21/08/2012
Other News In Brief
Hackers Attack Downing St Website In Assange Protest
Computer hacking collective Anonymous says it has attacked government websites in retaliation for the UK's handling of the Julian Assange case.
It claimed responsibility on Twitter for the denial-of-service attacks.
Websites affected include those of No 10 Downing Street and the Home Office.
The Wikileaks founder is staying at Ecuador's embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden over sex assault claims, which he denies. He was granted asylum by the country last week.
Millionth Uninsured Car Seized
Police in the West Midlands has seized the UK’s millionth uninsured vehicle today, but AA Insurance warned that fines for uninsured driving are still "too lenient".
The seizure comes on the same day the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) revealed that Bordesley in Birmingham has the highest concentration of uninsured drivers, with eight times the number of motorists driving vehicles without cover compared to the national average.
Of the UK's 34 million drivers, an estimated 1.2 million are uninsured. Data shows 60% of the worst 20 postcodes in the country are in the West Midlands, followed by West Yorkshire with 25%. West Midlands police seized 5,881 uninsured vehicles between January and July 2012 alone – equivalent to 27 a day.
London Man Among Dead At Thai Nightclub Fire
A 24-year-old man from north London was among four people killed in a fire at a nightclub in Thailand, police said.
Michael Pio Tzouvanni had gone to the Tiger Discotheque in Phuket with two friends when the blaze broke out in the early hours of Friday.
The group split up just before the fire. Mr Tzouvanni died from smoke inhalation, Thai police said.
Mr Tzouvanni's brother, Joseph, flew out to Phuket over the weekend after he was reported missing.
The others killed in the fire are believed to be two Thai women and a French man. Eleven people were injured.
(H)
Computer hacking collective Anonymous says it has attacked government websites in retaliation for the UK's handling of the Julian Assange case.
It claimed responsibility on Twitter for the denial-of-service attacks.
Websites affected include those of No 10 Downing Street and the Home Office.
The Wikileaks founder is staying at Ecuador's embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden over sex assault claims, which he denies. He was granted asylum by the country last week.
Millionth Uninsured Car Seized
Police in the West Midlands has seized the UK’s millionth uninsured vehicle today, but AA Insurance warned that fines for uninsured driving are still "too lenient".
The seizure comes on the same day the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) revealed that Bordesley in Birmingham has the highest concentration of uninsured drivers, with eight times the number of motorists driving vehicles without cover compared to the national average.
Of the UK's 34 million drivers, an estimated 1.2 million are uninsured. Data shows 60% of the worst 20 postcodes in the country are in the West Midlands, followed by West Yorkshire with 25%. West Midlands police seized 5,881 uninsured vehicles between January and July 2012 alone – equivalent to 27 a day.
London Man Among Dead At Thai Nightclub Fire
A 24-year-old man from north London was among four people killed in a fire at a nightclub in Thailand, police said.
Michael Pio Tzouvanni had gone to the Tiger Discotheque in Phuket with two friends when the blaze broke out in the early hours of Friday.
The group split up just before the fire. Mr Tzouvanni died from smoke inhalation, Thai police said.
Mr Tzouvanni's brother, Joseph, flew out to Phuket over the weekend after he was reported missing.
The others killed in the fire are believed to be two Thai women and a French man. Eleven people were injured.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
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11 January 2011
Uninsured Drivers Face New Crackdown
New powers to tackle uninsured driving will come into force within months, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today. Under the new powers it will be an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured.
Uninsured Drivers Face New Crackdown
New powers to tackle uninsured driving will come into force within months, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today. Under the new powers it will be an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured.
30 September 2005
Government propose crackdown on uninsured driving
Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman has announced a clamp down on uninsured drivers. Under the new proposals, which are part of the Road Safety Bill, it will become an offence to own a car that is neither insured nor registered as ‘off the road’.
Government propose crackdown on uninsured driving
Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman has announced a clamp down on uninsured drivers. Under the new proposals, which are part of the Road Safety Bill, it will become an offence to own a car that is neither insured nor registered as ‘off the road’.
19 November 2008
Chief Fire Officer Resigns Over Child Porn Arrest
A top fire officer for the West Midlands Fire Service has resigned after he was arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. West Midlands Police arrested Frank Sheehan, 55, yesterday at his home in Sutton Coldfield.
Chief Fire Officer Resigns Over Child Porn Arrest
A top fire officer for the West Midlands Fire Service has resigned after he was arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. West Midlands Police arrested Frank Sheehan, 55, yesterday at his home in Sutton Coldfield.
08 May 2009
Heroic Tyne Firemen Honoured
Two Tyne and Wear firefighters are to be recognised for their bravery at a special ceremony today. Andrew Nelson and Allan Richardson will be presented with the Chief Fire Officer's Commendations for brave and meritorious conduct after saving a man's life. The men took part in a dramatic rescue in the early hours of 4 February.
Heroic Tyne Firemen Honoured
Two Tyne and Wear firefighters are to be recognised for their bravery at a special ceremony today. Andrew Nelson and Allan Richardson will be presented with the Chief Fire Officer's Commendations for brave and meritorious conduct after saving a man's life. The men took part in a dramatic rescue in the early hours of 4 February.
31 August 2006
Firefighters launch four-day strike
More than 1,000 firefighters across Merseyside have begun a four-day strike in protest over planned job cuts. Another four-day stoppage is scheduled to begin two hours after the first one ends.
Firefighters launch four-day strike
More than 1,000 firefighters across Merseyside have begun a four-day strike in protest over planned job cuts. Another four-day stoppage is scheduled to begin two hours after the first one ends.