Egypt: 'Concern' As Scores Killed In Protests

Egypt: Timeline Of Unrest

Updated: 3:52pm UK, Saturday 27 July 2013

Key developments in Egypt since the beginning of the Arab Spring.

:: 2011

January 25: Egyptians stage nationwide demonstrations against the rule of President Hosni Mubarak.

February 11: Mubarak steps down and turns power over to the military, which dissolves parliament and suspends the constitution.

November 28: Egypt holds mutiple-stage parliamentary elections and the Muslim Brotherhood wins nearly half the seats in the law-making lower house.

:: 2012

May 23: First round of voting in the presidential elections.

June 30: Mr Morsi, elected with 51.7% of the vote, is sworn and becomes Egypt's first civilian and Islamist president.

August 12: The new president scraps a constitutional document that gave sweeping powers to the military and sacks Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who ruled after Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February, 2011.

November 22: Mr Morsi announces sweeping new powers for himself.

November 30: Islamist-dominated constituent assembly adopts a draft constitution despite a boycott by liberals and Christians.

December 8: The president annuls the decree giving himself increased powers.

December 15 and 22: 64% of voters in a two-round referendum back the new constitution. Egypt plunges into political crisis, with demonstrations by Morsi supporters and opponents sometimes turning deadly.

:: 2013

January 24: There is violence between demonstrators and police on the eve of the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled Mubarak. Nearly 60 people die in a week.

April 5: Four Christians and a Muslim are killed in sectarian violence.

May 7: President Morsi's cabinet reshuffle falls short of opposition demands.

May 16: Gunmen kidnap three policemen and four soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula. They are freed on May 22.

June 2: Egypt's highest court invalidates the Islamist-dominated senate, which assumed a legislative role when parliament was dissolved, and a panel that drafted the constitution.

June 15: Mr Morsi announces "definitive" severing of ties with Syria.

June 21: Tens of thousands of Islamists gather ahead of planned opposition protests.

June 23: Defence Minister Abdel Fattah al Sisi warns the army will intervene if violence erupts.

June 28: The US says non-essential embassy staff can leave after an American is killed during the protests.

June 29: The Tamarod (Rebellion) campaign which called rallies for June 30 says more than 22 million have signed a petition demanding Mr Morsi's resignation and a snap election.

June 30: Tens of thousands of Egyptians take to the streets nationwide determined to oust the president on the anniversary of his turbulent first year in power. At least 16 people die in protests across the country.

July 1: The opposition gives President Morsi a day to quit or face civil disobedience. Egypt's armed forces warn they will intervene if the people's demands are not met within 48 hours.

July 2: The presidency rejects the army's ultimatum, saying it will pursue its own plans for national reconciliation.

July 3: Mr Morsi is overthrown late in the day as the country's most senior army official announces the suspension of the Islamist-tinged constitution and a "road map" for a return to democratic rule to stop the bloodshed.

July 4: As Mr Morsi is held by the army, Supreme Constitutional Court Chief Justice Adly Mansour is sworn in as Egypt's interim president.

July 6: Fierce street battles between supporters of Morsi and their opponents leave at least 36 people dead.

July 8: Some 35 people are shot dead in clashes between Morsi supporters and the Egyptian army outside the Republican Guard's headquarters in Cairo.

July 9: Mr Mansour appoints economist Hazem el-Beblawi as prime minister and opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei as vice president. A military announcement backs up the appointments.

July 26: Millions pour into the streets of Egypt in rival demonstrations after a call by the country's military chief for protesters to give him a mandate to stop "potential terrorism" by supporters of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. Five are killed in clashes. Prosecutors announce Morsi is under investigation for a host of allegations including murder and conspiracy with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

July 27: Clashes in the early morning hours between security forces and Morsi supporters kill at least 120 protesters in Cairo.

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Immigration Figures 'Little Better Than A Guess'

Official figures showing how many immigrants are coming to the UK are "little better than a guess", according to a report by MPs.

The report by the Public Administration Select Committee says the number of migrants coming to the country is not properly measured, and warns the statistics are "not fit for purpose".

Analysis on how many non-UK residents are entering and leaving the country is primarily based on "random interviews" of travellers at ports and airports that were introduced to examine tourism trends, the report says.

Just 5,000 migrants a year are identified through the International Passenger Survey and many "may be reticent to give full and frank answers," it warned.

Although the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which uses the research to draw up its migration estimates, has "done its best" to produce informative statistics, the survey "is not fit for the purposes to which it is put" and ministers must find new ways to gather information, MPs said.

In the year to June 2012, immigration was estimated at 515,000 while emigration was estimated at 352,000.

The Coalition aims to reduce net migration - the difference between the two figures - from the hundreds of thousands down to the tens of thousands by 2015.

The Coalition is aiming to significantly reduce net migration by 2015

But MPs warned the Government is at risk of ending up with an "inappropriate" immigration policy if it bases its target level of net migration on uncertain statistics "which could be out by tens of thousands".

ONS migration estimates contain no information on the immigration status of migrants, while statistics produced by the Home Office do not indicate the number of visa holders with valid leave to remain in the UK or the number who overstay their leave to remain, the report said.

Statistics produced by both organisations are "blunt instruments" for measuring, managing, and understanding migration, it added.

The committee said migration figures could be considerably improved if the Home Office and ONS properly recorded and linked the data they already gather.

MPs called for the e-Borders system to be used for measuring immigration, emigration and net migration as quickly as possible.

Committee chairman Bernard Jenkin said: "Most people would be utterly astonished to learn that there is no attempt to count people as they enter or leave the UK.

"They are amazed when they are told that government merely estimates that there are 500,000 immigrants coming into the UK each year.

"This is based on random interviews of around 800,000 people stopped and interviewed at ports and airports each year.

"Only around 5,000 of those are actual migrants, many of whom may be reticent to give full and frank answers, to say the least."

The International Passenger Survey also fails to garner the type of information needed to work out the social and economic consequences of migration, such as demand for the National Health Service or schools.

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Stuart Hall Facing Longer Prison Sentence

Stuart Hall faces will find out later if he has to spend more time in prison as judges review the length of his sentence for sex offences.

Attorney General Dominic Grieve has referred Hall's case to the Court of Appeal to consider whether his 15-month jail term is "unduly lenient" and should be increased.

Hall, 83, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, admitted 14 counts of indecent assault against girls as young as nine between 1967 and 1987.

The former It's A Knockout presenter was sentenced in June at Preston Crown Court by the Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC.

Hall directly exploited his role as a popular BBC presenter to target four of his victims, while he assaulted another four on the pretence of giving elocution lessons to them at his home.

Before entering his guilty plea in April, he had made a public pronouncement on the steps of a court, describing all the claims against him as "cruel, pernicious and spurious".

Hall was arrested and subsequently charged on December 5 last year with indecently assaulting three young girls.

More women came forward as a result of publicity and he was rearrested before he later admitted sexual offences relating to 13 victims.

Judge Russell told Hall: "Several of these cases reveal an abuse of the trust placed in you by the parents of these children but all of them reveal an abuse of power by you because your status gave you an influence and standing which you abused."

The judge said Hall would have received 20 months after a trial but he reduced the sentence to reflect his guilty pleas.

Hall's defence barrister Crispin Aylett QC said that 27 years had passed since the last offence and that the presenter had led an "unblemished" life over those years.

The length of the jail term was immediately criticised as "unduly lenient" by shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry.

Harriet Harman, deputy leader of the Labour party, also added to calls for the sentence to be referred.

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Spain Train Crash: Driver To Be Questioned

Police will today question the driver of a train that derailed in Spain, killing at least 80 people, in one of Europe's worst rail disasters.

The driver, named by local media as 52-year-old Francisco Jose Garzon, has remained under police guard in hospital since the crash on Wednesday night.

Mr Garzon remains in hospital

The eight-carriage train came off the tracks on a bend, hit a wall and caught fire just outside the pilgrimage destination Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.

It has emerged the train may have been travelling at more than twice the speed limit at the time of the crash.

The train entered the bend at 190 km per hour (120 mph), according to local media reports.

The speed limit on the curve was 80km per hour (50 mph).

Witnesses are reported to have heard Mr Garzon shout into a phone: "I've derailed! What do I do?"

A judge in Santiago de Compostela, capital of the region of Galicia, ordered police to take a statement from the driver.

It was not clear what kind of injuries Mr Garzon - who helped to rescue victims - had suffered.

He was being formally investigated and under police guard but he has not been arrested, the regional supreme court said.

Earlier reports said there was a second driver on the train, but it is believed Mr Garzon was the sole driver.

State train company Renfe said Mr Garzon had been at the firm for 30 years and he had been driving trains for more than a decade.

Meanwhile, medical experts will continue trying to identify 13 of the victims as distraught families continue to wait for news about their loved ones.

The impact was so huge one carriage flew several metres into the air

The victims of the crash included a US citizen and a Mexican. At least one British citizen and four children were among the 94 people injured.

Video footage from a security camera showed the train, which had 247 people on board, hurtling into a concrete wall at the side of the track.

The impact was so huge one carriage flew several metres into the air and landed on the other side of a concrete barrier.

The Alvia 730 series train was travelling from Madrid to the port city of Ferrol when it crashed about 8.40pm local time - 7.40pm UK time - on Wednesday.

The crash occurred on the eve of a major Christian religious festival honouring St James, the disciple of Jesus whose remains are said to rest in a shrine.

Many of the dead or injured were believed to be Catholic pilgrims converging on the city.

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Royal Baby: Reaction From Around The World

Messages of congratulations have been sent from around the world after the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a baby boy.

US President Barack Obama says the new prince has been born "at a time of promise and opportunity" between Britain and the United States.

Mr Obama said in a written statement that he and first lady Michelle Obama wish Prince William and his wife, Kate, "all the happiness and blessings parenthood brings".

Australian PM Kevin Rudd welcomed the Royal "bub" in a statement

Earlier, White House press secretary Jay Carney said the first family had been waiting with "anticipation" for news on the birth.

US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, recently informed by the New England Genealogical Society that she is a distant relative of the future queen, tweeted her congratulations on Twitter.

"It's a boy! So happy for my cousin Kate and the future King of England," she wrote.

US entertainer Ellen DeGeneres added her congratulations

In the Canadian capital of Ottawa, Parliament hill was illuminated with blue lights.

The country's Governor General was among the first international dignitaries to congratulate the couple on their new arrival.

He used Twitter to send a message to Clarence House, saying: "Wonderful news!"

The story led many of the US news networks' bulletins

The Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the arrival of a future sovereign of Canada is a "highly anticipated moment for Canadians given the special and warm relationship that we share with our Royal Family".

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said: "I think all Australians at the bottom of their hearts wish the Royal bub all the best, and certainly wish the new parents all the best as well.

"When a new bub comes into the world, any old day, any part of the world, it is frankly a time for rejoicing."

Media outlets around the world have been gripped by the wait for the Royal baby.

Following the birth, the story featured highly on most of the news channels and websites in Australia and the US, with many focusing on the image of a town crier announcing the news on the steps of the Lindo Wing.

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Royal Baby: World Awaits The First Glimpse

How Do You Raise A Future Monarch?

Updated: 4:29pm UK, Monday 22 July 2013

By Annabel Karmel, parenting expert and author

In a career spanning more than 25 years, Annabel Karmel, parenting author, expert on feeding babies and mother of three, offers her advice to the royal couple as they begin their journey to raising a future monarch.

:: What should they be doing just after the birth?

Their baby is likely to be really alert for the first few hours, so this is where skin to skin contact is really important.

Like any mum, royal or not, Kate is likely to be overwhelmed at the beginning of her journey into parenthood. The day you take your baby home is such a momentous occasion: the responsibility for this tiny fragile creature you are bringing into your home can be quite a shock; it certainly was for me.

Those first few days can be a bewildering experience as you learn to do all these new things. I couldn't get over how much laundry and mess one baby could produce! For me the biggest change was having this little person completely dependent on me for everything.

:: How else can Kate and Wills bond with their baby?

Baby massage is also a great way of bonding with baby and has lots of other therapeutic advantages. It is also something that the royal couple can both do together.

It will be important for the wider royal family to give them some breathing room in the first few days. Having a stream of well-meaning visitors doesn't always help in the bonding process.

:: How will Kate cope with 24/7 feeding?

Babies sleep a lot in the first few months, often up to 17 hours a day, but these are never for long stretches as their small tummies will mean they need frequent feeds. This pattern of sleeping and feeding could dictate Kate's every move for the first few weeks.

If Kate is breastfeeding, she could express her milk so that William could help feed the baby. Not only will this allow the Duchess to catch up on her beauty sleep, but dad will feel included too.

:: How should they cope with sleep deprivation?

Keeping healthy by eating well and taking some gentle exercise every day is so important during this exhausting time. I have no doubt that Kate is used to eating well, so this will help with her long term energy and wellbeing. Here are a few handy tips:

- Nap when your baby naps

- Realise that sleep deprivation will mean you will feel more emotional and overwhelmed, and much more likely to get irritable.

Despite being a Duchess, I'm sure Kate has her moments. They key is to ensure plenty of family and friends are on hand to take the baby for a few hours.

:: The couple are reportedly not planning to use nannies, how will they cope?

I have no doubt that they will be hands-on parents. They will want to experience everything that other parents do - nappy changes, night feeds, weaning.

When it comes to feeding, it is important to establish good eating habits early on to stop them becoming fussy eaters.

:: Importance of good diet if breastfeeding

If Kate is breastfeeding, she will need to include more calories and nutrients in her diet - but it's important to be sensible about this. Follow a balanced diet, but include a few more of certain nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and omega 3.

:: Tips

- Keep fluid intake up: if breastfeeding your fluid requirements increase dramatically. Kate should be drinking lots of water, herbal teas or unsweetened fruit juices, and keep a bottle of water handy when she breastfeeds.

- Try to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and include plenty of fibre. You can get this from fruit and vegetables as well as wholemeal breads and pasta and whole grains. After childbirth women often suffer from constipation, and soluble and insoluble fibre can help with this.

- Eat lots of iron rich foods, such as red meat, pulses such as lentils or dark green leafy vegetables.

- Eating little and often can help with energy.  Keep healthy snacks handy such as mixed seeds, oat cakes or crackers in your handbag so you always have something when you are out and about to avoid going for something unhealthy.

- Avoid processed sugar.  Treats are ok, but frequently consuming sugar will give you "sugar highs", which are swiftly followed by lows. Eating sugar will not sustain your energy; it is also believed to exacerbate anxiety.

:: Bonding time with your new baby

There has been lots of research highlighting the importance of skin to skin contact with your baby, particularly soon after they have been born. Baby massage is also a great way of bonding with your baby and has lots of other therapeutic advantages. It is also something that mum and dad can both do.

It is important to give you and your family some breathing room in the first few days, and having a stream of well-meaning visitors doesn't always help.  Encourage friends to phone before visiting and arrange a time.

Annabel Karmel's latest books include Quick and Easy Toddler Recipes and Eating for Two.

For more information visit www.annabelkarmel.com

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PM: Child Abuse Web Searches 'Must Be Banned'

Websites will be told to block certain search terms and warn people when they try to view illegal content, as part of a crackdown on child abuse images.

David Cameron will use a major speech to tell companies they have a "moral duty" to protect youngsters.

The Prime Minister will call on websites including Google, Bing and Yahoo! to adopt a blacklist of words and phrases drawn up by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) within months.

He will also recommend splash screens that tell people they could lose "their job, their family, even access to their children" by viewing indecent images online.

David Cameron says internet companies have a "moral duty" to act

The pages could redirect people to the charity Stop It Now's website in an effort to help change people's behaviour.

"There are some searches which are so abhorrent and where there can be no doubt whatsoever about the sick and malevolent intent of the searcher that there should be no search results returned at all," Mr Cameron will say.

"I have a very clear message for Google, Bing, Yahoo! and the rest. You have a duty to act on this - and it is a moral duty.

"You are not separate from our society, you are part of our society, and you must play a responsible role in it.

"This is quite simply about obliterating this disgusting material from the net - and we will do whatever it takes."

The Prime Minister is expected to warn companies that "legislative options" could be used to force them to comply if they have not made progress on a blacklist before October.

Mr Cameron will also urge firms to hold hackathons - events which allow software experts to collaborate on projects - to produce results.

Pressure to prevent people accessing indecent images of children has increased following two high-profile murder trials.

Mark Bridger, who killed April Jones, and Stuart Hazell, the man convicted of Tia Sharp's murder, were both found to have accessed offensive images, including some of children.

Experts argued there was a clear link between their obsessions and their actions.

Last month, the four main UK internet service providers agreed to donate an extra £1m to the Internet Watch Foundation to help its work with Ceop.

In 2012, the Government abandoned proposals for an "opt-in" system that would have forced users to contact their internet service provider in order to gain access to adult content.

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Terror Suspect Held Over Pensioner Killing

One of two Ukrainian men being held in connection to bomb attacks near three mosques in the West Midlands has been arrested over the murder of a 75-year-old man.

West Midlands Police say the 25-year-old terror suspect was arrested in relation to "a further act of terrorism".

A police spokesman said: "This arrest is in connection with the murder of Mohammed Saleem in Small Heath, Birmingham on Monday April 29."

The stabbing death of Mr Saleem, a highly-regarded and well-known figure in the local community, was described by detectives at the time as a "despicable" attack on a defenceless pensioner.

A joint family statement read during a press conference at West Midlands Police headquarters on May 2 described Mr Saleem as "a much-loved and respected community member".

The statement read: "We can't express our feelings of sadness and devastation.

"It's hard to accept that our beloved father and grandfather has been taken from us in such a brutal way."

Debris from a device was found close to a mosque in Wolverhampton

On Saturday, counter-terrorism officers were granted extra time to question the Ukrainian nationals in connection with the explosions.

A sitting of Westminster Magistrates' Court granted officers up to seven days to question the men, who were initially detained on suspicion of being involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

Following the men's arrest, the "seat of an explosion and debris" were found on a roundabout near the Wolverhampton Central Mosque.

Police believe the debris came from a device that exploded on the city's Fiveways roundabout at about 9.15am on June 28.

The remnants of a home-made explosive device were found outside a mosque in Walsall on Saturday June 22, and another device, containing nails, exploded near a mosque in Binfield Road, Tipton, on July 12.

No one was injured by any of the explosions.

Another device containing nails exploded near a mosque in Tipton

Speaking after police were granted further time to question the two suspects, Assistant Chief Consatble Marcus Beale said: "We continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the three explosions and are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious around these dates to contact us.

"We do not underestimate the impact this will have on communities across the West Midlands.

"The support of all communities has been fantastic with wider faith communities coming together to show solidarity.

"I would appeal to people, if you have the smallest piece of information that my help the investigation then please contact us on 101 at the earliest opportunity."

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Heatwave Warning: Danger Of Grass Fires

More than 120 firefighters have been battling to control grass fires to the east of London.

The fires on Wanstead Flats, which were reported early on Friday afternoon, were tackled by fire crews from Walthamstow, Ilford, Stratford, Homerton, Leyton, and Chingford. 

Authorities have warned that a prolonged period of hot weather in England will continue to put a strain on the emergency services over the coming days and asked that the public be aware of fire risks. 

London Fire Brigade's Dave Brown said: "A small spark from a cigarette is often all it takes to start a grass fire in these dry conditions.

"It really is important that smokers dispose of their cigarettes properly. Drivers also need to take care not to throw cigarettes out of car windows as they can easily burn grass verges.

"If you see a grass fire, don't attempt to put it out yourself as grass fires can be fast moving and change direction without warning. Call the fire brigade and let us know where the fire is."

As temperatures soar, London's firefighters are dealing with twice as many grass fires compared to last year.

A young child cools down with an ice-cream

In the first half of July last year there were just five grass fires a day and a total of 535 from May 1 to July 15. This year the figures have soared to 21 fires a day and 1,010 respectively.

Britain will continue to bake in temperatures of 30C (86C) right through into next week, forecasters say.

Six days of 30C-plus temperatures have already been recorded, the longest heatwave for seven years.

The hot weather is expected to continue this weekend and into the early part of next week.

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Western areas will still remain very warm into the weekend, in fact it will feel hot for some with temperatures possibly reaching up to 30C locally.

"There will be a brief respite from the heat in the east with cloudier skies during the mornings and perhaps the cloud lingering into the afternoon.

A man basks in the summer sunshine in Nottingham

"But into the start of next week there will be plenty of sunshine across the UK and Ireland and feeling hot again, especially across southern counties where we could see temperatures up to 31C, perhaps a little higher locally."

She warned that the heat and humidity are likely to trigger some thunderstorms in the west.

The prolonged hot spell has prompted the Met Office to issue level three heatwave health warnings for northwest and southwest England, and the West Midlands after a similar alert for London and the South East on Wednesday.

Level three warnings are only one notch below the most serious alerts and are put out when high temperatures place the very young, the very old and those with chronic diseases at risk.

Mountain blazes tore across the south Wales' valleys while flames devastated swathes of Tentsmuir Forest in north east Fife, Scotland, on Thursday night. 

A couple and their dog enjoy Roundhay Park, Leeds

There have also been reports of people arriving at hospitals with extreme sunburn, including a four-week-old baby.

The death toll from swimming accidents as people look to cool off has reached 13.

A man and a teenage boy who drowned while swimming at a beauty spot in Norfolk have been named by police.

Ryan Pettengell, 41, and 16-year-old Umar Balogun, died at Bawsey Pits, a disused quarry near King's Lynn, on Tuesday.

Their bodies were recovered from separate lakes following a major search and rescue operation by emergency services after both had separately been reported getting into difficulties in the water.

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Obama: Trayvon 'Could Have Been Me' Years Ago

Barack Obama has said Trayvon Martin "could have been me 35 years ago" and urged Americans to do some "soul-searching" about the country's racial history.

The president took the rare step of speaking about his own personal experiences of racism, as he talked openly for the first time since a man was cleared of killing a black teenager in Florida last week.

In the aftermath of the acquittal of George Zimmerman, a neighbourhood watch volunteer, Mr Obama had issued only a statement urging calm.

But on live TV, he said: "When Trayvon Martin was first shot, I said that this could have been my son. Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago."

The case, rife with racial overtones, have prompted protests across the US

The president said black Americans feel pain after the verdict because they view the case through "a set of experiences and a history that doesn't go away".

Mr Obama, the country's first African-American president, spoke emotionally about the kind of subconscious racial profiling that blacks, especially young black men, continue to suffer in the country.

"There are very few African-American men in this country who haven't had the experience of being followed when they are shopping at a department store - and that includes me.

"There are very few African-American men who haven't had the experience of walking across the street and hearing the locks click on the doors of cars - that happened to me, at least before I was a senator."

George Zimmerman was acquitted by a Florida jury

Mr Obama said that violence would "dishonour" Trayvon's death.

Trayvon, 17, was shot to death by Mr Zimmerman, who describes himself as Hispanic, during a confrontation in a gated community in Florida in 2012.

Trayvon, who was unarmed and had been visiting his father, was followed by Mr Zimmerman. 

Mr Zimmerman said Trayvon assaulted him and he fired his gun in self-defence.

A jury last week agreed with his version of events and cleared him of second-degree murder charges.

The president declined to wade into the detail of legal questions about the case, saying: "Once the jury's spoken, that's how our system works."

But he said state and local laws, such as Florida's "stand your ground" statute, need a close look.

Mr Obama said it would be useful "to examine some state and local laws to see if they are designed in such a way that they may encourage the kinds of confrontation" that led to Trayvon's death.

He questioned whether a law that sends the message that someone who is armed "has the right to use those firearms even if there is a way for them to exit from a situation" really promotes the peace and security that people want.

Trayvon's parents have said they were shocked at the verdict

Trayvon's parents said in a statement they were honoured by Mr Obama's "beautiful tribute" to their son.

"What touches people is that our son, Trayvon Benjamin Martin, could have been their son," they said. "President Obama sees himself in Trayvon and identifies with him. This is a beautiful tribute to our boy."

Meanwhile, Mr Zimmerman's brother, Robert, said he was "glad" Mr Obama had spoken out.

"No matter what you think of the verdict, there have to be things that bring us together," he told Fox News.

Sky News US Correspondent Amanda Walker said some Americans will feel Mr Obama has "gone too far" but added: "For many African-Americans there will be a sense of relief - relief that could calm the mood of a series of protests planned for the weekend."

Trayvon's parents have spoken of their shock at the verdict, and several protests have been staged across the US.

The Justice Department has said it plans to review the case to determine whether federal prosecutors should file criminal civil rights charges now that Mr Zimmerman has been acquitted.

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Bond Actor Paul Bhattacharjee Found Dead

The body of an actor who disappeared from a London theatre a week ago has been found, police have confirmed.

Paul Bhattacharjee, who appeared in the James Bond film Casino Royale and EastEnders, had last been seen leaving rehearsals at the Royal Court Theatre in Sloane Square, London, on July 10 and appeared to walk in the direction of a nearby Tube station.

The 53-year-old was said to be in good spirits that evening but after sending his girlfriend a text message at 9pm, no-one heard from him and he was reported missing.

Scotland Yard was contacted by officers in Sussex this morning and told that the body of a man matching his description had been found near cliffs at Splash Point in Seaford, East Sussex, last Friday.

Mr Bhattacharjee, from Redbridge, north-east London, was formally identified today and his next of kin have been informed.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

His friends and family had made pleas for his safe return, including his 24-year-old son Rahul Bhattacharjee-Prashar, who told the Evening Standard the disappearance was "completely out of character".

He added: "He was doing well in his career and everything seemed to be going okay."

The actor, who also appeared in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, White Teeth and Dirty Pretty Things, had been due to appear in this week's play Talk Show at the Royal Court.

Bhattacharjee and Meera Syal rehearse last year

His role in the play, which began last night, was recast.

He was part of the theatre's company of 14 actors performing in the Weekly Rep series, which sees six plays staged in six weeks, and had already appeared in two of the productions.

Tributes have been paid to the actor, with many from the theatre world taking to Twitter to express their sadness.

Director Jamie Lloyd wrote: "Very sad to hear about the death of Paul Bhattacharjee. He was a very fine actor. My thoughts are with his family."

Muzz Khan, who appeared in Much Ado About Nothing alongside the late actor, said: "Rest In Peace, Paul Bhattacharjee. I can't believe you're gone, mate."

Playwright Duncan Gates wrote: "'When you depart from me sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave'. RIP Paul Paul Bhattacharjee."

Actor Rick Warden wrote: "Having a bad time with the news about friend and colleague Paul Bhattacharjee's death. An intelligent & charismatic man. Very sad."

He played a doctor in Casino Royale in 2006 and was in several episodes of EastEnders as Inzamam between 2008 and 2010.

Other television credits for the actor included Waking The Dead, Spooks and The Bill.

Last year he appeared as Benedick opposite Meera Syal in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Much Ado About Nothing.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org

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NHS Patients Urged To Be Hospital Inspectors

Patients are being urged to join a "small army" of inspectors keeping check on NHS hospitals.

The new Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richard, has announced ways to radically change how hospitals in England are assessed.

In his first press conference since taking the Care Quality Commission (CQC) job, Sir Mike called on people "from different walks of life" to help the watchdog inspect facilities.

His beefed-up inspection teams - made up of patients, doctors, nurses and other professionals - will give all hospitals school-style ratings.

"Today I am issuing a call for inspectors. I want assistance in this inspection process," Sir Mike said.

"I want to start building a small army of inspectors.

Sir Mike admitted the CQC had "flawed" inspections in the past

"These inspectors need to come from different walks of life, some of them will be practising clinicians who will come and do two or three inspections a year,  some others will be retired clinicians but importantly we are also seeking patients and carers and we will provide training.

"We will assess whether services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led."

Sir Mike said each of the 161 acute hospital trusts will be rated as "outstanding", "good", "requires improvement" or "inadequate".

If they are deemed to be inadequate they could be put into "special measures" - as seen earlier this week with 11 hospital trusts reviewed for having higher mortality rates.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was "worrying" that the CQC failed to spot any real cause for concern at the 11 trusts.

Sir Mike admitted the embattled regulator had "flawed" inspections in the past.

"If we thought that the CQC process in the past had been perfect we wouldn't be changing it," Sir Mike said.

"We are changing it because we recognise that it was flawed."

Sir Mike said the bigger inspection teams would spend longer examining the hospitals with a mixture of announced and unannounced inspections.

However, he said the surprise inspections will "probably" occur after the announced ones which raises concerns that failing trusts could prepare for inspections.

Simon Whittle went to an NHS hospital with a broken leg and ended up having much of his leg amputated .

Mr Hunt said CQC's assessment of the 11 trusts was "worrying"

He told Sky News what should have been a simple procedure to mend it went badly wrong.

Mr Whittle said the new inspections will be a waste of time and money.

"It (money) should be where it's needed," he said.

"You don't need these inspections. Just give them the money to do what they need to do."

Another NHS hospital patient, Hazel Cameron, agrees.

"We don't need people inspecting what's being done. We just need being it done," she told Sky News.

"I don't know the answers. I'm not political, but I know they've got to improve the quality of nursing care."

Sir Mike said the new ratings system will be rolled out from next January and that all hospitals will be assessed by 2015.

Earlier this week, a shocking report revealed that thousands more patients died than would have been expected at 14 hospital trusts, including the 11 put into "special measures".

The review by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh found that none of the hospitals investigated was providing "consistently high-quality care to patients" and all the trusts have been ordered to act on recommendations set out by health officials.

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Trayvon Martin: George Zimmerman Acquitted

George Zimmerman has been acquitted of all charges over the fatal shooting of black teenager Travyon Martin in Florida.

Mr Zimmerman was freed after the jury deliberated for more than 15 hours over two days in the second-degree murder trial.

The jurors notified the judge on Saturday night, shortly before 10pm local time, that they had reached a decision.

Minutes later the verdict was announced. Mr Zimmerman stood impassively as the verdict was read out.

Supporters of Trayvon Martin outside court after the verdict was reached

The parents of the teenager were not in court for the verdict.

But outside the court supporters of Trayvon reacted with disappointment and anger.

Some chanted and held up a large banner saying "End racial oppression", while others yelled "No" in disbelief at the acquittal.

The six-member, all-woman jury began deliberating at 2.30pm on Friday after spending part of the day listening to the defence team's closing arguments and a rebuttal from the prosecution.

George Zimmerman is congratulated by his defence team

The jurors considered nearly three weeks of often wildly conflicting testimony over who was the aggressor on the rainy night the 17-year-old was shot while walking through the gated townhouse community where he was staying.

Mr Zimmerman's lawyers said the case was classic self-defence, claiming Trayvon knocked Mr Zimmerman down and was slamming the older man's head against the concrete footpath when Mr Zimmerman fired his pistol.

Trayvon Martin was shot dead in a gated community

"We're ecstatic with the results," defence lawyer Mark O'Mara said after the verdict.

"George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything except protecting himself in self-defence."

Another member of his defence team, Don West, said: "I'm glad this jury kept this tragedy from becoming a travesty."

Prosecutors called Mr Zimmerman a liar and portrayed him as a wannabe police officer and vigilante who had grown frustrated by break-ins in his neighbourhood committed primarily by young black men.

The teen's death drew protests in cities across America

They said Mr Zimmerman assumed the teen was up to no good and took the law into his own hands.

The case divided public opinion in the United States, with even President Barack Obama commenting on the shooting. Congressman Bobby Rush wore a "hoodie" in the House of Representatives in support of Trayvon.

Further criticism came from the 44-day delay before Mr Zimmerman was arrested.

Trayvon's father was not in court for the verdict

After hearing the verdict, judge Debra Nelson told the defendant he was free to go and the GPS tracking tag unit would be removed.

"You have no further business with this court," she said.

Mr Zimmerman later hugged his family, and his wife Shellie smiled and cried.

Fearing further social unrest over the controversial shooting, the police chief in Sanford, where Trayvon Martin was shot and where the trial was held, urged peace.

State Attorney Angela Corey said she believed second-degree murder was the appropriate charge because Mr Zimmerman's mindset "fit the bill of second-degree murder."

"We charged what we believed we could prove," Ms Corey said.

Second-degree murder is classed as a death that does not include specific intent to kill, and the trial centred on the state's controversial self-defence rule of "Stand Your Ground".

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Belfast: Clashes In Second Night Of Rioting

Police have used plastic bullets against protesters during a second night of rioting in parts of Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Police use water cannon to disperse protesters in Belfast

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said so-called attenuated energy projectiles (AEP) were used in one location.

Water cannon were also deployed against demonstrators in several areas.

Police said they fired "a number of AEPs" in the Woodvale area of north Belfast on Saturday night.

It was the second night of trouble in the area.

Bottles and other missiles were thrown at officers on Woodvale Road.

Over 30 police officers were injured in the first night of clashes

Sky News Ireland Correspondent David Blevins said: "For a second consecutive night police came under sustained attack.

"It is mainly from youths pelting police lines with bricks, bottles, masonry and fireworks.

"There has also been a number of petrol bombs."

Youths set fire to bins and threw objects at officers

The PSNI also responded to isolated incidents elsewhere in north Belfast, at Rosapenna Street and North Queen Street.

Police said the disorder in the Woodvale area was "sporadic", but said one officer was struck by a petrol bomb.

The PSNI said the officer had been examined by medical personnel and remained on duty.

Officers said a 40-year old male was arrested in the Castlereagh Street area of east Belfast on suspicion of breach of the peace following a protest in the area.

Over 30 police officers were injured in the first night of clashes

A 17-year-old male and a female, also 17, were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of riotous behaviour during Friday's clashes in east Belfast.

The Woodvale Road and the Newtownards Road in east Belfast witnessed the worst violence on Friday, with 32 police officers injured.

MP for North Belfast Nigel Dodds was taken to hospital amid the clashes in Woodvale after being struck by a brick.

He was discharged from hospital on Saturday morning.

Around 400 extra police officers have been sent to Northern Ireland after the clashes.

More than 600 officers from forces in England, Scotland and Wales were already in the region supporting the PSNI operation.

On Saturday PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott condemned those responsible for the trouble.

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Heathrow Dreamliner: Probe Into Cause Of Fire

Air accident experts will continue their investigation into the cause of a fire on board a Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet at Heathrow Airport amid concerns the aircraft type could be grounded again.

The Ethiopian Airlines-operated plane caught fire while on a remote parking stand shortly after 4.30pm on Friday but nobody was on board and there were no injuries.

Boeing temporarily withdrew the Dreamliner from service earlier this year for modifications after concerns that batteries on board could cause fires.

Thousands of travellers faced long delays resulting from diversions as both runways at the airport were closed to all flights for an hour and a half while emergency crews dealt with the blaze. The runways are now fully open.

Foam surrounds the Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner

The US National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a representative to London to assist the Air Accidents Investigation Branch with their examination of the incident.

Ethiopian Airlines said the aircraft had been parked at Heathrow for more than eight hours before smoke was detected.

The fire appeared to have caused damage to the top of the plane's fuselage.

The Ethiopian Airlines plane involved in the Heathrow fire was the first Dreamliner to fly in April after the battery problems.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident Thomson Airways said a Dreamliner flight to Florida had to be diverted back to Manchester yesterday due to a "technical issue".

Boeing shares fell sharply on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday after news broke of the incident.

Damage to the top of the Dreamliner's fuselage

Travel Expert Simon Calder told Sky News: "It's entirely possible that the Dreamliner could be grounded which I think would be unprecedented in the history of aviation to have an aircraft type be grounded twice in quick succession.

"If that were to happen, clearly, airlines would be very badly affected they'd have to completely to have to reconfigure their fleets which they were hoping to be a very profitable summer."

Thomson Airways became the first British carrier to operate the Dreamliner earlier this week and is taking delivery of eight of the planes.

The company had hoped to take delivery of the first of its 787s in time to start Dreamliner operations in May but this was delayed due to the battery problems.

Thomson had to scrap plans to use the ultra-green aircraft in May and June and only received its first plane in June.

The battery problems followed endless production difficulties for the Dreamliner, which has been marketed as a quiet, fuel-efficient aircraft carrying between 201 and 290 passengers on medium-range routes.

It should have entered passenger service in 2008 but it was not until October 2011 that the first commercial flight was operated by Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways.

British Airways is taking delivery of the first two of its 24 Dreamliners, while Virgin Atlantic said it "remains committed" to taking the first of its 16 Dreamliners in September next year.

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Belfast Violence: Police And MP Injured

Sectarian tension in Belfast has spilled over into violence overnight leaving 23 police officers and an MP injured.

Democratic Unionist Party MP Nigel Dodds, who had been near police lines talking to officers, was taken to hospital after being struck on the head by a brick during fighting, a party spokesman said. His condition is said to be stable.

Officers were pelted with masonry, bottles and other missiles during clashes with loyalists in Woodvale Road.

Police said 23 officers had been injured in the North Belfast disturbances as they dealt with "serious public disorder".

Water cannon was deployed and around 20 non-lethal rounds known as Attenuated Energy Projectiles fired.

Officers were hit by an array of missiles including sticks and fireworks

Water cannon was also been used by police in east Belfast in response to missiles hurled by crowds of people.

Trouble erupted as the Orange Order protested against the decision to ban a contentious July 12 parade from a north Belfast flashpoint.

Loyalist bandsmen played sectarian tunes at police lines while bricks and bottles were thrown.

At one point a rioter broke down a section of wall and threw it at police shields. Others used sticks and pieces of drainpipe to batter police vehicles while some danced on top of the force's Land Rovers and tried to rip off protective plating.

Police were enforcing a Parades Commission ban. The ruling stops Orange Order lodges from walking on a stretch of road in north Belfast that separates loyalist and nationalist communities.

Water cannon is used on loyalist protesters

The Parades Commission - the adjudicating body set up after the Good Friday Agreement peace deal - had banned marchers from a 300 metre stretch of the Crumlin Road past the nationalist Ardoyne area.

Three lodges from the Ligoniel area were able to walk the contested route this morning but were prevented from making the return journey.

Trouble also broke out on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Bricks and bottles were thrown in both areas.

One man was arrested for disorderly behaviour and another for provocative behaviour.

Serious rioting has erupted after previous Orange Order evening marches in Ardoyne. Last year shots were fired at police who also came under sustained attack from petrol bombs thrown by republican protesters.

MP Nigel Dodds was taken to hospital after his head injury

Before he was injured, Mr Dodds said: "This sort of situation here creating a bottleneck at this junction, the Parades Commission decision to block it here, this is the inevitable outcome.

"The police were well aware that was the danger the Parades Commission had put them in. I would appeal for everybody to stay calm, not to get involved in violence.

"The Grand Lodge have made it clear they do not want violence and the people who want to engage in violence should desist immediately."

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly blamed the violence on the Orange Order and unionist politicians.

"Speech after speech at the various (Orange) demonstrations were clearly designed to stir up sectarian tension and have alongside the Orange Order's failure to abide by Parades Commission determinations led directly to the violence in Belfast tonight.

"No amount of hand wringing or denial in the coming days from the Orange Order and unionist politicians can alter that reality.

Twenty-three officers were hurt during the 'serious disorder'

"People had a right to expect better, instead what we got was a very deliberate strategy with the inevitable results being seen on the streets this evening."

The Orange Order has appealed for calm and asked that all parades be peaceful.

In a statement, it said: "The Parades Commission must go but violence is not the way to achieve it. All protests must be peaceful.

"In support of the Grand Orange Lodge's appeal for calm, the Ligoniel Lodges (north Belfast) have decided to suspend their protest over the determination for the Crumlin Road."

DUP leader and Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson called for calm.

"Violence and attacks on the PSNI and the wider community are wrong, can never be justified and must stop," he said.

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San Francisco Crash: Pilot 'Blinded By Light'

Timeline Of Asiana Flight Crash

Updated: 4:41pm UK, Wednesday 10 July 2013

After departing from Shanghai and stopping in Seoul, Asiana Flight 214 makes its final approach into San Francisco International Airport following a 10-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean. A preliminary review of the crash by US investigators turns up the following:

:: Approach proceeds normally - Pilot Lee Kang Kuk and training instructor, Lee Jung Min, receive clearance from air traffic control to land without instrument landing system.

Visibility is about 10 miles with winds out of the southwest at seven knots.

There are no distress calls or special requests in the air traffic control tapes that captured the discussion between the tower and the Asiana pilots.

:: Plane descends - At 1,600ft and 82 seconds before impact, the autopilot is disengaged, a normal procedure.

At 1,400ft and 73 seconds before impact, the plane's speed is about 170 knots.

At 500ft and 34 seconds before impact, the speed has dropped to 134 knots, just below the optimal landing speed of 137 knots that the pilots believe has been programmed into the "autothrottle".

Lee Jung Min recognises the plane is coming in too low and tells Lee Kang Kuk to "pull back".

:: 16 seconds out - Plane is at 200ft and travelling at 118 knots.

The Precision Approach Path Indicator that uses red and white lights to tell pilots if they are approaching correctly is all red, indicating the plane is much too low.

Lee Jung Min recognises the autothrottle is not maintaining the proper speed.

:: 8 seconds out - At an altitude of 125ft, the plane is travelling at 112 knots when the throttles begin moving forward.

:: 4 seconds out - The stick shaker, a yoke the pilots hold, begins vibrating, indicating the plane could stall.

:: 3 seconds out - The plane is travelling at 103 knots, the slowest speed recorded by the flight data recorder. The engines begin increasing power from 50%.

:: 1.5 seconds out - From the cockpit comes a call to abort the landing and go around for another try.

:: Crash - The plane, which has increased its speed to 106 knots, clips the seawall at the end of the runway with its landing gear and then its tail, which breaks off.

The plane spins on the runway and slides to a stop. The controller declares an emergency and rescue vehicles rush to the scene.

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

MPs' Pay: For And Against Hike

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

By Nicola Boden, Sky News Online

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here, Sky News examines both sides of the debate:

FOR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AGAINST

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Royal Mail Privatisation Plans To Be Unveiled

By Poppy Trowbridge, Business and Economics Correspondent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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San Francisco Plane Crash: Crew Were Ejected

Survivors Tell Of Plane Horror

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Miliband Set To Reform Labour Ties To Unions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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April Jones: Mark Bridger Attacked In Prison

Child killer Mark Bridger has been attacked by a fellow prisoner less than two months into his whole life sentence.

The 47-year-old, who was jailed in May for abducting and murdering schoolgirl April Jones, was slashed with a makeshift blade during the attack at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire.

He reportedly suffered facial injuries and was taken to a local hospital where he was given stitches.

A spokesman for Her Majesty's Prison Service confirmed that a prisoner was injured and taken to hospital during the attack, which is now being investigated by police.

Bridger kidnapped April before sexually abusing and murdering her and disposing of her body last October.

He was given a whole life sentence by judge Mr Justice Griffith Williams after a jury found him guilty following a month-long trial.

April had been playing with friends close to her home on the Bryn-y-Gog estate in Machynlleth, Wales, when Bridger enticed her into his car.

Following his arrest, detectives found numerous indecent images on his computer.

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Andy Murray: 'Wimbledon Win Is The Pinnacle'

Andy Murray Can Win More Slams

Updated: 12:16am UK, Monday 08 July 2013

By Chris Skudder, Sky News Sports Presenter

The wags didn't waste any time with a cheeky overhead backhand smash at the post-match media conference.

"Andy, how does it feel to be the first Brit to win Wimbledon in shorts?!" one journalist quipped.

It was a winning reference to the fact that the last time a man from Britain won the world's most coveted title, he was wearing long trousers, or "long flannel pants" as Fred Perry's daughter Penny told Sky News last night.

For a nation where the game was first thought up, 77 years is a ridiculously long wait.

Fred Perry's 1936 final opponent Gottfried Von Cramm went on to win the Iron Cross for Germany in the Second World War.

Murray wasn't even born when Perry was immortalised in a bronze statue at the All England Club in the mid-1980s, half a century after winning his first All England Club title in 1934.

Perry was widely regarded as one of the greats, winning eight of what we now call Grand Slam titles between 1933 and 1936, including three at Wimbledon and all three of the other Slams - the US, Australian and French Opens - in that short spell of domination.

So where does that place Murray? Without doubt he has some catching up to do on Perry, even though Fred played at a time when the competition was never as fierce as it is now.

Murray can count one Wimbledon and one US Open title alongside his five final defeats.

But he's only 26 and can probably look forward to four or five more years at the top.

It's probably fair to say he may never win the French on the slow red clay, a surface that most of the world's greatest ever hard and grass court players have never been able to master.

Sampras, for all his seven Wimbledons, never won the French Open, and even the greatest of them all, Roger Federer, with his seven Wimbledons, only managed to squeeze out one title at Roland Garros (though he had the misfortune to lose four finals there to the near-unbeatable clay court master Rafa Nadal).

There's every chance though that Murray will add to his tally of Grand Slams on the hard courts at the US Open, where he'll be defending champion in September; in Australia, where he's tasted defeat in three finals already and will be busting a gut to put that right next January; and at Wimbledon, where he'll already be favourite to repeat his victory next July.

Tennis, like all sports, goes in cycles. Federer and Nadal had their period of domination (and are still very capable of winning more Slams) but this now feels like Murray's time, slugging it out with Djokovic for the world's top spot and the major tournaments along the way.

Three of the last four Grand Slam finals have featured the two top ranked players in the world, and Murray has now taken two of those three.

A fit and firing again Juan Martin Del Potro will be a major player too in the coming few years and would be a good bet to add to his one Slam in the US four years ago.

How many Grand Slams can Murray go on to win? He'll never catch Federer with his incredible all-time high of 17, nor Nadal's 12. Djokovic has six, mostly down to an iron will to win, an extraordinary durability, like Nadal, and capacity for comebacks.

Murray has always had the talent and ability but has now added mental strength, doggedness and hunger for more. You wouldn't be surprised if he went on to win four or five more of the big titles.

They always say in sport you have to lose first to be able to learn to win. Like his game-changing coach Ivan Lendl, Murray lost his first four Grand Slam finals, which only served to perpetuate the legend of the choking Brits.

But once he'd felt able to manage the unfair expectation that gets heaped on any half decent British player wielding a racket, he got that first title out of the way in New York last September.

With the barriers down he's now broken through at the last bastion of expectation, Wimbledon HQ. Home at last.

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'Thirty-Four Shot Dead' In Cairo

A spokesman for Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood claims 34 of its supporters have been killed when they were fired upon in Cairo.

Murad Ali said that shooting broke out in the early hours of this morning while the Islamists staged a sit-in outside the Republican Guard barracks where deposed president Mohamed Morsi is being held.

The claims have not been independently verified.

More follows...

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Boeing Plane Crash Lands In San Francisco

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

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

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

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

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

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane's tail section break off during the crash. South Korea's transportation ministry said the tail of the plane hit the runway before it crashed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Abu Qatada Deported From UK To Jordan

Timeline: Qatada Legal Battle

Updated: 4:37am UK, Sunday 07 July 2013

Abu Qatada has challenged and ultimately thwarted every attempt by the Government to detain and deport him for many years.

Here is a timeline of the legal battle.

1993: Abu Qatada claims asylum when he arrives in Britain on a forged passport.

1994: Allowed to stay in Britain.

1995: Issues a "fatwa" justifying the killing of converts from Islam, their wives and children in Algeria.

1998: Applies for indefinite leave to remain in Britain.

1999: April - Convicted in his absence on terror charges in Jordan and sentenced to life imprisonment.

October - Speaks in London advocating the killing of Jews and praising attacks on Americans.

2001: February - Arrested by anti-terror police over involvement in a plot to bomb Strasbourg Christmas market. Officers find him with £170,000 in cash, including £805 in an envelope marked "For the mujahedin in Chechnya".

December - Becomes one of Britain's most wanted men after going on the run from his home in west London.

2002: Arrested by police in a council house in south London and detained in Belmarsh high-security jail.

2005: Freed on conditional bail and placed on a control order but arrested again in August under immigration rules as the Government seeks to deport him to Jordan.

2008: April: Court of Appeal rules deportation would breach his human rights because evidence used against him in Jordan might have been obtained through torture.

May - Granted bail by the immigration tribunal but told he must stay inside for 22 hours a day.

June - Released from Long Lartin jail in Worcestershire and moves into a four-bedroom house in west London.

November - He is rearrested after the Home Office tells an immigration hearing of fears he plans to abscond.

December - Qatada's bail is revoked by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) after hearing secret evidence that the risk of him absconding has increased.

2009: Five Law Lords unanimously back the Government's policy of removing terror suspects from Britain on the basis of assurances from foreign governments and it is ruled he can be deported to Jordan to face a retrial on the terror charges.

He is awarded 2,800 euro (£2,500) compensation by the European Court of Human Rights after the judges rule that his detention without trial in the UK under anti-terrorism powers breached his human rights.

2012: January - European judges rule he can be sent to Jordan with diplomatic assurances but not while "there remains a real risk that evidence obtained by torture will be used against him".

February - He is released on strict bail conditions.

April - Rearrested as the Government prepares to deport him after Jordan gives assurances it will "bend over backwards" to ensure he receives a fair trial.

March - Qatada's legal team loses its bid to have the case heard by the Europe's human rights judges, clearing the way for deportation proceedings to continue.

May and August - Siac rejects Qatada's applications for bail.

October - Siac holds appeal hearing.

November - His appeal is granted and he is granted bail.

December - Qatada is moved to a larger residence in the greater London area.

2013:

March 9 - It emerges Qatada has been arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions. He is ordered to stay in custody and sent to Belmarsh.

March 21 - Police reveal the cleric is being investigated over extremist material.

March 27 - Home Secretary Theresa May loses her appeal over Siac's decision to allow Qatada to stay in the UK. The Home Office vows to appeal.

April 17 - The Home Office formally announces that it is seeking leave from the Court of Appeal to take the case to the Supreme Court.

April 22 - The Court of Appeal refuses permission to go to the Supreme Court, forcing the Home Office to appeal directly to the highest court in the land.

April 23 - Theresa May tells MPs she has signed a new treaty with Jordan that should pave the way to deportation, but warns it might take "many months".

May 10 - Qatada's barrister says he will go back to Jordan voluntarily if the treaty on the use of evidence obtained by torture, guaranteeing he will not be tortured, is ratified by the Jordanian parliament.

May 20 - Qatada is refused bail by the Special Immigrations Appeals Commission after "jihadist material" is found on a computer memory stick.

July 2 - The new treaty between Jordan and Britain is fully ratified, sparking claims Qatada could be on a plane within days.

July 3 - A Jordanian government official tells AFP the cleric is due back on Sunday.

July 7 - Flown from RAF Northolt to Jordan

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Snowden Offered Asylum In Two Countries

US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has been told he could be welcomed in Nicaragua and Venezuela after applying to another six countries for asylum.

Speaking at a public event, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said his government was willing to grant political asylum to the former NSA contractor "if circumstances permit it".

He added: "We are open, respectful of the right to asylum, and it is clear that if circumstances permit it, we would receive Snowden with pleasure and give him asylum here in Nicaragua.

"We have the sovereign right to help a person who felt remorse after finding out how the United States was using technology to spy on the whole world, and especially its European allies."

Mr Ortega said his government had received an asylum application at its embassy in Moscow.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made the same promise during a speech marking the anniversary of Venezuela's independence.

He said: "As head of state, the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela decided to offer humanitarian asylum to the young American Edward Snowden so that he can live (without) ... persecution from the empire.

It was not immediately clear if there were any conditions to Venezuela's offer.         

Snowden is believed to be holed up at a Moscow airport looking for a country that will give him safe haven as the US wants to extradite him to face espionage charges.

The 30-year-old has previously asked 21 countries for asylum but most said he must be on their soil for his application to be accepted.

WikiLeaks revealed he had applied to more countries.

A tweet from the anti-secrecy website said: "Edward Snowden has applied to another six countries for asylum.

"They will not be named at this time due to attempted US interference."

The message appeared to be an allusion to the drama surrounding the flight of Bolivian President Evo Morales, whose plane was recently abruptly rerouted to Austria over suspicions Snowden was aboard.

Washington has revoked the passport of Snowden, who is seeking to evade US justice for leaking details about a vast US electronic surveillance programme to collect phone and Internet data.

He also revealed evidence of the spying activities of British eavesdropping agency GCHQ - including its scanning of vast amounts of emails and other internet traffic by tapping cable networks.

A bid by Snowden for Icelandic citizenship failed when the country's parliament voted not to debate it before the summer recess.

Russia has shown signs of growing impatience over Snowden's stay in the country.

Its deputy foreign minister said on Thursday that Snowden had not sought asylum in the country and needed to choose a place to go.

Moscow has made clear that the longer he stays, the greater the risk of the diplomatic standoff over his fate causing lasting damage to relations with Washington.

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Egypt Clashes Turn Deadly As Troops Open Fire

By Dominic Waghorn, Sky News Correspondent, in Cairo

At least 30 people in Egypt have died in fierce clashes between supporters and opponents of deposed president Mohamed Morsi.

Supporters of the former leader marched to the Cairo barracks of the Republican Guard chanting "down with military rule" after a Muslim Brotherhood rally at the city's Rabea al Adaweya mosque.

Shots were fired as protesters hung pictures of Mr Morsi on a barbed wire barrier around the military complex. At least three demonstrators were shot by the military.

Downtown Cairo witnessed the same street battles played out two-and-a-half years ago, this time with Morsi supporters fighting their enemies with rocks, clubs and fireworks. One person was killed in their clashes.

A pro-Morsi crowd crossed the Sixth Of October bridge heading towards Tahrir Square, provoking a fierce confrontation.

The Egyptian army said troops were responding only with blank rounds and tear gas.

An anti-Morsi protester with evidence of gun cartridges

However, anti-Morsi youths showed Sky News what their enemies had done to them, brandishing used shotgun cartridges and pellet wounds.

"They are terrorists and we should get rid of them," they said. "They're using automatic weapons and shotguns."

The atmosphere was febrile. Changing in a second. Turning from triumphant to panicked, as the crowd scattered thinking their attackers had returned.

"The Muslim Brotherhood is coming here beating us shooting us," said one man. "We're here, we're alone and we need someone to  help us."

Egyptian elite soldiers guard a military building in Cairo

As if to answer him, military armoured personnel carriers appeared from the gloom.

But this isn't a conflict against foreign invaders, it's between Egyptians.

The anti-Morsi crowd screamed curses against the ousted president venting their fury, and relief then turned against us, the Sky News crew, mistaking us for Americans.

A hurried explanation gave us time to escape.

There are now two armies of protesters on the streets of Cairo - enraged and out for vengeance, determined to prevail.

Violence also erupted in cities of southern Egypt, along the Suez Canal and in the Nile Delta, with officials reporting more than 200 people injured. Four were killed in the northern Sinai city of el Arish, where Islamists stormed a government building.

More than 200 people have been wounded nationwide, according to officials

State TV quoted the country's health ministry saying 30 people had died nationwide, including 12 people in clashes in Alexandria. Most of the fatalities were from gunshot wounds.

It came after the Muslim Brotherhood and its allies called for protesters to take to the streets on the Muslim day of prayer for what it described as a "Friday of Rage".

The leader of the Brotherhood called for followers to remain peaceful but he vowed to restore power to Mr Morsi, who was ousted in a military coup earlier this week, a year after being elected to office.

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