NHS Hospital Paid £1,800 A Day For Nurse

By Thomas Moore, Science and Health Correspondent

NHS hospitals are so short staffed on public holidays they are paying almost £150 an hour for nurses to work, a Sky News investigation has found.

On May Day Bank Holiday this year a locum agency was paid more than £1,800 to supply a nurse for a 12-hour shift, new figures show.

And one hospital paid £2,500 for a doctor to work that day.

The statistics - obtained through a Freedom of Information request - lay bare how much the NHS is relying on private locum staff on public holidays.

In one hospital, half of the doctors who worked on May 5 were locum medics.

And at another, almost one third of the nursing staff was supplied by a private agency.

Experts say that using locum staff unfamiliar with the hospitals they are working in can put patient care at risk.

With the NHS under increasing financial pressure, a nursing body wants the amount hospitals pay agencies to be reviewed.

One trust paid nearly £1,800 for a mental health nurse shift. Pic: File

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "These figures are truly shocking.

"Many (of the nurses) will never have been to that ward before and will probably never be there again.

"It says nothing about continuity of care. Even finding your way round the ward, the geography, it makes life really difficult.

"Agency nurses do not provide good value for money … and the employers who use these extraordinary levels should be held to account for it.

"This is public money that is not being well spent. This is something that should be looked at with the utmost urgency."

Eighty of the 150 NHS trusts in England replied to a Sky News request asking how many locum staff they employed and at what rates on May 5 this year.

At the Heart of England NHS Trust in the West Midlands, half the doctors working that day were temporary locum medics, the figures show.

Experts say a large percentage of locum staff can put patient care at risk

More than three in ten nurses at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust and at Southend NHS Trust were from agencies.

Meanwhile, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (NHS Foundation Trust) paid an agency £2,500 for a locum doctor to work a single shift.

University Hospitals Bristol (NHS Foundation Trust) paid £1,800 for a nurse on a shift of just over 12 hours - equivalent to almost £150 an hour.

Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust paid almost as much (£1,798) for a middle grade nurse specialising in mental health - almost a month's pay for the average nurse.

Separate figures published in April suggested that the NHS has spent £2bn on agency staff since 2010/11.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "We now have 6,700 more doctors and 6,200 more nurses directly employed by NHS organisations than in 2010.

"The figures … are not a full picture of staffing in the NHS, but we encourage all trusts to maintain a tight grip on their staff costs and we will hold poor performers to account."

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Israeli Army Mobilises 16,000 Extra Troops

Large explosions lit up the sky above Gaza City overnight, as Israel mobilised 16,000 more reservists to the conflict.

The sound of explosions and planes flying overhead were heard across the city, though there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The continued bombardment came as Israel announced it was mobilising thousands of extra troops.

"The army has issued 16,000 additional mobilisation orders to allow troops on the ground to rest, which takes the total number of reservists to 86,000," said an army spokeswoman.

Israel says it is close to destroying all Hamas cross-border attack tunnels

Israel also revealed it was days away from achieving its core goal of destroying all Islamist guerrilla cross-border attack tunnels.

It has ordered its ground forces to focus on locating and destroying a warren of tunnels with which Hamas has menaced its southern towns and army bases.

Major-General Sami Turgeman, chief of Israeli forces in Gaza, said they were "but a few days away from destroying all the attack tunnels".

The army said 32 of the secret passages had been found so far and half of them blown up.

Three Israeli soldiers were killed on Wednesday by a booby trap detonated as they uncovered a tunnel shaft, the army said.

The Israeli military said it would also continue to target Hamas command centres, rocket launchers and weapons arsenals.

Meanwhile Hamas' military leader Mohammed Deif has said the militants would not cease fire until their demands are met.

Hamas has demanded that Israel and Egypt lift a border blockade they imposed on Gaza after Hamas seized the territory in 2007.

More than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed in three weeks of fighting, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

Fifty-two Israeli soldiers and three civilians have died on the Israeli side.

The United Nations says civilians make up more than three-fourths of the dead and a majority of the wounded.

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British Doctors Warned To Check For Ebola

British doctors have been told to keep an eye out for anyone displaying the symptoms of Ebola as authorities in Africa fail to contain an outbreak.

A second airline stopped its flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone on Tuesday night, hours after a highly regarded doctor died of the virus.

An American GP who has been treating Ebola patients in Liberia is also said to be in a grave condition and "terrified" he will not survive.

Two other US health workers are currently being treated for Ebola in hospital in Liberia.

It comes after a 40-year-old American man of Liberian descent died in Nigeria on Friday, that country's first case.

The Ebola outbreak is the largest in history with more than 670 deaths blamed on the disease in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, as well as Nigeria, since February.

Medical staff prepare to bring food to patients in an isolation area

Dr Brian McCloskey, director of global health at Public Health England (PHE), said there are a number of British staff working on the ground in West Africa.

He said that while PHE believed the risk to British travellers and workers was low, doctors needed to be vigilant.

Dr McCloskey said: "The continuing increase in cases, especially in Sierra Leone, and the importation of a single case from Liberia to Nigeria is a cause for concern as it indicates the outbreak is not yet under control.

"We have alerted UK medical practitioners about the situation in West Africa and requested they remain vigilant for unexplained illness in those who have visited the affected area.

Kent Brantly, a US GP who has fallen sick in Liberia, says he is terrified

"People who have returned from affected areas who have a sudden onset of symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat and general malaise within three weeks of their return should immediately seek medical assistance."

Sierra Leone medic Dr Sheik Umar Khan was praised as a national hero for treating dozens of people with the disease in Sierra Leone, but was last night confirmed to have died.

He had been quarantined after catching the virus while helping others.

The airline ASKY, on which dead finance ministry official Patrick Sawyer travelled to Nigeria from Liberia, via Ghana and Togo, said it was temporarily halting flights to the Liberian capital Monrovia and Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Passengers at the airline's hub in Lome, Togo will also be screened by medical teams, it said. Arik Air had already cancelled flights in the area.

Patrick Sawyer's family are devastated by his death

Canada's CBC said the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Level Two travel alert, warning travellers to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea to avoid contact with body fluids of people who might be affected.

Two missionary groups based in North Carolina ordered the evacuation of their non-essential personnel from Liberia last night as the situation worsened.

Texas-born doctor Kent Brantly, 33, who remains fighting for his life in Monrovia, told a friend in an email: "I'm praying fervently that God will help me survive this disease."

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Strikes Kill 43 In Gaza As UN School Hit

Dozens more people have been killed in Gaza, including many at a UN school, during another night of heavy shelling, medics said.

At least 43 people, including a young child, were killed in the early hours of Wednesday, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas entered its 23rd day.

The Jabalia refugee camp, used as a shelter for those displaced by the war, was shelled shortly after 5.30am (2.30am GMT), a UN official said.

A light streak trail is seen as a rocket is launched from northern Gaza

One of the shells hit a UN school being used as a shelter for those displaced by fighting, killing 20 people, emergency services spokesman Ashraf al Qidra said.

The shell hit the Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) girls' school, he added.

A UN official confirmed the shelling, saying it hit a bathroom and two classrooms in the school.

Earlier, thick, black smoke could be seen rising from blazing fuel tanks at Gaza's only power station, which Israel knocked out on Tuesday.

Officials said the plant could be out of action for a year.

Meanwhile, Israel's Channel Two TV said progress was being made to achieve a deal in Cairo, where a Palestinian delegation was expected to arrive for discussions.

According to UNRWA, nearly 10% of Palestinians - about 183,000 people - have been displaced by the fighting and are taking refuge in its 82 emergency shelters.

The figure is triple that seen at the peak of the 2008/9 conflict.

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Immigrant Benefits To Be Cut To Three Months

EU migrants will only be able to claim benefits for three months unless they have serious job prospects, under plans announced by David Cameron.

The Prime Minister insisted the change would make it clear to migrants that they cannot get "something for nothing" and that Britain was "not a soft touch".

The plans will build on changes laid out in January that mean migrants must wait three months after arriving in Britain before claiming out-of-work benefits.

After that three months, migrants will now only be able to claim benefits for three months instead of six, unless they have "very clear job prospects".

David Cameron says Britain is 'not a soft touch' for EU migrants

Mr Cameron will also highlight changes already brought in by the Government, including new powers to revoke the driving licences of illegal immigrants.

A total of 2,200 have been revoked since the power's introduction earlier this month.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Mr Cameron said: "We changed the rules so that no-one can come to this country and expect to get out-of-work benefits immediately; they must wait at least three months.

"And we are announcing today that we are cutting the time people can claim these benefits for."

He continued: "It used to be that European jobseekers could claim JSA (jobseeker's allowance) or child benefit for a maximum of six months before their benefits would be cut off, unless they had very clear job prospects... we will be reducing that cut-off point to three months, saying very clearly: you cannot expect to come to Britain and get something for nothing...

Yvette Cooper says the Government has 'failed' on immigration

"Taken together, this is about building a different kind of Britain - a country that is not a soft touch, but a place to play your part; a nation where those who work hard can get on."

He added: "Carefully and painstakingly we are building an economy that has real opportunities for our young people; an education system that encourages them to do their best; a welfare system that encourages work; and an immigration system that puts Britain first."

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the Coalition was failing on immigration despite Mr Cameron's promise to get it down to the tens of thousands.

Ms Cooper said Labour called for tougher benefit restrictions nearly 18 months ago.

"We need less talk from the Prime Minister on immigration and more action," she said.

"It's almost a year-and-a-half since Labour called for benefit restrictions on new migrants. In that time we've had reannouncement after reannouncement from the Tories but little in the way of firm action.

"Behind the rhetoric the true picture of this Government on immigration is one of failure, with net migration going up, despite David Cameron's promise to get it down to the tens of thousands.

"The Government should get a grip and finally implement Labour's proposals to stop the undercutting of wages and jobs for local workers by the exploitation of low-skilled migrant labour, including banning recruitment agencies that only hire foreign workers and pressing for stronger controls in Europe."

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Hamas Leader's House 'Hit By Israeli Missile'

The home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been hit by an Israeli missile, during the heaviest night of bombardment in three weeks of fighting.

Israeli aircraft, tanks and navy gunboats pounded targets in Gaza City that were symbols of Hamas government control.

One strike hit the home of the top Hamas leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, and others hit government offices and the headquarters of the Hamas satellite TV station Al Aqsa.

An Israeli aircraft fired a missile at Mr Haniyeh's house early on Tuesday causing damage but no casualties, Gaza's Interior Ministry said.

Mr Haniyeh's son confirmed the strike on his Facebook page and added that the house of the former Hamas Gaza prime minister was empty.

Hamas said Al-Aqsa TV was also targeted but the station continued to broadcast.

The Al Aqsa TV headquaters after an attack by a shell

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel must be ready for a "prolonged" military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Israel started its offensive against Gaza on July 8, saying its aim was to halt rocket attacks by Hamas and its allies.

Mr Netanyahu, however indicated  in a TV speech on Monday night that he was widening the objectives, saying that the only solution would be a complete demilitarisation of the territory.

As night fell over Gaza City, army flares illuminated the sky and the sound of intense shelling could be heard.

A young girl is treated my medics for her injuries

The military warned thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes in areas around Gaza City - usually the prelude to major army strikes.

A number of rockets fired from Gaza were launched toward various regions in southern and central Israel, including the Tel Aviv area.

At least one of the rockets was intercepted by the Iron Dome system. 

Earlier, Israel accused Hamas of misfiring two rockets - one of which struck Gaza's main hospital and the other a refugee camp, killing nine children.

An Israeli soldier hurt in a mortar attack is stretchered away by comrades

A Palestinian official said at least 10 people in total were killed in the strike on the camp, and a further 46 injured.

However, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) denied responsibility for the attacks and said it had not been operating in the area.

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, an Israeli army spokesman, said claims the IDF was responsible were "ridiculous".

He told told Sky News: "The Israeli Defence Forces did not carry out any strikes in that area."

The IDF also tweeted: "Since the beginning of the operation #IDF has documented approximately 200 rockets & mortars that landed short within #Gaza."

Benjamin Netanyahu says Israelis need to prepare for a prolonged operation

A Palestinian health official said the overall Gaza death toll was 1,110. Israel said nine soldiers had been killed bringing the total killed to 53 soldiers, along with two civilians and a Thai national.

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Domestic Abusers Get Off With 'Slap On Wrist'

By Ashish Joshi, Sky News Correspondent

The victims of domestic abuse are being failed by the Government and their abusers getting away with little more than a "slap on the wrist", claims Labour.

The Opposition claims more than 10,000 perpetrators have not faced justice because police forces are wrongly using community resolutions to deal with violence against women.

Community resolutions were introduced to deal with low level crime such as vandalism and anti-social behaviour. They are supposed to be used as an alternative to ending up in court.

Victims are asked what they would like to see happen - it could end with an apology, compensation or remedial action like cleaning up graffiti.

In the words of West Midlands Police: "Community resolutions mean children and adults with no previous convictions need not be criminalised for one stupid mistake."

But shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper claims the use of community resolutions to deal with domestic violence has more than doubled in the past five years from 1,337 in 2009 to 3,305 in 2013.

"These figures are deeply worrying. Domestic violence is an incredibly serious crime. Two women a week are killed by their partner or an ex and 750,000 children will grow up witnessing domestic violence.

Yvette Cooper says community resolutions are often used inappropriately

"For the police to simply take a violent abuser home to apologise risks making domestic violence worse, and makes it even harder for victims to escape a cycle of abuse.

"Labour has called on the Government previously to prevent the use of Community Resolutions for serious crimes, including domestic violence. Today's figures reveal that nothing has been done."

But the Home Office has rejected Labour's claim that violent partners are escaping justice.

It said: "No government has done more to tackle the abhorrent crime of domestic abuse than this government. Our groundbreaking Claire's Law will help protect women from abusive relationships, while domestic violence protection orders are cracking down on the destructive cycle of repeated abuse.

"It is not acceptable for the police to use out of court settlements for serious criminality and that is why the government is already reviewing how they are used."

But Labour says an inspectorate report "looked at 66 police cases of informal resolution, and judged that the resolution was inappropriate in 14".

Women's charities and campaigners against  domestic violence have backed Labour's claims. They are worried community resolutions trivialise violence against women.

Jane Keeper from Refuge said: "Anyone with experience in domestic violence knows that most perpetrators regularly apologise.

"It's a feature of the violence, they abuse, batter, they control, and in the middle of it every now and again they say sorry and they'll never do it again.

"To have police encouraging this with perpetrators and keeping them away from being held accountable, is just playing right into hands of those who perpetrate violence."

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UN Calls For 'Unconditional' Gaza Ceasefire

The United Nations Security Council has called for "an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza following an emergency session in New York.

The council adopted a presidential statement - one step below a legally-binding resolution - urging Israel and Hamas "to accept and fully implement the humanitarian ceasefire into the Eid period and beyond".

Several temporary truces have been observed and broken on a weekend when the Palestinian death toll topped 1,000.

Some 43 Israeli soldiers have also been killed since their military operation began on July 8 - while three civilians have died from rocket fire into Israel.

Barack Obama called Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to press for an immediate truce.

The present conflict between Israel and Hamas began on July 8

The US President said Israel had a right to defend itself - but reiterated his country's "serious and growing concern" about the loss of life on both sides and the "worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza".

Hamas fired more rockets at Israel overnight, despite claims it had accepted a UN request for a 24-hour extension of a humanitarian ceasefire.

The temporary break - which Israel has not formally agreed - started at 2pm (noon UK time) yesterday ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid.

Sky News' Sherine Tadros, reporting from Gaza City, said more than 160,000 civilians had sought refuge in dozens of temporary shelters and were suffering from major food and water shortages.

As well as calling for an immediate truce, the Security Council statement set out a longer-term aim of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, "with secure and recognised borders".

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Israel Extends Gaza Ceasefire For 24 Hours

Israel has extended its humanitarian truce in Gaza by 24 hours - but says it will retaliate if Hamas fires rockets from the territory.

An unnamed Israeli official said the ceasefire had been prolonged until midnight (10pm UK time) on Sunday at the United Nations' request, though troops would continue to demolish Hamas tunnels.

Hamas immediately rejected the idea.

"No humanitarian ceasefire is valid without Israeli tanks withdrawing from the Gaza Strip and without residents being able to return to their homes and ambulances carrying bodies being able to freely move around in Gaza," spokesman Fawzi Barhum said.

Some 132 bodies were pulled from rubble in Gaza during Saturday's truce

Hamas resumed rocket fire towards Israel after a 12-hour break in hostilities on Saturday. 

Some 132 bodies were reportedly pulled from the rubble in Gaza during the lull, while the pause allowed Palestinians to stock up on supplies.

The resumption of rocket fire by Hamas led police to clear a protest in Tel Aviv, where thousands of Israelis were demonstrating against their government's military operation.

Anti-war protests also took place in London, Paris, Frankfurt and other cities.

Israelis demonstrated against their government's military operation

Meanwhile, world leaders continue their attempt to thrash out a wider ceasefire in Paris.

More than 1,000 Palestinians have now died since Israel launched a military operation 19 days ago.

The Israeli army say a soldier was killed on Sunday by a shell fired from Gaza, taking to 43 the number of troops to die in combat. Three civilians have also been killed by rocket fire into Israel.

On Friday Israel rejected a seven-day ceasefire backed by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

A top Pentagon intelligence official has warned that the destruction of Hamas would only lead to something more dangerous taking its place, as he offered a grim portrait of a period of enduring regional conflict.

The remarks by Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, the outgoing head of the Defence Intelligence Agency, came as Israeli ministers signalled that a comprehensive deal to end the 20-day-old conflict in the Gaza Strip appeared remote.

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Gatwick Passengers Suffer Baggage Delays

Hundreds of people arriving into Gatwick Airport's south terminal have faced long delays in picking up their luggage, with many being told to go home without it.

An airport spokesman said the overnight disruption was caused by "resourcing issues" involving baggage handlers Swissport.

"Due to resourcing issues with the baggage handlers Swissport there were overnight issues and delays with passengers' luggage," they said.

"Gatwick provided extra staff to help the airlines and their baggage handlers improve their service, as well as providing welfare and water for passengers waiting in the baggage areas, but we are sorry for the delays they faced.

"Baggage operations are now returning to normal."

Passengers of several airlines have been advised to go home without their luggage.

Gatwick said it provided extra staff for airlines to help reduce the delays

Officials at the airport informed passengers of British Airways flights who had waited more than an hour on their bags being returned, and those on Monarch, Thomas Cook or Thompson flights who had been waiting 90 minutes or more, that their luggage would be forwarded to their home address.

It is understood easyJet passengers have also been affected but had not been advised to leave without their baggage.

Some passengers took to social media sites to voice their frustrations over the delays - some up to five hours.

Julian C Adams tweeted: "Such shocking service at Gatwick airport! Waiting for the arrival of baggage for over 2 hours now! #shouldhaveflowntoheathrow.

Sophie Wood ‏tweeted: "3 hrs in #gatwick baggage handling ... Apparent Lack of staff appalling shambles #Gatwick#idiots.

Oliver Webb wrote: "‏@2 hour delays at #gatwick for baggage reclaim. #Swissport to blame apparently. No info from airport staff. Rubbish.

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US Says Putin 'Culpable' In MH17 Plane Crash

The White House has said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "culpable" in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine.

In his strongest comments yet since the plane was shot down - killing all 298 people aboard, White House spokesman Josh Earnest linked the crash to Russia, which the US has criticised for providing arms to Ukrainian separatists.

Mr Earnest told reporters: "What we also know is that the Malaysia Airlines jet was brought down by a missile that was fired from the ground.

"It was fired from the ground in an area that was controlled by separatists, and in an area where the Ukrainians themselves were not actually operating anti-aircraft weapons at that time.

"So that is why we have concluded that Vladimir Putin and the Russians are culpable to this tragedy."

Mr Earnest also confirmed reports that Russian troops are firing heavy artillery on Ukrainian military across the border, describing it as an escalation of the conflict.

The US has previously accused Russia of providing arms to Ukrainian pro-Russian separatists.

Russia, however, has called the latest US accusations of Moscow's involvement in the Ukrainian conflict a baseless "smear campaign".

The US has accused Russia of arming Ukrainian separatists

Meanwhile, European Union ambassadors have reached a preliminary deal on stepped-up sanctions against Russia, targeting its defence and technology sectors and its access to European capital.

EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said EU member states must decide whether the measures need to be approved by a summit meeting of the trade bloc's 28 member countries to go into effect.

The ambassadors also ordered asset freezes and travel bans against more Russians and pro-Russian Ukrainians accused of undermining Ukraine.

Alexander Bortnikov, head of the FSB, and Mikhail Fradkov, head of the foreign intelligence service, were among 15 Russians and Ukrainians, and 18 companies and other organisations named in the latest sanctions list published in the EU's Official Journal.

Russia increased its economic pressure on Ukraine when its agency in charge of agricultural products announced that it is banning imports of Ukrainian dairy.

Russia is the biggest export market for Ukrainian milk and cheese.

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Gaza: 12-Hour 'Humanitarian Truce' Begins

A 12-hour ceasefire has begun in Gaza after Israel and Hamas agreed a temporary truce on humanitarian grounds.

Israel has warned it will keep targeting tunnels and fight back if its troops or civilians are attacked during the brief respite from 18 days of violence - which officially started at 8am (6am UK time).

Parts of Gaza came under heavy bombardment, with explosions and black smoke rising above Gaza City minutes before the break in hostilities was due to begin.

The ceasefire comes after Israel suggested it is preparing to "broaden" its ground assault on Gaza after reportedly rejecting an international plan for a week-long truce.

John Kerry speaks with Qatar's Foreign Minister about the truce

US Secretary of State John Kerry remains "confident progress can be made" on a seven-day truce that would "bring people together to create a more durable plan".

However, on Friday evening Israel's defence minister told troops: "You need to be ready for the possibility that very soon we will instruct the military to significantly broaden the ground operation in Gaza."

Ahead of the truce, eight Palestinians were killed by an airstrike in Gaza and Israeli troops shot dead two teenagers in continuing West Bank protests in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Smoke billows from Gaza City after Israeli airstrikes

Nasri Mahmud Paqatqa, 16, was killed and five others wounded in a clash at the village of Beit Fajar, south of Bethlehem and 18-year-old Bassem Abu Rub died in a protest at the Jalama military checkpoint in the northern West Bank, Palestinian officials told AFP.

In Gaza, two Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting on Friday evening, the army confirmed.

Mr Kerry is now heading to Paris for international talks on a ceasefire, with Britain, Germany, Turkey and Qatar among those attending.

He told a news conference in Cairo a "fundamental framework" for peace was in place and that it would "ultimately succeed".

"The world is watching tragic moment after tragic moment unfold and is wondering when everybody is going to come to their senses," said Mr Kerry.

A map showing the areas of conflict and violence

An unnamed source from the Israeli government said they were seeking modifications as the truce proposal "leans too much towards Hamas demands".

Speaking alongside Mr Kerry, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said there had been "tireless efforts" to bring both sides to the table, and that the people of Gaza have "bled enough".

"They are trapped… living under constant fear of rocket attacks," he said. "Surely now, all parties must realise it's time to act."

The bombardment continued in Gaza, with two children and a pregnant woman among 55 killed by Israeli strikes according to officials - though doctors managed to save the unborn child.

Meanwhile, Sky's Sherine Tadros witnessed a "barrage" of rockets fired out of Gaza by militants. Many were intercepted and no casualties were reported.

Some 140,000 people have fled Gaza since the conflict began on July 8. More than 850 Palestinians have lost their lives.

Three civilians have died in Israel from rocket fire, while 37 Israeli soldiers have been killed during combat.

Security concerns prompted several airlines to stop flying to Tel Aviv earlier this week - but both Air France and Lufthansa have now lifted their bans.

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Two Palestinians Killed In West Bank Protest

Key Dates In The Gaza-Israel Conflict

Updated: 11:43am UK, Thursday 24 July 2014

Israel's ground offensive in the Gaza Strip continues with forces attempting to destroy Hamas' weapons arsenal and rocketing-firing capabilities.

Here are the key events from the fighting that preceded and have followed Israel's operation:

July 8 - Israel launches "Operation Protective Edge" in a bid to quell near-daily militant rocket attacks in the aftermath of the abduction and killing of a Palestinian teenager in what appeared to be a revenge attack for the seizure and slaying of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank in June.

July 9 - Hamas rockets rain deep into Israel as the military pummels Palestinian targets. The military says 74 rockets landed in Israel, including in the northern city of Hadera, the deepest rocket strike ever from Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Hamas will pay a "heavy price".

July 10 - Israel intensifies its bombardment. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urges an immediate ceasefire but neither side shows much interest in halting the fighting.

July 11 - Mr Netanyahu vows to press forward with a broad military offensive. The Israeli military says it has hit more than 1,100 targets, mostly rocket-launching sites, while Palestinian militants fired more than 600 rockets at Israel. The Lebanese military says militants there fired three rockets toward Israel and the Israelis retaliated with about 25 artillery shells.

July 12 - Gaza City becomes a virtual ghost town as streets empty, shops close and hundreds of thousands of people keep close to home. The death toll rises to more than 156 Palestinians after more than 1,200 Israeli air strikes.

July 13 - Israel widens its campaign, targeting civilian institutions with suspected Hamas ties, and briefly deploys ground troops inside Gaza to raid a rocket launching site. Four Israeli soldiers are hurt during the brief incursion. Egypt, a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, continues to work behind the scenes.

July 14 - Israel says it's downed an unmanned drone along its southern coastline. Egypt presents a cease-fire plan that is praised by President Barack Obama at a White House dinner celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

July 15 - Israeli Cabinet accepts Egypt's truce plan, halting fire for six hours but Hamas rejects the proposal, instead unleashing more rockets at Israel and prompting Israel to resume heavy bombardment. Rocket fire kills an Israeli man delivering food to soldiers, the first Israeli fatality in the fighting. Four Gaza boys, all cousins, are killed on a beach by shells fired from a navy ship.

July 16 - Hamas fires dozens of rockets into Israel, vowing not to agree to a ceasefire until its demands are met. The Gaza Interior Ministry's website says Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of airstrikes, targeting 30 houses, including those of four senior Hamas leaders. Later, both Israel and Hamas agree to a five-hour UN brokered "humanitarian" pause to start the following day.

July 17 - Both sides trade fire in run-up to the brief truce, which Gazans use to restock on food and other supplies. Israel says it foiled an attack by 13 Gaza militants who infiltrated through a tunnel. Fierce fighting resumes after the truce expires, including an airstrike that kills three Palestinian children. After nightfall, the Israeli military launches a ground invasion into Gaza Strip.

July 18 - Eight members of the same Palestinian family - two men, two women and four children - are killed by Israeli tank fire as the ground offensive to date claims the lives of 51 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier.

July 19 - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he wants to meet both sides to try to secure a truce as Israel pledges to step up its ground offensive. Hamas says its fighters are "behind enemy lines" as security alerts are triggered in southern Israel.

July 20 - Fresh airstrikes, artillery shelling and gun battles overnight kill 12 Palestinians and two more Israeli soldiers, as Israel intensifies its ground offensive in Gaza. Israeli minister Naftali Bennett defends the ground offensive in Gaza and accuses Hamas of "self-genocide" by using women and children as human shields.

July 21 - Another airstrike kills 26 members of the same family, while seven more Israeli soldiers die in gun battles with Hamas fighters. Thirty of those wounded in the attack are reportedly medical staff.

July 22 - The Palestinian leadership proposes a ceasefire plan to mediators in Egypt which would be followed by five days of negotiations to stop the fighting which has claimed the lives of more than 600 Palestinians, many of them women and children, and 29 Israelis, including 27 soldiers.

July 23 - An international inquiry into Israel's actions in Gaza is launched, after the UN's Human Rights Commissioner says there is a "strong possibility" the country is guilty of war crimes. Several major airlines from the US, Europe and Canada suspend flights to and from Israel after a rocket fired from Gaza lands near Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion international airport.

July 24 - British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond warns Benjamin Netanyahu the West is losing sympathy for Israel amid the rising number of civilian deaths during its offensive in Gaza, as international efforts to end the conflict intensify. However, hopes of an effective ceasefire quickly diminish after Israel vows to continue hunting Palestinian cross-border tunnels under any humanitarian truce, while Hamas also rejects a truce without the lifting of Israel's eight-year blockade of Gaza.

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UK Economic Depression To Be Declared 'Over'

By Ed Conway, Economics Editor

The longest economic depression in British history will be declared over today, with the Office for National Statistics expected to confirm that the recovery is strengthening.

The ONS is expected to report that the economy grew by around 0.8% or 0.9% in the second quarter of the year.

George Osborne has been boosted by recent figures on growth

The increase in gross domestic product (GDP) will mean that the economy finally surpasses the size it was at the beginning of the recession in 2008.

The news will come as an added bonus for the Chancellor, who yesterday celebrated as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgraded Britain's growth forecast for this year and the next.

The IMF also said that UK growth this year will be stronger than in any other major economy.

However, this strong growth belies the fact that Britain's depression - the period for which GDP is below the pre-crisis peak - lasted longer than any other G7 economy.

But while there are concerns about the nature of recent economic growth in the UK and the possibility of a housing bubble in London, George Osborne is likely to emphasise the fact that all major sectors of the economy have been growing recently.

The Chancellor is currently on a tour of northern cities to underline the efforts the Government is taking to attempt to narrow Britain's regional economic divide.

Although overall GDP is back at pre-crisis levels, the natural increase in the population since 2008 means that GDP per capita remains around 6% lower than before the recession.

This, in turn, has contributed to lower wages and the squeeze on incomes felt in recent years.

Economists have also warned that while the services sector is bigger than before the crisis, the manufacturing and construction sectors are significantly smaller.

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Hammond: Israel 'War Crimes' Probe Unhelpful

An international inquiry into Israel's actions in Gaza will not help efforts to achieve a ceasefire, according to British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.

The UN Human Rights Council has voted to back a Palestinian resolution to begin an investigation, as Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay said there was a "strong possibility" Israel was guilty of war crimes.

Ms Pillay also condemned the indiscriminate firing of rockets and mortars by the Islamist movement Hamas, which controls Gaza, into Israel.

But Mr Hammond said the resolution was "fundamentally unbalanced" and would "complicate the process by introducing unnecessary new mechanisms".

Mr Hammond, who held late night talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, said a ceasefire "is not enough", and added he would push for a "stable solution" that allows Palestinians and Israelis to "live in peace together".

Philip Hammond during his meeting with Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah

Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza on July 17 after more than a week of strikes aimed at stopping rocket fire into the country.

More than 700 Palestinians have now died, according to Palestinian medics.

Eighteen people were killed in airstrikes early on Thursday, they said, including a family of six.

The Israeli army said three more soldiers were killed in combat on Wednesday, bringing to 32 the number of soldiers killed since the start of the ground operation.

A Thai farm labourer was also killed when a rocket fired from Gaza struck the greenhouse where he was working in southern Israel.

Smoke rises from a building in Gaza City after an Israeli airstrike

US Secretary of State John Kerry is in the region as efforts continue to end the conflict.

Mr Kerry said after meeting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that "some steps forward" have been made, but added "there is still work to be done".

Hamas has meanwhile rejected any truce without the lifting of Israel's eight-year blockade of Gaza.

"We will not accept any initiative that does not lift the blockade on our people and that does not respect their sacrifices," said Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.

Meanwhile, a pro-Gaza rally in the French capital, Paris, has attracted 25,000 people, according to organisers.

Pro-Palestinian protesters hold a Palestinian flag during a march in Paris

More than 1,000 undercover and uniformed officers were deployed for the march, which went ahead after organisers gave security guarantees.

The continued fighting has caused flights into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport to be affected after a rocket struck close to the runways on Tuesday.

EasyJet has extended the suspension of its services into Thursday, confirming it would not operate flights from Luton, Gatwick, Basel, Berlin Schoenefeld, Geneva, Manchester and Milan Malpensa.

The European safety regulator EASA also strongly recommended European airlines against flying there "until further notice".

A ban on US airlines flying to Tel Aviv has however been lifted by the Federal Aviation Administration.

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US Lifts Ban On Airlines Flying To Tel Aviv

A ban on US airlines flying to Israel's Tel Aviv airport amid rocket fire from Gaza has been lifted.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement: "The FAA's primary mission and interest are the protection of people travelling on US airlines.

"The agency will continue to closely monitor the very fluid situation around Ben Gurion Airport and will take additional actions, as necessary."

In making its decision, the FAA said it worked with US government officials to evaluate the security situation and "carefully reviewed both significant new information and measures the government of Israel is taking to mitigate potential risks to civil aviation."

The ban, which was criticised by the Israeli government, was imposed on Tuesday in response to a rocket strike that landed about a mile from the airport.

A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Israel's busiest air hub had to be diverted to Paris because of the incident.

Speaking before the ban was lifted, Delta Air Lines chief executive Richard Anderson said the airline wouldn't necessarily resume flights even if authorities declared the area safe.

Israel insists Tel Aviv airport is safe

Carriers from Europe and Canada also grounded services in light of the attack.

EasyJet has extended the suspension of its services into Thursday, confirming it would not operate flights from Luton, Gatwick, Basel, Berlin Schoenefeld, Geneva, Manchester and Milan Malpensa.

The European safety regulator EASA also strongly recommended European airlines against flying to Tel Aviv "until further notice".

Israel's Transportation Ministry insisted earlier this week Tel Aviv airport is safe and said the FAA ban would "hand terror a prize".

Islamist militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, said the flights suspension was a "great victory".

The flight cancellations came as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza, which it launched on July 8 to stop Hamas firing rockets over the border.

Palestinian militants have shot more than 2,000 missiles at Israel, but many have been intercepted by its US-funded Iron Dome defence system.

More than 700 Palestinians, many of them women and children, as well as 32 Israeli soldiers and two civilians, have been killed in the conflict.

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UK Government Still Sending Arms To Russia

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

The UK Government is still exporting arms to Russia despite the shooting down of flight MH17.

Despite promising to cancel all arms related contracts to Moscow, the vast majority are still active.

As of May, there were 285 outstanding licences allowing UK companies to export arms either to Russia or to another country which might then in time sell weapons to Russia.

This is despite the former Foreign Secretary William Hague promising the House of Commons in March that "the UK will now, with immediate effect, suspend all extant licences and application processing for licences for direct export to Russia for military and dual-use items destined for Russian armed forces."

To date, only 34 of the 285 contracts have been cancelled.

The list of arms and parts that UK companies sell to Russia includes sniper rifles, body armour, assault rifles, communications equipment, small arms ammunition and night sights.

The total value of the contracts is £132m.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Arms Export Controls, Sir John Stanley MP, has written to the current Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, asking whether the government plans to revoke the remaining licences.

In response to the figures, the Foreign Office issued a statement saying the "majority of export licences that remain in place for Russia are for commercial use but we are keeping all licences under review".

"This Government has not approved any licences for the export of rifles or ammunition to the Russian military," the statement added.

Across the whole of the EU, licences amounted to almost £160m or 200m Euros in military sales to Russia last year.

To add some context, the UK sent £4m of arms to Ukraine in 2013 - the EU total to Kiev was £30m.

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MH17: Victims' Bodies Flown To The Netherlands

The first victims of downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 are set to arrive back in the Netherlands from the crash site in eastern Ukraine.

Two military aircraft will fly some of the bodies to Eindhoven where they will be met by relatives, the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and members of the Dutch royal family.

A national day of mourning for the 298 people on board the downed Malaysia Airlines plane, the majority of whom were Dutch, has been declared for today.

This will include a silent march in Amsterdam for the victims this evening.

A traveller looks at flowers outside Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport

A minute's silence will be held before a motorcade takes the bodies to the Korporaal van Oudheusden military barracks, where the long process of identifying the remains will begin.

Mr Rutte has warned the identification process could take weeks or even months.

A British team of police officers, led by the Metropolitan Police, will help identify the victims.

The Boeing 777-200 took off from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, bound for Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, last Thursday.

The bodies of the victims were released by the pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine on Tuesday, who said the remains of 282 people were on board a refrigerated train.

A Malaysian air crash investigator inspects the crash site of MH17

However, a member of the Dutch forensics team said there were only 200 bodies, in addition to some body parts.

Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) at the crash scene confirmed there were still some unrecovered human remains and "smaller body parts".

Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said Australian families affected will be offered the chance to go to the Netherlands to travel home with the bodies of their loved ones.

As well as the transfer of some of the bodies, the jet's two black boxes have been handed over by the separatists.

The flight data recorders will be examined by British experts from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Russia has been accused of arming the pro-Russian rebels who are suspected of shooting down the plane.

A train carrying the bodies of some of the victims of flight MH17

As a result, the EU has agreed to impose sanctions on more Russian officials.

A senior US intelligence official confirmed that evidence suggests the Russian government was not directly involved, but it "created the conditions" for the plane to be shot down by mistake, most likely by the rebels.

The official added that Moscow is still supplying separatists with tanks and rocket launchers in the aftermath of the crash.

President Barack Obama visited the Dutch embassy in Washington on Tuesday and wrote in a condolence book: "We will not rest until we are certain that justice is done."

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MH17: Money Pours Into Fund For Newcastle Fans

Malaysia Airlines Defends War Zone Flight Path

Updated: 4:48pm UK, Saturday 19 July 2014

A Malaysia Airlines official has defended the company's decision to fly over eastern Ukraine after flight MH17 was brought down.

Hugh Dunleavy, commercial director for the airline, said there had been no incidents involving civilian aircraft using the flight path and Malaysia Airlines had been using it "for quite some time".

However, at least three Ukrainian military aircraft were hit by missiles fired by pro-Russian separatists operating in the region in the week before MH17 was shot out of the sky, killing 298 people. Of the victims, 189 are Dutch.

Mr Dunleavy told Sky News: "Now there's been an incident like this, everyone is looking back saying 'you should have done something different'.

"But at the time we were flying, along with many other airlines on that flight path, there had been no incidents involving civilian aircraft.

"These are routes that are traditionally accepted on a day-by-day basis by the air traffic control authorities so they also consider them safe to fly.

"This was something totally extraordinary, it could just as easily have been the aircraft ahead of Malaysia Airlines or the aircraft behind that was hit."

Mr Dunleavy added the airline would now be using an alternative flight path around Ukraine and they have stopped calling the route MH17 out of respect for the victims. It will now be called MH19.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation, a UN agency and other aviation authorities recently issued a "notice to airmen" (NOTAM) putting the eastern edge of Ukrainian airspace off limits up to 32,000 feet because of the conflict.

But MH17 was flying at 33,000 feet when it was hit by a missile fired from what experts believe was a Buk launcher.

Ukraine has now closed all airspace in the east. 

Ismail Nasaruddin, president of the Malaysian Flight Attendant Union, said some crew members were too distraught to work following the tragedy.

He said: "We have lost 21 crew members in a very short time period. This is not something we like to see.

"We are affected, the crew members are demoralised by the essence of this tragic incident.

"What we are looking at now is probably an event that Malaysia crew members have never experienced before."

Daniel Holland, a military aviation expert, told Sky News airspace above war zones should be sealed off to commercial aircraft.

He said: "When a war zone occurs, everything from ground level up until realistically the level of space needs to be sealed off to any and all commercial traffic just to avoid something like this happening where a plane accidentally wanders over a battle ground.

"You've got that probability that an accidental misfire could occur and strike a civilian target without any real rhyme or reason, other than it being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

On Tuesday, Polish blogger Michael Dembinski suggested flying over eastern Ukraine was "worrying".

He wrote: "Take a look at eastern Ukraine and you'll see a procession of civilian aircraft flying along an air corridor between Luhansk, Donetsk, Horlivka, Kramatorsk - places where battles are raging and people are being killed.

"Yet blithely oblivious to what's happening on the ground, some of the world's largest civilian airliners are criss-crossing the area at 38,000ft."

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Flight MH17: Pressure Growing On Russia

Britain Warns Putin: World's Eyes Are On You

Updated: 8:48pm UK, Saturday 19 July 2014

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has warned Vladimir Putin the "world's eyes are on Russia to make sure she delivers" on her obligations to the victims killed in the Ukraine plane disaster.

His comments come as David Cameron and Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte called for the European Union to "reconsider its approach to Russia" in light of evidence pro-Moscow separatists brought down the flight on Thursday.

Mr Cameron also spoke to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, while Britain's Russian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office.

The UK's response follows accusations pro-Russian separatists removed 38 bodies from the crash scene and attempted to destroy evidence at the site.

The Ukraine government said "terrorists, with the help of Russia, are trying to destroy evidence of international crimes," adding it had obtained data which showed bodies had been taken to a morgue in Donetsk.

Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said the Netherlands was "angry" and "furious" by allegations bodies were being dragged around the site.

However, Sky's Chief Correspondent Stuart Ramsay, at the scene, said there were reports rebels had moved bodies on Friday, but body parts were now officially being removed by Ukraine emergency ministry staff.

Mr Hammond, who chaired an emergency Cobra meeting on Saturday, accused Russia of not doing enough to move separatists from the site.

"We're not getting enough support from the Russians, we're not seeing Russia using their influence effectively enough to get the separatists, who are in control of the site, to allow the access that we need," he said.

"This is not about Russia and the West, this is about the whole community demanding that proper access is made available to this site, the victims are properly recovered, and evidence is secured."

Ukraine's Security Council said 18sq km of the 25sq km had been explored and 186 bodies found, while there have been discussions between the two factions over the creation of a "security zone" around the crash scene following allegations of looting and evidence being compromised.

Concerns have been raised by Malaysia about the investigation as a team of international observers complained of being confronted by aggressive armed rebels.

A Ukraine Security Council spokesman said 15 pieces of military equipment were brought over the border from Russia into the eastern Luhansk region overnight.

Critically, the monitors have been unable to speak to anyone about the whereabouts of the jet's two black box voice and data recorders.

However, Alexander Borodai, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, denied rebels had shot down the plane, found the black boxes, or removed bodies. But he said body parts which had fallen into people's homes had been taken away.

British experts are due to join the investigation at the crash site over the weekend.

Some 298 people including 10 Britons and 80 children were killed when flight MH17, flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was brought down near Grabovo, Donetsk, where Ukrainian forces have been battling separatists.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry agreed on Saturday that both countries would use their influence on the two sides of the Ukraine conflict to end hostilities

:: The Foreign Office has set up a helpline for anyone concerned.  Text MH17 to +447860010026, or call 020 7008 1500. Malaysia Airlines's emergency line is 00 6 037 884 1234.

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Ukraine: Concerns About Airliner Investigation

How Will Investigation Work In A Conflict Zone?

Updated: 12:51pm UK, Friday 18 July 2014

Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine have said they will allow safe access to the conflict zone so that international experts can visit the MH17 plane crash site.

A "contact group" of senior representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) held a Skype call with the separatists.

In it, the rebels pledged to close down the site, and work with the Ukrainian authorities in the investigation.

Kiev had earlier complained separatists prevented Ukrainian officials from reaching the site where the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane crashed.

In a statement on Friday the OSCE said: "As a matter of priority, they (the separatists) shall close off the site of the catastrophe and allow local authorities to start preparations for the recovery of bodies."

A 30-strong OSCE team is expected to arrive mid-afternoon local time, to "watch, observe and advise" on what equipment and expertise are needed.

Michael Bociurkiw, one of the team members, said: "We're going to go there, establish the facts, then report on what we're seeing.

"The situation is in a state of flux most of the time, and there are still a lot of challenges before in-depth observation can happen."

A ceasefire of up to four days is being discussed to facilitate an investigation - a move backed by the US. But the social media profile of Igor Strelkov, the commander of the pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic, says there is no need for a ceasefire.

Investigators will be looking at various types of evidence, and follow a range of leads, to find out who was to blame.

Both of the the plane's 'black box' flight recorders have reportedly been recovered, with one understood to have been taken to Moscow, though this has been denied by Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

Aviation expert Neil Hansford said: "The black box itself won't tell us much because the aircraft was operating probably perfectly.

"The interesting thing will be the cockpit voice recorder, which will be the reaction of the cockpit crew when the impact has happened.

"Now, before we all rush in and say 'absolutely it was a missile' we need to look at the wreckage to see whether it was a blow out from a bomb on board or a blow in from a missile."

Photographs and videos from the scene, taken just minutes after the crash, will be analysed for clues, as well as the trail left from the missile.

Radar expert Professor David Staples told Sky News: "A missile when it's fired leaves quite a trace behind it.

"It could have been picked up on a military surveillance radar, it could probably be picked up on air traffic radars, and it could also be picked up on military surveillance equipment."

He said it was unlikely that the crew would have known a missile was heading towards the plane.

And social media could also be key.

Sky's Katie Stallard, in Moscow, said Strelkov appeared to have boasted about the incident on social media.

In one deleted message recovered by Sky News, he allegedly wrote: "We warned you not to fly over our sky."

Ukraine's security services have also released what it claimed was a recording of an intercepted phone call between two Russian military intelligence officers, discussing the downing of the plane.

Ukraine analyst Andy Hunder, speaking from Kiev, told Sky News: "There have been calls intercepted showing that pro-rebel leaders were boasting to their superiors in Moscow saying: 'We've brought down a plane'."

He said it indicated "Kremlin-backed terrorism".

President Barack Obama has called for a "credible and unimpeded" international inquiry, and Washington has offered help from the FBI and National Transportation Safety Board.

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'Devastating': Tributes For UK Plane Victims

Ten Britons are now confirmed to have been among the 298 people on board flight MH17, which was shot down in Ukraine.

Friends and colleagues today paid tribute to the British victims named, including Leeds University student Richard Mayne, 20, from Leicestershire.

He had recently completed a charity trek to Everest Base Camp was described as a man who had a "great thirst for life" and "wanted to make the world a better place" by his former headteacher.

John Wood, from the Dixie Grammar School in Nuneaton, said: "Richard was an extremely pleasant and thoughtful young man who gave his time generously for everyone."

Richard Mayne during a trip to Nepal (L) and Ben Pocock (R). Pics: Facebook

His sister Scarlett posted a picture of her and Richard on Instagram with the caption: "Always been my hero. Forever loved, never forgotten."

Ben Pocock was flying to Australia to begin a professional placement and study, Loughborough University said.

His family have spoken of their "devastation".

"He was a gifted academic, talented athlete but more importantly a warm, caring, fun-loving son and brother who had an extremely bright future ahead of him," they said.

"Ben is going to be terribly missed not only by his family but by the wider Keynsham community where he made so many long-lasting friends."

Helicopter pilot Cameron Dalziel. Pic: Facebook

The latest British victim to be confirmed is Cameron Dalziel, a 42-year-old helicopter pilot living in South Africa.

His brother Campbell Dalziel said he "couldn't believe" his brother was gone: "It was [Thursday evening] while we were watching Sky News - he had been in Amsterdam at a conference.

"If the reports are credible and true we are saddened by this news. It's not only him that was taken away from us.

"From an early age he always believed in helping people you know and encouraging people from being a lifeguard on the beach to flying helicopters.

"He was part of the sea rescue team. He never ever wanted recognition just you know he enjoyed it. He loved doing it. If he didn't love it he wouldn't do it."

Newcastle United fans Liam Sweeney (L) and John Alder

Newcastle United fans, John Alder and Liam Sweeney, who were travelling to see their football team play in New Zealand, also died in the crash, according to NUFC.com and the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

Newcastle United said the pair were among the club's most loyal supporters.

Managing Director Lee Charnley said: "The loss of John and Liam is truly devastating news.

"Both men were dedicated supporters of our Club and were known to thousands of fans and staff alike."

Glenn Thomas was on his way to an Aids conference. Pic: Facebook

Glenn Thomas, 49, from Blackpool, was among 100 delegates reportedly on their way to the International Aids Society (IAS) summit in Melbourne, Australia.

Friends spoke of their shock and loss of the media officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva.

WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said: "We have lost a wonderful person and a great professional. Our hearts are broken. We are all in shock."

Stephen Anderson, 44, was reported by the Daily Telegraph to be among the dead.

The former RAF search and rescue co-ordinator, he grew up and worked in Britain before moving to Penang in Malaysia four years with his wife Joanna, 37, where he worked as a technician for Maersk Drilling.

Mr Anderson had spent 23 years with the RAF, including running the search and rescue team at Lossiemouth in Scotland for three years.

Mr Anderson's niece reportedly posted photos on Twitter yesterday with the message: "Rest in Peace Uncle Steve. You didn't deserve to die. No one on that flight did. I love you so much."

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Answers Demanded After Jet 'Blown Out Of Sky'

World leaders are demanding an international investigation after a passenger plane was allegedly shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was heading from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur at an altitude of 33,000ft (10,000m) when contact was lost at 2.15pm GMT on Thursday.

An adviser to the Ukrainian interior ministry said the Boeing 777 was hit by a Buk ground-to-air missile. US intelligence also concluded a surface-to-air missile had brought the plane down.

Among the 283 passengers and 15 crew on board were nine Britons, 154 Dutch, 43 Malaysians, 27 Australians, 12 Indonesians, four Germans, four Belgians, three Filipinos and one Canadian.

An emergency worker at the scene of the crash

Three infants are among the dead, and the nationalities of 41 passengers have yet to be verified.

Many of the passengers were on their way to an International Aids Society (IAS) conference in Melbourne, and the Society has said they may have included one of its former presidents, Joep Lange.

Plumes of thick, black smoke could be seen rising high into the air near the village of Grabovo, Donetsk, where the airliner came down.

Flames rise from wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines jet

It was said to have split in half on impact, with burning wreckage scattered across a vast area.

Britain has joined the US and other countries in calling for an international probe into the disaster. US President Barack Obama has said it should be "prompt, full, credible and unimpeded".

The Interfax news agency has reported that the plane's 'black box' flight recorder has already been recovered.

Flight MH17 taking off at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands

Officials in Kiev were quick to deny any involvement in the crash, with President Petro Poroshenko lamenting what he called an "act of terrorism".

US Vice-President Joe Biden said the jet appeared to have been deliberately "blown out of the sky", with an unnamed US official blaming Ukrainian separatists backed by Russia.

However, separatist leader Alexander Borodai said the aircraft was shot down by Ukrainian government forces - a claim backed by another separatist who told Reuters the rebels did not have weapons capable of shooting down a plane at such height.

Sky's Katie Stallard, in Moscow, said Igor Strelkov, the commander of the pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic, appeared to have boasted about the incident on social media.

In one deleted message recovered by Sky News, he allegedly wrote: "We warned you not to fly over our sky."

Ukraine's security service also released what it claimed was a recording of an intercepted phone call between two Russian military intelligence officers, discussing the downing of the plane.

Armed Russian separatists inspect the wreckage

Sky's Mark White said the aircraft had been flying just 1,000ft (300m) above a zone deemed "unsuitable for civilian aircraft".

However Malaysia Airlines has said the route taken by flight MH17 had been declared safe by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The operator, still reeling from the loss of flight MH370 in March, has announced all its European flights will be taking alternative routes with immediate effect.

The wreckage was scattered over a wide area

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the incident was "absolutely unacceptable" and an "awful tragedy", but added: "This would not have happened if there were peace on this land ... and, certainly, the state over whose territory this occurred bears responsibility."

The disaster is the latest in a series of reported attacks on planes in Ukrainian airspace and came a day after one of the country's Sukhoi-25 fighter jets was shot down.

The United Nations Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting on Ukraine later today.

A distressed woman waits for information in Kuala Lumpur

:: Malaysia Airlines has set up an emergency line for worried relatives: 00 6 037 884 1234.

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Plane Tragedy Could Be Game Changer In Ukraine

By Amanda Walker, US Correspondent

If Russia in any way had a hand in flight MH17's fate, calls for Western governments to intensify their response to the crisis will be loud.

The terrible tragedy could be a game changer.

President Barack Obama's first words on the disaster were neutral.

"It looks like it may be a terrible tragedy," he said.

"Right now, we're working to determine whether there were American citizens onboard. That is our first priority.

"And I've directed my national security team to stay in close contact with the Ukrainian government." 

Russia has been accused of assisting separatists in eastern Ukraine

His Vice President's response was less delicate.

Joe Biden said it was not an accident and that the plane had been "blown out of the sky". 

Mr Biden and Mr Obama have made phone calls to the Malaysian and Ukrainian leaders offering their support.

The US had been expressing concern that Russia was increasing its military support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Barack Obama said US officials were in 'close contact' with Ukraine

Its response was more sanctions which have only compounded the frosty relations between Presidents Obama and Vladimir Putin.

The two leaders spoke on the phone on Thursday about those latest sanctions. Russia calls them "primitive revenge".

Pressure is mounting on the EU to follow Washington's lead in further penalties for Russia. Britain is calling for an independent investigation into the crash with Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond calling for a UN-led inquiry.

So many countries have lost so many lives. The call for answers is global.

Pro-Russian separatists have been fighting the Ukraine army in the region

Australia is mourning 27 deaths. Its Prime Minister Tony Abbott said: "It is a terrible crime and if this is the case it is an unspeakable crime and obviously it reflects abominably on the people responsible. 

"We don't know at the moment what the situation is. There are all sorts of reports, all sorts of claims being made. If it does turn out that this plane was brought down by a surface to air missile that is an unspeakable crime."

Everything now rests on independently establishing the facts about the aircraft's last moments and what brought it down.

The chaotic environment where its wreckage lies will not make that easy.

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Putin: Sanctions Could Cause 'Serious Damage'

Vladimir Putin has warned a fresh wave of sanctions will take US relations with Russia to "a dead end" and damage America's business interests.

The US and the EU have stepped up measures over what is viewed as Russia's interference in Ukraine.

President Barack Obama has imposed the most wide-ranging sanctions yet, targeting major banks, energy and defence firms including Gazprombank and Rosneft Oil Co.

Steps are also being taken to prevent rebel groups and senior officials in Ukraine getting hold of funds.

"Sanctions have a boomerang effect and without any doubt they will push US-Russian relations into a dead end, and cause very serious damage," Mr Putin said.

Mr Obama announces fresh wave of sanctions

"And I am convinced that this will harm the national long-term interests of the American state, the American people."

Mr Obama said the US measures were "significant but targeted".

"I've repeatedly made it clear that Russia must halt the flow of weapons and fighters across the border into Ukraine.

"So far, Russia has failed to take any of the steps that I mentioned."

Meanwhile, EU leaders meeting in Brussels agreed a more limited package.

They agreed to impose asset freezes against around 11 more individuals but said measures will be expanded significantly at the end of July to cover "entities and persons" helping to undermine Ukraine's "sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence".

The European Commission will also "reassess and potentially suspend" co-operation programmes with Russia.

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'Bedroom Tax': Lib Dems Withdraw Support

The Liberal Democrats have set up a showdown with their Conservative coalition partners by withdrawing support for the so-called "bedroom tax".

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander called for fundamental reform of one of the Government's highest profile welfare reforms.

Mr Alexander told the Tories it was "clearly time to take stock and change our approach" on the controversial policy.

Writing in the Daily Mirror, he called for an exemption for disabled people and for no cuts in state help for those who could not find a suitable smaller property.

Danny Alexander revealed the Lib Dem shift in a Daily Mirror article

The Lib Dem U-turn was dismissed by a Tory source, who said the party remained "committed" to the change and said it was "imperative" for the coalition to drive forward its push to slash Britain's benefits bill.

Labour, which hopes to force Lib Dem ministers to commit to scrapping the policy in a fresh Commons vote, said Deputy PM Nick Clegg was guilty of "unbelievable hypocrisy" over the issue.

The reform has seen social housing tenants deemed to have more bedrooms than they need have their housing benefit reduced, to offset what the Government calls a "spare room subsidy".

Mr Clegg has come under pressure to oppose the policy since his party conference voted overwhelmingly to review what activists called a "reprehensible and evil" move.

Mr Alexander said the reform was made "with the best of intentions" but needed to be fundamentally changed.

He wrote in the newspaper: "Overwhelmingly, our benefit reforms are working, resulting in many more people gaining the independence and self-respect of re-entering work.

"However with only one in 20 of affected claimants having successfully downsized, it's clearly time to take stock and change our approach in this particular area.

"Our revised proposal is that new tenants in the social rented sector would receive housing benefit based on the number of rooms they need.

"But those already in the social rented sector would only see a reduction in benefit if they are offered a suitable smaller home and, crucially, turn it down.

Rachel Reeves said Labour will look to call a fresh vote on the policy

"Disabled adults should be treated the same as disabled children, by permanently exempting them. And we would introduce new measures on social landlords to manage their stock more effectively so more people get put into the right home."

In a direct message to the Tories, he added: "The Liberal Democrats will make the case for these new fairer rules, seeking to get them in place during this Parliament.

"If we can't convince our Conservative coalition partners, we will commit to these reforms in our 2015 manifesto."

The shift came after an internal government review showed almost 60% of households affected by housing benefit changes were in arrears and a shortage of smaller properties meant just 4.5% of tenants had been able to downsize.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves said: "This is unbelievable hypocrisy from Nick Clegg.

"The Lib Dems voted for the bedroom tax. There wouldn't be a bedroom tax if it wasn't for the Lib Dems. And in February when Labour tabled a bill to scrap the bedroom tax, the Lib Dems were nowhere to be seen."

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Palestinians Urged To Leave Homes As Truce Fails

Israel's military has urged tens of thousands of Palestinians living in northern and eastern Gaza to leave their homes.

The move could signal more airstrikes are planned for those areas after Israel warned the ruling Hamas militant group would "pay the price" for rejecting a ceasefire plan.

Israel says it will "expand and intensify" its offensive as aerial assaults resumed on Tuesday after being briefly suspended following its acceptance of the Egypt-brokered truce.

Palestinian militants fired dozens of rockets in the first six hours of the ceasefire plan which led to Israel restarting its strikes in Gaza - that has a population of 1.7 million.

The fresh raids hit Gaza City, southern Khan Younis, Rafah and central Johr al Deeq, killing five people, reported the AFP news agency.

Israel has confirmed its first death of the week-long conflict - a man who was delivering food to soldiers suffered fatal wounds when a Hamas rocket struck the Erez crossing on the Gaza border.

People carry their belongings among building debris in Gaza

The Israeli military has told residents of the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya and the Gaza City neighbourhoods of Shijaiyah and Zeitoun in automated telephone calls to leave their properties.

Sami Wadiya, a resident of one of the areas likely to be targeted, said he would not leave his home. "We know it's risky, but there are no secure places to go to."

Prior to the calls, the raids have already prompted around 17,000 people to flee their homes, particularly in northern Gaza, with many taking refuge in UN schools.

Hamas officials said they had not been consulted on the ceasefire proposal and would not halt violence without a fully-fledged deal including Israeli concessions.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

More than 190 Palestinians, including many civilians - some children - have been killed by the bombardment over the last week and the Israelis say the raids are designed to stop rocket fire from Gaza.

Since July 8, Gaza militants have fired more than 1,200 rockets at Israel - hundreds of which have been intercepted by the Iron Dome air defence system - while Israeli aircraft have struck close to 1,700 times.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "It would have been preferable to have solved this diplomatically, and this is what we tried to do when we accepted the Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire.

"But Hamas leaves us no choice but to expand and intensify the campaign against it."

He added: "Hamas chose to continue fighting and will pay the price for that decision. When there is no ceasefire, our answer is fire."

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the movement had not been consulted on the truce bid.

"We didn't get to see the Egyptian proposal except through the media," he said.

"The idea of halting fire before there is any agreement on the conditions laid out by the resistance is unacceptable and we reject it."

Hamas has said it wants the end of Israel's blockade of Gaza and the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt as part of a truce deal.

It also wants Israel to free Palestinians it re-arrested after releasing them in a 2011 exchange for an Israeli soldier held by Gaza militants for more than five years.

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