Heathrow: Dreamliner Plane Catches Fire

A fire on a parked Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner plane has forced both runways at Heathrow Airport to close.

No injuries were reported and nobody was on board the aircraft, which was stationed at a remote parking stand.

Ethiopian Airlines said it had been there for more than eight hours before smoke was detected, adding that "the cause of the incident is under investigation by all concerned."

A spokesperson for Heathrow said the plane suffered an internal fire and that the airport's emergency services attended the scene.

Foam surrounds the Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner

Ethiopian Airlines was the first airline to resume using the 787 after Boeing temporarily withdrew the Dreamliner from service earlier this year for modifications amid concerns that batteries on board could cause fires.

The aircraft flew on April 27 from Ethiopia's capital of Addis Ababa to Nairobi, Kenya and had the same registration (ET-AOP) as the Heathrow plane.

All arrivals and departures were temporarily suspended due to the fire which was reported shortly after 4.30pm, but the airport has now fully re-opened.

Damage to the top of the Dreamliner's fuselage

Passengers at Gatwick Airport experienced minor delays on departing flights as it assisted with diversions.

Separately, another Dreamliner operated by the holiday company Thomson has been forced to turn back mid-flight after technical problems.

A statement from the company said: "Thomson Airways can confirm that flight TOM126 travelling from Manchester to Sanford, Florida experienced a technical issue and the aircraft returned to Manchester Airport, as a precautionary measure.

"Passengers have disembarked and our dedicated team of engineers are now inspecting the aircraft.  Our customers will be moved to an alternative aircraft to ensure they get away on their holiday as soon as possible."

Footage from the Skycopter over Heathrow showed fire retardant foam on the runway around the plane with at least nine fire engines in attendance.

The pictures also appeared to show damage to the top of the Dreamliner's fuselage at the rear of the plane.

A Boeing spokesman said: "We're aware of the event. We have Boeing personnel on the ground at Heathrow and are working to fully understand and address this."

Various production problems delayed the aircraft from entering passenger service for three years, operating its first commercial flight in October 2011 for Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways.

Speaking from Heathrow, Sky's Stephen Douglas said: "There's nothing at the moment to say that the battery was behind this fire.

"But as far as Boeing are concerned, it's not very good for the brand of the Dreamliner and not very good for other companies like Virgin Atlantic who are about to take delivery of these Dreamliners because if it is the battery then they could be grounded again."

The European Aviation Safety Agency said it was too early to say whether that would happen, adding that "Boeing staff will investigate and we will follow closely to see what to decide."

The company's shares fell dramatically on the New York Stock Exchange following the news from Heathrow.

The US National Transportation Safety Board has said it is sending a representative to London to assist in the investigation.

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Paris Train Crash: Six Killed In 'Catastrophe'

At least six people are dead and dozens more are injured after a packed train carrying hundreds of passengers derailed and crashed into a station outside Paris.

The seven-carriage service was about 20 minutes into a three-hour journey to Limoges when it crashed 12 miles south of the capital about 5:15pm (local time).

Part of the metal roof over the platform was crushed as carriages slid towards Bretigny-sur-Orge station in France's deadliest rail crash for years.

An investigation into the cause is under way after the train, with 385 passengers on board, derailed.

The French interior minister has called it a 'catastrophe'

But the head of the SNCF rail authority, Guillaume Pepy, said the third and fourth carriages initially came off the track, then knocked the others off.

He called it a "catastophe", adding: "Some cars simply derailed, others are leaning, others fell over."

The crash happened as France prepared to celebrate its most important national holiday, Bastille Day, on Sunday.

Seven carriages piled up

Many people have been heading out of Paris and other big cities to see family or go on holiday.

Footage from the scene showed crushed metal on the platform and debris from the crash clogging up the stairs.

Interior minister Manuel Valls said at least six people have been killed. He added that nine people are gravely injured and has also warned the number of dead could rise.

Rescuers pull survivors from the wreckage. Pic: @aishakurdish

Briton Graham Hope, a passenger in the third carriage, told Sky News: "The carriage I was in was bouncing for several seconds before we came to a halt.

"Everyone was very calm. A couple of people were quite concerned, but we worked together to get out of the carriage.

"When I got out we could see the rest of the train was further up the line ... I would be very surprised if people got out of the front carriage unscathed."

The train derailed at Bretigny-sur-Orge

A witness in a nearby train, 19-year-old Bazgua El Mehdi told Le Parisien newspaper: "I heard a loud noise. A cloud of sand covered everything. Then the dust dissipated.

"I thought it was a freight train, but then we saw the first casualties ... Many passengers on the (train) were crying."

A police source said: "The train arrived at the station at high speed. It split in two for an unknown reason. Part of the train continued to roll while the other was left on its side on the platform."

But a passenger speaking on France's BFM television said the train was going at a normal speed and was not meant to stop at Bretigny-sur-Orge.

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Lee Rigby: Family Thank Public For Support

The family of murdered soldier Lee Rigby has said he has become "a hero" and that the intentions of his killers have "backfired".

Fusilier's Rigby's mother, stepfather and widow said good wishes had flooded in from around the globe and across all religions in the last seven weeks.

The 25-year-old's funeral is being held in Bury, Greater Manchester, after hundreds of people lined the streets to pay their respects to him on Thursday.

A short ceremony at the parish church was attended by Fusilier Rigby's family and friends and colleagues in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Ian and Lyn Rigby have been overwhelmed by the support they have received

His two-year-old son Jack wore a Manchester United shirt emblazoned with his father's nickname "Riggers".

His family gave an emotional press conference shortly after his death and today spoke in public for the first time since as they reflected on the thousands of goodwill messages they have received.

His wife, Rebecca, 30, said: "There are so many kind and generous people out there. It's just horrible that it takes something such as this to make you see how many good people there are."

Fusilier Rigby, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London on May 22.

Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, have been charged with murder and are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on November 18.

Fighting back tears throughout her interview, Rebecca Rigby said: "We have had an awful lot of support from across the world. It has been overwhelming.

Lee Rigby's coffin is carried into the church in Bury

"We have had masses of cards, letters and donations from everywhere. It's unbelievable really the things that have been coming in."

His stepfather Ian Rigby, 54, said: "Everywhere we have been, people have been supporting us. They have been incredible with us. Total strangers.

"They have been absolutely incredible, coming up - not in your face but shaking hands and saying God Bless, that sort of thing. And they have really meant what they said to us.

"And it's the same in the community. The support in Middleton - it's a small place - but the support we have had off everybody has been incredible."

Rebecca Rigby with their son Jack on Thursday

Mr Rigby added: "It's just the continued support. Lee has become a hero. Whatever the intention was it's backfired because it's made Lee into the hero and the martyr.

"The country is united whatever elements may wish to stop it. It's not working because it's working the other way."

Clutching a Fusilier teddy bear, Lyn Rigby said her "fun-loving" son had "fulfilled his dreams" by serving in the Army.

"He was so loving, he really was," she said. "He would do anything for anybody. He had a heart of gold. He wouldn't hurt anybody."

Her husband said: "He was a devoted soldier. He loved what he was doing. He believed in what he was doing but he was still a family man.

"His (four) sisters and his son, he was devoted. Whatever happened they came first.

"His job meant the world to him, being in the Army. But his family still came first."

Asked about how Fusilier Rigby would like to be remembered at his service, Rebecca Rigby said: "Lee always wanted his service to be a time that people would remember him and shed the tears. But then he always said a remembrance of his life.

"He wanted people to enjoy that and sit and talk about happy days and happy memories they have got of Lee and the things he used to do and say because he was always so full of life.

"He just wanted to put a smile on everyone's face."

Mr Rigby said: "I think today should be a celebration of Lee's life, what he has meant to us.

"Lee was a fun-loving lad and that is how he should be remembered."

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Ireland Abortion: New Legislation Is Passed

The Irish Government has passed legislation for the first time allowing for abortion in limited circumstances.

The landmark laws enshrine a woman's right to a termination if her life is at risk, including from suicide.

Despite fears some backbenchers would revolt, a junior minister was the most high-profile of a small number to break ranks and vote against the divisive legislation.

Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton was one of only five to break Government ranks and is set to be exiled by her Fine Gael party as the vote passed with a comfortable majority, with 127 voting in favour and 31 against.

Savita Halappanavar died of septicaemia

Protests by pro-life groups, hate mail, death threats and intimidation to politicians and campaigners worsened already bitter disputes over the reforms in the predominantly Catholic country.

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 was drawn up following the death of Savita Halappanavar, an Indian dentist who died in an Irish hospital in October last year after being denied an abortion as she miscarried 17 weeks into her pregnancy.

Her widower Praveen claimed the couple had been told a termination was not allowed because "Ireland is a Catholic country".

As new figures on Thursday revealed 11 women travelled from Ireland to Britain every day for an abortion last year, Prime Minister Enda Kenny said it was time the women of Ireland have the rights they deserve enshrined in law.

"We had 21 years of inaction, 21 years of inaction," Mr Kenny said.

"What's going on here is medical clarity and legal certainty for the women of our country who have had a constitutional right conferred upon them."

Lucinda Creighton broke government ranks for voting against the legislation

The two-day debate wrapped up with the final vote shortly before 12.30am. It was clear the suicide clause remained the most divisive aspect of the legislation throughout.

Ms Creighton, the exiled junior minister, refused to support the rule which allows an expectant mother to seek an abortion on the grounds that she is prepared to take her own life and called for alternative therapies to be offered instead. Her demands were ignored.

She automatically lost the party whip after voting against the Government in support of an amendment proposed by fellow Fine Gael rebel Billy Timmins to remove the suicide clause from the legislation.

"I'm very sad," Ms Creighton said, after casting the vote that sealed her self-imposed exile.

"But at the same time I feel a bit relieved because this is obviously something that's been weighing on everybody's minds for months and months.

"It's no exaggeration to say, I think, an awful lot of people have really struggled to make a decision on how they would vote in this legislation."

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Wimbledon Queue Rape Claim: Police Investigate

Police are investigating claims a woman was raped in the overnight queue for the Wimbledon final.

Dozens of tents were set up in Wimbledon Park as hundreds of tennis fans waited to buy tickets to see Andy Murray on Centre Court on Sunday.

Scotland Yard said a 30-year-old man was arrested and bailed over the alleged attack.

A spokesman said: "Police are investigating an allegation of serious sexual assault in Wimbledon Park, off Church Road, in the early hours of Sunday July 7.

"A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been taken into custody at a south London police station.

"He was bailed until early September pending further enquiries."

The spokesman said the 34-year-old victim was being cared for by specialist teams.

He added: "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the incident."

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MPs' Pay: Watchdog To Propose Rise To £75,000

MPs' Pay: For And Against Hike

Updated: 4:18pm UK, Wednesday 10 July 2013

By Nicola Boden, Sky News Online

Handing politicians a pay rise when they are imposing austerity on millions of ordinary Britons is bound to be a hard sell - but some of the arguments in favour are hard to ignore.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) is later due to suggest an inflation-busting rise and then put its plans out for consultation.

The prospect of an increase comes as taxpayers, already mostly on far lower salaries, are facing a cost of living squeeze and public sector pay increases are limited to 1%.

Giving politicians up to another £10,000 in their pay packets will undoubtedly play exceptionally badly and make them even less popular than they are at the moment.

Workers who spoke to Sky News this month made clear they would consider the move "disgusting", and MPs themselves are well aware of the consequences.

Nick Clegg has declared the public will find it "impossible to understand" and David Cameron said making politics more expensive is "unthinkable".

But the Commons' expenses watchdog insists that there is never a good time to address the issue, and that there are some very good reasons for doing so now.

Here, Sky News examines both sides of the debate:

FOR

Better value for the taxpayer - The rise will come in tandem with curbs to MPs' gold-plated pensions and personal expenses, making the set-up more transparent and the overall cost of funding Parliament lower.

Quality of MPs - Supporters of a rise argue you will only attract top quality people into parliament if you offer bigger salaries - ie. you get what you pay for.

MPs may earn far higher than the national average but their salaries are significantly lower than that given to council bosses or other professionals in high-profile roles.

A change could encourage a shift from career politicians to candidates with more experience of public life, who can bring that knowledge into parliament.

Mix of MPs - There are fears a failure to address the issue could lead to a Commons full of multi-millionaires and aristocrats because only they could afford to enter politics.

Two homes - MPs from outside London have to run two households, ramping up the costs of taking on a parliamentary role (although critics would note expenses are available for this).

Retention - The discrepancy between ministerial and MPs' pay is so large that it is considered to encourage former Cabinet ministers to quit once they leave Government.

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett has suggested the system currently almost says "you have done your time, get out" which strips the Commons of valuable experience.

Avoiding scandal  - Ipsa boss Sir Ian Kennedy has suggested not allowing a rise could lead to a repeat of the expenses scandal because MPs would find other ways to boost their salaries.

Greater Focus - If salaries were higher, politicians would potentially be less inclined to forge links with businesses and therefore avoid damaging conflicts of interest.

AGAINST

Timing - With the coalition pushing through austerity measures and making clear drastic cuts will last into the next parliament, the idea of a pay rise is toxic to the public.

As the cost of living crisis continues, taxpayers' salaries have risen just 0.6% on average this year and public sector pay rises are limited to 1% as part of a raft of savings.

Giving MPs an inflation-busting rise would be in stark contrast to the hardship faced by millions, and conflict with the idea "we are all in this together".

Furthermore, if the next government - as predicted by experts - has to impose tax rises to raise money, a pay rise in 2015 will be even less palatable.

Perception - Ever since the expenses scandal, politicians have been battling to restore public trust. A pay rise will reinforce the view held by critics that they are just out to line their pockets.

A large salary would also make it harder for MPs to argue that they are in touch with the concerns of ordinary workers.

Second Jobs - Many MPs already supplement their salary by taking on lucrative external opportunities or continuing in their previous profession.

Recent figures suggested almost half (295 of 650 MPs) declared some form of extra income and 20 made more from other work than their salary of £65,738.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has suggested there should be a limit on external earnings but while this situation continues, it is harder to argue for an increase.

Greed - The counter-argument to raising salaries to attract higher quality candidates is that more money could encourage people to enter parliament for the wrong reasons.

People want their MPs to consider it a vocation rather than a lucrative career so that they truly have their constituents' interests at heart.

The Hours - MPs have to work fluctuating hours during the week and shuttle between London and their constituency but they also enjoy long holidays most could only dream of.

They are about to go on holiday for six weeks, breaking up for the summer on July 18 and not returning until September 2.

Over the year, MPs also leave Westminster for half-terms, have two weeks off for Easter and then at Christmas and another three weeks in party conference season.

Public accounts committee chair Margaret Hodge called for longer parliamentary hours earlier this year, warning too much time was spent in recess.

"Members of the public would be forgiven for thinking that it is MPs who are lazy and that it is Parliament that is failing to provide good value for money," she said.

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San Francisco Plane Crash: Crew Were Ejected

Survivors Tell Of Plane Horror

Updated: 12:53pm UK, Monday 08 July 2013

Survivors have spoken of the terrifying moment a pilot tried to abort a landing seconds before it crashed onto the runway in San Francisco.

Two Chinese teenagers died after the Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 struck the runway shortly after the jet reportedly hit a sea wall.

Benjamin Levy said: "The nose of the plane, as you know, goes up a little bit. And then full throttle starts hitting hard and then we felt that we were going up again, so that's why I said maybe the guy is about to pull one of those almost mislandings and go back up.

"But it didn't happen, we just crashed back. So as I say - if we flipped, none of us would be here to talk about it."

Xu Da, a product manager from China, was sitting with his wife and teenage son near the back of the plane.

He stood up and saw a gaping hole through the back of the plane where its galley was torn away along with the tail.

Xu and his family escaped through the opening. Once on the tarmac, they watched the plane catch fire, and firefighters hose it down.

In the chaotic moments after the landing, Wen Zhang grabbed her four-year-old son, who hit the seat in front of him and broke his leg.

Spotting a hole at the back of the jumbo jet where the bathroom had been, she carried her boy to safety.

"I had no time to be scared," she said.

Eugene Rah said: "The seat I was sitting in, it has one more strap coming across my chest here in addition to the one that goes around the waist because It was a sleeper seat. If I did not have that, I would have hit the ceiling: that's how hard the impact was."

Fred Hayes filmed the crash from around a mile away "I was watching it come in and I did notice that nose being up in the air. My initial reaction was that it was trying to abort the landing and go back up," he told CNN.

"There was big boom and then it pitched forward and bounced off its nose."

One of the flight attendants described the chaos as she and her colleagues began their evacuation of more than 300 people.

Sky's Asia correspondent Mark Stone said Lee Yoon Hae told South Korean media that she first went to the cockpit to see if the pilots were alive. She then made three announcements telling the 291 passengers to remain calm and prepare to evacuate.

There were four pilots on the plane: two in the cockpit and two more reserve pilots in the main cabin. One of the reserve pilots opened the front door with an axe and ordered the evacuation.

Stone said Mrs Lee, 40, explained how one of her colleagues had a leg trapped. She helped to release her leg and at the same time tried to calm the passengers, some of whom were panicking.

Mrs Lee said that many of the passengers were confused and disorientated.

She shouted to the Chinese passengers to evacuate immediately. Many of them tried to take their hand baggage with them, but she said she was forced to order them not to.

Mrs Lee said several fires broke out within the cabin and she was not aware that the tail of the plane had broken off because the ceiling between her and the rear of the aircraft had collapsed.

She helped one badly injured female passenger to the emergency slide and then returned back into the aircraft to help others and was one of the last to leave the aircraft.

Mrs Lee, who has already been given 14 awards for her work at Asiana Airlines, broke her coccyx in the accident, but was unaware of her injuries until she arrived at the hospital.

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Royal Mail Privatisation Plans To Be Unveiled

By Poppy Trowbridge, Business and Economics Correspondent

The Business Secretary will announce plans for one of the biggest UK privatisations in decades when he makes a statement on the future of the Royal Mail later.

Vince Cable will tell the House of Commons how the Government plans to sell off the 375-year-old postal operator.

It wants to sell stock in the company to market investors, which could see the company valued at around £2.5bn.

Moya Greene, chief executive of Royal Mail, has held talks with scores of potential investors in recent months in an attempt to persuade them to back the plans.

Many Royal Mail staff will be offered free shares in the company

She faces opposition from unions and many employees, who fear privatisation will lead to a shake-up of services and cuts.

Steve Butts, a Royal Mail staff member for the past 32 years, told Sky News: "I think privatisation will only bring a race to the bottom for employees.

"Any private investor would always want to make money and the way they are going to do that is to drive down our terms and conditions."

Mr Cable's announcement comes after Sky News revealed many of the Royal Mail's 150,000 staff will receive free shares worth as much as £300m as part of the privatisation.

The share sale would raise hundreds of millions of pounds that experts say could help modernise the mail system in Britain.

Robert Hammond, director of post and market analysis at Consumer Focus, told Sky News: "I would hope that a privatised Royal Mail would be looking to expand on their products and services, and to make those services ready for 21st century consumers."

Mr Cable is expected to deliver his statement after Prime Minister's Questions.

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Osama Bin Laden 'Once Stopped For Speeding'

Osama bin Laden was stopped for speeding up to nine years before he was tracked down to a secret hideout in Pakistan, a new report has revealed.

The al Qaeda founder, who masterminded the 9/11 terror attacks, was travelling with two of his aides when they were pulled over by a policeman on their way home from a bazaar in Swat.

The wife of one of the men said her husband "very quickly settled the matter" and the group were allowed to drive on.

The revelation is made in a government report, which investigates how bin Laden - once one of the world's most wanted men - was able to live in Pakistan undetected.

Bin Laden lived in this compound in Abbottabad for several years

It found evidence of "culpable negligence and incompetence at almost all levels of government" and accused political, military and intelligence chiefs of a "sustained dereliction of duty".

The report, obtained by Al Jazeera, said bin Laden's Abbottabad hideout, with its high walls, barbed wire fence and isolated location, was "hardly normal".

"The extent of incompetence, to put it mildly, was astounding, if not unbelievable," it said.

Bin Laden was holed up in the complex for around six years, evading US troops as they waged their war on terror in Afghanistan.

The building was surrounded by high walls and barbed wire

He would wear a cowboy hat to avoid detection as he moved around the building and would eat apples and chocolate when he was feeling sluggish.

He was killed by US Navy Seals during a covert raid on the complex in May 2011.

The 336-page report, which is based on testimony from more than 200 witnesses, found Pakistani officials were not informed about the raid in advance.

They were allegedly kept in the dark amid fears bin Laden would be tipped off, although the report said there was nothing to suggest that current or former Pakistani officials helped him hide.

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Miliband Set To Reform Labour Ties To Unions

Ed Miliband is to end the system where individual trade unionists are automatically affiliated to the Labour Party

In the wake of the Falkirk ballot-rigging row, the Labour leader will use a speech later to set out what aides are calling the "biggest party reforms in a generation".

The changes are intended to strengthen the party's links with its individual members while diluting the influence of trade union bosses.

Labour sources insisted Mr Miliband had always intended to deliver party reform, although there was no attempt to deny the timing of the announcement was linked to events in Falkirk.

He will not set out a timetable for reform but instead is expected to announce the appointment of a "senior party figure" to work through the process of putting it into practice.

Labour sources said they did not believe that it would require a change in party rules, although they suggested they could "formalise" the new arrangements with a vote at party conference.

"We would like to work with the unions and local parties to bring it about. We want to do it in a co-operative way but there are other ways in which you can do it," one source said.

Under the proposals, the three million trade unionists currently affiliated to the party through the automatic payment of affiliation fees will in future decide as individuals whether they wish to do so.

In other measures, Mr Miliband will announce plans for Labour's next candidate for mayor of London to be picked through a system of US-style primaries - with the possibility they could be extended to the selection of parliamentary candidates where the local constituency party is weak.

There will also be spending caps in selection contests for Parliament and the European Parliament covering both would-be candidates and any organisation backing them.

Mr Miliband has been at loggerheads with the Unite union boss Len McLuskey

A new code of conduct will be drawn up for those seeking parliamentary selection, with the prospect of disqualification if they breach the rules.

Standard constituency agreements with the trade unions will be put in place to ensure no one involved in the selection process can be subjected to "undue local pressure".

In his address to the St Bride's Foundation in London, Mr Miliband will call for an end to "the politics of the machine" - typified by events in Falkirk where the Unite trade union is accused of trying to pack the constituency with its members to secure selection of its preferred parliamentary candidate.

"What we saw in Falkirk is part of the death-throes of old politics. It is a symbol of what is wrong with politics. I want to build a better Labour Party - and build a better politics for Britain," he is expected to say.

Officials acknowledged that ending automatic affiliation - which raises £8m a-year - would represent a financial "hit" for the party.

However, Mr Miliband will argue it will also provide the opportunity to get trade unionists to become active in the party, involving them directly in its campaigning.

"The problem is not that these ordinary working men and women dominate the Labour Party - the problem is that they are not members of local parties, they are not active in our campaigns," he is expected to say.

"Trade unions should have political funds for all kinds of campaigns and activities as they choose. But I do not want any individual to be paying money to the Labour Party in affiliation fees unless they have deliberately chosen to do so.

"So we need to set a new direction in our relationship with trade union members in which they choose to join Labour through the affiliation fee.

"I believe this idea has huge potential for our party and our politics. It could grow our membership from 200,000 to a far higher number, genuinely rooting us in the life of more people of our country."

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey indicated the union would oppose moves to end automatic affiliation.

Writing in The Guardian he said: "Switching to an 'opt-in' for the political levy wouldn't work - it would require Labour to unite with the Tories to change the law, would debilitate unions' ability to speak for our members and would further undermine unions' status as voluntary, and self-governing,organisations."

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Murray's Wimbledon Win 'Makes Britain Proud'

Murray Makes History At Wimbledon

Updated: 12:32am UK, Monday 08 July 2013

Andy Murray has become the first Briton in 77 years to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon, with a straight-sets victory over the world number one.

With the hopes of the nation resting on his shoulders, the Scotsman beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 on Centre Court in a battle lasting three hours and 10 minutes.

Murray had squandered three match points before winning the championship when the Serbian netted a backhand, sparking wild celebrations among the 15,000 people in the crowd.

The 26-year-old player, who held his trophy aloft and kissed it, said: "That was one of the toughest moments, today was unbelievably tough match.

"I don't know how I came through the final three points, I'm so glad to do it.

"I have played Novak many times and when everyone finishes playing, he will go down as one of the fighters.

"He did the same today and that is what made it tough.

"I understand how much everyone wanted to see British winner at Wimbledon and I hope everyone enjoyed it."

Murray expressed his delight on Twitter shortly after his win: "Can't believe what's just happened!!!!!!!"

World number two Murray broke down in tears as his triumph sank in and climbed into the players' box to hug his girlfriend Kim Sears, coach Ivan Lendl and the rest of his support team.

But he almost forgot his mother Judy, who was sitting just behind the box, before returning to embrace her too.

"I did forget Mum, but then I did remember," he added.

"My team have stuck by me through some tough moments. This one is for Ivan (Lendl, his coach) as well, I know he did everything to try to win this one when he was playing. He's fantastic, he's been patient and I thank him."

The win makes Murray the first Briton to take the Wimbledon men's singles title since Fred Perry in 1936.

His brother, Jamie Murray, won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title in 2007.

Andy Murray won his first grand slam at the US Open last year and was desperate to claim the SW19 title after losing to Roger Federer in an emotional final last year.

The thrilling match came on the hottest day of the year to date and saw temperatures reach 40C (104 Fahrenheit) in the sun on Centre Court, while the mercury hit 29C in the shade.

Thousands of people descended on the famous All-England club, including Prime Minister David Cameron, Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond, Victoria Beckham and Wayne Rooney, while millions tuned in to watch the action on television.

On Murray Mount, fans held union flags and Scottish Saltires as they squeezed on to the steep bank to watch the tense tie.

Mr Cameron led tributes to Murray, tweeting: "It was a privilege to watch @andy_murray making history at #Wimbledon, and making Britain proud."

Djokovic was gracious in defeat.

"Congratulations to Andy you absolutely deserved it, you played incredibly," the six-times grand slam champion said.

"I know what it means to you guys in the whole country so well done. It is a great achievement. I gave it my all and it was an honour to be in this match, in this final."   

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Andy Murray Wins Historic Wimbledon Title

Andy Murray has become the first Briton in 77 years to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon, with a straight-sets victory over the world number one.

With the hopes of the nation resting on his shoulders, the Scotsman beat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 on Centre Court in a battle lasting three hours and 10 minutes.

Murray had squandered three match points before winning the championship when the Serbian netted a backhand, sparking wild celebrations among the 15,000 people in the crowd.

The 26-year-old player, who held his trophy aloft and kissed it, said: "That was one of the toughest moments, today was unbelievably tough match.

"I don't know how I came through the final three points, I'm so glad to do it.

"I have played Novak many times and when everyone finishes playing, he will go down as one of the fighters.

The Queen and the Prime Minister led congratulations to Murray

"He did the same today and that is what made it tough.

"I understand how much everyone wanted to see British winner at Wimbledon and I hope everyone enjoyed it."

Murray expressed his delight on Twitter shortly after his win: "Can't believe what's just happened!!!!!!!"

Murray hugged his coach Ivan Lendl after his momentous victory

World number two Murray broke down in tears as his triumph sank in and climbed into the players' box to hug his girlfriend Kim Sears, coach Ivan Lendl and the rest of his support team.

But he almost forgot his mother Judy, who was sitting just behind the box, before returning to embrace her too.

"I did forget Mum, but then I did remember," he added.

"My team have stuck by me through some tough moments. This one is for Ivan (Lendl, his coach) as well, I know he did everything to try to win this one when he was playing. He's fantastic, he's been patient and I thank him."

Murray nearly forgot to hug his mum

The win makes Murray the first Briton to take the Wimbledon men's singles title since Fred Perry in 1936.

His brother, Jamie Murray, won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title in 2007.

Andy Murray won his first grand slam at the US Open last year and was desperate to claim the SW19 title after losing to Roger Federer in an emotional final last year.

After his win, Murray paid tribute to those who have spurred him on

The thrilling match came on the hottest day of the year to date and saw temperatures reach 40C (104 Fahrenheit) in the sun on Centre Court, while the mercury hit 29C in the shade.

Thousands of people descended on the famous All-England club, including Prime Minister David Cameron, Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond, Victoria Beckham and Wayne Rooney, while millions tuned in to watch the action on television.

On Murray Mount, fans held union flags and Scottish Saltires as they squeezed on to the steep bank to watch the tense tie.

Djokovic has won six grand slams, but today was not his day

Mr Cameron led tributes to Murray, tweeting: "It was a privilege to watch @andy_murray making history at #Wimbledon, and making Britain proud."

Djokovic was gracious in defeat.

"Congratulations to Andy you absolutely deserved it, you played incredibly," the six-times grand slam champion said.

"I know what it means to you guys in the whole country so well done. It is a great achievement. I gave it my all and it was an honour to be in this match, in this final."   

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boeing Plane Crash Lands In San Francisco

Two people have been killed and more than 150 others injured when a plane crash landed at San Francisco International Airport, according to the city fire department.

The Asiana Airlines flight, coming from Seoul, South Korea, was believed to be carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew members.

The San Francisco Fire Department, said 181 people have been taken to various hospitals - 49 of whom are in a serious condition. One passenger remains unaccounted for.

Terrorism had been ruled out as a cause of the accident, the FBI confirmed.

The debris of the aircraft's tail is seen on the runway after the crash

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane's tail section break off during the crash.

A fire started when the plane landed and passengers were forced to use emergency inflatable slides to escape the aircraft, witnesses added.

Parts of the plane's tail and the landing gear were strewn across the runway. TV footage showed the top of the fuselage had been burned away and one engine appeared to have broken off.

A plume of smoke rose from the plane after the crash landing

David Eun, believed to be a passenger on the aircraft, posted on Twitter: "I just crash landed at SFO. Tail ripped off. Most everyone seems fine. I'm ok. Surreal."

He added: "Fire and rescue people all over the place. They're evacuating the injured."

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown said the Boeing 777 was supposed to land on runway 28 left at San Francisco International Airport.

She said the sequence of events was still unclear, but it appeared the plane landed and then crashed.

The wreckage is visible next to one of the runways at the airport

Sky News Correspondent Tom Parmenter said: "There were large plumes of smoke coming from this plane.

"The tail seems to be the initial problem on landing, and then the fire seems to have started once the plane was on the runway.

"People have been pictured walking away from the wreckage."

Flights have been diverted to other airports, including Los Angeles.

Debbie Hersman, chairman of the Transport Safety Board, said: "Teams are going to be focused on operations, human performance, survival factors, the airport, airport operations and they are going to be focussing on the aircraft - the systems, the structures and the power plants.

"It's still too early for us to tell (what happened).

A statement from San Francisco General Hospital said 10 patients from the crash - eight adults and two children - were in a critical condition.

Asiana is a South Korean airline, second in size to the national carrier Korean Air. 

It has recently tried to expand its presence in the United States, and joined the oneWorld alliance, anchored by American Airlines and British Airways.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Abu Qatada Deported From UK To Jordan

Abu Qatada has left RAF Northolt in west London on a military plane as he is deported to Jordan to stand trial on terror charges.

It marks the end of an eight-year legal battle to remove the radical preacher, who the Government has described as a "truly dangerous individual" and a "key player" in al Qaeda-related terrorism.

Qatada used his human rights to make a series of costly challenges to moves to deport him to his native country.

The case became a national embarrassment, which critics of European human rights legislation claim has rendered UK politicians powerless to remove someone who they believed to be a clear threat to national security.

Today, Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Abu Qatada was deported today to his home country of Jordan to face terrorism charges.

The military plane with Qatada on board left RAF Northolt

"His departure marks the conclusion of efforts to remove him since 2001 and I believe this will be welcomed by the British public."

After spending a total of £1.7m on legal fees from the many court proceedings, the Home Office finally saw Qatada board a flight from RAF Northolt, in west London, in the early hours of this morning.

Mrs May added: "I am glad that this government's determination to see him on a plane has been vindicated and that we have at last achieved what previous governments, Parliament and the British public have long called for.

"This dangerous man has now been removed from our shores to face the courts in his own country.

"I am also clear that we need to make sense of our human rights laws and remove the many layers of appeals available to foreign nationals we want to deport. We are taking steps - including through the new Immigration Bill - to put this right."

It was a treaty signed between the UK and Jordan that finally secured Qatada's departure, giving him the assurances he needed to leave his taxpayer-funded home behind.

Theresa May believes his departure will be widely welcomed

The agreement, announced by Mrs May earlier this year, aimed to allay fears that evidence extracted through torture will be used against the father of five at a retrial.

In a shock decision, Qatada pledged in May to leave Britain - with his family in tow - if and when the treaty was fully ratified, a process that to the relief of many, concluded earlier this week.

After landing at an isolated airstrip near the Jordanian capital Amman, Qatada will be transferred to the maximum security Muwaqqar prison, which houses dozens of convicted terrorists.

It is understood that Qatada will be held in solitary confinement at the jail, until the Jordanian authorities can put him on trial.

Qatada originally fled the Middle East and arrived in the UK in 1993. He was granted asylum the following year.

Qatada was takeb from Belmarsh to RAF Northolt before his deportation

His increasingly radical sermons caught the attention of the security services in Britain and in numerous other countries.

A Spanish judge described him as the "spiritual head of the mujaheddin in Britain".

A number of people arrested on terrorism offences, including British born "shoe-bomber" Richard Reid, admitted seeking religious advice from him.

His sermons were found in the Hamburg flat used by a number of the 9/11 hijackers.

In 2001, on the eve of tough new British anti-terror laws allowing for the detention without trial of foreign terror suspects, Qatada went on the run, before later being arrested and held in Belmarsh prison.

10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More