Meteorite Shower Hits Russia Injuring 1,100

Some 1,100 people have been injured after a metor blazed across the western Siberian sky with a blinding flash and booming shockwave.

The Russian Academy of Sciences said it entered the Earth's atmosphere at 33,000mph (54,000kph) - 15 times the speed of a rifle bullet - and shattered into pieces around 18-32 miles (30-50km) high in the sky.

It reportedly exploded with the force of 20 atomic bombs.

The meteor lit up the sky

Nasa estimated its speed was even faster at 40,000mph, said it exploded at about 12-15 miles high and left a trail 300 miles long.

The meteor weighed an estimated 7,000 tons and was about the size of a bus, Nasa said.

Fragments of at least one meteorite were seen falling from the sky in the Chelyabinsk region at around 9am local time on Friday, around 930 miles (1,500km) east of Moscow.

The meteorite was travelling at up to 40,000mph

The fall of such a large meteor estimated as weighing dozens of tonnes and the size of a double-decker bus, was extremely rare, while the number of casualties as a consequence of its burning up around a heavily-inhabited area was unprecedented.

"There was panic. People had no idea what was happening," said Sergey Hametov, of Chelyabinsk.

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

More than 1,000 people have been injured

Lessons had just started at Chelyabinsk schools when the meteor exploded, and officials said 258 children were among those injured. Amateur video showed a teacher speaking to her class as a powerful shock wave hit the room.

Schools were closed for the day and theatre shows cancelled across the region after the shock wave blew out windows amid temperatures as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius (zero degrees Fahrenheit).

There was no immediate word on deaths or anyone struck by rock fragments.

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

Viktor was injured by a shock wave

The defence ministry said it had identified a six-metre crater at a lake in the region and has sent soldiers to the site of the apparent impact of one fragment.

Thousands of rescue workers were dispatched to help the injured and locate those needing help.

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

The meteor explosion appears to be one of the most stunning cosmic events above Russia since the 1908 Tunguska Event, when a massive blast most scientists blame on an asteroid or a comet impact ripped through Siberia.

"I am scratching my head to think of anything in recorded history when that number of people have been indirectly injured by an object like this... it's very, very rare to have human casualties," Robert Massey, deputy executive secretary of Britain's Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), said.

The crash site of a piece of meteor (Pic: Chelyabinsk MVD)

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

Schools were closed for the day across the region and mobile phone networks were temporarily cut.

The meteor hit hours before the asteroid 2012 DA14 made the closest recorded pass of an asteroid to the Earth, although scientists said the two events were not linked.

The meteor hit Chelyabinsk

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

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

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

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

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

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

The office of the local governor said that a meteorite had fallen into a lake outside the town of Chebarkul in the Chelyabinsk region and television images pointed to a six-metre (20-foot) hole in the frozen lake's ice.

However it has yet to be finally confirmed if meteorite fragments made contact with the Earth and there were no reports that any locals had been hurt directly by a falling piece of meteorite.

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

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

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Asteroid Skims Past Earth In Record Near-Miss

A 150ft-long asteroid has skimmed harmlessly past the Earth - closer than any other near-miss on record.

The huge chunk of rock was travelling closer to the planet than many satellites when it reached its nearest point at 7.25pm, shooting across the sky at a speed of 17,640mph (28,388kph).

But while it may have been visible as a tiny white dot to those using binoculars - weather permitting - scientists had said there was no chance it would hit Earth.

It had been expected come as close as 17,200 miles (27,681km) away, a close shave in astronomical terms.

People gathered across the UK with binoculars and telescopes to catch a glimpse of the object, called 2012 DA14, which is now moving away from the planet.

The European Space Agency said the asteroid is not linked to the meteorite that hit Russia earlier on Friday, with scientists calling it a coincidence.

At 143,000 tons, the "city killer" DA14 is nowhere near as big as the six-mile-wide (10km) object widely believed to have brought about the extinction of the dinosaurs, but it is large enough to have wiped out an area the size of London had it struck.

Astronomers in the US were unable to see it at its closest approach, but colleagues in Australia watched the point of light speed across a clear night sky.

There was a remote possibility that it could collide with one of more than 100 telecommunication and weather satellites in fixed orbits. It was expected to have moved beyond Earth's ring of satellites within hours.

Experts have been closely tracking the asteroid since its discovery a year ago.

Astronomer and asteroid expert Dr Dan Brown, from Nottingham Trent University, said star-gazers would have seen it pass from the constellation Leo to roughly the Plough, "more or less from anywhere in the UK", and that it would have been bright for an hour.

DA14 belongs to a dangerous family of near-Earth objects (NEOs) that are small enough to be missed but large enough to cause serious damage.

It was detected in February last year by La Sagra Observatory in southern Spain as it fell under the spotlight of the Sun's rays.

Scientists at Nasa's Near-Earth Object programme at California's Jet Propulsion Laboratory estimate and object of this size makes a close approach such as this every 40 years.

Nasa live-streamed the flight path of the asteroid from various observatories and satellites on its website.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Oscar Pistorius Charged Over Girlfriend Murder

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brigadier Denise Beukes confirmed the couple were alone in the house at the time of the shooting and there was no sign of forced entry.

"I can't confirm that it's related to the person that's arrested but I can confirm there has previously been incidents at the home of Mr Oscar Pistorius," she said, saying that there were "allegations of a domestic nature".

Miss Steenkamp was due to speak at a Johannesburg school on Thursday

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

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

He emerged from a police station after questioning, flanked by plain-clothed officers and wearing a hooded jacket covering most of his face.

The athlete requested an immediate appearance at Pretoria Magistrate's Court, but prosecutors said this had been delayed until Friday morning to give forensic officers more time.

Police said they would be opposing bail when he appears in court.

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

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

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

The couple are believed to have started dating in November.

Her uncle, Mike Steenkamp, told reporters her family was "devastated" that her life had been cut short.

Miss Steenkamp's publicist, Sarit Tomlinson, described her as "the sweetest human being" and "a talented and bright young girl", adding that the couple had a "healthy, fabulous relationship".

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

Miss Steenkamp, a law graduate from Port Elizabeth who had posed in men's magazine FHM, was active on Twitter the day before.

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

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

She was due to give a talk at a school in Johannesburg just hours after her body was found, and to star in South African reality TV series Tropika Island of Treasure at the weekend, in which celebrities and ordinary people are tasked with daily challenges in remote, exotic locations.

Pistorius lives a short distance from the centre of Pretoria

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

The Johannesburg-born athlete, known as the Blade Runner because of the carbon fibre blades he uses on the track, made history in 2012 when he became the first amputee to compete in the Olympics.

In the Paralympics, he won gold in the 400m and another in the 4x400m relay.

Both of his legs were amputated below the knee just before his first birthday because of a congenital condition.

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

A billboard advert featuring Pistorius is removed in South Africa

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

South Africa has some of the world's highest rates of violent crime with an average of nearly 50 people murdered each day. According to statistics, nearly 13 in every 100 people in the country own a gun.

Silver Woods is a high security complex with a three-metre-high wall, electric fence, a guarded entrance and regular patrols.

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

A Nike ad banner across the top of Pistorius' official website "I am the bullet in the chamber" has also been removed.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Coronation Street Actor: Child Sex Charges

One of Coronation Street's longest-serving actors, Michael Le Vell, has been charged with a string of child sex offences.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

LA Manhunt: Dorner Shootout Ends In Cabin Fire

A driver's licence bearing the name of Christopher Dorner has been found inside the burned cabin where the murder suspect was thought to have been hiding.

Charred human remains discovered inside the property in California's Big Bear Lake area have not yet been identified and forensic tests are being carried out.

Dorner, an ex-policeman suspected of three murders, is believed to have taken shelter in the cabin with an arsenal of weapons after a gunfight with officers.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said two deputies were injured in the shootout, one of whom died from his injuries.

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

A law enforcement official said a single shot was heard as police moved in on the cabin.

The suspect did not come out of the property as it was engulfed in flames.

It is not yet clear whether the fire was started from inside or by police officers who were firing bullets and tear gas canisters at the cabin.

In one audio clip purporting to be a police scanner conversation, a male voice can be heard saying: "All right, Steve, we're gonna go, er, we're gonna go forward with the plan, with, er, with the burn. We want it, er, like we talked about.

"Seven burners deployed and we have a fire."

It is unclear whether "the burn" refers to tear gas.

Authorities focused their hunt for Dorner in the mountains after he apparently launched a campaign to exact revenge against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for sacking him.

LAPD Commander Andrew Smith had urged Dorner, whose truck was found in the area last Thursday, to surrender, telling him: "Enough is enough."

The LA Times said that on Tuesday, two maids entered a cabin close to where the vehicle was left and came across a man resembling his description.

The man reportedly tied up the maids - one of whom was able to break free and raise the alarm - before he left in a purple Nissan parked near the cabin.

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

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

He made threats against the LAPD in an angry rant on Facebook, after which officers were assigned to protect members of staff and their families.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Meat Scandal: Call For EU Tests On Beef

One in five people have changed the way they shop as a result of the widening meat scandal, according to a poll carried out by YouGov for Sky News.

Of those who are buying differently, 58% said they had completely abandoned processed meats.

A third of the nearly 2,000 people surveyed said they had stopped buying cheap ranges and now favour more expensive processed meat.

As for who they blamed most, nearly half - 49% - said meat processors were most at fault, while one in five said food manufacturers carried responsibility.

But supermarkets seem to be largely off the hook, with only 10% of people saying they are to blame and even fewer pointing the finger at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) or the Government.

One shopper told Sky's Tom Parmenter she now refuses to buy processed ready meals for her two children.

Sharon Cummins, from Slough, said: "It is affecting everybody because it is all just lies.

"The thought of eating something like a horse - it is there, that picture is in your head: What am I eating?

"You just don't know, it could be school dinners next."

Police and FSA officials raided the Farmbox Meats site in northwest Wales

EU nations have now been urged to begin widespread DNA testing to check processed beef products for contamination with horsemeat.

There should also be tests for the presence of the veterinary painkiller known as "bute", which causes cancer in humans and is banned from the food chain, European health commissioner Tonio Borg said.

The problem was being treated as a fraud issue rather than one of food safety, he said.

Earlier British Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who attended a summit in Brussels on the scandal, warned those guilty of passing off horsemeat than more expensive beef would face the "full force of the law".

Two British firms have been shut down following raids by the FSA and police. They swooped on Peter Boddy slaughterhouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, and meat processing plant Farmbox Meats in Llandre near Aberystwyth, West Wales as part of an audit.

The companies had records seized and have been temporarily closed. The firms' owners deny any wrongdoing.

At Farmbox, Sky News saw large crates of meat - some covered by tarpaulin and others open - left in outdoor areas during Tuesday night, before they were removed.

Until now, meat linked to the scandal had been thought to have come from suppliers in continental Europe, but for the first time it appears the contamination may also come from British premises.

David Cameron described the situation as "appalling" and "completely unacceptable".

Meanwhile, Waitrose announced it has withdrawn its beef Essential British Frozen Meatballs after pork was found in two batches. The supermarket said they were made at the ABP Foods-owned Freshlink factory in Glasgow last summer.

Tesco has become the latest retailer to drop a major supplier after discovering a range of spaghetti bolognese ready meals contained more than 60% horsemeat.

Morrisons chief executive Dalton Philips has told Sky's Jeff Randall the chain could not be 100% sure about the content of all of its beef products, but he said its checks are rigorous and it has "extremely high" confidence.

While supermarkets rush to reassure shoppers, independent butchers have been reporting a significant surge in business.

The Butchers Q Guild has reported a 30% spike in sales of products such as burgers and sausages.

The meat scandal erupted last month after tests in Ireland showed products labelled as beef contained up to 100% horsemeat.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

LA Manhunt: 'Swat Team Storms Dorner Cabin'

A Swat team has moved in on a remote cabin where former police officer and murder suspect Christopher Dorner is thought to be hiding.

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

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

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

Earlier Dorner exchanged gunfire with federal authorities and San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon told a news conference that a sheriff's deputy had died of wounds he suffered during the shootout. Another deputy was also injured in the exchange.

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

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

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

Cmdr Smith said: "It's time for you to turn yourself in. It's time to end the bloodshed."

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

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

He then abandoned the truck and ran into the forest.

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

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

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

Police had been following up hundreds of new leads prompted by a $1m reward for information.

Dorner went on the run on February 6 after the murder of a former police captain's daughter and her fiance were linked by police to an angry Facebook rant he posted.

Threats against the LAPD led officials to assign officers to protect officers and their families.

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

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

State Of The Union: 'Brave Troops Coming Home'

Barack Obama opens his State of the Union address by saying that after a decade of war America's troops are coming home.

The President vowed that the war in Afghanistan would end by late 2014 and that another 34,000 American troops would be returning over the next year.

"This drawdown will continue. And by the end of next year, our war in Afghanistan will be over," Mr Obama said in his annual address.

He said that al Qaeda was a "shadow of its former self" and no longer posed the kind of threat that needed tens of thousands of US troops to fight abroad.

However, she said that al Qaeda affiliates had appeared elsewhere in the world including Yemen and Somalia and said that in future the US would help those countries to provide their own security to fight terrorism.

Mr Obama also said he would take "firm action" against the "provocations" of North Korea, after the state carried out its third nuclear test.

Mr Obama prepares for his State of the Union address

He said: "The regime in North Korea must know that they will only achieve security and prosperity by meeting their international obligations.

"Provocations of the sort we saw last night will only isolate them further, as we stand by our allies, strengthen our own missile defence and lead the world in taking firm action in response to these threats."

Mr Obama promised to spark economic growth and create jobs.

He told Congress: "A growing economy that creates good, middle-class jobs -- that must be the North Star that guides our efforts.

"It is our generation's task, then, to reignite the true engine of America's economic growth -- a rising, thriving middle class."

The President greets workers dealing with the aftermath of superstorm Sandy

He warned against dramatic budget cuts saying that they would cost jobs and threaten the military.

He said: "That's why Democrats, Republicans, business leaders, and economists have already said that these cuts, known here in Washington as 'the sequester', are a really bad idea."

The President said that the United States and Europe would launch talks on what would be the world's largest free trade zone.

He said: "Tonight, I am announcing that we will launch talks on a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union -- because trade that is free and fair across the Atlantic supports millions of good-paying American jobs."

The move answered mounting calls from Europe to pursue a grand trade pact to spur growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

Michelle Obama arrives to hear her husband give his address

Mr Obama also warned Congress that if they didn't act on climate change, that he would.

He tackled climate sceptics in the rival Republican Party by noting that 12 of the world's hottest years on record took place in the past 15 years.

Mr Obama told them: "We can choose to believe that superstorm Sandy, and the most severe drought in decades, and the worst wildfires some states have ever seen were all just a freak coincidence.

"Or we can choose to believe in the overwhelming judgment of science -- and act before it's too late."

Mr Obama also reinforced his commitment to tightening the country's gun laws saying that police chiefs wanted Congress to ban "weapons of war" and magazines carrying large amounts of ammunition so officers would not be outgunned.

More follows...

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ex-LAPD Cop Hunt: Dorner Charged With Murder

By Greg Milam, US Correspondent

Fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner has been charged with the murder of a police officer under special circumstances that could bring the death penalty.

Dorner, who is suspected of killing three people and wounding two others last week, also faces an attempted murder charge over the shooting of another Riverside police officer.

The former LAPD cop, who remains on the run for a fifth day, declared "war" on his former colleagues in a threatening online manifesto.

Police say they are following up hundreds of new leads prompted by a $1m (£632,000) reward.

Police have battled snow in their search in the San Bernardino mountains

A spokesman for the Los Angeles police says they are investigating more than 600 new clues resulting from tips from members of the public.

The reward - made up of donations from local authorities, council officials, police organisations and anonymous donors - was offered at the weekend with the trail having seemingly gone cold.

Police have been searching for Dorner since last week and are protecting the families of 50 officers who are considered targets.

The 33-year-old made clear in his Facebook rant that he holds many of his former colleagues responsible for his being sacked by the LAPD in 2009.

Dorner's pick-up truck was found torched

The search has sparked numerous false alarms. Police raced to a home improvement store at the weekend only to discover the reported sighting of Dorner was in fact a couple having an argument in the car park.

Officers also continue to scour the Big Bear area of the San Bernardino Mountains where Dorner's burned-out pick-up truck was found torched. There has been no confirmed sighting of him there.

The search - believed to the largest manhunt in Los Angeles history - has stretched the resources of city's police force. The department is on "tactical alert", meaning officers are staying on duty beyond their shifts.

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing a man whose pick-up was mistakenly peppered with bullets by police hunting Dorner says the officers were reckless.

Police mistakenly shot Mr Perdue's truck in Torrance

Surfer Dan Perdue was driving to the beach in Torrance on Thursday when he was stopped by officers guarding the home of a law enforcement official targeted by Dorner.

After driving away, his vehicle was hit by a squad car and, when it spun round, officers began shooting. Mr Perdue was not injured.

The incident took place just blocks away from another mistaken identity shooting. A mother and daughter delivering newspapers in a pick-up truck were wounded when police opened fire on them.

It has all added to the impression of a region on edge with no sign of Dorner and police convinced he has every intention of carrying out his threat to kill.

The LA police chief has said he will re-open the investigation into Dorner's dismissal from the force. He was fired after being found guilty of making false allegations against a colleague.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pope Benedict Resigns And Stuns The World

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

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

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

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

Lightning struck St Peter's dome in the Vatican on Monday

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

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

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

"We should have a new pope for Easter."

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

The Vatican has been keen to stress that the Pope has not stepped down due to any specific illness.

The Vatican

And while Mr Lombardi said his vigour had "sadly diminished in recent times", he praised the Pontiff's "humility and great honour".

Pope Benedict will now head to his Castel Gandolfo residence outside Rome, before returning to the city to live in a monastery of cloistered nuns on the Vatican hills.

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

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

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

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

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

The pope on his visit to the UK in 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dr Rebecca Rist, an expert in the history of the Papacy from the University of Reading, said: "The cardinals will now have to elect a new Pope - perhaps someone from South America or Africa - areas of the world where the Church is growing in numbers.

Benedict greeting Cardinal Marc Ouellet - who is being tipped to take over

"The new Pope will have huge global issues to prioritise - poverty, education, human rights, the environment - and not least the importance of faith and belief in an increasingly secularised Europe.

"Benedict is a distinguished theologian and will doubtless use his retirement to dedicate himself to further study."

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

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

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

There are several Papal contenders but no obvious front-runner to take over, which was also the case when Pope Benedict was elected Pontiff in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II.

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet has been installed as favourite for the job.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Horsemeat: Driver Lifts Lid On Breaches

A lorry driver who delivers meat has exclusively revealed to Sky News the serious breaches of food safety regulations that he sees every day.

Ali, which is not his real name, has worked in the haulage industry for seven years and delivers to all kinds of organisations across the north of England. 

He approached Sky News and wanted to talk to us because he believes the breaches he sees every day represent a public health risk.

Ali said: "On some deliveries the person that is receiving the product sometimes struggles to identify a multi line order if there is three or four different types of meat.

"They'll struggle to identify which meat is which.

"Sometimes they have to refer to the weights of the pallets being outlined on the delivery note

Reporter Tom Parmenter talks to the haulage worker

"I have seen cases where they have had to smell it to try and tell if it was lamb or beef."

Meat that has been imported into the UK should be accompanied with the appropriate documents but Ali insists the paperwork is often missing.

"Most of the deliveries of meat don't come with that paperwork - they come with a scribbled handwritten receipt out of a duplicate receipt book that has been attached to a piece of A4 paper and photocopied.

"Those sort of notes might have the product described just literally as 'meat' or 'frozen meat'.

"On a lot of occasions we won't have any documentation at all for that product."

The driver says he is "scared" by the way cheap meat is delivered around the UK.

"It is going to the most vulnerable people, going into hospitals, schools, old people's homes - there is a problem with the whole supply chain."

Ali says there are regular abuses of the strict temperature controls that he and his company are supposed to adhere to.

Ali says he tries to flag up problems to the management of his company but often just has to get the job done.

The experienced driver believes there is a sloppy attitude across the industry towards food safety but names Morrisons and Waitrose as the two companies that impress him with the rigorous checks they make on every delivery.

"I used to be a carnivore, a meal wasn't complete without meat - that is very different now. I only shop and feed my kids food from Morrisons and Waitrose because I see how they operate.

"In fact it is a joke amongst the drivers that it is a pain to deliver to Morrisons because they check everything - it takes ages and they often turn stuff away if it isn't up to scratch."

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

$1m Reward Offered To Catch US 'Cop Killer'

Police in America have offered a $1m (£632,000) reward for information leading to the capture of ex-LAPD cop Christopher Dorner.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the reward as Dorner - suspected of three murders - remained at large for a fourth day.

"We will not tolerate anyone undermining the security, the tranquility of our neighbourhoods and our communities," Villaraigosa said at a news conference announcing the reward.

"We will not tolerate this reign of terror that has robbed us of the peace of mind that residents of southern California deserve. We will not tolerate this murderer remaining at large," he said.

The mayor said local leaders, businesses, unions, law enforcement and community groups had pooled resources to raise the reward money.

Police have been hunting the snow-blanketed California mountains for Dorner, 33, a disgruntled former LA Police Department (LAPD) officer.

He has threatened to murder police in a chilling online manifesto.

More than 100 police have searched for Dorner after his car was found in a nearby area, reportedly with weapons and a broken axle.

The search has focused on cabins above the ski resort of Big Bear, two hours east of Los Angeles, where Dorner's burnt-out pickup truck was found in nearby woods.

Dorner, a naval reservist, is suspected of killing a couple on February 3 then ambushing two policemen early on Thursday, killing one. He is also suspected of injuring another officer in a separate incident.

In an Internet manifesto threatening police and their families, Dorner pledged to "bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty."

The LAPD, backed by agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is protecting over 40 possible targets, some of them identified in Dorner's rambling online manifesto.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fox Bites Off Baby's Finger In Cot Attack

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

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

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

After a short struggle, the mother managed to free her child, but his finger had been ripped off.

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

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

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

The fox attack happened in Bromley on Wednesday

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

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

"My thoughts are with the boy and his family," he said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The broadcaster, who gave his views on the back of a Channel 4 programme Foxes Live: Wild In The City, said there was no proof that the creatures attack dogs and cats except in "exceptional circumstances".

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Horsemeat Scandal An 'International Conspiracy'

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has told Sky News an "international conspiracy" could be at the centre of the horsemeat scandal, and police might begin an investigation.

He made the comments following an emergency meeting with food producers, leading supermarkets and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in central London.

Mr Paterson said it had been agreed that there would be "a very rapid analysis of current products", with results by the end of next week, to understand "the extent of this problem which is either caused by gross incompetence or what I suspect is actually an international criminal conspiracy".

"If there's a criminal act we will work with the authorities wherever they are to ensure the appropriate measures are taken," he said.

The talks came as frozen food company Findus UK said it is considering legal action against its suppliers after tests found up to 100% horsemeat in some of its beef lasagnes.

"Findus is taking legal advice about the grounds for pursuing a case against its suppliers, regarding what they believe is their suppliers' failure to meet contractual obligations about product integrity," the statement said.

"The early results from Findus UK's internal investigation strongly suggests that the horsemeat contamination in Beef Lasagne was not accidental."

Enterprising eBay users have already taken to auctioning the firm's beef lasgnes, with one receiving bids of £12 - with proceeds apparently going towards Help The Heroes charity.

One eBay auction had a Findus lasagne selling for £12

Mr Paterson also warned that the scandal "could go deeper than we thought, and there may be further bad news to come."

Substituting horse for beef was "fraud on the British public" and "people should buy what is on the label," he said.

The Environment Secretary said that retailers held the "ultimate responsibility" for making sure that horsemeat was not in their products and that they would have to start doing their own testing. 

Scotland Yard met with representatives from the FSA on Friday night over the scandal.

During the talks on Saturday morning the supermarkets had agreed to work with the FSA to report their test results on a quarterly basis.

Bosses from leading supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons attended the meeting at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Findus was not invited to the Government summit but the Food and Drink Federation, of which they are a member, attended.

Earlier, Findus reiterated its apology for the scandal, but it came under fire from opposition leader Ed Miliband amid reports the company knew some days before it withdrew its lasagnes from sale that they were likely to contain horsemeat.

Mr Miliband told Sky News: "The head of the company needs to come to Britain and explain himself and who knew what when.

"Many customers were innocently buying Findus products when it appears that the company may have known it was likely to be contaminated by horsemeat."

Findus has strongly denied other reports saying it knew about the problems as early as last August, saying that they first suspected an issue on January 22, when they ordered the initial tests.

The presence of equine DNA was confirmed on January 29 and a product recall was ordered on February 2 after further tests had been conducted.

Aldi meanwhile has confirmed that two of its ready meal ranges produced by Comigel, the French supplier also used by Findus, were found to contain between 30% and 100% horsemeat.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More