US Midterms: Republicans Take Over Senate

EU Migrants Pay In More Than They Take - Study

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 05 November 2014 | 12.27

EU immigrants contribute more to the UK in taxes than they receive in benefits and services, according to new research.

But the study showed those arriving from outside Europe over a 17-year-period took more from the public purse than they put back in.

The findings come as David Cameron moves to tighten the UK's immigration controls in the face of the growing popularity of UKIP.

The Prime Minister is aware of the need to calm Tory jitters ahead of this month's crunch by-election in Rochester and Strood, where the party is desperate to prevent a second seat falling to UKIP.

The University College London (UCL) report revealed European immigrants made a positive financial contribution of £4.4bn to the UK between 1995 and 2011.

However, immigrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) made a negative contribution of £118bn.

Over the same period, UK-born workers made a negative contribution of £591bn.

But the figures improved for more recent arrivals, between 2001 and 2011, with EU immigrants making a positive contribution of £20bn, and those from outside Europe £5bn.

Professor Christian Dustmann, director of UCL's Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (Cream) and co-author of the study, said: "A key concern in the public debate on migration is whether immigrants contribute their fair share to the tax and welfare systems.

"Our new analysis draws a positive picture of the overall fiscal contribution made by recent immigrant cohorts, particularly of immigrants arriving from the EU."

He added: "European immigrants, particularly, both from the new accession countries and the rest of the European Union, make the most substantial contributions.

"This is mainly down to their higher average labour market participation compared with natives and their lower receipt of welfare benefits."

Responding to the report, chairman of the MigrationWatch UK thinktank Sir Andrew Green said: "This report confirms that immigration as a whole has cost up to £150bn in the last 17 years.

"As for recent European migrants, even on their own figures - which we dispute - their contribution to the exchequer amounts to less than £1 a week per head of our population."

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

US Midterms: Republicans Take Over Senate

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Video: Republicans Close On Win In US Vote

By Sky News US Team

The US Republicans have swept to power in both house of Congress for the first time in eight years in midterm elections shaped by President Barack Obama's unpopularity.

Results continue to trickle in across the US, but the conservatives took control of the Senate by snatching seven of the six seats they needed from Democrats: West Virginia, Arkansas, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, North Carolina and Iowa.

The Democrats were still battling to hold on to Senate seats in Alaska, Louisiana and Virginia.

The Republicans successfully defended Senate seats in Georgia, Kentucky and Kansas.

Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell, who cruised to re-election, will become the new leader of the Senate.

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Gallery: Midterms: Election Day In America

Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell will be the next leader of the US Senate as his party swept to power in the midterm elections

The conservatives cruised to control of the Senate, boosted their House of Representatives majority and chalked up a slew of gubernatorial victories, breaking political opponents' hearts

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The Empire State Building in New York City turned red to mark the Republican triumph in the Senate races

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Elections judge Constance Rolon, 96, hands out "I Voted!" stickers in Denver, Colorado

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He told cheering supporters as he captured a sixth term: "It's time to go in a new direction! It's time to turn this country around!"

Republicans, who already control the House of Representatives, were widely expected to pad their majority in that chamber, too.

Overall on Tuesday, 36 of the 100 Senate seats, all 435 House districts and 36 of 50 governors' seats were up for grabs.

In the gubernatorial races Republicans managed to fend off a string of stiff challenges from Democrats.

Video: Is Obama A Liability?

Georgia's Nathan Deal defeated former President Jimmy Carter's grandson, potential 2016 presidential hopeful Scott Walker won a tight race in Wisconsin and Rick Scott was triumphant in Florida.

The conservatives also snatched the keys to the governor's mansion from a Democrat in President Obama's home state of Illinois.

The few consolations for Democrats included wins in New Hampshire's Senate race and Pennsylvania's gubernatorial contest.

President Obama, who was shunned by many Democrats on the campaign trail because of his low approval rating, had not sounded optimistic about his party's chances.

Video: Why Are Midterm Polls So Expensive?

Earlier, he told WNPR in Hartford, Connecticut: "In this election cycle, this is probably the worst possible group of states for Democrats since Dwight Eisenhower (the 1950s Republican president)."

Exit polls showed most of the Americans voting on Tuesday were unhappy or even angry with the Obama administration. There was also criticism of Republican congressional leaders.

The Republican takeover means President Obama has even less hope of passing bills for his remaining two years in office.

He is also likely to face pressure to overhaul his White House team.

Video: Midterms: The Hillary Factor

But even with control of the Senate, the Republicans do not have the 60-vote super-majority needed to pass major legislation.

A difficult election had been expected for President Obama's allies: governing parties tend to lose seats in midterm votes and many Democrats were defending seats in states that lean Republican.

Congressional races alone cost almost $4bn (£2.5bn), an unprecedented sum for a non-presidential year election.

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Written By Unknown on Selasa, 04 November 2014 | 12.27

Home Office minister Norman Baker has quit the Cabinet launching an attack on his Conservative boss, Home Secretary Theresa May.

The Lib Dem crime prevention minister is stepping down reportedly after a year of internal battles within the Home Office with Mrs May.

Last week, he became embroiled in a fresh disagreement over drugs policy and accused the Tories of suppressing a report which backed his case for a review of the current law.

He told The Independent the experience of working at the department was like "walking through mud" as he found his plans thwarted by her and her advisers.

Mr Baker said: "They have looked upon it as a Conservative department in a Conservative government, whereas in my view it's a Coalition department in a Coalition government.

"That mindset has framed things, which means I have had to work very much harder to get things done even where they are what the Home Secretary agrees with and where it has been helpful for the Government and the department.

"There comes a point when you don't want to carry on walking through mud and you want to release yourself from that."

Video: Oct 30: Baker Denies Row With May

The Lib Dem MP also accused Mrs May of viewing her coalition colleagues as "a cuckoo in the nest rather than part of Government".

In his resignation letter to party leader Nick Clegg, he said: "I regret that in the Home Office, the goodwill to work collegiately to take forward rational evidence-based policy has been in somewhat short supply.

"I have concluded, therefore, that for the time being at least, my time is better spent out of ministerial office.

"You will of course continue to have my full support in the run-up to, and beyond, the next election which I anticipate is likely to produce another hung parliament."

In reply, Mr Clegg said: "Thank you for the brilliant job you have done as a minister over the past four and a half years, first at the Department of Transport and more recently at the Home Office.

"In both posts you have proved yourself as one of the most effective ministers in government: always determined to deliver a more liberal agenda for Britain."

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Face Of 'Evil' Teen Killer Will Cornick

The murder of teacher Ann Maguire by one of her pupils was a "monumental act of cowardice and evil", her widower Don has said.

Will Cornick was 15 when he killed the 61-year-old woman as she taught a class at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds in April.

A court heard he winked at another boy before he attacked her from behind, stabbing her seven times in the back and neck as she leaned over a desk to look at a girl's work.

The judge Mr Justice Coulson found Cornick's pride and lack of remorse over his actions "truly grotesque".

Cornick, now 16, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 20 years and was warned he may never be released from custody. An order banning his identification has now been lifted.

Leeds Crown Court heard Cornick repeatedly stabbed Mrs Maguire with a large kitchen knife and also punched her.

Video: Teacher's Sister: Ann Embraced Life

She fled and he pursued her, before a female staff member helped her into a workroom and blocked the door.

The court was told it was clear to witnesses that the teenager was pleased with what he had done and the boy even said "good times" to horrified pupils as he returned to the classroom.

He calmly sat down at a computer and told fellow students: "I stabbed her. Pity she didn't die."

Video: Ann Maguire's Family Pay Tribute

The boy chatted to them "as if nothing had happened", and while in custody he said: "Everything I've done is fine and dandy."

Cornick was described by a psychiatrist as having a "gross lack of empathy for his victim and a degree of callousness rarely seen in clinical practice".

Those who were present when the popular teacher lay dying said she spoke about her children and the fact she was loved.

Video: Police Welcome Sentence For Teen

Students had heard Cornick warn that he was going to attack the Spanish teacher with a knife, but did not take him seriously.

Even when he brandished the 21cm (9in) blade, those present may have been mindful of his earlier warning that he would "kill them" if they told.

One schoolboy who witnessed the attack said he remembered sitting "in absolute panic and shock" as the killer launched his assault.

Video: Psychopaths Violent 'To Feel Alive'

Cornick remained remorseless as he underwent psychiatric assessment.

He discussed having planned the murder for years, saying: "The killing was always on my mind since year eight, the thought of homicide, murdering her."

The teenager had even taken a bottle of Jack Daniels into school on the day of the murder with the intention of "celebrating" his actions.

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Gallery: School Community Mourns Teacher - April 2014

Schoolchildren arrive at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Neville Road, Leeds, a day after a teacher was stabbed to death.
A school staff member grieves outside the school gates.
Flowers and a picture of Mrs Maguire, who taught Spanish.
People comfort each other outside the school.
Monsignor Paul Fisher conducts a mass at Corpus Christi Catholic Church for people to pray and pay their respects to Mrs Maguire. Click through for more images...

"I wasn't in shock, I was happy," he later told a psychiatrist.

"I had a sense of pride. I still do."

As the court heard, the fact the boy's family life "was marked by love and support" made his actions all the more "inexplicable".

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Gallery: Tributes To Leeds Teacher After Her Death In April

Pupils, staff and members of the public paid tribute to Spanish teacher Ann Maguire, 61, who was fatally stabbed at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds.
This message reads: 'R.I.P Mrs Maguire. A wonderful teacher and lady! You will be dearly missed.'
'Miss Maguire. Such happy memories of you as my teacher and head of year in year 11. I am so pleased I got to be head girl during the time you wear head of year 11.'
'Mrs Maguire. Such a tragedy and so sad to lose you. You taught me more than 20 years ago. You taught my children too. You will be missed by many and more.'
'Mrs Maguire. Thank you for everything you did for me, I'll never forget it! You were a true inspiration among the whole of the school community! I hope one day I touch as many hearts as you did.'
'Your presence we will miss, your memories we will treasure, Mrs Maguire we love you and will think of you forever. All my love to you, your family and friends.'
'Mrs Maguire you were a wonderful teacher, you will be sadly missed. Lots of love.'
'Mrs Maguire, RIP. A lovely woman, always had a smile and was a wonderful teacher. A pleasure to have known you.'

Mrs Maguire widower Don said in a statement read out to the court: "I can no longer be a dad, I need Ann.

"Facing the world is very difficult, days are difficult, special days are especially so. There will be no closure, no end. Present and future are but words."

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Suitcase Murder: Briton Remanded In Custody

Written By Unknown on Senin, 03 November 2014 | 12.27

A British man charged with two counts of murder in Hong Kong has been remanded in custody.

Banker Rurik Jutting, 29, was arrested after the bodies of two women were found in an apartment in Hong Kong's Wan Chai district.

During his appearance he was remanded in custody and is due to return to court on 10 November.

Police placed him on a holding charge ahead of today's court appearance.

Officers arrived at the apartment early Saturday after receiving a call from the suspect, who until recently worked for Bank of America Merill Lynch.

Video: Victims' Friend Talks To Sky News

They discovered the body of a woman, aged between 25 and 30, lying naked in the living room with knife wounds to her neck and backside.

Police also found a small amount of cocaine in the flat.

Assistant Commander Wan Siu-hung told reporters: "We believe the death was caused by a sharp object which cut the throat of the deceased.

"This led to copious bleeding. When the police found her, she was lying in the living room. The room was messy."

Eight hours later, at about noon on Saturday, police widened the forensic examination of the apartment and made the second discovery.

The body of the second woman was found wrapped in a blanket inside a brown suitcase on a balcony at the apartment.

She too had wounds to the neck, and it is believed the victim had been dead "for quite some time".

Police sources have told local media that the second victim is a 25-year-old who they believe worked in the sex industry.

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Gallery: Suitcase Murder: Briton Appears In Hong Kong Court

Rurik Jutting recently left his banking job. Pic: Facebook
Police have been searching the flat where the women's bodies were found
One of the bodies was found hiden in a suitcase on the balcony
Assistant Commander Wan Siu-hung said both victims had injuries to the neck

A police spokesman added: "From what we can see it was intentionally hidden because it was put in a travel suitcase."

Both of the women are believed to be from Indonesia. One has been named locally as 25-year-old Sumarti Ningsih.

Mr Jutting studied history and law at Cambridge University.

He had worked for Merrill Lynch from 2010 until only a couple of days ago, spending three years at their offices in London before moving to Hong Kong in July last year. Prior to that he worked at Barclays in London.

The neighbourhood of Wan Chai is effectively Hong Kong's red light district. A large number of women from southeast Asia spend time in the district's many bars and clubs.

A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed a British national had been arrested in Hong Kong, although did not specify the nature of the crime.

"We are in touch with the local police and stand ready to provide consular assistance," she said.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Virgin Galactic Descend System Deployed Early

An investigation into the fatal Virgin Galactic spaceship crash has found the function to help it descend was deployed early.

Christopher Hart, the head of National Transportation Safety Board, said the craft's fuel tanks and engine had been recovered intact - indicating there was no explosion.

Mr Hart said: "Normal launch procedures are that after the release, the ignition of the rocket, and acceleration, the feathering devices are not to be moved.

"The lock/unlock lever is not to be moved into the unlock position until the acceleration up to mach 1.4. Instead as I indicated that occurred approximately mach 1.0."

Camera footage from inside the vehicle showed the lock/unlock lever was moved by the co-pilot.

But Mr Hart stressed he was not saying this had been the cause of the disaster, and was simply providing a statement of fact rather than cause.

Nearly all the important parts of the vessel had been recovered and had been taken to a hangar for examination.

He told reporters the fuel tanks and engine showed no signs of "burn through" or being breached.

More follows...

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Virgin Galactic Crash A 'Massive Setback'

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 02 November 2014 | 12.27

Sir Richard Branson has admitted the fatal Virgin Galactic crash is a "massive setback for commercial space travel" - but said he hopes the programme will be back on track in six months.

Speaking publicly for the first time following the SpaceShipTwo crash over California's Mojave Desert, the Virgin Group founder said: "It is a horrible day for Virgin Galactic, for commercial space travel - it's a massive setback.

"But we've got to pick ourselves up and see whether the problem is fixable, and hopefully move the programme forward.

"I'm hopeful we'll be able to overcome the problems."

Sir Richard said the programme could be "back on track between four and six months" if the problem proves to be "clear cut".

Video: Branson Vows To Find Cause Of Crash

But he added that to "push on blindly" without knowing the cause would be an "insult" to the pilot who died.

His comments comes as a coroner named the pilot killed in Friday's tragedy as 39-year-old Michael Alsbury.

His co-pilot, Peter Siebold, was badly injured after parachuting to the ground.

The British entrepreneur arrived in the desert on Saturday and described the journey as "one of the most difficult trips I have ever had to make".

Video: Space Ticket Holder Undeterred

"Pushing the bounds of possibility comes with unavoidable risk," he told a news conference.

"We are standing on the shoulders of giants, yesterday we fell short.

"We owe it to the test pilots to find out what went wrong. If we can overcome it we'll make absolutely certain the dream lives on.

"The bravery of test pilots generally cannot be overstated."

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Gallery: Images Showing Wreckage Of SpaceshipTwo In The Mojave Desert

SpaceShipTwo and its mother ship WhiteKnightTwo are pictured before the test flight. Pic: Virgin Galactic/Scaled Composites/Jason DiVenere
Part of the wreckage from the Virgin Galactic SpaceshipTwo lies in California's Mojave Desert after it crashed
Photographer Ken Brown said the craft was released from the plane that carries it to high altitude, ignited its rocket motor and then exploded
Two pilots were on board. California authorities said one died and the other was badly hurt
A witness said the space tourism craft exploded during a test flight over the desert
The aim of such flights was to assess SpaceShipTwo in preparation for suborbital trips to the edge of space about 62 miles above the Earth
Hundreds of people have already reserved seats and paid a deposit on the $250,000 (£156,000) ticket price for the flights. Pic: Virgin Galactic
After several delays, Sir Richard Branson's company had hoped to start taking passengers to the edge of space in 2015
But space expert Marco Caceres said: "You are not going to see any commercial space tourism flight next year or probably several years after that."

Sir Richard was speaking at the Mojave Air and Space Port, where National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators arrived to begin their work on Saturday lunchtime.

Initial findings are expected to be revealed on Saturday night.

NTSB acting chairman Christopher Hart said it was not yet known if a black box data recorder was installed on the doomed craft.

He said: "This was a test flight and test flights are typically very well documented in terms of data.

Video: Does Space Tourism Have A Future?

"We may get some video feed. We may have lots of evidence that will help us with the investigative process."

The tragedy occurred after SpaceShipTwo fired up its rocket following a high-altitude drop from its WhiteKnightTwo mothership.

The fatality is the project's fourth after three people were killed in a 2007 explosion while working for Scaled Composites, the company that teamed up with Virgin Galactic to build SpaceShipTwo.

Virgin Galactic had been aiming to become the first commercial "spaceline", by beginning tourist flights to the edge of space next year.

Video: On The Ground At Virgin Crash Site

Customers will pay up to $250,000 (£156,000) for a short journey into zero gravity and a glimpse of the planet from the edge of space.

British physicist Stephen Hawking, comedian Russell Brand, actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Ashton Kutcher, and singer Justin Bieber are said to have signed up.

Sir Richard told reporters a new customer had enrolled since the crash, while one customer said he has not been deterred despite the tragedy.

Video: Space Crash 'An Incredible Tragedy'

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Injured Virgin Pilot 'Alert' After Fatal Crash

The co-pilot who was injured in the Virgin Galactic rocket crash is "alert and talking" to relatives and doctors, his employer has said.

Peter Siebold, 43, was one of two pilots in command of SpaceShipTwo when in crashed during a test flight over California's Mojave Desert on Friday.

He was badly injured after ejecting and parachuting to the ground when the craft suffered what Virgin Galactic called a "serious anomaly".

His employer Scaled Composites said Mr Siebold has begun to communicate with his family at the Antelope Valley Hospital, where he is being treated.

"He is alert and talking with his family and doctors," the company said in a statement.

"We remain focused on supporting the families of the two pilots and all of our employees, as well as the agencies investigating the accident.

Video: Branson Vows To Find Cause Of Crash

"We ask at this time that everyone please respect the privacy of the families."

The company also paid tribute to 39-year-old pilot Michael Alsbury, who was killed in the crash, describing him as a "respected and devoted colleague".

According to his biography on the company's website, Mr Alsbury, from Tehachapi, California, worked as a project engineer and test pilot.

The fatal flight was his ninth onboard SpaceShipTwo.

He served as co-pilot on the spacecraft's first rocket-powered test flight on April 29, 2013, and had logged more than 1,600 hours in Scaled Composites aircraft since joining the company 13 years ago.

Video: Virgin Crash A 'Massive Setback'

Mr Siebold has been identified as the director of flight operations at Scaled Composites.

He is an aeronautical engineer, experimental test pilot, and flight test engineer with 17 years of flight experience.

He has spent 2,000 hours working in 35 different fixed wing aircraft and has been employed by the company since 1996.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the crash, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson said the accident is a "massive setback for commercial space travel".

But he hopes the programme will be back on track within six months. He added that to "push on blindly" with the project without knowing the cause of the crash would be an "insult" to Mr Alsbury.

Video: On The Ground At Virgin Crash Site

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the cause of the accident.

Virgin Galactic had been aiming to become the first commercial "spaceline", by beginning tourist flights to the edge of space next year.

Customers will pay up to $250,000 (£156,000) for a short journey into zero gravity and a glimpse of the planet from the edge of space.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Deadly Virgin Crash May Hit Space Tourism

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 01 November 2014 | 12.27

The crash of a Virgin Galactic craft is going to make people think twice about going on tourist trips to the edge of space, a former astronaut has told Sky News.

Hundreds of people have already reserved seats and paid a deposit on the $250,000 (£156,000) ticket price for a minutes-long suborbital flight on SpaceShipTwo, which can carry six passengers.

During its 35th test flight, it exploded over California's Mojave Desert shortly after it being released from its mother ship WhiteKnightTwo which took it to an altitude of 50,000ft.

The death of a pilot marks a major blow for the project and its billionaire founder, Sir Richard Branson, who immediately headed to the scene by plane.

Retired Astronaut Jose Hernandez told Sky News: "It is a risky business and we need to make sure it's safe for humans to travel into space."

He said of the crash: "It's certainly going to make people think twice before getting onto a ship and trying a zero g flight into space.

"But I think this is natural progression of what happens when you're going from having zero experience to trying to send humans into space.

Video: One Dead In Virgin Galactic Crash

"It is a steep learning curve. Sometimes it is an expensive learning curve."

Another pilot was badly injured in what has been described as a "catastrophic failure".

The company said in a tweet that the craft had suffered a serious "anomaly", without going into details.

The plan was for SpaceShipTwo to fire its rocket engine and carry out a 30-second "burn" test.

It was the first flight testing its engine for nine months and experts were also assessing a new type of fuel mixture which is plastic-based rather than a rubber-based compound.

It was hoped the new formulation would boost the engine's performance.

During test flights, the craft had not yet reached the edge of outer space, about 62 miles above Earth.

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Gallery: Images Showing Wreckage Of SpaceshipTwo In The Mojave Desert

Part of the wreckage from the Virgin Galactic SpaceshipTwo lies in California's Mojave Desert after it crashed
Photographer Ken Brown said the craft was released from the plane that carries it to high altitude, ignited its rocket motor and then exploded
Two pilots were on board. California authorities said one died and the other was badly hurt
A witness said the space tourism craft exploded during a test flight over the desert
SpaceShipTwo and its mother ship WhiteKnightTwo are pictured before the test flight. Pic: Virgin Galactic/Scaled Composites/Jason DiVenere
The aim of such flights was to assess SpaceShipTwo in preparation for suborbital trips to the edge of space about 62 miles above the Earth
Hundreds of people have already reserved seats and paid a deposit on the $250,000 (£156,000) ticket price for the flights. Pic: Virgin Galactic
After several delays, Sir Richard Branson's company had hoped to start taking passengers to the edge of space in 2015
But space expert Marco Caceres said: "You are not going to see any commercial space tourism flight next year or probably several years after that."

But the company had said the first trip there could have taken place in the next few months, depending on how testing went.

The launch date of the project has been put back repeatedly from the original 2007 date, but Sir Richard has claimed that he and his son would be on the inaugural flight by next spring.

He has previously described the project as the "beginning of a whole new era of space travel" and even suggested his business could "start doing trips to Mars".

Space journalist Sarah Cruddas told Sky News that things had "been looking really good for Virgin Galactic".

She said there had been "problems" with the engine in the past.

SpaceShipTwo is the commercial version of SpaceShipOne, the first private spacecraft to reach the edge of space in 2004, and which is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

One Dead As Virgin Galactic Spaceship Crashes

By Sky News US Team

One pilot has been killed and another is seriously injured after a Virgin Galactic spacecraft crashed on a powered test flight over California's Mojave Desert.

The tragedy occurred after SpaceShipTwo fired up its rocket following a high-altitude drop from Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo mothership.

The co-pilot suffered moderate to major injuries when he ejected from the rocket plane and parachuted to the ground.

Virgin Galactic, part of British billionaire Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, was aiming to begin tourist flights to the edge of space next year.

Company chief executive George Whitesides told a news conference: "Space is hard and today was a tough day."

Stuart Witt, chief executive of the space port, said the cause of the crash was not clear.

Sir Richard said his thoughts were with all those at Virgin Galactic and partner business Scaled Composites.

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Gallery: Images Showing Wreckage Of SpaceshipTwo In The Mojave Desert

Part of the wreckage from the Virgin Galactic SpaceshipTwo lies in California's Mojave Desert after it crashed
Photographer Ken Brown said the craft was released from the plane that carries it to high altitude, ignited its rocket motor and then exploded
Two pilots were on board. California authorities said one died and the other was badly hurt
A witness said the space tourism craft exploded during a test flight over the desert
SpaceShipTwo and its mother ship WhiteKnightTwo are pictured before the test flight. Pic: Virgin Galactic/Scaled Composites/Jason DiVenere
The aim of such flights was to assess SpaceShipTwo in preparation for suborbital trips to the edge of space about 62 miles above the Earth
Hundreds of people have already reserved seats and paid a deposit on the $250,000 (£156,000) ticket price for the flights. Pic: Virgin Galactic
After several delays, Sir Richard Branson's company had hoped to start taking passengers to the edge of space in 2015
But space expert Marco Caceres said: "You are not going to see any commercial space tourism flight next year or probably several years after that."

"Thanks for all your messages of support," he tweeted. "I'm flying to Mojave immediately to be with the team."

He is expected to arrive on Saturday morning.

The company said earlier in a statement to Sky News that SpaceShipTwo had "suffered a serious anomaly resulting in the loss of the vehicle".

WhiteKnightTwo landed safely.

Virgin Galactic said it would work with the authorities to determine the cause of the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

Video: Space Crash 'An Incredible Tragedy'

It is the second disaster involving a US spacecraft this week.

On Tuesday, another private company's unmanned rocket exploded six seconds after launch on a resupply mission to the International Space Station.

Virgin Galactic's 60ft (18 metre) long SpaceShipTwo was testing a redesigned rocket motor as it made its first powered flight since January.

The rocket plane, which was attached to the underside of WhiteKnightTwo, took off at 9:19am local time (4:19pm GMT) on Friday from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

It is not the first accident involving SpaceShipTwo.

Video: Deadly Crash May Hit Space Tourism

During testing for the development of its rocket motor in July 2007, an explosion at the Mojave spaceport killed three workers and critically injured three others.

It is the commercial version of SpaceShipOne, the first private spacecraft to reach the edge of space in 2004, now on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.

Virgin Galactic aims to become the world's first commercial "spaceline", sending customers willing to pay up to $250,000 (£156,000) for a short journey into zero gravity and a glimpse of the planet from the edge of space.

The company previously said it has accepted more than $80m (£50m) in deposits from hundreds of people who hope to be among the first space tourists.

British physicist Stephen Hawking, comedian Russell Brand, actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Ashton Kutcher, and singer Justin Bieber are said to have signed up.

Video: Rocket To Space Station Explodes

After launching from New Mexico, it is envisaged that each spaceship will take six passengers on a journey of between two and three hours just over 62 miles (100km) from Earth.

Sir Richard has said he hopes eventually to build a hotel in space.

12.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

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EU Migrants Pay In More Than They Take - Study

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 05 November 2014 | 12.27

US Midterms: Republicans Take Over Senate

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Lib Dem Minister Quits With Attack On May

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 04 November 2014 | 12.27

Face Of 'Evil' Teen Killer Will Cornick

Suitcase Murder: Briton Remanded In Custody

Written By Unknown on Senin, 03 November 2014 | 12.27

Virgin Galactic Descend System Deployed Early

Virgin Galactic Crash A 'Massive Setback'

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Deadly Virgin Crash May Hit Space Tourism

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One Dead As Virgin Galactic Spaceship Crashes

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