Backpacker: Brit Teen Drank Urine To Survive

A British backpacker missing in the scorching Australian outback for three days drank his own urine and contact lens solution to survive, his mother has said.

Sam Woodhead, 18, became lost after he set out for a jog from the remote Queensland cattle station where he had worked for less than two weeks.

But the chance discovery of packets of lenses in his rucksack - put there by his father, Peter - helped to keep him going for 72 hours in blistering temperatures of around 40C (104F).

Sam Woodhead was a keen long distance runner

The former Brighton College student, from Richmond upon Thames, London, was found about three miles away from the ranch by rescuers in a helicopter.

His mother, Claire Derry, has visited him in hospital in Longreach, about 50 miles away from where he was discovered. She said he had lost weight and his kidneys were not working properly due to dehydration.

She added: "He looks fantastic, he's suntanned, his mouth isn't blistered, he looks great, he's thinner and questionably a lot thinner than when I last saw him.

"The only concern is that his kidneys are not quite functioning normally and his blood's not normal. But that, the doctor says, is completely typical of somebody who's been completely dehydrated."

Ms Derry went on: "He  tried to drink his own urine. He said he'd run out of the contact lens fluid and the contact lens capsules said they were 69% water. But they'd all gone so the urine had become very, very concentrated.

"So he said he couldn't stomach it, so he had nothing, he had nothing to keep him going, by the time the helicopter crew got to him."

Mr Woodhead with his mother and sister Rebacca before the ordeal

She told Sky News: "Sam is an amazingly cool guy and he said 'hi mum' and I said 'Sam I didn't think I would be holding you in my arms again frankly'.

"But he didn't cry and didn't show very much emotion at all. He just said I'm really happy to see you."

Mr Woodhead, who is set on joining the Armed Forces and is a keen long distance runner, is expected to leave hospital on Sunday.

Mike Curtin from Queensland State Police said: "He was quite disorientated but, you know, his body seemed to bounce back fairly quickly once he knew that obviously he was located and so forth and he was quite happy of the fact that someone had found him."

Mr Curtin warned of the harsh Australian climate and called on young people to be careful when travelling or working in the remote Australian Outback.

He said: "It's one of those things and I think there's a lesson to be learned here from any of these young fellows who do take, or young boys and girls, who take jobs in areas like this isolated part of the state, to be careful, to be safe, and prepare.

"And never take the harshest Australian environment and our climatic conditions here for granted."

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Russian Hunt For Meteorite As Clean-Up Begins

Divers are scouring the bottom of a Russian lake for the remains of meteor that plunged to Earth in a fireball and caused a booming shockwave.

Part of the space rock, which was the size of a bus and blazed across western Siberia, is believed to have landed in the frozen Lake Chebarkul.

Curious onlookers gathered nearby were stopped from venturing out on to the lake by police as the search continued.

Some 20,000 rescuers and recovery workers have already been dispatched to the region around Chelyabinsk to help stricken residents.

Experts are also examining major buildings in case they have been structurally damaged by the blast.

Workers in Chelyabinsk examine the damage to a large building

Around 1,100 people were injured and thousands of homes were damaged in the fallout from the strike in the Urals on Friday morning.

Residents who had poured into the streets to watch the light show after spotting the initial flash were wounded by glass shattered by the subsequent sonic boom.

Windows in more than 4,000 buildings across the region were blown out, sending glass flying, after what experts said was the largest recorded meteor strike in more than a century.

The authorities have promised to have them all fixed within a week but this is a long wait when even midday temperatures are -12C (10F).

Crews from glass companies in other regions are being flown in to help as volunteers and residents cover windows with plastic sheeting and gather warm clothes and food.

Some 15 people are still in hospital following the blast. The regional health ministry said one was in a coma.

The meteor burned brightly in the sky as it plunged to Earth

Regional governor Mikhail Yurevich said the cost of the damage from the explosion is an estimated 1bn rubles (£21m).

As the recovery mission begins in earnest, the emergencies ministry said six divers would be inspecting the lake for any pieces of meteorite.

Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov added: "We have a special team working ... that is now assessing the seismic stability of buildings. We will be especially careful about switching the gas back on."

Scientists will be desperate to examine the rock for any clues about the cosmos but Mr Puchkov said no fragments had yet been discovered.

The explosion appears to have been one of the most stunning cosmic events over Russia since 1908 when an asteroid was blamed for a massive blast in Siberia.

Nasa estimated that the amount of energy released when the meteor crashed into the Earth's atmosphere was about 20 times more than the force of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb.                 

The meteor hit in the Urals on Friday morning

"We would expect an event of this magnitude to occur once every 100 years on average," said Paul Chodas of Nasa's Near-Earth Object Programme Office.

The drama happened just hours before an asteroid whizzed safely past the Earth at an unprecedented distance of 17,200 miles.

This is closer than some distant satellites and set alarm bells ringing in some Russian circles about the need for joint global action to protect Earth from space.

Russian parliament's foreign affairs committee chief Alexei Pushkov wrote on Twitter: "Instead of fighting on Earth, people should be creating a joint system of asteroid defence."

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Pistorius: Girlfirend's TV Show Goes Ahead

Producers are to broadcast a reality TV show featuring the dead girlfriend of athlete Oscar Pistorius later today, saying they have the backing of her family.

Tropika Island of Treasure, showing Reeva Steenkamp on location in Jamaica, will be broadcast despite her shocking death on St Valentine's Day.

Executive producer Samantha Moon said the model's family wanted it to be shown as a tribute to the 29-year-old, who was shot dead at Pistorius's home.

The athlete known as the blade runner because of his prosthetics is in custody facing charges of premeditated murder over the shooting.

Pistorius broke down in court at the mention of premeditated murder

Ms Moon said the family "wants it on. This is how they want to remember her. This is what she would have wanted."

She added: "She was happy, healthy, beautiful and vibrant and that's the way she should be remembered."

Miss Steenkamp's cousin, Sharon Steenkamp, said she "was proud of being in the show". "Her last words to us personally was that she wants us to watch it."

Production company Stimulii said it was "devastated" by the model's death and described her as a "wonderful human being" with a "zest for life".

Pistorius (right) after his arrest on Thursday

The show is expected to show the 29-year-old dressed in a bikini and smiling and laughing with other contestants.

Tropika Island of Treasure sees celebrities paired with contestants and put through a series of challenges as they compete for a cash prize.

National broadcaster SABC said the programme would act as a tribute to Miss Steenkamp.

Spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said: "The mother agreed that we should go ahead and we are free to go ahead. We are working on how to pay tribute to her."

Ms Steenkamp, who had been going out with Pistorius since November, was shot four times at his house in a heavily-guarded complex in Pretoria on Thursday.

Local media have reported that she was shot through a bathroom door. A 9mm pistol was found at the scene.

The runner, who made history by competing in both the Olympics and Paralympics last year, sobbed through his first court appearance on Friday.

He is being held in a police cell ahead of a new hearing on February 19th, when prosecutors are set to oppose any request for bail.

Reeva Steenkamp, 29, with Pistorius last November

The chief magistrate delayed the bail hearing until next week at the request of the defence who asked for more time.

A statement issued by Pistorius' family and management following the initial hearing said: "The alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms."

It thanked people for their messages of support but stressed that their sympathy should be focused on the Steenkamp family.

"Our thoughts and prayers today should be for Reeva and her family - regardless of the circumstances of this terrible, terrible tragedy," the statement said.

Premeditated murder carries a mandatory life sentence in South Africa. If found guilty, Pistorius would not be eligible for parole for 25 years.

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'Car Collides With Spectators At Rally'

At least two spectators have been injured during the Highland Car Club Snowman Rally in Balnain, Scotland.

Police said it appeared a car involved in the event left the track and collided with people in the crowd.

Emergency services have been at the scene after the apparent collision took place during the first stage of the rally.

The event in Glenurquhart Forest has now been called off.

A statement from Northern Constabulary said: "Emergency services are currently attending an incident at Stage 1 of the Highland Car Club Snowman Rally at Glenurquhart Forest, Balnain.

"The event has been abandoned and members of the force's Road Policing Unit are in attendance along with members of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

"From initial information it would appear that a car involved in the rally left the track and collided with spectators.

"At least two people are known to have been injured, however, there are no further details at this time."

More follows...

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Oscar Pistorius Breaks Down In Tears In Court

Olympic star Oscar Pistorius has broken down in tears as he appeared in court charged with murdering his girlfriend.

He stood before magistrate Desmond Nair with his head bowed as the charge was read out.

Prosecutors say they intend to prove that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder.

Local news correspondent Barry Bateman described him as "sobbing uncontrollably" as he sat in the dock.

Pistorius' father Henke leaned forward and placed his hand on his son's back during the 40-minute hearing.

Oscar Pistorius is charged with murdering Reeva Steenkamp

Prosecutors had asked to deal with the bail hearing as a section 6 offence, meaning the accused has to provide exceptional circumstances to be released on bail. The defence opposes this.

The case was postponed until Tuesday, and Pistorius will remain in custody in the meantime.

A statement on behalf of his family and management said he denies the charge in the strongest terms.

The body of Miss Steenkamp, a top South African model, was discovered at the athlete's property in the Silver Woods gated community in eastern Pretoria on Thursday morning.

She had been shot four times. A 9mm pistol was found at the scene.

A police officer holds a gun taken from Pistorius' home

Local media has reported that she was shot through a bathroom door.

Pistorius, 26, spent Thursday night in custody and was subject to blood-alcohol, DNA and other tests, as forensics experts continued to work at the crime scene at his home in an upmarket gated estate.

His lawyer Kenny Oldwage said his client was "very well, obviously emotional, but fine".

Police were called to Pistorius's home at around 4am on Thursday by neighbours who heard gunshots. He is the only suspect in the case.

Pistorius made history at the London Olympics last year when he became the first double-amputee track athlete to compete at any games.

He did not win a medal but did make the semifinals of the 400 metres and the final of the 4x400 relay, propelling the world's best-known Paralympian to the level of an international track star.

Meanwhile a celebrity reality show featuring Miss Steenkamp will still be broadcast on South African television despite her death, the producers have said.

The pre-recorded show filmed in an exotic location in Jamaica features the blonde model and several local personalities competing for prize money.

Producers of Tropika Island of Treasure said they had decided not to shelve the show, which will premiere on Saturday, two days after she was shot dead.

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Horsemeat Found In Schools, Pubs And Hotels

Horsemeat Crisis: Retailers Respond

Updated: 1:24pm UK, Friday 15 February 2013

Tesco has released a video featuring its CEO promising the company will take a more open approach to food processing in the wake of the horsemeat scandal.

Downing Street has attacked meat retailers for keeping customers in the dark over the extent of the crisis.

A source at Number 10 questioned why most of the major supermarkets have failed to appear on TV and in the media generally to reassure shoppers.

In the meantime, Tesco has released the video on its website - but said it was recorded before Downing Street's comments.

CEO Philip Clarke promises a new approach in the video.

"I have asked my team to review our approach to the supply chain, to ensure we have visibility and transparency, and to come back with a plan to build a world class traceability and DNA testing system," he said.

"We are building a new website, which will enable our customers to see the progress we are making with our testing programme, and which products have been tested so you can be sure of where we are in the process.

"We pledge that over the weeks and months ahead, we will open up our supply chain, and give you more information than any retailer has before to enable you to make informed choices about the food you buy for your family."

Sky News has also approached several leading supermarkets to discuss their approach to the contaminated meat crisis.

Morrisons has been on the front foot with the media. Its statement said: "Morrisons has done numerous interviews on TV, radio and with newspapers, including on Sky News.

"We have done this because we want to keep our customers updated about how this scandal has affected Morrisons.

"So far we have had 68 test results in and no evidence of cross-contamination with horsemeat."

Waitrose said they have tested around 40 products and tests are still ongoing, but they have found no traces of horsemeat in any of their products so far.

Asda's statement said: "We are waiting for the FSA announcements. We will provide a statement later possibly an interview. We have been continuously communicating with our customers." 

The Co-operative Group said all tests on its products have come back negative for horse DNA.

"We have commissioned stringent ongoing independent testing on our own-brand products containing minced beef, as agreed with the Food Standards Agency. 

"Today's results have shown that, so far, no products in the current batch of those being tested have been found to contain horse DNA.

"Our tests are still ongoing and we continue to work with both the FSA and the British Retail Consortium, and expect to issue further updates in the next few days."

A spokesperson for Marks & Spencer said: "We have found no traces of horsemeat or pork in any of our beef products."  

Sainsbury's said: "No trace of horsemeat has been found in any of our products, however we are playing our part in the wider industry investigation including carrying out further testing. 

"These have all been negative to date, if we find any horse DNA in our products we will take immediate action."

Iceland said in a statement: "Iceland Foods is pleased to confirm that all Iceland own brand products containing beef have now been checked by an independent laboratory for the presence of equine (horse) protein and all results show them to be clear of any such contamination.

"The products tested include such categories as minced and diced beef, sausages, burgers, ready meals including lasagne and Spaghetti Bolognese, corned beef and pizzas."

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Michael Le Vell Will 'Fight' Child Sex Charges

Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell said he is innocent of all child sex charges against him and will "fight them vigorously".

Le Vell, who plays garage owner Kevin Webster in the ITV soap opera, is accused of 19 child sex offences, including child rape, and sexual activity with a child between 2001 and 2010, Greater Manchester Police said.

Le Vell, 48, a father-of-two whose real name is Michael Turner, will appear in court charged with the offences on February 27.

Le Vell said: "I would like to make it quite clear that following the serious allegations that have been brought against me on Thursday 14th February 2013, I am innocent of these charges and intend to fight them vigorously.

"I will now put all my efforts into clearing my name and proving my innocence."

ITV has dropped him from further episodes of the show. 

Michael Le Vell was first questioned over the child sex allegations in 2011

An ITV spokesman said: "Given the serious nature of these charges, Michael Le Vell will not be appearing in Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time."

The actor was initially arrested in connection with the offences in September 2011.

The investigation was dropped three months later when authorities said there would be no further action taken against him as there was not enough evidence against him.

However, following a review of the case by lawyers at the Crown Prosecution Service the decision has been taken that it is in the "public interest" to charge the actor.

Speaking after the investigation against him was dropped in 2011, Le Vell said he was "delighted" to have been "completely exonerated", thanked police for their "thorough" investigation and Coronation Street staff and the public for their support.

Le Vell vowed to put the allegations behind him and returned to the show after a short break and is now currently involved in some of the soap's main storylines.

Alison Levitt, QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions, reviewed a file of evidence in relation to allegations of sexual offences and looked again at a decision previously made not to prosecute.

Ms Levitt said: "I have very carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Robert Turner with a number of sexual offences.

"I have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Mr Turner with 19 offences, including rape of a child."

Le Vell, who split from his wife Janette Beverley last year,  is one of television's most famous faces after playing car mechanic Kevin Webster for the past 30 years in the TV show.

Originally from Manchester, he began his acting career in the Oldham Theatre Workshop after taking an interest in amateur dramatics while at school.

He first joined the soap in 1983 and quickly endeared himself to fans who have followed the trials and tribulations of Kevin, from Brian Tilsley's apprentice mechanic through to his stormy marriage to Sally, played by Sally Dynevor, and fathering two teenage girls as well as a love child from his affair with Molly Dobbs.

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Meteorite Shower Hits Russia Injuring Over 900

By Katie Stallard, Moscow Correspondent

More than 900 people have been injured after a meteor strike in central Russia, the country's interior ministry said.

Fragments of at least one meteorite - the weight of a double-decker bus - were seen falling from the sky in the Chelyabinsk region at around 9am local time, around 1,500km east of Moscow.

A regional governor said 950 people have been injured. Russia's Ministry of Emergencies said at least 82 children were hurt and 34 adults and 12 children were being treated in hospital. Two people are in intensive care.

The meteor lit up the sky

Many were hurt by flying glass as windows were blown in. Witnesses described feeling a pressure wave and hearing explosions overhead as the object hurtled to earth.

The Russian Academy of Sciences estimates the meteor weighed about 10 tonnes and entered the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of at least 33,000mph - 15 times the speed of a rifle bullet - and shattered up to 32 miles above ground.

Meteors typically cause sizeable sonic booms when they enter the atmosphere because they are travelling much faster than the speed of sound.

The meteorite weighed 10 tonnes

The defence ministry said it had identified a six metre crater near a lake in this region and has sent soldiers to the site of the impact.

The emergencies ministry said that 20,000 rescue workers had been dispatched to help the injured and locate those needing help.

  Resident Anna Pinkus told Sky News she saw a bright light outside her window and then heard three explosions.

More than 500 people have been injured

"It was a very loud sound. After that our windows began to shatter and shiver so it was very terrifying. First we thought it was a plane crash."

Planetary scientist Professor Ian Crawford of Birbeck University said this was an unusual case as meteorite hits rarely cause any damage.

Viktor was injured by a shock wave

"Several times a year meteorites are observed to fall on the earth's surface but damage to people or property is very unusual – there are only several recorded cases of buildings being hit by meteorites."

Describing the course of the meteorite he said, "I think it's very likely that it would have been a larger lump of rock that broke up in the earth's atmosphere – this is usually what happens.

"The rock comes in from space and hits the earth's atmosphere. That decelerates it and puts a lot of stress on it. Then it's likely to fragment into lots of pieces."

The local office of the National Emergencies Ministry said in a statement: "A meteorite disintegrated above the Urals (mountain range in central Russia), partially burning up in the lower atmosphere.

"Fragments of the meteorite reached Earth, falling in sparsely populated areas in the Chelyabinsk region."

Many drivers in Russia have video recorders fitted in their cars in case of accidents or disputes with traffic police. Footage from these uploaded to YouTube show the fireball crashing to the ground.

There were reports of traffic in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk grinding to a halt and people seeking shelter in buildings as the fireballs lit up the sky.                 

The emergencies ministry confirmed the mobile phone network was temporarily cut.

The meteor hit Chelyabinsk

Schools have been closed for the day across the region after the impact blew out windows.

The Chelyabinsk region is Russia's industrial heartland, home to many factories and other huge facilities that include a nuclear power plant and the Mayak atomic waste storage and treatment centre.

A spokesman for Rosatom, the Russian nuclear energy state corporation, said that its operations remained unaffected.

"All Rosatom enterprises located in the Urals region - including the Mayak complex - are working as normal," said a Rosatom spokesman.

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Oscar Pistorius: Reeva Steenkamp Remembered

In the days leading up to her death, Reeva Steenkamp's excitement about Valentine's Day was clear.

"What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited," the girlfriend of South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius tweeted.

Miss Steenkamp then received a series of replies, one of which was from a mother who said her children would be making a card for their father. 

She responded: "That sounds amazing! Wow that's what it's all about! It should be a day of love for everyone :) may it be blessed."

Miss Steenkamp said Pistorius - her boyfriend since November - had "impeccable" taste.

"His gifts are always thoughtful," she was quoted as saying on the social pages of last weekend's Sunday Independent.

But February 14 ended up going terribly wrong for the 30-year-old when she was shot dead in Pistorius' home.

Now Twitter and other social media are flooded with tributes to the model and law graduate.

Former Miss South Africa Melinda Bam said: "Heartbroken for #ReevaSteenkamp's family & for #OscarPistorius.This highlights how unsafe most South Africans feel because of crime#RIPReeva."

Sammy Lambrechts said: "A woman with rare beauty... A classy and sophisticated young socialite with a heart of gold. A true lady."

On Facebook, her cousin Deon Steenkamp said: "RIP cuz this is tragic we will always remember you for your stuning smile brighting up everyone world."

The couple had a "healthy" relationship, her publicist said

Miss Steenkamp's publicist Sarit Tomlinson described her as "the sweetest human being" and "a talented and bright young girl".

She told Sky News that the couple had a "healthy, fabulous relationship".

Miss Steenkamp had most recently been a celebrity contestant on South African reality TV show Tropika Island Of Treasure 5. 

The first episode of the show, which was filmed in Jamaica, was due to air this weekend.

She grew up in Port Elizabeth, where she studied law, but later moved to Johannesburg after signing a deal with cosmetics company Avon.

She went on to model for FHM and feature in various advertising campaigns.

The Cape Town-born model described herself as someone who has a "passion for cars and cooking and prefers to read a book on her off days and spend quality time with friends and family".

Miss Steenkamp was shot at the home of Pistorius

She was from a family of horse trainers, who she said she was very proud of.

Her father was Barry Steenkamp, a well-known trainer related to famous South African trainers the Amos brothers.

Her family was "shocked" and "devastated" by the news, Miss Steenkamp's publicist said.

Ice Model Management said: "Everyone at Ice Model Management and Ice Genetics is absolutely shocked and devastated by the news.

"Reeva has been with the Ice family for some seven years now and she was a wonderful, beautiful, and caring soul and will be missed immensely.

"It is indeed a very sad day for all those that loved and treasured her, our hearts are broken.

"Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with her family and friends."

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Oscar Pistorius Charged With Murder

Paralympic and Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in South Africa.

Her body was discovered at the athlete's home in the Silver Woods country estate in eastern Pretoria, South African police said.

Pistorius reached the 400m semi-finals at the London 2012 Olympics

Initial reports in the South African media suggested Miss Steenkamp was apparently shot as she woke him, trying to surprise him on Valentine's Day, and was mistaken for an intruder.

But police said the shooting was being treated as a murder investigation and that they were "very surprised" by the reports which they said did not come from them.

Brigadier Denise Beukes confirmed the couple were the only ones present in the house at the time of the shooting, and that there had been previous incidents at the premises including "allegations of a domestic nature".

"There are witnesses and they have been interviewed this morning. We are talking about neighbours and people that heard things earlier in the evening and when the shooting took place," she said.

Pistorius was arrested on Thursday morning following the shooting and taken to hospital for a medical examination.

He was due at Pretoria Magistrate's Court this afternoon on a murder charge, but prosecutors said his appearance had been delayed until Friday morning to give forensic officers time to carry out their work.

The 26-year-old is alleged to have shot his 30-year-old model girlfriend in the head and upper body.

Paramedics were called to his home between 4am and 5am local time.

Police arrived shortly afterwards and a 9mm pistol was recovered from the scene.

The shooting took place at Pistorius' home at Silver Woods country estate

They said they would be opposing bail when the suspect appears in court.

"The deceased was shot four times and died on the scene. It is believed that she was the girlfriend of the accused," said police spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale.

Miss Steenkamp's body was removed by a hearse at around 8am.

Pistorius - the world's most famous paralympian - and Miss Steenkamp are believed to have started dating in November.

His father, Henke Pistorius, said of his son: "He is a bit emotional, but he is fine."

There had been speculation the shooting may have been a Valentine's Day surprise gone wrong.

South African journalist Kalay Maistry told Sky News: "It is alleged that he thought his girlfriend, who'd come in to try to surprise him for Valentines Day, was an intruder. It's alleged that he shot her at least twice in the arm and head.

Miss Steenkamp has been described as a "talented and bright young girl"

"I think what this actually highlights is the level of fear ordinary South Africans have.

"This is a man who has gone to bed, it's an innocent surprise from a girlfriend … and the moment he thinks someone is trying to break in he grabs his gun.

"This has come as a complete surprise for a man who's considered a national hero," she added.

Miss Steenkamp, a top South African model and a law graduate from Port Elizabeth, was active on Twitter just 14 hours before.

She tweeted: "What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay"

In response to someone else's plans, she said: "That sounds amazing! Wow that's what it's all about! It should be a day of love for everyone :) may it be blessed!"

Her publicist Sarit Tomlinson said the family was "shocked" and "devastated" by the news.

She described Miss Steenkamp as "the sweetest human being" and "a talented and bright young girl", adding that the couple had a "healthy, fabulous relationship".

Police are investigating the shooting and have launched a murder probe

Photos of the model appeared in newspapers at the weekend, when she described Pistorius as an impeccable man who always had her best interests at heart.

The Johannesburg-born athlete, known as the "Blade Runner", made history in 2012 when he became the first amputee to compete in the Olympics.

He won gold in the 400m and another in the 4x400m relay at the Paralympic Games.

The athlete had both legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old, because of a congenital condition, and runs on carbon fibre blades.

Last year Time Magazine named him as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

His London-based agent, Kate Silvers, said she would not be commenting at this stage, but would be issuing a statement later.

Silver Woods, situated in the country's capital, is a high security gated complex with a 3 metre high wall, electric fence, a guarded entrance and regular patrols.

South Africa has some of the world's highest rates of violent crime with an average of nearly 50 people murdered each day.

Pistorius lives in a gated complex in the South African capital Pretoria

Some home-owners carry weapons to defend themselves against intruders. According to statistics, nearly 13 in every 100 people in the country own a gun, and it is estimated there are almost six million civilian firearms.

Pistorius, like many fellow South Africans, appeared to have serious concerns about his safety, and reportedly kept a revolver at his bedside and a machine gun by his window, as well as a cricket bat and baseball bat behind his bedroom door.

South Africa's M-Net cable TV channel said it was pulling an advertising campaign featuring Pistorius off air with immediate effect.

Runner's World magazine editor Mike Finch, speaking from South Africa, told Sky News: "If anybody can overcome this sort of thing it's probably Oscar.

"He's had to deal with a lot in his life. He had a mother that died when he was very young, he obviously has his disability, but yet he's been amazing from a South African perspective as an ambassador.

"There is a certain school of people that don't particularly like him, but I think today everybody has kind of rallied round him."

Both South Africa's Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee said they were in no position to comment, but offered their  "deepest sympathy and condolences" to the families of all involved.

UN figures show that in South Africa, just over 17 people are killed by gun crime per 100,000 people.

The highest gun death rate in the world is in Honduras with 68 deaths per 100,000. In the USA, the figure stands at 2.97 deaths, while in the UK it is 0.1.

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Man 'Sets Himself On Fire' At Rome Airport

Passengers have spoken of their shock after a man set himself alight at a Rome airport.

The 19-year-old man, from the Ivory Coast, doused himself in petrol and set himself on fire in front of dozens of travellers and workers at Fiumicino airport, 10 miles west of the Italian capital.

Police said he arrived at the departures area of the airport's terminal three with a deportation order and had been due to leave Italy.

But as he spoke to police he suddenly pulled out a plastic bottle of petrol, tipped it over himself and ran off through the terminal.

Officers gave chase, but he then used a lighter to ignite the fuel in front of stunned passengers.

Pasquale Pierri, 43, who was due to catch a flight to London, told Sky News: "I was heading to check in when all of a sudden I heard screaming and shouting.

"The next thing I saw was the police surrounding someone and there was a horrible smell of smoke in the air.

"People were screaming because no one knew what had happened and I think the first suggestion was that it might have been a terror attack."

Fellow traveller Silvana Urso said: "There was a lot of shouting and police running after someone, that was all I saw.

"There was a smell of smoke and then police were telling us to evacuate the terminal because there had been an incident.

"It was only when I was outside that I heard a man had set himself on fire."

One policeman grabbed a fire extinguisher to douse the flames and was slightly injured.

Paramedics wrapped the man in specialist blankets before taking him away in an ambulance.

A spokesman at the Sant Eugenio hospital where he was being treated said he was in a "serious condition with extensive burns".

The officer who tackled him was said to have a slight burn to his right arm but was otherwise uninjured.

Officials said the airport remained open and only a small section of the terminal was closed before it reopened after an hour. There were no significant delays for passengers.

A Rome police spokesman said: "We are investigating the circumstances of the incident which involved a 19-year-old man from the Ivory Coast.

"He was due to leave the country after being served an expulsion order but set himself alight. One of our officers was slightly hurt as he tackled him.

"Scientific teams are at the airport examining the scene and officers will also speak to the man when possible."

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Horsemeat: Bute Found In Carcasses In UK

How Horsemeat Scandal Unfolded

Updated: 7:22am UK, Wednesday 13 February 2013

The horsemeat scandal has been unfolding for weeks and products have been flying off the shelves, although not in a good way. Where did it all begin?

January 16

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland says beefburgers with traces of equine DNA, including one product classed as 29% horse, are being supplied to supermarkets by Silvercrest Foods in Ireland and Dalepak Hambleton in Yorkshire, subsidiaries of the ABP Food Group.

Ten million suspect burgers are taken off the shelves, including by retailers Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland and Dunnes Stores.

A third company, Liffey meats, based in Co Cavan, Ireland, was also found to be supplying products to supermarkets with traces of horse DNA.

January 17

The ABP Food Group suspends work at its Silvercrest Foods plant in Co Monaghan, Ireland, until further notice.

Sainsbury's, Asda and the Co-op later withdrew some frozen products as a precaution but had not been found to be selling contaminated food.

January 23

Burger King, which is supplied burgers by ABP Food Group, switches to another supplier as a precautionary measure.

January 25

Waitrose removes a range of frozen burgers made by Dalepak but says its burgers have been tested and are 100% beef.

The Food Standards Agency said tests at a Dalepak plant in North Yorkshire had found no traces of meat contaminated with horse or pork DNA.

However, Aldi found traces of pig and horsemeat in samples taken from three lines of Dalepak burgers.

It withdrew Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Quarter Pounder, Oakhurst Beef Quarter Pounders and Frozen Oakhurst Beefburgers from sale.

February 4

Production at a second meat supplier, Rangeland Foods in Co Monaghan, is suspended after 75% equine DNA is found in raw ingredients, The Department of Agriculture confirm.

February 5

Frozen meat at Freeza Meats company in Newry, Northern Ireland, is found to contain 80% horse meat, The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland said. It is potentially linked to the Silvercrest factory in the Republic of Ireland.

Asda withdraws products supplied by Freeza Meats.

February 6

Tesco and Aldi take down frozen spaghetti and lasagne meals produced by French food supplier Comigel following concerns about its Findus beef lasagne.

The FSA reveals a second case of "gross contamination" after some Findus UK beef lasagnes were found to contain up to 100% horse meat. The products were made by French food supplier Comigel.

February 8

Aldi withdraws its Today's Special Frozen Beef Lasagne and Today's Special Frozen Spaghetti Bolognese after tests showed the products contained between 30% and 100% horsemeat.

February 12

Peter Boddy slaughterhouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, and meat processing plant Farmbox Meats at Llandre in Aberystwyth, West Wales, are raided and shut down, pending investigations.

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Pregnant Kate: Now Oz Mag To Show Pictures

By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent

An Australian publication has followed the lead of the Italian gossip magazine Chi and said it will publish photographs of the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge in her bikini.

The weekly magazine Woman's Day will be on sale on Monday and will feature the pictures of Kate and William's Caribbean holiday, where the Duchess was snapped wearing a blue bikini and strolling on a beach.

Editor Fiona Connolly has defended her decision to publish the prints, telling Sky News: "The photos are what our readers want to see. Kate looks beautiful, glowing and healthy."

Ms Connolly said it was her understanding that the photographs were taken by a member of the public rather than "a photographer hiding in the bushes" and, as a result, were not an invasion of the royal couple's privacy.

The editor said the pair had been mingling with others on a public beach and would have been aware that there were other holidaymakers around with cameras.

The issue will also feature pictures of Kate's sister Pippa Middleton, who was holidaying with the royals on the island of Mustique, staying in a £5.1m villa.

Ms Connolly said the photographs show Kate "fabulous, fit and glowing, out and about on a public beach".

She said British journalists and picture editors would no doubt be "frustrated" that they were not also running the pictures because of the "gentleman's agreement" between editors and the royal family about what sort of photos would be published.

Kate was on holiday in Mustique with her husband William and sister Pippa

"As a magazine that does publish photos of the royals, I am sensitive to the sort of pictures that shouldn't be published," she said, referring to the 2012 topless shots of the Duchess that appeared in various magazines.

"These are certainly not photos that they would disapprove of - they are happy."

"The last time we saw Kate looking really unwell, coming out of hospital and at a really tough time for her in her pregnancy - to see these photos where she's fit and healthy and really glowing is even more reason to celebrate."

The couple are expecting their first child in July.

In December Kate was admitted to hospital with a severe form of morning sickness, which pushed the couple to announce the pregnancy.

The news that an Australian magazine is publishing the pictures comes at a particularly sensitive time, just two months after a pair of Australian radio presenters made a prank call to King Edward VII's Hospital in London where Kate was being treated.

Pretending to be the Queen and Prince of Wales they were able to speak to a nurse about her condition. The nurse who put the call through, Jacintha Saldanha, subsequently committed suicide.

On news that Chi was publishing the photos St James's Palace issued a statement saying: "We are disappointed that photographs of the Duke and Duchess on a private holiday look likely to be published overseas.

"This is a clear breach of the couple's right to privacy."

Ms Connolly admitted the bidding for the photos between several of Australia's biggest selling weekly gossip magazines was "furious".

Last year the Royal Family launched legal action against French magazine Closer, over paparazzi pictures of Kate sunbathing in bikini bottoms on the balcony of a private chateau in the South of France.

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Sars-Like Virus Spreads To Family Member

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

Doctors have confirmed the first case of known human-to-human spread of a deadly new respiratory virus in Britain.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the man had been in close contact with a relative who had picked up the infection while travelling in the Middle East and Pakistan.

The so-called "novel" coronavirus causes severe breathing problems and has killed five of the 11 confirmed cases around the world. 

The HPA announced on Monday the first case in a UK resident, and said the critically ill man was being treated in isolation at the Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester.

A third case involves a man from Qatar who is receiving treatment in the UK.

The new case is receiving intensive care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. It is understood that he has an existing medical condition that may have made him more susceptible to respiratory infections.

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said: "Confirmed novel coronavirus infection in a person without travel history to the Middle East suggests that person-to-person transmission has occurred, and that it occurred in the UK.

"This case is a family member who was in close personal contact with the earlier case and who may have been at greater risk of acquiring an infection because of their underlying health condition.  

"To date, evidence of person-to-person transmission has been limited. Although this case provides strong evidence for person to person transmission, the risk of infection in most circumstances is still considered to be very low."

Coronaviruses can cause the common cold, but can also result in more severe illness such as Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

Anyone who develops a fever, cough, and breathing difficulties within 10 days of travelling to the Arabian peninsula or surrounding countries should seek medical advice and mention their travel itinerary.

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Horsemeat: British Plants Raided Amid Warning

How Horsemeat Scandal Unfolded

Updated: 7:22am UK, Wednesday 13 February 2013

The horsemeat scandal has been unfolding for weeks and products have been flying off the shelves, although not in a good way. Where did it all begin?

January 16

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland says beefburgers with traces of equine DNA, including one product classed as 29% horse, are being supplied to supermarkets by Silvercrest Foods in Ireland and Dalepak Hambleton in Yorkshire, subsidiaries of the ABP Food Group.

Ten million suspect burgers are taken off the shelves, including by retailers Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland and Dunnes Stores.

A third company, Liffey meats, based in Co Cavan, Ireland, was also found to be supplying products to supermarkets with traces of horse DNA.

January 17

The ABP Food Group suspends work at its Silvercrest Foods plant in Co Monaghan, Ireland, until further notice.

Sainsbury's, Asda and the Co-op later withdrew some frozen products as a precaution but had not been found to be selling contaminated food.

January 23

Burger King, which is supplied burgers by ABP Food Group, switches to another supplier as a precautionary measure.

January 25

Waitrose removes a range of frozen burgers made by Dalepak but says its burgers have been tested and are 100% beef.

The Food Standards Agency said tests at a Dalepak plant in North Yorkshire had found no traces of meat contaminated with horse or pork DNA.

However, Aldi found traces of pig and horsemeat in samples taken from three lines of Dalepak burgers.

It withdrew Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Quarter Pounder, Oakhurst Beef Quarter Pounders and Frozen Oakhurst Beefburgers from sale.

February 4

Production at a second meat supplier, Rangeland Foods in Co Monaghan, is suspended after 75% equine DNA is found in raw ingredients, The Department of Agriculture confirm.

February 5

Frozen meat at Freeza Meats company in Newry, Northern Ireland, is found to contain 80% horse meat, The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland said. It is potentially linked to the Silvercrest factory in the Republic of Ireland.

Asda withdraws products supplied by Freeza Meats.

February 6

Tesco and Aldi take down frozen spaghetti and lasagne meals produced by French food supplier Comigel following concerns about its Findus beef lasagne.

The FSA reveals a second case of "gross contamination" after some Findus UK beef lasagnes were found to contain up to 100% horse meat. The products were made by French food supplier Comigel.

February 8

Aldi withdraws its Today's Special Frozen Beef Lasagne and Today's Special Frozen Spaghetti Bolognese after tests showed the products contained between 30% and 100% horsemeat.

February 12

Peter Boddy slaughterhouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, and meat processing plant Farmbox Meats at Llandre in Aberystwyth, West Wales, are raided and shut down, pending investigations.

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LA Manhunt: Dorner Shootout Ends In Cabin Fire

A gun battle between Christopher Dorner and police has ended after fire ripped through the remote cabin where the murder suspect was thought to have been hiding.

TV footage showed flames rising from the property in California's Big Bear Lake area, which also had thick black smoke billowing from it.

A sheriff's spokeswoman said charred human remains had been found in the rubble of the burned cabin.

Jodi Miller said the remains were found late on Tuesday, and forensic tests would be carried out to determine if the remains are Dorner's.

A law enforcement official said a gunshot was heard before the fire broke out, and the suspect did not come out of the cabin as it was engulfed in flames.

Police had urged the fugitive to turn himself in as authorities surrounded the cabin where he was reportedly holed up with an arsenal of weapons.

Dorner had earlier exchanged gunfire with federal authorities.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon told a news conference that a sheriff's deputy had died of wounds he suffered during the shootout. Another deputy was also injured in the exchange of fire.

Authorities focused their hunt for Dorner in the mountainous area since they said he launched a campaign to exact revenge against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for sacking him.

LAPD Commander Andrew Smith had urged Dorner to surrender, telling him: "Enough is enough."

It is believed the 33-year-old - who is suspected of three other killings - may have held a couple hostage in a holiday home before police tracked him down.

Commander Smith had urged him: "It's time for you to turn yourself in. It's time to end the bloodshed."

Another police officer told the Associated Press that Dorner robbed the cabin and tied up the holidaymakers, but one was able to get away and make a phone call.

Dorner reportedly fled in a stolen white Dodge pickup truck and a California Fish and Game ranger fired on the vehicle.

He then abandoned the truck and ran into the forest.

The noise of the gun battle was broadcast by KCAL-TV, whose reporter suddenly found himself near the shooting. Someone could be heard yelling at the reporter to get out of the area.

The manhunt has centred on the San Bernardino mountains since Dorner's truck was found in the area last Thursday.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Jodi Miller said a stolen vehicle report from a residence was received at 12.20pm on Tuesday and the owners of the car described the suspect as looking similar to Dorner.

Police had been following up hundreds of new leads prompted by a $1m (£640,000) reward for information.

Dorner, a naval reservist, is suspected of killing a couple on February 3 and then ambushing two policemen early on Thursday, killing one.

An angry Facebook rant with threats against the LAPD led officials to assign officers to protect officers and their families.

Within hours of the release of photos of Dorner, described as armed and "extremely dangerous," the suspect then ambushed police in Riverside County, shooting three and killing one police officer.

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Fisherman's Friends Singer Dies From Injuries

The sea shanty group Fisherman's Friends are mourning the loss of their colleague following an accident in which their tour manager was also killed.

Trevor Grills, 54, suffered serious head injuries when he was hit by a falling metal door at the G Live concert venue in Guildford, Surrey, on Saturday.

The Cornish-based group's tour manager, Paul McMullen, died soon after the accident from leg injuries.

Mr Grills was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, where he was pronounced dead on Monday night.

Trevor Grills: 'A much-loved and valued friend'

In a statement, the 10-piece band paid tribute to Mr Grills as "a much-loved and valued friend". A spokesman added: "We are all devastated."

The statement said: "The Fisherman's Friends announce with great sadness that their friend and fellow band member Trevor Grills passed away last night as a result of severe head injuries inflicted during an accident on Saturday, February 9.

"Trevor was a much-loved and valued friend to all of us and was an integral part of the Port Isaac community. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Trevor's family at this very difficult time."

Darcus Beese, president of Island Records, the group's label, added: "We are all deeply saddened at losing Trevor. The Fisherman's Friends are exactly that: life-long partners in all they do and our thoughts and prayers go out to them and Trevor's family and friends."

Police were called to G Live shortly before midday on Saturday after a report that two men were trapped under a metal door in the loading bay.

Mr McMullen, who is believed to be a father and husband from Stockport, was treated by paramedics but was declared dead at the scene.

The Friends were due to be performing that night as part of a tour but the concert was cancelled following the tragedy. The venue has since reopened.

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the accident, Surrey Police confirmed.

The G Live venue at Guildford

Fans of Fisherman's Friends have paid tribute to Mr Grills, one of the younger members of the band who often took the lead in its more melancholic numbers.

Writing on the group's Facebook page, Sarah Lee said: "Words seem pointless, but apart from sending you all love there's not much else we can offer.

"Know that you are in our hearts at this terribly sad time."

Fellow fan Charlie Mason added: "Such sad news - we saw you all in Cheltenham on Thursday, and loved it - Trevor bought joy to people - a gift few of us have. We've lost someone special."

Steph Woodhouse wrote: "Oh such dreadful news, was hoping against hope he would pull through. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all the village that has welcomed us so warmly over the years. Thinking of Port Isaac."

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Derby House Fire: Children's Parents On Trial

A couple accused of killing their six children in a house fire started the blaze as part of a "plan that went horribly wrong", a court has heard.

Mick and Mairead Philpott allegedly started the fire at their semi-detached home in Victory Road, Derby, on May 11 last year.

The family shared an unconventional lifestyle. Philpott, 56, his 31-year-old wife Mairead, and his mistress Lisa Willis, 28, all lived in the same house together.

A total of 11 children also lived in the property. Six were those of Mick and  Mairead Philpott, while four were his children with Ms Willis. Another child was Ms Willis's by another man.

Mr and Mrs Philpott's children - Jade, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, Jayden, five, and Duwayne, 13 - all died after the fire which engulfed their home as they were sleeping.

The scene of the fire last May

The couple, along with a third defendant, 46-year-old Paul Mosley, deny six separate counts of manslaughter in relation to the deaths.

At the start of their trial, prosecutor Richard Latham QC said the Philpotts, Ms Willis and the 11 children had all lived together until February 11 last year.

He said the fire, three months later, was no accident and had been started using petrol in the hallway of the house.

Pointing out the Philpotts were not accused of murder, he told the jury: "This was a plan that went horribly wrong and resulted in total tragedy.

Floral tributes laid outside the house

"What is alleged is that these children died as a result of the unlawful acts of these defendants who, we say, were acting together in a joint enterprise, setting a house fire.

"They are criminally responsible for the deaths as a result of setting the fire for some motive, for some other perceived advantage."

Mr Latham said that while Ms Willis and her children were living in the three-bedroom house in Victory Road most of the children usually slept upstairs.

Mrs Philpott slept in either the living room or the conservatory while Mr Philpott slept in a caravan outside with Ms Willis.

The children's funeral

Ms Willis had become unhappy with the relationship, Mr Latham said, but had not expressed her feelings to Philpott because she was worried about his reaction.

"Unbeknown to Michael Philpott, Lisa Willis got to the point where she found the whole domestic set-up unacceptable.

"She knew that to simply announce to Michael Philpott that she found the relationship set-up unacceptable would provoke a singularly unpleasant reaction. He was the one who made the decisions, the women did not."

On Saturday February 11, Ms Willis told him she was taking her children swimming and did not return home, the jury heard.

"We say that this event was the catalyst for everything that was to follow," Mr Latham said.

He said Philpott was deeply troubled by the fact Ms Willis had left him and taken his children. "He wanted the children back with or without her. He just wanted the children."

Court proceedings began in due course and on the morning of the fire, which happened in the early hours, Ms Willis and Philpott had been due in court to discuss residency of the children.

The trial, at Nottingham Crown Court, is expected to last six weeks.

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North Korea Confirms 'Successful' Nuclear Test

North Korea has confirmed it has carried out a third nuclear test after monitoring agencies reported an "unusual seismic event".

"A third nuclear test has been successfully staged," the North's state-run Korean Central News agency said.

"The nuclear test was conducted as part of measures to protect our national security and sovereignty against the reckless hostility of the United States that violated our republic's right for a peaceful satellite launch."

At just before midday local time, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 was detected just north of a site where Pyongyang conducted earlier nuclear tests.

The two previous tests, in 2006 and 2009, prompted quakes of 3.6 and 4.5 respectively.

An activist defaces a poster of Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju

The South Korean defence ministry, which raised its military alert level after the quake, said the blast had an explosive yield of between six and seven kilotons (kt) and was of "enormous destructive power".

In comparison, the nuclear weapons detonated above Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 carried estimated yields of 15kt and 22kt respectively.

A spokesperson for the UN boss Ban Ki-moon said: "The Secretary-General condemns the underground nuclear weapon test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today.

"It is a clear and grave violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions."

A Japanese seismic official shows where the blast occurred

Tibor Toth, the executive secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), said the event's location was "roughly congruent with" nuclear tests carried out by North Korea in 2006 and 2009.

"This act would constitute a clear threat to international peace and security, and challenge efforts made to strengthen global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, in particular by ending nuclear testing," he added.

China expressed its "firm opposition" to North Korea's nuclear test, saying its wayward ally had gone ahead with the blast "despite widespread opposition from the international community".

"We strongly urge the DPRK to honour its commitment to denuclearisation, and not to take any actions which might worsen the situation," the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

A North Korean soldier stands guard after the test

US President Barack Obama said the test posed a threat to international peace and security.

The UN Security Council will hold urgent talks on the blast at 2pm UK time.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "The UK will begin urgent consultations with Security Council partners calling for a robust response to this latest development."

Mr Obama said the US will "continue to take steps necessary to defend ourselves and our allies" and it will work with other nations "to pursue firm action".

Protesters in Seoul shout anti-North slogans

He added that North Korea's action "warrants further swift and credible action by the international community".

Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "North Korea's development of its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities poses a threat to international and regional security.

"Its repeated provocations only serve to increase regional tension, and hinder the prospects for lasting peace on the Korean peninsula."

The Russian foreign ministry said: "By implementing a new nuclear test, Pyongyang once again ignored the rules of international law and has shown disregard UN Security Council resolutions.

South Korean troops march along the demilitarised zone at the 38th parallel

"There is an urgent need to create an effective system of regional peace, which would be based on the principle of undiminished security for all participants in accordance with multilateral commitments on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula."

Japan said the test was a "grave threat" that "cannot be tolerated".

After the blast took place a North Korean newsreader urged the Korean People's Army (KPA) to prepare for combat against its foes.

She stressed that if an order was given "the KPA should blow up the stronghold of aggression at a strike".

"And wipe out the brigandish US imperialists and South Korea puppet army to the last man and thus accomplish the historic cause of national reunification."

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Austria: British Girl Killed In Skiing Accident

A 10-year-old British girl died after ploughing into a tree on a family skiing holiday in Austria, local police have revealed.

The child is understood to have been out with her father and brother when she hurtled off the piste into some woods.

She was apparently unable to stop and crashed into a tree at Mayrhofen, in the Tirol region.

She was flown by helicopter to hospital in Innsbruck where she died on Monday.

A spokesman for Tirol police said: "The girl left the piste after she lost control of her skis and went into some woods.

"She then crashed against a tree. She died in hospital in Innsbruck."

Police said the girl was wearing a helmet.

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Pope Benedict Resignation: Global Reaction

Reaction to Pope Benedict XVI's decision to resign as head of the Catholic Church has started to come in from around the world.

Political reaction was led by Prime Minister David Cameron, who said: "I send my best wishes to Pope Benedict following his announcement today. He has worked tirelessly to strengthen Britain's relations with the Holy See.

"His visit to Britain in 2010 is remembered with great respect and affection. He will be missed as a spiritual leader to millions."

Conservative MP Mark Pritchard, who has met Pope Benedict several times, said he would be a "sad loss" to the Catholic Church, while former MP Anne Widdecombe added: "He's given the church stability. He was very much an authority figure and he was very, very trusted by church."

Diarmaid MacCulloch, professor of the history of the church at Oxford University, said the announcement had taken many people by surprise.

"What's very noticeable is the sheer disarray around the statement," he said. "Clearly no one in the upper hierarchy in this country knew anything about it.

"Normally these things are very well prepared but this hasn't been. It may be the result of an elderly man reflecting in private and coming to a sudden decision."

Robin Gill, professor of applied theology at the University of Kent, described Pope Benedict as a "very intelligent, very astute man" who had managed to "hold Catholics together".

"I think he knew that if he continued, he would be unable to function properly. He saw his predecessor become increasingly frail and I think he has made a very wise decision."

Pope Benedict XVI visited the UK in 2010

Elsewhere, Monsignor Andrew Faley, of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, told Sky News: "He is extremely popular and is a Pope who will be remembered by ordinary people, as well as by political leaders, as a man who appreciated the humanity of everyone he met.

"He is someone who gives you his complete attention when you meet him and it's that sense of humanity and openness that he gave to everyone that he will be remembered for."

Father Christopher Jamison, a Benedictine monk, told Sky News: "My reaction is one of great shock and surprise.

"He's reached out very strongly to non-believers and fully recognises that people today won't necessarily join the church.

"On his visit to the UK in 2010, people were surprised to discover that he wasn't a terrible ogre of a man but someone of great wisdom."

John Arnold, Auxillary Bishop of the Diocese of Westminster, recalled the Pope's trip to Britain with fondness.

"Those were four extraordinary days," he said. "He came as a friend and he came to give us a very important message about the Church in our country and our society.

"When he began his pontificate, he said there was a possibility of retiring if became frail, and I think everyone had rather forgotten that.

The Pope, who was born in Germany, visited the country in 2011

"I saw him last October and he was something of a changed character. He was moving much more slowly and we've seen him needing assistance in various places over the last few months, so clearly his energy levels had dropped."

Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols added: "On reflection, I am sure that many will recognise (this) to be a decision of great courage and characteristic clarity of mind and action."

Further afield, the German government said it was "moved and touched" by the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict, who was born in the country.

Spokesman Steffen Seibert said: "The German government has the highest respect for the Holy Father, for what he has done, for his contributions over the course of his life to the Catholic church.

"He has been at the head of the Catholic Church for nearly eight years. He has left a very personal signature as a thinker at the head of the Church and also as a shepherd."

In the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino said the country was grateful for the "many prayers and comforting words Pope Benedict XVI dedicated to Filipinos in times of calamity and challenge".

"All peoples and nations of goodwill are filled with great regret," his spokesman said.

Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande said the Pope's decision to resign was "eminently respectable".

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James Bulger Killer Venables 'Still A Danger'

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

The mother of James Bulger has told Sky News she believes tougher sentences are needed to stop people who commit serious crimes from "getting away with it".

Speaking on the eve of the 20th anniversary of her son's murder, Denise Fergus said she feels she has still not achieved justice despite fighting for two decades.

James was just two years old when he was abducted from the Strand shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside.

CCTV cameras captured 10-year-old schoolboys Jon Venables and Robert Thompson leading the toddler by the hand.

They took him to a railway embankment in Walton, Liverpool, where they tortured him, inflicting 42 injuries before leaving him dead on the tracks where a train severed his body.

Venables was 10 when he and Robert Thompson murdered James

Venables and Thompson were convicted of murder and given life sentences in November 1993. Less than eight years later, in June 2001, the pair were released and given new identities.

Mrs Fergus told Sky News she feels let down by the justice system and strongly believes a change in the law is needed so killers receive harsher punishments.

"They should make them realise what they've done is wrong. If they give them a hard enough time maybe they'll think again before they go on to commit another crime," she said.

"What I'm saying is stop giving them stupid sentences like five or 10 years or if they get a 10-year sentence stop dropping it to five years because of good behaviour.

Mrs Fergus believes Venables is still a danger

"They've done bad in the first place to be there. Start giving them proper sentences, sentences that fit the crime and stop being so lenient on them."

Venables was jailed again in 2010 for downloading and distributing dozens of indecent images of children. He is now making a new bid for release.

Mrs Fergus is expected to deliver a victim statement in person for the first time to his parole board. She told Sky News she feels strongly he should remain behind bars.

She has been concerned that a possible sexual motive for her son's murder has never been properly investigated. She believes Venables still poses a risk to the public.

She said: "I just urge them not to release him because I still believe he is a danger. He's a ticking time bomb and he always has been.

"To get away with so much you know someone out there hasn't been doing their job.

"He was meant to have been monitored on his release. To build up all those images on his laptop is unbelievable and just proves that he hasn't been getting monitored at all."

"I'm not saying lock him up forever. Until he's got a stable mind then I think he should be locked up. But I don't know if he'll ever get that stable mind."

Mrs Fergus also believes Venables should not be given a second new identity.

"If he gets another ID then he's putting other people in danger because on his release people are going to be aware who moves into their area," she said.

"If someone new moves in on his release then everyone's going to be pointing fingers and it might not be him, it might be an innocent man."

Mrs Fergus, her husband Stuart and three sons will visit James's grave on the anniversary of his death. She said she will never stop fighting for justice.

"That's something I'll never give up. The day I give that up I'll be letting a lot of people down. All the support that I've had over the past 20 years would be undone," she said.

"I'd feel I was letting my family down, and I'd feel I'd be letting James down, I'd be letting myself down. You know if it takes another 20 years I'm going to keep on fighting."

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Profile: The Pope Known As 'God's Rottweiler'

Pope Benedict XVI was one of the oldest new popes in history when he was elected in 2005 at the age of 78.

Previously known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he served longer as a cardinal than any pope since Benedict XIII (1724-30) and had said he was looking forward to retirement when his predecessor Pope John Paul II died in 2005.

He took over a church facing its biggest crisis in decades, amid a flood of allegations, lawsuits and official reports into clerical child sex abuse.

While some Vatican figures lashed out with claims of an anti-Catholic conspiracy, Pope Benedict demanded that the church take responsibility for "sin within the Church".

The Pope (R) in 1977 - the year he was made a cardinal

He met victims and made an unprecedented apology for years of abuse and ordered fast-tracking of abuse reports through the Church hierarchy.

But he also faced tough questions over his previous role as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for 24 years, which gave him direct oversight of some clerical abuse.

As the Vatican's enforcer of doctrinal purity he earned the nickname "God's rottweiler" for his uncompromising conservative views - clashing with homosexuals, feminists and even rock musicians.

Critics said he did not grasp the seriousness of child abuse allegations and allowed cases to languish unattended for years, or even put victims' welfare after that of the Church itself.

Cardinal Ratzinger's conservative views led gay groups to protest in 2003

But supporters say he did more than any other Pope to to tackle abuse head on - one of his first acts as Pope was to banish senior Vatican figure Marciel Maciel over sexual and criminal misconduct.

An embarrassing leak of documents from the Pope's desk revealing corruption and mismanagement inside the Vatican led to the conviction of his butler in 2012. The affair gave a damaging impression of a power struggle at the Holy See.

But Benedict also was an active Pope, travelling the world and reaching out to other faiths with visits to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

The Pope with the Queen during his 2010 UK visit

And he took the Church into the digital age - blessing followers with the first papal tweet in December 2012.

His Papal visit to the UK in 2010 was seen as something as a public relations recovery, with tens of thousands of people turning out to events in Scotland, London and the Midlands where the Pope expressed "deep sorrow to the innocent victims" of clerical abuse.

Joseph Ratzinger was born in a Bavarian village in 1927 and ordained into the priesthood in 1951, enjoying a distinguished career as a university theologian during the social upheaval of the 1960s, which contributed to his conservative, traditional views.

He had been enlisted into Germany's compulsory Hitler Youth at the age of 14 and was briefly held as a prisoner-of-war by the Allies in 1945.

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Pope Benedict Resigns, Vatican Confirms

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign on February 28 due to his "deteriorating" health.

He will be the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to resign in almost 600 years, with his departure expected to leave the post vacant for around three weeks.

The 85-year-old German's resignation letter said: "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.

"I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

"However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me."

He will step down after almost eight years in the post, having been elected in April 2005.

The Vatican

Speaking at a hastily-arranged news conference, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said: "The pope caught us a bit by surprise.

"We should have a new pope for Easter."

He told reporters a conclave could be held within 15 or 20 days of the resignation - and insisted Pope Benedict XVI was not stepping down because of any difficulties in the papacy.

The Vatican has been keen to stress that the pope is not ill and while Mr Lombardi said his vigour had "sadly diminished in recent times", he praised the pontiff's "humility and great honour".

Pope Benedict will head to his Castel Gandolfo residence outside Rome following his resignation, then back to Rome to live in a monastery of cloistered nuns on the Vatican hills.

The pope's brother, Georg Ratzinger, said the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to take transatlantic trips for health reasons - and that he had been considering resigning for months.

He said his brother was having increasing difficulty walking and that his resignation was part of a "natural process."

The pope on his visit to the UK in 2010

His age is weighing on him," the 89-year-old said of his 85-year-old brother. "At this age my brother wants more rest."

The final post on Pope Benedict XVI's Twitter page, sent on Sunday, said: "We must trust in the mighty power of God's mercy. We are all sinners, but His grace transforms us and makes us new."

Pope Benedict has championed Christianity's European roots and showed his conservatism by repeatedly stressing family values and fiercely opposing abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage.

He has looked increasingly weary in recent months and has often used a mobile platform to move around St Peter's basilica during church services.

His next scheduled major public appearance will see him host a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, said: "Pope Benedict's announcement today has shocked and surprised everyone. Yet, on reflection, I am sure that many will recognise it to be a decision of great courage and characteristic clarity of mind and action.

"The Holy Father recognises the challenges facing the Church and that "strength of mind and body are necessary" for his tasks of governing the Church and proclaiming the Gospel. I salute his courage and his decision."

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: "Like many people throughout the world, I was shocked and saddened to hear of the decision by Pope Benedict XVI to resign.

"I know that his decision will have been considered most carefully and that it has come after much prayer and reflection."

Sky News Foreign Affairs Editor Tim Marshall said: "Seven years as pope is not very long.

"Last time, there was a lot of speculation that it was time for the first black pope. What Pope Benedict has done in recent years is to pack the ranks of the Vatican with lots of Europeans."

The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII, who stepped down in 1415 in a deal to end the Great Western Schism among competing papal claimants.

While there are several papal contenders, there is no obvious front-runner to take over - which was also the case when Benedict was elected pontiff in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II.

More follows...

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Horsemeat Scandal: 'Prepare For More Cases'

More cases of contaminated meat may be revealed within days, the Government has warned as it raised fears that an international criminal conspiracy was behind the horse meat scandal.

The warning came as The Independent newspaper claimed up to one in 30 horses being exported to Europe for consumption could contain traces of a drug known as Bute which is harmful to humans.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said the next set of results on all retailers' and manufacturers' processed beef products could reveal further traces of horse meat.

"There may well be more bad results coming through, that's the point of doing this random analysis," Mr Paterson said.

The results, ordered by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), are due on Friday.

But David Clarke, chief executive of Red Tractor Assurance, a food guarantee scheme that covers British production standards, urged people to put the scandal into perspective.

Paterson: 'Prepare for more bad news'

He told Sky News: "The news in the last three weeks has been of great concern to consumers. But to get it in perspective it is only affected a small part of the food that is in the shops.

"I would hope that all of the fresh meat that people are eating for Sunday lunch today should not be affected by this."

Mr Clarke added that the food industry had learnt lessons from the last few weeks, namely that "this very cheap processed meat produced with raw materials that are traded all across the world, all across Europe, is potentially a problem".

Meanwhile, one of the food companies at the centre of the horsemeat scandal has said it is considering taking legal action against its suppliers.

Frozen foods firm Findus, which has taken its beef lasagnes off shelves after some were found to have up to 100% horse meat in them, said it was looking into legal action as an internal investigation "strongly suggests" that the contamination "was not accidental".

The Ministry of Agriculture in Romania - to where the horsemeat has been traced - has launched an inquiry after two of its abattoirs were implicated in the scandal.

The Environment Secretary also revealed retailers have agreed plans to improve their food testing, adding that they hold the "ultimate responsibility" for making sure their products do not contain horse meat.

Mr Paterson was speaking after attending an emergency meeting with bosses from leading supermarkets, trade bodies and the FSA on Saturday to discuss the scandal which has seen chains including Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and Iceland withdraw some products.

He said supermarkets and trade bodies had already begun plans to carry out more testing and report their results on a quarterly basis.

Aldi has withdrawn products containing horsemeat

They had also agreed that consumers should be compensated for buying withdrawn products with no questions asked, he said.

Mr Paterson added: "It's a question of either gross incompetence, but as I've said publicly and I'll repeat again, I'm more concerned there's actually an international criminal conspiracy here, and we've really got to get to the bottom of it."

But shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh accused the Government of being too slow to act.

She told Sky's Dermot Murnaghan: "I think ministers have been completely behind the curve. Owen Paterson should have ordered tests on those burgers when they were withdrawn three weeks ago.

"We'd now been in a position to tell consumers how far the adulteration has gone, whether they're able to trust processed meat."

Scotland Yard have met representatives from the FSA, although there is currently no official police investigation.

The Trading Standards Institute has said the discovery of such high levels of horse meat suggests "deliberate fraudulent activity".

Food safety experts have said there is no risk to public health.

Tesco and Aldi have also withdrawn a range of ready meals produced by Comigel over fears that they contained contaminated meat.

The GMB union said all hospitals, schools and meals-on-wheels services should verify that horse meat had not been served to vulnerable people.

Responding to fears that school dinners might be contaminated with horsemeat, the Department for Education said schools and councils were responsible for their food contracts.

A spokeswoman for the Local Authority Caterers Association said: "We are as sure as we can be that this is not affecting the school catering area."

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Fox Bites Off Baby's Finger In Cot Attack

A fox dragged a one-month-old baby from his cot and mauled his hand, biting off one finger, it has been reported.

The boy was left seriously injured after the animal crept into his bedroom in Bromley, southeast London.

His mother was alerted by his screaming and rushed into his room to see his hand in the animal's mouth, the Mail On Sunday reported.

After a short struggle, the mother managed to free him, but by then his finger had been ripped off.

Plastic surgeons were able to reattach the boy's finger and he is said to be recovering well at home.

The animal had got into the family home through an open backdoor.

The fox attack happened in Bromley on Wednesday

Neighbour Paula Wellington told Sky News: "I was at work when it happened but heard about it when I got back. The ambulance was still here and then police forensics arrived.

"I've seen foxes around here before but I've never heard anything like this. I saw the mother a couple of days ago and she told me the fox had got into the house and grabbed the baby.

"She was fighting with it, trying to pull it away from the baby. She said it lasted a couple of minutes and she had to wrestle the fox off the baby.

"The fox had the baby she said and she was really shaken by it. It's really scared everyone and the family have now moved out."

Another neighbour, Khadine Peters, said: "I was on the school run but when I got back I heard people screaming that a fox had attacked the baby. I think it's really terrible. You see them around here all the time.

"I look out of my window and often see a big fox sitting on the grass in the front garden. Something should be done about it but nothing has, no one from the council has been around."

Boris Johnson: 'Something must be done'

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We were called at 1638 on February 6 by staff at St Thomas's Hospital to reports a baby boy who had been admitted to hospital after being attacked by a fox.

"Police attended to find a four-week-old baby with a hand injury. The baby was admitted to hospital after the attack at its home address in Bromley."

London Mayor Boris Johnson said more needs to be done to deal with the problem of urban foxes.

"Thankfully this sort of attack, though terrible, is rare, but we must do more to tackle the growing problem of urban foxes," he said.

"They may appear cuddly and romantic but foxes are a pest and a menace, particularly in our cities."

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the only reason a fox would attack is due to fear.

"It's extremely unusual for foxes to attack young children or anyone," she said.

"It's not typical fox behaviour at all. Foxes will come closer to a house if there are food sources.

"Then they can become quite bold, but they usually do back off and run away when there's people around."

Lola (L) and Isabella Koupparis were attacked by a fox in June 2010

In June 2010, twin baby sisters Lola and Isabella Koupparis were attacked by a fox while sleeping in their cots in east London.

Isabella was found with deep cuts to her arm and Lola's face was covered in blood. Both underwent surgery at the Royal London Hospital.

The issue of foxes attacking humans has divided the public, with many sceptics questioning recent cases amid fears of a backlash against urban foxes.

In April last year, wildlife presenter Chris Packham said he simply did not believe reports of people getting attacked by the animals.

The broadcaster said there was no proof foxes attack dogs and cats and would only do so except in "exceptional circumstances".

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Man Crushed To Death By Door At Music Venue

A man was killed and another suffered serious head injuries after a metal door fell on them at a music venue.

Police were called to G Live in Guildford, Surrey at about 11.45am on Saturday after a report that two men were trapped beneath the large door.

The victim - who had serious leg injuries - was treated by paramedics but was declared dead at the scene.

The other man was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting with serious head injuries.

Saturday night's event at the venue was cancelled and G Live staff are contacting all ticket holders.

Police say inquiries are in the early stages.

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the death.

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Charlie Sheen's Video Message To Wanted Cop

Charlie Sheen has released an online video urging an ex-cop accused of three killings to call him, after the actor was named in the man's chilling online manifesto.

Police are hunting for Christopher Dorner, a 33-year-old former LA Police Department officer who threatened to go on a murder spree against police and their families to avenge his sacking five years ago.

In a rambling online statement - in which Dorner threatened "unconventional and asymmetrical warfare" against the LAPD - he at one point describes Sheen as "awesome".

Sheen - who was fired from the hit US sitcom Two And A Half Men in 2011 and has a long history of hard partying and scandal - addressed Dorner directly in a brief video posted on celebrity website TMZ.com.

"Christopher Dorner? Charlie Sheen," the actor says.

"You mentioned me in your manifesto, so thank you for your kind words.

"I am urging you to call me. Let's figure out together how to end this thing. Call me, I look forward to talking to you."

An undated photograph of Dorner

Dorner is wanted for the killings of Monica Quan, the daughter of a former LAPD captain and her fiance, Keith Lawrence. They were found shot in their car at their apartment in Irvine on February 3.

Authorities also said Dorner opened fire early on Thursday on police in cities east of Los Angeles, killing an officer and wounding another.

Officers found weapons in Dorner's burnt-out pick-up truck in the San Bernadino mountains, around 80 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. They also revealed the truck had a broken axle, but it was unclear whether it had broken down or was set on fire as a diversion.

Dorner singled out various celebrities and prominent people in his online manifesto, including Sheen, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Kate Winslet.

As the manhunt continues, the LAPD said it would reopen the investigation that apparently led Dorner to seek revenge against former LAPD colleagues who he believed cost him his career.

Police chief Charlie Beck said the department would thoroughly re-examine Dorner's allegation to assure the public that the LAPD is fair and transparent. 

He said that if Dorner wants to surrender, the LAPD will "be happy to hear what he has to say".

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