'It Was Hit By A Rocket': MH17's Final Moments

Dramatic mobile phone footage has emerged showing debris falling from the sky and a black plume of smoke moments after flight MH17 was struck by a rocket.

The footage has garnered more than 100,000 views on YouTube after it appeared on a social media account purporting to belong to senior pro-Russian separatist Igor Strelkov.

Strelkov, known to his fighters as "Igor the Terrible", is the top military commander of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.

He posted a link to the video on the Russian website VK less than an hour after flight MH17 was shot down.

Alongside the link, Strelkov appeared to take responsibility on behalf of the separatists for shooting down an aircraft.

The post, which was later deleted from the VK account, read: "We warned you, stay away from our skies."

However, the post claimed credit for shooting down an AN-26 military transport plane, not a commercial airliner.

"We just downed an AN-26 near Torez. It is down near the Progress mine," it added.

The confusion raises the possibility that pro-Russian separatists might have mistaken the Malaysia Airlines jet for a military aircraft, and shot it down in error.

In the video three men - who are reported to be pro-Russian rebels - are heard talking about debris falling from the sky.

Igor Strelkov is the military commander of the Donetsk People's Republic

"We just saw a plane being blown to pieces," one of the men says.

Another man describes the initial explosion he witnessed as "a blast" and praises the precision of those who shot the plane down.

"Wow, that was a blast," says the first man, who adds that he thinks the plane was "hit by a rocket".

Sky News has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the footage, and it is not certain that the VK page is operated personally by Strelkov.

Candles burning at the Dutch embassy in Kiev

Strelkov is an elusive figure who is sought by Ukrainian intelligence officials as the top Russian operative in the separatist east.

He uses at least three aliases, and has vowed to "destroy" Ukrainian forces in Donetsk.

Kiev claims the separatist fighter is an agent of Russia's military intelligence.

Asked about Strelkov's background in May this year, separatist spokesperson Stella Khorosheva said he was an ethnic Russian and a veteran of the Soviet and Russian armies.

She gave no further details about his origins of his citizenship.

An armed pro-Russian separatist at the crash site

"His aides do not know if he has any other names. He has rich military experience and holds the rank of colonel," she said.

Meanwhile, the separatists have given crash investigators access to the site and journalists have been encouraged to take pictures, many of which are too graphic to show.

The names of nine British victims who were on board the plane are emerging. One was Glenn Thomas, a media officer at the World Health Organisation who was on his way to a summit in Australia on AIDS.

And one UK couple have been speaking of their shock after they were told they had to miss the flight because there were not enough seats.

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Weather: Britain Burns On Hottest Day

How To Keep Your Cool In The Summer Heatwave

Updated: 8:24am UK, Thursday 17 July 2014

Public Health England and the NHS have given the following guidance to help people during the heatwave.

:: Try to keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11am to 3pm. If you are outside, stay in the shade where possible.

:: Apply sunscreen of at least SPF15 with UVA protection.

:: Avoid strenuous activity.

:: Wear UV sunglasses, preferably wrap-around, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes.

:: Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes, a hat and light scarf.

:: Drink lots of cool non-alcoholic drinks and food with high-water content, such as fruit and salads.

:: Look out for others, especially vulnerable groups such as older people, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses.

:: Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.

:: Keep your house cool - close light-coloured curtains on windows that get direct sun; open windows overnight if safe; turn off non-essential light and electrical items that generate heat.

:: Cool (not cold) showers and baths may help; also try sprinkling water over skin and clothes, or a damp cloth on the back of your neck

:: If observing Ramadan, drink lots of water between fasts. If you feel unwell, confused or disorientated consider breaking your fast. The Muslim Council of Britain says this is allowable under Islamic law.

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Inside Gaza: Constant Airstrikes And Shelling

The sound of airstrikes from above and artillery fire from the sea is constant in the Gaza Strip after Israel launched a major ground offensive, Sky's Sherine Tadros reports from inside the Palestinian territory.

More than 100 targets were hit in the first 10 hours of the assault - which Israeli authorities say is aimed at Hamas and other groups who have been firing rockets at Israel - and Palestinians fear this could be "just the beginning of the ground assault".

Tadros said smokescreens were visible in northern Gaza, indicating that Israeli tanks could be as far inland as 3-4 miles (5-7km).

Israel stepped up its ground offensive in Gaza early on Friday

"We've also been seeing Palestinian rocket fire coming from the northern Gaza Strip towards Israel, so that is clearly also continuing," she said.

"Palestinian fighters are trying to make the point they are still here and they are still fighting."

The Israeli military spent the early hours of the assault moving through the buffer zone along the Israel-Gaza border, Tadros said.

Smoke rises following what witnesses said were Israeli air strikes in Gaza

The Israeli authorities said they were clearing tunnels that they claim Palestinian militants use to try to infiltrate Israel.

"Israel says it is targeting terror tunnels but Palestinians really don't know what that means," Tadros said.

Overnight, power outages across the Gaza Strip left many areas in darkness.

An Israeli soldier stands near a mobile artillery unit outside Gaza

"It started in the northern part about 20 minutes or so before we heard the ground operation was under way," Tadros said.

She said flares fired from the Israeli side of the border were used to light up parts of the territory - a move that was then followed by renewed artillery fire or guided missile strikes. 

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Israel Ready To Expand Gaza Ground Assault

Israel's military is ready for a "significant expansion" of the Gaza ground offensive that has already claimed at least 28 lives.

The offensive began on Thursday night with the aim of destroying the weapons arsenal, infrastructure and underground tunnels used by Hamas, Israeli officials claimed.

An Israeli soldier and at least 27 Palestinians - including a baby, two children and a 70-year-old woman - have already been killed in the operation, according to Palestinian officials.

An Israeli Apache attack helicopter shoots a missile over the Gaza Strip

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned: "My instructions are to prepare for the possibility of significantly widening the ground operation, and the military is preparing accordingly."

Mr Netanyahu said a ground assault was the only way to infiltrate Hamas' underground network.

The United Nations has said it is stepping up emergency aid to Gaza, where Israel's military offensive has worsened water shortages and raised fears of increased sewage contamination and water-borne diseases.

Smoke billows in Gaza after an airstrike on Friday

The operation and killings prompted Pope Francis to phone both Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to call for an immediate ceasefire.

Mr Peres told the Pope that "a small group of fanatics are the cause of suffering in Gaza" and that "Israel is doing everything to lower the flames and minimise civilian casualties".

Mr Abbas, meanwhile, explained he was "exerting all required effort, together with Egypt and all other parties, to halt the bloodshed and relieve out people's suffering".

On Friday lunchtime the Israeli Defence Forces reported they had "engaged and killed 17 terrorists".

An Israeli Defence Force photo of apparent Hamas tunnels

Israel confirmed 20-year-old Sgt Eitan Barak had been "killed fighting Hamas terrorists". The country's media is investigating the possibility he was a victim of so-called friendly fire.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri called the ground offensive "foolish", adding that Israel would suffer "dreadful consequences".

"Netanyahu is killing our children and will pay the price," he said. "The ground invasion doesn't frighten us and the occupation army will sink in Gaza's mud."

Those injured in explosions and fighting are arriving at hospitals in Gaza

Israel claimed 50 rockets were fired from Gaza overnight - 25 slamming into its territory.

Israeli tanks and troops moved into Gaza following a 10-day campaign of more than 2,000 airstrikes that had failed to halt Hamas rocket fire on Israeli cities.

It is the first major Israeli ground offensive in Gaza in just over five years.

The army has confirmed that a draft of 18,000 additional reserve soldiers has been authorised by the government on top of the 30,000 already deployed.

Sgt Eitan Barak, killed in fighting overnight. Pic: Israeli Defence Force

The ground campaign followed a brief truce on Thursday in which Israel held fire to allow Gazans to stock up on food and other necessities.

Some 264 Palestinians have been killed since fighting began 11 days ago, with another 2,000 injured, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

Figures provided by the Gaza-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights show that civilians account for more than 80% of the victims of Israel's assault since July 8.

An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires towards the Gaza Strip

A UN agency has said the number of displaced Gazans has almost doubled in the past 24 hours, hitting 40,000 people since the ground operation began.

Israel has confirmed two of its citizens have died.

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Four Men Jailed For British Aid Worker's Murder

Four men have been sentenced to 20 years hard labour for the murder of a British aid worker and the rape of his Russian fiancee.

Khuram Shaikh, 32, was stabbed to death on Christmas Day 2011 at a hotel while on holiday in Sri Lanka.

The Red Cross worker's fiancee was beaten unconscious before being sexually assaulted.

Colombo High Court has sentenced the four, including Sampath Vidanapathirana, a ruling party supporter and head of the council in Tangalle town, where the two were staying, to "rigorous imprisonment" for 20 years.

Judge Rohini Walgama also fined them 20,000 rupees (£87) each and ordered them to pay 200,000 rupees (£87,000) each in compensation.

Shaikh's fiancee, who can not be identified under Sri Lankan law, was in court and seen wiping away tears as the verdict was delivered.

The aid worker's brother, Nasir Shaikh, was also in court.

Sampath Vidanapathirana being taken away after the verdict

He said: "I am pleased that those who killed my brother have been punished and will be behind bars for a long time.

"Our campaign was not only about justice, but to bring awareness of the humanitarian work my brother did as a Red Cross worker.

"He is a true inspiration for many and he was respected all around the world because of the work he did."

Labour MP Simon Danczuk led the fight for justice

Local MP Simon Danczuk said: "Nearly three years ago now Khuram's father asked me if I would help to get justice for his son and we've fought very hard to get this result.

"The fact that a prominent politician is now behind bars is extremely significant and many Sri Lankan journalists told me this would not happen.

"I hope it marks a turning point for Sri Lankan justice and sends out a message that no one is above the law."

Britain's High Commission in Colombo said: "The officials of the Attorney General's office have shown great professionalism and integrity and we would like to thank them."

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government came under criticism over delays in bringing the case to trial. The government had said delays were unavoidable due to forensic work.

Friction between Sri Lanka and Britain over the murder case had grown before a summit of the Commonwealth group of countries in Colombo last November.

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Family Of Six Killed On Doomed Passenger Plane

A family of six are among the almost 300 victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, it has emerged.

Tambi Jiee, 49, his wife Ariza Ghazalee, 47, and their four children, Mohd Afif, 19, Mohd Afzal, 17, Marsha Azmeena, 15, and Mohd Afruz, 13, were travelling on the Boeing 777, Malaysia's The Star newspaper reported.

The cover photo on 13-year-old Afruz's Facebook profile is a drawing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March.

The Facebook page of Afruz Tambi, one of a family of six who died

The family were returning from Kazakhstan were Mr Tambi, who worked for Shell, had been based for around three years, the paper added.

Some of the greatest minds in the fight against HIV and Aids were also travelling on the jet, which was shot down over Ukraine on Thursday.

They were on their way to the International Aids Society (IAS) summit in Melbourne, Australia.

One of those who is understood to have been on the jet is Dr Joep Lange, a well-known researcher from the Netherlands.

"If this is the case then the HIV/Aids movement has truly lost a giant," the IAS said.

Among the 283 passengers and 15 Malaysia Airlines cabin crew on board were 192 Dutch nationals, 44 Malaysians, 28 Australians, 12 Indonesians, ten Britons, four Germans, four Belgians, three Filipinos, one Canadian, one New Zealander, one person from Hong Kong and a female Irish national.

Dr Lange is believed to have been with partner Jacqueline van Tongeren

In a bizarre twist of fate, flight attendant Sajid Singh 41, swapped flights to fly on MH17 - months after his wife swapped off the doomed MH370 which vanished flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, his his father Jijar Singh told The Malaysian Insider.

Kaylene Mann, from Queensland, Australia, who lost her brother and sister-in-law in the flight which disappeared on March 8, 2014, is now mourning the loss of her stepdaughter Maree Rizk and her husband Albert, who were returning to their Melbourne home after a month-long European holiday.

Another of the victims is Karlijn Keijzer , a doctoral student at Indiana University in the US.

Pim De Kuijer was on his way to the Aids conference. Pic: Facebook

The Irish passenger was Edel Mahady, according to Sky sources.

She was originally from Palmerstown in Dublin but had been living in Australia for the last 20 years.

Ms Mahady was returning to Australia via Kuala Lumpur after visiting her mother, who has been ill, and her sisters in Ireland.

Albert Rizk and his wife Maree were returning from Europe. Pic: Facebook

She leaves her husband Dermot, son Conor and daughter Ciara. She was a cousin of Labour's Willie Penrose, a member of the Irish Parliament.

The Star newspaper also reported that Malaysian PM Najib Razak's step-grandmother was among the passengers aboard the fateful flight.

Elaine Teoh was travelling with her boyfriend Emiel Mahler. Pic: Facebook

Sailor and businessman Nick Norris, 68, was also heading back from a break away in Europe with his three grandchildren, Milo Maslin, 12, Evie Maslin, 10, and Otis Maslin eight, Perth Now reported.

The Australian media also reported a much-loved nun, Philomene Tiernan, from Sydney, Toorak college teacher Frankie Davison and her husband Liam, student Elaine Teoh and her Dutch boyfriend Emiel Mahler, Canberra mother-of-two Liliane Derden and security consultant Marco Grippeling, from Melbourne, among the victims.

Cor Pan posted a picture of the airliner on Facebook. Pic: Facebook

Young Dutchman Cor Pan, from Volendam, north of Amsterdam, who is also believed to have perished in the disaster, posted a picture of the jetliner on Facebook, minutes before he boarded it, writing: "If it should disappear, this is what it looks like."

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Tenth Briton Confirmed Among MH17 Victims

Ten Britons are now confirmed to have been among the 298 people on board flight MH17, which was shot down in Ukraine.

Friends and colleagues today paid tribute to the British victims named, including Leeds University student Richard Mayne, 20, from Leicestershire.

He had recently completed a charity trek to Everest Base Camp was described as a man who had a "great thirst for life" and "wanted to make the world a better place" by his former headteacher.

John Wood, from the Dixie Grammar School in Nuneaton, said: "Richard was an extremely pleasant and thoughtful young man who gave his time generously for everyone."

Richard Mayne during a trip to Nepal (L) and Ben Pocock (R). Pics: Facebook

His sister Scarlett posted a picture of her and Richard on Instagram with the caption: "Always been my hero. Forever loved, never forgotten."

Ben Pocock was flying to Australia to begin a professional placement and study, Loughborough University said.

His family have spoken of their "devastation".

"He was a gifted academic, talented athlete but more importantly a warm, caring, fun-loving son and brother who had an extremely bright future ahead of him," they said.

"Ben is going to be terribly missed not only by his family but by the wider Keynsham community where he made so many long-lasting friends."

The latest British victim to be confirmed is Cameron Dalziel, a 42-year-old helicopter pilot living in South Africa.

His brother Campbell Dalziel said he "couldn't believe" his brother was gone: "It was [Thursday evening] while we were watching Sky News - he had been in Amsterdam at a conference.

"If the reports are credible and true we are saddened by this news. It's not only him that was taken away from us.

Helicopter pilot Cameron Dalziel. Pic: Facebook

"From an early age he always believed in helping people you know and encouraging people from being a lifeguard on the beach to flying helicopters.

"He was part of the sea rescue team. He never ever wanted recognition just you know he enjoyed it. He loved doing it. If he didn't love it he wouldn't do it."

Newcastle United fans Liam Sweeney (L) and John Adler

Newcastle United fans, John Alder and Liam Sweeney, who were travelling to see their football team play in New Zealand, also died in the crash, according to NUFC.com and the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

Newcastle United said the pair were among the club's most loyal supporters.

Managing Director Lee Charnley said: "The loss of John and Liam is truly devastating news.

"Both men were dedicated supporters of our Club and were known to thousands of fans and staff alike."

Glenn Thomas was on his way to an Aids conference. Pic: Facebook

Glenn Thomas, 49, from Blackpool, was among 100 delegates reportedly on their way to the International Aids Society (IAS) summit in Melbourne, Australia.

Friends spoke of their shock and loss of the media officer at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva.

WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said: "We have lost a wonderful person and a great professional. Our hearts are broken. We are all in shock."

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Polar Bear Inquest: 'No Neglect' Over Death

A coroner has cleared an expedition company of neglect over its responsibility to protect a boy mauled to death by a polar bear.

Ian Singleton, assistant coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, returned a narrative verdict at the conclusion of a five-week long inquest into the death of Horatio Chapple.

Horatio died on an adventure holiday to the remote Svalbard islands in August 2011 with the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) - now renamed the British Exploring Society (BES).

The coroner found that although the group were missing items of equipment including parts of the tripwire alert system, BSES had not acted with "neglect".

Horatio Chapple was camping in the remote Svalbard islands in August 2011

He said: "I do not find that neglect is appropriate to be considered, as failure (by BSES) was not total or complete."

The Eton schoolboy, from Salisbury, Wiltshire, was sleeping in his tent when the bear went on the rampage, inflicting fatal injuries to his head and upper body on the morning of August 5.

Four others were hurt before the bear was shot dead at the camp site where the group, known as Chanzin Fire, had been staying.

Also injured during the incident were trip leader Michael "Spike" Reid, from Plymouth, Devon, Andrew Ruck, from Brighton, Patrick Flinders, from Jersey, and Scott Bennell-Smith, from St Mellion in Cornwall.

In his narrative verdict, Mr Singleton said: "On the 5th August 2011, Horatio Chapple was in a tent on a snow bridge near to the Von Post Glacier in Svalbard, Norway, as part of an expedition.

The polar bear was shot dead after the attack

"A polar bear was able to enter the camp shortly before 7.30am undetected as the tripwire alarm system around the perimeter of the camp had failed to activate due to a supporting post more likely than not being knocked over by the bear which caused the cartridge to move or fall out of the mine without it detonating.

"Horatio emerged from his tent and was in the act of standing up when the bear reared up and slammed down on him with its paws pushing Horatio to the ground where the bear then mauled his head, face and neck causing the injury which lead to Horatio's death.

"At the time of the attack the polar bear was 24 years of age, hungry and in pain from bad teeth which more likely than not made it more aggressive and unpredictable."

The Salisbury inquest heard that the tripwire system provided by BSES worked "inconsistently" and had missing parts.

This meant it had to be set up in triangle shapes rather than the expected larger rectangles and that group members had modified the triggering mechanism using paper clips.

Also, the inquest was told that the group members were also expected to be kitted out with pen flares to scare off a bear.

But there were insufficient available and were only distributed with the group leaders.

The hearing was also told that Mr Reid attempted to shoot the bear with the group's Mauser 98K but his first attempts were unsuccessful.

This was because the safety catch mechanism ejected the rounds rather than firing them.

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Sky 'Rained People' After Airliner Shot Down

Children have described how it was "raining people" in the aftermath of the shooting down of the passenger plane with 298 people on board in eastern Ukraine, reports Sky's Stuart Ramsay.

Human remains are scattered everywhere, and in some villages across which the wreckage of the plane is strewn bodies can be seen hanging from telegraph wires, he said.

And amid this gruesome carnage of the crash site, the sound of rockets being fired can be heard in the distance as the conflict continues to rage in the troubled region.

More follows...

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Russia 'Must Reflect' On Shooting Down Of Plane

Britain has said it is "clear" where responsibility for the shooting down of a packed passenger plane lies, as the US said it cannot rule out Russian involvement in the crash.

Peter Wilson, the UK's representative to the UN, said Russia must "reflect carefully on the situation it has created", adding: "Let us hear clear and unequivocal condemnation of the attack."

It came as 80 children were confirmed among the victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was brought down over Ukraine with 298 people, including 192 Dutch, 10 Britons and one Irish national, on board.

L-R: British victims Richard Mayne, Ben Pocock, Glenn Thomas, Liam Sweeney

The plane's black box recorders have been found but debris is scattered across such a remote and dangerous part of Ukraine that the "full, thorough and independent" investigation demanded by the UN is yet to begin.

Sky's Chief Correspondent Stuart Ramsay, who was one of the first foreign journalists to reach the crash site near Grabovo, Donetsk, said: "Wreckage, bodies and body parts are spread over fields and villages for miles around.

"Volunteers have been marking the locations of dead passengers and crew with sticks and white ribbons."

Debris from flight MH17 has been scattered over a vast area

The plane, a Boeing 777, was heading from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur at an altitude of 33,000ft (10,000m) when contact was lost on Thursday afternoon.

It happened above an area where Ukrainian forces have been battling rebel fighters.

As the row over who is responsible for the attack intensified, the US said it believes the aircraft was hit by a rocket launched from an area of eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian separatists.

Samantha Power, Washington's ambassador to the UN, said that hours before the disaster, rebels were spotted with a ground-to-air missile system close to where the plane came down.

"It is unlikely the separatists could effectively operate that system without assistance from knowledgeable personnel, thus we cannot rule out technical assistance from Russia," she added.

However, the Russian defence ministry reportedly pointed the finger at its neighbour, saying it picked up radar activity from a Ukrainian Buk missile system south of Donetsk when the aircraft came down.

Children's toys lie among the wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines plane

Russian President Vladimir Putin added: "The state over whose territory this occurred bears responsibility."

Ukraine said the crash was an "act of terrorism" and released what it claimed was a recording of an intercepted phone call between two Russian military intelligence officers, discussing the downing of the plane.

In an unverified video apparently taken moments after the plane was hit, a man thought to be a pro-Russian rebel boasts: "Wow, that was a blast."

Sticks and white ribbons have been used to mark the locations of victims

US President Barack Obama said the truth would be exposed and demanded investigators be given unrestricted access to the crash site.

The cockpit and one of the turbines were found over half a mile apart, with the tail reportedly landing six miles away, suggesting the aircraft broke up before hitting the ground.

Of the bodies strewn across the fields, many were largely intact, with some still strapped into seats.

Flames rise from the wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines jet

Condemning what he called an "outrage of unspeakable proportions", Mr Obama said: "This is a global tragedy - an Asian airliner destroyed in European skies, with citizens from many countries on board."

Malaysia Airlines, still reeling from the loss of flight MH370 in March, said the plane was on a safe route, following speculation it had flown into airspace deemed dangerous for civilian aircraft.

Analysis by Sky News revealed it was in the same area as four other plane when it was brought down.

Flight MH17 taking off at Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands

More than 800 jets have flown through airspace above eastern Ukraine since Monday, some of which strayed into the no-fly zone.

:: Malaysia Airlines has set up an emergency line, 00 6 037 884 1234, for worried relatives, while the Foreign Office helpline is 0207 008 1500.

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Heatwave Warning Issued For Rest Of Week

Heatwave conditions will affect parts of England later this week, with officials warning people to take precautions as the mercury hits 30C.

The warning comes as the Met Office issued a Level 2 heat alert for parts of the South East, London, east of England and the Midlands.

Thursday is forecast to be the country's hottest day so far this year, with temperatures of up to 30C, while Friday is expected to be nearly as hot.

People have been told to avoid the hottest part of the day and use suncream

A Level 2 warning is triggered when the Met Office forecasts a 60% or higher chance of consecutive daily temperatures having a significant impact on health.

Health experts at Public Health England, which issued a heatwave alert, urged people to be careful remaining outdoors in the hottest part of the day and avert dehydration by drinking cool liquids.

Older people and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the higher temperatures, so even indoors they should remain in cool areas.

Some areas are expecting thunderstorms at the end of the heatwave

Chris England, Sky News weather producer, said: "It'll turn hotter in the south over the next couple of days as humid air moves in from the very warm continent, with temperatures of over 30C (86F) likely in parts of the south by Friday.

"The humidity will make it uncomfortable for many, and there is a health risk, so people should take care to keep cool."

The heatwave warning is due to take effect late on Thursday and carry through until Saturday, when heavy rain is expected.

A warning was also issued for members of the Muslim community fasting during the current period of Ramadan to drink enough water.

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Sollecito Uses Murdered Kercher For Uni Essay

By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter

Convicted killer Raffaele Sollecito has graduated from university by writing a thesis describing how he is innocent of the murder of Meredith Kercher.

Sollecito, 30, who was convicted along with former girlfriend Amanda Knox, 26, wrote in his computer studies masters paper that online networks showing his name and commenting on the brutal knife murder were more often linked to the word "innocent" than "guilty".

Both were initially found guilty before the verdict was overturned, only for an appeal court to rule earlier this year that they were guilty.

Knox sentenced to 28 years in prison and Sollecito 25 years, although both are free as the Italian judicial system allows for another appeal, with no decision expected until next spring at the earliest.

Meredith was in Italy as part of her degree course at Leeds University

On his Facebook page, Sollecito posted several pictures of himself smiling and celebrating with his family and girlfriend Greta, as he received his degree from professors at Verona University. One picture shows an iced cake with a congratulations message.

The message in Italian reads: ''Engineer Raffaele Sollecito crosses one of the most important thresholds of his life.''

His thesis, which was written in English and Italian, was called Social Network Analysis and Semantic Proximity and he passed with top marks.

He said: ''It was a sort of experiment on myself ... I'm delighted that I have graduated and now look forward to the future. I've got some more exams to do then I am working on a secret project for a company but I need funds to finance it.''

Amanda Knox insists she is innocent

Sollecito has had to surrender his passport since he was found guilty in January, while Knox has remained at home in Seattle and vowed never to return to Italy, she - like him - protesting her innocence.

During the next few months, their legal teams will prepare their appeal case which means further agony for the Kercher family, who have been through three court cases since the murder in the Italian hilltop town of Perugia in 2007.

A source close to the family said: ''The pain for them goes on. They will never experience the joy of Meredith graduating, but Sollecito and Knox are carrying on with their lives.''

Meredith, 20, was found dead in her bedroom in the house she shared with Knox, just two months after moving to Italy as part of her own degree course.

Judges initially ruled in the first trial in 2009 she had been killed as part of a drug-fuelled sex game that had gone wrong.

Then, two years later, Knox and Sollecito were cleared, only for the appeal court to reinstate the verdicts - this time saying Meredith was killed due to a domestic argument that had spun out of control.

Earlier this month, Sollecito gave a press conference in Rome in which he appeared to distance himself from his co-accused and said he was ''not a guarantor'' for Knox.

He added that he could not be sure if she was with him the whole night when the murder took place.

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Spanish Beaches Shut After Sharks Spotted

A shark scare led to the closure of six beaches near the Spanish city of Barcelona as people were banned from swimming.

Three small blue sharks, which were each 1-1.5 metres long, were spotted by lifeguardsclose to shore, sparking the safety move by two local town halls.

The beaches in the resorts of Premia del Mar and El Masnou were shut on Tuesday and red warning flags were put up.

Hasina Ahmad from the Red Cross said: "Three sharks...were spotted near the area where people swim up to two metres from the shore, very close.

A patrol boat is on the lookout for the sharks

"They could be seen from the beach."

A surveillance boat then looked for the fish but it did not find them.

However by Wednesday morning, the beaches were re-opened and green flags were flying again, indicating it was safe to bathe in the sea, said the Red Cross.

Two of the charity's boats carrying out routine patrols were continuing to keep an eye out for the sharks, a spokeswoman added.

The Florida Natural History Museum says the blue shark is considered a dangerous species and is known to have attacked other sharks and boats.

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More Than 600 Paedophile Suspects Arrested

An operation by the National Crime Agency involving 45 police forces has seen 660 suspected paedophiles arrested across the UK.

Thirty-nine of the 660 were registered sex offenders but the vast majority had not come to the authorities' attention before. More than 800 properties were searched.

One arrested man had access to 17 grandchildren - two of them had already made allegations against him.

Two men, one of whom is a doctor, had between them more than a million indecent images of children on their phones and computers.

Care workers and former police officers were also among the hundreds arrested.

As a result of the six-month investigation across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which has only now been revealed - more than 400 children have been safeguarded, the NCA said.

A total of 431 children now under official protection had been in the "care, custody or control" of suspects, 127 of those children were considered to be at immediate risk of harm, the agency revealed.

None of those arrested is a serving or former MP or member of the Government, it said.

Charging decisions are still due in most cases because of continuing inquiries, but charges brought so far range from possessing indecent images of children to serious sexual assault.

The NCA's deputy director general, Phil Gormley, said: "This is the first time the UK has had the capability to coordinate a single targeted operation of this nature.

The undercover operation involved 45 police forces

"Over the past six months we have seen unprecedented levels of cooperation to deliver this result.

"Our aim was to protect children who were victims of, or might be at risk of, sexual exploitation. A child is victimised not only when they are abused and an image is taken. They are re-victimised every time that image is viewed by someone.

"Some of the people who start by accessing indecent images online go on to abuse children directly. So the operation is not only about catching people who have already offended - it is about influencing potential offenders before they cross that line.

"We want those offenders to know that the internet is not a safe anonymous space for accessing indecent images, that they leave a digital footprint, and that law enforcement will find it."

Mr Gormley said he was "profoundly disappointed" at the scale of the problem and the number of arrests police were forced to make.

It was necessary, he said, to take a harder look at the amount of people looking at child abuse images on the internet.

"The alternative," he said, "is not to look under the stone, and we cannot afford not to look under this stone."

Claire Lilley, Head of Online Safety at the NSPCC said: "This is an important two-pronged operation which has rescued children from abuse and also identified many previously unknown sex offenders.

"Direct action like this sends a strong message to those who subject children to harrowing sexual assaults that they can and will be traced and prosecuted."

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Hair Salon Killer Jailed For At Least 24 Years

Asher Maslin, who stabbed his ex-girlfriend Hollie Gazzard to death at the hair salon where she worked, has been jailed for life.

Maslin, 22, was told he would have to serve a minimum of 24 years in prison.

The former security guard attacked his 20-year-old ex-girlfriend at the Fringe Benefits & La Bella Beauty salon in Gloucester on February 18.

Staff and customers tried to protect her, but Maslin cornered her and stabbed her 14 times with a £3 knife he had bought on the way to confront her. She had recently ended their relationship.

Hollie Gazzard had asked colleagues to phone police if Maslin turned up

Police were already on their way to the salon as Ms Gazzard had asked colleagues to phone 999 immediately if Maslin turned up.

She was pronounced dead just over an hour after the attack at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Maslin was arrested the following day and later admitted a charge of murder.

Sentencing him at Gloucester Crown Court, Mr Justice Teare said: "The number of stab wounds on a defenceless young woman show that this was a merciless killing.

Maslin went to the salon to confront Ms Gazzard

"It was carried out in public, witnessed by customers of the salon, colleagues of Hollie Gazzard and by passers-by.

"Hollie Gazzard was 20 years of age and at the start of her adult life. As her father said, 'the world was at her feet'.

"Hollie's father and sister have described the devastating effect Hollie's death has had on them and on other members of the family."

The judge added that Maslin had taken cocaine and crack cocaine in the days before the killing.

As he was taken away, Maslin nodded to members of his family, who were weeping in the public gallery, and said: "Sorry."

Miss Gazzard was stabbed 14 times in front of colleagues

Miss Gazzard suffered multiple wounds in the attack and died as a result of massive blood loss.

The court heard she was killed days after ending their relationship. Maslin also sent her threatening text messages before carrying out the attack.

Hollie's father Nick Gazzard said: "She was a character, she would keep you on your toes. She used to light up the room when she came home from work.

"It is such a loss now not to have her around. It was like a light bulb going on when she came in."

The family, from Churchdown, near Gloucester, have launched a foundation - the Hollie Gazzard Trust - in her memory, to protect young people from knife crime and domestic violence.

Solicitor Steven Young read a statement on behalf of Maslin's mother Sam outside the court.

It said: "Hollie's death has been a tragedy. She was a beautiful young woman and there was a time that she and Asher loved each other.

"Asher cannot explain whey he did what he did. All he can now do is express through us his deeply felt sorrow for the pain which he has caused to so many people."

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Bean said: "This horrific and violent attack was a spiteful and cowardly reaction by a self-obsessed individual who couldn't handle rejection."

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Tulisa 'Brokered Drug Deal For Film Role'

Former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos helped to supply drugs to an undercover reporter who told her he could help her become a movie star, a court has heard.

Mazher Mahmood, dubbed the "fake sheikh", posed as a film producer and met the star in Las Vegas and at a luxury hotel in London.

He promised the 26-year-old he could get her a part in a film with Leonardo DiCaprio as her possible co-star and she was keen to be "in his good books", prosecutor Tim Cray told Southwark Crown Court.

Contostavlos then allegedly boasted that she could "sort out" drugs for a boys' night out at a London strip club she was arranging for him.

The former N-Dubz star put Mr Mahmood in touch with her rapper friend, Mike GLC, who supplied the cocaine during a late-night rendezvous at London's five-star Dorchester Hotel, jurors heard.

Mike GLC, whose real name is Michael Coombs, 36, pleaded guilty on Monday to supplying half an ounce (13.9g) of cocaine for £820.

Coombs has pleaded guilty to supplying the cocaine

Contostavlos also allegedly bragged that she used to be part of a gang who sold crack cocaine and that her ex-boyfriend was a cocaine dealer.

But the illicit drug deal was taped and exposed in a front-page story in the Sun on Sunday newspaper last May, the court heard.

Contostavlos denies helping to broker the deal in May last year.

Mr Mahmood entered the witness box and gave evidence from behind a screen to protect his identity.

He said he was playing the role of a film producer from India when he met Contostavlos with another undercover reporter in Las Vegas and at London's Metropolitan hotel last year.

Mr Mahmood said Contostavlos brought up the topic of drugs during their meeting in London on May 10.

"She brought it up with words to the effect that she would go home tonight and have a drink and she might have cannabis to go to sleep," he told the court.

They discussed drugs again later at the hotel bar when the singer said she was not a cocaine user but did smoke cannabis, Mr Mahmood said.

It was then that she spoke about being being able to get "white sweets" - a slang for cocaine - and "green sweets", meaning cannabis, he added.

Opening the case, Mr Cray told jurors: "When the defendant had got involved in this drugs supply, she believed that Samir Khan was a film producer, a movie producer, a big shot.

"She thought he could get her a part in a big movie that was coming up and it seems that she was keen to be in his good books and be friendly with him."

But Mr Cray said that rather than endear herself to a powerful film producer, Contostavlos had her face splashed across a national newspaper.

He said: "She was part of a sting by The Sun newspaper. She fell for it.

"It certainly made for a good newspaper story, because the defendant had been a member of a pop group, a judge on a TV talent show, and is generally well known in the world of entertainment."

The trial continues.

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