Motorway Pub To Open Despite Opposition

A new £1m pub opens at a motorway service station today, in the face of fierce criticism from road safety and alcohol campaigners.

Pub chain JD Wetherspoon says The Hope & Champion will be open from 4am to 1am, seven days a week.

The venue is located in the Extra Motorway Service Area at junction 2 of the M40 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

It is the first pub ever to be opened at a motorway service area, and will sell real ale from local and regional brewers.

But critics say the location of the pub is "at odds" with public opinion.

The RAC said a survey of 2,000 people showed only 12% of respondents supported putting pubs into motorway service stations.

Around two-thirds said they did not agree with the move, with older drivers more likely to oppose the sale of alcohol at motorway service areas.

Only 8% of over-55s were in favour, with 71% against, while almost one in five of those aged between 18 and 34 were in support.

The RAC's head of external affairs Pete Williams said: "The public appear to be very much against the introduction of motorway pubs.

"In our view this is a risky and frankly unnecessary move. The question we are struggling to answer is - of all the places to open a pub, why choose a motorway service station?

"The temptation to drink and drive can only be increased by easier access to alcohol."

But Steve Baldwin, manager of the new pub, said the venue would serve the local community.

"The Extra Motorway Service Area, now including The Hope & Champion, primarily serves the motorway users, but its facilities are also available to the surrounding community from the local road network," he said.

Sir Ian Gilmore, Royal College of Physicians special adviser on alcohol and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said: "I am disappointed by the decision to open a JD Wetherspoon on the M40.

"We are trying to prevent harm from alcohol-related traffic accidents and this sends out completely the wrong message."

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Obesity: Gastric Balloon Technology Launched

By Frazer Maude, Sky News Reporter

A new weapon in the fight against obesity is being launched in the UK - despite fears over its methods.

The system, designed by San Diego firm Obalon Therapeutics, allows a gastric balloon to be inserted into the stomach without invasive surgery.

The balloon is being launched in the UK after successful trials here and in the US.

What makes this system different from other gastric balloons is that it can be swallowed and then inflated without the need for anaesthetic or sedation.

It is packed inside a gelatine capsule that dissolves in the stomach and is inflated through a tube.

Then the tube is pulled out, allowing a self-sealing valve to keep the balloon inflated.

Two or even three balloons could be placed in the patient's stomach, and after three months they are removed using a traditional endoscopic procedure.

The balloon works by taking up space in the stomach, making the patient feel fuller after eating a reduced portion of food, and so reducing their calorific intake.

Helene Fleckney, from Shenley in Hertfordshire, has had two of the balloons inserted into her stomach during the product's trial.

The balloon is inside a gelatine capsule that dissolves in the stomach

She told Sky News: "Prior to having Obalon I weighed 11st 1lb and I'm now down to 9st 9lb, so that's 19lb lost.

"I'm delighted with that - it's made me feel so much better in myself."

Some doctors and dieticians do have concerns about the use of gastric balloons.

They worry that it could lead to the overweight stopping trying to lose the pounds through diet and exercise, instead opting for a perceived "quick fix".

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: "What you really have to do is to do everything you can to maintain a proper weight, healthy living, healthy lifestyle so you never get up to a BMI of 27."

Spire Hospital in Bristol is one of those providing the treatment, which costs from around £2,000, and is not available on the NHS.

Gastric surgeon Sally Norton says it should be seen as part of a regime of diet change and controlled weight loss.

"This is something that people can think 'This will get me out of that vicious circle of yo-yo dieting, of being completely unable to move the weight on my own'.

"This balloon will act to educate them about portion size, and retrain their brain and their mindset.

"It can help motivate them because they'll lose some of the weight on their own, and it will provide them with the tools to continue losing the weight once the balloon has come out after three months."

The trials do back up the theory that this is a sound alternative to traditional gastric balloons.

The manufacturers claim that patients using this system averaged a 35.5% weight loss, compared with 20% for conventional balloons.

Dieticians though, insist prevention is better than cure, and that a healthy diet with regular exercise will mean never having to consider medical intervention in the first place.

It is predicted that half the UK population will be obese by 2050. Current research suggests that 25% of adults and 900,000 young people already are.

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Kids Growing Up 'In Toxic Stress Climate'

Britain's youngsters are growing up in an "unprecedented toxic climate" of stress and pressure in a "24/7 online culture where they can never switch off", according to a survey by charity YoungMinds.

In the poll of 2,000 youngsters aged 11 to 25, over half believed they would be a failure if they did not get good grades, half said they had been bullied, while a third said they did not know where to turn to get help when they feel depressed or anxious.

Of the 11 to 14-year-olds questioned, four in 10 said they skipped meals to try to stay thin and over half said they had viewed online pornography, with four out of 10 of these saying it had affected their relationships with others of their age.

Lucie Russell, director of campaigns at YoungMinds, said: "We are sitting on a mental health timebomb."

Frankie Sandford, of The Saturdays, and Labour leader Ed Miliband are among those backing the charity's new campaign YoungMinds Vs, which is calling for improvements across a range of issues that young people say are the biggest they face.

Frankie Sandford is backing new campaign

Ms Sandford said: "I get to talk to a lot of young people and I know there are so many who are really suffering and struggling with life.

"That's why I really support the YoungMinds Vs campaign because it's raising awareness of the importance of young people having good mental health and everything that can be done to make that happen, including young people getting access to help when they need it."

Mr Miliband added: "Mental health is the biggest unaddressed health challenge of our age, and young people's mental health must be a top priority for Britain."

Nick Clegg will launch the Mental Health Action Plan

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is pledging to improve the standards of mental health treatment for people of all ages and to end the stigma and discrimination faced by those with mental health issues.

He will give a speech later today launching the Government's new Mental Health Action Plan, which sets out 25 areas where immediate action is called for to improve care, support and treatment.

He will say: "All too often, attitudes to mental health are outdated; stuck in the dark ages; full of stigma and stereotypes.

"It's time for us to bring mental health out of the shadows and to give people with mental health conditions the support they need and deserve."

Mr Clegg will note that mental illness costs the economy £105bn every year and that life expectancy for a man with severe mental illness is reduced by 20 years compared with the rest of the population, and 15 years for a woman.

He will say people with mental health issues ill have the same legal right as those with physical conditions to choose where they go for care, including being able to choose the person and provider from April.

The choice will not be limited to an NHS organisation, and that patients will also be able to choose from a voluntary or independent provider offering services on the NHS when they go to see their GP to seek help, he will add.

New standards on access and waiting times for mental health services are also to be introduced next year, so that patients will know what kind of treatment to expect and when.

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Mikaeel Kular's Mother Due In Edinburgh Court

The mother of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular will appear in an Edinburgh court this morning to face charges in connection with his death.

Rosdeep Kular, 33, reported that her son was missing from their home last Thursday morning.

Police found Mikaeel's body in an area of woodland in Kirkcaldy in neighbouring Fife late on Friday.

The discovery followed a major investigation after Mikaeel was reported missing from the home in Ferry Gait Crescent in the Scottish capital.

Police and local volunteers carried out an extensive search for the boy in north Edinburgh, often in bad weather and cold temperatures.

Candle and floral tributes seen on Ferry Gait Crescent in Edinburgh

Members of the public also made more than 500 calls to a dedicated phone line set up in the wake of Mikaeel's disappearance.

Police Scotland said on Saturday night that a 33-year-old woman had been arrested and charged in connection with the boy's death.

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: "Following formal identification, I can now confirm that a 33-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with Mikaeel's death.

"The woman is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday."

Mikaeel's body was found around 30 miles from the family home in Edinburgh

A memorial service took place on Saturday night at Edinburgh's St Andrew's Muirhouse Parish Church.

Candles were given out at the door before the service, which was open only to the local community.

Meanwhile, there have been several arrests over suspected offensive tweets in relation to Mikaeel's disappearance.

Derbyshire Police arrested a 26-year-old man, while Hampshire Police said a 19-year-old man had been bailed on suspicion of posting a racially offensive comment.

"We are investigating the message to assess whether any criminal offences have been committed," said a spokesman for Hampshire Police.

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Mikaeel Kular's Mother Charged Over His Death

The mother of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular has been arrested and charged in connection with his death.

Rosdeep Kular, 33, is due to appear in court on Monday.

She had been questioned by officers on Saturday after her son's body was discovered in woodland near a house in Kirkcaldy, Fife, following a major search.

The body was removed from the scene at around 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: "During the course of today, the investigation into the disappearance of Mikaeel Kular has continued at pace.

The body was found around 30 miles from Mikaeel's family home in Edinburgh

"Following formal identification, I can now confirm that a 33-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with Mikaeel's death.

"The woman is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday."

A memorial service took place on Saturday night at Edinburgh's St Andrew's Muirhouse Parish Church.

Candles were given out at the door before the service, which was open only to the local community.

Dozens of teddy bears were left near Mikaeel's Edinburgh home

Mikaeel was reported missing from his home in the Scottish capital on Thursday morning.

Hundreds of police officers from across the UK joined the search and lines of volunteers swept the local area, searching for clues about his disappearance.

More than 500 calls were made by the public to a dedicated phone line.

Police Scotland are also investigating an offensive Twitter comment relating to the case, which originated in the Greater Manchester area and was reported by an Edinburgh resident.

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Briton Killed In St Lucia Was Protecting Wife

A British man has been murdered while trying to protect his wife from attackers on the island of St Lucia.

Three people are in custody and a murder inquiry launched after the death of Roger Pratt, 62.

The couple were attacked while their boat was moored off the Vieux Fort coast where they had been staying as part of a round-the-world voyage, celebrating Margaret's 60th birthday.

They left Lowestoft in June, navigating the English coastline before heading to the Algarve and on to the Caribbean.

A St Lucian police spokesman confirmed Mr Pratt died trying to defend his wife from attackers, but said there was no evidence the man was shot.

The attack happened at Vieux Fort

He said: "Nobody has been arrested yet but there are some guys in custody. The investigators are very busy looking at what happened."

St Lucian tourism minister Lorne Theophilus said: "It is with much regret that I and other industry partners have learnt of the unfortunate incident which has resulted in the loss of life of a visitor to our shores.

"At this time we extend our sincerest condolences to the family of British national Roger Pratt. To his wife, who also sustained injuries as a result of the attack off the Vieux Fort coast, we extend our deepest sympathies. Our prayers are with her for a speedy recovery.

"This is an active investigation and law enforcement is leading the charge in an attempt to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice speedily.

"Law enforcement officials have briefed myself and other senior tourism officials on aspects of the case although I am not at liberty to share some of those details with you at this time."

St Lucia is very popular with tourists (File pic)

The couple lived in the village of Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire before embarking on their adventure.

Writing on her blog in the hours before the attack, Mrs Pratt told how bureaucracy thwarted their attempts to leave that part of the Caribbean.

She said: "On Thursday morning the plan was to clear out from Soufriere, then to travel south and use up the 72 hours before we had to be away.

"But bureaucracy intervened. HM Customs and Excise in Soufriere told us that exit had to happen within 24 hours of clearing out; and that anyway, we couldn't clear out of Soufriere that day because the Immigration Officer hadn't come to work(!!)

"So here we are in Vieux Fort, the most southerly port of clearance in St Lucia. It's very different. There's a port; an airport and no tourists - and so it's a regular town."

Writing on her LinkedIn profile before she left, Mrs Pratt said: "Off travelling! The plan is to be in the Caribbean for my 60th birthday in January 2014... all a bit of a leap into the unknown. Please stay in touch - I plan to be an assiduous correspondent!"

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Briton Killed In Afghanistan Suicide Attack

A British national has been killed in a bomb blast and gun attack in the Afghan capital Kabul.

The Briton was among 16 people who died when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a restaurant and two gunmen sneaked in through a back door and opened fire.

The gunmen are believed to have been shot dead by security forces when they arrived at the scene.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We can confirm the death of a British national and we stand ready to provide consular assistance to the family."

The Taliban said it carried out the attack on La Taverna du Liban, a restaurant popular with foreigners and wealthy Afghans alike.

The blast happened at a heavily secured restaurant in the Afghan capital

It described the building as a "foreign hotel" and said the blast targeted "high-ranking German officials" it described as "foreign invaders".

The German foreign ministry said it was looking into the claims, while Ari Gaitanis, a spokesman for the UN, said at least four of its employees remained unaccounted for.

Kebab cook Abdul Majid, who suffered leg fractures in the blast, said: "I was sitting with my friends in the kitchen when an explosion happened and smoke filled the kitchen.

"A man came inside shouting and he started shooting. One of my colleagues was shot and fell down. I ran to the roof and threw myself to the neighbouring property."

Like many places that are popular with diplomats, aid workers and businessmen in Afghanistan, the restaurant has no signs indicating its location and is heavily secured.

It has no windows, bags of dirt are piled up outside to act as blast walls and guests are searched before entering the premises.

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