Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Reporters face 15 days in Egypt jail

31 December 2013 Last updated at 17:17 GMT

Egypt remands Al-Jazeera journalists for 15 days

Detained Al-Jazeera English journalists Baher Mohamed, Mohamed Fahmy and Peter Greste (image courtesy Al Jazeera)

Detained Al-Jazeera English journalists (left to right) Baher Mohamed, Mohamed Fahmy and Peter Greste

Three journalists working for the Al-Jazeera English television network have been remanded in custody for 15 days by the Egyptian authorities.

A statement from the public prosecutor in Cairo said the men were accused of joining an illegal terrorist group, supplying that group with equipment, and three other charges.

The three include Peter Greste - an Australian former BBC journalist.

A cameraman who was also arrested has since been released.

Al Anstey, director of Al-Jazeera English, said the detentions were "outrageous" and the accusations against the men "totally false and unfounded".

Egyptian authorities have accused Al-Jazeera of bias in favour of the Muslim Brotherhood since the army overthrew President Mohammed Morsi in July.

The Brotherhood was declared a terrorist organisation last week, amid a crackdown on the group in which hundreds of pro-Morsi protesters have been killed and thousands of Brotherhood supporters arrested.

'Spreading fear'

The four journalists were arrested on Sunday - some at their makeshift office at the five-star Marriott Hotel in Cairo.

Cameraman Mohamed Fawzy was released on Tuesday but the remaining three have been remanded in custody for 15 days by the public prosecutor.

That detention can be extended if formal charges are brought.

As well as Mr Greste, they are Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, who holds Canadian nationality and producer Baher Mohamed.

As well as belonging to an illegal terrorist group - the Brotherhood - and helping promote its objectives, the detainees are accused by prosecutors of broadcasting "false news... that undermines the national interest and public security and spreads fear among the people" and possessing broadcasting equipment without a licence.

Al-Jazeera says its "hugely experienced" journalists were working legally on a variety of stories, and demanded their immediate release along with their belongings and equipment.

It says two of its other staff - journalist Abdullah al-Shami and cameraman Mohamed Badr - have been held without charge for over five months.

A court will hear a case to disband the Brotherhood's political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), on 15 February.

Liverpool v Hull City

Liverpool v Hull

Liverpool

Hull

KO 15:00

By Steve Bower BBC Match of the Day commentator

Barclays Premier League

Venue: Anfield
Date: Wednesday, 1 January

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (0)

Match Stats

Possession 50 50

Shots

0 0

On target

0 0

Corners

0 0

Fouls

0 0

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool could welcome back Steven Gerrard after the England midfielder returned to training following a hamstring injury.

Joe Allen (abductor strain) and Mamadou Sakho (hamstring) are likely to miss out after sustaining knocks in Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Chelsea.

Hull City boss Steve Bruce could keep faith with the side that thrashed Fulham 6-0 on Saturday.

Winger Robbie Brady is a concern with his ongoing groin problem.

MATCH PREVIEW

They've gone from top at Christmas to fifth to start the new year, but if Liverpool can reproduce the consistent performances and points total of 2013 over the next 12 months, then their progress and strides forward will certainly continue.

Whilst they are still title challengers, a return to the top four was always the main objective and you sense they will never have a better chance of achieving that than this season.

The omens are good - the team that has been top at Christmas has gone on to finish in the top four in each of the past 15 seasons.

Liverpool haven't beaten any of the four teams that start the year above them, but all of those fixtures have been away and they all have to visit Anfield in the second half of the campaign.

Their home form represents a positive turnaround. In seasons gone by they have struggled to beat the teams they've been expected to. However with the exception of a reverse against Southampton they've won every home game including the past six in a row and scored 23 goals in the process.

In contrast, goals had been hard to come by for Hull this season before their stunning victory over Fulham to end their memorable year on a high.

To begin the new year in 10th place with 23 points on the board is testament to the fantastic job Steve Bruce has done and has given them a real foundation to survive.

The 6-0 win against Fulham was a timely one ahead of games against Liverpool and Chelsea but they've asked questions of all the top teams so far and been competitive in most matches.

They'll have a game plan but will feel anything gained from this one will be an added bonus.

After a tough festive period on the road, Liverpool should relish being back home again.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Hull's 3-1 win against Liverpool in December was the first time in their history the Tigers had beaten the Reds (D4, L12).
Liverpool have won three of their five Premier League matches with Hull.
Two of Hull's seven Premier League goals scored against Liverpool have been own goals (from Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel).

Liverpool

The Merseysiders have lost their past two games in the Premier League - the first time this season they have suffered successive top-flight defeats.
However, the Reds have won their past six home games, winning eight of nine league matches at Anfield in total this term.
Only Manchester City (38) have scored more goals on home turf than Liverpool's tally of 25.
Of Luis Suarez's 19 goals in 2013-14, 16 have come against bottom-half opposition and just three against the top half (two versus Tottenham and one against Everton).
Liverpool have scored the first goal on 14 occasions this season - the joint-best record in the division.

Hull City

The Tigers ended a run of four games without a win with a 6-0 victory against Fulham last time out.
Robert Koren's brace in that win was the first time this season a Hull player had scored more than a single goal in a game.
Hull have never won a Premier League match in the month of January (D3, L4).
Steve Bruce is looking for a first home-away 'double' over Liverpool as a manager since his Birmingham side completed the feat in 2004-05.
With victory against Fulham, Hull became the fourth team this season to score five or more goals in a game after Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle.

Broadcaster Geoffrey Wheeler dies

31 December 2013 Last updated at 17:07 GMT

Geoffrey Wheeler, Songs of Praise presenter, dies aged 83

Geoffrey Wheeler was a familiar face on TV in the 1960s-1980s

The broadcaster Geoffrey Wheeler, best known for presenting Songs of Praise and quiz show Top of the Form, has died aged 83, his son has confirmed.

Wheeler died on 30 December in a care home in Prestbury, Cheshire, after a long illness.

He created the popular ITV game show Winner Takes All, which was hosted by Jimmy Tarbuck between 1975 and 1986.

Wheeler, who provided the voiceover during the Tarbuck era, hosted the show himself in 1987-88.

He also appeared on Call My Bluff and Jackanory.

Derailed oil train clears US town

31 December 2013 Last updated at 16:57 GMT

North Dakota town evacuates after oil train fire

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TV cameras and onlookers filmed some of the explosions

Residents of a North Dakota town have evacuated after a mile-long train carrying crude oil burst into flames after derailing nearby on Monday.

Most of Casselton's residents left their homes as winds blew potentially hazardous smoke toward the town overnight, Mayor Ed McConnell said.

No injuries were reported in the crash.

Estimates of the fire varied, with the rail firm saying they believed about 20 cars had caught fire while the local sheriff said 10 cars were ablaze.

On Tuesday, investigators still could not get close to the burning train and officials said the cars would be allowed to burn out.

Earlier, a spokeswoman for the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services said the last 50 wagons of the train had been uncoupled, but another 56 remained at risk.

'Not if, when'

The derailment, after a collision involving another goods train, is reported to have happened near an ethanol plant.

Cass County sheriff's office said it was "strongly recommending" that residents in parts of Casselton and anyone living five miles (8km) to the south and east evacuate.

Mr McConnell said most residents had heeded that warning.

"I drove in this morning and looked like most people had left," he told the Associated Press news agency. "There weren't a lot of lights on."

Officials have said a change in weather patterns could expose residents to smoke and possible health hazards.

Residents within 10 miles of the scene are being asked to stay indoors.

A shelter for those evacuated has been set up in Fargo, about 25 miles away.

Mr McConnell said it was time to "have a conversation" about the dangers of transporting oil by rail.

"There have been numerous derailments in this area," he said. "It's almost gotten to the point that it looks like not if we're going to have an accident, it's when."

The number of crude oil carloads transported by US rail lines jumped from almost 11,000 in 2009 to a projected 400,000 in 2013.

Despite the surge, the rate of accidents has stayed relatively steady.

But some have been deadly. In July a train carrying oil from the Bakken oil region in North Dakota derailed near the Canadian town of Lac Megantic, killing more than 40 people.

Smoke rises from scene of a derailed train near Casselton, North Dakota

Officials say several wagons of the train had been knocked off the tracks

A fireball goes up at the site of an oil train derailment

Residents said the heat from the explosion could be felt from the town of Casselton

A train derailment and fire west of Casselton

The accident happened at around 14:00 local time on Monday afternoon

A plume of smoke rises from scene of a derailed train near Casselton

The train carrying crude oil was pulling 106 wagons

Rain and gales as new year begins

31 December 2013 Last updated at 16:52 GMT

Storms to mark start of 2014 forecasters warn

A flooded railway line just south of Aberdare

A railway line was flooded earlier this week just south of Aberdare

More heavy rain and gales are expected to mark the start of 2014 with forecasters warning of possible flooding.

It could mean more misery for householders still reeling from the effects of the Boxing Day storm and Monday's high winds and rain.

A Met Office 'be aware' warning of rain is in place for much of the southern half of Wales during New Year's Day.

Along with the rain, gusts of 50-60mph are expected to cause further problems.

The Met Office said the rain would spread north quickly on Wednesday with rainfall totals expected to be 10-20mm, but as much as 30-40mm over some south-facing coasts and hills.

With the ground already saturated, this could lead to further localised flooding.

The yellow weather warning includes most of south Wales, although the Met Office said there were still "some uncertainties in the detail" and people were advised to continue to watch for further updates.

A Met Office forecaster said: "Another active Atlantic frontal system and deepening area of low pressure is expected to push northeastwards across the UK on Wednesday, followed by active troughs.

"A combination of strong winds and very moist air will give locally significant rainfall accumulations especially over south-facing coasts and hills.

Localised flooding and fallen trees affected travellers on Monday

"South east England is particularly prone to further flooding.

"The more persistent rain should clear eastwards later on Wednesday and overnight into Thursday, but heavy showers will follow on."

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said the rain was likely to be heaviest across south, mid and west Wales.

"River levels continue to stay high and ground remains saturated following heavy rainfall over the Christmas period, meaning that further rainfall may cause rivers to rise again quickly," said a spokesperson.

"In many areas standing water remains on road surfaces so motorists are reminded again to take extra care whilst travelling."

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BBC Wales weather presenter Sue Charles looks at the New Year forecast

People living near coastline in south and west Wales are also warned to be prepared as strong winds combined with high tides are likely to cause large waves.

NRW said officers were monitoring rivers to try to prevent debris creating blockages that could lead to flooding.

Sea defences are also being checked ahead of high tides later this week.

"People are urged to take extra care as the unsettled weather continues and should never attempt to walk or drive through flood water as it can be extremely dangerous," the spokesperson added.

On Monday there was travel disruption across Wales as trees came down in high winds, and localised flooding closed roads and railway lines.

A number of flood alerts remain in force, with one flood warning for the Lower Dee Valley from Llangollen to Trevalyn Meadows at 16:35 GMT.

Gales on Boxing Day led to thousands of people being left without electricity, with Anglesey and Gwynedd hardest hit.

ScottishPower had reconnected more than 20,000 properties by Saturday evening, while others did not get their power back until Sunday.

France to sharply reduce Mali troops

31 December 2013 Last updated at 16:55 GMT

Mali crisis: France announces big troop cuts

French soldiers stand guard in northern Mali - 1 November 2013

France initially sent 4,500 soldiers to Mali to recapture northern town from Islamist rebels

France is to reduce the number of its troops in Mali over the next three months by 60%, the French defence minister has said.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, who is visiting Mali, said a force of 1,000 would be left in place.

France intervened militarily in January to oust Islamist militants who had taken over the north of the country.

A UN force in Mali, Minusma, was due to number 12,000 by now - but is still less than half of that.

At the height of the crisis, France had a force of about 4,500 in its former colony.

In July, France handed over responsibility for security to Minusma - which has incorporated West African troops who backed the French offensive.

But France's timetable to withdraw most of its forces by the end of the year has slipped.

The 1,000 French soldiers left in Mali are intended to help fight the al-Qaeda-linked groups still targeting the vast desert northern region.

"We will remain by the side of the Malian army, and also Minusma, for as long as it takes," AFP news agency quotes Mr Le Drian as saying.

On Monday, UN peacekeepers found a large cache of explosives while on patrol near the northern town of Kidal.

UN spokesman Olivier Salgado said the quantity of ammonium nitrate found could be used to make between 20 to 25 car bombs, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Flood warnings as more storms due

31 December 2013 Last updated at 16:36 GMT

Flood warnings as more storms forecast for New Year's Day

Flooding at Lesmahagow in South Lanarkshire

Clean-up operations are sill under way after torrential rain and flooding in Scotland.

Flood warnings have been issued across England and Wales as forecasters predict more heavy rain and strong winds for the first day of 2014.

The Environment Agency said communities in Cumbria and parts of southern England were particularly at risk.

Hundreds of households are still recovering from storms that caused floods and power cuts over Christmas.

Local authorities have been preparing emergency accommodation and residents are urged to check council websites.

'Heightened risk'

The Environment Agency has seven flood warnings in place in England and Wales, meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

Counties at increased risk of flooding are Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Cumbria.

A spokeswoman said: "On New Year's Day, heavy rain is expected which could cause flooding to communities in the south-east and south-west of England.

"There is a heightened flood risk for parts of south-east, southern and south-west England and Cumbria."

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings - meaning "be aware" - for rain for areas across the UK.

Helicopter rescue

BBC Weather's Matt Taylor said that although north-eastern areas would start dry, gale force winds and heavy rain would sweep in from the south-west and Wales.

"Most areas will experience a spell of several hours of rain tomorrow. The heaviest will be in the south and west," he said.

The Local Government Association urged people to look on council websites in England and Wales for details of emergency accommodation in case rising waters force them from their homes.

The latest warnings came as a clean-up operation was underway in south and west Scotland following widespread flooding.

Seven people were airlifted by a Royal Navy helicopter from a farmhouse near Closeburn in Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway on Monday after torrential rains caused extensive disruption.

And three people were rescued by firefighters at Whitesands in Dumfries after they were cut off by the deep floodwater and rising river.

During the storms over Christmas, more than 150,000 properties across the UK were left without power, many for several days.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said some power companies had "let their customers down badly" by failing to implement contingency plans.

VIDEO: Doctors happy Schumacher 'stable'

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Doctors say Michael Schumacher condition 'controlled'

31 December 2013 Last updated at 16:13 GMT

Neurosurgeons in France who are treating Michael Schumacher say he is showing a slight improvement following a second operation last night to relieve pressure on his brain.

The situation is now said to be better controlled, although the former Formula One world champion is not yet out of danger.

Schumacher suffered a serious head injury after a skiing accident on Sunday.

Richard Conway reports.

Run collapse MP 'seriously ill'

31 December 2013 Last updated at 16:21 GMT

MP Paul Goggins 'seriously ill' after suffering stroke

A statement on behalf of Paul Goggins' family said he was "receiving the best care"

A Greater Manchester MP is "seriously ill" in hospital after suffering a stroke while out running.

Paul Goggins, Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, was out with his son near his home when he was taken ill.

He was taken by ambulance to Salford Royal Hospital, where he is currently being treated.

A statement on behalf of his family said Mr Goggins was "receiving the best care" and asked for prayers and privacy.

Labour leader Ed Miliband called the MP "one of the most decent, kind and assiduous Members of Parliament".

He said: "The news of his stroke is a huge shock for people across the Labour Party and for his friends throughout Parliament.

"All of my good wishes and the thoughts of our whole party are with him and his family."

UKIP hails rising membership numbers

31 December 2013 Last updated at 16:20 GMT

UKIP says it has signed up 13,000 new members in 2013

UKIP leader Nigel Farage laughs while reading a copy of Private Eye in May

UKIP leader Nigel Farage says the party is gaining in strength

The UK Independence Party says a record year of growth has taken its membership above 30,000 for the first time.

The party, which campaigns for the UK to leave the European Union, said numbers had increased by more than 13,000 to about 32,500 in 2013.

Its leader Nigel Farage said UKIP was appealing to people who had never joined a party before, many of whom had "given up on politics altogether".

In contrast, the Conservatives have seen their membership levels fall.

While Labour has increased its membership in the past three years, totals are still well below where they were in 2001 - while Lib Dem membership fell sharply between 2010 and 2012.

'Challenging establishment'

UKIP said 2013 had been its best ever year in terms of new members, with the party recruiting an extra 2,500 in May alone when it won nearly 150 council seats in England in local authority elections.

The party, which has no MPs but came second in the Eastleigh by-election earlier this year, has said it is hoping to win more votes than any other party in next year's European elections.

Mr Farage said UKIP had succeeded in "re-engaging many people who had given up on politics altogether".

"Many of our members are those who have never been a member of any political party before but who see that it is UKIP who is challenging the establishment on issues such as open door immigration, grammar schools and green taxes," he said.

Party membership has historically been regarded as an important barometer of the health of democracy, while a strong activist base is important to help candidates campaign in elections.

Although memberships fluctuate in line with parties' political fortunes, recent decades have seen a general decline in people willing to join parties, with more people preferring to get involved with individual issues and campaigns.

Earlier this year, it emerged that the Conservatives' constituency membership had nearly halved since David Cameron became leader in 2005. Numbers have fallen to 134,000 from the 253,600 who voted in the leadership election. In 2001 the party had 300,000 members.

In 2012, Labour had 187,537 members while the Lib Dems had 42,501.

House-sitter murder victim named

31 December 2013 Last updated at 15:27 GMT

Bosham house-sitter murder victim named as Valerie Graves

Valerie Graves had suffered a serious head injury

A woman who was found murdered while house-sitting in West Sussex has been named by police.

Valerie Graves, 55, is believed to have been staying at the property in Smuggler's Lane, Bosham, near Chichester, with her family while the owners were on holiday.

Ms Graves, of Bracklesham Bay, was found dead at the house on Monday, having suffered a serious head injury.

Sussex Police said she had two grown-up children.

Det Ch Insp Jon Fanner said it was a "rare incident" for Bosham, which he described as a "safe area".

"At this stage we are keeping an open mind as to the motive, but we are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area from late afternoon on Sunday December 29 to around 9am on Monday December 30," he said.

Police outside house in Smuggler's Lane, Bosham

Police said they were keeping an open mind as to the motive

"We have increased our neighbourhood policing patrols in the village.

"If anyone has any information or concerns, I would urge them to speak to one of the officers who are there."

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, told the Press Association: "They [the owners] have people staying in the house while they are away for the holidays, it could be friends, it could be family.

"It is not rented out, people come because it is a nice place to visit.

"I am just very sad for our neighbours and for everybody.

"You can't imagine coming back from holiday to this, it must be just horrendous."

Plane 'incident' in Warwickshire

31 December 2013 Last updated at 15:49 GMT

Plane 'incident' investigated in Warwickshire

Air accident investigators have been sent to a "serious incident" involving a light aircraft in Warwickshire.

The incident, near Honiley, involves a Cessna Citation 525.

The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) described the incident as "serious".

More soon.

'Blast reported' in west London

31 December 2013 Last updated at 15:43 GMT

'Blast reported' in west London

London air ambulance despatched following reports of explosion in Chiswick, west London

More to follow.

Clear-up begins after flooding

31 December 2013 Last updated at 15:28 GMT

Clear-up begins after Dumfries and Galloway flooding

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A man who was rescued from his flooded farm with his four young children surveys the damage caused by the heavy rain

A clean-up operation has started after widespread flooding in south and west Scotland.

All main roads in Dumfries and Galloway have been reported as being clear but some local routes remain closed.

It has emerged that the level of the River Nith at Drumlanrig on Monday was the highest ever recorded.

Further downstream, the river burst its banks in the centre of Dumfries. The Whitesands car park in the town is closed, although water is receding.

Three people were rescued by firefighters at Whitesands on Monday night after they were cut off by the deep floodwater and rising river.

Firefighters used specialised equipment and carried one of them to safety after the family was cut off in their upstairs flat.

Earlier, electricity in the area was cut off because of the rising floodwater in the Vennel and Whitesands.

Travel news: Choose an area

Meanwhile, a man who was airlifted from his flooded farm, along with his four children, has spoken about their ordeal.

Sam Kennedy-Moffat and his children, all under eight, were flown to safety after being trapped in the farmhouse beside the River Nith at Closeburn, near Dumfries, for about six hours.

Two holidaymakers in a nearby cottage were also rescued.

Efforts to reach them by firefighters and an inshore rescue team both failed.

Man being rescued in Whitesands by firefighters with a boat

The group was picked up by a Sea King rescue helicopter from HMS Gannet at Prestwick at about 19:00. Two dogs were also rescued.

Mr Kennedy-Moffat told the BBC they realised at about lunchtime that there was no way out by road.

"I realised by about half past one that there was no way out by road," he said.

"Just looking at the way the river had knocked the fence over and how quick it was coming over the top of the road.

"We switched all the electricals off and shifted everything electrical upstairs. We got the kids upstairs and got their feet dried and into socks and warm clothes and jackets."

The children's mother Niky was on the other side of the floodwaters, facing an anxious wait to be reunited with them.

"I was more concerned about the kids, wondered how they felt, were they scared? Were they all right?," she said.

"But as it turned out they were quite happy. They played with their toys and kept calm.

"They took water up the stairs, and the sweeties to make sure they had clean water and food. So they did good."

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has about 30 flood warnings in place, mainly in Tayside and the Borders, and the Environment Agency has several flood warnings and about 100 flood alerts in place in England and Wales, mostly in the south east.

All Met Office yellow "be aware" warnings for rain have now been lifted.

Scotland's Transport Minister Keith Brown told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme it was hoped the worst of the flooding had passed.

Roads near Closeburn were still flooded on Tuesday morning

"We are going to see additional rain coming in that's going to mean that the recession of the current levels of flooding we've seen in some of the main rivers will be stalled," he said.

"But by and large, all the rivers are starting to reduce, with the exception perhaps of The Tweed, which will take some time to disperse further downstream.

"But that will mean there may be some pressure points around the south west and in the Borders."

Torrential rain led to disruption in several parts of Scotland on Monday.

Homes were evacuated at Kirkconnel, in Dumfries and Galloway, and New Cumnock in East Ayrshire.

A number of tenement flats in Dundee are cordoned off after a landslip

Flooding caused disruption on the rail network and several road closures.

Homes in Port Logan and Newton Stewart also had to be evacuated.

Meanwhile, a number of tenement flats in Dundee are still cordoned off after heavy rain caused a landslip.

A wall at the rear of the buildings in the city's Gardner Street also collapsed and a number of residents were evacuated from their homes as a precaution.

No-one was injured and engineers have been assessing the damage. The road is closed to traffic.

Have you been affected by flooding? You can send your photos or footage and share your comments with us using the form below.

Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.

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London Market Report

31 December 2013 Last updated at 13:07 GMT

London Market Report

Overview Stock markets Share prices Currencies Commodities Gilts & Bonds UK Earnings
	London \| Paris \| Frankfurt \| Tokyo \| Wall Street

FTSE 100 Index

Last Updated at 31 Dec 2013, 12:36 GMT *Chart shows local time

value	change	%
6749.09	+ +17.82	+ +0.26
Top winner and loser
Aberdeen Asset Management
500.00 p	+ +14.80	+ +3.05
Marks & Spencer Group
432.60 p	- -10.10	- -2.28

value	change	%
FTSE 250 Index
15935.35	+ +34.61	+ +0.22
FTSE 350 Index
3674.32	+ +9.44	+ +0.26
FTSE All Share Index
3609.63	+ +8.88	+ +0.25
FTSE Techmark Index
3197.32	- -1.73	- -0.05

(Close): London's leading shares had their best year since 2009 in a year when many global indexes touched record highs.

The benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 0.3%, or 17.8 points, to close at 6,749.09 in a day of shortened trading.

The index is up 14.4% in 2013 and reached 6,875.62 in June, the highest since 1999.

On Tuesday, Debenhams plunged 12.2% after the department store warned of poor sales during Christmas.

Retailer Marks & Spencer also declined, down 3.9%.

Property stocks were the biggest gainers on the last day of the year. Persimmon rose 1.7%.

US hails Guantanamo 'milestone'

31 December 2013 Last updated at 15:08 GMT

Guantanamo Bay: US hails 'milestone' release of Chinese Uighurs

Guantanamo prisoner wearing leg restraints - file pic

Conditions at Guantanamo have been condemned by human rights groups

The US has hailed the release of the last three Chinese Muslim Uighurs held at the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay as a "significant milestone".

The three were flown to the Slovakian capital Bratislava, where the US said they were "voluntarily resettling".

None of them are terror suspects, the Slovakian interior ministry stressed.

Guantanamo now holds 155 prisoners, down from more than 750. Many have been there for more than a decade, and many were cleared for release years ago.

The US says it refuses to repatriate Uighur detainees to China because of the risk they could be mistreated. China has cracked down hard on Uighur dissidents who oppose rule from Beijing.

Slovakia - a member of the EU and Nato - also accepted three inmates from Guantanamo in 2010.

Since 2001 the prison on Cuban soil has housed suspects detained by US forces during operations against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Hunger strike

A US Department of Defense statement named the three Uighurs as Yusef Abbas, Saidullah Khalik and Hajiakbar Abdul Ghuper.

"These three are the last ethnic Uighur Chinese nationals to be transferred," said Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby.

"This transfer and resettlement constitutes a significant milestone in our effort to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay," the statement said, and it thanked the Slovak government for its "humanitarian gesture".

More than 100 inmates went on hunger strike at Guantanamo earlier this year.

According to a prisoner list published on the Wikileaks website, 22 Chinese Uighurs were imprisoned at Guantanamo by US forces after capture in Afghanistan.

In April US President Barack Obama renewed his call to close the prison, saying "it is inefficient, it hurts us in terms of our international standing".

Previously six Uighurs have been sent from Guantanamo to the Pacific island nation of Palau, while 11 others have gone to Bermuda, Albania and Switzerland.

The Uighurs are a mainly Muslim, Turkic-speaking minority based in western China's Xinjiang region.

PM urges NI parties to continue push

31 December 2013 Last updated at 15:09 GMT

NI Haass talks: Cameron calls on parties to continue efforts

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Dr Richard Haass says "significant progress" has been made

Politicians in Northern Ireland must continue their efforts to secure agreement on divisive issues, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

Months of talks on the issues of parades, flags and the legacy of the Troubles ended without a deal.

Mr Cameron said the talks had "achieved much common ground" nevertheless.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the Irish government would work with Downing Street and Stormont to support further efforts to achieve greater peace.

Meghan O'Sullivan and Richard Haass chaired a series of round-table talks

Former US diplomat Dr Richard Haass, who chaired the talks, said that while a final agreement had not been reached, "significant progress" had been made and there was a "basis" for change.

New Year's Eve had been set as a deadline for agreement.

The proposed deal won broad support from Sinn Féin, the largest nationalist party, but others including the unionist DUP said unresolved issues over parades and flags meant more work was needed before consensus could be reached.

Dr Haass said: "We very much hope that the parties reflect on this, discuss it with their leadership and then come back with a strong endorsement. Over the next week we will know a lot more."

He said progress had been made in all three of the negotiating areas, especially the past, while flags and symbols had proven to be the "toughest area of negotiations".

Dr Haass, who was brought to Northern Ireland with co-chair Prof Meghan O'Sullivan in July by the first and deputy first ministers, said all five parties had "given it their best" and were "prepared to continue" with the process.

The final push for a deal began at 10:00 GMT on Sunday and carried on until 05:00 GMT, and was on a seventh set of draft proposals put forward during the talks.

The three key issues have been:

The past - more than 3,500 people died in the Troubles, and in almost 3,300 cases no-one was prosecuted. Reaching agreement on how to investigate these killings and what to do about other people affected by the Troubles has so far proved impossible
Flags - this issue was highlighted last year when Belfast City Council's decision to fly the union flag from city hall and other council buildings only on 18 designated days sparked street protests
Parades - though many are not contentious, some unionist parades that pass through or close to nationalist areas have been controversial. A small number of nationalist parades have also proved contentious in the past

After the talks, Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams said there would be "a lot of disappointment" that agreement had not been reached, but he believed the proposals contained the "basis for a deal".

The DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson said that while the "broad architecture" of the agreement was acceptable, "some of the language and detail is not what we would have chosen".

SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said "much has been achieved in terms of the past", and despite some concerns, he believed his party would endorse the proposals.

Mike Nesbitt, leader of the UUP, said he would not disclose his opinion on the proposals until after his party had "an honest debate" about its contents.

Alliance Party deputy leader Naomi Long said the talks had moved negotiations forward but there were still major challenges over the issues of parades and flags.

Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers expressed disappointment but said it was important that this was not "the end of the road".

And Labour's Ivan Lewis, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, said: "The failure to reach a final agreement is deeply disappointing. However, significant common ground has been identified which should be the basis for future progress."

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