20/05/2010

Other UK News In Brief

Crete Killing Probed

The British man arrested in Crete has been held after allegedly beating his 21-year-old girlfriend to death. Luke Walker is accused of killing Chelsea Hyndman who died after suffering ruptured internal organs which doctors said were caused by physical violence. Mr Walker, 22, has told his lawyer he is innocent. He is due to appear before a court in Heraklion for a preliminary hearing on Thursday where it will be decided whether he is to be charged. Miss Hyndman, from Castleford, West Yorkshire, died a day after she was admitted to hospital in Heraklion suffering from severe abdominal pain.

Cops To Get 'Discretion'

Police officers in England and Wales will be given more discretion to decide when some crime suspects should be charged. Home Secretary Theresa May also pledged cuts in bureaucracy and a "massive" transfer of power to communities, with locally-elected commissioners. However, the Shadow Home Secretary, Alan Johnson said elected officials would "politicise operations". But, Ms May also warned this week's Police Federation conference "forces would have to share the burden of the recession".

Election Over - Budget Looms

As the new Government continues to blame the previous one for the UK's economic woes, an 'emergency' Budget has been announced by the Chancellor, George Osborne. It will be held on Tuesday 22 June, and will be not only the first Budget of the new Government but also the first where the newly established Office of Budget Responsibility will provide the forecasts for the economy and public finances.

M-Way Mercy Man Hurt

A man has been knocked down on the M8 motorway as he tried to help another motorist who had broken down. The emergency services were called to the scene at junction 5, Harthill in North Lanarkshire yesterday morning and he was airlifted to hospital and the motorway was closed in both directions for a time to allow the helicopter, with an emergency medical team on board, to land. The man, who is understood to be seriously injured, was flown to the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.

Thousands Of Operations Cancelled

The large number of hospital operations being cancelled has emerged. During the quarter ending 31 March, 19,202 operations were cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons. In the same period in 2009, there were also 19,863 cancelled operations. These represented 1.1% of all elective activity, compared to 1.2% in the corresponding period in 2008/09. Of these cancellations, 857 (4.4%) of patients were not treated within 28 days of a cancellation. In the same period in 2009, 1088 (5.5%) of patients were not treated within 28 days.

(BMcC/GK)

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