Retail sales suffer worst December on record

Retail sales experienced their worst December on record. A sharp drop in sales of food and feul all the while arctic conditions presented in the days before and during Christmas.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the harsh winter and rising prices were to blame. Deloitte estimates 750 million Pounds were taken out of the Christmas retail sales due to the snow. In total, shoppers spent 38.2 billion Pounds, which is one billion less then 2009.

Another factor, next to the coldest December in 100 years, was the 5% rise in prices of goods sold at food stores. The impact of these falling numbers suggest there's much more at hand then just a harsh winter, according to Hetal Mehta.

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Police investigate cause of fight that led to fatal stabbing

Kasey Gordon, a 15-year-old boy suffered fatal injuries yesterday as he made his way home from school. Murder squad detectives were investigating the scene of the crime today of what seemed a knife fight where Kasey was killed and three others were injured.

Witness describe the young victims kicking and punching and an older man armed with a knife. The police arrested a 33-year-old man in a raid on a Turkish cafe. The man had blood on his hands and face. It seems the victim had confronted the older man over an inappropriate comment he made about a younger girl. A fight broke out and his friends stepped in to help.

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Cow stampede death fireman sentenced

Julian Lawford, a fireman who admitted causing the death of Mr Lee after his cattle were startled by the fire engine's siren has been spared jail. Exeter Crown Court pleaded him guilty in December.

Julian pleaded guilty by carelessly driving at his trail in August 2009. Mr Lee was killed as he was walking with the cows along a country road near his home. Lawford was given a four month suspended sentence, and was banned from driving for twelve months. Judge Justice Roderick Evans told Julian he was not considering an immediate custodial sentence, releasing him on conditional bail.

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Police granted extra time to question Jo Yeates suspect

Police has been granted more time to question Vincent Tabak, who a suspect in the murder case of landscape architect Jo Yeates,

Eight days after gone missing, Jo was found on Christmas Day. While Avon and Somerset do not confirm Tabak's arrest, they have been searching his flat, which is next to that of Jo Yeates. His flat isn't the first to be searched, as police has sealed off the entire block. Amongst others was that of the landlord.

Jo's frozen body was found next to a country road in Somerset. A post-mortem examination revealed she had been strangled.

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Harry Potter actress's brother jailed for attacking her

The brother of Afshan Azad (better known as Padma Patil from the Harry Potter movies) has been jailed for six months. He has been apprehended for assault on his sister, because her boyfriend was not Muslim.

Afshan had been repeatedly punched and dragged by her hair after she was overheard talking to her Hindu boyfriend. The actress had fled the home through a bedroom window. Most curious was that she pleaded court not to jail him. However, the court judge did do so, saying the sentence is not only her brother's punishment for severe domestic violence, but that domestic violence in general will not be tolerated, no matter what the circumstances may be.

Reaction: Hurray for justice! It's unbelieveable that your own family would call threathen to kill you, abuse you for long periods of time and keep doing so. However, even if I might be able to undersatnd why she does not want her brother to be jailed, I say it's a good thing the judge did. Domestic violence should never be allowed, no matter what faith nor reason.

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Two killed in hot air balloon crash in Somerset

Two men died when a hot air balloon crashed on a bowling green in Somerset. At first, there were speculations of a third fatality, but these were unfounded.

An investigation by the AAIB (Air accidents Investigation Branch) was launched looking into the circumstances of this incident to establish the cause. The AAIB appeals to anyone who have seen the balloon to speak to them. So far, witnesses have stated that flames were seen coming from the basket.

It was a devastating and terrifying scene to watch. More witnesses said their heard a whistling sound, as if a plane was coming down. When they looked up, a hot air balloon was hurtling down. When it connected to the ground, the basket was not intact and the canopy was trailing up.

Reaction: Such a sad story is not something I'm fond of sharing at the start of a New Year. I'd imagine both casualties simply wanted to celebrate 2011 and make such an exciting trip. I would never due to my (semi-conquered) fear of heights but you don't wish this to happen to anyone. It is rather fortunate the firefighters got there so soon, but it was too late.

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Lewis Hamilton says personal life affected 2010 season

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has revealed personal issues were a contributing factor to his performance last season. Hamilton was in contention for the title until the last race at Abu Dhabi, but finished fourth overall.

Hamilton reflected on 2010 while giving his top 10 songs of the year. The start of Lewis' season was affected by several changes in his personal circumstances.

Lewis Hamilton is determined to resolve any personal issues and start afresh in 2011. He definitely didn't like ending fourth, but the car is looking good, he knows he can improve this, and he claims that he himself is feeling good.

Reaction: Oh yes. New Years Resolutions. Lewis is feeling much better now. I can understand anyone who tells he had it tough for some time, but the way he makes it sound is as if he's already worked everything out even though it sounded quite severe. I don't believe it to be honest. I haven't watched the Abu Dhabi event but I was quite sure a lot more were still at large for the number one spot. And how odd that he tells this during a radio show. I'd go to a counsellor, if I would want to talk it off.

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UK government launches £5,000 electric car grant scheme

Electric cars are set to experience a breakthrough in 2011 due to a £5,000 car grant introduced by the government today, experts predict.

 Motorist will only have one car to buy as the project starts (the Mitsubishi i-MiEV) but about 9 more cars to add to that short list later. This is considered quitean event by people like Chris Paine, director of various documentaries about electric cars and others.

Electric cars run cheaper then their conventional counterparts. They have no vehicle excise duty, cheaper insurance premiums and can be charged for free at some places.

Reaction: It's a good thing to fund 'green' projects, but keep it realistic. If Oil was lend a hand and has such a firm spot, then hybrid cars are not going to make it without some help as well. I am sure that if both cars were about the same age, there would be fair competition. As it is now, the regular cars still dominate the scene. Green is good, but people think with their wallets, surely not with their dormant treeloving instincts.

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Specialist officers tackle Ford open prison riot

Specialist prison guards in body armour have been tackling rioting inmates at an open jail in West Sussex. According to the Prison Officers' Association, the violence began after staff tried to breathalyse some of the 200 prisoners.

40 prisoners started blazes around midnight and smashed windows. Firefighters were also sent to Ford prison to stop this fire. After the flames spread from one block to another, Two fire engines and 60 prison staff re-entered the site. 140 extra staff had been sent to assist at the scene.

It seemed that only two prison officers and four support staff members were on duty when the riot broke out.

Reaction: I might be a bit harsh on this one, but on the subject of humanity, I'd say these guys were given too much space. If you've been without for so long, and you have the opportunity to get a drink, you will get one. It all seems like a very loose thing, which would not have happened if the prison staff would have been a tight union. Benny Hill inspired scenes like running for a breath test is just unacceptable in my book, let alone a riot.

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Spurs boss Harry Redknapp plans David Beckham loan bid

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will try to bring David Beckham to White Hart Lane on loan from LA Galaxy in Januari

The Major League Soccer seasons starts on 15 March, letting Redknapp hope for a temporary deal. Redknapp states that they will contact LA Galaxy to see if they will let Beckham go for three months and if he wants to go himself.

David Beckham himself claims that it is unlikely for him to go as he wants to focus on his fitness. He had only returned in September after a vacancy of six months due to his Achilles tendon injury.

Redknapp believes Beckham would be fit enough to play at top level, and notes that it favors Beckham on other accounts as well. Fabio Capello, England manager, urged Beckham to come back and prove his fitness.

Reaction: Media coverage aside, Beckham hasn't played in the Premier league since his departure to Real Madrid in 2003. It might just be good for him to come back. I do understand his fitness issues though. Achilles tednons suck when it comes to healing in both short and long term.

English football is my cup of tea. They don't fake like the Spanish, they still play during the harsh winter and it's rough in a good way. If you can play in the Premier league, I say you can play almost anywhere. That being said, it might not be such a bad idea for Becks.

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