Four Children Shot Dead By Lone Texas Gunman

Six people, including four children, were shot dead at a house in Texas before a three hour stand-off with police.

The victims were killed at a house in Spring, Houston, before armed officers chased and cornered a silver car containing the suspect.

Police attended the house in Spring to find seven people had been shot

In bizarre scenes, the silver car was eventually barged by a large police truck, which appeared to pin it to the ground, while marksmen gathered nearby.

A second armoured vehicle arrived shortly afterwards to corner the suspect, who stayed in the vehicle for around three hours.

Police stopped the car about three miles from the scene of the shooting

Despite being surrounded by marksmen, and having his car virtually crushed by the armoured truck, the suspect remained "cool as a cucumber", police said.

After lengthy negotiations he emerged from the vehicle with his hands raised, sinking to his knees before being arrested and detained.

The car was eventually cornered by an armoured truck

The Harris County Sheriff's Office said officers attended a property in Spring at around 6pm and found two adults and three children dead.

Another child later died at a hospital. A 15-year-old girl was wounded but survived the attack, police say.

Talks continued into the night and the suspect eventually surrendered

"It appears this stems from a domestic issue with a breakup in the family from what our witness has told us," Assistant Chief Deputy Constable Mark Herman said.

Authorities did not release the victims' identities and did not say how they might be related to each other or the suspect.

Local media reported one of the injured reported the shooting and gave police a description of the attacker, the type of car he was in and said he was on his way to kill other family members at another address.

Sergeant Thomas Gilliland described the man as in his 30s with a beard "and cool as a cucumber."

He said that when he and other officers approached, the man was "just sitting in his car looking out at us".

Danna Stevens, 75, and her husband, Texas Stevens, live four doors down from the home where the shooting happened.

Danna Stevens said she did not know her neighbours well and that they had moved into the area about a year ago.

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Israel Airstrike On Gaza 'Kills Five Children'

An Israeli airstrike into Gaza has killed seven civilians, including five children, according to Palestinian authorities who say it was the deadliest single bombing so far.

Residents claim two houses were hit in the attack in a densely populated area near Khan Younis.

According to Palestinian officials another 16 people were injured in the attack.

It comes as Prime Minister David Cameron voiced his support for Israel and its response to what he calls "appalling" rocket strikes from Hamas militants.

Locals search through rubble after the attack near Khan Younis

The Israeli army has stepped up its offensive on the Gaza Strip in an effort to hit Hamas targets, as militants continue to fire rockets at Israeli cities.

Mr Cameron phoned Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to offer his support.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "(He) spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu earlier this evening about the situation in Israel.

"The Prime Minister strongly condemned the appalling attacks being carried out by Hamas against Israeli civilians.

"The Prime Minister reiterated the UK's staunch support for Israel in the face of such attacks, and underlined Israel's right to defend itself from them."

In response to the escalating conflict, the United Nations Security Council is set to convene in New York on Thursday.

"Gaza is on a knife-edge," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

"The deteriorating situation is leading to a downward spiral which could quickly get out of control. The risk of violence expanding further still is real."

The exchange of fire marks the heaviest fighting between Israel and Hamas since an eight-day battle in November 2012.

More than three million Israeli citizens are under threat of rocket attack

The IDF launched the major air campaign above Gaza on Tuesday, targeting the homes of suspected militants and concealed rocket launch locations.

More than 400 airstrikes have taken place, with 50 people killed in Gaza.

Israel said it had hit more than 300 targets and Hamas positions throughout Gaza.

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) said "at least 82 rockets hit Israel" on Wednesday, and 21 were intercepted.

Hamas said it fired three rockets on Wednesday at Dimona, targeting what Israel claimed was its highly secure nuclear reactor site.

Israel has launched repeated airstrikes to thwart militants in Gaza

There have been no Israeli deaths, but the barrages have paralysed business in southern communities.

Mr Netanyahu has warned Hamas that it will pay a "heavy price" for the rocket attacks, many of which have targeted populated areas of Israel.

The Israeli cabinet has said it may also send in ground troops and has authorised the call-up of as many as 40,000 reservists.

Israel has started to amass troops around the Gaza Strip

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has accused Israel of committing atrocities in Gaza.

Mr Abbas said: "It's genocide - the killing of entire families is genocide by Israel against our Palestinian people."

The US State Department said it has called for all sides to deescalate, but reiterated Israel's right of self-defence.

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Obama Backs Troops To Tackle Child Migrants

Barack Obama is supporting calls to mobilise National Guard troops to deal with thousands of Central American children trying to cross the border.

The President met with Texas Governor Rick Perry to discuss a growing humanitarian problem, with 57,000 children caught crossing the border since October 1, 2013.

Most of the children are from Central American countries such as Guatemala and Honduras and cross without their parents.

Thousands of children are being held at detention centres in the US

During the same time, immigration officials have arrested more than 39,000 immigrants, mostly mothers and children, travelling as family groups.

The sheer number of children has overwhelmed the government's ability to respond and thousands of children are now being held at US detention centres.

After meeting Mr Perry, the President said he was open to suggestions from the governor and others that he dispatch National Guard troops to the border.

Many of the children head over the border without their parents

But he warned such a solution would only work temporarily.

And he said any such action was being held up by Congress' delay in approving his request for extra funding - the White House has asked for $3.7bn (£2.2bn).

"Congress has the capacity to work with all parties concerned to directly address this situation," Mr Obama told reporters.

Mr Obama resisted calls to visit the border during his Texas trip, prompting criticism from Republicans and even some Democrats.

However, White House spokesman Josh Earnest defended Mr Obama's decision, saying the president has "sufficient visibility to the problems".

Some Republicans made it clear that Mr Obama's budget request would be a hard sell.

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brazil Coach: 'It's The Worst Day Of My Life'

Luiz Felipe Scolari has said watching his side being crushed 7-1 by Germany was the worst day of his life.

The Brazil team huddle after their humiliating defeat

And Brazil president Dilma Rousseff said she was sad and sorry.

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella, whose side play the Netherlands in the other semi-final on Wednesday, said the result was "not normal" but showed "why (football) is beautiful".

Here is more of what they and others had to say about the "extraordinary" and "bewildering" game in Belo Horizonte:

Scolari: 'We tried our best'

BRAZIL COACH LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI

"If I were to think of my life as a footballer, as a coach, as a physical education teacher, I think it was the worst day of my life.

"I'm going to be remembered probably because I lost 7-1, the worst defeat in Brazil's history, but that was a risk I knew I was running when I walked into this position.

"My message for the Brazilian people and fans is that we tried to do what we could, we lost to a great team who had the skill to end the game in just six or seven minutes with four goals."

Luiz takes a tumble during the game

BRAZIL STAND-IN CAPTAIN DAVID LUIZ

"I just wanted to make my people happy. Unfortunately, we couldn't. I'm sorry, I'm sorry to all Brazilians, I just wanted to see them smile, everyone knows how important it was."

Cesar walking off the pitch

BRAZIL GOALKEEPER JULIO CESAR

"It's very hard to explain the unexplainable."

Rousseff: 'We won't stay down'

BRAZIL PRESIDENT DILMA ROUSSEFF

"Like every Brazilian, I am very, very sad about this defeat. I am immensely sorry for all of us. But we won't let ourselves stay down. Brazil, get up, dust yourself off and move forward."

A shocked Brazil fan

BRAZIL FAN RIBEIRO FRANCA AFTER GERMANY'S FIFTH GOAL

"Five-nil is so embarassing, we're not going to stay any longer. One-nil is fine, one-one, two-one, two-two, but five-nil is shameful for a country that has a tradition of football. Bye. Bye."

Loew: 'It was easy'

GERMAN COACH JOACHIM LOEW

"They were shocked and didn't expect to fall behind. And after that it was an easy match for us. I feel sorry for him (Scolari). I think I know how he feels."

Sabella: 'Foootball is like that'

ARGENTINA COACH ALEJANDRO SABELLA

"Seven-one is not a normal result between two world footballing powers. (But) football can be like that. Sometimes things happen that you don't expect, and that is why it is beautiful."

Brazil players after conceding a goal

FORMER BRAZIL MIDFIELDER JUNINHO PAULISTA

"It will be difficult to recover. Some players I don't think will be back to wear the Brazilian shirt. It is wrong now to criticise the players. On the field, Germany taught us how to play football."

Lineker: 'Just staggering'

FORMER ENGLAND STRIKER GARY LINEKER

"In nigh on half a century of watching football, that's the most extraordinary, staggering, bewildering game I've ever witnessed."

German fans watching the game on TV

FORMER GERMANY MIDFIELDER DIETMAR HAMANN

"Master class from Germany. Clinical, organised, hard-working, unselfish and humble. Very proud of the team. One to go."

Ferdinand: 'I fear for players'

FORMER ENGLAND DEFENDER RIO FERDINAND                           

"I would worry that the Brazilian players might never recover from this. Some might not be able to come back."

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brazil In Hell But Germany In Seventh Heaven

Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said winning this World Cup would take "seven steps to reach paradise".

In Belo Horizonte, at the sixth step, with the summit in sight, they tripped and fell. Who knows when they will land.

The scale of their defeat to Germany was so shocking it needs spelling out. Seven-one is a Sunday morning scoreline, not one to be inked into the record books of football's greatest tournament.

For a team that has traded so deliberately on faith and emotion, this was a descent into hell. Judging by the public mood in the immediate aftermath, Brazilians may demand a long stay in purgatory before they can think of moving on.

It represents a deep humiliation for the five-times champions. It is their worst ever World Cup defeat and their heaviest since a 6-0 loss to Uruguay in 1920.

In the litany of national sporting disasters it ranks alongside the 3-0 defeat to France in the 1998 World Cup final, and more painfully the 1950 loss to Uruguay in the Maracana.

Frustrated Brazilian fans

That loss earned an epithet, "Maracanaza", a shorthand for national shame. This tournament was meant to offer redemption for the sins of the last century. Instead, Brazil now has a "Mineiraozo", a fresh catastrophe to make Brazilian's shudder whenever the stadium in Belo Horizonte is mentioned.

If you think that sounds dramatic consider the headlines. "Shame of shames" said Globo's website. Lance! went for "The biggest shame in history".

To their credit - about the only thing that was on a traumatic night - Scolari and his players did not duck responsibility. Captain David Luiz, the poster boy for a derelict defensive display - only stopped crying long enough to apologise. And the coach, plain "Felipao" to the nation in happier times 24 hours earlier, accepted all responsibility.

Germany fans celebrate their shock 7-1 victory

And so he should. His attacking selection, featuring just two holding midfield players, was fatally exposed as reckless by a German side who outnumbered their opponents and then destroyed them.

Scolari's deeply melodramatic approach must also be questioned. They tried every emotional trick in the book, even holding up the missing Neymar's No 10 shirt during the national anthem to stir the stadium to its foundations.

But what Brazil needed in the face of a dazzling German display was clear heads, not misty eyes. Perhaps as a result, having conceded a dreadful opening goal to Thomas Muller, they froze, like perhaps no team before them in international football. Four more goals followed in six minutes, five in 19 minutes in total, and with not even half an hour played.

The expression on the face of Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar says it all

So good were Germany, and so complete was Brazil's loss of poise, it could have been 10.

The impact of Brazil's loss is compelling, but it should not detract from the German achievement here.

This is a side that has reached the semi-final in each of the last four major tournaments, and has only been denied a title by the brilliant Spanish side that gave up its world crown here.

They possess a wonderfully talented generation of players who combine a fluid, modern style with the focus and resilience of their forebears. They are a delight to watch, a surprise apparently even to themselves at times, and would be worthy winners of a dazzling World Cup.

Only a Dutch side marshalled by the formidable Louis Van Gaal or a Messi-inspired Argentina stand in their way. On this form, neither will be enough to stop Germany completing the seventh step to heaven.

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

World Cup: Brazil Defeat Sparks Unrest Fears

Brazil Coach: 'The Worst Day Of My Life'

Updated: 7:18am UK, Wednesday 09 July 2014

Luiz Felipe Scolari has said watching his side being crushed 7-1 by Germany was the worst day of his life.

And Brazil president Dilma Rousseff said she was sad and sorry.

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella, whose side play the Netherlands in the other semi-final on Wednesday, said the result was "not normal" but showed "why (football) is beautiful".

Here is more of what they and others had to say about the "extraordinary" and "bewildering" game in Belo Horizonte:

BRAZIL COACH LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI

"If I were to think of my life as a footballer, as a coach, as a physical education teacher, I think it was the worst day of my life.

"I'm going to be remembered probably because I lost 7-1, the worst defeat in Brazil's history, but that was a risk I knew I was running when I walked into this position.

"My message for the Brazilian people and fans is that we tried to do what we could, we lost to a great team who had the skill to end the game in just six or seven minutes with four goals."

BRAZIL STAND-IN CAPTAIN DAVID LUIZ

"I just wanted to make my people happy. Unfortunately, we couldn't. I'm sorry, I'm sorry to all Brazilians, I just wanted to see them smile, everyone knows how important it was."

BRAZIL GOALKEEPER JULIO CESAR

"It's very hard to explain the unexplainable."

BRAZIL PRESIDENT DILMA ROUSSEFF

"Like every Brazilian, I am very, very sad about this defeat. I am immensely sorry for all of us. But we won't let ourselves stay down. Brazil, get up, dust yourself off and move forward."

BRAZIL FAN RIBEIRO FRANCA AFTER GERMANY'S FIFTH GOAL

"Five-nil is so embarassing, we're not going to stay any longer. One-nil is fine, one-one, two-one, two-two, but five-nil is shameful for a country that has a tradition of football. Bye. Bye."

GERMAN COACH JOACHIM LOEW

"They were shocked and didn't expect to fall behind. And after that it was an easy match for us. I feel sorry for him (Scolari). I think I know how he feels."

ARGENTINA COACH ALEJANDRO SABELLA

"Seven-one is not a normal result between two world footballing powers. (But) football can be like that. Sometimes things happen that you don't expect, and that is why it is beautiful."

FORMER BRAZIL MIDFIELDER JUNINHO PAULISTA

"It will be difficult to recover. Some players I don't think will be back to wear the Brazilian shirt. It is wrong now to criticise the players. On the field, Germany taught us how to play football."

FORMER ENGLAND STRIKER GARY LINEKER

"In nigh on half a century of watching football, that's the most extraordinary, staggering, bewildering game I've ever witnessed."

FORMER GERMANY MIDFIELDER DIETMAR HAMANN

"Master class from Germany. Clinical, organised, hard-working, unselfish and humble. Very proud of the team. One to go."

FORMER ENGLAND DEFENDER RIO FERDINAND                           

"I would worry that the Brazilian players might never recover from this. Some might not be able to come back."

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hamas Rockets Bombard Israel After Airstrikes

Israel has been attacked by nearly 100 rockets, including 40 in an hour, from Gaza, according to the Israeli army.

Israel has responded with dozens of airstrikes and is continuing to deploy more military resources to the Gaza border. 

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said close to 100 rockets had been fired at Israel on Monday alone. There are so far no reports of casualties.

Twelve of the rockets were intercepted by rocket defence batteries, the Israeli army said.

Hamas' armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire.

The bombardment came a few hours after Israel launched 16 airstrikes on targets in Gaza, and followed a night where planes attacked 14 targets, killing at least three people.

Another six died after a tunnel collapsed near the city of Rafah, with Hamas blaming it on an Israeli airstrike - a claim Israel denies.

Israeli army spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner said two infantry forces were moving to the Gaza border and up to 1,500 reservists were to be mobilised.

Tensions in the region have been inflamed following the kidnap and murder of three Israeli teenagers and the suspected revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager.

Three of the six people arrested over the latter case have reportedly confessed but charges are yet to be brought.

The victim, 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khadair, was burned alive, according to a preliminary post-mortem examination. He was found in the Jerusalem Forest last week.

Israeli television has shown dozens of tanks massing near the Gaza border

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned the boy's father to promise that those responsible for the "despicable" murder would be prosecuted, Israeli officials said.

Mohammed's killing followed the murder of Israeli teenagers Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach.

The three young men were found in shallow graves on June 30, nearly three weeks after they disappeared while hitchhiking home.

Prime minister Netanyahu has blamed Hamas for the murders and warned they "will pay". Hamas has said it was not behind the deaths.

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Dangerous' Typhoon Races Towards Japan Islands

By Mark Stone, Asia Correspondent

A warning of significant damage to property has been issued in coastal regions of western Japan as Typhoon Neoguri continues its path across the country.

Half a million people in Okinawa Prefecture have been urged to evacuate, with Japan's main broadcaster NHK warning of possible "extensive damage" caused by a storm surge.

The storm was downgraded from its super-typhoon status overnight and its core appears to have missed the southern Japanese islands.

But even its periphery has brought strong winds, with a speed of 107mph recorded on Okinawa Island.

Airports and schools have been closed in Okinawa and fishermen have been told to return to port.

Trees are blasted by strong winds in Naha on Japan's Okinawa island

Residents in some areas have been told to remain in their homes and others living in low-lying areas told to evacuate.

On Ishigaki island, south of Okinawa and approximately 75 miles west of the eye of the storm, residents took precautions in an effort to protect their property.

Cars were secured to the ground using ropes and loose debris cleared away.

According to NHK, one woman sustained a head injury and one fisherman is missing after he was swept from his boat.

There are no reports of any other casualties.

Typhoon Neoguri has brought powerful winds and heavy rain

Japan is used to storms and many people appear to have heeded the advice of the authorities.

Keiji Furuya, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, urged residents to "take refuge as early as possible".

Although the storm has been downgraded and will lose much of its power once it makes landfall, the rain levels are a significant concern.

The storm is unusually early in the typhoon season and comes just at the end of the rainy season.

Saturated ground will be unable to absorb much of the rain due to fall in the coming hours.

Residents cross a precarious-looking suspension bridge in eastern Taiwan

The speed and wide area of the storm are both further concerns.

It is moving slowly in a northerly direction and is due to turn eastwards overnight into Wednesday, taking it straight over the Japanese mainland.

It is expected to reach Tokyo later this week.

Okinawa is home to the American Air Force base Kadena.

Aircraft have been flown to other bases in the Pacific to avoid any damage to them, after the commander of the base warned of the dangers posed by the storm.

Some 500,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes

Brigadier-General James Heckler said: "I can't stress enough how dangerous this typhoon may be when it hits Okinawa.

"This is the most powerful typhoon forecast to hit the island in 15 years. This is not just another typhoon.

"If we all follow the typhoon procedures and take care of each other, we will all make it through this typhoon safely."

Authorities in Philippines, which was hit by the world's strongest ever recorded typhoon in November, have said the storm did not make landfall, passing 300 miles east of the country.

The Chinese, Taiwanese and South Korean governments have all warned their ships to stay clear of the storm.

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pistorius Trial Adjourned As Defence Closes Case

Oscar Pistorius' defence has wrapped up its case, with the trial due to resume with closing arguments on August 7.

The court heard that the prosecution will file its "heads of argument" on July 30.

The defence will file on August 4.

The statements will then be presented in court on August 7 and 8.

The trial was adjourned a day after the last defence witness completed his testimony.

Professor Wayne Derman, a doctor for the South African Paralympic team, was quizzed over Pistorius' ability to move around on his stumps.

The prosecution attempted to show Prof Derman had overstated the athlete's lack of mobility without prostheses.

The defence argues that Pistorius' limited mobility and mental vulnerability led him to shoot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp out of fear that she was an intruder.

Not explicitly mentioned in court was the controversy over an Australian TV broadcaster's decision to air a video showing Oscar Pistorius re-enacting the night of the shooting.

The material was filmed to help the Paralympian's defence team build their case.

It shows Pistorius, wearing a vest and shorts, running without his prosthetic legs with his fist clenched as if holding a gun.

Pistorius, who is on trial for premeditated murder, denies deliberately killing Reeva Steenkamp.

He faces between 25 years and life in prison if found guilty.

More follows...

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Staying Safe Inside Liberia's Ebola Zone

By Alex Crawford, Special Correspondent, in Liberia

Priority number one: Do not spread the Ebola disease. Priority number two: Do not catch it.

With these twin priorities in mind, cameraman Dave Rees and I set off for the north of Liberia.

We were going to the epicentre of the world's most serious outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus to try to find out more about it and the efforts being done to combat its spread.

We took a case-load of protective gear provided by Sky News. It was mostly waterproof all-in-one outfits with goggles and plastic gloves - all easily disposable once used.

Ebola is spread by infected people or animals - through close contact with infected blood and other bodily fluids such as sweat and tears.

There's also a possibility of contracting the virus through indirect contact - by touching infected clothes or furniture for instance, or even eating infected food.

It was imperative that we remained on high alert for the entire time we were in the infected zone - a period of about four days.

Dave also took a plastic covering for the camera so he can still film. But we were prepared to destroy the camera too if needs be.

Crawford started by wearing an all-in-one outfit and a mask

We also had the usual anti-mosquito sprays, anti-malaria tablets, dehydration tablets as well as some of our own food provisions plus sleeping bags and camping equipment.

The north of Liberia is under-developed with poor infrastructure and few resources in a country which is one of the poorest in the world.

The road journey to the north from the Liberian capital Monrovia took nine hours on mostly unmarked, unpaved roads. It was a bone-jangling experience travelling to Foya, right on the northern tip of Liberia and very close to the border with Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Our first sight of the infection wards was a large blue tented area. The medics have tried to rename it as a treatment centre but few seem to have bought into the new name.

Once anyone is diagnosed or even suspected of having Ebola, they are immediately segregated and taken there, where few others want to enter.

Those who do, underwent a series of stringent disinfecting procedures to ensure they did not catch the virus or leave with it to spread it further among the outside population.

The soles of our shoes were sprayed with disinfectant and we were ordered to wash our hands with chlorine. I inadvertently touched the wooden post marking the entrance and am told to re-wash my hands.

Once inside, nurse Adeyemi Babatunde took care of us, leading us first into the low-risk area where we were kitted up. Dave had already encased the camera in a sealed plastic container.

The first thing we were asked to do is put on gloves, then we slipped on scrubs before we all start putting on the PPE (personal protection equipment).

The medical team provided us with their equipment so our Sky-provided gear was untouched.

Then she covered her face with a large hood and visor

We put on rubber boots, then climbed into all-in-one waterproof outfits. The temperature was 37C inside the tent and with the all-in-one plastic outfit on I could feel my body temperature climbing fast.

Next was the mouth guard followed by a huge hood which had panels covering my neck and front. We put visors on top, a second pair of thicker gloves and by this time, I could barely breathe.

"Breathe through your mouth," I was told. "Don't touch anything when you are inside," Nurse Adeyemi said.

"If you feel uncomfortable then leave quickly without touching anything."

The final piece of clothing was a huge plastic apron which reaches from just below my neck and hangs right down my body to just above my ankles. The whole process has taken a good three-quarters of an hour.

Nurse Adeyemi guided us through a series of marked lanes inside the body of the tent.

"The infection ward is separated into two areas," he explained.

"Those who are suspected of having Ebola, and those who are confirmed. We only ever pass from the suspected area to the confirmed - never back the other way. After the confirmed area, the only route is out."

With all the plastic and rubber on us, we were crinkling with every step and sweating profusely by this time. The nurses have to kit themselves out in this gear every time they enter the infected area.

On leaving there was a laborious series of disinfecting steps to take to ensure outside remains virus-free - including the burning of all the kit, gloves and all-in-one outfits.

They kept the rubber boots and plastic aprons only after dunking them in several buckets of disinfectant. The work is both dangerous and difficult and the workers risk their lives every time they enter the infected zone.

15.01 | 0 komentar | Read More