service which operates in the Golders Green area of north London, were set on fire in the early hours of 23 March. Two men were earlier arrested on 25 March. They have both been released on bail. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of CTP, said: "Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible. "We know concern among the Jewish community remains high, but I hope these arrests show that we are doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice. "As I've said previously, the support we had from the local community since this attack took place has been incredible, and we will continue to work closely with local policing colleagues to do everything we can to keep the public safe." This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

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Apr 1
Shelly Kittleson: What we know about the kidnapping of US journalist in Iraq

The kidnapping occurred in Baghdad on Tuesday, according to Iraqi officials, who said efforts were now underway to locate the reporter and the perpetrators. The journalist has been named as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by one of the publications she worked for. Middle East crisis: Follow the latest Here is everything we know about the incident so far. What happened? The kidnapping took place on 31 March on Saadoun Street in central Baghdad, before the perpetrators headed southwest towards Babil province. Iraqi security officials said two cars had been involved. An alert was subsequently circulated to all checkpoints, leading to a pursuit during which one of the vehicles reportedly crashed near the town of Al-Haswa. The other car, carrying Ms Kittleson, fled the scene. Following the incident, Iraq's ministry said one suspect had been arrested and efforts were now underway to locate Ms Kittleson and the kidnappers. It said security forces had launched an operation "acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations". It is not immediately clear if the kidnapping is related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Who is Shelly Kittleson? According to her X profile, Ms Kittleson is an award-winning journalist of more than 15 years, reporting on the Middle East and contributing to outlets such as Politico, Foreign Policy magazine and the BBC World Service. One of the outlets she contributed to, Al-Monitor, released a statement on Tuesday saying they were "deeply alarmed by the kidnapping". In a short statement, the publication said: "We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work." It went on to call for her "safe and immediate release". What has the US said? In a statement, the US state department said it was aware of the incident and insisted "the Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans". It added that "due to privacy and other considerations, we have nothing further to share at this time". Assistant secretary Dylan Johnson wrote on social media that the state department had previously warned "this individual of threats against them" and said it would "continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible". Read more from Sky News:French vote to ban teens from social mediaWoods pleads not guilty to driving under influence Mr Johnson, who blamed the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah for the kidnapping, added: "Iraq remains at a Level 4 Travel Advisory and Americans are advised not to travel to Iraq for any reason and to leave Iraq now."

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Apr 1
Mark Kleinman blog | Poundland-owner among suitors for upmarket British handbag brand Radley

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Apr 1
Migrant boat sinks off Turkish coast after high-speed chase, killing 19

The vessel, detected by authorities in the early hours of Wednesday, had ignored repeated warnings to stop, according to the Turkish coastguard. Officials said in a statement that the boat, which had attempted to flee at speed, capsized and sank in rough seas. A coastguard helicopter from Izmir was sent to the area along with three boats, and 20 migrants were rescued from the Aegean Sea, according to officials. The statement did not ​say where the boat had ​departed from, or its destination, and the nationalities of those who were on board are not yet known. Search and rescue operations are continuing. The Greek island of Kos, an entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, lies 13 miles from Bodrum. Other nearby islands include Kalymnos, Leros and Symi. Read more from Sky News:What we know about the kidnapping of US journalist in IraqDwindling diesel and jet fuel supplies prompt EU warning While the journey across the Aegean Sea is relatively short, it can also be treacherous. Many of the boats are unseaworthy, or set out in bad weather, and fatal accidents have been common. Turkey hosts millions of ​refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Apr 1
Man appears in court after seven pedestrians hit by car in Derby city centre

Sandhu Ponnachan was charged with six counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of attempted GBH and one of possessing a bladed weapon. The 36-year-old was remanded in custody by magistrates after making his first court appearance on Wednesday. Seven people were injured, some seriously, after a black Suzuki Swift mounted the pavement at around 9.30pm on Saturday, outside the Bishop Blaise pub in Friar Gate. Counter-terrorism officers joined the investigation, but police said previously the support of these officers does not mean the incident is being treated as terrorism. Ponnachan, of Alvaston, Derbyshire, appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court after being charged the previous day. Wearing glasses and dressed in a plain grey T-shirt, grey jogging bottom and light blue croc-type footwear, he appeared in the dock and spoke only to confirm his personal details, including his address. There was no application for bail during the hearing, which lasted about five minutes. District Judge Jonathan Taaffe told Ponnachan: "You face a number of charges from an incident on 28 March. "It's said that upon that date you drove dangerously and that you committed acts that have unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to a number of people. "Given the nature of the charges, they can only be dealt with at the crown court." Read more:BBC apologises for response after Scott Mills claimsTiger Woods 'stepping away for treatment' after crash The defendant, who is originally from India but now lives in Derby, was arrested seven minutes after the incident. Derbyshire Police described the injuries as not life-threatening and later said four patients have since been discharged from hospital. The victims were four men and three women aged between 36 and 52. Ponnachan is next due to appear at Derby Crown Court on April 29.

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Apr 1
Six London police officers investigated after boy, 16, forced off e-bike and left with fractured knee

The 16-year-old boy, who is black, was stopped in Tottenham, north London, on 26 April last year due to concerns about his "manner of riding and general behaviour", according to watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Officers "used force" to remove him from the bike, and the boy was not provided with immediate first aid, despite injuring his knee, the IPOC said. He was searched, but nothing was found, so officers said he could go after taking the battery from his electric bike. However, the officers returned a short time later and arrested him on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence, threats to kill and dangerous driving. The boy was turned away from police custody after a medical examination and sent to hospital, where it was found that he had a fractured knee. Three Metropolitan Police constables are under criminal investigation: one for potential offences of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm or actual bodily harm, and the other two for intentionally encouraging or assisting an offence. The three are also being investigated for potential gross misconduct, according to the IOPC. A further three police constables are being investigated for potential misconduct after allegedly failing to challenge the conduct of the other officers and how they treated the boy. Read more from Sky News:Ryanair warns of jet fuel supply disruption in MayWarning of very strong winds issued for parts of UK Amanda Rowe, of the IOPC, said: "The use of stop and search is an important policing tool - however, it must be used proportionately. "This is a serious case where a child has been injured as a result of force being used, and we are investigating the officers' actions in this case and their treatment of the child, who was not provided with immediate first aid. "We have been in contact with the boy's family, and obtained further evidence to assist our investigation." The IOPC has viewed officers' body-worn video as part of their investigation.

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Apr 1
Two arrested after crowds of young people swarm London high street in social media 'flash mob'

Police were called to Clapham, south London, following reports of anti-social behaviour involving large groups of young people, who gathered after a series of online posts about meeting in the area. Footage showed people spilling into the road, blocking cars and buses, while others congregated on the pavement outside a McDonald's. Pictures captured police vehicles reaching the scene as traffic came to a stop due to the numbers of pedestrians in the street. In other clips, groups of people could be seen running down the road as officers in marked and unmarked cars arrived. The online 'link-up' trend sees groups posting on social media, calling for as many people as possible to gather in a specific location. It is not clear how many people were involved in Tuesday evening's unrest. Scotland Yard confirmed two teenage girls were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. Police also imposed a "dispersal order", meaning anyone congregating in the area must leave or face arrest. Similar incidents in Clapham High Street were also reported at the weekend in which there were three other teenage girls arrested. The Metropolitan Police said officers would "remain in the area" to offer support to any worried members of the public. Read more:US journalist kidnapped in IraqDwindling diesel and jet fuel to EU A spokesperson for the force said: "Police are responding to an ongoing incident on Clapham High Street following reports of a large crowd of young people causing anti-social behaviour. "Officers are on the scene, and a dispersal order has been put in place, meaning anyone congregating must leave the area. "At this time two teenage girls have been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. "They have been taken to custody. "Officers will remain in the area to offer support and respond to any concerns from local residents and businesses."

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Apr 1
Dwindling diesel and jet fuel supplies due to Iran war prompt warning from EU - as return to 2022 measures considered

Gas prices on the continent have risen by more than 70% since the conflict started on 28 February. Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping in response to US-Israeli attacks, and this has largely stopped the flow of oil and gas from the Middle East. Iran war latest: Trump to address US with 'important' update And US President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that the war could soon end - with the situation in the strait still unresolved. The EU's supplies of crude oil and natural gas have not been hit directly by the closure, as Europe imports most of those energy sources from suppliers outside of the Middle East. However, the bloc is concerned about Europe's supply of refined petroleum products, such as jet fuel and diesel. The last kerosene shipments that passed through the Strait of Hormuz before its closure are due to arrive in Europe around 10 April, according to Benedict George, head of European products at Argus Media. "There's no realistic risk of actually running out" of jet fuel, George said, though he added that, "stocks could fall to a level where you have localised shortages". Ryanair group CEO Micheal O'Leary has warned of jet fuel supply disruption in May in an interview with Sky News. Speaking after a virtual meeting of EU countries' energy ministers to discuss their response, Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen suggested that measures brought in in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine could be revived. "We don't know how long this crisis will last. And since we don't know how deep it will be, we are also preparing different opportunities and possibilities that look more like the ones we used under the crisis in 2022," he said. The EU introduced a number of measures in 2022, including a cap on gas prices, a tax energy companies' profits and targets to curb demand. Jorgensen also warned that he does not see a quick resolution to the energy crisis, even if the conflict ends soon. He added: "What I find extremely important is to state as clearly as I can, that even if that peace is here tomorrow, still we will not go back to normal in a foreseeable future." Jorgensen is encouraging EU member states to consider the International Energy Agency's 10-point plan, which includes home working and reduced speeds limits along with more use of public transport and increased car sharing. Read more from Sky News:Countries dealing with rising oil and gas pricesIran's allies could shut second crucial sea route The EU, however, will stand by its decision not to buy gas from Russia. Jorgensen said the block should never "repeat the mistakes of the past allowing [Vladimir] Putin to weaponise energy against us and blackmail member states". He added that "it would be totally unacceptable" for the EU to continue buying energy that would "indirectly help finance the terrible war that Putin is conducting in Ukraine".

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Apr 1
The common insurance that's often a complete waste of money | Money newsletter

This coming Friday, we reveal the common insurance that's often a complete waste of money, and look at which UK airports are the go-to for budget flights. Every week subscribers get early access to our Money Problem feature and, in our popular Money in your pocket section, a rundown of the best deals currently on the market for broadband, mortgages, savings, bank switching and energy. So join our growing Money community - and thanks to the tens of thousands of you who already have.

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