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Ebola: Deaths Hidden As Fear Grips Liberia

Written By Unknown on Senin, 06 Oktober 2014 | 12.27

By Alex Crawford, Special Correspondent, Monrovia

Liberia's few ebola treatment centres are overwhelmed with the sick and dying - with patients sharing beds and the dead laying near the desperately ill.

The country has accounted for more than half of the world's deaths from the latest ebola outbreak in West Africa and despite assurances from the President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf that it is under control, evidence on the ground seen by Sky News appears to suggest otherwise.

Whole communities are gripped with fear about the virus - and terrified citizens prefer to die alone, unaided because of the stigma attached to admitting to the disease.

Dozens of ebola victims are dying in their homes in Monrovia, increasing the chances of the virus spreading.

And official numbers of victims are almost certainly unrepresentative of the real death count because of the lack of coordination and nationwide spread of the disease.

1/11

  1. Gallery: The Desperate Fight To Contain The Ebola Outbreak

    A man rests outside the clinic.

  2. A woman is comforted after medical officials remove her husband, who is suspected of having the disease.

  3. Officials try to prevent themselves from spreading the disease.

  4. A local who has just brought his brother to the centre. He had to rely on plastic bags tied around his hands to try to protect himself.

  5. A man thought to be infected with Ebola waits for treatment.

  6. Patients wait to be seen by medical staff.

  7. Workers try to decontaminate themselves.

  8. A worker with a child who may have caught Ebola.

  9. A make-shift hand-washing station in Monrovia.

  10. Decontaminated boots of medical staff.

  11. The basic conditions make containing the disease very difficult.

Small teams of about half a dozen workers set out daily to retrieve the ebola dead - most of whom have died after suffering in secret.

Their relatives are reluctant to admit ebola has caused the death, as this invariably invites ostracisation from their communities and targets them as potential virus carriers.

The body recovery squads - still called "burial teams" despite government orders that all ebola victims be cremated - are doing one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.

They take extreme precautions, wearing multiple protective clothing layers along with goggles, boots, gloves and head coverings to try to stay safe.

Video: Ebola: A Global Threat

Head of Team Three, Mark Vayowan, told Sky: "There's no day comes that people don't die in their house. Every day, every blessing day."

There's simply too much work for the recovery teams to do, not enough hours in the day for them to track down the dead.

Even as they were picking up the latest corpses from the Elwa Treatment Centre, a young man was sobbing outside.

He cried: "Oh my god, I was just bringing a phone for my sister. Now they say she's died. What am I going to do? She has children ..."

Video: Ebola Brit Recalls Horror Of Virus

George Nyumah, like so many of Liberia's citizens, is frantically worried about catching the virus.

So the five children his sister cares for are left alone to fend for themselves in their one-room, corrugated iron shack home.

The eldest is 16, the youngest just two and they are all sleep on the dirty mattress which their sick mother lay on in the days before she was taken into the ebola centre.

Their chances of catching or carrying the virus must be very high.

Video: How Do Clinical Trials Work?

For that reason, their uncle George - and the rest of the extended family - will keep well away for 21 days, just to see if they develop signs of the killer disease.

Even if they survive the virus, they'll have to fight poverty and the community's suspicions in the weeks and months ahead.


12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Face-To-Face With The Dying In An Ebola Centre

By Garwen McLuckie, Sky News Cameraman

Before filming inside the high risk zone, we were told that all or equipment would have to be either disinfected, or incinerated.

I had prepared hard - bringing tailor-made plastic sealed containers for the small DSLR camera I would be using and rigging up microphones for Alex to carry under her clothing, or in a waterproof "dry sack".

In the end, none of them worked, but we were saved by our DSLR camera mike, which provided astonishing sound quality despite being smothered in plastic.

On arrival at the unit, we were first taken to a wooden shed so we could change into medical scrubs.

I felt confident, even excited about the challenge ahead as we moved to a small room be prepped for the high risk area.

Each person was assigned a nurse to help us dress and to make sure we were properly covered.

First we had to put on large plastic socks which went up to our calves and white plastic boots.

Then there was a hairnet, followed by a plastic PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) onesie which zipped right up to my neck and had a double sticky seal down the zip.

The first of three latex gloves went on and were sealed on to the onesie by duct tape round my wrist.

The onesie had its own hood which I pulled over my head, followed by a surgical mask over my mouth and nose.

I was then given another separate hood which went over my head and shoulders, covering my forehead, chin and neck. By this stage I was really feeling the heat and the humidity.

A huge yellow plastic apron was draped over me before my face was finally sealed by goggles. Not even a millimetre of my skin was exposed under these three layers of protection.

Almost immediately I was struggling with the heat and an extreme claustrophobic sensation which I had never experienced before - I wondered how long I would last.

Within a very short time, perspiration was filling my face mask, covering my nose and mouth and I could feel the bubbling of my own sweat as I kept trying to suck in air.

There didn't seem to be much of it.

At one stage while Alex was talking to one of the ebola victims I had to close my eyes whilst filming to try to calm myself.

I kept thinking: "I can't breathe, I can't breathe."

After filming for an hour, it took a painstaking 10 to 15 minutes to strip off each layer and be carefully disinfected each time.

The doctor could see I was anxious to get everything off but it was essential to observe all the health protocols.

My upbringing means I always give way to women, letting them through doors first and so on.

But in this case I think I would have rugby-tackled Alex to the ground if she hadn't let me go through the disrobing procedure before her.


12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

British Teacher Held Hostage In Libya Freed

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 05 Oktober 2014 | 12.27

A British teacher held hostage by militants in Libya has been released and reunited with his family, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

David Bolam, who worked at the International School in Benghazi, was abducted earlier this year.

His kidnapping had not been reported at the request of his family and the Foreign Office.

Although it has not been officially confirmed who his captors were, a group calling themselves the Army of Islam, a faction in Libya, released an online video of Mr Bolam dated 28 August pleading for his release.

The 53-second video showed him sitting in a room wearing a white t-shirt.

In it, he said: "My name is David Richard Bolam. I am a British citizen. I am a teacher.

"My health is good at the moment. I have been here a very long time."

He went on to plead for Britain to arrange a prisoner exchange or other diplomatic initiative to secure his release.

The Foreign Office said in a statement: "We are glad that David Bolam is safe and well after his ordeal, and that he has been reunited with his family.

"We have been supporting his family since he was taken.

"We do not comment on the detail of hostage cases. The family have asked for privacy."

There are unconfirmed reports a ransom was paid through "unofficial channels" in exchange for Mr Bolam's release.

The Foreign Office confirmed the Government has paid no money, saying: "HMG never pays ransoms. It is illegal to pay ransoms to a terrorist group."

While several Western governments have paid money to secure the release of hostages held by militants, the UK and US governments have a policy of refusing demands for ransoms.


12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alice Gross: Body Found In Hunt For Suspect

Police say a body found in west London may be that of Arnis Zalkalns, the main suspect in the murder of schoolgirl Alice Gross.

The "early indications" are that the badly decomposed body could be that of Zalkalns, who has been missing since the start of September, the Metropolitan Police said.

According to unconfirmed reports, the dead man was found hanged.

The convicted killer is the prime suspect in the disappearance of the 14-year-old, who was found dead in the River Brent on Tuesday following an extensive search.

An area of Boston Manor Park in west London has been cordoned off - a mile from where Alice's body was recovered.

Video: CCTV Footage Shows Alice Suspect

In a statement the Met said: "Although no formal identification has been made early indications suggest the body may be that of Arnis Zalkalns. We have updated his partner and a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) is supporting her.

"Due to the nature of the surrounding area specialist resources will be required to assist with the recovery of the body."

Some people living near the park have voiced their alarm at the discovery.

Ingrid Zalalis, 46, who was with her daughter, said: "This is our park, we come here for walks. We also go on our bicycles near the canal, and spent a lot of time looking there after Alice went missing.

"There are areas in these woods where people don't go.

"The police searched the park a while ago and I don't think they found anything then."

Video: Alice Gross Police Statement

A 57-year-old called Zahra said: "I used to like this park, but now I feel it's not a safe place.

"I have been very upset about Alice Gross, I couldn't sleep when the body was found."

Police say they are still working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crime, and have repeated their appeal to members of the public for any information that could help their investigation.

Zalkalns was filmed cycling along the same route behind Alice on the day she failed to return to her home in Hanwell on 28 August.

He was reported as missing just days later.

The 41-year-old worked at a building site in Isleworth, west London, and is thought to have come to the UK in 2007.

Video: Alice Gross Suspect's Home Searched

Authorities faced criticism for apparently holding no record of his conviction for bludgeoning and stabbing his wife Rudite to death in Latvia.

It also emerged Zalkalns was arrested in London on suspicion of indecent assault on a 14-year-old girl in 2009, but was never charged.

Alice was last seen on CCTV walking along the Grand Union Canal towards Hanwell at 4.26pm on August 28.

A post-mortem examination on the schoolgirl was inconclusive and further tests are to be carried out to find out how she died.

Police said "significant efforts" were taken to conceal her body in the water.

Zalkalns had not accessed his bank account or used his mobile phone since September 3, nor had he returned home to his partner and young child in Ealing. He also left behind his passport.


12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Henning Murder: How Will The Govt Respond?

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 04 Oktober 2014 | 12.27

By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent

The words spoken by the masked man were sickening: "The blood of David Haines was on your hands, Cameron. Alan Henning will also be slaughtered, but his blood is on the hands of the British parliament."

Alan Henning was a taxi driver who was inspired to travel hundreds of miles in an aid convoy to try to help the suffering of people in Syria.

His death is both horrific and senseless.

The terrorist in the slickly produced video was quick to link the murder to British foreign policy in Iraq.

The question now for the Government is how to react.

Video: Islamic State: Audio Of Threat

I've spoken to a source close to the Prime Minister who insists there will be "no change of policy", and the killing will only "strengthen our resolve" to take military action against Islamic State militants.

The feeling of a renewed resolve is also apparent among MPs, many of whom took to Twitter to express their anger.

While it seems clear that UK airstrikes in Iraq will continue, it is unclear whether there will be increased pressure to extend them into Syria.

Video: IS Hostage Alan Henning Beheaded

There are some MPs who feel that if Britain wants to get fully involved in the campaign against IS, its strongholds in Syria also need to be targeted. This is not, after all, an organisation that respects countries' borders.

Either way, as the Defence Secretary has already warned, this is a conflict that could take years to resolve.

There is another aspect to the murders that is impossible to ignore: the man who styles himself as the killer in the videos speaks with a distinctly British accent.

Video: Alan Henning 'Was Clearly Innocent'

Hundreds of British nationals have travelled to Syria and Iraq in order to fight.

The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister talk about eradicating the terrorist threat of IS.

If they are serious about eliminating the extremists, they may have to look at home as well as abroad.

Video: Terry Waite: Beheading 'Tragic'
Video: Family Appeals 'Were Last Resort'

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alan Henning Beheaded In Islamic State Video

British aid convoy volunteer Alan Henning has been beheaded by an Islamic State militant in a video posted on the internet.

Mr Henning is seen kneeling in front of a knife-wielding militant in a desert setting before being beheaded in front of the camera.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the murder was "brutal" and revealed "just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are".

Mr Henning, a 47-year-old former taxi driver, was captured by militants last December while delivering aid in Syria.

Video: IS Hostage Alan Henning Beheaded

Since then family, friends and colleagues have made repeated calls for him to be released.

However, a video. lasting for one minute and 11 seconds and titled "Another Message To America and Its Allies", was posted on YouTube on Friday evening.

It shows Mr Henning, originally from Eccles in Greater Manchester, kneeling down in front of a man with a knife.

Video: Islamic State: Audio Of Threat

The masked killer, who speaks with a British accent and is believed to be the man responsible for previous beheadings, makes a direct statement to Mr Cameron: "The blood of David Haines was on your hands, Cameron. Alan Henning will also be slaughtered, but his blood is on the hands of the British Parliament."

At the end of the video another hostage - a former US soldier - is paraded in front of the cameras.

The hostage is believed to be Peter Edward Kassig who had returned to the region as a charity worker, after serving in Iraq in 2007.

Video: Terry Waite: Beheading 'Tragic'

The militant in the video says Mr Kassig will be the next victim. 

Mr Cameron said: "The brutal murder of Alan Henning by ISIL shows just how barbaric and repulsive these terrorists are.

"My thoughts and prayers tonight are with Alan's wife Barbara, their children and all those who loved him.

Video: Family Appeals 'Were Last Resort'

"Alan had gone to Syria to help get aid to people of all faiths in their hour of need.

"The fact that he was taken hostage when trying to help others and now murdered demonstrates that there are no limits to the depravity of these ISIL terrorists.

"We will do all we can to hunt down these murderers and bring them to justice."

Video: Alan Henning 'Was Clearly Innocent'

US President Barack Obama condemned the "brutal" murder, saying the United States would bring those responsible to justice.

"Standing together with a broad coalition of allies and partners, we will continue taking decisive action to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL," he said in a statement.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg wrote on Twitter: "Barbaric actions of ISIL are held in complete contempt. We are resolved to defeat this evil."

Video: 'IS Call To Send Ground Troops'

British Muslims also joined condemnation of the murder as a "despicable and offensive act" which showed IS had "no regard for Islam".

Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "Alan was a friend of Muslims, and he will be mourned by Muslims.

"Alan Henning's murderers have clearly gone against that spirit of Islam. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

1/6

  1. Gallery: Profile: Alan Henning

    Alan Henning, 47, was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. Friends gave him the nickname "gadget" due to his love of technology

  2. He was married for 23 years and he had a teenage son and daughter

  3. He worked as a self-employed taxi driver

  4. Mr Henning saw the plight of Syrian people and volunteered with a Muslim charity. He had been to the region at least three times

  5. He drove life-saving medical equipment from the UK to Syria in old ambulances. He left in December 2013 to make the 4,000-mile trip

  6. He was kidnapped by IS in Syria by masked men. He may have been held in Ad Dana near Aleppo, then Raqqa

Mr Henning was previously seen at the end of a video released last month following the beheading of fellow British captive David Haines.

Mr Haines' brother, Mike, wrote on Facebook last night: "Tonight saw the death of Alan Henning at the hands of ISIL. Alan like David had a proven history of humanitarian work. Our hearts and prayers go to his family, our love too."

Meanwhile, another video has emerged purportedly showing a wounded Islamic State fighter with a British accent.

Video: Wife Pleaded For Henning's Release

In the video the fighter taunts Mr Cameron and other coalition leaders to send troops on the ground rather than "bomb us from the skies".

The footage has not been authenticated, and it is not clear when or where it was filmed.

:: Full coverage now on Sky News – watch Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 132.


12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

David Cameron Arrives In Afghanistan

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 03 Oktober 2014 | 12.27

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

David Cameron has landed in Afghanistan to meet the country's new president.

The Prime Minister flew into the country overnight to become the first world leader to visit Ashraf Ghani since his inauguration last week.

On his way, he made a surprise pit-stop in Cyprus last night to thank British troops who have carried out airstrikes on Islamic State extremists in Iraq.

He also announced two more RAF Tornado bombers will be joining the mission.

The trip also comes days after the new president signed vital security agreements allowing foreign troops to remain in the country beyond the end of this year.

The Status of Forces Agreement was long overdue. It provides the legal framework for international forces to train and mentor Afghan counterparts.

Video: PM: More Tornados Joining Fight

David Cameron will hold bilateral meetings with both President Ghani and his opponent in the elections, Abdullah Abdullah, who has been appointed Chief Executive in an power-sharing agreement that is hoped will bring peace to Afghanistan.

The Taliban has described it as a "US orchestrated sham".

President Ghani came to power at a risky moment for Afghanistan as foreign combat troops prepare to pull out at the end of the year.

Afghan forces will be responsible for their own security after 13 years of foreign occupation.

International Security Assistance Force troops will remain in an advisory and mentoring role only while the British will operate the Officer Training Academy outside Kabul, nicknamed Sandhurst-in-the-Sand.

Special Forces soldiers will continue to operate in the country.

This is Mr Cameron's eighth visit to Afghanistan as Prime Minister and his last with British troops in a combat role.

All British forces will have left Afghanistan by the end of the year, with the exception of a few hundred who will remain for the training mission.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the 453 UK servicemen and women who have died in the course of operations in the country as well as to those who had been injured.

"They (the armed forces) have paid a very high price for our engagement in Afghanistan. They have done vital work here," he said.

"We should remember those who paid the ultimate price and those who were injured through the work they did."


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Murdered Bride's Parents Plead For Justice

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent

The parents of murdered bride Anni Dewani say they hope to hear the truth from her husband Shrien at his murder trial next week.

They insist their long fight for justice has left them unable to grieve for their daughter who was kidnapped and shot dead on her honeymoon in South Africa four years ago.

Shrien Dewani, 34, is accused of hiring a hitman to murder his new bride.

The Bristol businessman denies faking a carjacking of their taxi and fleeing before Anni Dewani, 28, was driven off to her death.

Her father, Vinod Hindocha, 65, told Sky News: "We really hope we get to know what happened to Anni. That's all we are asking for.

Video: Anni Dewani's Bedroom Now A Shrine

"Shrien, tell us the truth, tell us what's happened. You were there.

"Anni had no right to die the way she did. This is not acceptable, the way she left us."

This week the Hindocha family were packing their suitcases at their home in Mariestad, Sweden, for the 6,000-mile journey to Cape Town, where the trial is due to start on Monday.

Anni's mother, Nilam, 62, said: "I hope we get justice. And I would love to hear what Shrien has to say.

Video: Sister's Shock Over Anni's Death

"They say time will heal the wounds, but they get deeper and deeper. Let's hope we get justice and we can move ahead with our lives."

Shrien Dewani was extradited to South Africa in April after fighting extradition for three years.

He had claimed he was mentally unfit to stand trial, but psychiatrists eventually agreed he was well enough to be treated in a Cape Town clinic, where more doctors said he was ready for the court case.

Dewani denies murder, arguing that he loved his wife and had no motive to have her killed.

Video: 'I Told Anni It Was Wedding Stress'

The prosecution is expected to suggest he is gay and wanted to escape his marriage.

Anni's elder sister, Ami, 37, revealed: "Three weeks before the wedding Anni actually threw the ring back at Shrien.

"She called me and said a lot of things, like it wasn't working well.

"I thought she was just stressed out and told her she would get over it.

Video: Sky's Martin Brunt On Dewani Case

"Looking back, I should have told her to break it off. If I had, maybe she would be alive today. It still haunts me."

Three local men have already been jailed for Anni's murder.

One of them, taxi driver Zola Tongo, told police Dewani offered him £1,300 to arrange for her to be killed.


12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alice Gross Case: Post-Mortem Set To Resume

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 02 Oktober 2014 | 12.27

A post-mortem examination on the body of teenager Alice Gross is expected to resume today.

The body of the 14-year-old schoolgirl was recovered from the River Brent in west London on Tuesday.

Police say the post-mortem, which is being carried out at Uxbridge Mortuary, is taking some time "due to the complex nature of the investigation".

The case is being treated as a murder inquiry and police say "significant efforts" were taken to hide the remains.

It comes as Alice's parents said they were "completely devastated" by the discovery of their daughter's body.

Rosalind Hodgkiss and Jose Gross said their daughter was "quirky" and "beautiful inside and out".

Video: Alice Gross Police Statement

"It is difficult to comprehend that our sweet and beautiful daughter was the victim of a terrible crime," they said in a statement.

"Why anyone would want to hurt her is something that we are struggling to come to terms with.

"Alice was a loving and much loved daughter and sister, a quirky live spark of a girl, beautiful inside and out.

"She was a funny companion, a loyal friend, both passionate and compassionate, and so talented with a bright future ahead of her.

"This is a time for grieving and not a time for anger or recriminations."

Alice failed to return to her home in Hanwell, west London, on 28 August.

She was last seen on CCTV walking along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal towards Hanwell.

Video: 22 Sept: Latvia Asked For Help

Convicted murderer Arnis Zalkalns, who was filmed cycling along the same route behind Alice, has emerged as the prime suspect in the case.

The Latvian builder was reported missing within days of her disappearance, but police stress he is just "one line of enquiry".

More than 300 police officers have been involved in the search for Alice in the biggest search since the 7/7 bombings.

Brentside High School, where Alice was a pupil, described her as an "outstanding" pupil.

It said: "Alice was an outstanding and talented student who will be sorely missed from our school community.

"This is a very sad day for our school and we are devastated by this tragic loss. We are doing everything we can to support each other and will continue to do so in the days and weeks ahead."


12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

McCanns Targeted By 'Venomous' Internet Trolls

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent

The Metropolitan Police is investigating a catalogue of vile internet abuse targeting the family of Madeleine McCann including death threats, Sky News can reveal.

Officers are in talks with the Crown Prosecution Service after being handed a dossier of more than 80 pages of Tweets, Facebook posts and messages on online forums aimed at Kate and Gerry McCann.

Over the past few years hundreds of shocking messages have been posted by 'trolls' who believe - despite no evidence - that the McCanns had some involvement in the disappearance of their daughter in Portugal in 2007.

These include suggestions that the McCanns should be tortured and killed and calls for them to "burn in hell".

Some messages are even directed at Madeleine's younger siblings, now aged nine.

Video: McCanns Targeted By Internet Trolls

Manipulated images involving the McCanns - many of them graphic - are also in wide circulation online.

One troll - who uses the Twitter identity "Sweepyface" and has posted dozens of anti-McCann messages using the #mccann hashtag - was confronted by Sky News.

When asked about her use of social media to attack the couple, she replied: "I'm entitled to."

The dossier - compiled by members of the public alarmed at the online treatment of the McCanns and shown to Sky News - calls on police and MPs to act to crack down on such abuse.

The Met wrote to the campaigners: "In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and the McCann family the material will now be assessed and decisions made as to what further action if any should be undertaken."

Among the messages identified in the dossier is an exchange on a message board which reads: "These 2 should burn in hell"; "I will supply the petrol"; "I'll supply the lighter - happily".

Video: Sky's Martin Brunt On McCann Abuse

Other posts include: "We need some numbers for some assassins on taps", "I hope that the McCanns are living in total misery" and "I want to see them smashed up the back of a bus or trampled by horses".

In one of her tweets "Sweepyface" called for the McCanns to suffer "for the rest of their miserable lives".

In addition to threats and abuse, several trolls have claimed to live nearby to the McCanns in Leicestershire and reported on their movements.

The campaigner spearheading the appeal - who has asked to remain anonymous - told Sky News: "We're very worried that it's only going to take somebody to act out of some of these discussions, some of the threats that have been made, and we couldn't live with ourselves if that happened and we had done nothing."

Author Anthony Summers, whose book Looking for Madeleine was published last month, said: "There is a campaign of hatred against the parents.

"It is venomous and vitriolic, most of it done by cowards. We are taken aback by the extent of the sheer evil behind it all."


12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More
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