Man injured in police shooting
A 44-year-old man has been shot by police at a house in West Yorkshire.
The man is understood to be in a serious condition in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with gunshot wounds.
West Yorkshire Police firearms officers responded to a 999 call and a shot was fired in the property in Whinney Park in Brighouse just after midnight.
A spokesman for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has confirmed it is investigating the circumstances of the incident.
'Shocking area'
An IPCC statement said: "West Yorkshire Police firearms officers responded to a 999 call reporting a domestic incident at a house in Whinney Hill Park, Brighouse at approximately 0010 GMT.
"Following the arrival of the firearms officers there was a disturbance in the house during which a police firearm was discharged."
An area surrounding the first five houses in Whinney Hill Park was taped off as police guarded the scene.
One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she heard a number of shots being fired in the early hours of the morning.
"We heard a few shots being fired, I think, but we thought it was fireworks," she said.
June Moorhouse, 49, who lives in the road behind Whinney Hill Park, said she felt afraid in the area.
She said: "I heard a lot of noise last night, but I didn't go and see what it was.
"This area is rough. I've been trying to get moved.
"There are loads of drug dealers, people out on the street at God knows what hours. It's a shocking area."
BBC
Breast cancer gene-free baby born
The first baby in the UK tested before conception for a genetic form of breast cancer has been born.
Doctors at University College London said the girl and her mother were doing well following the birth this week.
The embryo was screened for the altered BRCA1 gene, which would have meant the girl had a 80% chance of developing breast cancer.
Women in three generations of her husband's family have been diagnosed with the disease in their 20s.
Paul Serhal, the fertility expert who treated the couple, said: "This little girl will not face the spectre of developing this genetic form of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in her adult life.
"The parents will have been spared the risk of inflicting this disease on their daughter.
"The lasting legacy is the eradication of the transmission of this form of cancer that has blighted these families for generations."
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) involves taking a cell from an embryo at the eight-cell stage of development, when it is around three-days old, and testing it.
Using PGD to ensure a baby does not carry an altered gene which would guarantee a baby would inherit a disease such as cystic fibrosis, is well-established.
But in 2006, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said doctors could test for so-called susceptibility genes, such as BRCA1.
Everybody carries a version of these genes - in fact a properly functioning BRCA1 protein helps stop cancer before it starts - but some particular variations of the genes greatly increase the risk of cancer.
Increased chance
Carrying the key BRCA1 mutation in this family's case would have given the increased chance of breast cancer and 50% chance of ovarian cancer later in life.
However, carrying the gene does not make cancer inevitable, and there is also a chance the disease could be cured, if caught early enough.
The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, wanted to eradicate the gene flaw from their family.
The husband's grandmother, mother, sister and a cousin have been diagnosed with the disease.
If the 27-year-old woman and her husband had had a son, he could have been a carrier and passed it on to any daughters.
Josephine Quintavalle, of the campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: "This is nothing personal towards the girl, but I think we have gone too far.
"Underlying all this is eugenics."
Dr Sarah Cant, of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "The decision to screen embryos to see whether they have a faulty breast cancer gene is a complex and very personal issue.
"Women with a family history of breast cancer tell us that what might be right for one person may not be right for another.
"It's important for anyone affected to have appropriate information and support so they can make the right choice for them."
BBC
30 firearms stolen in Tipperary raid
A number of firearms have been stolen during an armed robbery at a gun dealership in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary.
The incident happened at around 1.30am this morning at a licensed firearms dealership in Cregg.
The owners of the premises were confronted by four men, at least one of whom was armed, when they returned from a night out.
They were taken into the house which had two other occupants.
An assortment of around 30 firearms were taken, including pistols and rifles.
The family's beige/champagne coloured Honda Civic Saloon - registration 03WX5048 - was also taken.
No shots were fired and no one was injured in the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí at Carrick on Suir on 051 642040, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
RTE
Hospital documents found in Derry
Documentation relating to patients at Letterkenny General Hospital have been found in Derry City.
It is understood the documents contain the names, dates of birth and condition of 12 patients.
Three pages of official hospital papers were discovered last night in Gartan Square in the Bogside area.
The HSE says it will examine the documentation before investigating the matter.
RTE
Report due out after Maghaberry death
A report is due to be published today on management and work practices at Northern Ireland's main prison.
The report comes following the suicide of an inmate in an observation cell where he was supposed to be monitored at Maghaberry prison.
Last August, Colin Bell took his own life after several unsuccessful attempts.
Pauline McCabe, the Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, investigated the circumstances in which the 34-year-old ended his own life.
Her report, which will be published this morning, will bring the management and work practices at the prison under scrutiny.
Bell was serving a life sentence for the murder of a man in Co Down during 2003.
He had a history of self-harm and was supposed to be constantly monitored in an observation cell.
One of the allegations Ms McCabe investigated is whether staff on prisoner monitoring duties were watching television and resting in makeshift beds.
She had access to extensive closed-circuit television footage when carrying out her work.
17 prison officers were suspended from duty at Maghaberry last October.
The role of senior management at the prison is now expected to come under scrutiny.
RTE
Al-Qaeda suspects killed in Pakistan attack
The head of al-Qaeda in Pakistan and his lieutenant have been killed, according to reports.
The two died after being struck with 45kg Hellfire missiles fired from a pilotless Predator.
The men are believed to be Kenyan national Usama al-Kini, described as al-Qaeda's chief of operations in Pakistan, and his lieutenant Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan.
According to the Washington Post, which first broke the story, the al-Qaeda operatives were killed in a 1 January missile attack in northern Pakistan.
The strike occurred near Karikot in South Waziristan, the Washington Post reported.
The two men are also on the FBI's most wanted list for links with the August 1998 bombings of US embassies in East Africa.
The area of northwest Pakistan has been wracked by violence since hundreds of Taliban and al-Qaeda rebels sought refuge in the region after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan toppled the Taliban regime in late 2001.
RTE
UN calls for immediate Gaza truce
Israel has pushed ahead with its offensive in Gaza, ignoring a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
More than 50 air strikes have taken place in Gaza since yesterday evening.
Palestinian emergency services said 12 civilians were killed in the raids, taking the death toll to almost 800.
Medics said half died when tanks shelled a house in Beit Lahiya in the north of Gaza, killing six from the same family.
Hamas and its allies have fired more than 15 rockets into southern Israel in further attacks today, injuring one person.
Pressure on Israel increased with the UNSC resolution, which demands an 'immediate, durable ceasefire' leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The US abstained - but refrained from vetoing the resolution agreed by foreign ministers after lengthy negotiations.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said her country abstained because the US wanted to see the outcome of a peace initiative by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Mr Mubarak has invited Israel and Palestinians to Cairo for talks on truce conditions.
The resolution, pressed for by Arab countries in the face of efforts by Britain, France and the US for a more muted statement, called for arrangements to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza and for its borders to be opened.
Israel has been strongly criticised by UN agencies, the Red Cross and other aid groups.
The text called for 'the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including food, fuel and medical treatment.'
The UN Relief and Works Agency, which distributes the vast majority of aid in Gaza, has kept its operations suspended after the death of a driver in Israel's offensive.
RTE
Second man dies after Dublin shooting
A man shot in an attack in Dublin city on Wednesday night has died.
James Moloney, 26, from Ballymun died in hospital in St James's Hospital this afternoon.
The father of one and Michael 'Roly' Cronin were both shot in the head at the junction of Summerhill Road and Langrishe Place in Summerhill.
They were sitting in a car when a gunman in the back seat shot Cronin twice in the head and Mr Moloney once.
Cronin died at the scene, while Mr Moloney, who had no previous convictions, had been on life-support for the past two days.
Gardaí at Fitzgibbon Street have now upgraded the status of their investigation to that of a double murder.
They have recovered a gun, a jacket and gloves, which they believe were used in the attack.
The gunman is described as being between 5'6" and 5'9" in height and was wearing a tracksuit with a silver streak.
They are also seeking information on the movements of an English-registered Black Volvo S40 in which the two men were shot.
The registration number of the car is FD 54 CEY.
Michael Cronin was a well-known heroin dealer who survived a number of previous attempts on his life.
RTE
Gaza bombed despite UN ceasefire call
Israel has pushed ahead with its offensive in Gaza, ignoring a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
More than 50 air strikes have taken place in Gaza since yesterday evening.
Palestinian emergency services said 12 civilians were killed in the raids, taking the death toll to almost 800.
Medics said half died when tanks shelled a house in Beit Lahiya in the north of Gaza, killing six from the same family.
Hamas and its allies have fired more than 15 rockets into southern Israel in further attacks today, injuring one person.
Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert said: 'Israel has never agreed for any outside influence to decide on its right to defend its citizens.
'The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) will continue to operate in order to defend the citizens of Israel and will carry out the task it was given for the operation.
'The firing of rockets this morning only goes to show that the UN decision is unworkable and will not be adhered to by the murderous Palestinian organisations,' he said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has told Mr Olmert that he was disappointed that the Security Council resolution had so far been ignored.
A Hamas official in Beirut, Raafat Morra, said his group was also rejecting the UN resolution, as it was not in the best interest of the Palestinian people.
Pressure on Israel increased with the UNSC resolution, which demands an immediate, durable ceasefire leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The US abstained - but refrained from vetoing the resolution agreed by foreign ministers after lengthy negotiations.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said her country abstained because the US wanted to see the outcome of a peace initiative by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Mr Mubarak has invited Israel and Palestinians to Cairo for talks on truce conditions.
The resolution, pressed for by Arab countries in the face of efforts by Britain, France and the US for a more muted statement, called for arrangements to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza and for its borders to be opened.
Israel has been strongly criticised by UN agencies, the Red Cross and other aid groups.
The text called for the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including food, fuel and medical treatment.
The UN Relief and Works Agency, which distributes the vast majority of aid in Gaza, has kept its operations suspended after the death of a driver in Israel's offensive.
Elsewhere, two Fianna Fáil TDs have tabled a motion inviting a UN representative to appear before the joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs to report on the situation in Gaza
Timmy Dooley and Michael Mulcahy said the committee would have to decide whether there had been a breach of the human rights section of an EU-Israel trade agreement and testimony from the UN experts would be central to their deliberations.
RTE
Man charged over M45 burned body
A man has been charged with murder after a badly burned body was found by a motorway.
The victim, whom police said they have identified, was found alight on an embankment by the M45 near Dunchurch, in Warwickshire, on 30 December.
Irshad Mohammed Wali, 51, of Plaistow, east London, has been charged with his murder.
Four men arrested in connection with the death have been released without charge and one man has been bailed.
Mr Wali was one of the six men arrested on Wednesday.
Head injuries
Detectives said they would not be releasing the name of the murdered man, also thought to be from east London, until his next-of-kin had been informed.
A post-mortem examination carried out found the victim had suffered substantial head injuries before he was set on fire.
The investigation has now been transferred from Warwickshire Police to the Metropolitan Police.
Mr Wali will appear at Stratford Magistrates' Court on Saturday.
BBC
