Soldier Remembered

Relatives of a Scottish soldier killed in Northern Ireland almost 40 years ago have received the Elizabeth Cross. Trooper Ian Caie was serving with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards when he died following a bomb blast in Crossmaglen, in August 1972. Colonel of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Brigadier Simon Allen, presented the award in Edinburgh. The Elizabeth Cross is granted to the relatives of personnel killed as a result of terrorism.

Fresh Appeal In Hackney DJ Murder

A £20,000 reward is now on offer as detectives today launched a fresh appeal for help in tracing the killer of a well-known Hackney DJ. Wayne Powell, 38, was shot dead in Chingford on Monday 5 July 2010. Wayne's girlfriend was expecting their baby. A reward of up to £20,000 is available for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible. Wayne, who was also a keen bodybuilder and worked as a customer assistant for the London Underground at Seven Sisters, was sat in his car close to the gym he used in Higham Station Avenue, east London at about 11.10pm when a lone gunman approached his vehicle. The suspect fired four shots before calmly making off along a footpath in the direction of Coningsby Gardens. Wayne, known as 'DJ Connoisseur', was taken by ambulance to the Royal London Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The gunman is described as possibly black, about 5ft 10ins and wearing a tracksuit. The weapon used is believed to be a handgun. The motive for the murder remains unclear. Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room.

BMA Says Real Change Needed On NHS Reforms



Commenting on the launch of a listening exercise and the creation of a ‘Future Forum’ to advise the government on changes to its reforms of the NHS in England, Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of Council at the British Medical Association, said:

 “We see it as positive that the government is committed to listening. How serious it is about making real changes remains to be seen, but we welcome the acknowledgement that NHS staff and many others in the healthcare world have genuine concerns. The BMA will co-operate to get across the views of doctors, and to work to ensure we get the best outcome for patients.

 While we share the objectives of improving services for patients and empowering staff, we believe the Bill as it is currently written is taking the NHS in England in the wrong direction. We have particular concerns about the emphasis on a statutory duty to promote competition in the NHS - with the accompanying risk of fragmentation of care, the proposed new model for the delivery of education and training, and the detail of how commissioning will work.”

Extradition Appeal Date Set For Wikileaks' Founder

Julian Assange's appeal against extradition from the UK to Sweden is to take place from 12 July. Facing sexual assault allegations, the founder of Wikileaks will attend a two-day hearing at the High Court. Lawyers for the 39-year-old, who denies the charges, say the case breaches his human rights.

(BMcN)/BMcC)