Schumacher Remains 'Critical But Stable'

Former Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher remains "critical but stable" in hospital after a skiing accident, his family says.

The racing star has been at Grenoble University Hospital in France in a medically-induced coma for six days following the accident in the French Alps.

Schumacher's wife Corinna arrives at hospital this morning

Schumacher's wife, brother and father arrived at the hospital this morning with FIA President Jean Todt.

No official statement has been made on the 45-year-old's condition, but friend and former Formula 1 driver Philippe Sttreiff told reporters yesterday that Doctor Gerard Saillant, a friend of the Schumacher family, said: "Michael's life in not in danger anymore".

Gerard Saillant (R) allegedly revealed Schumacher's life was not in danger

Speaking outside the hospital he said: "I'm repeating what Gerard Saillant told me. Gerard Saillant said it is a serious condition but his life is not in danger anymore now, thankfully."

But Schumacher's manager later confirmed his condition remained "stable, but still critical".

The star's manager Sabine Kehm has played down rumour's about his condition

Sabine Kehm also sought to play down media speculation about his health, and requested respect for the family's privacy.

"Michael's condition remains critical but stable," she said in an email. 

"We would like to clearly stress that any information regarding Michael's health not coming from the doctors treating him or from his management must be treated as invalid and pure speculation."

Citing consultations with Schumacher's doctors, she said no press conferences were expected before Monday.

Meanwhile, a camera reportedly attached to Schumacher's helmet is being examined in the hope it will reveal more about the circumstances of his accident.

Authorities are checking the device while also questioning Schumacher's son, who was with him at the time of the accident.

Ms Kehm said the helmet had been handed over to authorities "voluntarily".

Schumacher, known affectionately as Schumi by fans, is the most successful F1 driver in history, racking up a record 91 race wins. He retired in 2012.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

More follows...

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Phil Everly, Half Of Pioneer Rock Duo, Dies

Phil Everly - who with his brother, Don, made up the revered US rock and country duo - has died aged 74.

He passed away in the Los Angeles suburb of Burbank following complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his wife, Patti, told the LA Times.

His wife told the newspaper that the disease was contracted through a lifetime of smoking and that the family was "absolutely heartbroken".

The Everly Brothers, with their high, close-harmony singing, had 19 top 40 hits during their heyday between 1957 and 1962.

Their songs include Bye Bye Love, All I Have To Do Is Dream, Cathy's Clown, and Wake Up Little Susie.

They profoundly influenced 1960s-era groups and singer-songwriters ranging from Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who early in their careers called themselves the Foreverly Brothers, to Simon and Garfunkel, the Byrds, the Hollies and the Beach Boys.

"Perhaps even more powerfully than Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers melded country with the emerging sound of Fifties rock & roll," Rolling Stone magazine said in placing the brothers at No.33 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists.

Tributes have poured in for the youngest of the duo.

Rock and country singer-songwriter Charlie Daniels tweeted: "Rest in peace Phil Everly. You guys brought us a lot of pleasure back in the day."

Linda Ronstadt, who recorded one of the biggest hits of her career in 1975 with her interpretation of the Everlys' When Will I Be Loved, said: "They had that sibling sound. The information of your DNA is carried in your voice, and you can get a sound (with family) that you never get with someone who's not blood-related to you.

"And they were both such good singers -- they were one of the foundations, one of the cornerstones of the new rock 'n' roll sound."

Phil in London in 1974

Don was born in 1937 in Brownie, Kentucky, to Ike and Margaret Everly, who were folk and country music singers.

Phil was born to the couple on January 19, 1939, in Chicago where the Everlys moved to from Brownie when Ike grew tired of working in coal mines.

The brothers began singing country music in 1945 on their family's radio show in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Their career breakthrough came when they moved to Nashville in the mid-1950s and signed a recording contract with New York-based Cadence Records.

In all, their career spanned five decades, although they performed separately from 1973 to 1983 after a dramatic onstage break-up during a concert in California.

Phil threw his guitar down and walked off, prompting Don to tell the crowd: "The Everly Brothers died 10 years ago."

During their breakup, they pursued solo singing careers with little fanfare. Phil also appeared in the Clint Eastwood movie Every Which Way But Loose.

After their decade-long estrangement, the brothers reunited in 1983 - "sealing it with a hug," Phil said at the time.

They were inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, the same year they had a hit pop-country record, Born Yesterday.

Speaking in an interview in 1986, Don said the duo were successful because "we never followed trends".

He added: "We did what we liked and followed our instincts. Rock 'n' roll did survive, and we were right about that. Country did survive, and we were right about that. You can mix the two but people said we couldn't."

Phil is survived by Don, wife Patti, mother Margaret, sons Jason and Chris, and two granddaughters.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Libya: Briton Shot Dead On Beach Is Named

A British man who was shot dead in Libya has been named as energy worker Mark De Salis by the Foreign Office.

His family said they are "shocked and devastated" by his killing, in a statement released through the Foreign Office (FCO).

Mr De Salis was found dead alongside a female friend from New Zealand near the Mellitah oil and gas complex in the west of the country.

He had been working in Tripoli in Libya for six years. He worked for First Engineering and was currently employed as a power manager bringing generators to Tripoli to provide electricity.

Mr De Salis' grieving relatives stated that he "liked the Libyan people" and remembered him as a "decent and incredibly loyal man and he was loved by many".

They said he had been with "a close friend from New Zealand who was also killed and our thoughts are with her family at this sad time".

The woman's name has not yet been released.

The FCO has called for a thorough inquiry by the Libyan government into the murders.

Mellitah is near the town of Zuwarah and 60 miles west of Tripoli.

The area is home to a large oil and gas complex co-owned by Italian company ENI and Libya's state-owned National Oil Corp (NOC).

The killings come a month after a US teacher was shot dead in the eastern city of Benghazi, after which the FCO said further attacks against Westerners were likely.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather: Dozens Join Search For Missing Teen

More than 100 volunteers are searching for an 18-year-old student who went missing after heading out to take photos of the latest storms.

Harry Martin was last seen on Thursday afternoon leaving his home in Newton Ferrers, near Plymouth, to take pictures of the bad weather.

The search came as extensive flood warnings remained in place on Saturday, a day after high winds and high tides combined to batter Britain's coastal communities and leave flood plains submerged.

Police, the Coastguard, Plymouth's RNLI lifeboat, and the coastal rescue helicopter based at RNAS Culdrose were called in as the search for Harry resumed on Saturday.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Specialist search dogs and members of the public are continuing to search for Harry. This will continue throughout today.

"Over 100 members of the public have volunteered to assist with searches in the local area of Newton Ferrers.

"We would ask any members of the public wishing to assist in our search to attend Noss Mayo village hall in order that officers can co-ordinate the search.

Barmouth sea front in west Wales also suffered damage

"We advise the public not to put themselves at risk."

Two people have already died in the storms.

A 27-year-old man from Surrey was found on Porthleven Sands beach in Cornwall after he was swept out to sea on New Year's Eve night, and a woman died after being rescued from the sea in Croyde Bay, north Devon.

The ferocious weather has left widespread damage.

University student Millie Farmer said the promenade in Aberystwyth, west Wales, was a "complete mess" after giant waves smashed the sea front.

She estimated that the damage would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The worst affected area is the Severn Estuary

"They're starting to clear up. It's a complete mess," said 19-year-old Miss Farmer, from Shepreth, Cambridgeshire.

"You can't see the road. The promenade slabs have been scattered everywhere. It's an extension of the beach."

The high waves forced around 100 people living close to the sea front to seek shelter on higher ground, with many taking shelter in rest centres

Not far away, rail lines in north Wales were left buckled by the power of the sea and a road collapsed in Amroth, Pembrokeshire.

High tides and large waves also flooded streets in Looe in Cornwall and Salcombe and Kingsbridge in Devon.

A man and child were almost swept away by a huge wave at Mullion Cove in Cornwall as they peered over the sea wall to watch the raging sea.

The south of England is still subject to dozens of flood warnings

Elsewhere in Cornwall vehicles driving on a coastal road were swamped and almost washed away by a tidal surge.

The hundreds of spectators flocking to view areas hit by high waves and flooding prompted the Environment Agency to issue a warning, urging people to stay away.

Residents in Chiswell and Portland in Weymouth, Dorset, were evacuated ahead of high tide on Friday night and a siren also sounded on Saturday repeating the warning.

Homes have already been flooded inland across the UK as well after rivers from Cornwall to Scotland burst their banks.

The worst affected areas are the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire and the River Stour in Dorset.

Weather watchers risk a soaking at Westward Ho!, Devon. Pic: Chris Wileman

The danger has been created by a combination of the effects of widespread heavy rain mixed with exceptionally high tides along the west of the UK.

Water levels at the part of the River Severn affected by tidal flows are approaching the highs of 2007 that left huge areas inundated.

The Environment Agency say that defences put in place after the 2007 floods are largely holding up so far.

A spokesperson said most recent estimates suggest that around 90 properties have flooded since yesterday, bringing the total number of properties flooded to around 220.

But the they added that continued heavy rain and high tides are leaving several areas around the UK, both on the coast and inland, still at risk of flooding.

River Severn levels are reaching historic highs at Epney, Gloucestershire

Forecasters warned the bad weather conditions will continue over the next few days, with many areas already saturated.

Up to 30mm (1.2ins) of rain is forecast in south east England on Saturday and similar amounts on higher ground on Sunday.

On Friday, it emerged that Scotland had suffered its wettest December on record.

The Met Office has also revealed the month was the UK's "stormiest" (meaning it endured the largest number of Atlantic storms) since 1969.

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Outbreaks of rain will push up from the south and spread northwards, but by this afternoon further rain will follow in behind, where it may linger across East Anglia and south-east England.

A canoeist on Worcester racecourse. Pic by Dave Key

"Here we could see around 20-30mm of rain fall in just 6 hours, so the greatest risk of flooding will be across these areas.

"Tomorrow more rain is expected from the south-west, spreading across most of the UK and the Republic of Ireland."

:: Send us your weather photos or video to news@sky.com or text your pictures to 84501. But don't take unnecessary risks.

Other areas that have been hit by the latest bout of flooding are the south coasts of Devon and Cornwall, and parts of Dorset and Wales.

The Thames Barrier was shut for three hours on Saturday morning and was due to close again on Saturday afternoon to protect the capital from flooding.

Rough seas caused part of a cliff at Rock-A-Nore, outside Hastings in East Sussex, to collapse.

Parts of Gloucestershire are underwater after the Severn's banks broke

Around 90 flood warnings remained in place across the UK.

Numerous transport services and routes have been hit by the storms.

Trains were cancelled in Wales and the south and south west of England and several roads and bridges close to the coast have been subject to restrictions.

Dozens of lower-league football matches across the UK have been postponed because of the weather or water-logged pitches.

The Government has been forced to deny claims that austerity cuts will hit flood defences - despite reports that hundreds of frontline jobs are being cut.

Belfast escaped major flooding on Friday, but similar weather conditions are forecast for Sunday and Monday and sandbag barriers along the Connswater River will remain in place.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

North Korea Ski Resort May Breach UN Sanctions

By Mark Stone, Asia Correspondent in Beijing

A new ski resort in North Korea has been supplied with equipment which may breach United Nations sanctions against the country.

Photographs of the new resort, the country's first, at Masik show newly manufactured North American and European ski equipment.

One photograph shows three modern snow ploughs. Two of them are manufactured by the Italian firm Prinoth.

Another photo shows some skiers riding on a Ski-Doo snowmobile, which is made by the Canadian firm Bombardier.

A third photograph shows state-of-the-art snow cannons, which are used to artificially create snow.

The cannons, which can be seen dotted all the way up the mountain, are made by Areco of Sweden. They cost upwards of £14,000 each.

North Korea is subject to United Nations sanctions which ban the import of a wide range of products.

The three snow ploughs, two of them made by the Italian firm Prinoth

The latest resolution, adopted in March 2013, reaffirmed earlier resolutions.

Each one bans member states from exporting weapons and associated goods, equipment which could aid the country's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and "luxury goods" to North Korea.

However, the UN fails to itemise the specific items which would fall within its "luxury goods" bracket, thus providing North Korea and its suppliers with potential loopholes.

The European Union has issued its own list of "luxury goods" banned from export to North Korea. It states clearly that European companies are banned from exporting "articles and equipment for skiing, golf, diving and water sports" to North Korea.

It is almost certain that the equipment came through China. The two countries share a border across which almost all of North Korea's goods flow.

North Koreans ride a snowmobile at the resort, built by conscripts

China has its own ski resorts and it is possible that the European and North American firms thought their products were destined for China.

Speaking to NK News, a website which focuses on North Korea, the CEO of Areco Johan Erling said he had "no idea" how at least seven Areco snow cannons had turned up in North Korea.

Mr Erling told NK News that his company sells about 40 snow ploughs to its Chinese reseller every year.

Last week, the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was photographed at the opening of the new resort, the building of which is believed to have been his personal ambition. Mr Kim was educated in Switzerland, though it is not clear whether he can actually ski.

He was pictured taking a ride, without skis, on one of the resort's chair-lifts which appeared not to be new. The two-seater lift looked conspicuously dated.

Mr Kim was not seen skiing at the resort

Last year, it emerged that North Korea had tried to purchase ski-lifts from Switzerland but was blocked from doing so by the Swiss government.

A Swiss journalist who was permitted to visit the resort when it was being built claimed that the failure to secure Swiss ski-lifts prompted the North Korean authorities to relocate an old chair-lift from elsewhere in the country.

It was only long enough to stretch half way up the mountain.

The resort was built largely by hand and by conscripted soldiers to a tight deadline set by Mr Kim.

North Korea is one of the world's poorest countries. Its people remain largely cut off from the outside world.

United Nations sanctions were first imposed on the country following nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. The latest resolution, adopted in 2013, followed the test-launch of a long range Unha-3 rocket from the country's west coast.

Sky News has contacted both Bombardier Recreational Products and Prinoth. Neither has yet responded to our emails.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Robert Cerqua Charged With Murder Of Twin

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his identical twin brother in a fight on New Year's Eve.

Robert Cerqua, 31, is accused of inflicting serious injuries on his brother Christopher at the home they shared in Hythe, Hampshire, on Tuesday.

Police were called to the address in Langdown Road, Hythe, at 9pm.

Christopher Cerqua was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he died later.

Robert Cerqua was remanded in custody when he appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court.

He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Trevor Vidler, chairman of the magistrates' panel, asked him if he understood the charge, to which he replied "Yes".

Mr Vidler told him: "You are being sent for trial to the Crown Court and that first hearing will be on Monday.

"You will attend for that preliminary hearing and remain in custody until that date and time. Go with the officers, please."

He is due to appear at Winchester Crown Court on Monday.

The murder inquiry is being led by detectives from the Hampshire Major Investigation Team.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather: Flood Warnings As Tidal Surges Hit

Some roads are now under water and rivers have burst their banks as parts of the UK are deluged by further flooding.

At least eight severe flood warnings, which indicate a risk to life, were in place for England and Wales as heavy rain and strong winds, combined with exceptionally high tides, struck western parts.

:: Send us your weather photos or video to news@sky.com or text your pictures to 84501

Among the areas affected were the south coasts of Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Newport in South Wales as the latest violent storm swept in from the Atlantic.

Two of the severe warnings were for the South West, with three in Wales and three in the Midlands.

Around 130 flood warnings (meaning flooding is expected) and 230 less serious alerts were also in place, affecting every region of England and Wales.

There were high tides later on the North West coastline bringing further threats to communities in and around those areas, including in Chester, where sand bags were being laid.

Eight severe flood warnings have been issued

Also inland, the risk was that rivers - already swollen from weeks of rain -  would rise still further and burst their banks.

Flooding in Lynmouth, north Devon

And for counties such as Dorset and Gloucestershire that were earlier affected by floods, the evening high tide means further potential problems.

The Thames Flood Barrier has been closed due to a high flow of water over Teddington Weir combined with a spring tide.

It is has also been announced that December 2013 was the wettest month in Scotland since records began in 1910.

This was the scene in Kingsbridge, Devon. Pic: norsphoto/Twitter

In Cornwall, there has been flooding in areas including Penzance, Newquay, Looe and Polperro and there have been road closures. In Devon, towns including Kingsbridge and Salcombe were affected.

But the situation in the two counties has been slightly better than was anticipated, according to the RNLI.

Spokesman Tom Mansell said: "There has been flooding in places like Looe, Kingsbridge and Salcombe but it is not as bad as we had been expecting."

There are around 130 flood warnings for England and Wales

He added a man in Cornwall had a "very lucky escape" when his car was swept away as he wave-watched.

"People think they are in a strong metal box but moving water on tarmac becomes very buoyant," he said.

One man in Penzance was evacuated from his home after it was "severely affected" by floods.

In Christchurch, Dorset, the River Stour burst its banks. Sky's Stephen Douglas at the scene said: "A number of homes have been evacuated so people are listening to the warnings hoping it doesn't get any worse than this."

The scene in the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire

In Burrowbridge, Somerset, the River Parrett burst its banks as did the River Severn in Minsterworth, Gloucestershire.

Some roads in Gloucestershire were "impassable" due to flooding, including in Tewkesbury.

In the South East, Yalding in Kent was deluged again overnight but not on the same scale as over Christmas, according to reports.

Flooding in Salcombe, Devon. Pic: RNLI

The unsettled conditions in the UK are expected to remain for the next few days, forecasters say.

Sky's weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "We will continue to see the risk of further flooding as more rain falls on already saturated ground. However, this is not our only concern.

"Very strong winds today, combined with spring tides will bring big waves that could cause coastal flooding, mainly across western and southern coasts of the UK.

Floods in Newport, South Wales

"The area most at risk today will be the south-west of England where the second high tide today will be during this evenings rush hour time.

"Tonight the winds will ease, but rain is expected across southern parts of England and Wales by the morning. This rain will spread north on Saturday. On Sunday more rain will spread across all parts of the UK and next week remains unsettled with further downpours."

There are also suggestions that there may be snow across northern England, Northern Ireland and southern Scotland on Saturday.

There are flood warnings and alerts across the UK

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 38 flood warnings for Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, Dumfries and Galloway, Skye and Lochaber, Tayside and West Central Scotland.

In Northern Ireland, police have warned the docks area close to Belfast city centre could flood in a tidal surge later.

Residents of Sydenham in east Belfast had been told to pack a bag and prepare for potential evacuation. Sandbags were distributed to the public through the night while the authorities built up river defences.

But later, officers said the densely-packed neighbourhood may avoid "serious flooding".

A train passes through the coast at Saltcoats in Scotland

Assessments for Londonderry, Killough, Newcastle, Newry, Larne and Strangford areas also showed a slightly reduced flood risk from what had previously been expected.

In the Irish Republic, forecasters have issued a "status orange" weather warning, with gusts of up to 80mph hitting Connacht, Donegal, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick.

High tides, strong winds and rainfall have caused flooding in parts of Cork, Galway, Salthill, Waterford, Tralee, Clare and Mayo, while the River Shannon has burst its banks in Limerick.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who will chair another emergency meeting later in London, said: "The Environment Agency and local authorities have teams on the ground monitoring the situation as it emerges.

"With a number of severe flood warnings still in place I urge everyone to follow the advice from the Environment Agency and police and to take every precaution."

A search for a 27-year-old man who was swept out to sea while celebrating the new year on the beach with friends near Porthleven, in Cornwall, was called off on Thursday after a body was found.

That came after a woman, thought to be on holiday with her family, died in the surf in north Devon.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Schumacher: Ferrari Mark F1 Driver's Birthday

Michael Schumacher fans have been holding a silent vigil to mark the Formula One legend's 45th birthday outside the hospital where he remains in a coma following a skiing accident.

The seven-times F1 world champion has been in Grenoble University Hospital since suffering critical head injuries in the French Alps on Sunday.

His father Rolf and brother Ralf arrived separately to visit him on Friday. His wife Corinna and children Gina-Maria, 16, and 14-year-old Mick are also at his bedside.

Fans show their support outside the hospital treating the injured driver

The Ferrari team, for which he spent many years racing, has bussed in scores of fans from Italy and France to the hospital.

It put a message on its website, saying "Forza Michael," or "Go Michael" in Italian.

"He is tackling the most important fight of his life and therefore we want to send him very special wishes," said Schumacher's old team, as similar messages poured in from around the world.

Rolf (left) and Ralf Schumacher arrive at the hospital

German former tennis ace Boris Becker wished his compatriot "Happy Birthday" on Twitter, adding "Fight Schumi" in a German hashtag.

Schumacher slammed his head against a rock on Sunday while skiing in the French Alps and has had two operations to remove bleeding and pressure on his brain.

He is being kept in an induced coma and in the latest health update given by his manager on Wednesday, his condition was described as stable but still critical.

New statements will be issued when there is a change in his condition.

His family has thanked the public for the support they have received.

A statement said: "Following Michael's skiing accident, we would like to thank the people from all around the world who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for his recovery.

Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik made this message

"We all know he is a fighter and will not give up."

Fans left a poster outside the Grenoble hospital saying: "Schumi, All our Thoughts for You and Your Family."

"Schumi has given us a lot in the past," said 47-year-old accountant Stefano Pini, who arrived from Milan to pay tribute.

"The least we could do is to come here and support him and his family on his birthday."

The German was injured while skiing off piste in Meribel, France

"He is one of my greatest idols. We want him to fight and to return to us," said French fan Gabriel Klose, who turned up with his 12-year-old son.

However, the Ferrari tribute has created controversy with some accusing the Italian racing giant - which asked fans to sport its trademark colour red and its insignia - of exceeding the limits of good taste.

The carmaker, which has 130 clubs in Europe, provided about 20 coaches across Italy to bus in fans for the vigil.

But Roberto Luongo, president of the Roma-Colesseo Ferrari club, said he did not want to be associated with an event linked to "a man who is suffering".

"It's very delicate and if I was among those who are close to Michael, such an initiative would not have pleased me," he said.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Michael Schumacher: Niki Lauda Tells Of Support

Former Formula One champion Niki Lauda has come out in support of fellow racing star Michael Schumacher following a skiing accident in the French Alps.

Lauda suffered severe burns when his Ferrari burst into flames during the 1976 German Grand Prix in Nurburgring.

The three-time F1 world champion, who came close to death after inhaling toxic gases, said: "I think there is someone up there who is trying to help him (Schumacher) in this situation."

Lauda: 'I think there is someone up there who trying to help him'

"At the time, I could help myself. Michael, though, cannot do anything for the moment," he said in an interview with weekly Die Zeit magazine.

Players from Premier League leaders Arsenal have also sent Schumacher a get well message.

Following a match on Wednesday, Arsenal's German forward Lukas Podolski posted a picture on Facebook of him with his team-mates holding a shirt bearing the message 'GET WELL SOON SCHUMI'.

Arsenal's forward Lukas Podolski with team-mates

Schumacher, who turns 45 on Friday, has spent four nights in hospital battling severe brain injuries following the accident at the skiing resort of Meribel.

The seven-time world champion's fight for survival began when he fell and hit his head while he was skiing in a small, off-piste section of Meribel located in between two slopes full of half-buried rocks.

The accident led to an outpouring of sympathy from racing stars and fans.

FIA President Jean Todt and his girlfriend leave Schumacher's hospital

A source close to a probe into the incident said his helmet, which medics say saved his life, had been smashed "in two" by the impact.

The German racing legend remains in a critical condition, with his wife Corinna, 16-year-old daughter Gina-Maria and 14-year-old son Mick at his bedside in the French Alpine city of Grenoble.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jailed Terrorists Refuse To Change Beliefs

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

Almost three-quarters of those jailed for Islamist terror offences in the UK have rejected efforts to steer them away from extremism, Sky News has been told.

Sources said 110 of the country's 150 terrorist offenders, who are currently in prison or on parole, are resisting rehabilitation.

Analysts have told Sky News the security services will be faced with an increasing challenge trying to monitor those who retain extreme views once released.

The Government's counter-terrorism strategy, Contest, is aimed at encouraging extremists to re-examine their beliefs and choose a path of non-violence.

But experts say tackling the terrorist mindset is extremely challenging.

Many terrorism-related inmates are housed at Belmarsh prison

Dr Usama Hasan is a senior researcher in Islamic studies at the counter-extremist think tank, the Quilliam Foundation.

He said: "It shows the extent of the challenge that, 12 years after the 9/11 attacks in the US, you've still got the majority of these people not wanting to deal with any examination or discussion of their hardline ideas."

Whitehall sources have told Sky News that every single senior jihadist jailed in the UK in recent years has refused to engage with the anti-extremism programme.

They include the likes of Abdullah Ahmed Ali, who led a terror cell which planned to blow up airliners with liquid bombs.

It has been claimed the plot could have been more deadly than the 9/11 attacks. Ali and his fellow plotters were arrested and jailed in 2009.

Dr Hasan said it was not surprising that every senior terrorist figure had rejected overtures by prison authorities.

The Government is trying to get inmates to re-examine their beliefs

"If you look at their background and ideology, it is hardline jihadists' ideology which is the same as that of al Qaeda. 

"It is very fanatical, it's narrow minded, it's entrenched. It is absolutely certain that it is the correct world view and anybody who opposes it is its enemy and is the enemy of God.

"It's very difficult to change that view amongst such individuals."

Of the 150 people convicted of terrorist related offences in recent years, 40 have agreed to participate in the Government's anti-extremism programme.

The 40 are drawn from the ranks of those who were jailed for lesser offences - so-called foot soldiers.

Raffaello Pantucci, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said reaching such offenders remained extremely challenging for the authorities.

He said: "I think individuals who have pursued a path of radical extremist ideas are very difficult to persuade away from those ideas.

"I think trying to persuade them when they're within the context of a prison is understandably even harder.

"The news that around three-quarters of these individuals are not responding to Government attempts to reach out to them with deradicalisation programmes is certainly negative, but is not entirely surprising."

Around 30 terrorist offenders are already back out on Britain's streets on probation - some continue to hold extremist beliefs.

Mr Pantucci said that monitoring growing numbers of these offenders will prove increasingly challenging for the authorities. 

"It poses a difficulty for the security services because you are seeing a lot of people coming back out of prison who don't necessarily seem to have rejected the beliefs that they had before," he said.

"These are individuals that the security services have to watch out for and they need to be aware of these people and watching someone requires a substantial amount of resources."

He added, though, that it wasn't necessarily the case that all those coming out of prison still retaining some radical beliefs, would pose a threat to national security.

"We've certainly seen, historically, that people have rejected these ideas for a variety of reasons, sometimes because they've reached a decision they simply want to move on to another stage in their lives," he said.

Dr Hasan said the authorities still had plenty of time to reach the senior convicted jihadists as they are serving much longer prison sentences.

But he said a more robust approach might eventually be needed to try to influence their thinking.

Experts acknowledge there is only so much the authorities can do to persuade inmates to address their offending behaviour.

Even if they continue to hold on to their extremist beliefs, once they've served their sentence - like everyone else - they will be eligible for release.

Official sources have said they are encouraged that 40 terrorist offenders have agreed to participate in efforts to put them on a path away from violent extremism.

Although officials are hopeful other inmates will follow suit, there is a real risk significant numbers of convicted terrorists will re-join society in the future with the same beliefs that got them jailed in the first place.

In response to the revelations, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson told Sky News: "Challenging the extremist ideologies of individual prisoners can be a long and complex process.

"There is no one size fits all solution.

"Such interventions are a process - not an event.

"That is why we have a range of robust interventions to address these dangerous beliefs and to manage offenders effectively while they are in prison."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More