Heathrow Cancels Flights As Storms Forecast

Heathrow Airport cancelled 20% of flights for two hours this afternoon after heavy rain, thunder, lightning and hail was forecast.

The thundery storms came after Britain enjoyed its hottest day of the year on Friday.

A Heathrow spokeswoman said: "During thunderstorms the number of aircraft that can take off and land each hour is reduced."

Sky News weathers forecasters said heavy thundery showers will continue to spread north and west this evening, with eastern Scotland and north-eastern England having a dull damp start to Sunday morning.

Lightning over the Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire

Flights from Dublin, Madrid and Prague were among those cancelled, according to the airport's website. 

In a statement, British Airways said: "The forecast of poor weather has meant that we have agreed with Heathrow Airport and other airlines who use the airport to make some proactive flight cancellations on Saturday afternoon. 

"If your flight is cancelled please do not travel to the airport."

Manchester Airport also experienced some delays after a thunderstorm caused an electrical surge that stopped some lifts and baggage systems working.

Lightning over Tilbury Docks

The Environment Agency has warned up to 30mm (1.2in) of rain could fall in an hour.

Almost every county in England and Wales is at "medium" risk of flooding, according to the EA, which has issued 59 flood alerts, warning people to be prepared.

The majority of the warnings are in the Midlands, the South East and the South West.

It will be unsettled again on Sunday with sunny spells and showers, and more heavy downpours and thunderstorms.

There is a 60% chance of a heatwave continuing until tomorrow morning, according to the Met Office.

00.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Britain Warns Putin: World's Eyes Are On You

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has warned Vladimir Putin the "world's eyes are on Russia to make sure she delivers" on her obligations to the victims killed in the Ukraine plane disaster.

His comments come as David Cameron and Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte called for the European Union to "reconsider its approach to Russia" in light of evidence pro-Moscow separatists brought down the flight on Thursday.

Mr Cameron also spoke to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, while Britain's Russian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office.

The UK's response follows accusations pro-Russian separatists removed 38 bodies from the crash scene and attempted to destroy evidence at the site.

An armed pro-Russia militant stands at the site of the crash

The Ukraine government said "terrorists, with the help of Russia, are trying to destroy evidence of international crimes," adding it had obtained data which showed bodies had been taken to a morgue in Donetsk.

Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said the Netherlands was "angry" and "furious" by allegations bodies were being dragged around the site.

However, Sky's Chief Correspondent Stuart Ramsay, at the scene, said there were reports rebels had moved bodies on Friday, but body parts were now officially being removed by Ukraine emergency ministry staff.

Mr Hammond, who chaired an emergency Cobra meeting on Saturday, accused Russia of not doing enough to help move separatists from the site.

"We're not getting enough support from the Russians, we're not seeing Russia using their influence effectively enough to get the separatists, who are in control of the site, to allow the access that we need," he said.

"This is not about Russia and the West, this is about the whole community demanding that the proper access is made available to this site, the victims are properly recovered and evidence is secured."

Ukraine's Security Council said 18sq km of the 25sq km had been explored and 186 bodies found, while there have been discussions between the two factions over the creation of a "security zone" around the crash scene following allegations of looting and evidence being compromised.

Concerns have been raised by Malaysia about the investigation as a team of international observers complained of being confronted by aggressive armed rebels.

Flowers, teddy bears and a note reading 'Remember' left at the crash site

A Ukraine Security Council spokesman said 15 pieces of military equipment were brought over the border from Russia into the eastern Luhansk region overnight.

Critically, the monitors have been unable to speak to anyone about the whereabouts of the jet's two black box voice and data recorders.

However, Alexander Borodai, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, denied rebels had shot down the plane, or found the black boxes, or removed bodies. But he said body parts which had fallen into people's homes had been taken away.

British experts are due to join the investigation at the crash site over the weekend.

Newspapers in Malaysia, which lost 44 citizens

Some 298 people including 10 Britons and 80 children were killed when flight MH17, flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was brought down near Grabovo, Donetsk, where Ukrainian forces have been battling separatists.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry agreed on Saturday that both countries would use their influence on the two sides of the Ukraine conflict to end hostilities

:: The Foreign Office has set up a helpline for anyone concerned.  Text MH17 to +447860010026, or call 020 7008 1500. Malaysia Airlines's emergency line is 00 6 037 884 1234.

00.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Malaysia Airlines Defends War Zone Flight Path

A Malaysia Airlines official has defended the company's decision to fly over eastern Ukraine after flight MH17 was brought down.

Hugh Dunleavy, commercial director for the airline, said there had been no incidents involving civilian aircraft using the flight path and Malaysia Airlines had been using it "for quite some time".

However, at least three Ukrainian military aircraft were hit by missiles fired by pro-Russian separatists operating in the region in the week before MH17 was shot out of the sky, killing 298 people. Of the victims, 189 are Dutch.

Mr Dunleavy told Sky News: "Now there's been an incident like this, everyone is looking back saying 'you should have done something different'.

The route taken by flight MH17 after leaving Amsterdam

"But at the time we were flying, along with many other airlines on that flight path, there had been no incidents involving civilian aircraft.

"These are routes that are traditionally accepted on a day-by-day basis by the air traffic control authorities so they also consider them safe to fly.

"This was something totally extraordinary, it could just as easily have been the aircraft ahead of Malaysia Airlines or the aircraft behind that was hit."

Mr Dunleavy added the airline would now be using an alternative flight path around Ukraine and they have stopped calling the route MH17 out of respect for the victims. It will now be called MH19.

All 298 people on board MH17 were killed on Thursday

The International Civil Aviation Organisation, a UN agency and other aviation authorities recently issued a "notice to airmen" (NOTAM) putting the eastern edge of Ukrainian airspace off limits up to 32,000 feet because of the conflict.

But MH17 was flying at 33,000 feet when it was hit by a missile fired from what experts believe was a Buk launcher.

Ukraine has now closed all airspace in the east. 

Ismail Nasaruddin, president of the Malaysian Flight Attendant Union, said some crew members were too distraught to work following the tragedy.

He said: "We have lost 21 crew members in a very short time period. This is not something we like to see.

"We are affected, the crew members are demoralised by the essence of this tragic incident.

"What we are looking at now is probably an event that Malaysia crew members have never experienced before."

Daniel Holland, a military aviation expert, told Sky News airspace above war zones should be sealed off to commercial aircraft.

He said: "When a war zone occurs, everything from ground level up until realistically the level of space needs to be sealed off to any and all commercial traffic just to avoid something like this happening where a plane accidentally wanders over a battle ground.

"You've got that probability that an accidental misfire could occur and strike a civilian target without any real rhyme or reason, other than it being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

On Tuesday, Polish blogger Michael Dembinski suggested flying over eastern Ukraine was "worrying".

He wrote: "Take a look at eastern Ukraine and you'll see a procession of civilian aircraft flying along an air corridor between Luhansk, Donetsk, Horlivka, Kramatorsk - places where battles are raging and people are being killed.

"Yet blithely oblivious to what's happening on the ground, some of the world's largest civilian airliners are criss-crossing the area at 38,000ft."

00.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Smell Of Death At Scene Of Downed Flight MH17

Tensions are running high at the site of the crashed passenger jet and the smell of dead bodies is beginning to choke the air around the crash site, reports Sky News' Stuart Ramsay.

International observers arriving at the disaster scene were confronted by armed rebels who prevented them from carrying out their investigations, with the threat of force if they failed to comply, he said.

The pro-Russian militia were "firm" in dealing with the monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), with a bus initially used to block their convoy before being allowed to proceed, but under strict supervision.

Gunmen then fanned out to prevent them straying into any area they did not want them to inspect.

Ramsay, who is at the site in eastern Ukraine, said: "They were told where they could go. If they had attempted to do something it would have got nasty.

"They have allowed the OSCE to come in, but not do their job."

The observers' mission had been to check on the debris of the downed plane, the crash site, and bodies being moved, but they were severely hindered in their work by the separatists.

Against this tense stand-off, emergency workers have begun the task of collecting the remains of dead passengers, with the number of body bags rapidly growing.

Ramsay said the weather is hot and the smell from the dead bodies is filling the air.

"It's pretty nasty," he said.

Dutch authorities have said they are furious at reports of bodies being dragged around at the crash site.

But Ramsay said: "I don't know who is telling them this but that's not what we are seeing here.

"We haven't seen them being dragged around... there are other issues around this crash site but the abuse of bodies does not seem to be one of them."

And speaking about reports of looting and personal items including credit cards being stolen from the debris, Ramsay added: "Of course that is possible but I have to say that in the two days that I've been here that is not something I've seen."

00.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Dies After Police Put Him In Choke Hold

A father-of-six collapsed and died after he was placed in a choke hold by a New York police officer.

Eric Garner, 43, was captured on video in Tompkinsville, Staten Island, arguing with police officers who accused him of selling bootleg cigarettes.

The officers then surrounded him and when he apparently resisted arrest, one placed him in a choke hold and wrestled him to the ground.

Eric Garner suffered a cardiac arrest. Pic: NYDN

Mr Garner could be heard shouting "I can't breathe!" as he was held on the pavement.

He suffered a cardiac arrest and died at Richmond University Medical Center on Thursday, the New York Daily News reported.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio released a statement after his death.

"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mr Garner, who died yesterday afternoon while being placed in police custody," he said.

"We have a responsibility to keep every New Yorker safe, and that includes when individuals are in custody of the NYPD.

"That is a responsibility that Police Commissioner Bratton and I take very seriously.

"We are harnessing all resources available to the city to ensure a full and thorough investigation of the circumstances of this tragic incident."

New York Police Commissioner William Bratton told a news conference on Friday: "Choke holds are prohibited by the New York City Police Department and most departments."

Mr Garner was reported to have broken up a fight shortly before his arrest.

00.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weapon 'Moved To Russia After MH17 Shot'

A missile launcher allegedly used to shoot down flight MH17 has been moved over the border into Russia after video emerged purportedly showing it on the back of a truck, Ukrainian officials have claimed.

The video appears to show the Buk launcher with one of the four missiles it carries missing.

The film was allegedly shot by a police surveillance squad at dawn on Friday as the truck headed to the city of Krasnodon in the direction of the Russian border.

The footage, released on the Facebook page of the Ukrainian interior minister, cannot be independently verified.

Interior minister Arsen Avakov wrote on his page: "Criminals try to hide the traces of this heinous crime (but do) not succeed.

"Security Service and Interior Ministry of Ukraine has collected and collects more irrefutable facts and evidence."

In another Facebook post, Anton Gerashchenko, a senior advisor to the Ukrainian government, wrote: "The Buk installation by means of which the rocket launch was produced was moved onto the territory of the Russian Federation, where it will be most likely destroyed."

The Buk missile system of the type blamed for the attack. File pic

The footage was released as Russia and Ukraine used social media to blame each other for shooting down the flight from Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur as it passed over Grabovo, Donetsk, killing 298 people.

Russia has said Ukraine is responsible after failing to resolve the conflict in the east, while pro-Russian separatists have denied they have the capacity to bring down the aircraft.

An unnamed US official is also reported to have told Fox News that the missile launcher is believed to be back in Russia after being moved into Ukraine a few weeks ago.

The senior official told the broadcaster the missile was fired from Schnidze, a town in eastern Ukraine.

US intelligence used infrared data, measurements and electronic signals, among other methods, to calculate the missile's launch site, the official added.

Ukraine's counter-intelligence chief Vitaly Nada has said he has "compelling evidence" that Russian citizens were operating the missile battery that shot down MH17.

Sky's Katie Stallard said there was no chance of a "public mea culpa" from Vladimir Putin.

However, the Russian President's relative quietness over the downing of MH17 could mean the Kremlin is "considering whether they can continue to support the separatists", she said.

At a press conference, Alexander Borodai, the self-proclaimed prime minister of the People's Republic of Donetsk, rejected claims pro-Russian separatists had shot down the airliner.

And Ukraine's security council has claimed that 15 pieces of military equipment were brought over the border from Russia into the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine overnight into Saturday.

00.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Last British Victims Of Flight MH17 Named

The final two British victims of doomed flight MH17 have been named as a charity in Newcastle revealed a child in its care has been orphaned by the crash.

John Allen, who worked at international law firm NautaDutilh, has been described as a "much-loved colleague". He died on the flight alongside his Dutch wife, Sandra Martens, and their three sons - Christopher, Julian and Ian.

"He was a person with many talents, and in addition to his professional contribution to our firm he generously shared his musical and athletic abilities with us as well," the firm said.

John Allen was killed with his wife and three sons

"All of us who had the privilege of working with John during his 18 years at NautaDutilh came to know him as a kind, down-to-earth and humorous man and many of us have also lost a friend. He will be dearly missed."

The final British person onboard the flight has been named as Andrew Hoare.

Meanwhile, the Percy Hedley Foundation, which cares for disabled people, said it has been unable to contact the family of one of the children in its care. It said it was working with authorities to try and establish what has happened to them.

The foundation has not revealed the nationality of the child or the family.

Another British victim Robert Ayley has been confirmed as being on board the Malaysia Airlines flight. A friend of Mr Ayley has told how the father-of-two almost missed the flight.

Bill Patteson, who was travelling with the 27-year-old around Europe visiting Rottweiler breeders, has told Sky News his friend didn't make it onto the bus to take him from his hotel to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

Six of the British victims on flight MH17

But Mr Ayley, who was originally from Guildford but moved to New Zealand as a child, managed to get there in time to board the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight, which was shot down over Ukraine with almost 300 people on board.

An ex-journalist, helicopter pilot, students and Newcastle United fans are among the other British victims.

Mr Patteson, who flew back to New Zealand the day before, said: "There were so many things that came together to make Rob be on that flight.

The Boeing 777-200 in February. Pic: Andreas Fietz

"The stars really had to align for Robert to be on that flight, even right down to the last minute.

"Everyone was hoping he'd missed the flight, but Robert being the great organiser that he was managed to get on his flight."

Mr Patteson described his friend as a "really great, confident young man" who was proud of his British roots.

Mr Ayley's wife Sharlene wrote on Facebook: "Rob was our everything. We adored him and there was no one else like him. He touched so many hearts and lives.

"We are grateful to forever have him in our hearts."

Briton Stephen Anderson was on board MH17

Mr Ayley's family said he was passionate about life and his family, adding that when it came to Rob "there were no half measures".

"He found in his boys two little people he could love, understand and trust," they said.

"When they cried they were sad, when they laughed they were happy and when they hugged it was because they loved him."

The statement added: "Sharlene and Rob are soul mates. She is his 'Princess'. She changed his life and he changed hers.

"She held his heart and he held hers. Rob will live forever in his family."

00.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Israeli Troops Killed In Clashes With Hamas

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed by Hamas militants who entered the Jewish state through a tunnel from Gaza.

It came as both sides clashed on the Gaza border, with reports of some heavy fighting inside Israeli territory.

An army statement said the two dead, Sergeant Adar Bersano, 20, and Major Amotz Greenberg, 45, died fighting militants who infiltrated Israel's border through a tunnel from the centre of the Gaza Strip.

The army had earlier said the pair had been wounded in a clash with Hamas, who had been "aiming to carry out a lethal attack in one of the nearby communities".

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have continued into a 12th day

It claimed the militants had fired machineguns and an anti-tank missile at the soldiers, who returned fire, "killing a terrorist and forcing the rest back into Gaza".

The military wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine al Qassam Brigades, said some of its fighters were "behind enemy lines" and were involved in gun battles with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) near the Gaza border fence.

In a statement, it said: "Heavy fighting is ongoing with the forces of the occupation."

The deaths bring to three the number of soldiers killed since Israel launched its military operation to halt rocket fire by Hamas. Two Israeli civilians have also died.

Authorities in Gaza said more than 310 Palestinians had so far been killed in the offensive.

On Saturday, the Israeli military said troops discovered 13 tunnels into Israel in the first 24 hours of its ground operation in Gaza.

Thousands marched in London calling for an end to Israeli military action

It also said it has hit 2,350 targets in Gaza, including 1,100 rocket launchers, in 12 days of fighting.

Engineers are concentrating on a 1.5-mile buffer zone and are looking to destroy tunnels dug since the last major fighting in 2012.

Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner said: "We have struck hard on the two main strategic assets of Hamas: the rockets and these tunnels."

Israel began the ground operation on Thursday after rockets were fired into Israel. It has said the offensive could last for up to two weeks.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is heading for the region to help mediate in the Gaza conflict.

Meanwhile, thousands of protesters marched through central London calling for an end to Israeli military action in Gaza and "justice and freedom" for Palestine.

00.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dutch Fury As MH17 Bodies 'Dragged Around'

The Netherlands has asked for help bringing home the bodies of the 192 Dutch nationals killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine.

Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans told Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko that his country was "angry" and "furious" by reports of bodies being dragged around the site in Grabovo, Donetsk.

"We are already shocked by the news we got today of bodies being dragged around, of the site not being treated properly," he said. 

Ukrainian officials accused pro-Russian separatists of taking bodies from the scene of the crash before emergency services personnel began officially collecting them on Saturday.

The Netherlands is in mourning and at Schiphol Airport, where flight MH17 took off on Thursday afternoon, the families of those on board and other well-wishers have been laying flowers and paying tribute.

For now, the relatives have nowhere else to go and, although it has been suggested they could be flown out to the crash site, Malaysia Airlines commercial director Hugh Dunleavy told Sky News it was unlikely as it is not possible to guarantee them safe passage.

A miniature pair of clogs left amongst the tributes at Schiphol

The front page of one of the Dutch newspapers in the wake of the downing of the Malaysia Airlines jet shows a picture of pro-Russian fighters with the headline: "Murderers!"

And a headline in another newspaper reads: "Everybody knows somebody".

One mourner who arrived at the airport to pay her respects underlined that fact, telling Sky News: "It's unfair what's happened, these people don't deserve it.

"Close family? No, but my cousin, his friend at school, his family were all on board the plane."

Churches have opened books of condolences for those who have died, and services have been held across the country.

As the relatives come to terms with their loss, the process of formally identifying the dead continues.

Forensic teams are fanning out across the country to collect material, including DNA samples, that will help positively identify the remains.

Police said 40 pairs of detectives from the National Forensic Investigations Team would be visiting relatives in the coming days.

Mr Timmermans said the Netherlands would not stop until those responsible for the deaths of so many citizens were brought to justice.

"Once we have the proof, we will not stop before the people are brought to justice," he said.

"Not just the people who pulled the trigger but also those who made it possible. I think the international community needs to step up its efforts in this respect."

00.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dad Who Beat Son's 'Sex Attacker' Not Charged

A Florida police chief says he has no problem with a dad who severely beat up a man he claims to have caught sexually assaulting his 11-year-old son.

Mike Chitwood said the father of the alleged victim did what any father would do, and would not face charges.

Daytona Beach police were called by the man on Friday to report he had come home to find his son being assaulted.

He could be heard telling the police operator he had left the attacker "nice and knocked out" and "in a puddle of blood" on the floor.

Officers arrived to find the alleged abuser, 18-year-old Raymond Frolander, unconscious.

Frolander was taken to the hospital and then arrested.

Chief Chitwood said Frolander admitted to sexually abusing the boy for the past three years.

And he said the father would not be charged, because he was protecting his son as a crime was being committed.

"I think the father did what any father wanted to do," he said.

00.57 | 0 komentar | Read More