'Gang Massacred' Missing Mexico Students

Three suspected gang members have confessed to murdering 43 missing students at a landfill site before burning them beyond recognition and dumping them in a river, Mexican authorities have said.

In a sombre and lengthy news conference detailing the investigation, Attorney General Jesus Murillo said the suspects, caught a week ago, set about removing all the evidence.

"They didn't just burn the bodies with their clothes, they also burned the clothes of those who participated. They tried to erase every possible trace."

Video of the suspects' alleged confessions and footage showing hundreds of charred fragments of bone and teeth fished from the river where the bodies were dumped was played during the news conference.

Photos of the suspects were shown on a TV screen during the news conference

Mr Murillo said it would be very difficult to extract DNA to confirm that they are the remains of the students who went missing six weeks ago after clashing with police in Iguala in the southern state of Guerrero.

The government would continue to view the students as missing until their identities are confirmed, he added.

Video: Mexicans March For Missing Students

"I know the enormous pain the information we've obtained causes the family members, a pain we all share," Mr Murillo said.

Testimony from investigators suggests that the students, from an all-male leftist college, had clashed with the mayor of Iguala and that the city police had handed them over to a local drugs gang who murdered them.

This week, police arrested the former mayor and his wife, who the government suspects of being the probable masterminds of the abductions.

The kidnappings triggered mass protests across the country and have been the toughest challenge yet to President Enrique Pena Nieto, who vowed to restore order in Mexico after taking office two years ago.

Since 2007 around 100,000 people have died in violence linked to organised crime.

President Nieto said the findings had "shocked and offended" Mexico and pledged to round up everyone involved.

1/15

1. Gallery: Protest Blaze Over Mexico Massacre

   A firefighter uses a hose to put out a blaze in Chilpancingo City Hall after it was set on fire by demonstrators, in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero

The demonstrators are demanding the government find 43 college students, missing since last month's deadly clashes

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16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Question UK 'Islamist Plot' Suspects

Counter-terror police have arrested four men in connection with an alleged Islamist terror plot following raids across west London and in the Thames Valley.

The arrests came ahead of this weekend's Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day events.

Earlier this month, senior police officers and MPs said there was likely to be a significant rise in the number of armed police at Sunday's commemorations in London due to increased fears of a terror attack.

A 27-year-old man was arrested at gunpoint in a car in the street in Southall, west London.

Two other suspects, aged 22 and 25, were detained at addresses in Hounslow and Uxbridge, also in the west of the capital.

Police vans and tape could be seen outside two High Wycombe addresses

The fourth man, 19, was detained at an address in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Armed police took part in the operations in Southall, Hounslow and High Wycombe but no shots were fired.

The arrests were made on Thursday evening and in the early hours of Friday.

Counter-terrorism officers were leading searches of various properties in Hounslow, High Wycombe, Uxbridge, Southall, Greenford and Hayes.

The properties include a terraced house on Desborough Avenue in High Wycombe, Sky's Tom Parmenter reported from the scene.

Parmenter said there was some concern in the community over the arrest of the man in the town and the alleged "disproportionate" use of force by anti-terror police.

Youth worker Saqib Deshmukh, who knows the suspect, told Sky News: "One of the concerns that we heard was that it was a disproportionate use of force and armed response. Did it necessitate that? Was there a need for that to happen?

"Was there an actual threat on the ground? And that's a concern - that the actual number of forces and the level of force used is disproportionate and it doesn't merit it based on the evidence."

Local shopkeeper Sutha Tangaraj works opposite the house and told Sky News he saw the armed police arrive.

"At about 7pm or 7:30pm at least half a dozen armed police surrounded the house, they knocked the door and no one answered.

"A lady in the house eventually opened the door and they went and have since been searching ever since."

He said police were at the same address six months ago.

It is understood the men were believed to be plotting an attack on UK soil

Mr Tangaraj said the man who lives at the property "is a regular customer and lives in the house with his family - his mother is very chatty".

The four men were all taken to police stations in central London. 

Scotland Yard said the arrests and subsequent searches were part of an "ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism".

Sky's home affairs editor Mark White said: "Scotland Yard are officially giving very little in the way of information on these arrests, but sources are suggesting it is linked to an alleged extremist plot against the UK."

The arrests came a few months after the national terror threat level in the UK was raised from substantial to severe, meaning a terrorist attack is "highly likely".

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Call For Probe Into 'Cannibal' Killer's Releas

The decision not to monitor a man who then murdered a woman in a reported act of cannibalism after he was released from prison must be investigated, a Welsh politician has said.

Cerys Marie Yemm, 22, died after an attack at a homeless hostel in the village of Argoed, South Wales.

Sources have said she was found with substantial facial injuries.

Police fired a 50,000-volt Taser at Matthew Williams to try to stop the attack in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The 34-year-old was arrested but later became "unresponsive" and died in custody

Matthew Willliams is understood to have served time for violent offences

It is believed Williams had recently been released from jail after serving time for violent behaviour.

Welsh Assembly member William Graham said it was vital to look into the terms of the killer's release.

"It is now clear that Mr Williams posed a risk to the public and I am extremely concerned that monitoring appears to have been deemed unnecessary," he told the BBC.

"If true, a wider inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his release is urgently required.

The attack happened at a homeless hotel in the village

"Questions must be answered by authorities and a full explanation provided on the decisions taken in this extremely tragic case."

Gwent Police have said they are not looking for any other suspects in the murder investigation.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has also started its own probe into the suspect's death.

The post-mortem examination on Miss Yemm has started but Chief Inspector Paul Staniforth said it would "take some time".

He refused to be drawn on gruesome speculation over the attack, telling reporters it was "unhelpful and very upsetting for the family of the deceased".

It is believed Miss Yemm, who worked at Next, had met her attacker through mutual friends.

"I feel stunned, shocked and sick to my stomach," said a friend, who did not want to be named.

"It's horrific. She was a lovely person. She didn't deserve to die like that."

People in Argoed, 20 miles north of Cardiff, have told Sky News they are "sickened" by the apparent savagery of the attack.

The Sirhowy Arms Hotel - where Miss Yemm was discovered - is used by Caerphilly Council to house homeless people while they wait for permanent accommodation.

Local resident Susan Gibbs told Sky: "We have had a lot of problems up there. Every other week, well every other day sometimes, there are police up there."

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Village In Shock Over 'Cannibal' Death Claim

A woman murdered in a South Wales village was found with substantial facial injuries, sources have said, after unconfirmed reports described it as a cannibalistic attack.

The 22-year-old died from her injuries at a bed and breakfast in Argoed, in the Valleys, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Police fired a 50,000 volt Taser at her attacker to stop him and 34-year-old man Matthew Williams was restrained and arrested.

He later died in custody.

Gwent Police said they were not looking for any other suspects in the murder investigation.

Matthew Williams was Tasered by police and later died

The victim has not yet been named and officers have refused to comment on her injuries or reports they were in a relationship.

The attack happened at around 1.30am at the Sirhowy Arms Hotel, used by Caerphilly Council to house homeless people while they wait for permanent accommodation.

"This has hit the community for six," said Leon Gardiner, deputy mayor of the village, 20 miles north of Cardiff.

He told Sky News: "This is the sort of thing you don't ever expect... We've just got to live with it and hope that the hurt goes away - but it will take a long time."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has started its own probe into the suspect's death.

A Gwent Police statement confirmed "a Taser was discharged and a 34-year-old local man was arrested".

It added: "Whilst under arrest, the man became unresponsive. Officers and paramedics administered first aid but he was also pronounced dead at the scene."

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM To Warn EU Leaders Over £1.7bn Demand

By Darren McCaffrey, Sky News Politics Reporter

The scale and timetable of Britain's proposed £1.7bn extra contribution to the European Union is unacceptable, both David Cameron and George Osborne will tell EU leaders today.

The Chancellor, who is attending a meeting of Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) ministers in Brussels, will start negotiations with the intention of delaying and reducing what the UK should pay.

Speaking before the meeting, Mr Osborne said the demand is "unacceptable", and pledged to "get a better deal for Britain".

Meanwhile, Mr Cameron, at a meeting of northern European leaders in Helsinki, is trying to gain support for Britain's position with the message that it is the UK this time - but could be another country next.

The meeting is part of a two-day summit of Scandinavian and Baltic state leaders called the Northern Future Forum.

Video: PM: £1.7bn EU Surcharge 'Appalling'

The primary aim is to promote growth and economic reform throughout Europe, but Downing Street is clear the Prime Minister will be raising other issues such as budget control and migration.

Mr Cameron's hopes of winning allies in his attempt to curb internal migration within the EU have been met with strong resistance from other European leaders, including hosts Finland.

Finnish leader Alexander Stubb told the Financial Times: "We need to understand what the UK wants, and the UK needs to learn where are the limits of other member states.

"Whether some kind of arrangement can be found, I don't know.

Video: PM Defiant Over £1.7bn EU Bill

"But to start putting restrictions on free movement in one way or another I would find quite difficult."

Sweden and Germany's opposition to migration reform have made the Prime Minister's task very difficult.

But Mr Osborne may have more success with the surcharge.

There are suggestions Brussels may be willing to allow interest-free instalments rather than the UK having to pay the full amount on 1 December.

Video: EC Chief: £1.7bn UK Surcharge Fair

Former cabinet minister Ken Clarke said a lot of the anger over the bill is "synthetic", and pointed out that the UK had accepted rebates in previous years when the calculations worked out in its favour.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it is "quite reasonable" for the PM to say he would not pay the full amount, but warned the Government should not default on its debts.

The Labour Party has piled on the pressure, with Ed Balls and Douglas Alexander saying "the Government must have all eyes on the detail of the deal being discussed, not looking back over their shoulders at the Eurosceptic backbenchers who still seem to be pulling the strings".

A programme of instalments will not go far enough for the UK, but could be the start of a process allowing for an acceptable agreement that Mr Cameron can sell to his party and the country.

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Labour Pair Deny Secret Pact Over Miliband

Two of the most senior members of Ed Miliband's shadow cabinet have strenuously denied making a secret pact in the event of the Labour leader stepping down.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and shadow health secretary Andy Burnham were reported by The Times to have struck a "non-aggression pact".

The newspaper quoted one figure as saying: "It's about presenting a joint offer to make a contest unnecessary."

But Ms Cooper's spokesman said there was "no foundation whatsoever" to the suggestion.

He said: "The spreading of lies like this only damages the Labour Party and should be seen as exactly what it is - complete and utter garbage. Yvette, the shadow cabinet and the party are united behind Ed's leadership."

Video: Balls Denies Miliband Plot Rumours

The shadow health secretary's spokesman insisted there were "no discussions of this kind", adding: "The party is united behind Ed's leadership and we are confident he will become the next prime minister."

Mr Miliband was forced to deny reports that several backbenchers had demanded his resignation amid concerns over Labour's prospects of victory at next year's General Election.

Dismissing the reports as "nonsense", Mr Miliband insisted the party was focused "on the country and the things that matter to the country".

Video: Cooper: Miliband Doing A Good Job

In a show of support, former cabinet minister David Blunkett has called for an end to "this bout of political insanity".

"When you are standing on the edge of a cliff it is unwise to believe that by jumping you will suddenly learn to fly," he told The Guardian.

One of Labour's biggest individual donors, JML founder John Mills, urged the party to "rally behind its leader ... not to get involved in internecine fighting like this".

Video: Labour Party Is 'Dying'

But Lord Soley, who as an MP chaired the parliamentary party, issued a bleak vision of the party's General Election prospects and suggested Mr Miliband should take a less prominent role as he was not seen by voters as a "charismatic potential prime minister".

A YouGov poll for LBC Radio found that nearly half of people questioned believe the party's chances of regaining power would be improved if Mr Miliband was replaced.

And there was further bad news for Mr Miliband as a recording emerged of shadow Welsh secretary Owen Smith saying the party is "dying" and that unless it becomes "much, much more vigorous ... then we are lost".

Video: Miliband's Approval Rating New Low

His remarks were made during a fringe event at a conference organised by CLASS, a left-wing think tank.

A Labour spokesperson said: "Anyone who was at the event would know that this comment was a humorous dig at the age of the people attending the fringe meeting and not a comment on the Labour movement.

"It is ludicrous to twist it in this fashion.‎"

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Petrol Price Guarantees Demanded By Treasury

A failure by petrol firms and supermarkets to pass on the full benefit of falling oil prices to customers filling up at the pumps would be an "outrage", a Cabinet Minister will warn.

Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander is to demand guarantees from fuel companies and distributors that they are doing all they can to pass on the price cuts to hard-pressed motorists.

Danny Alexander is seeking assurances on petrol prices

Mr Alexander will use a speech in Aberdeen to say consumers feel petrol prices rise "like a rocket" when oil costs go up, but fall "like a feather" when they come down.

And people would "rightly be angry" if they felt prices were not coming down as much as they should.

Video: 'We Still Pay Too Much For Fuel'

Brent crude slumped as low as $82 (£51) a barrel earlier this week, its lowest level in just over four years due to concerns about over-supply.

The Liberal Democrat frontbencher will say: "Especially in the current economic circumstances people would rightly be angry if they feel that pump prices don't fall as much as they should on the back of falling oil prices.

"I believe it's called the rocket and feather effect.

"The public have a suspicion that when the price of oil rises, pump prices go up like a rocket.

"But when the price of oil falls, pump prices drift down like a feather."

However, investigations into the failure to pass on the fall in the price of oil has been inconclusive.

Mr Alexander is to write to the industry's major players "seeking their assurance that they are doing all they can to pass on the benefit of falling oil prices as quickly as possible".

He will say: "When the price of oil falls, the public have a right to expect pump prices to fall like a stone, not a feather."

Video: Cuts: A Loss Leader Or Real Deal?

However, motoring organisations were quick to say there was more then Government could do that just put pressure on oil firms.

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: "It is encouraging that Mr Alexander shares the concerns of the nation's drivers but in a way he is passing the buck.

"The biggest driver of pump prices remains the Government. Well over 60% of the price is tax."

AA president Edmund King said: "They themselves could do more.

"First, policies to help strengthen the pound by just 10 cents against the dollar would double the potential for a 2p-a-litre fall in the price of petrol to 4p.

"Secondly, the Government's failure to introduce fuel price transparency, showing the relationship between oil, wholesale and pump prices, has helped no one."

Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Chris Leslie said: "Of course it's right that drivers should benefit from falling oil prices with lower prices at the pumps.

"But since 2011 people have paid 3p more on every litre of petrol because the Lib Dems broke their promise and backed the Tories in raising VAT."

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Banking Industry Competition Probe Ordered

Regulators have ordered a full market inquiry into banks over fears the dominance of the largest lenders is stifling competition.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its investigation would scrutinise the personal current account and small business  retail banking sectors.

Sky News reported on Tuesday night how major banks had called off their efforts to stall the inquiry.

The UK's four largest banks, Lloyds, RBS, Barclays, and HSBC collectively supply 77% of personal current accounts in the UK - a market worth £8bn.

The 'Big Four' also control about 85% of all small and medium-sized business accounts, an industry worth another £2bn.

Video: 'Retail Banking Isn't Working'

The CMA said there has been "very little movement" in their collective market share as the level of customers shopping around and switching current accounts is "low".

It blamed limited transparency in the sector and had previously suggested a banking comparison website as a first step to improving transparency and aid competition.

Challenger banks, such as Metro Bank and supermarket lenders, have grown their customer bases but failed to make the impact that had been hoped for to aid lending to small firms in particular.

The seven-day switch initiative - to ease the amount of time customers would have to wait to change bank - has helped grow numbers changing their lender.

The spin-off of TSB from Lloyds and the looming flotation of Virgin Money may also help boost competition.

But the CMA said it was concerned about continuing barriers of entry and expansion in the banking sector, which limit the ability of smaller and newer providers to develop their businesses.

The investigation is tipped to take up to two years to complete.

The chief executive of the bank industry group the BBA, Anthony Browne, said of the probe: "All the banks will co-operate fully with any investigation.

"There are already substantial changes currently underway across the banking industry to strengthen competition, which improves choice and service for customers.

"Banks are pro-competition - they compete for business every day.

"This summer we published a series of ideas to help new banks set up and smaller players to grow. We hope these suggestions will be taken up by regulators and politicians."

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Claim To Have Foiled College Attack

Police in Newcastle believe they have foiled a plot "to cause serious harm" at a college in the city.

A statement from the Northumbria force said their investigation had prevented the attack from taking place.

An 18-year-old man has been charged with possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life, and five counts of possessing an explosive substance, namely a pipe bomb, with intent to endanger life.

Liam Lyburd was arrested at an address in Hamilton Place, in the Arthurs Hill area of Newcastle, on Monday, 3 November.

He is due to appear before North Tyneside Magistrates Court today.

Newcastle College Principal Carole Kitching said: "I would like to reassure staff, students and their families that their safety has been paramount to us and the college remains a safe place to study.

"Officers will be on patrol around the campus to offer reassurance and anyone who is concerned can speak to an officer or contact the college's welfare team.

"People should attend the college as usual. We have an extensive network of CCTV cameras monitoring key areas inside buildings and across the campus and our security staff are on duty 24 hours a day."

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Republicans Must Now Show They Can Govern

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Video: How The Senate Looks After Midterms

By Tim Gallagher, Washington DC Bureau Chief

The US midterms have dragged on for months, cost billions of dollars and delivered another shellacking to President Barack Obama.

They also proved beyond any doubt that political adverts featuring pig castration can improve one's chances of securing elected office.

This was supposed to be an election about punishing Democrats without too generously rewarding Republicans.

In the end it was a stronger-than-expected night for the Republicans.

The major upsets came in Colorado and North Carolina, where Republicans triumphed in races that went to the wire.

1/11

1. Gallery: Midterms: Election Day In America

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

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

]]>

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

]]>

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

]]>

Georgia had threatened to go to a run-off. On the night it was settled decisively for the GOP.

The big winner was Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who fulfils a lifelong ambition to lead his party in a Republican Senate.

Mr McConnell is not a man not known for his charisma, but he is a skilled political operator. 

His challenge now is to prove that his party can govern effectively alongside a Democratic president on issues as diverse as the economy and the war on the Islamic State militant group.

If the last two years of the Obama presidency continue to be as rancorous and dysfunctional as the first six, Mitch McConnell may be blamed. And that could work badly for the Republicans in the race for the White House in 2016.

US midterm elections are always bad for the incumbent party.

But one of the themes of this race has been how dissatisfied voters are with all politicians.

Two more years of gridlock from a Republican-controlled Congress could work badly for a Republican seeking to persuade the voters they are the change needed to put America back on the right track, as US politicians like to promise.

What does this mean for Hillary Clinton's chances of becoming President?

The former Secretary of State was highly visible during the midterms, lending her support in several tight races.

While aligning herself with unsuccessful campaigns may dim her megawattage in the short term, a Republican House and Senate might work in her favour.

It allows her to present herself as the change candidate, something which may feel very welcome in two years' time.

And, currently, Hillary is the person to beat.

She is viewed as the main threat by Republicans.

Tellingly, Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul - a prospective presidential candidate himself  - came out swinging shortly after the result in his state:

"They [the Clintons] campaigned hard here. Did they help the ticket? I don't think so," he told Fox News.

And the pig castration? Joni Ernst, the new Republican Senator for Iowa, earned notoriety with her bizarre campaign advertising ("I'm Joni Ernst. I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm. Washington's full of big spenders - let's make 'em squeal.")

Traditionally, Iowa is the first state in the Presidential primary season.

Wooing Iowa's voters will now become a priority for anyone chasing the big prize in American politics. 

If the midterms offer any kind of template, they can look forward to an 18-month barrage of negative advertising.

There'll be plenty of squealing yet.

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Video: How The Senate Looks After Midterms

By Tim Gallagher, Washington DC Bureau Chief

The US midterms have dragged on for months, cost billions of dollars and delivered another shellacking to President Barack Obama.

They also proved beyond any doubt that political adverts featuring pig castration can improve one's chances of securing elected office.

This was supposed to be an election about punishing Democrats without too generously rewarding Republicans.

In the end it was a stronger-than-expected night for the Republicans.

The major upsets came in Colorado and North Carolina, where Republicans triumphed in races that went to the wire.

1/11

1. Gallery: Midterms: Election Day In America

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

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

]]>

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

]]>

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

]]>

Georgia had threatened to go to a run-off. On the night it was settled decisively for the GOP.

The big winner was Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who fulfils a lifelong ambition to lead his party in a Republican Senate.

Mr McConnell is not a man not known for his charisma, but he is a skilled political operator. 

His challenge now is to prove that his party can govern effectively alongside a Democratic president on issues as diverse as the economy and the war on the Islamic State militant group.

If the last two years of the Obama presidency continue to be as rancorous and dysfunctional as the first six, Mitch McConnell may be blamed. And that could work badly for the Republicans in the race for the White House in 2016.

US midterm elections are always bad for the incumbent party.

But one of the themes of this race has been how dissatisfied voters are with all politicians.

Two more years of gridlock from a Republican-controlled Congress could work badly for a Republican seeking to persuade the voters they are the change needed to put America back on the right track, as US politicians like to promise.

What does this mean for Hillary Clinton's chances of becoming President?

The former Secretary of State was highly visible during the midterms, lending her support in several tight races.

While aligning herself with unsuccessful campaigns may dim her megawattage in the short term, a Republican House and Senate might work in her favour.

It allows her to present herself as the change candidate, something which may feel very welcome in two years' time.

And, currently, Hillary is the person to beat.

She is viewed as the main threat by Republicans.

Tellingly, Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul - a prospective presidential candidate himself  - came out swinging shortly after the result in his state:

"They [the Clintons] campaigned hard here. Did they help the ticket? I don't think so," he told Fox News.

And the pig castration? Joni Ernst, the new Republican Senator for Iowa, earned notoriety with her bizarre campaign advertising ("I'm Joni Ernst. I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm. Washington's full of big spenders - let's make 'em squeal.")

Traditionally, Iowa is the first state in the Presidential primary season.

Wooing Iowa's voters will now become a priority for anyone chasing the big prize in American politics. 

If the midterms offer any kind of template, they can look forward to an 18-month barrage of negative advertising.

There'll be plenty of squealing yet.

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16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

US Midterms: Republicans Take Over Senate

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Video: Republicans Take Control Of Senate

By Sky News US Team

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

Results continue to trickle in across the US, but the conservatives won seven seats from Democrats, one more than they needed to take control of the 100-seat Senate.

Tha takeover will limit Mr Obama's political influence and curb his legislative agenda in his last two years in office.

West Virginia, Arkansas, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, North Carolina and Iowa all fell to the conservatives.

The Democrats are still battling to hold on to Senate seats in Virginia and Alaska, while Louisiana's race will go to a run-off next month.

1/11

1. Gallery: Midterms: Election Day In America

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

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

]]>

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

]]>

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

]]>

The Republicans also successfully defended Senate seats in Georgia, Kentucky and Kansas. Democrats could not win a single conservative seat.

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

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

Outgoing Senate majority leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, said: "The message from voters is clear: They want us to work together."

Republicans, who already controlled the House of Representatives, were also on track to expand their majority in that chamber, too.

Video: How The Senate Looks After Midterms

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

In state governor races, the Republicans ousted a Democrat in Mr Obama's home state of Illinois and won the liberal strongholds of Maryland and Massachusetts.

They also fended off a string of stiff challenges from Democrats.

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

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

Video: Why Are Midterm Polls So Expensive?

Mr Obama, who was shunned by many Democrats on the campaign trail because of his low approval rating, called Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to the White House on Friday to discuss the new political landscape.

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

The conservative takeover means Mr Obama will spend his final two years as President contending with a Congress fully controlled by opponents who have been determined to block his policies.

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

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

Video: Midterms: The Hillary Factor

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

Voters in Oregon and the District of Columbia approved ballot measures allowing the recreational use of marijuana by adults, and still to come were results on a similar measure in Alaska.

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

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We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Republicans Take Control Of Senate

By Sky News US Team

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

Results continue to trickle in across the US, but the conservatives won seven seats from Democrats, one more than they needed to take control of the 100-seat Senate.

Tha takeover will limit Mr Obama's political influence and curb his legislative agenda in his last two years in office.

West Virginia, Arkansas, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, North Carolina and Iowa all fell to the conservatives.

The Democrats are still battling to hold on to Senate seats in Virginia and Alaska, while Louisiana's race will go to a run-off next month.

1/11

1. Gallery: Midterms: Election Day In America

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

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

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

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

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The Republicans also successfully defended Senate seats in Georgia, Kentucky and Kansas. Democrats could not win a single conservative seat.

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

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

Outgoing Senate majority leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, said: "The message from voters is clear: They want us to work together."

Republicans, who already controlled the House of Representatives, were also on track to expand their majority in that chamber, too.

Video: How The Senate Looks After Midterms

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

In state governor races, the Republicans ousted a Democrat in Mr Obama's home state of Illinois and won the liberal strongholds of Maryland and Massachusetts.

They also fended off a string of stiff challenges from Democrats.

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

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

Video: Why Are Midterm Polls So Expensive?

Mr Obama, who was shunned by many Democrats on the campaign trail because of his low approval rating, called Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to the White House on Friday to discuss the new political landscape.

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

The conservative takeover means Mr Obama will spend his final two years as President contending with a Congress fully controlled by opponents who have been determined to block his policies.

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

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

Video: Midterms: The Hillary Factor

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

Voters in Oregon and the District of Columbia approved ballot measures allowing the recreational use of marijuana by adults, and still to come were results on a similar measure in Alaska.

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

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16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

EU Migrants Pay In More Than They Take - Study

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

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

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

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

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

Video: Report: Migrants Boost UK Economy

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

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

The figures improved for more recent arrivals with EU migrants between 2001-11 making a positive contribution of £20bn, and those from outside Europe £5bn.

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

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

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

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

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

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

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Muslims Push Back Against Extreme IS Brutality

The sophisticated way Islamic State has used social media strategies to promote its brutal campaign of terror has been seen as one of the defining hallmarks of the new threat facing the West.

Twitter, YouTube and a host of lesser known apps have been used to spread the group's propaganda - dominated by the ruthless beheadings of US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and of British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning.

Yet the group's mastery of modern technology as a means to communicate with potential followers is now threatening to undermine it.

Mr Henning was captured by IS in Syria

The first videos posted by the terror group earlier this year showed them as freedom fighters riding tanks and pick-up trucks through the desert.

But later posts depicted the group in a much darker light, murdering hundreds of locals in Syria and Iraq as fighters advanced through large tracts of land, taking over towns and villages, killing anyone who refused to convert to Islam, or who opposed their ideology.

Video: Henning Murder 'Backfired' On IS

As shocking as those events undoubtedly were, for many in the West the true horror of the terror group only hit home after it began beheading its Western hostages and posting those videos online.

Each death attracted global condemnation, but it was the plight of Salford taxi driver Alan Henning that captured most attention.

All sections of society, all colours, all religions united to appeal for Mr Henning's release.

Video: Social Media Aiding Terrorists

Nowhere were those voices louder, than in Britain's Muslim communities, an uncompromising assertion that Alan Henning was a force for good and that Islamic State should show him mercy.

Sulaimaan Samuel, a safeguarding mentor for the Government's anti-extremism programme, says Islamic State's decision to murder the charity worker was a turning point, a realisation that the this terror group had no redeeming qualities.

It will in turn he says, deter many young people, who may have considered heading off to Syria, to think twice - the taxi driver's death he says, may have saved thousands of lives.

Video: How Is Islamic State Funded?

No one doubts Islamic State's tech-savvy young jihadists and their new media expertise have helped attract hundreds to their cause.

But their eagerness to broadcast their extreme brutality has also had an unintended consequence for IS - triggering a significant push back from the wider Muslim community.

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Henning Murder 'Turned Tide' On IS Recruitment

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

The beheading by Islamic State of British aid worker Alan Henning may have led to thousands of lives being saved because it has deterred young Muslims from joining the jihad, a member of the government's top anti-radicalisation programme has claimed.

So brutal and callous was the murder of the Salford taxi driver that it has "turned the tide" of British people looking to join the fight in Syria and Iraq, Sky News has been told.  

In an exclusive interview, Sulaimaan Samuel, who works as a National Safeguarding Mentor for Channel, a Home Office scheme to tackle people judged to be at risk of radicalisation, told Sky News that IS propaganda tactics had "backfired".

It is the first time anyone who works as part of the project has given a detailed insight into IS tactics and the threat the group poses online.

Mr Henning was murdered by IS in October

Mr Samuel said the "grotesque" beheading of US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff in August and September led the Muslim community to start to seriously question IS.

British aid worker David Haines was also beheaded later that month. But it was the murder of Mr Henning in October that was the "turning point", Mr Samuel said.

Video: IS Propaganda 'Backfiring'

"I would personally say to Alan Henning's family: do not think his death has been some type of waste because it hasn't, because his death at the hands of IS is the very thing that has caused the Muslim community to realise that what IS stands for is wrong and can never be condoned.

"In Alan's death he has managed to save thousands of lives now and in the future of people who might potentially have been drawn into going out. He will be saving lives in the future.

"What IS has done has backfired."

Security Minister James Brokenshire said he believed the relative effectiveness of the terror group's own brutal propaganda machine had opened people's eyes to the true nature of IS.

1/6

1. Gallery: Profile: Alan Henning

   Alan Henning, 47, was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. Friends gave him the nickname "gadget" due to his love of technology

2. He was married for 23 years and he had a teenage son and daughter

3. He worked as a self-employed taxi driver

4. Mr Henning saw the plight of Syrian people and volunteered with a Muslim charity. He had been to the region at least three times

5. He drove life-saving medical equipment from the UK to Syria in old ambulances. He left in December 2013 to make the 4,000-mile trip

6. He was kidnapped by IS in Syria by masked men. He may have been held in Ad Dana near Aleppo, then Raqqa

He said: "I think some of the shocking videos that we have seen, of brutalising murder, has underlined simply what IS is about and why it has prompted British Muslims to go online, post their own videos to underline their absolute abhorrence to this appalling violence and brutality."              

A senior Government security source has also highlighted a "discernible change in attitude" from mainstream Muslim society.

The source said: "What IS has done is demonstrate very clearly to everyone that this is no longer an unambiguous struggle to topple Assad, involving freedom fighters and people whose motive is simply to help Syrian people, and that terrorist groups have made the environment much more complicated and in turn have made it less clear cut for people as to whether they should travel or not."

Mr Samuel - who counsels those thought to be at risk of radicalisation - said the majority of his work is now dealing with young people being attracted to travelling to Syria and Iraq via the internet.

Video: Social Media Aiding Terrorists

He said: "The days where the baddie, the super villain was in a cave, in a dark lair somewhere sat in a corner, stroking a cat - those days are finished.

"With the advent of technology, the internet, people can promote any idea they have. You don't need to be Michael Moore or a Spike Lee to reach a wide audience.

"Initially it may be a curiosity to see something shocking, but very quickly you can find yourself with a string of related videos which might lead you down a path which half an hour ago wasn't your destination."

Since Channel was set up in 2006, concerns have been raised about a total of 3,934 people - including 1,450 children.

Video: Sept 15: Special Report UK Jihadis

Of these, 777 people have been formally assessed as being vulnerable to radicalisation and referred to the project for formal help.

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lib Dem Minister Quits With Attack On May

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

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

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

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

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

Mr Baker accused the Tories of suppressing a drugs report

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

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

Video: 30 Oct: Baker Denies Row With May

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

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

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

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

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

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

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Paedophiles Grooming Women To Bear Children

By Hannah Tallett, Sky News Presenter

Paedophiles are grooming women to bear their children, giving them easy access to victims, according to a child abuse charity.

MOSAC - a charity which supports the non-abusing parents and carers of abused children - says a third of all calls to its helpline are from women who believe they have been groomed into conceiving a child.

Director Nigel Newton Sawyerr said: "Paedophiles who are very devious will go to any lengths to access children. Who's more vulnerable than their own children?"

Sky News spoke to "Susan", a mother-of-two who believes her youngest was bred for the purpose.

Her ex-partner was convicted and sentenced to five years in jail for abuses against her eldest daughter, from a previous relationship.

The offences included nine counts of sexual assault.

Video: Oct 30: Exploitation A 'New Norm'

Since that abuse was disclosed, Susan's youngest daughter has admitted that she is also a victim of the same man, her own father.

"When my youngest daughter turned round and said to me that he had abused her from the moment she could remember ... when she was in nappies ... that's when I was convinced that he had had her to abuse her," Susan said.

Susan believes she was deliberately targeted.

"He was very persuasive about me coming off the pill. So, I was groomed in many ways I think to produce a child for him," she said.

Sixteen years and £30,000 later, Susan is preparing for yet another court battle to keep her former partner away from her children.

"It's shocking. I would never have believed in a million years how set in stone his rights are, despite the conviction."

In the majority of cases a family court judge will reject the requests of a parent to gain access to their child, where that parent has already been convicted of sexual offences against that child.

But campaigners say that does not stop a paedophile parent's right to make repeated requests for access - a heavy financial and emotional burden to bear for the victim and the non-abusive parent.

Barrister Sophia Cannon says the law under the Children's Act will always take into consideration the wellbeing of a child in each case.

But she adds that it is "skewed towards the idea that all mothers and fathers who want to be involved in a child's life, can be involved."

"What it doesn't look at are the parents to whom responsibility has certainly fallen short," she said.

MOSAC is now lobbying the Government for change and campaigners recently met Justice Minister Simon Hughes MP.

He is sympathetic to their cause, insisting the Government is committed to eradicating the "abhorrent crime" of child sexual exploitation.

"We are absolutely clear that no child should be put at risk of abuse and the courts will always make the wellbeing of children their key consideration in reaching decisions on contact with parents.

"Robust protective orders already exist to remove or restrict parental responsibility in order to protect children.

"But we continue to keep this issue under close scrutiny to see if further measures are needed."

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hong Kong Murders: British Banker In Court

A British investment banker charged with the murder of two women in Hong Kong has been remanded in custody.

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

During his appearance he wore black trousers and a black T-shirt. He was remanded in custody and will return to court on 10 November.

A policeman at the scene of the double murder in Hong Kong

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

Mr Jutting had recently quit his job with Bank of America Merrill Lynch and reportedly left an out of office email message urging correspondents  to contact someone "who is not an insane psychopath".

Video: Victims' Friend Talks To Sky News

The message, which has not been verified by the bank, read: "I am out of the office. Indefinitely. For urgent enquiries, or indeed any enquiries, please contact someone who is not an insane psychopath.

"For escalation, please contact God, though suspect the devil will have custody (Last line only really worked if I had followed through)."

Last Monday he posted a Facebook photo of his balcony in the high-rise J Residence, which has a gym, clubhouse and rooftop pool, and said he was starting a "new journey".

He wrote: "Stepping down from the ledge. Burden lifted; new journey begins. Scared and anxious but also excited. The first step is always the hardest."

Officers arrived at the 31st floor flat early on Saturday after receiving a call from the suspect.

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

Police also found a small amount of cocaine and a 12-inch knife in the flat.

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

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

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

1/4

1. Gallery: Suitcase Murder: Briton Appears In Hong Kong Court

   Rurik Jutting recently left his banking job. Pic: Facebook

2. Police have been searching the flat where the women's bodies were found

3. One of the bodies was found hiden in a suitcase on the balcony

4. Assistant Commander Wan Siu-hung said both victims had injuries to the neck

The body of the second woman, named in a court document as Sumarti Ningsih, was found wrapped in a blanket inside a brown suitcase on a balcony at the apartment.

She too had wounds to the neck. Police say the victim died on 27 October.

Police sources have told local media they believe the women worked in the sex industry.

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

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

Mr Jutting studied history and law at Cambridge University and was a member of the prestigious rowing club and the history society, which is called Clio.

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

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

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

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

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Virgin Galactic Descend System Deployed Early

The investigation into the fatal Virgin Galactic spaceship crash has found one of the pilots deployed the "feathering" function too early.

Camera footage from inside SpaceShipTwo revealed that the key safety feature, which helps the craft descend, was unlocked by the co-pilot.

But the head of America's National Transportation Safety Board, Christopher Hart, stressed he was not saying this had been the cause of the disaster and that the investigation was still in its earliest stages.

Pilot Michael Alsbury, 39, was killed in Friday's crash

Mr Hart said the "feathering" function - which involves the rotation of the tail boom - should have been deployed when the vehicle was travelling about 1.4 times the speed of sound. 

But the feather began rotating when the vehicle was travelling at Mach 1.0.

Video: NTSB News Conference

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

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

Mr Hart also said the craft's fuel tanks and engine had been recovered intact, indicating there was no explosion.

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

"The engine burn was normal up until the extension of the feathers," Mr Hart told reporters.

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

Video: Virgin Crash A 'Massive Setback'

SpaceShipTwo exploded over California's Mojave Desert during its 35th test flight shortly after being released at high altitude from its mothership WhiteKnightTwo.

Co-pilot Michael Alsbury, 39, from Tehachapi, California, was killed in Friday's crash.

The pilot, Peter Siebold, 43, was badly injured after ejecting from the craft.

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

The company has defended its record after concerns were raised about the safety of the project.

In a statement it said: "At Virgin Galactic, we are dedicated to opening the space frontier, while keeping safety as our 'North Star'.

1/12

1. Gallery: Virgin Galactic Crash Wreckage

   Investigators examine the wreckage of the Virgin Galactic spacecraft which crashed in the Mojave Desert. They claim it could take a year to determine the cause of the accident

2. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) team is expected to spend the next week at the crash site in California

3. The ship broke up in mid-air during a test flight on Friday. One of the pilots was killed and the other injured

4. The team has already completed its first full day of the investigation

5. Officials say they are expected to trawl through "extensive data" - which is why the full investigation could take about 12 months or so

7. The craft's debris was spread over an area measuring five miles from end to end

10. Police secured the crash site in the Mojave Desert amid fears that some of the debris could be explosive

12. The spacecraft was on its first test flight for nine months when it crashed near the town of Bakersfield

"This has guided every decision we have made over the past decade, and any suggestion to the contrary is categorically untrue."

Justin Bieber, Ashton Kutcher, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are among those who are said to have already reserved seats and paid a deposit on the $250,000 (£156,000) ticket price for a minute-long suborbital flight on SpaceShipTwo, which could carry six passengers.

Sir Richard Branson said none of the 700 ticket holders had so far backed out.

The Virgin Group founder said one person had actually bought a ticket since the crash.

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Virgin Galactic Crash Probe Could Take A Year

Investigators examining the wreckage of the Virgin Galactic spacecraft which crashed in the Mojave Desert say it could take a year to determine the cause of the accident.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials are expected to spend the next week at the crash site in California.

They will then carry out interviews and further evidence gathering before beginning an analysis of what caused Friday's crash, which killed one pilot and injured another.

NTSB acting chairman Christopher Hart says the probe may take a year

NTSB acting chairman Christopher Hart said the full investigation may take up to 12 months, adding that Virgin Galactic can continue to operate while the probe is under way.

"The on-scene part (of the investigation) I would estimate probably four to seven days, and then we go off-scene and continue the factual collection," he said.

Video: Virgin Crash A 'Massive Setback'

"The total time... will be probably about 12 months or so, but again, as I say, this does not stop the operator from operating."

Mr Hart said investigators will use evidence from several cameras located on the craft to determine why it broke apart over the desert.

"Because it was a test flight it was heavily documented in ways that we don't usually see with normal accidents," he said.

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

The Virgin Group founder said: "It is a horrible day for Virgin Galactic, for commercial space travel - it's a massive setback.

Video: Space Ticket Holder Undeterred

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

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

Pilot Michael Alsbury, 39, was killed in the crash. Mr Alsbury, from Tehachapi, California, worked as a project engineer and test pilot.

The flight was his ninth onboard SpaceShipTwo.

His co-pilot, Peter Siebold, 43, was badly injured after parachuting to the ground.

1/11

1. Gallery: Images Showing Wreckage Of SpaceshipTwo In The Mojave Desert

   SpaceShipTwo and its mother ship WhiteKnightTwo are pictured before the test flight. Pic: Virgin Galactic/Scaled Composites/Jason DiVenere

2. Part of the wreckage from the Virgin Galactic SpaceshipTwo lies in California's Mojave Desert after it crashed

3. Photographer Ken Brown said the craft was released from the plane that carries it to high altitude, ignited its rocket motor and then exploded

4. Two pilots were on board. California authorities said one died and the other was badly hurt

5. A witness said the space tourism craft exploded during a test flight over the desert

6. The aim of such flights was to assess SpaceShipTwo in preparation for suborbital trips to the edge of space about 62 miles above the Earth

7. Hundreds of people have already reserved seats and paid a deposit on the $250,000 (£156,000) ticket price for the flights. Pic: Virgin Galactic

8. After several delays, Sir Richard Branson's company had hoped to start taking passengers to the edge of space in 2015

9. But space expert Marco Caceres said: "You are not going to see any commercial space tourism flight next year or probably several years after that."

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

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

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

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

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Injured Virgin Pilot 'Alert' After Fatal Crash

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

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

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

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

Pilot Michael Alsbury, 39, was killed in Friday's spacecraft crash

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

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

Video: Branson Vows To Find Cause Of Crash

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

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

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

The fatal flight was his ninth onboard SpaceShipTwo.

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

Video: Virgin Crash A 'Massive Setback'

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

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

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

Investigators say it may take up to 12 months to determine the cause of the accident.

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

Video: On The Ground At Virgin Crash Site

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

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

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

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

16.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

British 'Banker' Held Over Suitcase Murder

Police in Hong Kong are continuing to question a British man over the murder of two young women, one of whom was discovered inside a suitcase.

The 29-year-old suspect, believed to work for a top bank, was arrested after the corpses were discovered in an upscale apartment in Hong Kong's Wan Chai district.

One of the victims was found unconscious and naked in the living room with knife wounds to her neck and buttock.

The woman, aged between 25 and 30 years, was declared dead at the scene.

One of the bodies was found hiden in a suitcase on the balcony

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

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

Police later discovered the second body hidden inside a suitcase on the balcony. She too had wounds to the neck, and it is believed the victim had been dead "for quite some time".

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

Hong Kong police said the suspect, who has not yet been charged, called officers to the scene in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police have given no further details regarding his identity or nationality.

However a source connected to the case told Reuters that he is a Bank of America Merrill Lynch employee.

Assistant Commander Wan Siu-hung said both victims had injuries to the neck

Sky News' Asia Correspondent Mark Stone said it is understood one of the women was from Indonesia, while the other was from the Philippines.

"This is a particularly gruesome killing. Wan Chai is effectively Hong Kong's red light district. A large number of women from southeast Asia spend time in the district's many bars and clubs," he added.

Hong Kong police can hold their suspect for up to 48 hours without charging or releasing him.

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

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

The case is unusual in Hong Kong, which has one of the world's lowest homicide rates.

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