Roache Trial: 'Victim Depressed After Abuse'

By Mike McCarthy, North Of England Correspondent

The victim of an alleged rape by Coronation Street actor William Roache claims she suffered psychological problems in later years.

The woman, now aged 62, was 15 at the time the star is said to have attacked her - first in his bungalow in Lancashire and then in a nearby cottage which he also owned. 

She told Preston Crown Court that she had suffered depression for a number of years following the alleged offences.

Appearing via a video link the woman was cross-examined by defence barrister Louise Blackwell QC about the first alleged rape in 1967.

"According to you this is a man you have known for some time and you lay there and say nothing. Is that right?" she asked.

The woman replied: "That's correct. I was speechless. I was shocked."

Ms Blackwell said: "Were you crying on your way back (home)?"

The alleged victim replied: "I could not answer that. I was upset about what had happened but cannot state 100% that I would be crying."

Roache (C) with some of his family

Ms Blackwell continued: "You said nothing the next day?"

The woman said:  "No. I went to school as normal ... I was humiliated. I was disgusted and ashamed. I was so shocked I would never have mentioned it to anyone."

It is alleged Roache raped the girl again sometime later the same year.

The defence barrister asked why the woman could not remember what had happened after the second alleged rape.

She replied: "You want to close your mind to them (memories). You don't want to remember them.

"You just black them out. I never thought I would ever repeat these. I have buried this for 47 years."

The woman said she suffered a nervous breakdown following the birth of one of her children and was admitted to a psychiatric department although she did not claim this was connected to the alleged rapes.

The complainant was asked if she continued to watch Coronation Street after the two alleged rapes.

She replied: "Yes. He is no threat when he is on television."

Roache, 81, has played the character of Ken Barlow in ITV's Coronation Street since the soap opera started in 1960.

He denies five charges of indecent assault and two of rape.

The trial continues.

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Missing Mikaeel 'Could Not Have Left Alone'

It would have been "practically impossible" for three-year-old Mikaeel Kular to leave his home on his own, a missing persons expert has told Sky News.

John Moses, a former Royal Military Policeman and detective, said the evidence in the case pointed towards a "professional abduction".

Mr Moses, now a private missing person investigator, said that forensic officers would have established whether the boy's prints were on doors leading to the street.

Police have launched an air, sea and land search for the Mikaeel

"The biggest concern is 'how can a child of three years of age actually walk out of a premises at that time in the morning?'.

"To be totally honest with you, it's practically impossible. So police will be opening up the net and looking elsewhere as well."

Mr Moses continued: "I personally don't think a child would have been able to orchestrate this themselves - as in open the door and work their way through the system. 

"I believe that forensics would have picked up the hand print of the child, clawing at the door, actually opening the door and working its way out.

Forensic experts may have information on fingerprints from the home

"So forensics will be one step ahead at this time and it will give them a better understanding at this stage, which won't be disclosed, about where they should be looking."

Mr Moses said that the nature of the disappearance and fact that a body had not been found pointed to a possible abduction.

"An open mind is paramount. There's no body, so that indicates one more positive directive to actually suspect that this child has been professionally abducted," he said.

Police have activated the Child Rescue Alert system, which is usually reserved for abduction and kidnap cases and supported by all police forces across the UK.

A special telephone number has been set up for anyone who has seen the child or has information about his whereabouts. Calls to the 0300 200 0200 number will be answered by dedicated members of staff.

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Zara Phillips Gives Birth To Baby Daughter

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips has given birth to a baby girl at Gloucester Royal Hospital.

Her baby, the Queen's fourth great grandchild and now the 16th in line to the throne, weighed 7lbs 12oz.

Buckingham Palace confirmed Zara's husband, former England rugby star Mike Tindall, was present at the birth.

"The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, Captain Mark Phillips and Mike's parents, Mr Phillip and Mrs Linda Tindall, have been informed and are delighted with the news," added the Queen's Press Secretary.

Zara and her husband at Sandringham at Christmas

The baby's name has not been announced.

The 32-year-old's pregnancy was announced as the media gathered outside St Mary's Hospital in July last year waiting for Duchess of Cambridge to go into labour.

The Olympic silver-medalist had been reluctant early on in her pregnancy to give up competing in show-jumping events.

Zara gave up competitive riding after her three-month scan

Admitting she was used to being on the go, finding it hard to put her feet up, the professional three-day eventer was photographed taking part in competitions after her 12-week scan.

But Zara soon allowed her sporting prowess to take a back seat, turning instead to baking to fill her days.

She and her husband opted not to be told the gender of their baby when offered the opportunity during early hospital scans.

A heavily pregnant Zara more recently accompanied the Queen by car to the traditional Christmas Day service in Sandringham.

The couple, who live at Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park Estate, have reportedly been busy "buying stuff" for the baby, according to Mr Tindall, who adds that he is "a big kid and so will fit in just right".

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Missing Boy: Police Reveal Possible Sighting

Police say there has been a possible sighting of missing three-year-old Mikaeel Kular.

Members of the public have reported seeing a boy at West Pilton Gardens, Edinburgh, not far from Mikaeel's home, yesterday morning at around 8.30am.

The timing of the sighting has been confirmed by CCTV images, although these cannot confirm the identity of the child.

Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: "Since Mikaeel was reported missing, we have been contacted by a number of people with information which we have been working to assess and respond to.

"Members of the public have come forward to report seeing a boy walking in the vicinity of West Pilton Gardens at 8.30am yesterday.

"The witnesses were in a vehicle driving down West Pilton Gardens at the time they saw the boy. They described seeing a small boy on the right hand side pavement running towards the junction with West Pilton Park.

"They noticed him because he was small in build and alone at the time. They said he matched the description given of Mikaeel although they also reported the child they saw was wearing a cap or hat.

"We would ask that anyone who also saw this child contact us as a matter of urgency. We need to confirm if this was Mikaeel or if it was another child.

"If it is your child who was out at this time and in this location, we want to hear from you so we can eliminate this line of inquiry as swiftly as possible."

Anyone with information relating to this sighting is asked to contact the dedicated telephone number 0300 200 0200 and speak to Police Scotland.

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Bull Elephant Rampage: Briton's Car Trampled

A raging bull elephant has been filmed overturning a car in which a British teacher was travelling through South Africa's Kruger National Park.

Sarah Brooks, from Lincolnshire, was on safari with her partner, slowly following the animal down a road.

The incident was filmed by tourists in the car behind who see the elephant stop walking and turn towards the car.

It then approaches the car from the side and rolls it over and over, leaving it crushed, with the couple inside. 

The tourists in the car behind who did the filming are clearly shocked and distressed and heard to say: "Stop the car ... reverse, reverse, they're going to die."

They urge their own driver to reverse and get out of the angry elephant's way.

The elephant was subsequently killed, the park's general manager said, because its behaviour was totally inexplicable.

The couple were taken to hospital and later discharged.

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Cancer Increase 'Is Due To Ageing Population'

By Hind Hassan, Sky News Reporter

Nearly a third of a million people are diagnosed with cancer every year, according to a UK charity.

Some 330,000 people were diagnosed with some form of the disease in 2011 - an increase of almost 50,000 per year over a decade. Researchers say an ageing population is one of the reasons for the increase.

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An aging population is one reason for the increase

Jessica Kirby from Cancer Research UK said: "People's risk of cancer goes up significantly as we get older; the more older people we have in our population the more people will develop cancer.

"There are other reasons for the rise as well; changes in risk factors for example. We know that more and more people are overweight compared to the past which is one of the key factors for cancers."

But greater awareness, advanced technology and ongoing medical research means cancer is being detected earlier and those that have it are living longer.

Edward Scott believes an early diagnosis of testicular cancer saved his life. The 15-year-old discovered a lump last year and sought urgent advice.

"I went on the NHS website and I found all the symptoms for testicular cancer were symptoms that I had," he said.

"The same day I went to my mum and said 'Mum there is something really wrong, I have to go get this sorted out'.

"I went into the GP and the same day I found out I had cancer."

Cancer Research UK's chief executive Dr Harpal Kumar said: "These figures reinforce the vital need for more research to better prevent, treat and cure cancer.

"Research is the only way we'll be able to reduce the devastating impact of the disease. One day we will beat cancer. The more research we do, the sooner that day will come."

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Dave Lee Travis Was 'Opportunist' Court Told

DJ Dave Lee Travis, who is accused of a string of sex assaults, was an "opportunist" who preyed on "vulnerable" young women, a court has heard.

The 68-year-old carried out a series of assaults which were "sexual in nature" while working as a disc jockey, acting in pantomimes and even at the opening of a hospital radio station, a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London was told.

The former Radio One DJ, whose real name is David Patrick Griffin, is on trial accused of assaulting 11 women, one of whom was 15 at the time of the alleged crime.

He denies the charges.

Opening the Crown's case, prosecutor Miranda Moore QC said women had come forward from "all parts of the United Kingdom" with similar allegations against Travis.

The alleged assaults were carried out by Travis "in a work environment", including an appearance at the opening of a hospital radio station, Ms Moore said.

"The offences vary in gravity," she said.

"All are sexual in nature involving unwanted contact by this defendant on much younger women, both over clothing and under clothing," Ms Moore added.

Travis had been "opportunist" in targeting "young women who were very vulnerable", Ms Moore said.

Travis is charged with 13 counts of indecent assault dating between 1976 and 2003, and one count of sexual assault in 2008.

He was arrested under Scotland Yard's Operation Yewtree, which was prompted by abuse allegations involving the late Jimmy Savile, the court heard.

A jury of eight women and four men were sworn in on Tuesday morning.

Judge Anthony Leonard warned them not to research the case, adding: "You will try the case on the information obtained here in this court and nothing else."

The trial is due to last up to six weeks.

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Rolf Harris To Enter Pleas On Sex Charges

Rolf Harris has arrived at court to enter pleas to 12 counts of indecent assault and four of making indecent images of a child.

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Southwest Airlines Flight Lands At Wrong Airport

A Southwest Airlines flight from Chicago is under investigation after it landed at the wrong airport seven miles from its intended destination.

Flight 4013, carrying 124 passengers and five crew members, was scheduled to fly from Chicago's Midway International Airport to Branson Airport, Missouri.

But the Boeing 737-700 landed at Taney County Airport instead, on a runway half the size of it proper destination.

It was unclear why the flight went to the wrong airport.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesman Tony Molinaro said an investigation has been launched.

Airline spokesman Brad Hawkins said: "The landing was uneventful, and all customers and crew are safe.

"Our ground crew from the Branson airport arrived at the airport to take care of our customers and their baggage."

Flight 4013 had been scheduled to go from Branson to Love Field in Dallas. Mr Hawkins said another aircraft was flown into Branson at 10pm on Sunday to take the passengers and crew to Dallas.

The runway at Taney County, also known as M. Graham Clark Airport, is 3,738ft. Branson Airport's website says its runway is 7,140ft long.

The Southwest plane is able to take off from Taney County and the company said it expected it to fly out "as early as tomorrow (Monday) morning".

It is the second time in two months that an aircraft has landed at the wrong airport.

In November, a Boeing 747 Dreamlifter which was supposed to deliver parts to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, landed nine miles north at Colonel James Jabara Airport.

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Ireland Chess Killer 'Ate Victim's Body Parts'

A lodger has admitted killing a man during a row over a game of chess - and is said to have eaten his victim's heart.

Saverio Bellante claimed to have eaten his landlord's organ after a violent argument.

But a post-mortem found that while one lung was missing, the heart was intact.

The examination found that a lung was removed from the body of researcher Tom O'Gorman, 39, during the attack and had not yet been located, the Irish Independent reported, citing an undisclosed source.

Mr O'Gorman's body was found with multiple stab wounds at his home in Beech Park Avenue, Castleknock, in north Dublin, where the accused had been living as a tenant. He had also been beaten several times over the head with a dumbbell.

Bellante, 34, originally from Palermo on the Italian island of Sicily, has been charged with murder.

The paper said it had not been possible to establish whether Mr O'Gorman was already dead before his body was mutilated.

Irish police were alerted to the killing when the accused, who was described as "calm," phoned emergency services at 1.50am on Sunday.

Bellante appeared before Blanchardstown District Court on Monday. Detective Garda Patrick Traynor told the court that Bellante admitted the murder when he was cautioned.

Judge David McHugh ordered that he undergo a medical assessment.

It is understood Mr O'Gorman was a former journalist with The Voice Today, a Roman Catholic newspaper.

A graduate of University College Dublin, he had more recently been a researcher with the Dublin-based Catholic lobby group the Iona Institute for seven years, and is believed to have taken in a lodger in recent months to help supplement his income.

David Quinn, director of The Iona Institute, said Mr O'Gorman's friends and colleagues were left devastated by his death.

"On behalf of everyone at The Iona Institute, I would like to express our total shock and deep sorrow at the terrible and untimely death of Tom O'Gorman," he said.

"Tom was a friend as well as a work colleague to us all. He was a fond and dear friend and we will all miss him.

It is not thought alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident.

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Madeleine McCann Police 'To Make Arrests'

British police are reportedly preparing the ground to make their first arrests in the hunt for Madeleine McCann.

Scotland Yard detectives flew out to Portugal on Sunday night to interview three burglars who were in the area when the three-year-old went missing, the Daily Mirror said.

Mobile phone records show the men made numerous calls to each other in the hours after she disappeared while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz in May 2007, it is claimed.

A spokeswoman for the Met Police confirmed the Crown Prosecution Service has sent an International Letter of Request to ­Portuguese authorities on behalf of the Metropolitan Police.

She declined to give details or discuss what the letter contained.

Madeleine's parents say the move 'could be a significant new lead'

A spokesman for Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, told the Mirror he believed it was likely the burglars were the targets.

"The letter is a significant development. It is necessary for British police to request the ­Portuguese authorities allow them to operate on their turf," he said.

"It means they have the intention of arresting and interviewing X, Y or Z. We don't know who they have their sights on but it's likely it is the burglars.

"Whether the Portuguese will co-operate remains to be seen. It is a very sensitive issue with differences they have had.

"Police want to be given a chance to arrest key suspects. It doesn't prove they have Madeleine but it will rule them in or out of the investigation and that is i­mportant.

"Kate and Gerry don't want to build up their hopes too high but they realise it could be a significant new lead."

The little girl vanished from this holiday apartment in May 2007

It would be Scotland Yard's first arrests since it set up Operation Grange in 2011 to review Madeleine's disappearance.

It is claimed that days before the little girl vanished, the gang raided another holiday flat in the Algarve resort, disturbing a child.

The ­youngster's parents reportedly interrupted the burglars who fled.

Madeleine vanished from her holiday apartment while her parents were dining in a tapas bar 90 yards away.

Portuguese police reopened their investigation last year, more than three years after it was shelved.

It is running in parallel with the Scotland Yard inquiry but the Met Police commissioner has called for the two forces to work together as one team.

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Fracking: Cameron Offers Councils Drill Money

David Cameron has announced £1.7m for councils which agree to drill for shale gas sparking angry protests from campaigners who say it amounts to little more than bribery.

David Cameron said the Government was "going all out for shale" as he announced local authorities that allow drilling will receive 100% of the business rates collected from the scheme - double the current 50%.

Whitehall officials estimate that could be worth £1.7m extra a year for each site a council agrees.

The announcement sparked angry scenes at a fracking site in Barton Moss, near Salford, Manchester, where protesters confronted lorries entering the plant, then handcuffed themselves to the vehicles.

The business rates money will be in addition to a promise last year that shale exploration firms will also pay out £100,000 when a test well is fracked and 1% of revenues, a deal which could in total be worth up to £10m.

Anti-fracking protester Theo Simon on top of a lorry at the site

However, campaigners dismissed the business rates payout as bribe money and said it was not enough in the face of the vast profits that stand to be made by the energy firms and the damage that would be caused to local areas.

Mr Cameron's announcement comes as the French energy giant Total has announced it will invest millions with a 40% interest in two shale gas exploration licences in the UK.

Mr Cameron said: "A key part of our long-term economic plan to secure Britain's future is to back businesses with better infrastructure.

"That's why we're going all out for shale. It will mean more jobs and opportunities for people, and economic security for our country."

The protest was against an exploratory drilling site known as Barton Moss

Jackie Anderson, a teacher who lives within a mile of an exploratory drilling site at Barton Moss near Salford, was on Sunday protesting about the effects of fracking on the community.

She told Sky News: "For the local residents it's got no benefit whatsoever. More and more the businesses and the councils are going to benefit because the incentives are going to them and we're getting none of the benefits at all."

A Local Government Association spokesman said: "Given the significant tax breaks being proposed to drive forward the development of shale gas and the impact drilling will have on local communities, these areas should not be short-changed by fracking schemes.

"One per cent of gross revenues distributed locally is not good enough; returns should be more in line with payments across the rest of the world and be set at 10%."

Protesters handcuff themselves to a lorry at Barton Moss

Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a process that involves drilling thousands of feet down into the earth to create a narrow well. Water and chemicals are then pumped in at high pressure to create fractures in the rock. Gas then flows from the cracks and is captured.

Vanessa Vine, who founded the British Anti-Fracking Action Network, said: "Concerns of local residents range from everything from heavy traffic through villages, damage to the roads, right up to triggering of earthquakes and permanent, potentially permanent contamination of the groundwater, of the aquifer, of drinking water."

The Government estimates the industry could attract £3.7bn a year in investment and support 74,000 jobs.

Last year, a study by the British Geological Survey suggested there could be enough shale gas in the north of England to supply Britain for 40 years.

Areas of the UK affected by fracking

It is thought there may be as much as 1,300 trillion cubic feet at the Bowland site in Lancashire alone.

Energy minister Michael Fallon said he expected between 20 and 40 wells to be drilled over the next couple of years.

He told Sky News: "We know now that we are sitting on top of hundreds of millions more cubic feet of this gas than we originally thought. What's so important now is to encourage companies to go down there and find out whether we can get it out as a new, home-grown source of energy.  

"That is extremely important for every local community and what we are doing today is saying it is for that local people, who have some of the hassle when they are getting it out, when they are exploring for it, that they should be able to retain all of the benefits."

Lawrence Carter, from Greenpeace, said: "This is a naked attempt by the government to bribe hard-pressed councils into accepting fracking in their area.

"Cameron is effectively telling councils to ignore the risks and threat of large-scale industrialisation in exchange for cold hard cash."

Shadow energy minister Tom Greatrex said: "Gas will remain an important part of our energy mix in the future, and if shale gas can replace our rapidly depleting North Sea reserves it could help improve our energy security.

Vanessa Vine, founder of the British Anti-Fracking Action Network

"It is right that any communities that host nationally significant energy infrastructure are able to share in its rewards.

"But the Government must get its priorities right. Only by fully addressing legitimate environmental and safety concerns about fracking with robust regulation and comprehensive monitoring, will people have confidence that the exploration and possible extraction of shale gas is a safe and reliable source that can contribute to the UK's energy mix."

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Missing 12-Year-Olds: Police Search For Girls

Police are searching for two 12-year-old girls reported missing after a walk to a local bus stop, Scotland Yard has said.

Friends Wiktoria Popiel, from Wood Green, and Vitalija Sidlauskaite, from Tottenham, north London, were last seen together on Morley Avenue in Wood Green at around 5pm on Saturday.

Wiktoria (pictured above right) was walking Vitalija (above left) to a bus stop on nearby Lordship Lane but did not return home.

The Metropolitan Police said they may have got on a bus towards Tottenham or have gone to the ice rink at Alexandra Palace.

Vitalija Sidlauskaite (l) and Wiktoria Popiel (r)

Speaking to Sky News's Tom Parmenter, the mother of Vitalija said she was "desperate for news".

The tearful mum said the pair were very close friends who spent a lot of time together.

She said her daughter did have a mobile phone with her but that it did not have a SIM card for making calls.

She suspected they may have been heading towards the ice rink at Alexandra Palace but did not know if they made it there.

The mother said she was searching parks and hospitals in a desperate bid to find the pair.

The pair were walking to this bus stop

Wiktoria's first cousin Alicja Ochramowicz told Sky News: "It was just a normal evening, she left the house with he friend and she said 'I'll be back shortly'."

"All she had was her Oyster card, no mobile phone, no spare clothes...it is not even an option that she has run away."

Wiktoria Popiel

The 18-year-old cousin said the pair were: "Best friends - they only hang around with each other - it is just them two all the time."

She said: "We have asked all of her friends but heard nothing."

"We'd just ask we to tell her she is Okay. I'd just say 'please come home'." 

She described her cousin as "outgoing, friendly - they used to go to the same school and then Vitajla changed schools."

Vitalija's mother urged people who were out walking or exercising in parks in the areas around Wood Green to report any sightings or information that may help the police find the girls.

A police spokesman said: "Their disappearance is completely out of character for both girls and they have never gone missing before.

The street where the girls were last seen

"Their families and police are extremely concerned for their welfare and urge anyone who sees them or who has information about their whereabouts to call police on 101."

Wiktoria was wearing glasses, a brown jacket with fur around the hood (the same as the one in the top picture), blue jeans and blue trainers. She speaks English and Polish.

Vitalija was wearing blue jeans and a black jacket. She speaks English and Russian.

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Iraq: Government Rejects Torture Allegations

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

The Government says it "absolutely rejects" allegations of "systematic" abuse and torture by British soldiers in Iraq.

Foreign Secretary William Hague spoke to Sky News after it was revealed the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been asked to investigate hundreds of abuse allegations.

It is understood a German human rights organisation and a British law firm have presented a dossier to the ICC containing accusations of more than 1,000 cases of torture against Iraqi civilians, and 200 cases of unlawful killings, including many in custody.

The Berlin-based European Centre for Constitutional Rights and UK-based Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) will launch their case at an event in London on Tuesday.

Phil Shiner, a solicitor from PIL, told Sky News: "This is historic. The UK has never been investigated by the ICC. There is clear evidence this goes right to the top."

But Mr Hague told Sky's Murnaghan programme: "The Government has always been clear, and the armed forces have always been clear, that they absolutely reject allegations of systematic abuse by the British armed forces.

"The British armed forces uphold high standards, and they are the finest armed forces in the world."

He added: "But where there are substantiated allegations of things going wrong, these things have been or are being investigated. That does not require references to the International Criminal Court."

The Government has set up a body to investigate accusations of abuse arising from the Iraq conflict.

The Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) investigates allegations of abuse against Iraqi civilians by British troops between 2003 and 2009.

It is led by a retired detective and is due to complete its investigations by the end of 2016.

Commenting on the reports, the Ministry of Defence said: "These matters are either under thorough investigation or have been dealt with through various means including through the Iraq Historic Allegations Team, independent public inquiries, the UK and European courts and in Parliament.

"As such, further action through the ICC is unnecessary when the issues and allegations are already known to the UK Government, action is in hand and the UK courts have already issued judgments.

"Should we be approached by the ICC, we will take the opportunity to explain the very extensive work under way to deal with historic allegations of abuse.

"We reject the suggestion that the UK's Armed Forces - who operate in line with domestic and international law - have systematically tortured detainees.

"But of course the UK Government regrets the small number of cases where abuses have taken place. Wherever allegations have been substantiated, we have compensated victims and their families."

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Ariel Sharon: Ex-Leader's Body Lies In State

The body of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon is lying in state at his country's parliament building, the day after he died aged 85.

Mr Sharon's coffin is sitting in the plaza outside the Knesset in Jerusalem until 6pm local time (4pm UK time) for mourners to pay their respects.

Earlier, Israeli ministers held a minute's silence as they met for their weekly cabinet meeting.

Current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the cabinet: "He will be remembered in the heart of the Jewish people forever as one of our most outstanding leaders and most daring commanders."

Mr Sharon will be buried on Monday afternoon at his ranch in the Negev desert, in southern Israel, during a military ceremony.

Israel generals salute Mr Sharon's coffin

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was among those expected to attend.

Mr Sharon had been in a coma since suffering a stroke in January 2006.

His condition deteriorated on New Year's Day when he suffered serious kidney problems after surgery.

Mr Netanyahu said "his memory will forever be held in the heart of the nation", while President Shimon Peres said he would be "greatly missed".

World leaders also sent condolences, with US President Barack Obama describing him as a leader who "dedicated his life to the State of Israel".

Vice President Joe Biden will lead a US delegation to the memorial service due to be held in parliament on Monday before the burial.

Nicknamed "The Bulldozer", Mr Sharon was a veteran soldier who fought in all of Israel's major wars before beginning a turbulent political career in 1973.

He was elected premier in 2001 despite experiencing a period in the political wilderness because of his personal but "indirect" responsibility for the 1982 massacre of hundreds of Palestinians.

As an army officer addressing his troops of the famous Unit 101 in 1955

Ministers in Israel's right-wing government and the political opposition have mourned a leader who left big footprints on the region through military invasion, Jewish settlement building on captured land and a unilateral decision to pull Israeli troops and settlers out of the Gaza Strip in 2005.

In Gaza, Hamas has welcomed Mr Sharon's death and celebrated in the streets.

"We have become more confident in victory with the departure of this tyrant," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zurhi said.

"Our people today feel extreme happiness at the death and departure of this criminal whose hands were smeared with the blood of our people and the blood of our leaders here and in exile."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Ariel Sharon is one of the most significant figures in Israeli history and as prime minister he took brave and controversial decisions in pursuit of peace, before he was so tragically incapacitated.

"Israel has today lost an important leader."

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Washington 'More Dangerous' Than North Korea

Two US rappers who have been to one of the world's most secretive countries, North Korea, have told Sky News their home city of Washington DC is a more dangerous place.

Anthony Bobb and Dontray Ennis - known as Pacman and Peso - also said the North Korean people should not be seen as "bad" just because of controversial leader Kim Jong-Un's actions.

It is almost universally accepted that North Korea has the worst human rights record in the world.

As many as 200,000 political prisoners are locked up in labour camps around the country. Escapees have said that torture is routine.

Last month, Mr Kim had his uncle executed, hailing the elimination of "factional filth" within his ruling party.

He accused General Jang Song-Thaek, who was once considered the second most powerful individual in the North, of trying to build his own power base.

The rappers raised $10,000 on a crowd funding website to fund a trip to the nation which they say everyone should see for themselves.

Their manager, who had a friend going on a personal trip there, suggested they went along too.

Kim Jong-Un had his uncle executed last year

The rappers' video for their song Escape To North Korea, filmed in and around the capital Pyongyang, has been seen more than 150,000 times after going viral.

Peso told Sky: "You can't say a whole nation of people is bad just because of one person's actions.

"I think the reason why that's put on the North Korean people is because of the leaders.

"What the people where I'm from don't realise is what they (North Koreans) were taught and how they came up as a nation off of that one person.

"What we learned was that it was for him (the leader) protecting his own people, they didn't compromise, they wanted to stay independent. That's what happened."

Pacman said: "Nothing that goes on there is any more than goes on in my streets. Nine times out of 10 you get robbed on my streets more than out of North Korea."

Denis Rodman sang Happy Birthday to the North Korean leader

News of their trip came as another high-profile American, former basketball star Dennis Rodman, also visited the country.

He led a team of retired American players in a game to celebrate the birthday of Mr Kim which may help break down barriers between the US and the North.

The colourful sportsman sang Happy Birthday to the leader, but his side were defeated by the North Korean players chosen to play them.

Under the North Korean regime's "three generations of punishment" system, individuals found guilty of a crime are sent to the labour camps with their entire family.

The subsequent two generations of that family are then born in the camp and live their lives locked up inside.

In his New Year message, broadcast on state television, Mr Kim said of his uncle's execution: "Our party took resolute action to remove ... scum elements within the party last year."

South Korean media said they believed he was killed by machine gun, a relatively common form of execution in the North.

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