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Orkney pilot to retire after chalking up 12,000 flights

A pilot who has chalked up more than 12,000 flights between the Orkney islands is set to retire after almost a quarter of a century in the job.

Stuart Linklater will fly the 1.5 miles between Westray and Papa Westray for the final time today - a journey believed to be the world's shortest scheduled flight.

Stuart Linklater with his Islander aircraft
Stuart Linklater with his Islander aircraft Credit: Loganair/PA Wire

The 59-year-old started flying for Loganair's inter-isle service in 1988 and has covered more than a million miles in the eight-seater 'Islander' plane.

He said: "Flying the Islander in some of the most challenging weather conditions in Scotland means I've had my fair share of turbulence over the years, but I've enjoyed every minute of it."

Read more on the STV website.

May says 500 police are working on Woolwich case

Home Secretary Theresa May has confirmed around 500 police officers are working on the murder case that saw soldier Lee Rigby killed in last week's attack in Woolwich.

She said: "Yes there were some further arrests last night, some further searches have taken place. The police and the security services are working very hard in relation to this case.

Since the beginning of the year we have seen three counter-terrorism trials in which 18 people have been found guilty and sentenced to around 150 years.

But of course what we have the right procedures that say that when things like this happen, we do need to look at whether there are any lessons to be learned, as in this case where the police actually shot the two individuals.

The IPCC moves in and looks at that aspect of this case, and so the Intelligence and Security Committee Parliamentary committee, with members from the Commons and the Lords, will review what happens.

– Home Secretary Theresa May

"We now have around 500 officers and others who are working on the case, including some officers who have been brought through from counter-terrorism units elsewhere in the country."

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Alan Johnson: 'There is a fear about lone wolves'

Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson has said that the recent Woolwich attack does indicate that the incident may have involved more than a 'couple of lone wolves'.

Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson
Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson Credit: BBC / Andrew Marr Show

He said: "Now that another three people have been arrested, it looks like it is wider than a couple of lone wolves - that's the point about making sure you piece everything together. It is a fear."

"In a free democracy there are limits to the kind of curtailment you can put on people's activities. It's much easier in places like China, for instance."

Mr Johnson was speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

"When you ban an organisation, you have to be absolutely sure that it is not counter-productive," he added.

Police name two men charged over diverted flight

The Pakistan International Airlines flight PK709 at Stansted Airport
The Pakistan International Airlines flight PK709 at Stansted Airport Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Wire

The two men arrested in connection with the Pakistan International Airways flight that was diverted to Stansted on Friday have been named by Essex Police.

Taxi driver Tayyab Subhani, 30, and restaurant worker Mohammed Safdar, 41, both from Nelson in Lancashire, will remain in police custody until their court appearance tomorrow.

Read: Two men charged with endangering an aircraft**

Texas floods close roads and knock out power

Dozens of roads have been rendered impassable in San Antonio and surrounding county as heavy rain caused floods across central Texas.

The floodwater also knocked out power supplies to some 12,000 customers, according to to CNN.

A motorway is part submerged under floodwater
A motorway is part submerged under floodwater in San Antonio, Texas Credit: APTN

The National Weather Service (NWS) has flood warnings in force for five rivers in the San Antonio area and is warning drivers in affected areas to stay put.

Cars stranded in the floodwater
Cars stranded in the floodwater

A tornado briefly touched down in the suburb of Live Oak causing minor damage to buildings and trees but is no longer a threat, the NWS reported.

A bus is half submerged under the flood water
A bus is half submerged under the flood water Credit: APTN

72-year-old man arrested after woman's body found

A 72-year-old man has been arrested following the discovery of a woman's body.

He was held after the woman, believed to be aged in her 60s, was found at a property in Ripley Road, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent.

Details about how the unnamed woman died have not been disclosed but Kent Police said she and the suspect were known to each other.

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Poll: 63% would support death penalty for terrorists

Almost two thirds of respondents believe we need more stringent terrorism laws and would support the death penalty for terrorists, according to a survey by the Mail on Sunday.

The online poll of 1,121 people was carried out by Survation after Wednesday's attack on Drummer Lee Rigby.

  • 63% of respondents would support the death penalty for convicted terrorists
  • 64% believe we need tougher laws to curb incitement to terrorism
  • 61% feel that activities by groups such as the English Defence League make terrorist attacks more likely
  • 40% feel the government should revive plans for the "snoopers' charter" - the ditched Communications Data Bill to secretly monitor communications such as emails.

The survey showed good news for the Prime Minister, with respondents giving strong backing to his response to the incident in Woolwich.

Conservatives 'considering capping' visits to doctors

The Conservatives have considered limiting the number of times patients can visit their family doctor in a year, it has emerged.

Documents examining health reforms ask Tory activists if they agree or disagree with an annual cap on the number of appointments patients can book.

It is one of a number of options grassroots members were asked to look at in a consultation document, Local Health Discussion Brief, posted on the Conservative Policy Forum (CPF) website last night.

Among them were whether GPs should take greater responsibility for out of hours care in their area

The matter was addressed by the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt earlier this week, and if seeing a GP for a routine appointment in the evening or at the weekend is a luxury the country cannot afford.

Health experts reacted angrily to the suggestions, according to the Independent on Sunday.

Teenager killed in road accident in Hampshire

A 16-year-old girl was killed and another teenager was left seriously injured after the car they were travelling in left the road and careered into a building.

The pair were among three teenagers in a Vauxhall Tigra car which crashed into part of the Staunton Country Park premises in Petersfield Road, Havant, Hampshire, at 10.42pm yesterday.

The girl of 16, who has not been named, was declared dead at the scene. The young male driver was also injured and was taken to the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, where his injuries were being assessed.

Two men charged with endangering an aircraft

Two men will appear in court charged with endangering an aircraft after a passenger jet was diverted mid-flight.

The men, British nationals aged 30 and 41 and who have not been named, will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court tomorrow.

They were detained on Friday when a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Pakistan to Manchester was diverted to Stansted Airport in Essex, where it landed at 2.15pm.

An RAF Typhoon jet was scrambled to escort the Boeing 777 over UK airspace, and the pair were arrested after armed police boarded the plane.

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