World & UK news - Harrow Observer

Prison wing lambasted in report

A prison wing for low-risk inmates has been described by inspectors as the "worst establishment we have inspected in many years" following an unannounced visit.Read

Bigger Heathrow 'better and faster'

Expanding Heathrow would be cheaper, quicker and better for the economy than creating a new hub airport, according to a report from Heathrow bosses.Read

'Huge problems' in social services

Huge problems are building up in social services departments because of staff shortages and "impossibly high" child protection caseloads, a union has warned.Read

Doubts raised over value of HS2

Demand for the HS2 high-speed rail project has "likely been overestimated" and the £33 billion project does not offer good value for money, according to a report by a think-tank.Read

Cameron hopes for unity on Syria

David Cameron is hoping for a show of unity over Syria from the world's most powerful nations after a late-night showdown at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.Read

G8 protest march passes peacefully

Hundreds of anti-G8 protesters have taken part in a peaceful march to the outskirts of the summit site in Co Fermanagh.Read

Putin tackled over stance on Syria

Western nations are facing down Russian president Vladimir Putin at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland over his support for the regime of Bashar Assad in Syria.Read

Snowden defends spy programme leaks

Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency (NSA) leaker, has defended his disclosure of top-secret US spying programmes in an online chat with The Guardian and attacked US officials for calling him a traitor.Read

Murray Walker diagnosed with cancer

Former Formula One commentator Murray Walker has been diagnosed with cancer.Read

Protesters commence summit march

Hundreds of anti-G8 protesters have set off on a march to the summit site in Co Fermanagh.Read

Public 'opposes arms for rebels'

A majority of the British public would not support moves by the Government to arm Syrian rebels opposed to Bashar Assad's regime, a poll has found.Read

'Lenient' Hall sentence challenged

Disgraced veteran broadcaster Stuart Hall abused his celebrity status to indecently assault 13 young girls, according to a judge who jailed him for 15 months.Read

Ambassador quizzed over spy claims

The UK's Ambassador in Turkey has faced questions over reports that GCHQ organised surveillance of the country's delegation to an international summit in London.Read

Cameron talks up free trade deal

Europe and the US have launched talks on a free trade deal which Prime Minister David Cameron believes could add £100 billion to the European Union (EU) economy.Read

Brady 'wants to end life in prison'

Moors murderer Ian Brady wants to go to prison so he is "free to end his life", a mental health tribunal has heard.Read

Bid to ease emergency care pressure

The NHS must design a simpler system if it is to relieve pressure on emergency care, according to a new report.Read

Hall jailed for indecent assault

Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has been jailed for 15 months after he admitted 14 counts of indecent assault against girls as young as nine.Read

Duke exits hospital in good spirits

The Duke of Edinburgh has been discharged from hospital in "good condition and good spirits", 11 days after he was admitted for exploratory abdominal surgery.Read

Obama: Peace is harder than war

US president Barack Obama has urged the young people of Northern Ireland to build on the successes of the peace process and strive to heal the divides that still afflict the region.Read