UK Firefighters Join Floods Rescue In Balkans

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent in Bijeljina, Bosnia

British firefighters are providing a "lifeline" for flood survivors in the Balkans' worst natural disaster in living memory.

A team of 33 men and women from all over the UK have been working around the clock near the devastated communities close to the Bosnian city of Bijeljina.

The crews have been helping in small rural villages and have pulled 142 people to safety since they arrived.

Three men waiting to be rescued at a block of flats

Team leader Nick Searle from Merseyside Fire and Rescue told Sky News: "It is a huge job but we have an enormous amount of experience between us.

"This is the first time we have been deployed to an overseas flooding disaster and we have brought four inflatable boats and have set up a command and control base."

Inside one of the villages, one resident said the British crews were the first outsiders they had seen.

It will be a long time before the flood water recedes

Cheshire firefighter Paul Bickerton told Sky News: "The area that is underwater is staggering - as is the isolation.

"When they are thanking you for saving their lives it is brilliant to see."

Lincolnshire firefighter Chris Lowe has worked in the recent flooding in Somerset and the Thames Valley, but said: "This is on a different level. Some locals have decided to stay in their homes.

Men feed pigs stranded on the roof of a house

"In one village a family have decided to stay in their flooded bakery with three young children. They are stranded but it is their livelihood so they are adamant they want to stay."

The British team dropped off water, milk and some sweets for the young children.

"We are their only link to the outside world," Mr Lowe added.

The fire crews expect to be working in the villages for another week but the recovery in the disaster zones will take far longer.

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nigerian Twin Bombings Claim 118 Lives

The number of people killed in a twin bombing in the Nigerian city of Jos has risen to at least 118.

Police in the state of Plateau said dozens more were injured in the explosions at a bus terminal and market.

There are fears more bodies will be recovered from the wreckage of burning buildings.

One witness described hearing a "loud bang that shook my whole house" before seeing rising smoke. The blasts happened within 15 minutes of each other in the afternoon.

The explosions happened in Jos. Pic: Easymac22

They ignited fires which were still burning eight hours later, according to the National Emergency Management Agency.

Mohammed Abdulsalam, zonal coordinator for the agency, told the Associated Press news agency: "Firemen are still trying to put them out. We believe we will find more bodies."

The country's president, Goodluck Jonathan, said those behind the explosions were "cruel and evil".

He said: "The government remains fully committed to winning the war against terror, and this administration will not be cowed by the atrocities of enemies of human progress and civilisation."

The wreckage from a bombing in Kano on May 18

The Islamist sect Boko Haram is believed to be a prime suspect, although there was no immediate claim of responsibility. The group's insurgency has seen a series of bomb attacks in the north and centre of the country.

It has been widely condemned for the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from a village in the northeast of the country, which has prompted countries including the UK and the US to offer assistance in rescuing them.

The group previously said it was behind a church bombing in Jos, and two other sites, on December 25, 2011.

Jos is in an area known as the "Middle Belt", where the largely Christian south and mostly Muslim north meet.

Five people were killed when a suicide bomber struck in the northern city of Kano on Sunday.

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missouri Execution Halted 'To Spare Suffering'

A court has suspended the execution of a US killer hours before it was due to happen because of concerns that he could suffer unduly.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito did not explain why he halted the execution of Russell Bucklew but lawyers had earlier argued that a rare medical condition could cause complications during the lethal injection process.

The 46-year-old was scheduled to die at 12.01am on Wednesday in what would have been the first execution in the US since the botched death of Clayton Lockett on April 29.

Officials said Lockett eventually died of a heart attack after 43 minutes

Lockett had appeared to be in significant pain during his execution, which took 43 minutes to complete and renewed the debate over the use of lethal injection.

Bucklew's lawyers had claimed a congenital condition that causes weakened blood vessels could lead to a similar outcome in their client's execution.

Pharmaceutical companies in Europe have stopped selling drugs for use in the death penalty - leading some states to turn to untested drug mixes.

The Supreme Court ruling came shortly after the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a stay of execution that had been granted just hours earlier by a panel concerned about undue suffering.

Though he did not outline his reasons, Justice Samuel Alito said he or the high court would have more to say on the matter.

Bucklew's lawyers have asked to tape his execution to record any evidence of suffering.

They also cited concerns about Missouri's secretive process of purchasing the execution drug pentobarbital.

Lockett lost a similar bid in the Oklahoma courts prior to his execution.

Lethal injection drugs have been increasingly difficult to obtain in the US

Six inmates have been executed in Missouri since the state switched to pentobarbital in 2013, with none showing outward signs of pain or suffering.

A Utah politician announced last week he would introduce legislation to bring back firing squads, giving death row inmates another option.

Bucklew was convicted of killing a man who was dating his ex-girlfriend as four children looked on. He also kidnapped and raped his ex.

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cyber-Spying Charges Against China Officials

The US has charged five Chinese military officials in Beijing with economic espionage and trade secret theft - allegations that China says are "deliberately fabricated" with "ulterior motives".

The indictment accuses the five hackers of targeting US nuclear power, metals and solar products industries.

Six American companies, including Alcoa and Westinghouse, and one labour union were cited as victims of the hacking attacks.

US Attorney General Eric Holder said the case "represents the first ever charges against a state actor for this type of hacking".

"The range of trade secrets and other sensitive business information stolen in this case is significant and demands an aggressive response," he told a news conference.

Barack Obama and Xi Jinping have discussed cyber-security issues

China's foreign ministry hit back at the claims in a very strongly-worded statement and claimed it had been a victim of "large scale" American spying activities.

Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said: "This US move, which is based on deliberately fabricated facts, grossly violates the basic norms governing international relations and jeopardizes China-US cooperation and mutual trust.

"The position of the Chinese government on cyber security is consistent and clear-cut. China is steadfast in upholding cyber security... The US accusation against Chinese personnel is purely ungrounded with ulterior motives."

"The US government and relevant US institutions have long been involved in large-scale and organized cyber theft," claimed the spokesman.

The US Attorney General however, called the indictment a "ground-breaking" step in addressing the threat of cyber-security.

FBI Director James Comey said: "For too long, the Chinese government has blatantly sought to use cyber espionage to obtain economic advantage for its state-owned industries."

The US believes China stole emails and other communications that could have helped Chinese firms learn the inner workings of American companies.

However, at least one of the US firms named in the matter appeared to downplay the impact of the alleged hacking.

Monica Orbe, the director of corporate affairs for metals giant Alcoa, said: "To our knowledge, no material information was compromised during this incident, which occurred several years ago."

Last September, President Barack Obama raised concerns over cyber-security with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping while the two were at a summit in St Petersburg, Russia.

When asked by the press about the accusations, Mr Xi said: "China not only does not support hacking but also opposes it.

"Let's not point fingers at each other without evidence but do more to safeguard cyber security."

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thailand Army Declares Martial Law After Unrest

Timeline Of Thailand's Political Crisis

Updated: 8:30am UK, Tuesday 20 May 2014

Thailand has a long history of political unrest with the army staging at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.

The latest crisis has its roots in the 2006 military overthrow of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was embroiled in a telecoms corruption scandal.

September, 2006: Thailand's armed forces oust Thaksin in a bloodless coup and impose martial law.

December, 2007: The People Power Party made up of Thaksin's allies, wins elections and forms a coalition government.

May, 2008: Royalist anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts relaunch street protests that led to the 2006 coup.

September, 2008: State of emergency declared after clashes between pro and anti-government groups leave one person dead and dozens wounded.

Constitutional Court strips Thaksin-allied prime minister Samak Sundaravej of his powers, ruling he illegally accepted payments for hosting TV cooking shows. Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat takes his place.

October, 2008: Clashes between police and demonstrators leave two people dead and nearly 500 wounded.

Court sentences Thaksin in his absence to two years in jail for corruption after he flees the country.

November-December, 2008: Thousands of Yellow Shirts blockade Bangkok's airports. State of emergency imposed for nearly two weeks.

December, 2008: Constitutional Court dissolves Somchai's party, forcing him from office. British-born Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrats becomes premier in a parliamentary vote with army backing.

January-March, 2009: Red Shirts loyal to Thaksin stage mass protests in the capital against Abhisit's government.

April, 2009: Red Shirts storm an Asian summit in the beach resort of Pattaya, forcing the evacuation of regional leaders. Riots and a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok ensue, leaving two people dead.

March, 2010: Tens of thousands of Red Shirts begin rolling demonstrations calling for Abhisit's government to step down, saying it is elitist and undemocratic.

April-May, 2010: Street clashes between Red Shirt protesters and armed troops leave more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians, in the country's worst civil unrest in decades.

July 3, 2011: Thaksin's allies sweep to power in elections on a wave of support from their Red Shirt followers.

August, 2011: Parliament elects Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck Shinawatra as Thailand's first female prime minister.

November, 2012: Police fire tear gas at demonstrators as clashes erupt at the first major street protests against Ms Yingluck's government.

October, 2013: Protests break out against an amnesty bill which critics say is aimed at allowing Thaksin - who went into self-imposed exile to avoid jail for a corruption conviction - to return home and escape prison.

November, 2013: Opposition protesters occupy the finance and foreign ministries demanding Ms Yingluck resign.

December, 2013: Police use water cannon and tear gas on protesters who storm the government and police headquarters. Opposition politicians resign en masse from parliament.

Ms Yingluck calls early elections as demonstrators return to the streets. Opposition announces a poll boycott.

February 2, 2014: Opposition demonstrators prevent 10,000 polling stations from opening for the election.

March 21, 2014: Constitutional Court declares February elections invalid.

April 30: Government announces new elections for July 20.

May 7: Constitutional Court removes Ms Yingluck and several cabinet ministers from office. New caretaker premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan appointed by remainder of cabinet.

May 15: The Election Commission says a general election scheduled for July 20 is "no longer possible" as polls cannot be held without the support of the protesters.

May 20: Army declares martial law, stressing the move "is not a coup".

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pistorius Ordered To Go To Psychiatric Hospital

Oscar Pistorius has been ordered to attend a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

Judge Thokozile Masipa ruled last week that Pistorius' state of mind when he shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp should be assessed, possibly delaying court proceedings for up to two months.

A psychiatrist giving evidence in the athlete's defence had earlier told the court he generalised anxiety disorder and that this may have influenced his judgement when he shot Ms Steenkamp through a toilet door at his home on February 14 last year.

The tests were requested by the chief prosecutor and opposed by Pistorius' lawyer.

More follows...

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Colombia Bus Fire Leaves 31 Children Dead

More than 30 children have died in Colombia after a fire tore through a bus that had broken down returning from a church event.

While 18 people managed to escape the blaze, 31 youngsters and one adult died in the tragedy in the town of Fundacion.

The charred bodies of the victims had to be identified using dental records, said Mayor Eduardo Velez, coordinator of Magdalena province's emergency response corps.

He said: "There was a canister of gasoline inside the vehicle. The fire spread very fast."

Local officials said the bus was overcrowded - it was rated to carry only 38 passengers, but was carrying around 50.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, thought to have been started when the driver tried to get the bus going by pouring fuel into the engine which he accessed through the floor of the cabin.

The driver escaped unharmed and was being questioned by police.

The bodies of the victims had to be identified using dental records

One witness described the scene as "hell".

Jose Angel Fuentes said: "There was a young man who was rescuing several girls. A girl reached her arms out to him, but the blaze that was coming out of the bus didn't allow the man to remove the girl, and he had to back up.

"And there were some boys who were hitting the windows, hitting with their heads, and everyone running to the back. It was tremendous, it was huge. It was practically hell that we experienced here."

President Juan Manuel Santos was travelling to Fundacion to console relatives of the victims.

He said: "There was a bus accident in the Magdalena department, in Fundacion, a bus that was filled with parishioners of the Pentecostal Church.

"I would like for you all to join me for a minute of silence for them in a show of our solidarity that we have with these types of unfortunate events."

The vehicle, owned by a private transport company, was usually used during the week as a school bus.

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nigerian Troops 'Cannot Take On Terrorists'

By Alex Crawford, Sky Special Correspondent, in Nigeria

A host of African countries with Western backing may have "declared war" on Boko Haram - but one Nigerian soldier has told Sky News how they have little equipment to take on the terrorists and what weapons they do have are old, worn down and ineffective.

He spoke to us on condition of anonymity: "If my superiors know I have spoken to you, I will be jailed and tortured."

But he described an army which is haemorrhaging morale and which lacks the will or the means to take on the terrorists.

He said his views reflected the feelings felt throughout the army about the war on terror in Nigeria's northeast.

"They give us just AK47s to go into the bush to fight Boko Haram," he told us.

"Our equipment doesn't work and they give us just two magazines (60 bullets) to go into the bush."

He went on to say many soldiers were complaining about not receiving their allowances and being made to wait weeks, sometimes months, for salaries to be paid.

People attend a protest in Abuja calling for the release of the schoolgirls

"It's not right," he said.

"We feel so bad because we ... are trying, the soldiers are trying our best but the civilians don't realise what the Nigerian army is issued with, what they are given to go and fight the Boko Haram.

"They don't know the calibre of the weapons that the Nigerian army is giving them.

"The calibre of the Boko Haram weapons is past (better) than the Nigerian army weapon."

The lack of progress in tracking down more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok has angered the girls' parents who don't believe the Nigerian authorities responded quickly enough - and then only did so because of the huge international outcry following a social media campaign.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan sparked further discontent when he hurriedly cancelled a trip to Chibok more than a month after the kidnappings, due to reported security concerns.

Sky cameraman Garwen McLuckie and I were in Chibok with the girls' parents and the elders of the town when the word came through that the president would no longer be coming.

Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau

There was a welcoming committee waiting for him as well as increased security.

We listened as one community elder broke the news to them and then spoke to the furious parents afterwards.

Many of them were screaming with indignation and pain.

"Please, please help us," one crying mother appealed to us. "All we want is for our daughters to be freed."

Another father told us angrily: "If this place is not safe for the President of Nigeria to come to, how does he think the people of Chibok feel?"

The president's office later contacted Sky News to angrily deny any trip had been planned and he certainly had not cancelled it.

The president later went on to tell the summit in Paris that everything was being done to try to track down the girls.

But the parents of Chibok do not feel that is the case.

And the anonymous soldier who spoke to us said the troops charged with the task don't have good enough equipment, the kit or the weapons to carry through the job.

And more than a month on, there's still no sign of the girls.

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Balkans Flooding Triggers 3,000 Landslides

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent

International rescue teams are battling against thousands of landslides as they try to reach victims of the unprecedented flooding in the Balkans.

At least 44 people are known to have lost their lives in the disaster across Bosnia and Serbia, with the death tolls expected to rise further.

Around 3,000 landslides have been reported across the region blocking roads and damaging even more homes.

In the submerged Serbian town of Obrenovac thousands of people have fled.

An aerial image of Obrenovac

One of the evacuees, 40-year-old father Dragan Todorovic, said: "I carried my kids out on my back, then waited 12 hours to be rescued myself.

"The house was new, built two years ago for 100,000 euros. What now?"

Teams are battling to save key power stations including the giant site at Kostolac near the capital Belgrade.

Alma Muslibegovic, a spokeswoman for the country's EPS power firm, said: "The army, police, volunteers and Kostolac employees are using all mechanisation and are piling up sandbags to slow the river flow and prevent it from entering the power generation system."

Evacuees from Obrenovac lie on beds in a shelter hall in Belgrade

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said a fire and flooding of surface mines at the 1,300 megawatt (MW) Kolubara coal-fired power plant southwest of Belgrade had caused damage of "at least 100 million euros (£81m)".

Authorities say the economic impact of the floods will be huge, devastating the agricultural sector vital to both the Serbian and Bosnian economies.

"The danger today is less than it was yesterday, but we have to control the Sava as much as we can," Mr Vucic told a televised Cabinet session.

"These are the kind of waters not seen in 1,000 years, let alone 100."

Floodwaters have also disturbed landmines leftover from the region's 1990s war, along with warning signs that marked the unexploded weapons.

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Party Time In India But Modi Must Reach Out

By Neville Lazarus, India Producer, in Delhi

It's a resounding victory and they are celebrating.

Supporters of the Bharitiya Janata Party have been partying since morning when counting began.

Young and old, first-time voters and veterans, they all converged on the BJP headquarters in Delhi.

Rishi, 24, who is studying to be a chartered accountant, believes Narendra Modi is the only one who can get India back on track.

No one but him can bring about that change, he says.

The right-wing BJP won more than 50% of the vote - a feat not seen for 30 years.

It will now form a new government with Mr Modi as prime minister.

BJP supporters celebrate outside the party's building in Ahmedabad

With victory in sight earlier in the day, Mr Modi met his mother and accepted her blessings.

A self-proclaimed recluse and introvert, he is rarely seen with family.

Right from the start, Mr Modi set the campaign agenda.

He covered a distance of nearly 200,000 miles across the country, addressing 477 rallies and attending over 5,000 events.

He has been the first politician to use a 3D hologram of himself, reaching 14 million people at 1,350 locations.

His Twitter account boasts 3.9 million followers, while his YouTube videos have been played 13 million times.

Ashok Kumar, who came to celebrate the victory, told Sky News: "Modi has delivered the second independence - the first being when India gained freedom from the British in 1947.

Indian women celebrate Mr Modi's election victory

"He has brought the second one after a terrible 10-year rule of the Congress party."

Sonia Gandhi, the head of the Congress party, and her 43-year-old son - vice president Rahul Gandhi, who led the election campaign - have taken moral responsibility for the defeat, telling reporters the mandate was clearly not theirs.

Chants of "Modi! Modi!" resound everywhere in Delhi.

Even senior leaders L.K. Advani and Rajnath Singh spoke of the Modi 'effect'.

His party seems to have been relegated to the background.

However, Mr Modi is seen by many as a polarising figure in the Indian political landscape.

He was at the helm of affairs during the Gujarat riots in 2002.

Mr Modi has pledged to work for the good of all Indians

Over 1,000 people died, many of them Muslims, and 100,000 were left homeless.

No courts have indicted him and investigations have left him in the clear but his role in the riots is still furiously debated.

Britain refused to deal with Mr Modi for a decade and only in October 2012 was the diplomatic boycott finally lifted.

Throughout his campaign, Mr Modi stayed away from religious rhetoric, concentrating instead on development and good governance, of which he has a proven record in Gujarat.

But India is a secular country with many minority and linguistic communities.

Mr Modi will have to reach out to all to be accepted as a national leader.

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More