Al Shabaab Video Threatens British Muslims

A number of British Muslim figures say they have been offered police protection after a video purportedly released by the al Shabaab militant group threatened them for criticising jihadists.

The video, posted online, was targeted at British Muslims who had spoken out following the murder of drummer Lee Rigby in May.

Political commentator Mohammed Ansar, told Sky News he was one of those named in the video and described feeling "sickened and numb".

"It's very difficult to look at a video like that which is inciting hatred and violence and terror on British streets.

"And you wonder firstly is this a new dimension, attacking British Muslims beyond overseas, beyond British soldiers which has been diabolical.

The British Muslims had criticised the murder of Lee Rigby in May

"And you think about your own safety and the safety of your own family."

Imam and broadcaster Ajmal Masroor wrote on his Facebook page that two police detectives arrived at his home on Wednesday night to warn he was "in imminent danger from the terrorists".

He wrote: "The police officers were visiting me to give me a warning and asking me to be more vigilant.

"As soon as they left my house I started digging further and found an al Shabaab video has been uploaded on the internet and in it they name me as a Muslim who is an enemy of Islam and should be eliminated."

Muslim commentator Mohammed Shafiq tweeted: "I was also visited by the police and told of threats made against me."

Al Shabaab was behind the Nairobi shopping mall attack which killed 67

Those named in the video have reportedly been visited by police officers who informed them that they had been identified in the hour-long video.

The Metropolitan Police said it was assessing the content of the video. A spokesman confirmed a number of individuals had been spoken to following the release of the video.

In the hour-long video, a man with a British accent wearing a black mask over his face, accuses British Muslims who spoke out after Mr Rigby's murder as having "mutilated the teachings of Islam".

Al Shabaab was formed to fight for a strict interpretation of Sharia law in Somalia but in recent years has broadened its aims to include international jihad operations.

Sixty-seven people were killed when the group's militants attacked the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 21.

Earlier this month, US special forces aborted a mission to capture one of the group's leaders - Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr - in Somalia after they came under heavy attack.

Al Shabaab is fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia and is banned as a terrorist group by the UK and US.

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Manchester Is 'The Winner Of Immigration'

By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent

Britain's cultural make-up can only benefit from immigration, according to academics who say history proves that migration is good for the country.

Language, the arts, fashion, architecture and food are just some of the areas that have been influenced by the scores of nationalities which have arrived in Britain in the last century, according to Dr James Hopkins from Manchester University.

In Manchester, where more than 200 languages are spoken, the cultural fabric of the city is changing constantly.

"We are the winners from immigration, there's no doubt about that," said Dr Hopkins.

"Immigration has built cities like Manchester and migrants have brought skills but much, much more.

"They have brought the foods they love and the types of clothes they wear and they have influenced what we all chose to do in our own lives."

Manchester's Chinatown

There is also evidence that the recent influx of migrants from eastern European nations like Poland and Slovakia is already changing musical tastes.

Matt Ward of Piccadilly Records said: "People are meeting new people all the time and to understand more about where they are from they are turning to the music of that country. This is bringing people together in the more amazing way."

But it is perhaps tastes in food, which have been shaped by traditions and ingredients commonly used overseas, that have changed the most.

The Barbakan Delicatessen

In the Barbakan Delicatessen, founded more than 40 years ago and now one of Britain's oldest delis, they sell 45 different types of bread and attract all types of nationalities.

Owner Stefan Najuch said: "The Poles aren't just eating polish food, the Italians aren't just eating in Italian restaurants - they're all eating across the board.

"This is all because of immigration, it's great and it's great for business."

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Slavery Fight To Stop Traffickers Steps Up

Slavery Victims' Nightmare Stories

Updated: 11:57pm UK, Thursday 17 October 2013

By Liz Lane, Sky News Reporter

The safe house in southern England, where up to half a dozen women live at any time, has seen many human trafficking victims walk through its door in the six years it has been operating.

But Victims' Minister Damian Green's visit this week was the first time a man has been allowed in. It is run by Hestia, via the Salvation Army, and is the only place the women feel truly safe.

Two of those living in the house (not their real names) tell their stories to Sky News:

Rita, 25, from Nigeria

Rita's trafficker spent several years grooming her as she worked selling food on the side of a road in Nigeria with her mother. He befriended the family and persuaded her parents he could get her a job in Europe as a waitress or nanny.

As soon as Rita arrived in Germany, her trafficker's manner changed. He told her she would have to work as a prostitute to pay back her travel costs, then made her have sex with another girl and filmed it. Rita was beaten if she resisted the men who paid to have sex with her.

Her ordeal continued when she and three other girls were brought to the UK on a boat. She was repeatedly raped at the house where she was held, and told she would be killed, as would her family, if she tried to escape.

Rita says she only found the courage to do so in April this year, with the help of another trafficking victim. They took their chance when their captors were out and those supposed to be guarding them began to inject drugs.

The two girls grabbed shoes and a coat and ran into the streets where in their panic they became separated. Rita was eventually helped to a police station, and taken to the safe house, which she now calls home. This week she has been been granted refugee status.

Jenny, 20, from Albania

Jenny, the eldest of three girls, comes from a very poor family in Albania. Her home life turned even more difficult when her mother started a relationship with an extremely violent man.

Over the course of a year, Jenny became friends with a young man who came regularly to buy vegetables from her. At the age of 17, when she felt that her two younger sisters were old enough to cope without her, she agreed to leave for Italy with him. The man, who she regarded as her boyfriend, promised her a new life.

Almost as soon as they crossed the border his attitude changed completely.

She was taken to a house, gang raped, and then kept against her will in a basement with other girls, and forced to work as a prostitute.

Two years later she was sold to a group of Romanian men who arranged to have her trafficked to the UK in the back of a lorry.

After days of travelling, and while the lorry was stationary, Jenny found a piece of metal and managed to rip through the side and escape. She shouted for help, and was taken to the nearest police station.

Since Jenny has lived in the safe house, she has been reunited with her two younger sisters.

In an incredible coincidence, they were living nearby, in the UK. They had escaped Albania after the middle sister, too, was sold into prostitution, this time by the stepfather.

The three are now living safely near each other in England, thousands of miles from what was their home.

:: Immigration UK: A week of special coverage on Sky from October 14 to 18 - watch on Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 82, Skynews.com and Sky News for iPad

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Fit-To-Work Benefits Test 'Unfit For Purpose'

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

More than 150,000 people have raised serious concerns about fit-for-work tests administered by a private healthcare company on behalf of the Government.

Figures obtained exclusively by Sky News show the charity Citizens Advice has been inundated by huge numbers of complaints about assessments carried out by Atos.

It warns that genuinely disabled and seriously ill people are being stripped of benefits following inadequate tests.

Meanwhile, doctors are warning that the service is "unfit for purpose".

Gillian Guy, the chief executive of Citizens Advice, warned: "Atos is failing to do its job properly, failing to give taxpayers value for money and worst of all, failing thousands of sick and disabled people who bear the brunt of wrong assessments."

It comes as a woman widowed just last week tells Sky News about how the decision that her husband was fit for work was not even overturned while he was dying from a rare and aggressive cancer.

The Coupes' local MP Dennis Skinner challenged the PM about the issue

Lyn Coupe's case was raised in Parliament this week by her local MP Dennis Skinner.

The 81-year-old Labour politician famed for his passionate performances in Parliament implored David Cameron to "abolish this cruel heartless monster called Atos, get rid of it".

The Prime Minister admitted that every MP had heard similar stories in their own constituencies.

Mrs Coupe, from Calow near Chesterfield, said she felt compelled to speak out even while organising her husband David's funeral.

He was assessed as able to work late last year despite ulcerated legs, back pain that left him in agony, diabetes and heart problems.

Lyn Coupe says she was shocked when her husband's benefits were cut

Mrs Coupe said the couple were forced to sacrifice food and heating to deal with the cut in benefits.

"We didn't have any heating on in the winter like other people would have had. We sat with coats on or blankets. I would go to bed at about 8am in the evening to try to get warm."

Food was also sacrificed, and the couple never went out.

The Coupes tried to launch an appeal but were told they would have to wait at least 10 months because of a backlog of cases.

Once Mr Coupe was diagnosed with terminal cancer that would kill him within months, his wife contacted Atos again but still the appeal was not brought forward.

David Coupe was deemed fit for work right up until his final days

Mr Coupe told her he wanted to survive long enough to see the decision overturned - but it was not to be.

Citizens Advice have also found that GPs are charging up to £130 to provide medical evidence for use in appeals.

Letters from health authorities, seen by Sky News, warn their GPs are not resourced to provide the services. One says that it understands the Atos system is viewed as "unfit for purpose" and says patients often complain of this, but says doctors can't help because they are under "huge and increasing" pressure each day.

Richard Hawkes, chief executive of the disability charity Scope, said: "The Government's fitness for work test is utterly broken."

He said most disabled people wanted to work but faced significant barriers such as a lack of skills, experience, confidence and even negative attitudes from employers.

"The Work Capability Assessment ignores all this. It's a tick-box test of someone's medical condition."

Atos insists it is only following Government guidelines

Those in Atos said they did not set policy but were simply carrying out the tests in line with Government guidelines.

They warned that the attack on them was scaring those facing the tests and creating hostility for medical staff employed to carry out the assessments.

They said all their doctors and nurses were fully trained and registered with their relevant professional body.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "Our sympathy goes out to the family of Mr Coupe during what is obviously a very difficult time.

"A decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken following a thorough assessment and after consideration of all the supporting medical evidence we are given.

"The previous Government appointed Atos. We have made significant improvements to the Work Capability Assessment and we are bringing on board additional providers to carry out assessments."

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Shutdown: Congress Passes Bill To Stop Default

America looks set to avoid a financial catastrophe after Congress voted to pass a bipartisan deal to end the fiscal impasse.

A last-minute agreement to avert a threatened US default and reopen the Government was reached on Wednesday.

After the details were finalised it was put to the US Senate and later the House of Representatives.

Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell struck a deal with Democrats

President Obama, speaking at the White House, said that he would sign the bill into law as soon as it reached his desk to get the Government running as soon as possible.

He said: "There's a lot of work ahead of us. We need to earn back the trust of the American people that's been lost over the past few weeks."

The deal was struck by Senate majority leader Harry Reid and GOP leaders Mitch McConnell, and calls for the Treasury to have authority to continue borrowing through February 7, and reopen the Government through January 15.

It means a fresh round of negotiations ahead of those dates, and Mr Obama said: "Hopefully next time (a deal) won't be in the 11th hour."

The agreement comes just a day before the deadline to raise the Government's $16.7tn (£10.5tn) borrowing limit. Had no deal been reached, the Government would have started to default on its planned payments.

Notably absent from the fresh agreement is a long-held Republican demand to defund aspects of President Obama's signature health care law.

The Senate deal makes only one modest change in the programme that requires individuals and families seeking subsidies to verify their incomes before qualifying.

Republican House speaker John Boehner said: "We fought the good fight, we just didn't win."

He gave a fist pump in front of photographers as he left late talks before the vote.

The agreement sent the stock market soaring on Wednesday, pushing the Standard & Poor's 500 index close to a record high.

Most traders had expected some sort of deal, given that a failure to reach a deal could have pushed the US into another recession.

Eric Wiegland, a senior portfolio manager, said: "Investors have become, unfortunately, accustomed to some of the dysfunction. It's become more the norm than the exception."

More follows...

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English Is Second Language In 240 Schools

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

There are 240 schools in England where over 90% of students speak English as a second language, according to official figures analysed by Sky News.

In the last academic year, Department of Education census figures reveal five primary schools in England had no native speakers, with 100% of their pupils speaking English as a second language.

Sky News has visited one of the five schools - the Sacred Heart Primary School in Tipton, West Midlands - which has since admitted three native speakers.

Staff at the primary school believe they have a winning formula for teaching children from a diverse community.

English is the second language for 95% of the school's 128 pupils - the vast majority of them with parents from Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Children are encouraged to speak in English in school

Sacred Heart Primary has recently won a regional award for its inclusive policy and standards of education.

Head teacher Melanie Gee told Sky News she takes a pragmatic approach: "Our school is really no different to any other. We have a curriculum and all the lessons are taught in English.

"We have got bilingual staff. Children in the very early days will probably communicate to the staff in nursery in their home language, but within a couple of weeks we find that they are communicating in English.

"The majority of our bilingual staff, if we use them, are actually to communicate more with the parents rather than with the children."

The school has children who speak Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, French, Polish and Tamil as well as English.

Helen Pflaumer, ethnic minority achievement leader at Sacred Heart, said they encourage the children to interact with staff in English the majority of the time.

"There may be an occasion where if they want to discuss something in more depth we can say use your home language if that's going to be easier for you.

"But obviously we tend to feed back in English largely because of the English speaking teachers. The children pick up English so quickly and they and the parents are very happy about that."

Occasionally, says Ms Gee, they need to bring in an interpreter which stretches the budget. But she maintains that it never compromises the running of the school.

 :: Immigration UK: A week of special coverage on Sky from October 14 to 18 - watch on Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 82, Skynews.com and Sky News for iPad

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Jimmy Savile Interview Transcripts Released

Details of Jimmy Savile's alleged sexual abuse have been made public for the first time after transcripts of an interview were published by Surrey Police.

The disgraced broadcaster was questioned by officers over accusations that he abused youngsters at Duncroft Children's home in Staines in Berkshire in the 1970s.

He denied forcing one girl to touch his groin until he was "aroused", making another perform oral sex and sticking his tongue down a young girl's throat.

The star then boasted to officers he had to brush off his accusers "like midges".

Savile told police he had done 'nothing wrong'

Savile, who died in 2011 aged 84, told officers he was "assaulted" by women when he worked for BBC Radio 1 and Top of the Pops, insisting he did not abuse the youngsters at the children's home.

Savile told police the only reason the allegations were surfacing years later was because his fame made him an easy target and claimed his alleged victims were making the accusations for money.

"My business there's women looking for a few quid, we always get something like this coming up for Christmas, because we want a few quid for Christmas right.

"And normally you can brush them away like midges and it's not much of a price to pay for the lifestyle."

Savile claimed his notoriety meant he had no need to "do anybody any harm".

"When you're doing Top of the Pops and Radio 1, what you don't do, is assault women, they assault you, that's for sure," he said.

"And you don't have to, because you've got plenty of girls about, and all that, so dealing with something like this, is out of the question and totally wrong, full stop."

The interview was held on October 1, 2009, at Stoke Mandeville Hospital by officers from Surrey Police when Savile was 83-years-old.

Over 400 people say Savile abused them, a report claims

Savile went on to brag to police who were conducting the interview that he was in charge at the hospital.

"I own this hospital, NHS runs it, I own it and that's not bad," he said.

Savile said he had already had five newspapers settle with him after he threatened to sue them and described himself as the "Litigiousness".

Another allegation involved Savile asking a girl for oral sex in return for a job as a nurse. He also denied kissing a third girl on the mouth.

During the interview, released under the Freedom of information Act, Savile rejected suggestions he was attracted to girls under 16.

Liz Dux, head of abuse at law firm Slater & Gordon, which is representing 72 alleged victims, said: "The interview shows Savile to be a man with complete disdain and contempt for those that he was purporting to help."

The interview emerged after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced more hospitals may be investigated as part of inquiries into abuse by Savile on NHS premises.

In January, a Metropolitan Police and NSPCC joint report revealed the extent of Savile's alleged crimes.

It said 450 people have come forward alleging sexual abuse at the hands of Savile, who has been described as one of Britain's most prolific paedophiles.

:: Read the interview transcript here

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England Secure Place At Brazil World Cup

England are through to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after beating Poland in a gripping final qualifier at Wembley.

England players take a lap of honour around the pitch after qualifying

Roy Hodgson's side needed three points from the match to secure top spot in Group H and avoid a play-off after Ukraine hammered San Marino 8-0.

There were tense moments before Wayne Rooney broke the deadlock just before half-time, heading in a cross from Leighton Baines. A goal from Steven Gerrard sealed the victory in the 88th minute.

Steven Gerrard celebrates after sealing England's victory

England manager Roy Hodgson said the result was a relief to him and assistant Ray Lewington.

He said: "That second goal took about ten years off both of us - and I need it more than Ray.

Wayne Rooney fires home just before halftime

"I have great satisfaction. This was a very tough group with a lot of tough games. Ukraine, Poland, Montenegro have all shown themselves to be very good opponents.

"I am delighted for the players. We played some sensational football in the first half and in the second, when the Poles had not so much to lose, we dug in, worked hard to control them."

The striker dives to the floor in delight after breaking the deadlock

On Twitter, Prime Minister David Cameron hailed the win, saying he was "proud" to see the side qualify.

Before the game, there was criticism after the Football Association (FA) doubled the normal allocation for away fans in response to security concerns prompted by a huge demand for tickets among Britain's large Polish community.

Some 18,000 Poland fans were at the game

Initially the Polish FA was given 8,000 tickets, but the FA sold another 10,000 to UK-based Poles, with an eventual crowd of 85,186 watching the game.

England join defending champions Spain, Germany, Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands in next year's World Cup, which starts in June.

James Milner battles with Slawomir Peszko and Grzegorz Krychowiak

Ukraine face a two-leg play-off against one of France, Greece, Portugal, Iceland, Romania, Sweden, Denmark or Croatia.

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Madeleine McCann: Police Appeal To Locals

Police investigating Madeleine McCann's disappearance have made a direct appeal for help to the residents of Praia Da Luz.

Residents of the Portugese town where three-year-old Madeleine went missing have become fed-up of the constant media attention.

But Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood urged locals to look at new e-fits and consider new evidence, and come forward if they can help.

Locals are fed-up with constant media attention

He said: "What I would say specifically is that this change of emphasis in terms of the timeline between 9pm and 10pm means we can genuinely ask the public in Praia Da Luz to go back over that time, and look at those efforts, and if you recognise someone in the local community please have the confidence to come forward to us."

Six local officers based in Faro have been appointed to liaise with British police.

The Metropolitan Police's Operation Grange has been reviewing the evidence gathered by both the Portuguese police, and private detectives, and has come to a conclusion which they say completely changes the timeline of what happened on May 3, 2007.

Two e-fits of a suspect police wish to speak to

A man thought to be a key suspect in the abduction of Madeleine has been identified and ruled out of the inquiry.

Four new e-fits of people police wish to speak to in connection with Madeleine's apparent abduction have now been released.

They are based on witness accounts of men seen in the area, some of whom may have been working as "charity collectors" who may or may not be genuine.

The fresh police appeal comes as a BBC Crimewatch programme aired featuring a detailed reconstruction of the McCann's visit to the resort, as part of the family's latest appeal for help.

Her parents Gerry and Kate McCann appeared live in the studio and said they were "feeling hopeful and optimistic".

"These cases can get solved and that's what the public need to think about tonight," said Gerry McCann.

This suspect has now been ruled out by police

"We don't know what's happened to Madeleine, we don't know who's taken her. The best chance of finding her is by identifying (the person who took her)."

Kate McCann said: "It doesn't matter how much heartache we put ourselves through as long as we get the result that we need."

She appealed to viewers to have "the courage and confidence to come forward", adding they could hold the key to "unlock" the case.

:: Sky News will show a special investigation tonight at 8.30pm on Sky Channel 501, Virgin Media 602 and Freeview 82.

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Madeleine McCann: Key Sighting Ruled Out

By Ian Woods, Senior Correspondent

A man thought to be a key suspect in the abduction of three year old Madeleine McCann has been identified - and ruled out of the inquiry.

For six years detectives believed that a sighting of a man carrying a child close to her apartment was one of their best leads.

But a review of the evidence has concluded that it was an innocent British holidaymaker carrying his daughter home from a creche.

It means the inquiry has now switched its focus to a second sighting later that evening - and police have already received more than 100 new calls as a result.

The developments were revealed as part of a televised appeal and reconstruction on BBC Crimewatch.

Two e-fits of the new suspect have been made public

Her parents Gerry and Kate McCann appeared live in the studio and said they were "feeling hopeful and optimistic".

"These cases can get solved and that's what the public need to think about tonight," said Gerry McCann.

"We don't know what's happened to Madeleine, we don't know who's taken her. The best chance of finding her is by identifying (the person who took her)."

Kate McCann said: "It doesn't matter how much heartache we put ourselves through as long as we get the result that we need."

She appealed to viewers to have "the courage and confidence to come forward", adding they could hold the key to "unlock" the case.

The Metropolitan Police's Operation Grange has been reviewing the evidence gathered by both the Portuguese police, and private detectives, and has come to a conclusion which they say completely changes the timeline of what happened on May 3, 2007. 

Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann had been dining at a restaurant in the Algarve tourist resort of Praia Da Luz.

They'd been taking it in turns with a group of friends to check on their children who were asleep in nearby apartments.

During one of these checks at around 9.15pm one of the friends, Jane Tanner, saw a man walking along the street carrying a child in his arms.

She thought nothing of it, but within an hour Mrs McCann checked the bedroom where Madeleine and her younger twin brother and sister had been sleeping, and discovered that the little girl had gone.

The McCanns have never given up hope of finding their daughter alive

Although the Portuguese police did not publicise the sighting and instead made the parents suspects in the case, once their investigation closed the McCanns arranged for a sketch to be drawn showing the man Miss Tanner had seen.

Ever since it has been central to how people have viewed the case.

But Scotland Yard detectives reviewed the evidence and realised that around a dozen holidaymakers had been using a free creche at the Mark Warner resort, and they would have collected their sleeping children during the evening.

One of those parents was contacted by police and he agreed that he may be the man, and he had been wrongly identified as a possible suspect.

He agreed to pose for a photograph so his build could be compared to the sketch.

That, together with evidence that his two-year-old daughter was wearing similar pyjamas as the sketch, has convinced the man leading the inquiry that this sighting is wrong.

Jane Tanner, a friend of Gerry and Kate McCann

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood told Sky News: "As you can see from the images we've put forward, both from what the man was probably wearing, and the actual physical location he was in, and the description of the child he was carrying, it is highly compelling.

"We believe in a convincing way that this is not Madeleine's abductor."

That information means that it seems likely that Madeleine was taken from the apartment slightly later than first thought.

And police have refocused their attention on a second witness statement which had been considered of less importance.

An Irish family on holiday in Praia Da Luz had told investigators that they saw a man carrying a child at around 10pm.

Their sighting was closer to the town centre on Rua Da Escola Primeria.

A 2007 sketch of a suspect based on Miss Tanner's sighting - now ruled out

Two e-fits of the man which the witnesses helped create have now been made public. But the evidence is not new.

The e-fits were made in 2008 by private detectives working for the McCanns, but were not made public because they seemed less relevant than the 9.15pm sighting by Jane Tanner.

When asked how convinced he is that the second sighting is of Madeleine, DCI Redwood said: "The timing and location speak for themselves."

But he also realised that this too could be an entirely innocent man and appealed for help from the public in identifying him.

He said: "If this is you, and you are nothing to do with Madeleine's disappearance, then we really need to speak to you.

E-fits of men the police want to speak to in connection with the case

"It's so important for us to eliminate innocent sightings.

"But equally if anybody is looking at those e-fits and recognises the person, for whatever reason, then please have the courage to call in and tell us."

The Metropolitan Police team refuse to be critical of the previous inquiry in an effort to foster good relations with Portuguese police.

Six local officers based in Faro have been appointed to liaise with British police. But DCI Redwood hopes that ultimately the Portuguese investigation will be reopened.

He told Sky News: "Reopening the inquiry is a matter wholly for the Portuguese and we completely respect and acknowledge the differences in our system.

"But of course our aspiration is to have the case reopened so we can work together with our Portuguese colleagues jointly so we can establish what happened to Madeleine McCann."

The e-fits are based on witness accounts of men seen in the area

DCI Redwood is also hoping to get more information about men seen in the vicinity of the McCanns' apartment on several occasions in the week she disappeared.

When asked whether he believed the family were being watched, he said: "The physical evidence demonstrates to us that there are people, unexplained people, possibly doing just that.

"By the way the witnesses have described them ... lurking around in the very close proximity from where Madeleine was taken."

British police have also revealed that there was an upsurge in the number of burglaries in the resort in the weeks leading up to May 2007.

Exactly a year earlier there was also an incident in which a child raised the alarm after seeing an intruder in their holiday apartment.

The police are looking at whether these incidents could be related.

And they have also released e-fits of men described as "charity collectors" who had been going door-to-door" and may or may not be genuine.

Officers think there is a possibility they could have been checking apartments ahead of a possible break-in.

The police probe has switched to a second sighting

British officers are well aware that many residents of the Portuguese town have become fed up with the constant media attention.

But he made this direct appeal to them: "What I would say specifically is that this change of emphasis in terms of the timeline between 9pm and 10pm means we can genuinely ask the public in Praia Da Luz to go back over that time, and look at those efforts, and if you recognise someone in the local community please have the confidence to come forward to us."

The new appeal formed part of the BBC Crimewatch programme which featured a detailed reconstruction of the McCann's visit to the resort.

The last photographs of Madeleine which have been iconic because of their repeated use in appeals over the years, were brought to life by recreating the moments they were taken - Madeleine holding tennis balls, and sitting at the side of a swimming pool.

There was also previously unseen family video of Madeleine.

:: Sky News will show a special investigation tonight at 8.30pm on Sky Channel 501, Virgin Media 602 and Freeview 82

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Lampedusa: One Victim Was Heading To The UK

At least one of the victims of the Lampedusa boat tragedy earlier this month was heading to Britain, Sky News has learned.

Habtom Andemichael, an Eritrean who has lived in the UK for six years and works in a Leeds factory, said his brother Kidane, 23, called to say he was on board the doomed ship as it left Libya.

When he later heard that the ship had sank off the coast of the Italian island on October 3, killing 359 passengers, he flew to Lampedusa where he identified his body.

Body bags containing African immigrants

He said his brother - a married father of one - paid a "large amount" of money for the trip as part of his attempt to reach the UK.

Meanwhile two families in London also say they had relatives on board who have not contacted them since the boat sank.

They are on their way to the island to identify the bodies.

Pictures of the recovered bodies are pinned up on noticeboards in a local police station, and families now have the harrowing task of viewing them to see if their loved ones are among them.

The coastguard worked through the night to rescue the survivors

Capsized boats have become commonplace in southern Europe, with 25,000 refugees drowned in the Mediterranean in the last 20 years, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

Of these, 2,000 died in 2011 and 1,700 last year.

Lampedusa, 70 miles (110km) off Tunisia and closer to Africa than the Italian mainland, has seen successive waves of illegal immigration.

Migrants who arrive in Lampedusa are processed in centres, screened for asylum and often sent back home.

On Friday, at least 34 people drowned in Maltese waters south of Lampedusa when a boat packed with hundreds of Syrian and Palestinians capsized.

:: Immigration UK: A week of special coverage on Sky from October 14 to 18 - watch on Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 82, Skynews.com and Sky News for iPad

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Madeleine McCann Suspect's E-Fit Released

Detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are asking for the public's help to identify a man in an appeal they say is of "vital importance".

Two e-fit images, believed to be of the same man, which will feature in the BBC Crimewatch episode tonight, have been drawn up based on statements and descriptions from two different witnesses who saw this man in the Praia da Luz town area.

The sightings are from the evening of Thursday May 3, 2007 - the night that Madeleine went missing.

The e-fit images are believed to be of the same man

Work by detectives has given them a far greater understanding of the times when the abduction could have taken place and this has made the statements from the two witnesses far more significant, Scotland Yard said.

One of the main priorities for the investigation is being able to identify the man who is being described, police added.

The witnesses have described the man in the e-fit as being white, aged between 20-40 years old, with short brown hair, of medium build, medium height and clean shaven.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, the senior investigating officer, said that while this is far from being the only line of inquiry, it is of "vital importance".

"Whilst this man may or may not be the key to unlocking this investigation, tracing and speaking to him is of vital importance to us," he said.

"We have witnesses placing him in the resort area around the time of Madeleine's disappearance.

"This is far from our only line of inquiry and there will be e-fits released of other sightings as well, who we are equally keen to trace. These people were seen on the day of Madeleine's disappearance and the days leading up to it."

He added that detectives have been able to "make massive steps forward" by drawing together all the material gathered to date and reviewing it as a whole.

A TV reconstruction will be aired tonight

"We continue to put Madeleine at the heart of our investigation and I would urge people to watch Crimewatch tonight and if you can help identify this man or have any information about our new appeal points please contact us.

"Praia da Luz is a popular holiday destination for many nationalities so our requests for help need to be repeated in many different countries. I will be travelling to Holland, Germany and Ireland to seek the support of the public there.

"If you were in and around the Praia da Luz resort on Thursday 3 May, 2007, but you have not yet spoken to police, and you think you may have information, please pass it on.

"I would also like to ask for the help of the local community in Praia da Luz. Portugal is a key country for us to trace any outstanding witnesses and our appeals will be repeated there.

"We still have a lot of material to investigate and much work to do. Your information could be the vital piece we need to finally answer what happened to Madeleine."

Detectives have taken 'massive steps forward'

In a clip from tonight's Crimewatch, released by Scotland Yard, Kate McCann says: "We're not the ones that has done something wrong here.

"It's the person who's gone into that apartment and taken a little girl away from her family."

Scotland Yard detectives, who have interviewed 442 people as part of their review-turned-investigation, hope to track down as many people present in the Portuguese town at the time.

Since launching its own investigation, 41 people of interest have been identified by the Met Police, including 15 UK nationals.

Detectives have issued 31 international letters of request to mostly European countries in relation to some of the persons of interest as well as accessing phone records.

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Madeleine McCann: Key Details 'Were Wrong'

British detectives working on the Madeleine McCann investigation have revealed that key details in the timeline that led to her disappearance were wrong.

The revised details will be documented in a new Crimewatch appeal on the case to be broadcast on Monday.

Speaking ahead of the BBC programme, senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "The timeline we have now established has given new significance to sightings and movements of people in and around Praia da Luz at the time of Madeleine's disappearance.

"Our work to date has significantly changed the timeline and the accepted version of events that has been in the public domain to date.

"It has allowed us to work with Crimewatch to build the most detailed reconstruction as yet, and highlight very specific appeal points.

"I hope that when the public see our investigative strands drawn together within the overall context of that appeal, it will bring in new information that moves our investigation forward."

The timeline of Madeleine's disappearance has 'significantly changed'

The full reconstruction of the events six years ago when Madeleine went missing starts with a scene of Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry playing tennis.

Madeleine, dressed in pink shorts, T-shirt and hat, then runs across the court, holding a batch of tennis balls.

In another clip, the McCanns are asked how often they think of their daughter, who went missing when she was three years old on May 3, 2007 from a holiday apartment as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant with friends.

Mr McCann says: "When it's a special occasion, when you should be your happiest and Madeleine's not there, that's when it really hits home. Obviously, Madeleine's birthday goes without saying."

Mrs McCann adds: "It's when you have big family occasions really. That's it isn't it? 'Family occasion' and you haven't got your complete family."

During the programme, DCI Redwood discusses how the police have approached the inquiry.

Gerry and Kate McCann tell Crimewatch their anguish is undiminished

He says: "Primarily what we sought to do from the beginning is try and draw everything back to zero if you like. Try and take everything back to the beginning and re-analyse and reassess everything, accepting nothing."

He adds: "The careful and critical analysis of the timeline has been absolutely key.

"Primarily, we're focused on the area between 8.30pm and 10pm. We know at 8.30 that was the time Mr and Mrs McCann went down to the tapas area for their dinner and we know that around at 10pm that was when Mrs McCann found that Madeleine was missing."

A number of e-fits are also to be shown in the appeal in a bid to "identify the men and eliminate innocent sightings".

Scotland Yard detectives, who have interviewed 442 people as part of their review-turned-investigation, hope to track down as many people present in the Portuguese town at the time.

Since launching its own investigation, 41 people of interest have been identified by the Met Police, including 15 UK nationals.

Madeleine seen on the day before she went missing in May 2007

Detectives have issued 31 international letters of request to mostly European countries in relation to some of the persons of interest as well as accessing phone records.

A large but "manageable" list of phone numbers identified as being present in Praia da Luz - though not necessarily used to make phone calls - has been drawn up by detectives with a "significant" number unattributed to any named person.

British detectives launched a fresh investigation in July this year - two years into a review of the case.

The Met Police now has a team of six Portuguese detectives based in Faro who are carrying out inquiries on its behalf.

The Portuguese investigation is officially closed but authorities there are backing the Scotland Yard inquiry and officers from both countries are working together in pursuing new leads.

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Cyclone Phailin Slams Into India's East Coast

A powerful cyclone has ripped through India's east coast, killing at least five people and forcing more than half a million into shelters.

Cyclone Phailin, with winds up to 130mph, made landfall on Saturday night near the town of Golpalpur in Orissa state and is moving inland.

The storm, covering an area larger than France, lost some of its strength before hitting the coast, but it remains India's strongest since a typhoon killed 10,000 people in the same region 14 years ago.

Four people were killed by falling trees, while another died when the walls of her home collapsed.

Officials said the storm has already caused cause large-scale power and communications outages and shut down road and rail links.

A satellite image of the cyclone

The evacuation of around 450,000 people in Orissa and 100,000 in Andhra Pradesh state is one of the biggest exercises in the country's history.

Many people have fled low-lying villages for shelters, but others have refused to leave their homes.

"My son had to stay back with his wife because of the cattle and belongings ... I don't know if they are safe," said 70-year-old Kaushalya Jena, who has taken refuge in a makeshift shelter.

In Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa, government workers and volunteers have been putting together hundreds of thousands of food packages for relief camps.

The state's top official, chief minister Naveen Patnaik, said: "I request everyone to not panic. Please assist the government. Everyone from the village to the state headquarters have been put on alert."

Floods have already ripped down power lines

The army's National Disaster Response Force said 1,700 of its troops have been sent to both states.

"As soon as the fury of the cyclone abates our boys will start their work," said the force's director general Krishna Chaudhary.

"The teams have medical first responders (for first aid), heavy cutting equipment, life-saving equipment that responds to breathing and even to warmth. In the case of cyclones there is a likelihood of collapsed buildings."

While the full extent of the damage cannot yet be measured, India's meteorological department said the cyclone posed a danger to a 95-miles stretch of coastline.

Forecasters have likened its size and intensity to Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the US Gulf coast and New Orleans in 2005.

Dr Liz Bentley from the Royal Meteorological Society told Sky News: "This particular part of the coastline is very low-lying so it (Phailin) will penetrate quite well in land.

"It is like a mini-tsunami hitting that - not caused in the same way as a tsunami but it's the same effect."

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