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Prince Harry To Leave Armed Forces

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 28 Februari 2015 | 00.48

Prince Harry To Leave Armed Forces

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  1. Gallery: In Pics: Harry In The Military

    Prince Harry stands to attention at his passing-out Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy in April 2006

Plans to deploy Harry to Iraq in 2007 were cancelled after a number of security threats were made against him

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Harry was eventually deployed to Afghanistan in 2008

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His tour was cut short after foreign media reports compromised his security and that of his colleagues

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Prince Harry To Leave Armed Forces

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

1/8

  1. Gallery: In Pics: Harry In The Military

    Prince Harry stands to attention at his passing-out Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy in April 2006

Plans to deploy Harry to Iraq in 2007 were cancelled after a number of security threats were made against him

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Harry was eventually deployed to Afghanistan in 2008

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His tour was cut short after foreign media reports compromised his security and that of his colleagues

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Live Reaction: Star Trek's Mr Spock Is Dead

Live Reaction: Star Trek's Mr Spock Is Dead

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  1. Breaking News: First Photo Of 'Jihadi John' As Adult Revealed
  2. PM Defends MI5 After 'Jihadi John' Named
  3. Breaking News: Leonard Nimoy: Star Trek's Mr Spock Dies
  4. Breaking News: Sir Cliff Lawyers Attack Committee Over Letter
  5. Gary Glitter Jailed For 16 Years Over Sex Attacks


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PM Defends MI5 After 'Jihadi John' Named

David Cameron says Britain will do "everything we can" to bring terrorists to justice after Londoner Mohammed Emwazi was identified as the Islamic State militant known as "Jihadi John".

The Prime Minister also expressed his support for Britain's security services as questions were raised about whether appropriate actions were taken to stop Emwazi from travelling to Syria.

Speaking at an event in Cardiff, Mr Cameron defended MI5 and praised the service for its "dedicated and courageous" work protecting Britain.

"They are having to make incredibly difficult judgements, and I think basically they make very good judgements on our behalf," he said.

"I think while we are in the middle of this vast effort to make sure British citizens are safe, the most important thing is to get behind them."

The security agency has been criticised for its handling of Emwazi's case. The 27-year-old travelled to Syria in 2013, several years after MI5's first contact with the militant. 

In 2009 he was reportedly questioned by an MI5 officer in Amsterdam who accused him of attempting to travel to Somalia to join a terror group.

Asim Qureshi, a director of the CAGE campaign group, has claimed Emwazi was harassed by the security agency over the following years as agents tried to recruit him as an informant.

Sir Menzies Campbell, a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee, has indicated that the parliamentary committee is likely to seek answers from MI5 over what information they held on "Jihadi John".

The families of Western hostages killed by Islamic State have expressed mixed reactions to the identification of Emwazi

A spokesman for relatives of Steven Sotloff, the US journalist beheaded in an Islamic State video, says they have "full faith" that Emwazi will eventually face justice. 

While refusing to address specific cases, Mr Cameron said the security services and the police would do "everything" to bring those who commit "appalling and heinous crimes" to justice.

He described Britain's security services as "incredibly impressive, hard-working and dedicated".

"I'm satisfied we have in place the right ways of scrutinising the work that these extraordinary men and women do on our behalf," Mr Cameron said.

"Even in the last few months their dedication and work has saved us from plots on the streets of the United Kingdom that could have done immense damage.

"So I think it is a moment to stand up and thank them for the work they do on our behalf."

Speaking to Sky News, the executive director of the Human Security Centre, an independent foreign policy think tank, criticised CAGE for suggesting that Emwazi was radicalised as a consequence of his contact with MI5.

"This narrative was put forward by CAGE, which is often described as a human rights organisation, or a civil liberty organisation, but which is actually a pro-Islamist organisation," she said.

"They have a long record of supporting terrorists and of apologising for their actions."

Meanwhile Boris Johnson has told Sky News of his concern about youth being "sucked into" Islamist ideologies in London and across the country.

Mr Johnson was speaking to First News readers and contributors from Sky News' Stand Up Be Counted campaign.

Asked whether people should feel safe in Britain, Mr Johnson said: "We should feel safe in this country. (The) police are doing a great job... and we're a safe society.

"But... we do have a problem with terrorism, with young people who are just being driven into an ideology that in my view is leading them into dangerous and criminal, catastrophic behaviour."


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Blatter Wants Qatar Final Before 18 December

FIFA president Sepp Blatter wants the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar to be played no later than 18 December.

Blatter's suggestion comes after a FIFA task force recommended the tournament be played in November and December to avoid Qatar's summer heat.

The task force also suggested the event be shortened from the current 32 days.

European football leagues and clubs had called for the event to be staged in May and June to reduce the impact on their playing schedules.

But that suggestion has been ruled out due to the extreme summer weather in Qatar.

The final is traditionally played on a Sunday and 18 December is Qatar's national day.

"The 23rd, definitely not (for the final). We have to stop at the 18th," said Mr Blatter.

FIFA has the backing of UEFA for the change in dates despite objections from the Premier League.

"They are not so very happy and it's so good now to make a little bit of noise about FIFA and about the World Cup in Qatar," Mr Blatter said. "There are more than six years - particularly seven years - to prepare. And there is a goodwill."

FIFA has also announced that clubs will not receive any compensation if the World Cup goes ahead during winter.

The organisation's secretary general Jerome Valcke said: "There will be no compensation. I mean, they have seven years to reorganise football around the world for this World Cup.

"It's not perfect, we know that, but why are we talking about compensation? It's happening once, we're not destroying football.

"Why should we apologise to the clubs? We have had an agreement with the clubs that they are part of the beneficiaries.

"It was $40m (£25.8m) in 2010 and $70m (£45m) in 2014."


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Gary Glitter Jailed For 16 Years Over Sex Attacks

Former glam rocker Gary Glitter has been jailed for 16 years after being found guilty of a string of historical sex attacks on three schoolgirls.

The 70-year-old, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was convicted of one count of attempted rape, one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, and four counts of indecent assault.

One of his victims included a girl who was less than 10 years old when he crept into her bed and tried to rape her in 1975.

Glitter, who denied all the charges, also attacked two girls, aged 12 and 13, after inviting them backstage to his dressing room, and isolating them from their mothers.

Sky's Enda Brady, at London's Southwark Crown Court, said Glitter showed no reaction as his sentence was handed down and he was led from the dock.

As he arrived at the court earlier, he waved at two friends in the public gallery.

The former chart topper was at the height of his fame when he preyed on the youngsters.

Glitter's lawyer told the court their client is "a very different man now".

However, Judge Alistair McCreath, who remanded the disgraced star in custody after the verdicts last month, told him his offences were "truly appalling".

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  1. Gallery: Gary Glitter Through The Years

    British singer Paul Gadd, who later found fame as the glam rock star Gary Glitter, performing in an earlier incarnation as Paul Raven with the Twilights at the Black Cat Club in Woolwich in 1964

Gary Glitter in London in January 1973

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'What Colour Is This Dress?' Debate Swamps Web

A picture of a two-tone dress has gone viral after it prompted a fierce debate over whether it was white and gold - or blue and black.

Caitlin McNeil put the picture on website Tumblr after she and her friends could not agree on the colour.

The image showed a dress a close friend's mother was planning to wear to her daughter's wedding.

But after being posted on Thursday, the picture went viral and sparked a fierce debate - spawning Twitter hashtag #The Dress - with a number of celebrities having their say.

Read through to the end to see the real colour of the dress

Kim Kardashian tweeted: "What color is that dress? I see white & gold. Kanye sees black & blue, who is color blind?"

Taylor Swift said: "I don't understand this odd dress debate and I feel like it's a trick somehow. I'm confused and scared. PS it's OBVIOUSLY BLUE AND BLACK."

Actress Julianne Moore said: "What's the matter with u guys, it's white and gold."

The cause of the difference of opinion can be explained by the way our brains process what we see.

"The phenomenon of colour constancy means your brain will adjust the colour of an object depending on its surroundings or illumination," said Ashley Wood, a lecturer and optometrist at Cardiff University.

"So if there's a lot of blue in the environment, for example, the brain will subtract blue from the image your eye sees." 

"There's also the process of colour adaptation, where the colour you perceive is affected by what you have previously been looking at.

"This effect is easily demonstrated as an after image, if you view something that is red for 30 seconds, then look at a white background it will appear green for a short time.

"Depending on the context it's probably one or both of these effects which are allowing people to see the image differently."

Ms McNeil, 21, from the island of Colonsay in the Hebrides, plays the guitar and sings in a band called Canach.

She played at her friend's wedding. When she got there she found out just what colour the dress really is.

The dress comes from clothing website Roman Originals - and really is blue and black.


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Tax Break Cut To Pay For Labour Fees Pledge

Ed Miliband has unveiled a Labour election pledge to cut student tuition fees by a third by reducing pension tax relief for higher earners.

Under the party's plans, the cap on undergraduate fees would be reduced from £9,000 to £6,000 per year from September 2016.

Mr Miliband told an audience of students in Leeds that the current funding system was landing graduates with debts running into tens of thousands of pounds.

He said the coalition Government's student fees policy was "one of the most expensive broken promises in the history of British politics".

Labour's funding cut would be paid for by a reduction in pension tax relief for higher earners, Mr Miliband said.

The lifetime limit on the size of pension pots would be reduced from £1.25m to £1m, while maximum contributions to pension pots will be cut from £40,000 to £30,000.

Mr Miliband also said maintenance grants will be increased by £400 a year, saying that Labour is "determined" to help students with their living costs. This will apply to those with family incomes of up to £42,000.

In a bid to offset criticism the cut in fees would disproportionately benefit wealthier graduates, the interest rate on loans would rise by 1% to 4% for the highest earners.

Mr Miliband said: "The scourge of debt from tuition fees is not only holding back our young people, it is a burden on our country."

He added: "We're going to reduce the debt on university students. We're going to reduce the debt on taxpayers.

"From September of next year, the next Labour government will reduce tuition fees from £9,000 to £6,000. Meeting our obligations to the next generation.

"It will benefit those starting courses next year. It will benefit those already at university."

But Business Secretary Vince Cable told Sky News: "It's an absolutely terrible idea that will do great harm to universities.

"Its completely unnecessary because we have got a good system now where universities are properly funded, students who go there don't pay any cash, they pay back later in life in relation to their income.

"The only people who benefit from the Labour proposal will be future graduates on high incomes - the investment bankers of the future.

"It's a very, very retrograde, regressive step that will undermine  higher education."

Conservative Universities Minister Greg Clark dismissed Labour's plan as "cobbled together" and warned it would cause "chaos".

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  1. Gallery: Thousands Of Students Join March

    Demonstrators chant slogans during a student rally in central London

The demonstration march was organised by the National Union of Students and was the first national student protest since a series of violent protests against tuition fees two years ago

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Sir Cliff Lawyers Attack Committee Over Letter

Sir Cliff Richard's lawyers have criticised a House of Commons committee for publishing a letter about the police investigation into sex abuse claims against the singer.

In a letter to Keith Vaz, Sir Cliff's representatives said the disclosure was "unnecessary" and caused him "a further round of unnecessary and extremely damaging media coverage with no due process".

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Leonard Nimoy: Star Trek's Mr Spock Dies

By Sky News US Team

Leonard Nimoy, who played Mr Spock in science fiction series Star Trek, has died. He was 83.

The actor, who won worldwide fame as the ever-logical, half-Vulcan first officer of the Starship Enterprise, passed away on Friday morning at his home in Los Angeles.

His unflappable character's blessing, "Live long and prosper", became a catchphrase for generations of devoted fans. 

Nimoy's death was confirmed to the New York Times by his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy.

The former smoker, had been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Tributes have been flooding in from across the world to the legendary actor.

His final tweet on 23 February said: "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory."

Nimoy seemed conflicted about the half-alien who made him a household name, publishing two autobiographies, the first in 1977, titled I Am Not Spock, and the second in 1996, I Am Spock.

But he took cameo roles as Spock when director JJ Abrams revived the Star Trek film franchise in 2009 and in a 2013 follow-up movie.

Nimoy, the son of a barber, was also a poet, singer and photographer.

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 26 March 1931 to Ukrainian immigrants who were Orthodox Jews.

More follows...


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First Photo Of 'Jihadi John' As Adult Revealed

First Photo Of 'Jihadi John' As Adult Revealed

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The first known photograph has emerged of Mohammed Emwazi - the Islamic State militant known as "Jihadi John" - as an adult.

Showing him with a goatee beard and wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball cap, the image is revealed in student records from his time at the University of Westminster.

It comes after the 26-year-old who became the masked face of the notorious terror organisation was identified as the figure seen in several videos of hostages being beheaded.

Sky News can also exclusively reveal details of Emwazi's academic achievements during his stint at the university in London between 2006 and 2009.

According to the document, he passed all but two of the modules in his Information Systems with Business Management degree, for which he was awarded a lower second honours (2:2).

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  1. Gallery: Jihadi John's University Academic Record

    Mohammed Emwazi, aka Jihadi John, studied a computing course at university. Sky News has exclusively obtained his student record

His file shows mostly middling academic grades for his course modules. He graduated with a lower second (2.2) degree

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Emwazi is believed to be the British-accented man who has appeared in Islamic State beheading videos

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Pictures have also emerged of Emwazi from his school yearbook in 1996

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The 27-year-old went to St Mary Magdalene Church of England school in Maida Vale, west London

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The record shows he was awarded a "condoned credit; retake" status for modules in Business Information Systems and Managing Business Organisations.

Earlier, a photograph had emerged showing the smiling face of a eight-year-old Emwazi sitting with classmates at St Magdalene's Church of England School in west London.

An unnamed classmate told The Sun newspaper that  Emwazi, who reportedly came from a devout family, was the only Muslim in the class and would demonstrate Arabic writing to the class.

After completing his degree he went on to become a computer programmer before travelling to Syria in 2013 and later joining IS.

Advocacy group CAGE said the Kuwaiti-born Briton was "extremely kind" and "extremely gentle" but had been harassed by the UK security services.

Research director Asim Qureshi said Emwazi's family was "in utter shock" that the "beautiful young man" had joined the militant group.

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  1. Gallery: Photograph Of 'Jihadi John' Mohammed Emwazi Revealed

    Mohammed Emwazi seen in a school yearbook photograph from 1996

The Londoner has been identified as the Islamic State militant known as "Jihadi John"

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Prime Minister David Cameron defended the security services, insisting Britain will do "everything we can" to bring terrorists to justice.

"They are having to make incredibly difficult judgements, and I think basically they make very good judgements on our behalf," he said.

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Top Stories

  1. PM Defends MI5 After 'Jihadi John' Named
  2. Breaking News: Leonard Nimoy: Star Trek's Mr Spock Dies
  3. Breaking News: Live Reaction: Star Trek's Mr Spock Is Dead
  4. Breaking News: Sir Cliff Lawyers Attack Committee Over Letter
  5. Gary Glitter Jailed For 16 Years Over Sex Attacks

First Photo Of 'Jihadi John' As Adult Revealed

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

The first known photograph has emerged of Mohammed Emwazi - the Islamic State militant known as "Jihadi John" - as an adult.

Showing him with a goatee beard and wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball cap, the image is revealed in student records from his time at the University of Westminster.

It comes after the 26-year-old who became the masked face of the notorious terror organisation was identified as the figure seen in several videos of hostages being beheaded.

Sky News can also exclusively reveal details of Emwazi's academic achievements during his stint at the university in London between 2006 and 2009.

According to the document, he passed all but two of the modules in his Information Systems with Business Management degree, for which he was awarded a lower second honours (2:2).

1/5

  1. Gallery: Jihadi John's University Academic Record

    Mohammed Emwazi, aka Jihadi John, studied a computing course at university. Sky News has exclusively obtained his student record

His file shows mostly middling academic grades for his course modules. He graduated with a lower second (2.2) degree

]]>

Emwazi is believed to be the British-accented man who has appeared in Islamic State beheading videos

]]>

Pictures have also emerged of Emwazi from his school yearbook in 1996

]]>

The 27-year-old went to St Mary Magdalene Church of England school in Maida Vale, west London

]]>

The record shows he was awarded a "condoned credit; retake" status for modules in Business Information Systems and Managing Business Organisations.

Earlier, a photograph had emerged showing the smiling face of a eight-year-old Emwazi sitting with classmates at St Magdalene's Church of England School in west London.

An unnamed classmate told The Sun newspaper that  Emwazi, who reportedly came from a devout family, was the only Muslim in the class and would demonstrate Arabic writing to the class.

After completing his degree he went on to become a computer programmer before travelling to Syria in 2013 and later joining IS.

Advocacy group CAGE said the Kuwaiti-born Briton was "extremely kind" and "extremely gentle" but had been harassed by the UK security services.

Research director Asim Qureshi said Emwazi's family was "in utter shock" that the "beautiful young man" had joined the militant group.

1/2

  1. Gallery: Photograph Of 'Jihadi John' Mohammed Emwazi Revealed

    Mohammed Emwazi seen in a school yearbook photograph from 1996

The Londoner has been identified as the Islamic State militant known as "Jihadi John"

]]>

Prime Minister David Cameron defended the security services, insisting Britain will do "everything we can" to bring terrorists to justice.

"They are having to make incredibly difficult judgements, and I think basically they make very good judgements on our behalf," he said.

More follows...

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

  1. PM Defends MI5 After 'Jihadi John' Named
  2. Breaking News: Leonard Nimoy: Star Trek's Mr Spock Dies
  3. Breaking News: Live Reaction: Star Trek's Mr Spock Is Dead
  4. Breaking News: Sir Cliff Lawyers Attack Committee Over Letter
  5. Gary Glitter Jailed For 16 Years Over Sex Attacks


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HSBC Bosses 'Sorry' For Swiss Tax Scandal

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 26 Februari 2015 | 00.28

The bosses of HSBC have apologised in person to MPs over the "unacceptable" past behaviour of the bank and thousands of secret Swiss bank accounts it held for clients.

Chief executive Stuart Gulliver told MPs on the Treasury Select Committee that revelations about thousands of secret accounts held in Switzerland had caused "damage to trust and confidence".

Appearing alongside chairman Douglas Flint, he said: "I am apologising as CEO. I am responsible for cleaning it up."

Mr Gulliver added: "I'd like to put on record an apology from both myself and Douglas for the events that took place at our private bank in Switzerland in the mid-2000s

"(It's) clearly an apology we'd like to make to you all, to our customers, our shareholders, the public at large.

"It clearly was unacceptable; we very much regret this and it has damaged HSBC's reputation."

Committee chair Andrew Tyrie MP asked Mr Gulliver why he found it necessary to shield his own income through a shelf company located in Panama, while he was actually domiciled in Hong Kong.

Mr Gulliver stressed it was not for "tax purposes", instead saying it was because he did not trust other members of staff at the bank.

"It was purely about privacy. Privacy from colleagues in Hong Kong and privacy from colleagues in Switzerland," Mr Gulliver, whose has worked for the bank for 35 years, said.

"That was because my pay was not a matter for public record."

He said the HSBC computer system at the time allowed staff to snoop on each other to find out how much they were paid.

Mr Gulliver admitted he was one of the best remunerated members of staff in Hong Kong.

He said: "The computer system showed everyone's pay and I was amongst the highest paid and I wished to preserve my privacy."

Protesters outside the House of Commons chanted anti-HSBC slogans, as public anger continues to rise over the secret accounts promoted by the bank's private arm in Geneva.

Swiss investigators raided the offices of the bank last week after reports said it turned a blind eye to handling funds for arms dealers and traders in conflict diamonds.

That announcement came just over a week after HSBC Switzerland found itself at the centre of a global scandal following the publication of secret documents.

The cache of files, made public in a French newspaper, claimed HSBC's Swiss private banking arm helped clients in more than 200 countries evade taxes on accounts containing £77bn ($119bn).

The files, which include the details of 30,000 accounts and the names of celebrities, were originally stolen by former HSBC IT worker Herve Falciani in 2007.

A number of regulators have launched investigations into the HSBC tax scandal.

In 2012 the bank agreed to pay fines and settlements of £1.2bn over an unconnected matter.

That followed a US investigation of Europe's largest bank which focused on the transfer of funds on behalf of nations such as Iran and the movement of $7bn (£4.5bn) in cash into the US financial system, suspected to have belonged to Mexican drug cartels.

At the time Mr Gulliver apologised for the actions of his bank, which dated back to 2007 and 2008.

He said: "We have said we are profoundly sorry for them, and we do so again.

"The HSBC of today is a fundamentally different organisation from the one that made those mistakes."


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Iran Stages Attack On Mock US Warship In Gulf

Iran has staged a series of military drills, including a simulated attack on a US aircraft carrier, on one of the most strategic stretches of water in the Gulf.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard launched the display of naval and air exercises near the Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of the world's oil supply passes.

Video on Iranian TV showed the deployment of fast boats and missiles against a replica of an American carrier - something not seen before in military drills.

Other exercises included the shooting down of a drone and planting undersea mines.

The unit's navy chief Admiral Ali Fadavi said: "American aircraft carriers are very big ammunition depots," explaining that a direct hit could create huge secondary explosions.

Chief Commander General Mohammed Ali Jafari explained that the exercise - dubbed Great Prophet 9 - sent a "message" to "extraterritorial enemies", in reference to the United States.

The television footage also panned across a banner showing the words: "If the Americans are ready to be buried at the bottom of the waters of the Persian Gulf, so be it."

But a spokesman for the US Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain downplayed the threat, saying he was "confident of our naval forces' ability to defend themselves".

Commander Kevin Stephens added: "It seems they've attempted to destroy the equivalent of a Hollywood movie set."

The US is currently in negotiations with Iran over a potential nuclear deal, alongside Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany.

Tehran has always denied Western claims that it intends to develop atomic bombs.

Talks are due to resume in Geneva next week after a meeting between Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Sarif and the US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday.

A framework agreement between the two sides is hoped for before the end of March with all eyes on a final deal by 30 June.


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Putin: Ukraine Gas Cut-Off 'Smacks Of Genocide'

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Kiev's decision to suspend gas supplies to parts of eastern Ukraine "smacks of genocide".

Speaking in televised comments, Mr Putin accused Ukraine of exacerbating the "humanitarian catastrophe" in the country's east.

"It's not enough that there's already hunger there, and the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) has reported a humanitarian catastrophe, but then to switch off their gas supplies too," he said.

"What do you call that? That already smacks of genocide."

Ukraine's national gas company Naftogaz has confirmed that it has stopped supplying some areas in the country's east.

The company said the move was prompted by damage to pipelines caused by the fighting.

Russia's state energy supplier Gazprom has since begun supplying parts of eastern Ukraine under the control of pro-Moscow rebels.

Moscow says Kiev must pay for the gas, but Naftogaz has insisted it will not do so.

Mr Putin said Russia will cut the supplies off if Kiev fails to pay, a move he threatened "will create a problem" for gas transit to Europe.

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  1. Gallery: Ukraine Tensions Continue Amid Drawback

    A convoy of pro-Russian forces' 2S1 Gvozdika (122-mm self-propelled howitzers) drives from the frontline near the eastern Ukrainian city of Starobeshevo

Pro-Russian rebels play with their mobile phones on Lukove village, Mariupol district

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Mysterious Drones Over Paris For Second Night

Unidentified drones have been spotted in the skies above Paris for a second night as authorities seek to determine whether the aircraft pose a security threat.

Police say at least five drones were seen at locations including the US Embassy, the Eiffel Tower and major thoroughfares in central Paris, as well as several of the city gateways.

A police source said the unmanned aircraft were reported by witnesses and security forces.

The source added: "Is it a game? Scouting for future operations? The investigation will show us."

On Tuesday, police said unmanned aircraft were spotted at the same locations, leading a security source to admit "we don't know" who is responsible.

The sightings are the latest in a series of unexplained drone flights in the French capital and elsewhere across the country.

Authorities were first alerted to mystery drone flights in October, when state-run power company EDF filed a complaint with police.

The company had detected tiny unmanned planes buzzing around the skies above seven atomic plants.

The sightings continued into November, and altogether some 20 flyovers took place near nuclear plants.

In January, a pilotless aircraft also flew over the presidential palace in Paris.

The mysterious flights come at a time when security measures have been stepped up in France in the wake of January's Charlie Hebdo attacks.

In France it is illegal to fly small civilian drones over sensitive areas like nuclear facilities.

Sensitive areas are protected by a no-fly zone that spans a 1.6-mile radius to a height of 1,000 metres.


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SUBC: Speaker Takes Some Blame For Rowdy PMQs

By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent

The Speaker of the House of Commons has admitted he is partly responsible for the bad behaviour at Prime Minister's Questions.

In an exclusive interview with Sky News Stand Up Be Counted members, John Bercow MP said: "Do I accept some share of the responsibility for putting it right? I do."

He also gave his views on the "cash for access" scandal telling MPs Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw they will "cop it" if it is proven they have broken the rules over claims they offered to trade their influence in return for money.

Four young people challenged the Speaker on how he runs Parliament as part of Sky News' campaign to give a voice to 18-24 year olds.

Chris Robertson, 24, from Lincoln, said he finds MPs' conduct at PMQs "horrible".

He said: "I'm a student union president and if I acted like that around my members I'd have been sacked by now.

"You've been speaking out for six years. Do you not think it should've been curtailed by now? Does it mean that you have failed in your job as leader of the house and Speaker?"

Mr Bercow replied: "Do I accept that the unreformed Prime Minister's Questions is a problem? I do. Do I accept some share of responsibility for putting it right? I do.

"Would I accept that it's all down to the Speaker? No I wouldn't. What I can't do, what no Speaker can do is make people behave decently if they don't want to behave decently.

"Members have got to take responsibility for their own conduct in the chamber.

"And I think my point would be to ask members who shout regularly - would you be content for your constituents to see and hear you if you if you were caught on camera?

"And if the answer is they would be content, there is something wrong, and if the answer is that they wouldn't be content then they should change the way they behave."

The Stand Up Be Counted contributors were given rare access to the Speaker in the Palace of Westminster as part of attempts to engage young people in politics.

Less than half of 18-24 year olds voted at the last election, with young women the least likely to vote by some margin.

Eighteen-year-old Ellie James, from Grimsby, challenged the Speaker about the lack of female MPs.

He criticised the main parties for not doing enough, saying: "I think the parties talked the talk and have made some progress but I don't think they anything like as effectively walked the walk, so I would look to the parties to do more there."

He also revealed that he seeks to make sure women are called to speak in the Chamber, adding: "I don't like calling lots of men in a row. I always have in mind what female colleagues I have called today. And if I may say so, and this isn't meant in a patronising sense at all, but the simple fact is women on the whole are better behaved in parliament than the men.

"They're just as tough, they're just as capable, they can withstand parliamentary life just as much as men can. They don't sit there like shrinking violets but on the whole they're better behaved and don't shout as much as men do."

Jaspreet Kaur, 18, from Birmingham, told Mr Bercow that when she looks at Parliament, all she sees is "grandeur and confusion" and that it can be difficult to understand.

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Claudia Lawrence: Father Hits Out At Liars

The father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence has said it is "dreadful" that people may have been lying to police investigating her disappearance almost six years ago.

Officers have been carrying out a detailed search of an alleyway at the rear of Miss Lawrence's terraced home in York, and Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, who is leading the inquiry, has said he was sure people have lied to his officers.

Peter Lawrence commented: "I heard that and it's obviously absolutely dreadful that anyone would do that.

"We know that people lie to the police but in a case like this that involves Claudia's disappearance and everyone can see what it's done to the family... come on."

Miss Lawrence was 35 when she went missing and her family are preparing to mark what would have been her 41st birthday on Friday.

She was last seen on Wednesday 18 March 2009 and was reported missing by her father two days later after she failed to turn up for work at York University.

North Yorkshire Police began reviewing the case in 2013 and have since carried out a number of searches, including a detailed re-examination of Miss Lawrence's house in the Heworth area of the city.

On Wednesday the alley behind the house was cordoned off as specialist officers conducted a fingertip search. An officer with a dog was also involved in the operation.

Mr Malyn, who is head of the force's major crime unit, said: "We still don't know if Claudia left for work on the morning of Thursday March 19 or whether something happened overnight within her house.

"If the latter is the case, the person or persons responsible, in my view, would have used the rear alleyway as the front door leads on to a busy main road. This is why this specific piece of information needs to be fully investigated."

Officers have also been conducting house-to-house inquiries in the area and speaking to people who have since moved away, as well as checking all possible CCTV image have been obtained.

Last year a 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of killing Miss Lawrence but was later released without charge.

A 47-year-old man remains on bail on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.


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No Charges For Glasgow Bin Lorry Tragedy Driver

By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent

The driver of a bin lorry that crashed in Glasgow, killing six people, will not face any charges, Sky News has learned.

A decision has also been made not to charge Glasgow City Council, which owned the vehicle involved in the tragedy, although a Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held.

Scotland's prosecuting body, the Crown Office, has been studying a police report into the tragedy which occurred on 22 December.

The incident saw the vehicle career out of control down one of Glasgow's busiest streets and collide with pedestrians.

Six people lost their lives and a number of others were injured. Those who died included three members of the same family, 18 year-old Erin McQuade and her grandparents Jack and Lorraine Sweeney.

Stephanie Tait, a 29-year-old primary school teacher, from Riddrie, Glasgow, Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, from Glasgow, were also killed.

In Scotland, a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) is held when there is deemed to be sufficient public interest in establishing the facts surrounding a death.

It is held before a Sheriff who, ultimately, issues a determination. Witnesses are compelled to attend.

It is possible for charges to be laid on the basis of evidence given during an FAI.

Inquiries will look at all the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, which happened when the bin lorry driver, 58-year-old Harry Clarke, collapsed at the steering wheel.

The vehicle headed erratically along Glasgow's Queen Street at a speed of just over 20mph.

Two crew members in the rear of the driver's cab made desperate attempts to rouse him but were hampered by a safety rail separating the front and back of the cab.

Following the crash, Mr Clarke tested negative for drink-driving.


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Police Release Pics After Fans' Racist Chants

Police have released photographs of seven men they wish to identify following alleged racist chanting at London's St Pancras International station last week.

British Transport Police (BTP) say the images were captured at 8pm last Wednesday, the day after Chelsea's Champions league match in Paris.

Sky News understands two of the men who feature in the images have identified themselves to police.

Officers believe the group had returned to London following the match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

A member of the public reported being "disgusted" by the men's chanting and reported their behaviour to police.

Detective Sergeant Steven Graysmark said: "I want anyone who knows the men in the photographs to come forward.

"I believe the seven, thought to be Chelsea fans, can help us with the investigation.

"Do you know any of the men in the images? If so, please contact BTP."

A similar incident was reported on the Paris Metro shortly before the Chelsea match on 17 February.

On Friday the club suspended five people after video emerged of a commuter being pushed on the Paris Metro.

The commuter, Sylla Souleymane, appeared to be stopped from getting on an underground train by fans.

The fans were also heard in the video chanting "we're racist and that's the way we like it".

The club said the fans had been suspended from its Stamford Bridge ground and that they would be banned for life if there was "sufficient evidence of their involvement".

Mr Souleymane said last week that he thinks those who abused him in Paris should be jailed for their actions.

The 33-year-old told Le Parisien newspaper: "These people, these English fans, must be found, punished and must be locked up.

"What happened should not go unpunished."

He said he thought Chelsea and PSG should face sanctions because it was "also their fault".

:: Anyone with information can contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.


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MPs Clash Over Second Job Ban Proposals

Around 100 MPs are debating whether MPs should be banned from having second jobs ahead of a House of Commons vote.

Labour MPs harangued Tories who rose to speak in defence of taking roles outside Westminster with cries of  "don't take the cash" and "volunteer in a food bank".

Earlier at Prime Minister's Questions Ed Miliband attempted to put pressure on David Cameron to ban MPs from second jobs, offering a deal on paid trade union officials.

The Labour leader called on the Prime Minister to "restore the reputation of the House" following the cash-for-access revelations about Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw during angry exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions.

Mr Miliband has forced this evening's vote on his proposals banning MPs holding outside directorships and consultancies in the House of Commons.

Mr Cameron defended the right of MPs to do second jobs in addition to their £67,000-a-year MP role saying it was good to have politicians with other interests.

He criticised Mr Miliband's proposals saying they would allow paid trade union officials to be MPs but not those running a family business.

However, Mr Miliband offered to make a deal to include paid trade union officials, although there are currently no MPs in this situation.

The Labour leader said: "But what is in the motion today is something very specific which is being a paid director or a paid consultant. I have said from this Despatch Box we will also ban people being a paid trade union official, the offer you made to me, I repeat the offer to you.

"Let's get it done, let's agree this to restore the reputation of this House.

"Yes or no?"

Mr Cameron pointed out that it was possible to have two jobs but added he spent more time on his duties as PM than on work linked to his seat in Witney, Oxfordshire.

He said: "We have practising doctors in this House, we have practising dentists, we have people who take part serving our country in Afghanistan or Iraq and we do have people who run family businesses or have other interests.

"What you want is a Parliament where people can come and share their experience and make some points instead of just having a whole lot of trade union-sponsored ciphers."

Mr Miliband highlighted comments made by Mr Cameron in 2009 when he said in an interview: "Double-jobbing MPs won't get a look-in when I'm in charge."

The row over second jobs comes on a day when figures from the Office for National Statistics show an increasing number of people were having to juggle zero-hours contracts to make ends meet.

Speaker John Bercow had to call for calm a number of times including to allow the Labour MP Rushanara Ali to ask a question about the three schoolgirls who fled the UK for Syria.

Mr Bercow told Sky News earlier that he took some of the blame for the bad behaviour at Prime Minister's Questions.

There has been increasing criticism of the format of "Punch and Judy" politics and calls for the sessions to be reformed.


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Bin Laden Letters With Terror Chiefs Revealed

Letters between Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda commanders about terror plots in the West have been revealed for the first time.

The correspondence between the killed terrorist leader and the groups' senior operatives were presented during the New York trial of a man accused of plotting multiple attacks in Britain.

More follows...


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