Pakistan votes in landmark election
By Anonymous on May 11, 2013 02:51 am 10 May 2013 Last updated at 17:13 ET 
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Coups, conflict and cricketers: Pakistan's vital election - in 90 seconds
Millions of Pakistanis are preparing to cast their votes in national and provincial elections on Saturday.
The vote will mark Pakistan's first transition from one civilian government to another in its 66-year history.
However, the run-up to the election has been marred by violence in which more than 100 people have been killed.
Tens of thousands of troops will be deployed at polling stations after the Pakistani Taliban threatened to carry out suicide attacks.
The Taliban on Friday warned voters to boycott polling stations in order to avoid attacks on the offices of political parties.
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There is a widespread expectation that nationally no one party will win an overall majority"
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Owen Bennett-Jones BBC News
The militants have been blamed for numerous attacks throughout the campaign on Pakistan's three most prominent liberal parties.
The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) along with the Karachi-based Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP) have been singled out for attacks by the Taliban.
As a result, the parties have been forced to curtail their election campaigning.
In contrast the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of Nawaz Sharif and the Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party of Imran Khan have been able to campaign without being specifically targeted by militants.
Election officials say electoral rolls have been refreshed and a text messaging service will provide voting information to individuals in a bid to clamp down on corruption.
Continue reading the main story 11 May elections
- Polls open at 08:00 local time and close at 17:00
- 86,189,802 registered voters
- 5,000 are standing for 342-seat National Assembly, 272 are directly elected.
- 11,692 Provincial Assembly candidates
- 51 candidates are vying for the NA-48 constituency seat in Islamabad
- More than 600,000 security and army personnel will be deployed to guard against possible attacks
- More than 73,000 polling stations - 20,000 of which are deemed a security risk
- Polls will mark the first time that a civilian government has completed a full five-year term and handed over to an elected successor
In previous elections there have been accusations that candidates and some state institutions rigged the vote by setting up ghost polling stations and creating millions of fake voters on the electoral rolls.
However, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on Friday expressed "acute concern" about the the manner in which the violence has "impaired the fairness of the elections almost beyond repair".
It called on all institutions to "stretch themselves to their absolute limit to ensure security of voters, candidates and polling stations on Saturday so that the people can exercise their right to choose their representatives".
The Taliban threat sparked a major security operation leading up to the vote.
More than 600,000 security and army personnel will be deployed to guard against possible attacks on polling day.
On Thursday, the son of former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani was abducted during a rally.
Opinion polls indicate there could be a record turnout, higher than the 44% in the last elections in 2008.
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Call to screen carers for depression
By Anonymous on May 11, 2013 02:48 am 10 May 2013 Last updated at 19:00 ET 
Carers should be routinely screened for signs of depression by their GP to ensure their health needs are not neglected, doctors' leaders say.
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) estimates one in every 20 patients registered with a GP practice is providing unpaid care.
About 40% of carers are thought to be at risk of depression or stress because of their caring role.
Carers UK said GPs had a vital role to play in supporting carers.
It is estimated that seven million people in the UK currently provide unpaid care to a sick or disabled child or an adult who could not otherwise live independently.
Many of them are already known to GPs, but the RCGP says more should be done to improve the support and services offered to carers.
It says the "screening" process for depression should involve "a small number of general, non-invasive, questions about mood and mental wellbeing".
The RCGP has also drawn up a list for clinical commissioning groups - groups of GPs that plan local care - to ensure carers' needs are taken into account.
- Improve GP access by allocating routine appointments and vaccinations at convenient times for carers
- Appoint a carers' "champion" in all GP surgeries
- Maintain a carers' register within the GP practice
- Carry out audits to measure improvements in carer support
Dr Clare Gerada, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said carers often found it hard to admit they were struggling.
"Carers often neglect their own healthcare needs and in many cases it is only a matter of time before they themselves become ill.
"GPs can play a crucial role in identifying potential problems in the early stages and 'screening' for depression is something that many GPs are doing already.
"Commissioners need to invest in supporting carers as a critical asset.
"They already save the public purse £119bn a year and this initiative could save even more by ensuring that carers stay well enough to keep on caring."
Helena Herklots, chief executive of Carers UK, said caring full-time for a family member could leave people cut off from the outside world.
"This isolation, alongside the pressures, fears and anxieties of supporting an ill or disabled loved one can take a serious toll on carers' mental health," she said.
"NHS and social-care services, particularly GPs, are often the first port of call for families' with caring responsibilities - they have a vital role to play in identifying carers and helping them access the support they need."
Read in browser » New Star Wars film to be shot in UK
By Anonymous on May 10, 2013 09:37 pm 10 May 2013 Last updated at 21:37 ET 
Star Wars creator George Lucas sold his production company to Disney last year
The latest Star Wars film is to be made in the UK, producer Lucasfilm has said.
The seventh movie in the sci-fi series is due to start production next year and is scheduled for release in 2015.
Filming on previous Star Wars also took place in Britain at studios including Elstree, Shepperton and Leavesden.
Chancellor George Osborne met executives from Disney-owned Lucasfilm in London earlier this year to discuss the plans and the production is thought to be eligible for a tax break.
In a statement, Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm president, said: "We've devoted serious time and attention to revisiting the origins of Star Wars as inspiration for our process on the new movie, and I'm thrilled that returning to the UK for production and utilising the incredible talent there can be a part of that."
The company said representatives from Lucasfilm met with Mr Osborne "to establish an agreement to produce Star Wars in the UK".
Mr Osborne said: "Today's announcement that the next Star Wars film will be shot and produced in the UK is great news for fans and our creative industries, and it is clear evidence that our incentives are attracting the largest studios back to the UK.
"I am personally committed to seeing more great films and television made in Britain."
In recent years hundreds of films have benefitted from tax relief, which require that at least 25% of the total production expenditure takes place in the UK.
Relief can be claimed on production expenditure in the UK, up to a maximum of 80% of the total budget.
Series revived Disney announced it would be making three new Star Wars films after it purchased Lucasfilm, the company started by Star Wars creator George Lucas, in October 2012.
Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by JJ Abrams, from a script by Little Miss Sunshine writer Michael Arndt.
The six films in the series have grossed more than £2.8bn ($4.4bn) at the worldwide box office.
The original was followed by the Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and Return of the Jedi in 1983. The film series was revived in 1999 for three prequels.
Production on previous Star Wars films also took place in the UK at Pinewood and Ealing studios, as well as on locations across the world.
Lucasfilm has not confirmed where the new film would be made but Star Wars fansite Jedinews has speculated that Pinewood studios may be one of the sites.
Earlier this month, the Sun newspaper also reported that scenes would be shot in the Highlands and the Isle of Skye.
Read in browser » Cleveland Police in massive payout
By Anonymous on May 10, 2013 03:07 pm 10 May 2013 Last updated at 15:07 ET By Zoe Conway BBC Newsnight 
James Watson is one of the best known defence solicitors in North Eastern England
Cleveland Police has agreed to pay £550,000 in damages after prominent defence lawyer James Watson was falsely imprisoned, BBC Newsnight has learned.
The unprecedented payout includes £80,000 in exemplary damages - the maximum possible amount.
The force admits falsely imprisoning Mr Watson and his family when the lawyer was arrested in 2009, wrongful interference with his belongings and trespass.
They also agreed to remove any vestige of suspicion from police records.
As part of its settlement agreement Cleveland Police have also accepted that they cannot defend against claims that the search warrants used to search Mr Watson's home and office were maliciously procured, or that officers' behaviour amounted to "misfeasance" - an abuse of power.
"The sum offered and accepted in this case was at the absolute maximum, there is no higher reward of exemplary damages that a court could make. And so that is the clearest recognition on the chief constable's part that the conduct of her officers was utterly indefensible," Mr Watson's lawyer Fiona Murphy said of the decision.
Mr Watson, one of the best known defence solicitors in the North East of England, was arrested when Cleveland Police raided his Middlesbrough home in June 2009.
He was held in a cell for almost 30 hours and questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice before being released on bail.
His wife Rita and their two sons were held in one room of their house for more than seven hours.
The house and his office were searched and documents - including sensitive papers protected by legal privilege - were seized.
Trial collapse Cleveland Police launched their investigation into Mr Watson after their case against one of his clients collapsed. Bronson Tyers was convicted of conspiracy to kidnap but then acquitted in a retrial.
Mr Watson was suspected of being part of a conspiracy to make witnesses change their story. He was arrested but, despite a two-year investigation, never charged with any offence.
Police also admit Mr Watson's wife Rita and their two sons were falsely imprisoned
Newsnight has seen an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report which is highly critical of the way Cleveland Police investigated Mr Watson and of the conduct of the officer in charge, Chief Inspector Anthony Riordan.
The report, written last year by a senior officer at West Yorkshire Police, says that Ch Insp Riordan behaved as if he was "hell bent on cornering his quarry", that his attention had become "focused unhealthily" on Mr Watson and that this had the effect of "clouding his judgement".
According to the IPCC, Ch Insp Riordan presented unsubstantiated evidence to a senior judge when he went to the Old Bailey to apply for warrants to search Mr Watson's property.
The judge was left with the impression that there were reasonable grounds to believe Mr Watson was involved in money laundering, which was untrue.
Warrant application Ch Insp Riordan told Newsnight in a statement that it had been agreed "by senior individuals" that there would be an application for a joint warrant relating to Cleveland Police's investigation into perverting the course of justice and an investigation into money laundering by West Yorkshire Police.
He said that since he was not involved in the money laundering investigation he was reliant on West Yorkshire Police's officers that the application was in order and that Cleveland Police were "advised by counsel about the legality of the warrants and the proposed application before this was made".
Speaking about the incident Mr Watson said: "The shenanigans at the Old Bailey, as appalling as they may be to an outsider coming and looking at them for the first time, is the sort of behaviour Cleveland Police have been up to in small things and big for the bulk of my professional career."
Sensitive documents covered by legal privilege were among those seized by police
Ch Insp Riordan seized 26 boxes of documents from Mr Watson, including the documents covered by legal privilege.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said that, instead of incriminating Mr Watson, the documents exonerated him. However, Cleveland Police held onto the files for several months longer and continued to treat Mr Watson as a suspect.
Their precise motivation for this and other decisions made in the course of the investigation is unclear - officers involved were supposed to keep notes on decisions taken and the rationale behind them, but they failed to do so.
Nor, according to police, is there any recording of their custody interview with Mr Watson. They say that all six tapes and all six back-up tapes failed to record, though they blame this on mechanical failure and say that Mr Watson was not the only interviewee affected.
Full pension Ch Insp Riordan issued a statement to BBC Newsnight over its report, saying: "I strongly refute any allegation that I acted with anything other than professionalism and integrity in connection with the arrest of Mr Watson.
"I have made a formal complaint about the conduct of the investigation carried out by West Yorkshire Police on behalf of the IPCC, and as that complaint is ongoing it is inappropriate for me to comment further."
Speaking to Newsnight about the case Mr Watson said: "What sticks in my throat is that millions of pounds have been wasted of taxpayers' money at a time of supposed austerity when public services are closing down hand over fist in Middlesbrough. Millions of pounds wasted and not one police officer held to account."
In the wake of their inquiry the IPCC recommended that Cleveland Police consider suspending Ch Insp Riordan.
Instead, he was retired on a full pension following a decision by Cleveland Police's Assistant Chief Constable Sean White, a man who knows Ch Insp Riordan personally as they were both on the police sailing team.
The IPCC has said that the decision not to suspend Ch Insp Riordan "sent out completely the wrong message".
Force under fire Cleveland Police's new Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer has given BBC Newsnight a statement regarding the decision, saying:
"Assistant Chief Constable White considered the suspension in accordance with the policy and practices of the force and based solely upon the information and evidence presented to him by the investigation team."
Ch Insp Riordan says he was professional throughout the investigation
Ms Cheer went on to say that "ACC White decided that the conditions to justify suspension were not met" and that he strongly rejected any suggestion that his decision was based on anything other than the facts presented to him at the time.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight about the settlement agreement Mr Watson said: "The value of the payout is important because it reflects the fact that something must be done to reform Cleveland Police. It cannot be a llowed to stagger on for another 20 years in the way that it has for the past 20 years."
The culture of the force has been at the centre of a long-running corruption investigation into Cleveland Police.
In October 2012, Sean Price became the first chief constable to be sacked for 35 years when he was dismissed for gross misconduct after he was found to have lied about his role in a recruitment matter and to have instructed a member of staff to lie.
In March 2013, deputy chief constable Derek Bonnard was also sacked for gross misconduct. And in February 2013 the IPCC said the head of finance, assistant chief officer Ann Hall, had been suspended amid an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds.
Watch Zoe Conway's full report on this case on BBC Newsnight on Friday 10 May 2013 at 10.30pm on BBC Two, then afterwards on the BBC iPlayer and Newsnight website.
Read in browser » Prince Harry to attend Warrior Games
By Anonymous on May 11, 2013 02:17 am 11 May 2013 Last updated at 02:17 ET 
Prince Harry will attend the opening ceremony of the Warrior Games
Prince Harry is in Colorado for the opening ceremony of a Paralympic-style games for injured servicemen and women, on the third day of his US tour.
Almost 300 injured servicemen and women from the UK and US are competing in the Warrior Games.
The prince will attend the opening ceremony, join some of the British athletes for brunch and watch a demonstration of a volleyball match.
The Warrior Games are hosted every year by the US Olympic Committee.
The prince met Britons taking part in the event last year when he travelled to the US to collect the humanitarian leadership award for his charitable work supporting injured servicemen and women.
The 35-strong UK squad is funded by military charity Help for Heroes. They will take part in archery, cycling, shooting, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.
Former press secretary to the Queen, Dickie Arbiter, said the games are a perfect fit for the prince.
Almost 300 personnel are competing in seven sports over the next six days
He said: "America loves a hero and Harry is a hero in their eyes. He's got all the charisma that's required to do the job.
"He's good with servicemen, he is an active serviceman so there is an affinity between him and the people he's talking to.
"I don't think yet we've seen the full potential of Harry. I think that's still to come but my goodness, he's doing a pretty good job at the moment."
'Life-changing injury' Martin Colclough, the charity's head of physical recovery, said: "We are delighted to once again fund a UK team in such a high profile US event and are looking forward to watching our athletes build on the tremendous successes from last year.
"Having supported athletes at both a grassroots and Paralympic level, we know how important physical activity is for encouraging confidence and independence after a life-changing injury or illness."
The prince, who has completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a co-pilot and gunner of Apache helicopters, began his seven-day tour by meeting Michelle Obama and joining her in honouring America's military mothers at a White House reception.
He has also visited an exhibition highlighting the work of a landmine charity supported by his mother, Princess Diana, and laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Read in browser » Global banking reform on G7 agenda
By Anonymous on May 11, 2013 03:24 am 9 May 2013 Last updated at 19:00 ET 
George Osborne will chair the G7 meeting, which will be Sir Mervyn King's last as head of the Bank of England
Finance ministers from the G7 group of industrialised nations are set to begin a two-day meeting on Friday.
Banking reforms will be top of the agenda at the meeting, which is being held close to London.
March's emergency rescue of Cyprus will still be fresh in ministers' minds.
The meeting is a rarity, because in recent years the G7 have tended to get together on the sidelines of the G20 and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings.
The G7 is comprised of the United States, Germany, Japan, the UK, Italy, France and Canada.
UK Chancellor George Osborne, who will be chairing the meeting, said: "We will be talking about how to nurture the recovery.
"There is no doubt that there is greater stability - and that is reflected in financial markets - than perhaps there was last year."
The meeting will give Mr Osborne the chance to meet with the man he has chosen as the next governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, who is due to step down as the head of Canada's central bank at the beginning of June.
Mr Carney will replace Sir Mervyn King, who is stepping down as governor of the Bank of England after 10 years.
'Photo opportunity' The G7 group represents more than 66% of net global wealth ($223 trillion; £144tn), according to the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report, published in September.
The meeting will be informal and there will be no communiqué.
The rise of emerging markets heavyweights such as Brazil, China and India has meant that the G20 meetings are seen as being much more important than the G7, in terms of formulating global financial policies and reforms.
"As often is the case, the G7 is a photo opportunity. But it's important that it stays together as a forum to address the issues," said Marc Chandler, global head of currency strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman in New York.
One official told Reuters that this meeting was unnecessary because the talks could have taken place on the sidelines of the IMF's meetings in Washington in mid-April.
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