Rotherham By-Election: Labour Secures Victory

Labour has held onto Rotherham in a parliamentary by-election which saw a surge towards the UK Independence Party and disastrous results for both coalition parties.

The Conservatives finished fifth behind not only UKIP but also the British National Party and Respect, while Tory candidate Simon Wilson only held onto his deposit by a whisker.

Liberal Democrat Michael Beckett came eighth and lost his deposit, trailing behind the English Democrats and an independent.

Labour's Sarah Champion won comfortably with 9,866 votes, a majority of 5,218 (24.46%) over UKIP.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Denis MacShane

The party's majority in a seat it has held since 1933 was marginally down on the 27.9% it recorded in the 2010 general election.

The Rotherham by-election was one of three staged in Labour-held seats on Thursday.

Labour's Andy McDonald held the seat of Middlesbrough with a large majority of 8,211, while the party also kept the Croydon North constituency.

The Rotherham poll was forced by the resignation of Denis MacShane in the wake of a report condemning him for abusing parliamentary expenses.

Labour described Ms Champion as a "clean break" candidate following the scandal surrounding Mr MacShane, and she becomes the first ever woman MP for the seat.

After the result was announced, Ms Champion urged the Government to "get Rotherham back to work".

"I've never stood for election before but when I see the damage David Cameron is doing to Rotherham I cannot stand and watch," she said.

She said she was not a career politician and will serve "not for what I can get out of it but what I can put into it".

On a turnout of 21,330 (33.63%), UKIP recorded its best ever by-election result with 4,648 votes (21.79%).

Jubilant UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "Our previous best ever by-election result a fortnight ago was 14.3% and this one is comfortably over 20%. Whichever way you look at it, UKIP is on the rise."

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Leveson: Cameron Faces Political Fallout

David Cameron is facing one of the toughest challenges of his premiership as he wrestles with the political fallout triggered by Lord Justice Leveson's proposals to reform the press.

The Prime Minister is on a collision course with his coalition partners, the opposition and victims of press intrusion after indicating he will spike recommendations for a new independent regulatory body, backed by legislation.

On Thursday, Lord Justice Leveson condemned the "culture of reckless and outrageous journalism" that dominated sections of the press for decades as he unveiled the findings of his 16-month inquiry.

The Appeal Court judge called for a new watchdog with statutory underpinning to be given the power to require prominent apologies and impose fines of as much as £1m.

Lord Justice Leveson unveiled his proposals for press reform on Thursday

Mr Cameron immediately voiced "serious concerns and misgivings" about legislative action, and said the press should be given "a limited period of time" to show it could get its house in order.

But Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said he believed Leveson's model could be "proportionate and workable" and insisted Parliament should push ahead "without delay".

Most of Friday's newspapers focused on Mr Cameron's opposition to the key recommendation.

The Guardian said he had "defied" press victims, while the Daily Mirror said he had "backed a free press".

Labour leader Ed Miliband said the proposals should be quickly implemented

The Times said the Prime Minister had "spiked" proposals for a press law, and the Financial Times said he now had a political fight on his hands.

Labour leader Ed Miliband urged MPs to "have faith" in Leveson and said he would move for a vote in the Commons by the end of January to approve Leveson's proposals in principle, with the aim of getting the new system in place by 2015.

The three party leaders held talks last night and the negotiations will reconvene "soon". But the prospect of the consensus Mr Cameron says he wants to achieve appeared distant with Labour party sources insisting they will not negotiate on whether the recommendations go ahead - only how to implement them.

Labour claimed a concession after the PM said he would ask the Department of Culture to do some work on a draft bill to implement Leveson, but Downing Street insisted Mr Cameron had not "given an inch" and expected the exercise to make clear how complicated and far-reaching any new law would be.

All three parties will continue to look at the fine detail of the 2,400-page report today.

Lord Justice Leveson's 16-month inquiry was prompted by the disclosure that News Of The World  journalists hacked the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, and his verdict condemned the behaviour of elements within the newspaper industry.

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Julian Assange 'Has Chronic Lung Problems'

The WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is apparently suffering from a chronic lung condition after spending months inside a single-room office at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

The country's ambassador to the UK, Ana Alban, has said she will appeal to the Home Office for Mr Assange - who has been inside Ecuador's embassy since June - to be granted safe passage to medical care.

He was given political asylum by Ecuador after unsuccessfully attempting to halt extradition from Britain to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning on sexual assault charges concerning two women.

However, he faces arrest if he steps outside the embassy building and Foreign Secretary William Hague has insisted the Government will not allow him safe passage out of Britain.

Mr Assange who denies the allegations, fears he will eventually be sent to the US to face questions over his whistle-blowing website.

Ms Alban has told an Ecuadorian government newspaper that Mr Assange needs constant medical attention at his refuge.

She said that Ecuador is covering treatment costs but is concerned his condition could deteriorate over the winter with his limited access to fresh air and sunlight.

Mr Assange gained notoriety after publishing a catalogue of sensitive documents, US diplomatic cables and military files from the US and Afghan wars online.

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Leveson To Publish Report Into Press Ethics

Leveson Inquiry: The Options For Reform

Updated: 1:35am UK, Thursday 29 November 2012

Lord Justice Leveson's recommendations could radically change the way media organisations operate in the UK.

He has said he wants an independent body that could provide redress and a swift mechanism to resolve privacy and libel cases.

Those who complain of press harassment want a system that tackles invasions of privacy, inaccuracies and the culture that resulted in the phone hacking scandal.

But journalists and editors warn that freedom of expression will be threatened if a regulator with wide-ranging powers is set up.

Here are some of the options.

:: A "PCC-plus"

Lord Justice Leveson could call for a beefed-up Press Complaints Commission (PCC), with extra powers and resources to carry out inquiries and hand out punishments.

The general consensus is that the PCC's code of practice is a good foundation but many want it to have more power, amid criticism it has been "toothless".

Lord Black, chairman of the funding body for the PCC, has recommended a new body with the power to launch investigations and levy fines of up to £1m.

Current PCC chairman Lord Hunt of Wirral proposed turning the body into a true regulator of newspapers, with separate arms for dealing with complaints and enforcing standards.

A possible third arm could have the powers to mediate in disputes with newspapers and award compensation.

:: A PCC replacement combining self-regulation with a statutory framework

Lord Justice Leveson has stressed that he does not believe in the "binary" distinction between statutory regulation and self-regulation.

It has been suggested that a law should be passed forcing newspapers to sign up to the PCC or its successor.

Comments by the chairman during the hearings indicate he might be leaning towards the creation of an independent regulator backed by statutory powers.

These could include the ability to impose fines and insist on the prominence of corrections in papers, and a requirement to offer a "right to reply" to contentious articles.

:: Full statutory regulation

Some witnesses suggested the press should be subject to a much stricter regime, in the same way broadcasters are subject to watchdog Ofcom.

Ofcom has wide-ranging powers to investigate and penalise breaches of its detailed code - which includes strict clauses on impartiality and privacy - in TV and radio programmes.

Guardian journalists Nick Davies and David Leigh said they felt some newspapers are not capable of regulating themselves but statutory regulation was widely rejected as an option, especially by editors.

Lord Black, chairman of the Press Standards Board of Finance, suggested any form of statutory intervention would struggle to cope with the pace of change.

There is also the question of cost. Ofcom carries out many other roles, but its 2011/12 budget of £115.8m dwarfs the £2m annual bill for the PCC.

Lord Justice Leveson has repeatedly stressed that he does not support the licensing of journalists or newspapers by the state, and this option looks unlikely.

:: An arbitration service outside the court system

Media groups repeatedly complained about the huge cost of defending libel claims brought in the civil courts, and the chilling effect this has on serious journalism in the public interest.

Editors say "no-win, no-fee" arrangements mean they face potentially ruinous legal costs if they fight an action and lose.

On the other hand, the cost of bringing a claim can be too great for ordinary people, rendering them helpless.

Lord Justice Leveson has spoken of the merits of "a speedier, effective and sensible mechanism for all to use and for all to take the advantage of".

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet suggested a successor to the PCC could offer a mediation service dealing with libel and privacy.

Nick Davies called for the formation of an independent panel to give journalists and members of the public confidential advice on whether a story is in the public interest.

Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger argued for a Press Standards and Mediations Commission with an adjudication wing, so people would not have to go to the law to address any differences with newspapers.

:: A newspaper industry ombudsman

Press regulation could be split between the PCC, dealing with day-to-day complaints, and an ombudsman with wider powers to investigate and punish.

Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre argued for a new self-regulatory body, standing alongside the PCC, to deal with standards.

He suggested the ombudsman, perhaps a retired judge or civil servant advised by former newspaper editors, could launch his or her own inquiry into potential scandals, summon journalists and editors to give evidence, and impose fines in the most serious cases.

Lord Justice Leveson is said to have looked to Ireland's press watchdog as a possible two-tier model for a new system.

The Press Council of Ireland and the Press Ombudsman were set up as a two-pronged approach to media regulation in 2008, as an alternative to costly court battles.

The Press Ombudsman deals free-of-charge with complaints from the public, considers whether they are valid, then acts to resolve them through conciliation.

Where conciliation is not possible, the ombudsman makes a decision based on the Code of Practice for Newspapers and Magazines.

He has the option of referring "significant or complex complaints" directly to the 13-member strong Press Council, drawn from the public and the media industry, for decision.

:: A new privacy law

Britain already has statutes protecting privacy through its adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights, article 8 of which covers the "right to respect for private and family life".

But critics argue this has been left open to interpretation by judges, who have in recent years tended to side with celebrities whose personal peccadilloes have been aired in newspapers.

Some witnesses called for the UK to adopt a strong law protecting personal privacy as in France.

:: A "prior notification" law

Former Formula 1 chief Max Mosley has campaigned for a law requiring newspapers to notify the subjects of damaging articles before publication since he was the subject of a News Of The World expose.

Lord Justice Leveson has expressed an interest in whether journalists contact people and organisations before running negative stories about them.

But the European Court of Human Rights has already rejected Mr Mosley's proposal, which would have major implications for freedom of expression, and there appears to be no prospect of it being introduced.

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Flooding Hits Welsh City As Woman Found Dead

Emergency services have been evacuating residents after 500 people were urged to leave their homes in North Wales as a river burst past flood defences.

In the small city of St Asaph, the River Elwy reached a record high of 14ft 3in (4.35m), making it more than 3ft (1m) deeper than its previous record of 11ft 4in (3.47m) in November 2009.

Residents say they do not remember the area flooding so badly since the 1960s. Some have used canoes to salvage as many possessions as they could carry.

Police have said the body of an elderly woman was recovered from a flooded property in the city, though there are no suspicious circumstances and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

Residents have been evacuated in St Asaph

Since last Wednesday, around 900 people in England and Wales have fled their water-logged homes after heavy rain left many properties uninhabitable and also caused road and rail chaos.

The torrential downpours spread overnight from the South West to North Wales and northern England, with the Environment Agency issuing about 170 flood warnings and 190 flood alerts across the UK.

There are also two severe flood warnings - meaning a potential danger to life - for the River Elwy in St Asaph and at the A55 to Rhuddlan.

Tina Bailey and her family are rescued in Maisemore, Gloucestershire

Resident Vincent Jones was asked to leave his home in the early hours of the morning. He said: "I had a knock at 12.30am to say there was an imminent flood, and then at 4.30am we were told to leave.

"When I left, within an hour the water had engulfed us. I put some personal possessions upstairs and made sure we took the children to safety. My sister-in-law on the other side of St Asaph has taken the kids in.

"I'm absolutely devastated. I don't have insurance. It doesn't bear thinking about at the minute. My kids are safe, we'll just have to plod on and sort it out one way or another."

Rising groundwater levels are also threatening to leave homes in Winterbourne Abbas, Dorset, under water.

On the roads, there was disruption for thousands of drivers, while train services were subject to hold-ups in the West Country. The North East also experienced rail problems, with buses having to replace trains on some routes.

The continued flood risk comes after claims hundreds of thousands of homes may be left without flood cover due to a row between ministers and the insurance industry over how future flooding bills would be covered.

Hotel owner Charlie Ryan and his dog leave their home in St Asaph

Up to 200,000 high-risk properties are at risk of being priced out of affordable cover when a deal struck in 2000 between the then Labour government and insurers ends next summer.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) had claimed that talks about a "safety net" deal to ensure those in flood-risk areas can continue to afford their policies were at "crisis point".

The Government has been in discussions for two years but as yet an agreement has not been reached.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I'm sure we will do a deal. We need to take a tough approach frankly and it's important insurance companies do what they are meant to, which is provide insurance to households and we are going to make sure that happens."

Mr Cameron was speaking after he met householders in the village of Buckfastleigh, Devon, which was struck by flash flooding at the weekend.

He said: "It is obviously very traumatic when communities are hit by flooding like this but what I found are people are incredibly steadfast and have behaved incredibly bravely at handling the flood and now we need to help them with the recovery.

"We have to make sure their insurance pays out, make sure the Environment Agency puts in place good flood defences, make sure there are better warning schemes."

PM David Cameron visited an operations centre in Gloucestershire

Graeme Trudgill from the British Insurance Brokers' Association said the solution could lie in insurers themselves being insured.

"We're looking at a re-insurance solution to provide insurance for the insurance companies. We're confident that next year there will be some broker solutions in place."

Flood levels are continuing to rise in the worst hit areas across the UK despite the forecast of drier spells.

Sky's weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "After the recent wet spell, it's much drier now and in fact there'll be little rain over the next few days.

"The weather may have improved, but there'll be an on-going risk of flooding as the recent rain works its way through the river systems.

"Large slow responding rivers like the Thames, Trent and Severn have yet to peak in some places, but they should over the next 48 hours."

A resident collects her belongings in Willington, central England

Robinson added: "High ground water levels will be an issue in places too, particularly in Dorset. The next few days look mostly dry, apart from some coastal showers, but it'll turn much colder with an increasing risk of ice due to overnight frosts."

Across the UK, three people have died in the flooding and around 900 homes have been evacuated following a weekend of almost non-stop rain.

There is still a risk of flooding, as the heavy rain in northern England and Wales moves southwards. But the wind and rain are expected to ease over the next few days which are expected to be drier, with freezing temperatures taking hold of the UK instead.

The EA remains particularly concerned about the River Thames, Trent and the Severn, as well as the Northamptonshire area.

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Alcohol: Ministers To Propose Minimum Pricing

By Thomas Moore, Health Correspondent

Cut-price alcohol deals could be banned in a new attempt by the Government to curb binge drinking.

The Home Office is expected to outline plans including a new minimum price for alcohol and an end to bulk-buy discounts.

It will launch a public consultation on the minimum price, thought to range from 40p to 50p per unit of alcohol.

At a unit price of 50p, the cheapest bottle of wine would rise in cost from around £3 to just under £5.

But Emily Robinson of Alcohol Concern said the "pocket-money prices" charged for booze have a long-term cost for the nation's health.

"Young people say it is cheaper to get drunk than go to the cinema," she said.

"So this is a measure that will target that group of people. It won't affect moderate drinkers much at all.

"And this is already costing us money. As taxpayers we are paying for the high costs in terms of policing, admissions to A&E and councils that have to clear up the mess."

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have studied the effect of setting a minimum price.

David Cameron is thought to support a minimum price policy of 40p a unit

Charging at least 50p a unit would reduce the number of crimes by 42,500 in the first year.

After 10 years the policy would have prevented 15,000 deaths and 481,000 hospital admissions.

And it would save £9.7bn in its first decade, the research shows.

But the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said there was no "real world" evidence that minimum pricing would work.

Spokesman Miles Beale said the measure was unfair.

"Minimum pricing is not targeted at all," he said. "The vast majority of us are responsible drinkers but it will apply to us nonetheless.

"If a minimum price of 50p was introduced then 74% of products on supermarket shelves would go up in price."

However, one of the 'big four' supermarkets has come out in support of minimum pricing.

Morrisons Finance Director Richard Pennycook told Jeff Randall Live: "The Government is doing something that everybody who sells alcohol has to comply with.

"That means we're all in the same boat and if they've taken the view that this is an important fiscal measure, one which is related to consumer health, then we are very supportive of it."

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Weather: Northern England Hit By Flooding

The heavy rain that has brought misery to thousands has spread from the South West to North Wales and Northern England.

There are almost 200 flood warnings in place across England and Wales and nearly 300 less serious flood alerts following a weekend of almost non-stop pouring rain that left at least 800 homes swamped with water.

There are also two flood alerts are in place in Scotland - in the Scottish borders and Edinburgh and Lothians.

A soldier carries a sandbag in Catterick, North Yorkshire

Parts of South West England were particularly badly hit, now people in the North and North Wales are struggling to keeps floods at bay as an inch of rain fell across parts of Cumbria, Durham and North Yorkshire on Monday.

A further 25 to 35mm is expected over north-east England overnight.

Sky's weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "North Wales will be another area that will see rainfall amounts really adding up, with 60mm possible by tomorrow morning.

Residents load sandbags onto a trolley elsewhere in the town

"Tuesday will turn drier at last, as the rain eases south across England and Wales during the morning."

In North Yorkshire, residents of Richmondshire have been offered emergency sandbags to protect their homes from floodwater.

On the outskirts of Darlington, County Durham, the River Skerne was reported to have burst its banks, while pumps were being used to keep parts of the A66 open in the area.

A man rows through a car park in Keynsham, Somerset

Days of rain and strong winds have left three people dead, forced hundreds from their homes and brought chaos to the roads.

A 21-year-old woman was killed in Western Way, Exeter, after becoming trapped under a fallen tree which injured two others.

Inspector Andrew Webber of Devon and Cornwall Police told Sky News that the dead woman had been living in a small tent sheltered against a wall at the roadside.

A homeless woman died after being crushed by a tree in Exeter

"It was a very large oak tree that had been there for ... many years. Obviously we've had lots of heavy weather, it's been raining an awful lot, and the tree for whatever reason came down."

Her death follows that of a man on Thursday, who died when his car became wedged under a bridge near a ford in Rectory Fields, Chew Stoke, Somerset.

A 50-year-old man, named as Kevin Wilkinson, also died after falling into a canal in Watford on Saturday.

The man pulled from his car by David Dunn

Thousands of motorists have had to be rescued from water-logged roads over the past few days.

The dramatic moment that David Dunn rescued a pensioner from his car was caught on camera.

The elderly man had driven into deep flood water in Keynsham, Somerset, on Sunday, and his vehicle began floating down a swollen river.

Mr Dunn and his son Cameron drove their vehicle into the water and pulled him through the car's window. The pensioner was wet and shaken but otherwise unhurt.

A car is partially submerged in standing water in Ruishton, Somerset

Northamptonshire Police said another pensioner had to rescued from his car after becoming trapped in flood waters under a railway bridge.

He was spotted by a passer-by who told police that the water was level with his sun visor.

A police spokesman said officers found the car and rescued the man, who received medical treatment and was later arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

Homes are left flooded on Cheats Road in Ruishton

Some reports have suggested that homeowners in flood-prone areas are at risk of losing insurance cover unless the Government steps in to help the industry.

But Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has derided reports that the Government was struggling to secure a new deal with flood insurers for vulnerable homes as "complete nonsense".

Both the RAC and AA breakdown services reported surges in flood-related call-outs as roads and highways across the country have been closed due to perilous standing water.

Hay bales stand in flood water in fields surrounding the Glastonbury Tor

But that has not deterred many motorists from taking their chances.

In Warwickshire three people became stranded on the roof of a four-wheel drive after deciding to go off-road driving.

Police issued a post on Twitter to say the men had been shouting abuse at those who tried to come to their aid. They were eventually rescued by boat.

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Eurozone And IMF Reach Greece Debt Deal

Eurozone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund have reached an agreement on Greek debt, which paves the way for the release of much-needed loans.

After nearly 10 hours of talks, it was agreed that the country's public debt should fall to 124% of GDP in 2020 through a package of extra debt cutting measures.

The deal emerged in Brussels after a meeting of finance ministers from the 17 eurozone countries, the European Central Bank and the IMF on how to make Greek debt sustainable - their third meeting on the issue in as many weeks.

"It's going very slow, but we have financing and a Debt Sustainability Analysis. We've filled the financing gap until the end of programme in 2014," one official said, adding that talks on the details of the debt cutting measures with the IMF were still ongoing.

The deal is a breakthrough towards releasing the next tranche of loans to Greece after its 31.2bn (£25bn) aid package was suspended in the summer over concerns it was not meeting the conditions of its bailout programme.

The Greek finance minister Yannis Stournaras said earlier that Athens had fulfilled its part of the deal by enacting tough austerity measures and economic reforms, and it was now up to the lenders to do their part.

The IMF has said Greece's debt as a proportion of GDP must be cut to around 120% by 2020, from a forecast 190% next year, for it to be manageable in the long term.

It was not immediately clear how the debt would be reduced from its currently forecast level of 144% in 2020 to the target, but it is expected to involve a series of measures including the lowering of interest rate on loans to Greece.

Last week Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras criticised the failure to deliver bailout funds to Athens after 12 hours of emergency talks among the eurozone finance ministers and representatives of the troika of lenders had ended without agreement.

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Floods: Drivers Warned Against 'Risking Lives'

Rescue services have told drivers to stop motoring into flood waters as strong winds and heavy rains bring chaos to the country's roads.

Emergency crews said that motorists must remember that while their vehicles may be four-wheel drives, they are not "amphibious".

According to the West Midlands Ambulance Service there has been a surprisingly high number of call-outs to 4x4 vehicles as people try to find short cuts away from flooded roads across country.

In Warwickshire three people became stranded on the roof of a four-wheel drive after deciding to go off-road driving.

Police issued a post on Twitter to say the men had been shouting abuse at those who tried to come to their aid. They were eventually rescued by boat.

A car becomes completely submerged after attempting to cross a ford

Nathan Hudson, of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "People who attempt to pass through flooded roads are not only putting their own lives at risk, but also the lives of the emergency services staff who have to rescue them. 

"A little bit of common sense from the public will ensure that no one's life is put in any unnecessary danger.

There are 100 road restrictions in place across the country and the AA said it had attended more than 10,000 breakdowns by 7.45pm, 613 of which were cars that had driven into flood water.

David Burness, the AA's head of special operations said the calls were coming in at a rate of 1,000 an hour.

"It's a cumulative thing as the ground is so saturated now and river levels so high that any additional rainfall causes widespread problems," he said.

"With further heavy rain and high winds this afternoon and tomorrow, people in the affected areas really need to think twice before travelling - it really is bad out there and it's just not worth the risk."

Homes flooded on Cheats Road in the Somerset village of Ruishton

Meanwhile, police in Devon were forced to put up barriers for crowd control and warn the public to stay away after scores of people turned out to watch as the embankment of the Grand Western Canal collapsed.

The Environment Agency has one severe weather warning, which means danger to life, in place in the South West. There are 223 flood warnings in place across the country, and 273 less serious flood alerts.

David Cameron said the scenes from across the country were "shocking" and pledged that all flood victims would get the help they needed.

In a tweet he wrote: "Shocking scenes of flooding in Cornwall and around the country. Govt will help ensure everything is being done to help."

More than 800 homes across the country have been flooded with the South West and the Midlands bearing the brunt of the bad weather. Nearly 71,000 properties have been told they could be at risk, according to the Environment Agency.

A submerged car outside homes in Malmesbury

In Lostwithiel residents piled sandbags at their doors as they feared the River Fowey would burst its banks overnight. Sky News' Charlotte Lomas said that the Cornish town was bracing for more heavy rain.

"It won't take much to increase river levels again and yet again there will be another danger of heavy flooding here," she said.

Jo Wheeler, Sky News Weather Presenter, said: "The heaviest rain has now moved north, and there'll be a period of some hours before further wet weather is likely.

"Meanwhile, the storm system has taken the wettest weather into central, eastern and northern parts of England."

"And the strongest winds are to the south and east of the system, with gale force gusts for eastern England, East Anglia and the south-east.  These blustery conditions will also abate as the low pressure system clears away into the North Sea."

A homeless women in Exeter died after being crushed by a tree

In Exeter, a 21-year-old homeless woman was killed on Saturday night when the shelter in which she was sleeping was hit by a falling tree.

Inspector Andrew Webber of Devon and Cornwall Police told Sky News that the dead woman had been living in a small tent sheltered against a wall at the roadside.

"It was a very large oak tree that had been there for ... many years. Obviously we've had lots of heavy weather, it's been raining an awful lot, and the tree for whatever reason came down."

In Cambridgeshire, a 70-year-old man died after his car plunged into a river near Earith on Saturday night, however, the police said it was not a weather-related accident.

Flood waters in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, reached 3ft in places and firefighters worked to rescue people from their flooded homes.

Network Rail said trains were likely to be suspended between Exeter and Bristol until Monday. Landslips at Honiton and Dawlish have led to the cancellation of a number of train services.

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'Austerity Era Could Last Up To Eight Years'

A key financial target of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement next week may have to be abandoned, according to a leading think tank.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said that the target that debt should be falling in the 2015-16 tax year may be too difficult to achieve.

The IFS added that George Osborne may even be forced to announce yet more spending cuts or tax increases for the next Parliament in order to meet his other fiscal targets.

Mr Osborne will reveal his Autumn Statement on December 5. It is expected to provide an update on the Government's plans for the economy based on the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

The latest OBR forecasts will be published alongside the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.

According to independent forecasters, the OBR will take into account a weaker outlook for the UK economy and concern over tax revenues during the last seven months.

The issue of corporation tax has become a hot political issue in the last two weeks after it emerged major US multinationals such as Google, Amazon and Starbucks greatly restrict their tax liability through complex offshore structures.

The angry backlash was prompted by the revelation that Starbucks has only paid £8.6m UK corporation tax in the past 13 years, on sales of £3.1bn.

The IFS said that if the trend for borrowing so far this year persists for the remainder of the year, public debt borrowing in 2012-13 would total £133bn.

The era of austerity could run for eight more years, according to the IFS

Excluding the one-off impact of the transfer of assets from the Royal Mail Pension Plan, the borrowing figure would be £13bn higher than forecast by the OBR.

This would mean that underlying borrowing rose between 2011-12 and 2012-13 rather than fell as the Chancellor had intended.

This £13bn overshoot in borrowing arises from an estimated shortfall in receipts of £17bn, offset partially by a £4bn underspend by Whitehall departments.

IFS deputy director Carl Emmerson, said: "Since the budget, the outlook for the UK economy has deteriorated and Government receipts have disappointed by even more than this year's weak growth would normally suggest.

"If much of the additional weakness this year feeds into a permanently higher outlook for borrowing, the planned era of austerity could run for eight years - from 2010/11 to 2017/18."

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber reacted angrily to the IFS prediction. "This analysis shows that the Chancellor's economic strategy is failing on all counts," he said.

"The UK should be on the road to recovery by now. Instead we could be set for a prolonged period of debilitating austerity well beyond the next election.

"The Chancellor should use his Autumn Statement next week to change course. Sadly he looks set to drive the economy even faster in the wrong direction."

IFS researchers will present their analysis at a briefing the following day, Thursday 6 December.

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PM 'Open-Minded' On Leveson's Media Report

David Cameron is said to be keeping an "open mind" about the future regulation of the press and will make no decisions before he has seen Lord Justice Leveson's much-anticipated report.

Downing Street has rejected any suggestion that the Prime Minister has already decided to rule out full-blown state regulation following reports he is heading for a showdown with Lord Leveson when he delivers his report into the findings about the British press.

The Mail On Sunday claimed Mr Cameron would back a new, tougher model of self-regulation to replace the Press Complaints Commission - but with the threat that a statutory system could be brought in later if matters do not improve.

The Leveson report is supposed to be shrouded in secrecy until its publication on Thursday.

Mr Cameron and some other senior Government figures will have access to it on Wednesday so that he can make a substantive response when it is released.

"The Prime Minister is open-minded about Lord Justice Leveson's report and will read it in full before he makes any decision about what to do," a spokesman said.

Victims of press intrusion are calling for an independent regulator, backed up by law, while editors fear that statutory regulation could serve only to limit press freedom.

The Prime Minister himself gave evidence to the inquiry

Mr Cameron set up the inquiry in July last year in response to revelations that the News Of The World (NOTW) commissioned a private detective to hack murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone after she disappeared in 2002.

This Thursday's report follows the first part of the Leveson Inquiry looking at the culture, practices and ethics of the press, and will include recommendations for press regulation.

Members of campaign group Hacked Off, including victims of press intrusion, want an independent regulator - possibly backed up by law to ensure newspapers comply.

Hacked Off director Professor Brian Cathcart said they wanted "something effective that will make a difference" - probably backed by law to give it the necessary "clout" - but said if the chairman found a way of doing that without law, they would be happy as long as it was effective.

Lord Justice Leveson's report will be published on Thursday

But Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society Of Editors, called for "proportionality", saying he hoped Lord Justice Leveson had not only taken the "headline evidence" into account.

"Some of the points that came out were absolutely dreadful and nobody is trying to hide away from the fact that there were some pieces of behaviour in some parts of the press that were quite appalling," he said.

"But it's got to be seen in context - we want to see some proportionality."

Former Crimewatch presenter Jacqui Hames, who was placed under NOTW surveillance along with her husband, said victims wanted to "draw a line under all this".

"We want to be able to trust our journalists again and pick up our newspapers and be confident that what we're reading is accurate and it hasn't been obtained illegally or at the detriment of somebody's life," she said.

"We have a fantastic historical tradition of newspapers and journalism in this country and I would love to see that restored.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to look to the future so that in 50 years' time people will look back and see this as a pivotal moment and a restoration of faith in our free press."

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Wild Weather: Falling Tree Kills One In Devon

A woman has been killed by a falling tree in Exeter, Devon, after authorities warned of "serious threats to life and property" from flooding in southwest England.

The 21-year-old woman was trapped by the fallen tree about 11:50pm on Saturday night near the junction of Western Way and Barnfield Road in Exeter.

Police said the tree fell across a wall and onto the roadway, injuring three people.

Two injured men were treated at the scene, while the woman was taken to hospital, where she later died.

Inspector Andrea Webber of Devon and Cornwall Police told Sky News that the deceased woman had been living in a small tent sheltered against a wall at the roadside.

"It was a very large oak tree that had been there for ... many years. Obviously we've had lots of heavy weather, it's been raining an awful lot, and the tree for whatever reason came down," she said.

"It's taken a wall with it when it came down, and then on top of that the tent was underneath and the tree has fallen on to the tent.

"There are two males involved with minor injuries and obviously a poor lady of 21 who received fatal injuries at the time."

Rising floodwaters in Millbrook, Cornwall (Pic: Matt Skinner)

The Environment Agency had earlier warned of "serious threats to life and property" across regions of southwest England.

Severe flood warnings have been issued for Helston, Polperro, and Perranporth, and for the River Fowey from Trekeivesteps to Lostwithiel.

At Polperro, south Cornwall, the level of the River Pol has been recorded at 0.26 metres. The typical level is between 0.00 metres and 0.25 metres.

Special "rest centres" have been set up in the worst-hit villages, allowing families to shelter overnight as floodwater surges through the rural West Country.

Emergency services and rescue crews have met council bosses in an effort to spread the message about the danger to life and property, following nearly four days of rainfall.

Across the region, roads were closed for safety reasons and others were impassable as rain saturated highways, and debris blocked lanes.

Devon and Cornwall Police have warned people not to go to flood affected areas, adding that the worst of the rain appeared to be moving away from Cornwall towards Devon.

Sergeant Gary Watts tweeted: "Severe means risk to life. Please pay heed!"

Floodwaters surge through Penzance, Cornwall

"Flash flooding can take you by surprise and kill. If you have to be out don't take risks."

Cornwall Council announced on Twitter that the river had burst its banks at Ladock, and warned local residents to take precautions.

Severe warnings are also in place at Bolingey Stream from Bolingey to Perranporth, and at the River Cober, in Helston.

Emergency teams have been working to shore up defences, deploy temporary barriers, monitor river levels, clear blockages from watercourses and pump-out flood water from towns.

The rest of Britain is also bracing itself for more flooding and travel disruption, with forecasters predicting further heavy downpours.

A deep area of low pressure has moved in, bringing more heavy rain to areas already badly hit by Thursday's downpours.

Sky weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "England and Wales could see 15 to 25mm quite widely, with up to 60mm possible in some spots.

"Between 6am and 6pm today 47mm of rain had already fallen at St Mary's (Isles of Scilly), 28mm at Culdrose and Plymouth and 17mm at Exeter and Bournemouth.

Flooding in Newlyn, Cornwall (Pic: Adam Gibbard)

"We can expect 30 to 40mm of rain quite widely across south Wales and the West Country by tomorrow morning, with up to 60mm locally, particularly across Devon and Cornwall. 

"Elsewhere across England and Wales there will be up to 25mm of rain, with lower amounts across Scotland, but local flooding remains a risk there after such a wet week.

"Gusts up to 70mph are expected for coastal areas of south-east England overnight, with inland gusts of 60mph. There is also the potential for some damage, particularly as the ground is saturated.

"It will be very windy across other southern areas, but the south-east is likely to see the strongest winds."

Network Rail said trains were likely to be suspended between Exeter and Bristol until Monday.

The latest downpours came after the majority of the UK was battered by storms on Thursday, leaving hundreds of drivers stranded and thousands of homes without power.

More than 100 people had to be evacuated as winds reached more than 86mph.

An elderly man also died after becoming trapped in his 4x4 in floods in Chew Stoke in Somerset.

Three other people had a lucky escape after their car was swept down a swollen river in Warwickshire.

The vehicle was carried more than 500 metres before a farmer managed to pull it to the water's edge.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Two elderly females and one male were treated for shock and hypothermia by ambulance crews."

In Torquay, Devon, several homes were evacuated after a landslide. Part of a cliff face was hit by a landslip after netting was washed away.

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Floods: Man Dies As More Rain Expected

Britain is bracing itself for more flooding this weekend as forecasters predict further heavy downpours.

An elderly man died after becoming trapped in his 4x4 in floods after large parts of the UK were hit by strong winds and heavy rain.

There has been a respite in the weather, but the wet conditions are expected to return with gale force winds in parts.

Flood warnings and flood alerts are in place for rivers.

The areas most affected by the heavy downpours were Wales and southwest England.

But the majority of the UK was hit by the storms as they were pushed eastwards throughout Thursday, causing flash flooding. Much of the rain fell on already saturated ground.

The 4x4 became wedged underneath a bridge

Hundreds of drivers were stranded, thousands of homes were without power and more than 100 people were evacuated as winds reached more than 86mph.

The unnamed man who died after becoming trapped in his car in floodwater is believed to have been visiting a relative when his 4x4 was swept away crossing a ford.

The Mitsubishi Shogun was completely submerged, wedged under a small wooden bridge at Rectory Fields, in Chew Stoke, Somerset, at 8.50pm on Wednesday.

Fire crews, police and search and rescue teams attended the scene and found the victim who was pronounced dead on the way to hospital.

The man died in his car in Chew Stoke, Somerset

The vehicle was winched from the stream by a forklift truck and lifted onto a truck before being taken away.

Chew Stoke resident David Smith, 76, said it was the second time in 24 hours in which a 4x4 had got into trouble crossing the ford.

:: See the latest weather forecast

Mr Smith said: "About 24 hours ago, a Land Rover came past here and I flagged him down and told him he ought not to try and cross the ford, but he did and he was swept away in the middle of the ford.

Homes in Torquay were evacuated after a landslide: (Pic: Ellacombe Police)

"Fortunately, his vehicle was caught by one of the bollards on the road and he was able to climb out of the window on to the roof."

In Torquay, Devon, several homes were evacuated after a landslide. Part of a cliff face was hit by a landslip after netting was washed away.

Amid the wet and windy weather, thousands of commuters also suffered disruptions, with many train services in the South West and connections to London Paddington either cancelled or delayed.

Sky's weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "There's some respite in the weather today, but it's been a windy and wet week, with local flooding.

"A deep area of low pressure is set to move in over the weekend, bringing yet more heavy rain to areas already badly hit. England and Wales could see 15 to 25mm quite widely, with up to 50mm possible in some spots."

South and west Wales and the West Country will be worst affected, she said.

"The wind will strengthen over the weekend too, with gales or perhaps even severe gales possible Saturday night and Sunday morning," she said.

Driving conditions have been treacherous

"There's still some uncertainty about where the strongest winds will be, but it looks like southern counties of England will bear the brunt, with exposed parts seeing gusts up to 70mph."

The Met Office said some areas saw up to 60mm of rain on Thursday.

Thousands of households in the South West and hundreds in Wales have been left without power after high winds brought down power lines.

The AA said the last few days have been some of its busiest for flood-related call-outs, with many roads impassable.

The RSPCA said it had received more than 140 calls about animals affected by flood water. In Barrow Upon Soar, Leicestershire, four horses which were unable to feed were rescued from a submerged field.

:: Send us your flooding photos and videos.

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Dallas Star Larry Hagman Dies

Larry Hagman, who starred in the hit TV series Dallas as the scheming oil baron J R Ewing, has died.

His family said in a statement that the 81-year-old died of complications from his battle with cancer, the Dallas Morning News reported.

He passed away in a hospital in Dallas, his family added.

He had suffered from liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver in the 1990s after decades of drinking.

Dallas, which made its premiere on the CBS network in 1978, made Hagman a superstar.

The show quickly became one of the network's top-rated programmes, built an international following and inspired a spin-off, imitators and a revival in 2012.

The popularity of Dallas made Hagman one of the best-paid actors in television and earned him a fortune. He lost some of it, however, in bad oil investments before turning to real estate.

More to follow...

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Social Care Report: 'One In Four' Services Failing

Vulnerable people are at risk of receiving "poor or unsafe care" as pressures on care services take their toll, according to a new report.

The ageing population and the rising tide of patients who suffer from complex or multiple illnesses mean that some care providers are struggling to provide "person centred" care, according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Pressure on the care system is having an impact on the respect that patients are receiving in some areas, according to the State of Care report.

The report, based on evidence found from 13,000 CQC inspections, found that one in ten NHS hospitals did not meet basic respect and dignity standards.

And at 15% of 2,500 nursing homes there was a lack of respectful care. Inspectors noted that 20% of 1,362 nursing homes and residential care homes and 15% of 258 NHS hospitals failed to ensure that the people in their care were given the food and drink they need or helped them to eat or drink.

The CQC also raised concerns about staff numbers. It found that 16% of 250 NHS hospitals did not have adequate staffing levels and a quarter of nursing homes failed to meet the CQC staff standards.

Increased pressure on care providers is leading to slip-ups in basic care practices such as record keeping and medicine management, the CQC said.

Overall, one in four services failed at least one of the 16 key standards.

More than one in five NHS hospitals failed to meet standards in medicine management and 22% had poor record keeping, inspectors found.

Jeremy Hunt said a 'rasing of standards' was necessary

The CQC, which regulates health and social care in England, said that when it witnessed poor care, there were three main underpinning factors - a care culture in which the "unacceptable care becomes the norm", an attitude to care that is "task-based", not person-centred, and providers who try to manage with high vacancy rates or poorly deployed staff.

David Behan, chief executive of the CQC, said: "Our report highlights concerns we have that pressures on some services are leading to problems in the quality of care, keeping people safe, treating people with dignity and respect, and involving people in decisions about their own care.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "While there is much to praise about the NHS and social care today we still need to do much more to raise standards of care across the board.

"I've made it absolutely clear that quality of care needs to be valued as highly as the quality of treatment. And that there can be no hiding place for those providing poor care or sub-standard practice."

He said that the Department of Health plans to measure patients' hospital experiences, adding: "By shining a light on those organisations which have problems, we will be able to drive up standards so that everyone gets the quality of care they should expect.

"Where there are problems we expect the CQC and other regulators to take swift action."

Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive at the Mental Health Foundation, said the report highlights that vulnerable patients are facing "unnecessary and unacceptable risks", adding: "Unless action is taken further scandals will be inevitable."

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, added: "At the heart of this report are a number of serious issues: unsafe discharges from hospitals to care homes, the exploitation of vulnerable residents and the fear that many have of raising concerns.

"The basics of good care, such as dignity, compassion and respect, cannot be delivered in a conveyor belt approach which is task orientated or lacking in empathy and human care."

NHS Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar said: "It is extremely worrying that some organisations are still not getting the basics right every time.

"In every part of the health service, we must make it a priority to get the cornerstones of good care right every time, including providing the right food and drink, treating people with dignity and respect, and co-ordinating arrangements to support people when they are ready to leave hospital."

The report also states that there is a growing demand for nursing care within social care settings.

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said: "This supports what our members have long been telling us about a growing demand for nursing care in the face of reduced staff numbers and a dilution of skills.

"The report echoes the RCN's warnings that not enough hospitals, nursing and care homes are adequately staffed and, when coupled with the wrong mix of skills, is having a real effect on patient care.

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Flooding: Weather Warnings As Britain Mops Up

The UK was mopping up today after widespread flooding forced many people to evacuate their homes.

Forecasters predict more wet weather over the weekend, with dozens of flood warnings still in place. They expect today to be calmer, with some sunny spells.

There are likely to be gale force winds in many parts of the UK overnight on Saturday into Sunday, forecasters said. 

The Met Office says the winds could damage buildings and uproot trees.

Thousands of people were left without power and scores evacuated from their homes after heavy rain battered Britain on Thursday.

Up to 60mm (5ins) of rain fell in some areas as winds gusted up to 70mph, leaving vast swathes of the country under water.

People trying to escape the rising waters were forced to abandon their cars and the AA reported that 900 incidents were being reported every hour.

Around 2,000 homes in the South West and 500 in Wales were without power, as Western Power battled to restore electricity.

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "The threat of flooding looks to remain into the weekend, with potentially stormy conditions across England, Wales and Ireland on Saturday night.

"The threat of yet more heavy rain falling on already saturated ground is not good news and will only increase the risk of flooding."

The South West, Midlands and west of England again bore the brunt of the bad weather yesterday.

The Environment Agency issued scores of flood warnings - where flooding is expected - most of them in the South West and the Midlands.

John Curtin, head of incident management at the Environment Agency, said they had sent out teams to check on flood defences and monitor river levels.

Darron Burness, the AA's head of special operations, said: "Drivers really need to be careful and be prepared for sudden road closures."

He said that some drivers ploughed into flood waters "oblivious to the risks" and warned that this could wreck a car's engine.

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Cameron To Insist On Austerity In EU Budget

David Cameron travels to Brussels later insisting that austerity being enforced around Europe is reflected in the EU's budget.

He will join leaders from all 27 countries at a special summit to set the European Union's spending limits from 2014 to 2020.

It is a complex and deeply divisive process, with the UK balking at the European Commission's opening gambit - to increase the overall spending ceiling to a maximum €1,091,000,000,000.

This was flatly rejected by Britain and nearly all the net contributors to the European Union.

The European Council, which represents the interest of the member states, chimed in with its own plan, which represents a real-terms 2% cut from the spending ceiling approved for the current seven-year period.

But the proposal, penned by the Council President Herman van Rompuy, would reduce Britain's rebate and only contains a 1% reduction under so-called "Heading 4", which details the EU's spending on administration costs.

Mr Cameron, and other leaders, believe Brussels should accept some symbolic reductions in red tape and make deeper cuts to the legions of Eurocrats who work in the EU institutions.

The British Prime Minister believes Mr van Rompuy's proposals are moving in the right direction, but he needs to go further.

He has also insisted that the UK's £3bn a year rebate, which was negotiated to compensate Britain for money disbursed to other nations, is not up for discussion.

He told MPs yesterday he would be "fighting incredibly hard" to get the best deal for the UK, but he could use the veto to protect British interests.

The budget has to be agreed by all 27 members and by a majority in the European Parliament.

Other countries also have reservations with the proposals on the table: France and Ireland want to protect agricultural payments to their farmers, Italy is unhappy that other countries' rebates due to expire in 2013 might be renewed while Denmark wants to negotiate its own rebate.

Earlier this month Mr Cameron was blindsided by a Tory rebellion calling for a budget cut, not just a freeze. He may yet face their wrath.

The budget being discussed is about setting an absolute limit on EU spending, but the money spent is always considerably less.

So while the British Prime Minister might be able to claim a victory in securing a freeze in total EU spending limits, UK taxpayers may still have to fork out more cash to Brussels.

If no agreement is reached, more summits will be held in the new year.

If there are still problems, the annual budget will roll over with an extra 2% added to take account of inflation.

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Gaza: Israel And Hamas Ceasefire Under Way

A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has come into effect after eight days of violence that has left more than 140 Palestinians and five Israelis dead.

Egyptian foreign minister Mohamed Kamel Amr announced the breakthrough at a news conference in Cairo. The truce began at 7pm (UK time).

There was a last spasm of Palestinian rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes just minutes before the deal came into effect.

After 7pm, people took to the streets of Gaza City to celebrate, with gunmen firing into the air and others setting off fireworks.

An Israeli artillery gun fires into the Gaza Strip earlier on Wednesday

But the mood was more subdued in Israel. Speaking from Tel Aviv, Sky News defence correspondent David Bowden said: "The people I've been speaking to say: 'We will believe it when we see it. We've been here before and it eventually breaks down'."

He said in the city of Sderot - near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip - there were reports of demonstrations against the ceasefire, with residents expressing disappointment at Israel's decision not to send ground troops across the border.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described the ceasefire agreement as "a critical moment for the region".

"Egypt's new government is assuming the responsibility and leadership that has long made this country a cornerstone of regional stability and peace," she said.

"The United States welcomes the agreement today for a ceasefire in Gaza. For it to hold the rocket attacks must end, a broader calm returned.

Mr Ban and Mr Abbas discussing the crisis in Ramallah

"The people of this region deserve the chance to live free from fear and violence, and today's agreement is step in the right direction that we should build on.

"Now we have to focus on reaching a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security, dignity and legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis alike."

Mrs Clinton pledged the US would continue to work with Egypt to consolidate the truce in the days ahead by improving conditions for the people of Gaza and providing security for Israelis.

According to reports, Israel and Hamas have agreed to an immediate halt in the violence. Israel will end its policy of assassinating top Hamas officials, while Hamas has promised to halt all rocket fire by the many militant groups operating in the Gaza Strip.

After a brief cooling off period, Israel has also pledged to ease its blockade of Gaza, though there have been no firm assurances on how that will be done. Israel has maintained the blockade since Hamas seized power of Gaza in 2007, though it has gradually lifted many of the restrictions.

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon welcomed the truce, but said some details of the deal were yet to be agreed.

The destroyed compound of the internal security ministry in Gaza City

"We are encouraged and relieved that they have reached this ceasefire," Mr Ban said.

"There are still many details to be solidified for a durable ceasefire. I hope they will finalise these details as soon possible."

Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas official, said on his Facebook page that talks on a new border arrangement would begin after the 24-hour cooling off period.

The deal follows talks between Mr Amr, Mrs Clinton and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who also sat down with Mr Ban separately to discuss the crisis.

Mr Ban also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the crisis.

Earlier, a bus bombing in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv that left at least 21 people wounded had threatened to derail the negotiations.

Moments after the deal was announced, an air-raid siren signalled a rocket attack in southern Israel, while an airstrike could be heard in Gaza.

Palestinian militants fired five rockets into the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. One rocket hit a house inside the city, police said. No injuries were reported.

In the last-minute burst of fire, Palestinian militants fired five rockets into the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. One rocket hit a house inside the city, police said. No injuries were reported.

Immediately after the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had agreed to "give a chance" to the Egyptian-brokered agreement after speaking to US President Barack Obama.

A statement from his office said Mr Netanyahu "agreed to his recommendation to give a chance to an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire and thereby give an opportunity for the stabilisation of the situation and a calming of it".

Mr Obama welcomed the move and said the United States would use the opportunity to intensify efforts to help Israel address its security needs, particularly the smuggling of weapons and explosives into Gaza, the White House said.

The US President also said he would seek more money for the Iron Dome defence system that has protected Israel from rocket attacks.

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Israel: Gaza Ceasefire Is 'Not There Yet'

An Israeli government spokesman has told Sky News a ceasefire with Gaza militants is "not there yet".

Hamas official Ayman Taha said earlier that an Egyptian-brokered truce had been finalised and would take effect from 10pm UK time.

But spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Mark Regev said the announcement of a ceasefire was premature and Israeli military operations in Gaza would continue in parallel with diplomacy.

Mr Regev would not give any details of the discussions but told Sky News Israel wants a long-term resolution and does not want to just give Hamas a "time out to lick its wounds".

Hamas' Ezzat al Rishq said the truce had been held up because Israel had not responded to the proposals and it was confirmed there would be no announcement from Cairo on Tuesday.

Israeli homeowners inspect damage after a rocket attack in Beersheba

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Mr Netanyahu in Jerusalem and pledged her continued support to Israel and praised its Iron Dome defence system.

She also offered her sympathy to those affected by the rocket attacks: "Our hearts break for the loss of every civilian; Israeli and Palestinian.

"In the end there is no substitute for security and for a just and lasting peace," she added.

President Barack Obama phoned Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi for a third time in 24 hours to commend him on his efforts to ease the tensions.

Speaking during talks with the UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon in Jerusalem, Mr Netanyahu said his country would be a "willing partner" in a long-term solution to the conflict.

Gaza residents flee their homes on November 20

He reiterated that Israel will not tolerate rocket attacks on its cities and people but said he wanted to work towards a diplomatic resolution.

The Israeli military said an 18-year-old soldier was killed in a rocket attack on southern Israel.

It was the military's first fatality since it launched an offensive in the Gaza Strip last Wednesday.

At least 130 people have been killed in Gaza, including around 31 children, and at least five Israelis are also dead as the conflict continues.

Mr Ban said his "paramount concern" is for all civilians, both in Israel and Gaza and urged strong caution against an Israeli ground offensive.

A bus in southern Israel damaged by a rocket attack from Gaza

"Further escalation would be dangerous and tragic for the entire region," he added.

In a press conference with Mr Ban later, Israel's President Shimon Peres said he would prefer to deal with Gaza by "talking and not shooting" but added that the defence forces were "extremely careful not to hit civilian life".

"Hamas opened it, Hamas can end it," he added.

Six Palestinian men accused of being spies for Israel were executed at an intersection in Gaza, just hours after Mr Ban called for a halt to the conflict during talks in Cairo with the Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby.

Witnesses said the six men were dragged out of a van and forced to lie down in the street before they were shot by masked gunmen.

Sky News chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, reporting from Gaza, said: "We understand six men were taken into a square ... and were executed in front of crowds."

Israeli troops near the Gaza border prepare weapons ahead of any invasion

It has been reported that five of the bodies lay in a pile as a mob stomped and spit on them. A sixth body was tied to a motorcycle and dragged through the streets as people screamed, "Spy! Spy!"

The Hamas military wing has claimed responsibility for the executions.

Earlier Israel's air force dropped leaflets across areas of Gaza City urging people to evacuate their homes "immediately".

"For your own safety, you are required to immediately evacuate your homes and move toward Gaza City centre," the one-page Arabic-language leaflet said.

Map of Israel and Gaza

Sky's Sam Kiley said the leaflet drop could be part of a propaganda exercise to show Hamas that Israel is seriously considering an imminent ground invasion.

Meanwhile a man identified as the most elusive top Hamas commander, and a founder of its military wing, has urged the group's fighters to keep up attacks on Israel.

Mohammed Deif, seriously wounded in an Israeli airstrike in 2003, reportedly said on Hamas-run radio that fighters "must invest all resources to uproot this aggressor from our land".

Foreign Secretary William Hague told the Commons: "We have made clear that Hamas must bear primary responsibility for the start of the current crisis but also that all side have responsibilities."

"We quickly called on Israel to seek every opportunity to deescalate their military response and to observe international humanitarian law and avoid civilian casualties."

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Report: Thousands Of Children Raped And Abused

By Richard Suchet, Sky News Reporter

At least 2,409 children were raped or abused by gangs or groups in England between August 2010 and October 2011, according to the Office of the Children's Commissioner.

Their interim report - the most in-depth investigation to date of child exploitation by gangs and groups in England - found a further 16,500 children were at "high risk" of abuse.

Deputy Children's Commissioner Sue Berelowitz – who is leading the inquiry - told Sky News that the figures are likely to be an "under-counting".

"Agencies across England are not sufficiently aware of the warning signs and they are not taking action to protect children," she said.

"There are of course some who are doing good work on this but too many are not taking this seriously enough, which means some children are falling through the net.

"It's a very, very worrying situation. It's absolutely not good enough that there are children in need of protection and are not being protected."

Much of the evidence presented in the report is too harrowing and graphic to be reported here.

It comes just months after nine Asian men who groomed white girls as young as 13 in Rochdale with drink and drugs were jailed at Liverpool Crown Court.

But Ms Berelowitz insists the "model" of Asian men targeting white girls "is just one of a number of models", and has warned that if investigators concentrate on those patterns, victims could be missed.

White men form the largest group of perpetrators in gangs and groups, according to the report.

28% of the victims brought to the attention of the inquiry were from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the report is a "wake-up call"

The report looks at the nature of sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

It also highlights the use of mobile phones, social networking sites and other forms of technology through which perpetrators groom, bully and pursue victims - and the impact of violent pornography.

The report authors say it is "clear that sexually exploited children are not always identified even when they show signs of being victims".

They are now calling for "urgent action" to make sure that all agencies are made explicitly aware of the warning signs of child exploitation, and act on them.

Those signs include children going missing, offending, drug and alcohol abuse, self-harming and mental health problems.

It is also encouraging agencies to share information and work together.

Councillor David Simmonds, chairman of the Local Government Association's children and young people board, said: "While these are uncomfortable lessons for the organisations tasked with looking after children they will help to ensure improvements are put in place to better protect young people in future."

Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: "This report quite clearly shows that the terrible problem of children being groomed for sexual abuse is widespread and needs urgent action to bring it to a halt.

"Sex offenders come from all backgrounds but if there is a problem with one community in a particular area we must be bold enough to address it and not just turn a blind eye."

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the evidence should act as "a wake-up call to the Government and other agencies that urgent action is needed".

If you are a child or young person affected by abuse or exploitation you can call Childline for advice and support 24 hours a day on 0800 11 11.

If you are an adult who needs support or information, or are concerned about a child or young person, call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.

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UN Chief To Meet Israeli And Palestinian Leaders

The UN secretary general will meet the Israeli and Palestinian leaders as part of a growing effort to stop the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Ban Ki-moon will host talks with Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas this week.

Mr Ban arrived in Cairo late on Monday, where UN spokesman Martin Nesirky confirmed that the UN chief would later meet Egypt's foreign minister Mohammed Kamel Amr.

He is also due to host talks with Egypt's president Mohamed Morsi and Arab League chief Nabil al Arabi on Tuesday.

President Barack Obama has called both Mr Netanyahu and Mr Morsi to discuss ways to de-escalate the conflict.

In a statement, the White House said Mr Obama expressed regret for the deaths of Israeli and Palestinian civilians in his calls with both leaders.

The Israeli cabinet also met late met late on Monday to discuss an Egyptian proposal for ending the violence.

A report on Israeli public radio did not identify the main points of the Egyptian plan, which emerged following indirect negotiations in Cairo between Israeli officials and Palestinian representatives.

The report said Israel wanted to see a 24 to 48-hour truce take effect that could then be used to negotiate the finer details of a full ceasefire agreement.

There was no immediate indication on whether a firm decision on Egypt's proposal would emerge from the cabinet meeting.

Gaza, left, and Ashkelon, in Israel, right, have been targeted

Both sides continued their attacks on Monday as the efforts to bring about a truce gathered pace.

One person was confirmed dead following a large explosion at a central Gaza building used by local and foreign media, including Sky News Arabia.

Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said the dead man was Ramaz Harab, one of its senior commanders.

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) later said it had targeted a "hideout" used by senior operatives from Islamic Jihad.

It named four individuals, including Ramaz Harab, who were in the building and said they had been involved in firing rockets at Israel.

Health officials said several others were wounded in the attack, which is the second strike on the building in two days.

The IDF accused militants of "cynically (using) those inside civilian-populated institutions as human shields".

The Hamas TV station Al Aqsa is located on the top floor of the building. The third floor took the brunt of the explosion.

The building is also said to house communications equipment used by Hamas.

Thousands of Israeli troops have been readied for a ground offensive

Israeli aircraft struck several crowded areas in the Gaza Strip, driving up the Palestinian death toll to above 90 over the six-day offensive, including 50 civilians, according to reports.

Hamas fighters have fired hundreds of rockets into Israel since Wednesday, including one that hit an empty school in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on Monday.

On the Israeli side, three civilians have died from Palestinian rocket fire since the violence erupted and dozens have been wounded. An Israeli rocket-defence system has intercepted hundreds of rockets bound for populated areas.

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said on Monday that Mr Netanyahu has requested a truce - a claim denied by Israel - and he called on Israel to initiate a ceasefire because "they started the war".

Speaking at a news conference in Cairo, Mr Meshaal called on rights groups to "expose" Israeli "crimes" and said Gaza-based Hamas would not yield to any Israeli conditions.

Israeli officials said earlier that the country was ready to launch a ground offensive but that it preferred a diplomatic solution.

After an initial lull in attacks on Monday morning, airstrikes escalated as Egypt was trying to broker a ceasefire with the help of Turkey and Qatar. Egypt's prime minister said a peace deal between the two sides could be close.

In Gaza City, thousands of mourners attended funerals of four children who were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike. The missile reduced their home to rubble - the Israeli navy said a wanted militant was hiding inside.

Turkey's foreign minister and a delegation of Arab foreign ministers were expected in Gaza on Tuesday.

Middle East envoy Tony Blair met Israel's president, Shimon Peres, for talks earlier and said he hoped both sides could find a way to end the violence.

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All Homes 'To Be Given Cheapest Energy Deal'

Energy Secretary Ed Davey will flesh out proposals later to ensure all households are on the cheapest gas and electricity tariffs available.

After weeks of confusion about the Government's plans to simplify the market and reduce bills for hard-pressed families, the Liberal Democrat is expected to use an appearance before the Energy Select Committee to give more details.

It is thought that energy firms may be prevented from offering more than four tariffs and be required to automatically move customers on to the cheapest one.

The move comes amid long-standing concerns that many households are paying hundreds of pounds a year more than is necessary for gas and electricity because of the confusing array of tariffs.

Ed Davey insists the government backs a low carbon economy

The issue has become more acute in recent years because of rising wholesale prices that have seen energy charges soar.

Meanwhile, MPs have called on Chancellor George Osborne to reassure investors  the Treasury is committed to moving towards a greener economy.

Mr Osborne must use the autumn statement next month to end the uncertainty over the direction of energy policy, which is undermining investment in the UK's power sector, the parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said.

MPs say George Osborne must "end the uncertainty"

The EAC also added their voices to calls from business leaders, trade unions and green groups for the Energy Bill, due to be published before the end of November, to include a target to slash emissions from the power sector by 2030.

The cross-party committee's chairwoman Joan Walley said: "The Treasury must end the uncertainty on energy policy and give investors and businesses the confidence to seize the enormous opportunities presented by new clean technologies."

Friends of the Earth's head of campaigns Andrew Pendleton said: "MPs are right to slam the Chancellor - his gas-fuelled economic strategy will send fuel bills soaring, jeopardise jobs and scupper UK efforts to tackle climate change."

He added: "The Treasury seems hell-bent on killing off Britain's growing green economy, despite the tens of thousands of jobs it can create and business leaders' group CBI's pleas for more backing."

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Gaza: Israel Prepares To Widen Offensive

At least 11 people have been killed by a strike on a home in Gaza, in the deadliest incident of Israel's offensive against Hamas militants.

The airstrike targeted the home of the Dalou family in Gaza City's Nasser district, reducing it to rubble.

Gaza health official Ashraf al-Kidra said five women, including one 80-year-old, and four small children were among the dead.

Frantic rescuers pulled the children's bodies from the ruins of the house as survivors and bystanders screamed in grief. Later, the bodies of the children were laid out in the morgue of Gaza City's Shifa Hospital.

As Israel expanded its operation to target the homes of suspected militants. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said the target of the attack was a top rocket mastermind of the Islamic Jihad militant group.

"The massacre of the Dalou family will not pass without punishment," Hamas's armed wing said in a statement.

Following the incident, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for an intensification of peaceful protests against Israel, the AFP news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Gaza militants continued their barrage of rocket fire into Israel, with the IDF claiming 114 rockets were fired on Sunday and reports of seven people injured in southern Israel.

A woman takes cover in Ofakim, Israel, as sirens warn of incoming rockets

The attacks included longer-distance rockets that targeted Tel Aviv for a fourth straight day, but they were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system.

One person was hurt by falling debris from one of the rockets that was intercepted south of the city.

Health officials say 66 Palestinians have been killed since the operation began on Wednesday, including 32 civilians. More than 400 people have been wounded in the strikes.

On the Israeli side, three civilians have been killed and more than 50 wounded by rocket fire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the country is ready to "significantly expand" its Gaza offensive.

"We are extracting a heavy price from Hamas and the terror organisations," Mr Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting on the fifth day of the conflict.

"The soldiers are ready for any activity that could take place."

On Friday, ministers doubled the current reserve troop quota set for the offensive to 75,000 in preparation for a possible ground invasion.

A car is examined after a rocket attack in Holon, near Tel Aviv

Some 30,000 soldiers have already been called up.

Israeli President Shimon Peres told Sky's Murnaghan programme that he does not see a ground invasion as an escalation of the conflict.

"What we are doing is self defence," he said.

"What would you do in London if you would have 900 missiles aimed at your schools, at your homes, at your houses? Would you call it an escalation if you tried to stop it?

"We don't have any purpose to control Gaza or to go into Gaza.

"Basically our purpose is peace, their purpose is to destroy Israel. It is not an easy situation."

Foreign Secretary William Hague told Murnaghan that Britain has warned Israel against a ground invasion.

"The Prime Minister and I have both stressed to our Israeli counterparts that a ground invasion of Gaza would lose Israel a lot of the international support  and sympathy they have in this situation," he said.

Israel pounded Gaza from the air and sea overnight

"A ground invasion is much more difficult for the international community to sympathise with or support, including the United Kingdom."

But Mr Hague blamed Hamas for sparking the current conflict in Gaza.

"We call on Hamas again to stop the rocket attacks on Israel. It is Hamas that bears principal responsibility for starting all of this and we would like to see an agreed ceasefire - an essential component of which is an end to those rocket attacks."

US President Barack Obama said it was "preferable" for the crisis to end without a "ramping up" of Israeli military activity, but he, too, blamed Hamas militants for causing the showdown.

"Israel has every right to expect that it does not have missiles fired into its territory," Mr Obama said, in Thailand.

Republican senator John McCain called for a senior figure such as former President Bill Clinton to be appointed as a negotiator.

He told CBS: "The United States of America has got to push as hard as we can to resolve this Israeli-Palestinian issue."

Israel's bombardment of Gaza entered a new phase overnight, with the military shelling the Palestinian territory from the sea, and targeting the homes of suspected militants.

Palestinian girls in the northern Gaza Strip

A Palestinian official told AFP a truce was possible "today or tomorrow", after Egypt's President suggested that there could be a ceasefire soon.

Mohamed Morsi said: "There are now intensive efforts through communication channels with the Palestinian side and with the Israeli side and there are now some indications that there is possibility of a ceasefire soon between the two sides."

Israel has said it is not prepared to enter into a truce without guarantees the rocket fire will stop.

The latest Israeli strikes also hit two Gaza media centres housing the offices of Al Quds TV and Al Aqsa, both seen as sympathetic to Hamas, along with foreign journalists including a Sky News team. None was hurt.

Israel unleashed its massive air campaign on Wednesday, killing a leading militant of the Hamas Islamist group that controls Gaza and rejects Israel's existence.

Israel says it is trying to stop militants in the coastal enclave from launching rockets that have plagued its southern communities for years.

More than 500 rockets fired from Gaza have hit Israel since the recent violence flared on Wednesday.

The Jewish state has launched more than 950 air strikes in return.

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Obama's Landmark Visit To Burma

By Mark Stone, Asia Correspondent

Barack Obama has landed in Burma for a landmark visit aimed at encouraging a string of political reforms in the former pariah state.

The US President is meeting the country's reformist leader Thein Sein at Rangoon's regional parliament building on the second stop of a three-country tour of Asia.

He will later meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mr Obama has become the first US president ever to visit Burma. The visit is a key indicator that Washington believes Burmese government reforms are genuine and continuing.

His first stop on Sunday was Thailand where he stressed the "critical" importance of the Asia-Pacific region to the future of the US over the coming century during his first foreign trip since his re-election.

Speaking at a news conference with the Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Mr Obama said: "Asia is my first foreign trip since our election in the United States, and Thailand is my first stop.

"This is no accident. As I've said many times, the United States is and always will be a Pacific nation.

"As the fastest growing region in the world, the Asia-Pacific will shape so much of our security and prosperity in the century ahead, and it is critical to creating jobs and opportunity for the American people.

"That's why I've made restoring American engagement in this region a top priority as president."

Mr Obama met Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday

Mr Obama also met the Thai King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is in hospital where he has been recovering from an illness since September 2009.

Mr Obama calls himself the "Pacific President" and has pledged to focus significant attention on the Asia-Pacific region.

It is therefore no surprise that his first foreign trip is here.

The US is seeking to counter China's increasing clout in the region. The US government has said that 60% of the US naval forces will be based in the region by 2020.

As if to underline America's commitment to the region, the US Defence Secretary is currently on his fourth trip to Asia this year.

Thailand is the US' longest standing ally in the region. The US sees it as vital in helping it pivot attention towards Asia and boost ties with the fastest growing region on the planet.

During the news conference, Mr Obama defended his decision to go to Burma.

"This is not an endorsement of the Burmese government," he said.

People line the streets in Rangoon to greet Mr Obama

"This is an acknowledgement that there is a process underway inside that country that even a year and a half, two years ago, nobody foresaw."

On Friday, Washington announced it had lifted a ban on the import of goods from the country.

The president's visit follows a trip by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the country in December 2011 and a visit by British Prime Minister David Cameron in April 2011.

The US President's Asian tour will end in Cambodia where he will attend a meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).

The leaders of 16 southeast Asian countries will attend, as well as the Russian President Vladimir Putin, the outgoing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, the Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In Burma, despite the recent reforms, sectarian clashes between Muslims and Buddhists have killed more than 180 people and destroyed the homes of more than 100,000.

The government has been criticised for not having done enough to stop the violence in the coastal Rakhine State.

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