Obama Joining PM To Pay Tribute To Saudi King

Prime Minister David Cameron and The Prince of Wales, representing the Queen, are flying to Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

They will join a host of international dignitaries in Riyadh to pay their respects to the Saudi royal family.

President Obama is to cut short his visit to India in order to fly to Saudi Arabia, a long-standing ally of the US.

Mr Obama will travel to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet King Salman, the White House confirmed.

King Abdullah, 90, died on Thursday evening after almost two decades leading the world's biggest oil exporter.

Video: Saudi King's Legacy

Both Mr Cameron and the Queen said they were "saddened" by his death.

The PM's decision to fly to Saudi comes amid sharp criticism over a decision to lower flags at Whitehall and across England as a mark of respect for the late monarch.

Downing Street and Whitehall buildings, including Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, were instructed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on Friday to lower the Union Flag for 12 hours in tribute.

Some politicians and human rights campaigners have criticised the tributes to Abdullah who presided over a country where a woman was recently beheaded in public, a blogger was sentenced to receive 1,000 lashes for 'insulting Islam' and where women have been banned from driving.

Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, dismissed the flag tribute as "a steaming pile of nonsense", adding that it was "a stupid act on its own and a stupid precedent to set".

Former Conservative MP for Corby, Louise Mensch, took to twitter to vent her anger: "It is so unacceptable to offer deep condolences for a man who flogged women, didn't let them drive, saw guardian laws passed and starves them."

Video: King Abdullah Laid To Rest

She even tweeted "F*** YOU" in reply to a tweet from the British Embassy in Riyadh which quoted the Prime Minister's sorrow at the king's death.

The head of Amnesty International, Salil Shetty, said: "The Saudi regime seems insensitive to human rights and human dignity and unfortunately they are also protected by many Western countries because they have oil and because they are seen as allies in the fight against terrorism."

But Westminster Abbey argued refusing to lower its flag would not have helped the "desperately oppressed Christian communities of the Middle East".

"For us not to fly at half-mast would be to make a noticeably aggressive comment on the death of the king of a country to which the UK is allied in the fight against Islamic terrorism," a spokesman said.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev Justin Welby, told Sky News: 'Freedom of religion is essential and freedom to express Christian faith in Saudi Arabia is something that should happen.

"A few weeks ago there was a group of migrant workers arrested for holding a private service in a flat. That's not right.

Video: Welby On Saudi Religious Expression

"But I know that King Abdullah himself - it's a complicated place Saudi Arabia, like all countries - King Abdullah himself is someone who has worked very very hard on these issues and has contributed much and I think it's right that the prime minister should send condolences and should recognise what he's done over the years."

King Abdullah had run the country as de facto leader since the mid-1990s after his predecessor King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke.

He was admitted to hospital on 31 December suffering pneumonia and the royal court announced that he was breathing with the aid of a tube.

He has been succeeded by his 79-year-old half-brother, Salman.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Army Review: Senior Officers Set To Be Axed

The number of senior Army officers could be axed under plans to streamline the military's top brass.

Up to one third of the Army's 500 colonels and 200 brigadiers and generals are set to be axed, The Times newspaper reports.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed an Army Command Review will be carried out as part of the Army 2020 reforms.

The plans by the Army's head General Sir Nick Carter are set to be implemented from April.

"The Army Command Review is the next step in the development of Army 2020," an Army spokeswoman said.

"It builds on the delegated model that Defence has implemented as a result of Lord Levene's report on defence reforms.

"It will ensure that the Army's command structure and its staff are best placed to meet future challenges in an agile, imaginative and effective manner."

Reforms have already been confirmed for the number of regular soldiers to be slashed to 82,000 and the number of reservists to be boosted to 30,000.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

At Least 15 Dead As Rebels Hit Ukraine Homes

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Rebels Attack Ukraine Homes

At least 15 people are dead and 46 have been wounded after rebels shelled homes and a busy market in a strategically important city in southeast Ukraine.

The Interior Ministry said homes were alight and the mobile phone network had gone down after pro-Russian separatists fired long-range rockets on the port city of Mariupol in the region of Donetsk.

The attack comes after rebels threatened to increase their campaign triggering an escalation of violence in a country where a shaky cease-fire is struggling to hold.

The authorities in the government-held city struggled to calm the panicking residents and condemned the attack on ordinary residents.

Mariupol is strategically important

One resident said: "Obviously everyone in the city is very scared. The rebels have already seized the airport and now they are starting to destroy Mariupol itself."

Footage and pictures emerging from the city showed widespread damage.

1/8

1. Gallery: Ten Dead In Ukraine Rocket Attack

   Ten people have been killed in an attack on homes and a market in the port city of Mariupol.

Ukraine's Interior Ministry says long-range rockets were fired on homes, buildings and a busy open air market.

]]>

A number of people have also been wounded in the attack which came after rebels promised to escalate their campaign of violence.

]]>

However, the separatists have denied carrying out the shelling.

]]>

Mariupol is strategically important because it lies between the Russian mainland and Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March.

]]>

Separatists have denied responsibility for the attack saying: "This is blatant misinformation and a lie. Rebel forces did not open any fire in the direction of Mariupol, especially not on residential areas." 

Mariupol city council dismissed suggestions Ukrainian armed forces were planning to withdraw from the government-held city, which is strategically important because it lies between mainland Russia and Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March.

In a statement, urging residents not to panic, the council said: "On the contrary, all units are on fully battle-ready. Security measures in the city have been strengthened."

A peace deal between the government and the separatists was signed in September but is has been repeatedly violated by both sides. It came after a push on the city of Mariupol in August.

There has been a significant increase in fighting in the last two weeks and the United Nations says 262 lives have been claimed in the past nine days alone.

On Friday the separatist leader of Donetsk said he was ripping up the September agreement and launching an all-out offensive aimed at seizing lands.

Vyacheslav Abroskin, the head of the regional police posted on Facebook: "As a result of shelling by rebels of a residential sector of Mariupol ... ten people have been killed."

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Obama Joining PM To Pay Tribute To Saudi King
2. Breaking News: Mother's Tribute To Teen Machete Attack Victim
3. Army Review: Senior Officers Set To Be Axed
4. BA Owner IAG Tables Fresh Bid For Aer Lingus
5. Fatal Shooting Captured On Policeman's Bodycam

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Rebels Attack Ukraine Homes

At least 15 people are dead and 46 have been wounded after rebels shelled homes and a busy market in a strategically important city in southeast Ukraine.

The Interior Ministry said homes were alight and the mobile phone network had gone down after pro-Russian separatists fired long-range rockets on the port city of Mariupol in the region of Donetsk.

The attack comes after rebels threatened to increase their campaign triggering an escalation of violence in a country where a shaky cease-fire is struggling to hold.

The authorities in the government-held city struggled to calm the panicking residents and condemned the attack on ordinary residents.

Mariupol is strategically important

One resident said: "Obviously everyone in the city is very scared. The rebels have already seized the airport and now they are starting to destroy Mariupol itself."

Footage and pictures emerging from the city showed widespread damage.

1/8

1. Gallery: Ten Dead In Ukraine Rocket Attack

   Ten people have been killed in an attack on homes and a market in the port city of Mariupol.

Ukraine's Interior Ministry says long-range rockets were fired on homes, buildings and a busy open air market.

]]>

A number of people have also been wounded in the attack which came after rebels promised to escalate their campaign of violence.

]]>

However, the separatists have denied carrying out the shelling.

]]>

Mariupol is strategically important because it lies between the Russian mainland and Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March.

]]>

Separatists have denied responsibility for the attack saying: "This is blatant misinformation and a lie. Rebel forces did not open any fire in the direction of Mariupol, especially not on residential areas." 

Mariupol city council dismissed suggestions Ukrainian armed forces were planning to withdraw from the government-held city, which is strategically important because it lies between mainland Russia and Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in March.

In a statement, urging residents not to panic, the council said: "On the contrary, all units are on fully battle-ready. Security measures in the city have been strengthened."

A peace deal between the government and the separatists was signed in September but is has been repeatedly violated by both sides. It came after a push on the city of Mariupol in August.

There has been a significant increase in fighting in the last two weeks and the United Nations says 262 lives have been claimed in the past nine days alone.

On Friday the separatist leader of Donetsk said he was ripping up the September agreement and launching an all-out offensive aimed at seizing lands.

Vyacheslav Abroskin, the head of the regional police posted on Facebook: "As a result of shelling by rebels of a residential sector of Mariupol ... ten people have been killed."

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Obama Joining PM To Pay Tribute To Saudi King
2. Breaking News: Mother's Tribute To Teen Machete Attack Victim
3. Army Review: Senior Officers Set To Be Axed
4. BA Owner IAG Tables Fresh Bid For Aer Lingus
5. Fatal Shooting Captured On Policeman's Bodycam

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mother's Tribute To Teen Machete Attack Victim

The mother of a 19-year-old who was killed in a machete attack outside a pub in Gloucester has said there is "a hole in her heart which cannot be filled".

In a Facebook tribute, Sylv Evans wrote that her son, Zac, was a "wonderful son, brother, grandson, boyfriend and friend".

She added: "Rest in peace Zac. Words cannot describe how heartbroken we are. You will be greatly missed."

The victim of the attack has been named locally as Zac Evans. Pic: Facebook

A murder investigation has begun after the teenager was attacked near the Pike and Musket pub at about 12.40am on Saturday morning. Police are appealing for witnesses.

A 22-year-old man was left with serious injuries after the attack, and is now in a stable condition following surgery at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Forensic tents have been erected around the pub as the inquiry continues

A third man, aged 18, sustained minor injuries in the fight, which unfolded on Windsor Drive in Tuffley.

"We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed what happened in the pub's car park or was in the area around the time of the incident and may have seen something which may help with inquiries," a police statement added.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

IS 'Countdown' To Japan Hostages Killing Ends

A clock counting down to the killing of Japanese hostages by Islamic State has reached zero - but the militant group has yet to break its silence on the pair's plight.

Posted alongside gruesome images of other murdered hostages on a website linked to the jihadist organisation, the clock counted down to the now-elapsed deadline previously given by IS.

They had given Japan 72 hours to pay a $200m ransom for the  release of Kenji Goto, a journalist, and Haruna Yukawa, a private military company operator - if the ransom is not paid.

In the video, a black-clad militant addressed the camera in English

Earlier, the mother of one of the men pleaded with militants to spare her son's life.

Junko Ishido said her son, Mr Goto, is a friend of Islam who devoted his life to helping children in war zones.

Video: The Growth Of Islamic State

"I say to you people of the Islamic State, Kenji is not your enemy. Please release him," she said.

In the video, a black-clad militant brandishing a knife addresses the camera in English as he stands between two hostages wearing orange jumpsuits.

"You now have 72 hours to pressure your government into making a wise decision by paying the $200m to save the lives of your citizens," he says.

The footage, identified as being made by the group's al Furqan media arm and posted on militant websites, also sees the militant criticising the Japanese government's support for US-led airstrikes against IS.

Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said the government is making every effort to secure the hostages' release.

"We have received offers of cooperation from various countries. We are continuing to analyse information," he said.

Asked whether Japan would pay the ransom, Mr Kishida said: "We will not give in to terrorism. We will fight against terrorism in cooperation with other countries."

IS has seized swathes of territory across Iraq and Syria in an attempt to form an Islamic Caliphate.

Videos featuring a British-accented jihadi were published showing the murders of US hostages James Foley and Steven Sotloff and British hostages David Haines and Alan Henning.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Japanese Mock IS With 'Photoshop Grand Prix'

Many Japanese have responded to the Islamic State's demand for a $200m ransom for two hostages with a meme mocking the Islamist group.

A hashtag, which translates as "ISIS crappy collage grand prix" or "photoshop grand prix", was created and users have been using it to post parodies of the hostage video. 

The video released by the group on Tuesday shows a militant, dressed in black and brandishing a knife as he stands between Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa, who are both clad in orange jumpsuits. 

Twitter posts show the IS militant posed as a movie villain

This image has been photoshopped to make the British-accented jihadi a ninja and Dr Evil, while in others the two hostages appear as Japanese anime characters.

In another mocked-up image the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is seen laughing and pointing as the video plays on a screen.  

The meme plays on the fact that the image of the two kneeled figures and their captor appears to have been photoshopped onto the desert background.

Social media users have been criticised for not taking the threat seriously

According to the social media analytics site, Topsy, the hashtag has been used more than 70,000 times since Tuesday as many use it to express their defiance.

djvjgrrl wrote on Twitter: "Tomorrow will be sad but it will pass and #ISIS will still be a big joke. You can't break our spirit." 

But some people have criticised the posts for not taking the IS threat seriously.

JB~kun wrote: "So here I was checking this hashtag and apparently some of the Japanese tweets are making fun of the whole thing. Japan pls."

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Burglary Hotspots: Do You Live In One?

The UK's worst burglary hotspot are revealed by new analysis of insurance claims.

Among them are Manchester and West Yorkshire - with concentrations also in Wales and Scotland.

But it is Essex and East London which head the Burglary Claims Tracker list, and Greater London is the burglary capital.

The area with the highest rate of burglary insurance claims last year was the RM8 postcode in the east London suburb of Dagenham, according to the figures compiled by MoneySuperMarket.

London hotspots: Source: MoneySupoerMarket

Those living in and around the capital are most likely to suffer break-ins, the study found, with 14 of the top 20 postcodes in London and Greater London.

Kevin Pratt, home insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: "The research reveals Dagenham is the UK's top burglary hotspot, with a rate of 55 out of every 1,000 insurance quotes having made a claim in the past two years.

"Burglars often target urban areas where there's more hustle and bustle and so less risk of being caught, but not surprisingly they also follow the money, which is why affluent areas such as Teddington and Temple Newsam in West Yorkshire appear."

Concentrations in West Yorkshire: Source: MoneySuperMarket

Manchester's M21 postcode, on the outskirts of the city, dropped from top spot last year to third position.

Woodford and South Woodford (E18) in east London is the postcode with the fifth highest number of claims, while London's sought-after suburbs of Teddington and Bushy Park (TW11) also feature in the top 10.

Among the areas with the lowest proportion of burglary claims are postcodes in rural Scotland's Dumfries (DG1) and Lochee (DD2), Felixstowe in Suffolk (IP11) and North Wales's university town of Bangor (LL57).

Those living in the seaside resort of Bognor Regis (PO22) can also feel secure, with a rate of 1.63 per 1,000 and Northern Ireland's Londonderry (BT48), with just 1.36 per 1,000 insurance quotes showing a claim.

The top 10 postcodes named in the research are:

1. RM8 - Dagenham, Becontree, Becontree Heath, in Greater London

2. IG2 - Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Aldborough Hatch, in Greater London

3. M21 - Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Barlow Moor, in Manchester

4. DN2 - Intake, Wheatley, Wheatley Hills, in South Yorkshire

5. E18 - Woodford and South Woodford, in London

6. RM11 - Hornchurch, Emerson Park, Ardleigh Green, in Greater London

7. TW11 - Teddington, Fulwell, Bushy Park, in Greater London

8. BD2 - Eccleshill, Five Lane Ends, parts of Undercliffe, Fagley, Wrose, Bolton Woods, Poplars Farm, Swain House, Ashbourne, in West Yorkshire

9. EN4 - Hadley Wood, Cockfosters, East Barnet, New Barnet, in Greater London

10. IG3 - Seven Kings, Goodmayes, Hainault, Chignell, in Greater London

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pair Jailed Over Christmas Dinner Death Lies

A pub chef and his manager have been jailed for perverting the course of justice after a Christmas dinner left a mother dead.

The meal at the Railway Hotel in Hornchurch, Essex, in December 2012 also left dozens of others ill with food poisoning.

And Mehmet Kaya and manager Ann-Marie McSweeney were sentenced to 12 and 18 months respectively after being convicted of falsifying food safety records.

Mitchells & Butlers, the chain which owned the pub, was fined £1.5 million after being found guilty of placing unsafe food on the market.

Della Callagher, 46, died two days after eating the turkey dinner, which a Havering Council investigation found was either not cooked or reheated properly.

More follows...

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Prince Andrew Under Pressure In Davos

Prince Andrew has made his first public appearance since he was named in allegations by a woman who claimed she was made to have sex with him while underage.

The Duke of York, 54, is due to host a reception on entrepreneurship at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.

The Prince is expected to publicly deny the allegations when he speaks to the forum at around 5.30pm.

Prince Andrew pictured with his accuser Virginia Roberts

It emerged on Thursday that the Duke has been formally asked to respond to the allegations.

A letter addressed to the Prince at Buckingham Palace has been filed by lawyers acting on behalf of Virginia Roberts.

Video: Prince Andrew Under Spotlight

Ms Roberts, who is referred to in court as Jane Doe No 3, claims when she was 17 she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew by his friend Jeffrey Epstein - a financier and now convicted sex offender.

The Duke, who is not a party to the proceedings, strenuously denies the claims.

The letter, dated 14 January, said: "This letter is a formal request ... to interview you, under oath, regarding interactions that you had with Jane Doe No 3 beginning in approximately early 2001. Jane Doe No 3 was then 17 years old.

"The interview could be conducted at a time and place of your choosing, and with your co-operation, I believe the interview could be completed in two hours or less."

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: "We would not comment on speculation about what the Duke might say."

It is the first time Ms Roberts has spelt out in her own words what she claims happened.

1/8

1. Gallery: Profile Of Prince Andrew

   Born on 19 February 1960 at Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew is the second son and the third child of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh

The Prince served in the Royal Navy for 22 years as a helicopter pilot - he took part in the Falklands campaign

]]>

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Deadly Shell Attack On Bus Stop In Ukraine

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Civilians Killed In Ukraine Attack

At least 13 people have been killed after a bus was hit by shelling in the eastern Ukraine city of Donetsk, say reports.

Ukraine's defence ministry blamed pro-Russian rebels, saying in a statement: "On Thursday, the terrorists shelled a trolleybus in Donetsk.

"The terrorists shelled the passenger transport from city residential areas controlled by the illegal militias."

But Moscow has blamed the attack on Ukrainian troops branding it as a "crime against humanity", aimed at undermining efforts to resolve the bloody conflict, which has claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people.

Following the deadly strike, separatists paraded around 20 captured Ukrainian soldiers through the streets of Donetsk as angry residents hurled pieces of glass and abuse at them.

1/6

1. Gallery: Bus Hit By Shell In Donetsk

   At least 13 people were killed when a shell or a mortar hit a trolleybus stop in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Continue through for more images

]]>

]]>

]]>

]]>

The artillery attack in the rebel stronghold came as talks on the country's crisis led to an agreement to pull back heavy weaponry from a demarcation line defined in last year's Minsk agreement.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier brokered the deal with his counterparts from France, Russia and Ukraine during talks in Berlin.

"A lot depends on the question if what we have agreed on will not only remain printed paper, but will also change the situation on the ground," Mr Steinmeier said.

In a joint statement released by the German foreign ministry, the ministers noted "with serious concern" that fighting in eastern Ukraine had severely escalated, causing the loss of many lives.

1/10

1. Gallery: Fierce Fighting Continues On Front Line In Ukraine

   A Ukrainian serviceman fires a weapon during fighting with pro-Russian separatists in Pesky village near Donetsk

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accused Russia on Wednesday of sending 9,000 troops to back separatist rebels in the east of his country, something Russia strongly denied

]]>

"This must stop immediately and the regime of quiet must be restored," the statement said.

They called on signatories of the Minsk peace plan to meet in the coming days to implement the ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weapons.

Kiev and Moscow blame each other for failing to implement a ceasefire agreed in Minsk last September to end the fighting between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian rebels.

The development comes after the Ukrainian President claimed more than 9,000 Russian soldiers equipped with heavy weapons, including tanks and artillery, are currently backing up pro-Moscow fighters in the separatist east of the country.

Video: Russia Accused Of Terrorist Attacks

In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Petro Poroshenko said: "If this is not aggression, what is aggression?"

US officials later cranked up the diplomatic pressure on Russia with Secretary of State John Kerry calling Russia's actions "a blatant land grab".

:: BAFTA-winning filmmaker Ross Kemp has witnessed Ukraine's bloody conflict against pro-Russian separatists.

In the first instalment of Extreme World 4, showing on Sky1 HD tonight at 9pm, he looks at the country's fight against the rapid rise of far right groups.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Breaking News: ECB Triggers €1.3tn Quantitative Easing
2. Prince Andrew Under Pressure In Davos
3. Video: Police Shoot Black Man As He Surrenders
4. Breaking News: England Captain Targeted In Blackmail Plot
5. Hundreds Flee Huge Fire At Apartment Building

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Civilians Killed In Ukraine Attack

At least 13 people have been killed after a bus was hit by shelling in the eastern Ukraine city of Donetsk, say reports.

Ukraine's defence ministry blamed pro-Russian rebels, saying in a statement: "On Thursday, the terrorists shelled a trolleybus in Donetsk.

"The terrorists shelled the passenger transport from city residential areas controlled by the illegal militias."

But Moscow has blamed the attack on Ukrainian troops branding it as a "crime against humanity", aimed at undermining efforts to resolve the bloody conflict, which has claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people.

Following the deadly strike, separatists paraded around 20 captured Ukrainian soldiers through the streets of Donetsk as angry residents hurled pieces of glass and abuse at them.

1/6

1. Gallery: Bus Hit By Shell In Donetsk

   At least 13 people were killed when a shell or a mortar hit a trolleybus stop in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Continue through for more images

]]>

]]>

]]>

]]>

The artillery attack in the rebel stronghold came as talks on the country's crisis led to an agreement to pull back heavy weaponry from a demarcation line defined in last year's Minsk agreement.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier brokered the deal with his counterparts from France, Russia and Ukraine during talks in Berlin.

"A lot depends on the question if what we have agreed on will not only remain printed paper, but will also change the situation on the ground," Mr Steinmeier said.

In a joint statement released by the German foreign ministry, the ministers noted "with serious concern" that fighting in eastern Ukraine had severely escalated, causing the loss of many lives.

1/10

1. Gallery: Fierce Fighting Continues On Front Line In Ukraine

   A Ukrainian serviceman fires a weapon during fighting with pro-Russian separatists in Pesky village near Donetsk

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accused Russia on Wednesday of sending 9,000 troops to back separatist rebels in the east of his country, something Russia strongly denied

]]>

"This must stop immediately and the regime of quiet must be restored," the statement said.

They called on signatories of the Minsk peace plan to meet in the coming days to implement the ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weapons.

Kiev and Moscow blame each other for failing to implement a ceasefire agreed in Minsk last September to end the fighting between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian rebels.

The development comes after the Ukrainian President claimed more than 9,000 Russian soldiers equipped with heavy weapons, including tanks and artillery, are currently backing up pro-Moscow fighters in the separatist east of the country.

Video: Russia Accused Of Terrorist Attacks

In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Petro Poroshenko said: "If this is not aggression, what is aggression?"

US officials later cranked up the diplomatic pressure on Russia with Secretary of State John Kerry calling Russia's actions "a blatant land grab".

:: BAFTA-winning filmmaker Ross Kemp has witnessed Ukraine's bloody conflict against pro-Russian separatists.

In the first instalment of Extreme World 4, showing on Sky1 HD tonight at 9pm, he looks at the country's fight against the rapid rise of far right groups.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Breaking News: ECB Triggers €1.3tn Quantitative Easing
2. Prince Andrew Under Pressure In Davos
3. Video: Police Shoot Black Man As He Surrenders
4. Breaking News: England Captain Targeted In Blackmail Plot
5. Hundreds Flee Huge Fire At Apartment Building

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Video: Police Shoot Black Man As He Surrenders

Newly released footage has revealed the moment a man was shot dead during a police traffic stop in New Jersey as he got out of a car with his hands raised.

The footage, captured by a police dashboard camera, shows officers making a traffic stop in Bridgeton, New Jersey, on 30 December.

But the situation becomes increasingly tense as one officer warns his partner that he has seen a gun in the glove compartment of the Jaguar car.

Officer Braheme Days repeatedly shouts at the passenger "show me your hands!" while warning him not to "reach for something" inside the vehicle.

He then appears to reach into the car and remove a gun, but the passenger, Jerame Reid, gets out of the vehicle and is shot several times.

Video: Protesters Take To New York Streets

Officer Days and his partner have been placed on leave pending a Cumberland County prosecutor's office investigation.

The shooting has sparked protests in Bridgeton and comes after months of demonstrations over the killings of unarmed black men by white police officers in New York and Ferguson, Missouri.

In the footage, the officers pull over the Jaguar for going through a stop sign.

Officer Days steps back, pulls out his gun and tells the men inside the car to "show me your hands".

1/13

1. Gallery: Archive: Protests After Eric Garner Grand Jury Decision

   Protesters took to the streets after a grand jury decided not to charge a white policeman over the chokehold death of an unarmed black man

Father-of-six Eric Garner, 43, died after he was restrained by police

]]>

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

ECB Pulls Trigger On €1.3tn Quantitative Easing

The European Central Bank (ECB) has confirmed a €1.1tn quantitative easing programme aimed at halting the eurozone's slide towards economic stagnation.

The stimulus, announced at a news conference by ECB preseint Mario Draghi, was bolder than markets had expected - with European stock markets rising as the core details emerged.

More follows...

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

American Sniper Billboard Graffiti: 'Murder!'

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: American Sniper Billboard Removed

By Greg Milam, US Correspondent

A billboard for the controversial Oscars contender American Sniper has been removed after being daubed with the word "murder".

The red-painted graffiti appeared overnight on the advertisement in the Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

The movie, which has been nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, has prompted a nationwide debate since it opened across the country.

It is not known who daubed the graffiti on the poster

Its portrayal of the true story of former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, credited with being the most lethal sniper in US military history, has been accused of glorifying violence.

Documentary-maker Michael Moore tweeted: "My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren't heroes."

1/18

1. Gallery: Who's In The Running For An Oscar?

   Steve Carell transformed himself for Foxcatcher and has been recognised for his performance

Eddie Redmayne is nominated for best actor for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything

]]>

Felicity Jones has won rave reviews for her role as Jane Hawking in The Theory Of Everything and is named in the best actress category

]]>

Benedict Cumberbatch stars as WWII codebreaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. He is now up for an Oscar and a BAFTA

]]>

Michael Keaton plays an out-of-work actor/superhero in Birdman. He won the Golden Globe for best actor in a musical or comedy

]]>

Seth Rogen compared the movie to Nazi propaganda before adding that he liked it on Twitter. 

The criticism prompted the former-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin to mock what she called Hollywood leftists "caressing shiny plastic trophies".

She tweeted: "God bless our troops, especially our snipers."

The film, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper as Kyle, has broken the record for the highest grossing January release in history, raking in $100m last weekend.

Amy Nicholson, film critic for LA Weekly, told Sky News: "I have had a lot of veterans write letters to me and say they don't like what he stood for.

Video: Oscar Contenders - The Trailers

"I think films like this are troubling to them because they know firsthand how hard it was to serve and they don't like that films like this put a glossy spin on it."

The movie is based on Kyle's autobiography and tells the story of a career in which he recorded 160 confirmed 'kills'.

It also relates his efforts to readjust to home life with his wife, played by Sienna Miller.

Kyle and a companion were shot and killed at a gun range in Texas in 2013.

They had gone there with the alleged gunman, a US Marine Corps veteran, to help him deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Breaking News: Iraq War Report Delayed For 'Some Months'
2. 'Unnatural Sex' File Given To Abuse Inquiry
3. Officials Feasted As Stampede Killed Dozens
4. Four Men Charged Over Paris Supermarket Siege
5. Microsoft Windows 10: What To Expect

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: American Sniper Billboard Removed

By Greg Milam, US Correspondent

A billboard for the controversial Oscars contender American Sniper has been removed after being daubed with the word "murder".

The red-painted graffiti appeared overnight on the advertisement in the Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

The movie, which has been nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, has prompted a nationwide debate since it opened across the country.

It is not known who daubed the graffiti on the poster

Its portrayal of the true story of former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, credited with being the most lethal sniper in US military history, has been accused of glorifying violence.

Documentary-maker Michael Moore tweeted: "My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren't heroes."

1/18

1. Gallery: Who's In The Running For An Oscar?

   Steve Carell transformed himself for Foxcatcher and has been recognised for his performance

Eddie Redmayne is nominated for best actor for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything

]]>

Felicity Jones has won rave reviews for her role as Jane Hawking in The Theory Of Everything and is named in the best actress category

]]>

Benedict Cumberbatch stars as WWII codebreaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. He is now up for an Oscar and a BAFTA

]]>

Michael Keaton plays an out-of-work actor/superhero in Birdman. He won the Golden Globe for best actor in a musical or comedy

]]>

Seth Rogen compared the movie to Nazi propaganda before adding that he liked it on Twitter. 

The criticism prompted the former-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin to mock what she called Hollywood leftists "caressing shiny plastic trophies".

She tweeted: "God bless our troops, especially our snipers."

The film, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper as Kyle, has broken the record for the highest grossing January release in history, raking in $100m last weekend.

Amy Nicholson, film critic for LA Weekly, told Sky News: "I have had a lot of veterans write letters to me and say they don't like what he stood for.

Video: Oscar Contenders - The Trailers

"I think films like this are troubling to them because they know firsthand how hard it was to serve and they don't like that films like this put a glossy spin on it."

The movie is based on Kyle's autobiography and tells the story of a career in which he recorded 160 confirmed 'kills'.

It also relates his efforts to readjust to home life with his wife, played by Sienna Miller.

Kyle and a companion were shot and killed at a gun range in Texas in 2013.

They had gone there with the alleged gunman, a US Marine Corps veteran, to help him deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Breaking News: Iraq War Report Delayed For 'Some Months'
2. 'Unnatural Sex' File Given To Abuse Inquiry
3. Officials Feasted As Stampede Killed Dozens
4. Four Men Charged Over Paris Supermarket Siege
5. Microsoft Windows 10: What To Expect

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Iraq War Report Delayed For 'Some Months'

The Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war will not be published until after the General Election, it has emerged in a series of letters.

In a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, chairman Sir John Chilcot said "very substantial progress" has been made in the inquiry, but there was "no realistic prospect" it could be published before May and that completion of the work would take "some further months".

Sir John said he had reached an agreement on the details of notes and conversations between former prime minister Tony Blair and US president George W Bush, which will be published in the report.

The report has been delayed by disagreement over the release of the confidential messages, but the agreement means the "gist" of the communications would be published after Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood blocked the publication of the full exchanges.

The release of messages between Mr Bush and Mr Blair has caused a delay

Sir John added that the "Maxwellisation process" - the procedure where individuals due to be criticised in an official report are sent details of the criticisms in advance so they can respond prior to its publication - was currently underway into the inquiry's draft report.

Mr Blair, speaking on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, denied his decision to enter the Iraq War in 2003 has led to a rise in extremism.

Video: Baker: Chilcot Delay Unacceptable

He said: "Saddam Hussein wasn't exactly a force for stability, peace and prosperity and was responsible for killing many, many hundreds of thousands of people

"We've got to understand this extremism has grown up over a long period of time, over decades, its roots are deep within a perversion or religion, a perversion of the religion of Islam."

The inquiry was set up by the Labour government six years ago and heard from its final witnesses in February 2011.

Mr Cameron wrote to Sir John saying that he would have liked to have seen the report released before the election, but accepted that publication was a matter for the inquiry.

Video: May 2014: PM On Inquiry Hold-Up

He wrote: "I have to respect your decision and fully accept that it will not now be possible for you to submit your final report to the Government and Parliament until after the election.

"I hope very much that you will be able to do so shortly thereafter."

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions he said the delay was not down to politicians trying to "dodge" criticism and insisted there was "no mystery" that the report will not be published until after the general election.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says the public will find the latest delay "incomprehensible".

Video: Grieve: Chilcot Delays Damage Govt

In a letter to Sir John, Mr Clegg wrote: "Neither administrative processes nor a constant back and forth between the inquiry and witnesses criticised should frustrate an independent report so important to the country's future from being published as soon as possible .

"If the findings are not published with a sense of immediacy, there is a real danger the public will assume the report is being 'sexed down' by individuals rebutting criticisms put to them by the inquiry, whether that is the case or not.

"The inquiry into Iraq will both resolve the issues of the past, and set the tone for future British foreign policy. We cannot wait any longer for these lessons to be learned."

The latest news of a delay comes as MPs prepare to stage a Commons debate next week on the matter.

Video: Jan 2011: Blair At Chilcot Inquiry

Former Attorney General and Conservative MP Dominic Grieve said the public deserved reasons for the "extraordinary delay".

He told Sky News: "It's absolutely imperative we should have an explanation as to what is going on. I think a chronology setting out what's happened... is essential."

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker told Sky the delay was "not acceptable to the British people" and that the public should have had the findings before the election.

"These were major events in 2002/2003, when government in its normal way was abandoned... when we had Alastair Campbell writing dodgy dossiers - or at least editing them - and when we had weapons of mass destruction lauded around which didn't turn out to exist."

1/13

1. Gallery: Protests At Tony Blair's Chilcot Appearances In 2010 And 2011

   Protesters gather outside Westminster's Queen Elizabeth II building for Tony Blair's appearances before the Chilcot Inquiry in 2010 and 2011

]]>

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shanghai Officials Feasted As Stampede Killed 36

Four Chinese officials have been sacked after it emerged some of them were enjoying a sumptuous banquet as a New Year's Eve stampede killed 36 people.

Seven others have been disciplined over the tragedy on Shanghai's riverfront Bund area, which happened at about 11.30pm after a popular annual light show had been cancelled.

District Communist Party secretary Zhou Wei and government chief Peng Song were among those who reportedly dined for free at Japanese restaurant Utsusemi, where dinners can cost up to £400 a head.

The Utsusemi restaurant. Pic: xiaomishu.com

The company that owns the restaurant is involved in the property sector and has strong ties with Shanghai officials.

It was reported the restaurant ran a scheme which allowed officials to sign for meals that were then claimed for from the public purse.

Video: 36 Killed In New Year's Stampede

The city government said the meal - in which officials had sushi and noodles washed down with Japanese sake - broke the Communist Party's frugality rules.

Shanghai deputy major Zhou Bo said the city sent its "deepest condolences" and "deepest apologies" to families of the victims.

"The incident of December 31 should not have happened and was totally avoidable," Mr Zhou said at a news conference. "We feel very pained, guilty and responsible for this."

An investigation into the stampede found there had been insufficient preparations on the riverfront and authorities had been too slow to respond once the stampede happened.

Relatives of the victims have criticised the Shanghai government for reacting slowly, accusing it of withholding information and trying to stop families talking to the media.

City-level officials have escaped relatively unscathed and, asked why more senior city officials and police were not being made to take responsibility, senior officials said China's law on emergencies meant the Huangpu district government was mainly to blame.

On Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, one user said the officials had "become scapegoats".

"Such a large scale event, surely the city government should have been responsible. It's like kicking a ball, just push everything to the local district government, that's easier," the user wrote.

Another comment said: "Chinese people's lives are so cheap! Disciplined, and that's it! This is so called socialism?!"

Shanghai has cancelled a series of events since the disaster, including annual Lantern Festival celebrations.

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Unnatural Sex' File Given To Abuse Inquiry

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent

A secret file on "unnatural" sexual behaviour was not handed over to a Government backed review that looked for official documents linked to child abuse.

The file prepared for then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s was found recently at the National Archives in Kew and is entitled:  "PREM19/588 - SECURITY. Allegations against former public [word missing] of unnatural sexual proclivities; security aspects 1980 Oct 27 - 1981 Mar 20".

The Cabinet Office still holds the file. Thirty-five years after it was prepared it remains closed on grounds of national security.

The Chief Executive of the NSPCC, who led last year's review into government documents from between 1979 and 1999, has said nobody showed it to him.

Peter Wanless told Sky News: "Under the specific terms of reference set by the Home Office we made the most extensive inquiries possible within a very limited time frame. This specific file was not revealed by any department or individual we consulted.

"Our remit was to go back over a review by the Home Office and not undertake a new investigation."

Mr Wanless also joined a growing number of voices demanding that it should now be made available.

"If there is pertinent material in this file it should be submitted to the sexual abuse inquiry as well as the relevant police force so they can conduct a criminal investigation if necessary."

Security and intelligence expert Dr Chris Murphy stumbled across the file in November while searching documents at the National Archives in Kew and was immediately alerted by the title.

Sir Bernard Ingham says he spoke to a minister who denied allegations

"I was looking through the 'PREM' Prime Minister file series for the 1980s," the University of Salford lecturer told Sky News.

"I think I did a double-take and then started wondering what the potential implications of the title, which is a little vague, could be."

Video: What Might Abuse Files Reveal?

It is highly likely Margaret Thatcher saw the documents, and was briefed on the security implications, but the identities of those within them remain secret.

Dr Murphy added: "The fact that this file is concerning the Prime Minister and these allegations are being taken to the Prime Minister I think would strike anybody of being potentially of some interest."

Sky News highlighted the existence of the file to the Cabinet Office earlier this month.

A spokesperson for the department said: "In this case, the file was kept closed and retained as it contained information from the security services and advice from the Law Officers. 

"These classifications are reviewed periodically."

The department would not reveal whether David Cameron or Home Secretary Theresa May were aware of the contents, but promised it would be made accessible to the child sex abuse inquiry.

Video: Sex Abuse Panel To Be Scrapped

"We are clear that any files that are pertinent to the historical child sex abuse inquiry will be made available to the panel," the spokesperson added.

Mrs Thatcher's former press secretary, Sir Bernard Ingham, told Sky News he could not recall the file.

He did, though, confirm that both he and Mrs Thatcher were aware of allegations against a Government minister in the early 1980s.

Sir Bernard would not name the individual, but said: "I asked him about it and he denied it, so no, I didn't do anything else. What was the alternative?"

In July last year, the Prime Minister promised the survivors of sexual abuse that "no stone would be left unturned" in the pursuit of the truth.

Officials at the Cabinet Office have previously attempted to block requests for information relating to Cyril Smith, the late Liberal politician who is now known to have abused youngsters.

Video: 18 Dec: Victim - MPs Were Involved

Simon Danczuk MP, who exposed the extent of Smith's offending, told Sky News the "sexual proclivities" file had to be released.

"I think it is right and proper that the Government now open up this document, let us know what is in there," he said.

"I think there is a culture within Government departments of not releasing information and that has caused some of the problems we now have in getting to the bottom of who was involved in this paedophile network and who was involved in covering it up."

The abuse inquiry was announced in July but currently has no chairman, after first Lady Butler-Sloss and then Fiona Woolf were appointed and then stepped down following concerns over their links to the political establishment.

It is still yet to appoint someone to lead it amid growing calls for action from survivors and campaign groups.

20.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forty-Five Churches Torched In Hebdo Protest

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

1/9

1. Gallery: Niger: Churches Burned Over Cartoon

   A ransacked church in Zinder, Niger, that was set on fire on 16 January, 2015, after thousands of protesters gathered following Friday prayers to vent anger at publication of a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed in the latest edition of Charlie Hebdo

Four people, a policeman and three civilians, were killed and 45 injured on Friday. Continue through for more images

]]>

]]>

]]>

Forty-five churches have been torched in Niger over the use of a Prophet Mohammed cartoon on the cover of Charlie Hebdo magazine.

At least five people died and 128 were injured in the capital Niamey during protests against the image on the front of the satirical publication.

The controversial magazine ran a caricature showing the prophet under the headline "All is forgiven" just days after an Islamist attack on its offices in Paris that left 12 people dead.

The physical depiction of Mohammed is considered blasphemous by many Muslims.

Several hundred thousand people also protested in the Chechen capital Grozny at a state-organised rally.

Video: Churches Torched In Hebdo Protest

The region's strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov told the rally in the capital Grozny: "This is a protest against those who support the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.

"This is a protest against those who insult the Muslim religion."

Demonstrators chanted "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) and released balloons into the sky at the event which was described by observers as highly-choreographed.

1/8

1. Gallery: Massive Crowds Protest In Chechnya

   People attend a rally to protest against satirical cartoons of prophet Mohammad, near the Heart of Chechnya mosque in Grozny

Hundreds of thousands of people staged the rally on Monday in Chechnya against French magazine Charlie Hebdo's cartoons of the prophet

]]>

A member of law enforcement forces stands guard during the rally. Continue through for more images

]]>

Those who spoke to the crowd harangued Western governments for allowing publications to print caricatures of the prophet.

Russian TV showed live footage of people streaming into Grozny's main square shortly before the speech by Mr Kadyrov - a loyalist of President Vladimir Putin.

It came just over a week after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the march for unity in Paris following the end of the city's sieges.

Video: Another Paris 'Is Possible'

Meanwhile, hundreds of people in Afghanistan demonstrated against the magazine's actions by burning a French flag and calling for the government to cut diplomatic relations with France.

It came as German group PEGIDA, protesting what it calls "the Islamisation of the West", vowed it would not be silenced after its weekly rally was cancelled following an alleged terrorist threat against one of its organisers.

At total of 17 people were killed in and around Paris over three days after the attack on the magazine office on January 5.

Video: Londoners Queuing For Charlie Hebdo

The attacks by brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi and Amedy Coulibaly shocked the country and sparked an outpouring of international support, with many newspapers and magazines around the world reprinting earlier Charlie Hebdo cartoons.

But the decision by the magazine to place a new cartoon on its front has resulted in outrage across the Muslim world.

Earlier protests left 10 dead in Niger and violent clashes also occurred between demonstrators and police in Pakistan, Jordan and Algeria.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Cameron Defends 'Reasonable' Letter To Mosques
2. Breaking News: Jobs Pledge From 'Party Of Roofers And Retailers'
3. Breaking News: 7/7 Widow Jailed For Stealing Son's Compensation
4. Richest 1% To Own More Than Other 99% - Report
5. Boy, 5, Invoiced For Missing Birthday Party

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

1/9

1. Gallery: Niger: Churches Burned Over Cartoon

   A ransacked church in Zinder, Niger, that was set on fire on 16 January, 2015, after thousands of protesters gathered following Friday prayers to vent anger at publication of a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed in the latest edition of Charlie Hebdo

Four people, a policeman and three civilians, were killed and 45 injured on Friday. Continue through for more images

]]>

]]>

]]>

Forty-five churches have been torched in Niger over the use of a Prophet Mohammed cartoon on the cover of Charlie Hebdo magazine.

At least five people died and 128 were injured in the capital Niamey during protests against the image on the front of the satirical publication.

The controversial magazine ran a caricature showing the prophet under the headline "All is forgiven" just days after an Islamist attack on its offices in Paris that left 12 people dead.

The physical depiction of Mohammed is considered blasphemous by many Muslims.

Several hundred thousand people also protested in the Chechen capital Grozny at a state-organised rally.

Video: Churches Torched In Hebdo Protest

The region's strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov told the rally in the capital Grozny: "This is a protest against those who support the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.

"This is a protest against those who insult the Muslim religion."

Demonstrators chanted "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) and released balloons into the sky at the event which was described by observers as highly-choreographed.

1/8

1. Gallery: Massive Crowds Protest In Chechnya

   People attend a rally to protest against satirical cartoons of prophet Mohammad, near the Heart of Chechnya mosque in Grozny

Hundreds of thousands of people staged the rally on Monday in Chechnya against French magazine Charlie Hebdo's cartoons of the prophet

]]>