First US Case Of Killer Bug Travels Through UK

Authorities in the US and UK are trying to trace passengers who travelled on the same flight from London to Chicago as a man diagnosed with a potentially deadly Sars-like virus.

The American, who fell ill after flying to the US from Saudi Arabia where he was a healthcare worker, has Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (Mers-Cov).

The passenger had flown on a British Airways flight from Riyadh to Heathrow on April 24, before transferring to Chicago.

He fell ill on April 27 and went to a hospital in Indiana with a fever, cough and shortness of breath. He is currently in a good condition.

Public Health England (PHE) has contacted UK passengers on BA Flight 262 who were sitting near the affected passenger, but stressed the risk of infection was "extremely low".

There have been 400 cases worldwide. Pic: NIAID

Britons on the flight who become unwell or experience respiratory problems have been urged to contact NHS 111.

PHE is also working with US authorities to trace any UK passengers on the onward flight - American Airlines Flight 99 from London to Chicago.

It is the first case of Mers-Cov in the US, after diagnosis was confirmed by the United States Centre for Disease Control in Indiana.

Doctor Thomas Briese, Associate Director of Columbia University's Centre for Infection and Immunity, said the case "does not mean that any epidemic is on the horizon or that it will spread".

Mers-Cov belongs to the coronavirus family that includes the common cold and severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), which killed 800 people in 2003.

The man travelled on a British Airways plane from Saudi Arabia to Heathrow

Mers-Cov has been found in camels, but officials do not know how it is spread to humans.

Since mid-March, 111 people have tested positive in the Jeddah area of Saudi Arabia, World Health Organisation figures show - the biggest increase in the Mers-Cov outbreak since it was detected in April 2012.

There have been 401 confirmed cases of Mers-Cov infection in 12 countries including 93 deaths, according to the US Centre for Disease Control.

Doctor Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he was "not surprised at all" at the news, "given the amount of travel and air traffic between people in the United States and people in the Middle East".

He said: "There's no question something like this was going to happen."

It is thought that coronavirus may have come from camels

Three people have died so far in the UK as a result of the infection - including one man who died at the end of June.

PHE said the last case to be detected in the UK was in February last year.

Cases have also been reported in France, Germany, Italy and Greece, across the Middle East in Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman and in other countries including Malaysia, the Philippines and Tunisia.

PHE said the period between exposure to Mers-Cov and when symptoms might develop is up to 14 days.

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Hundreds Killed As Landslide Buries Village

At least 350 people have been killed after a landslide buried part of a village in Afghanistan.

Officials said the final death toll could be as high as 500 following Friday's disaster, updating earlier information that 2,500 people were feared dead.

Hundreds of Afghan volunteers joined the search for residents buried under the landslide after the fast-moving tide of rock and mud hit the northeastern village of Hobo Barik.

There are fears of further landslides in the area

When people rushed to help victims trapped in the first landslide, a second, bigger landslide came down, burying some rescuers and more houses.

The area is remote and rescue teams have struggled to reach the scene. The tragedy came after heavy rain earlier in the week.

Badakhshan governor Shah Waliullah Adeeb said: "Based on our reports, 300 houses are under the debris. We have a list of around 300 people confirmed dead.

A digger works to clear the mud

"We cannot continue the search and rescue operation anymore, as the houses are under metres of mud. We will offer prayers for the victims and make the area a mass grave."

Gul Mohammad Bedar, the deputy governor of Badakhshan, said: "The first figure (of 2,500 feared dead) that we announced was obtained from local people, not from our technical team.

"We think the death toll will not rise beyond 500."

Thousands of people have been displaced

The community, in Badakhshan province which borders Tajikistan in the country's northeast, has been buried in more than 300ft of mud (100 metres).

Hundreds of mud brick homes were destroyed when two landslides triggered by torrential rain hit Hobo Barik, in Argo district.

At least 100 people have been injured.

Afghan National Army troops in Kabul load supplies for survivors

The side of the mountain collapsed as villagers were trying to recover belongings and livestock following a smaller landslip a few hours earlier.

Local people and dozens of police officers equipped with only basic digging tools began searching for survivors from first light on Saturday.

But it quickly became apparent there was no hope of finding anyone.

The United Nations says the focus is now on the thousands of people who have been displaced by the disaster.

A memorial service was planned, and the site is expected to be designated as a mass grave, according to UN spokesman Ari Gaitanis.

The US and the Nato-led coalition in Afghanistan have offered to send help

He added the survivors need water, medical support, counselling, food and emergency shelter.

British charities are mobilising teams to help with the rescue effort.

Save the Children sent five ambulances to the scene and are planning to distribute blankets and give medical assistance.

Other charities are monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide assistance if necessary.

There are also fears that another section of the mountainside could collapse, threatening the homeless and hundreds of rescue workers.

The Afghan military flew rescue teams to the search area on Saturday because the remote mountain region is served by only narrow, poor roads that have been damaged by more than a week of heavy rain.

Nato-led coalition troops are ready to assist, but have not yet been asked for help by the Afghan government.

US President Barack Obama has also offered to send help.

Seasonal rains and spring snow melt have brought destruction to large parts of northern Afghanistan, killing more than 100 people.

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McGuinness: Adams Arrest 'Politically Motivated'

Martin McGuinness has reiterated his claim that the timing of Gerry Adams' arrest was "politically motivated".

The Northern Ireland deputy first minister was speaking as a new mural of the Sinn Fein president was unveiled in west Belfast.

Mr McGuinness also helped display a poster of Mr Adams with former South African president Nelson Mandela, which had the words "Defend the peace process" and "release Gerry Adams".

Mr Adams is continuing to be questioned by police in connection with the 1972 murder of mother-of-10 Jean McConville.

On Friday, officers were granted another 48 hours to quiz him at Antrim police station.

His party colleague Mr McGuinness told Sinn Fein supporters that he believed the arrest was linked to the local government and EU elections in three weeks' time.

Mr McGuinness helped display a poster of Gerry Adams and Nelson Mandela

As the election campaign continues, he claimed Sinn Fein candidates were being denied the solidarity and support of the party leader.

And Mr McGuinness alleged some people in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) who were "hostile" to the peace process were "using dirty tricks" and "deliberately and cynically exploiting" the killing of Ms McConville.

Mr McGuinness has claimed a "cabal" within the PSNI was behind the arrest, with the intention of damaging the process and inflicting political scars on Sinn Fein in election month.

But Justice Minister David Ford said: "I see no evidence that there's political policing in Northern Ireland.

New mural of Gerry Adams in west Belfast

"I do see evidence of a lot of politicians trying to politically interfere with what's being done by policing."

The republican party has warned it will review its support for the police if the veteran leader is charged.

The deputy first minister said he and colleagues would not be making a "knee-jerk" decision.

But he suggested they would "reflect" on their endorsement of the PSNI if such a situation came to pass.

He said of the arrest: "In my view this is a failed attempt at the replay of the effort in 1978 to charge Gerry Adams with membership of the IRA. That case was based on hearsay, gossip and newspaper articles. It failed then and it will fail now.

Ms McConville was dragged screaming from her home by an IRA gang in 1972

"Thirty six years later those within the PSNI who are hostile to the peace process are using the same old dirty tricks. They are deliberately and cynically exploiting the awful killing of Jean McConville and the grief and hurt inflicted on her family."

Mr Adams, 65, vehemently denies allegations levelled by former republican colleagues that he ordered the murder after she was wrongly accused of passing information to the security forces.

No one has ever been charged with the murder of the 37-year-old widow.

But after years without progress in the criminal investigation there have been a series of arrests in recent weeks.

The recent police activity followed a decision by a US court compelling a Boston university to hand over to the PSNI recorded interviews with republicans about the murder.

Boston College interviewed a number of former paramilitaries about the Troubles on the understanding transcripts would not be published until after their deaths.

But that undertaking was rendered ineffective when the court ordered last year that tapes that contained claims about the killing be given to detectives.

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Clarkson Hits Out At BBC Over Racism Row

Clarkson Racism Row: 10 Top Gear Gaffes

Updated: 3:53pm UK, Friday 02 May 2014

As Jeremy Clarkson "begs for forgiveness" over claims he used racist language, Sky News looks at past controversies on his show.

:: Lorry load of trouble over 'prostitute' claim (series 12, November 2008)

The BBC received hundreds of complaints after Clarkson joked about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes.

"Change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder," he said. "That's a lot of effort in a day."

One MP called for Clarkson to be sacked but the BBC defended its presenter, saying viewers have "clear expectations" of his on-screen persona and humour.

:: Top Gear slammed over "vulgar" Mexico claims (series 16, December 2010)

A special episode of the show upset Mexicans by describing them as "lazy, feckless and flatulent" and branding their food "refried sick".

It claimed the Mexican ambassador to the UK would not complain as he was likely to be asleep.

In response, ambassador Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza wrote to the BBC, describing the comments as "outrageous, vulgar and inexcusable".

Ofcom found the BBC had not breached guidelines but the broadcaster admitted the language used had "reinforced" stereotypes.

:: "Slope" remark during Burma special (series 21, March 2014)

Clarkson was accused of using "casual racism" during a Top Gear special, during which he and his co-presenters built a bridge over a Burmese river.

As a man walked across the bridge, Clarkson said: "That's a proud moment but there's a slope on it."

A BBC spokesman said the show was not aware the word "slope" was considered by some to be offensive and insisted it was used to make a "light-hearted wordplay joke".

:: Mock-Nazi salute sparks anger (series seven, November 2005)

Clarkson did little to strengthen Anglo-German relations when he made a mock-Nazi salute during a segment discussing a new Mini.

He also claimed the car's in-built navigation system "only goes to Poland".

German diplomats sternly pointed out that, had his salute been on German TV, he would have faced criminal charges and even a possible six-month prison term.

The BBC said it would be dealt with under its "rigorous" complaints procedure.

:: '"N-word" edited out of Top Gear broadcast' (series 19, February 2013)

Clarkson was accused by the Daily Mirror of using the "n-word" while filming an episode of the motoring show.

According to the paper, Clarkson "can be heard chanting, 'Eeny, meeny, miny moe...', before mumbling, 'Catch a n****r by his toe'."

Clarkson responded by saying he was "horrified" by the allegations.

The BBC launched an investigation into the episode, which was broadcast without the alleged comment.

:: Fallout from the top over India special (series 17, December 2011)

An Indian special, during which Clarkson built a toilet into the back of a Jaguar, claiming it would be "perfect" for tourists because "everyone" who visits the country suffers diarrhoea, sparked a complaint from the Indian High Commission.

It accused the show of "cheap jibes" and "tasteless humour", adding that it "lacked cultural sensitivity".

A BBC spokesman said it had not insulted Indian people or the country's culture.

:: Albanian man's 'murder' triggers complaints (series 16, February 2011)

Hundreds of people complained to the BBC after Top Gear aired a segment during which the presenters tried to squeeze an overweight Albanian man, who had ostensibly been murdered, into their boots of their cars.

The presenters pretended to have been sent to the country to test drive cars for a mafia boss.

:: Dead cow 'humour' angers viewers (series nine, February 2007)

During a one-off US special, Clarkson tied a dead cow to the roof of a Chevy Comaro before reversing the car and flinging the animal to the ground.

The stunt sparked complaints to both the BBC and Ofcom but the broadcaster insisted it was "very typical" of the show's "irreverent humour".

A spokesman added: "No offence was intended."

:: Botswana special leaves trail of controversy (series 10, November 2007)

Environmental campaigners claimed Top Gear had damaged Botswana's Makgadikgadi salt pan by blasting through it during a 2007 special.

They claimed tracks left by the team's vehicles would remain visible for decades.

However, the BBC said it was careful to avoid sensitive conservation zones.

:: Crash test damages villagers' tree (series three, November 2003)

The BBC was forced to hand over £250 to a parish council in Somerset after Clarkson damaged a horse chestnut tree while testing the strength of a Toyota Hilux.

Local people thought the damage had been caused by vandals until later recognising the tree on TV.

The show "unreservedly apologised".

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Cancer Fundraiser Stephen Sutton Leaves Hospital

A terminally-ill teenager who has raised more than £3.1m for charity has been discharged from hospital after a dramatic improvement in his condition.

Stephen Sutton, 19, posted on his Facebook page that he had been allowed to leave hospital after a "remarkable recovery".

He wrote: "I then also have some more great news... I've been discharged from hospital!

"After being at a point where it seemed like I'd never make it out it feels so awesome to be able to put that.

Stephen Sutton has raised more than £3.1m for the Teenage Cancer Trust

"The recovery I've undergone recently is quite remarkable. It has been difficult, there is an emotional trauma attached to nearly dying (a few times) that will take a while to get used to, but ultimately I now feel even more fortunate to just be here and the experience serves as a potent reminder to go out there and live life as freely and as positively as possible."

Earlier this week, the teenager recounted how his breathing "dramatically improved" after he "coughed up a tumour" while in hospital.

He will now recover at home before potentially starting a trial drug treatment.

The teenager's Facebook page has more than 500,000 "likes"

He wrote: "Physically my body has been through a lot recently so naturally I will need some time to recover.

"I have an appointment with the professor in about two weeks time and he's mentioned that if I'm healthy enough there is a trial drug treatment I am eligible for that I could potentially try.

"It would be a 5th different chemotherapy regime for me, with previous others having limited effect, so we will need to seriously discuss the efficacy of me trying it but to even be talking about a few weeks time and having options is a great feeling."

Mr Sutton has now raised more than £3.1m for the Teenage Cancer Trust and has more than 540,000 likes on his Facebook page, where he published a bucket list of things he wanted to achieve before he dies.

He was diagnosed with incurable colorectal cancer at the age of 15 and has released a 10-minute YouTube video called When Life Gives You Cancer, featuring interviews with his mum, his school teachers and his best friend.

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Formula One 'Spygate' Engineer Killed In Crash

A former Ferrari engineer who was at the centre of Formula One's "spygate" scandal has been killed in a road accident.

Nigel Stepney, who was sacked by Ferrari after being accused of sabotage and leaking confidential information, was killed on the M20 near Ashford in Kent after being struck by a lorry.

Police are investigating why Mr Stepney stopped on the hard shoulder and got out of his VW Caddy van in the incident on Friday morning.

The 56-year-old, who was working for the JRM motorsport team at the time of his death, has been praised by his family as "a wonderful partner and a hands-on dad".

Mr Stepney's long-term partner, Ash Naidoo, said he was "larger than life and full of energy".

"Motor sport was his passion topped only by his love and devotion to Sabine (his daughter) and I.

Michael Schumacher and Nigel Stepney in 2001

"Nigel was a wonderful partner and a hands-on dad who was besotted with his daughter who idolised him in return.

"They loved each other's company and Sabine was his shadow - delighting in helping him around the garage. Even if Nigel had to be away from home, he would phone her every day."

James Rumsey, the owner of JRM, said: "The motorsport world has lost one of its greatest characters and competitors.

"He will be sorely missed and we send our sincere condolences to his family and the many friends he leaves behind."

Before the "spygate" controversy he worked with world champions Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

Mr Stepney never worked in Formula One again after the scandal, which came to light in 2007.

It emerged when a technical dossier on Ferrari cars was found at home of McClaren chief designer Mike Coughlan.

McClaren were given a record fine and kicked out of the manufacturers' championship after being accused of using the data.

Mr Stepney was sentenced to 20 months in prison after being found guilty of sabotage, industrial espionage and sporting fraud.

He did not serve the sentence.

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Stabbed Leeds Teacher: Minute's Silence Held

Head teachers have held a minute's silence in memory of Ann Maguire who was fatally stabbed at a Leeds school earlier this week.

The tribute was staged at the start of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) annual conference in Birmingham.

Around 300 delegates stood and bowed their heads for the minute's silence and applauded at the end.

Outgoing NAHT president Bernadette Hunter described Mrs Maguire as a "dedicated, inspirational and caring teacher who was loved by so many".

Meanwhile, a book of condolence has been opened at the Cathedral in Leeds for people to sign.

And prayers will be said for Mrs Maguire and her family in every church covered by the Diocese of Leeds.

In a letter to the churches, the diocese administrator Monsignor John Wilson wrote: "Foremost our thoughts and prayers are for Ann and her family, and for the college and local community. It is in the strength of prayer that we stand united in faith."

The 61-year-old was fatally stabbed as she taught a lesson at Corpus Christi Catholic College on Monday morning.

The Spanish teacher, who had worked at the school for more than 40 years, was due to retire in September.

A 15-year-old boy accused of murdering Mrs Maguire has been remanded in custody with a provisional trial date fixed for November 3.

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Ukraine Observers Freed Amid New Offensive

Military observers kept prisoner in Ukraine for more than a week have been released as bloody clashes in the country show no sign of letting up.

The seven observers and their five assistants, from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, were seized in Slavyansk on April 25.

The separatists had previously accused the observers of being "Nato spies" and said they were to be used as human shields.

Colonel Axel Schneider, the head of the observers, said the group had shown "strength" and that the captivity was "unforgettable for us".

Scuffles broke out outside the burned building in Odessa on Saturday

The last two nights had been "really tough", he said.

Mark Etherington, deputy chief monitor of the OSCE special monitoring mission to Ukraine, said: "The hostages, we think, were treated adequately. There were some exceptions there."

He added: "The important question now is how the detainees who remain in Slovyansk and elsewhere are treated."

Two of the observers pictured while they were being held in Slavyansk

Mr Etherington said dozens more hostages could still be held.

His comments were echoed by Foreign Secretary William Hague who called for the release of all hostages held by illegal armed groups.

The release of the observers comes as Ukraine launched a dawn military operation against separatists in the east of the country.

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said troops had seized control of a television tower in Kramatorsk, near the rebel stronghold of Slavyansk.

Police are guarding the charred trade union building in Odessa

The violence comes hours after 31 people died after a building in Odessa was set on fire during clashes between protesters.

Police said some people inside the trade union building were overcome by smoke and others were killed jumping from windows as they tried to escape.

Pro-Russian and pro-Kiev activists fought running battles as the southern city saw some of its worst violence since President Victor Yanukovych was ousted in February.

The Interior Ministry said a total of 42 people had died.

A protester throws a petrol bomb at the building during Friday's clashes

Moscow said it was "outraged" and denounced the "criminal irresponsibility" of the pro-Western authorities in Kiev.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has asked his US counterpart John Kerry to press Ukraine to halt its military operation in the east of the country.

At an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, the UK accused Moscow of "breathtaking" hypocrisy over the latest clashes.

People wait for rescue on an upper-storey ledge during the fire

The UK's ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, said Russia had "funded, equipped and directed" some of those involved in the insurgency.

The European Union has urged "utmost restraint" in the Ukraine conflict.

"Many" pro-Russian separatists were also said to have been killed on Friday as the Ukrainian army took control of checkpoints around Slavyansk.

Two Ukrainian soldiers were also killed as two helicopters were shot down in the city, acting president Oleksandr Turchynov said.

The Ukrainian Security Service said one was shot down with a surface-to-air missile, adding that the sophisticated weapon undermined Russia's claims that Slavyansk was simply under the control of armed locals.

Russia has tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine's border, and Kiev claims its neighbouring country is preparing to invade and that it is stoking the unrest in the east.

Moscow denies the allegations, but has warned Russia would respond to attacks on Russian citizens or interests in the east, where insurgents have seized government buildings in around a dozen cities.

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Max Clifford: New Claims Under Police Review

Scotland Yard detectives are looking into new allegations against disgraced publicist Max Clifford, who has spent his first night in prison after being jailed for eight years.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said other people had since come forward with allegations since Clifford was sentenced yesterday for a string of sex sexual offences against four women aged 15 to 19.

"We have received further information and this is currently subject to review," he said.

Meanwhile, children's charity NSPCC helpline said the 71-year-old's "substantial sentence" sent a "clear message" that victims of historic abuse can achieve justice.

Its director Peter Watt said: "It's clear the judge has recognised the pain and suffering Clifford caused and the additional distress he put his victims through by forcing them to relive their ordeal in court.

"His victims showed an enormous amount of courage in coming forward, four through the NSPCC helpline, and were treated with contempt throughout by Clifford, who called them liars and fantasists in court.

The prison van carrying Clifford

"As we heard in the trial, Clifford seriously damaged many years of their lives, with some being left suicidal by their terrible experiences at his hands."

He added: "The sentence, and those of other recent cases up and down the country, sends a clear message that victims of non-recent abuse can get justice.

"All allegations, however long after the abuse took place, must be fully investigated and assessed by the police and CPS, with victims fully supported."

Passing sentence, Judge Anthony Leonard told Clifford: "The reason why (your crimes) were not brought to light sooner was because of your dominant character.

"Your victims thought you were untouchable, something I think you too believed."

Judge Leonard condemned Clifford's 'contemptuous' behaviour

He also blasted Clifford for causing an "additional element of trauma" to the women he abused by his "contemptuous attitude".

Judge Leonard said that due to the age of the offences, that occurred between 1977 and 1984, Clifford was charged under an act from 1956, which set the maximum term for each charge at two years.

Under later legislation passed in 2003, the maximum term would have been 10 years, and for the worst instances would have been charged as rape, which attract a maximum life term.

Clifford, who was taken to Wandsworth Prison in south London, will have to serve at least half his sentence.

The former celebrity agent repeatedly shook his head as the judge made his comments in Southwark Crown Court.

Clifford, who branded his accusers "fantasists", remained defiant ahead of his sentencing, saying: "I stand by everything I have said in the last 17 months."

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Deadly Twin Bomb Blasts In Kenya

At least three people have been killed in twin bomb blasts in Mombasa, Kenya, reports say.

More follows...

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