Ex US President Carter Reveals He Has Cancer

August 13, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Former US President Jimmy Carter says recent liver surgery revealed that he has cancer and it has spread to other parts of his body.

The 90-year-old statesman underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver earlier this month. He said he would reveal more "when facts are known, possibly next week".

Mr Carter will undergo treatment by physicians at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta.

President Barack Obama wished Mr Carter "a full and fast recovery" in a statement released on Wednesday.

Holiday Operator Tui Group Announces Third Quarter Results

August 13, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Travel operator Tui Group has announced how much its business will be affected by the beach attack in Tunisia in June.

Of the 38 people who were killed in the incident, 33 were on Tui holidays. Announcing its third quarter results, the firm, which owns Thomson and First Choice Travel, said the attack and subsequent warnings about travel to Tunisia would cost it about £20m this year.

Tui is also worried about the effect of migrants on its Greek business.

Tragic Event

The Yuan Drops For A Third Day In A Row

August 13, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

China has set the guiding rate for its yuan currency lower for a third consecutive day.

But Thursday's rate of 1% down against the dollar was a smaller margin than the shock cuts earlier in the week.

The bank had on Tuesday announced it would start setting the daily rate based partly on the previous day's trading, bringing the yuan closer to a free-floating currency.

The move triggered concerns over a currency war to boost China's exports.

Is China's Currency Important To The UK?

August 13, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

China's Central Bank has devalued its national currency for the second day in a row - sparking turmoil in global financial markets.

China Cuts The Value Of The Yuan Again

August 13, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

For the second day in a row, China has cut the value of its currency, the yuan.

Calls To Make It Illegal To Show Boarding Pass At Airport Shops

August 13, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The government should make it illegal for airport shops to keep VAT savings for themselves rather than passing them on to customers, the Retail Ombudsman has said.

It follows news that some airport shops are reclaiming VAT relief intended for shoppers flying to non-EU countries after checking their boarding passes.

Ombudsman Dean Dunham said there was little he could do as the law stands. Retailers have said they are following government rules. Passengers are asked to show passes so retailers can identify who is flying to non-EU countries and avoid paying 20% VAT on customers' purchases.

Cyber Flashing Case Investigated By British Transport Police

August 13, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Police are investigating a "new" crime of cyber-flashing after a commuter received an indecent image on her phone as she travelled to work.

The victim received two pictures of an unknown man's penis on her phone via Apple's Airdrop sharing function. Lorraine Crighton-Smith, 34, said she felt "violated" and reported it to the British Transport Police (BTP).

Highways England To Test Wireless Power Transfer Technology

August 13, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Motorists will be able to recharge their cars as they drive if a scheme being proposed by Highways England comes to fruition.

The government agency has announced plans to test wireless power-transfer tech that it hopes to build under the country's motorways and major A roads. It has already completed a feasibility study and is now asking companies to tender bids to host off-road trials.

But one expert questioned whether such a scheme would be cost effective.

South Korean Tests

Charge-as-you-drive technologies have already been pioneered elsewhere.

Hospital Services Soaring Across England

August 13, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The demand for hospital services is soaring, according to official data from NHS England.

It has reported increases in emergency ambulance call-outs, A&E admissions, emergency admissions, diagnostic tests and treatments.

However, the NHS is failing to meet some key targets, including those for cancer treatment, ambulance response times and A&E waiting times.

NHS England acknowledged the increases were part of a continuing trend. "The long-term trend is one of greater volumes of both urgent and emergency care and elective activity," it said.

Missed Targets

George Cole's Funeral Takes Place In Reading

August 13, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The theme tune to the series that made actor George Cole a TV favourite has been played at his funeral.

Cole, who died on 5 August aged 90, was best known as Cockney wheeler-dealer Arthur Daley in Minder, a role he played for 15 years from 1979 to 1994. Reading a eulogy during the ceremony at Reading Crematorium, Dennis Waterman, said of his time as Cole's co-star: "We laughed all day long, every day". The upbeat song "I Could Be So Good for You" was a hit for Waterman in 1980.