Officials in the US have accused the Palestinian Relief and Development Fund. Interpal, of supporting terrorism in the Middle East by funding Hamas.

The charity has always denied the accusations but has been blacklisted in the US since 2003.

Another charity, Muslim Aid has admitted funding two organisations linked to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad but has been cleared of all involvement in terrorism by The Charity Commission, as has Interpal.

The former deputy director of prison counselling charity Forensic Therapies has been awarded £47,580 in compensation after she blew the whistle on the alleged theft of nearly £300,000.

Robina Husain-Naviatti alerted trustees that a £535,000 grant to the charity in 2008 had been recorded as £240,000. She was dismissed in 2010 and the charity is now in liquidation.

The ban on hunting with dogs will stay for this year, despite assurances given by David Cameron that the 2004 Hunting Act would be repealed.

The decision is a blow to the Countryside Alliance, a charity funded to work on behalf of blood sports.

Meanwhile two hunt employees in Market Harborough have been convicted under the Act for digging out a fox for their employer’s hounds to chase. The action was initiated by the charity The League Against Cruel Sports and the two men were fined a total of £3,660.

There is a view that the hunts themselves should take proper responsibility for the actions of their employees and should also be punished, and much more severely.

Booker Prize-winning author Ian McEwan is to become a patron of Dignity in Dying, a charity which campaigns for the legalisation of assisted dying for the terminally ill, following his personal experience among family and friends. (Daily Telegraph)

His novel Amsterdam, which features euthanasia clinics in Holland won the Booker Prize in 1998.

The Westminster branch of Age Concern has been fined £15,000 for breaches of health and safety law.

An 88 year-old woman who refused to wear a seat belt died of a broken neck in 2006 after being flung from a mini-van when the driver made an emergency stop.

The court at the Old Bailey ruled that staff had failed to enforce the charity’s policy that all passengers being transported had to be strapped in.

Those considering allowing politician John Prescott or media proprietor Richard Desmond to speak at their charity events might want to talk first to the organisers of President’s Club dinner, held to fundraise for children’s charities.

According to a report in Private Eye this pair gave a poor account of themselves by, in Precott’s case, boasting about his saving the world at Kyoto, and then telling his hapless audience “If you want me to go, I will” (They did, and he did) And Desmond reportedly underwhelmed all with a similarly toe-curling 20 minutes of self-aggrandisement. Apparently the charity auction, which usually raises £500,000 for the kiddies only raised £100,000.

No such thing as a free speaker?

Those organising events for their charities are invited to apply for places on a venue showcase featuring 50 venues in York and Scarborough and taking place on Thursday March 31 and Friday April 1.

The showcase is being staged at the York Racecourse Ebor Stand and attendees can enjoy a complimentary lunch prior to afternoon showrounds in York. There is then complimentary travel to Scarborough, with free dinner and overnight accommodation provided, and showrounds of Scarbotrough venues in the morning. After a complimentary lunch attendees are transferred back to York.

Details and application form from York and Scarborough Conferences, Anne James/Nicola Napier on 01904 554448, or visit www.visityork.org

Those looking to book academic venues for their events are invited to attend the above exhibition.

This takes place on Wednesday May 11 at the Emirates Stadium, London and features 45 UK and European venues, as well as free seminar sessions.

www.academicvenueshow.co.uk

The above conference takes place on Tuesday 8th March at the QE 2 centre, London.

www.fundingthefuture.co.uk