Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 27 Desember 2014 | 00.48
The alleged planner of the Peshawar school massacre has been killed in a shootout, a Pakistani official has said.
The commander was killed on Thursday night in the hour-long gunfight with security forces in the restive Khyber tribal area, which borders the northwestern city of Peshawar, police said.
The militant was known only as Saddam. His six accomplices were injured and arrested in the shootout, said Shahab Ali Shah, head of the local police administration.
Authorities are currently interrogating the six, he said.
On 16 December, Taliban militants strapped with explosives broke into a military-run school in Peshawar, and killed 148 people, including 132 children.
Video:Pakistan Mourns Lost Children
The horrific attack shocked the nation and led Pakistan to crack down on militants.
According to authorities, Saddam helped plan the Peshawar school attack and was also involved in attacks on health workers giving polio vaccinations in the Peshawar valley.
Meanwhile, drone attacks in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region killed at least seven alleged militants on Friday.
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Gallery: Bloody Aftermath Of School Attack
A Taliban massacre that killed 149 teachers and children at an army-run school in Pakistan has left a scene of heart-wrenching devastation
Blood is seen still splattered on the floor and the stairs as local media are allowed inside the school a day after the attack
Forecasters have raised the cold weather alert for large swathes of Britain - warning of ice, plumetting temperatures and up to 10cm of snow.
The Met Office has increased its alert level from yellow to amber - the second highest warning - for the the Midlands and the North of England.
An amber alert means "there is a 90% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow".
The South, Northern Ireland, Wales, East Anglia, London and Kent are on yellow alert, meaning there is a 70 to 80% chance of freezing conditions.
Areas most likely to be affected by snow
In some central and northern parts, up to 10cm of snow could fall later today.
Meanwhile, temperatures could dip below freezing across much of Britain next week - falling to -15C in some parts.
Sky News Weather Presenter Isobel Lang said: "After this evening's low pressure system spirals into the near continent, the remnants of any snow should clear and it will turn icy.
"Scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow are likely to affect many areas during Saturday, but it will turn drier and clearer as high pressure moves in through Sunday and the run up to New Year.
"That period is likely to be the coldest of 2014 with some very low temperatures forecast. Minima of minus 10 to minus 15C are possible with daytime highs barely reaching zero or 1C in central areas."
The Met Office cold weather alert warns conditions could "increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services".
Met Office meteorologist Krista Mitchell said: "This year as a whole has been very mild, so this could be the coldest spell that we've had.
"As we go towards Monday and Tuesday, we will see overnight temperatures really drop, with widespread frost and most places dropping below freezing."
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said it was monitoring the conditions.
"As ever, the public have a vital role to play in terms of helping to minimise disruption," he said.
"We would advise people to prepare for some travel disruption as bridges could be affected by high winds and driving conditions could be challenging in some areas, so please allow extra time for your journeys.
"They should also check the relevant websites, such as Traffic Scotland, for up-to-date travel information before they set off."
The trial has begun of two Burmese workers charged with the murder of two British tourists on a backpacker island in Thailand.
Win Zaw Htun and Zaw Lin, both 21, deny killing Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on the island of Koh Tao in September.
Post-mortem examinations revealed that Ms Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, died from head wounds, while Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey, suffered severe blows to the head and subsequently drowned.
Zaw Lin (front) and Win Zaw Htun (back) arrive at court
The trial was scheduled to begin in February but has unexpectedly been brought forward.
Both the prosecution and defence presented evidence to the court.
Video:Oct 3: Thai Murder Suspects Paraded
Andy Hall, a migrants' rights activist who was in court, told Sky News: "They're very confident in what they're saying, and they seemed very happy and very relaxed."
He added that the two men told the judge: "We don't know anything, we were just drunk and we went back to our rooms. That's all we know."
The trial will resume on 8 July, when prosecution witnesses will give evidence.
The judge rejected a defence plea to delay proceedings until they could further evaluate evidence.
At a hearing earlier this month Nakorn Chompoochart, a lawyer for the two men, said they had pleaded not guilty to a number of charges relating to the deaths.
The pair initially confessed to the murders, but later retracted their confessions, saying they had been threatened and beaten by Thai police.
The police deny this, and say they have solid evidence.
After Friday's hearing, Mr Chompoochart said there was more time to convince witnesses currently in Myanmar to appear in court.
A committee of investigators set up by Burma's embassy in Bangkok said last week that potential witnesses able to prove the suspects' innocence were too scared to appear in court for fear of retribution from police in Thailand or their former employers.
"Now we have witnesses but the problem is they are scared.
"We might need more time and we might have to go to Myanmar to meet them," Nakorn told reporters.
"I'm confident because we have enough information to convince the court that the two did not commit the crime."
The murders dealt a blow to Thailand's tourism industry, which is struggling to recover after months of political unrest and a coup.
The Thai government had called on police to solve the case quickly.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We continue to monitor the case closely and expect the trial to be conducted in a fair and transparent way in line with international standards.
"The British government cannot interfere with Thailand's judicial processes just as other governments are unable to interfere in UK judicial processes."
"We continue to provide support and assistance to both the families of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, is suffering from pneumonia, Lambeth Palace has confirmed.
The illness forced him to cancel his annual Christmas Day sermon at Canterbury Cathedral.
A Lambeth Palace spokesperson said doctors have advised him to get plenty of rest.
They said: "The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby is suffering from pneumonia.
"He is not someone who willingly eases off.
"He is feeling pretty awful but he will be alright."
Lambeth Palace initially said the Archbishop had been suffering from a "severe cold" for several days, and decided on the morning of the service that he was too unwell to speak.
The Archbishop had been due to talk about how the true spirit of Christmas cannot be captured in fairytale endings, using the example of the First World War Christmas truce in 1914.
The Archbishop had been due to say: "The truce illustrates something of the heart of Christmas, whereby God sends his Son, that vulnerable sign of peace, to a weary war-torn world.
"The problem is that the way it is told now it seems to end with a 'happy ever after'.
"Of course we like Christmas stories with happy endings: singing carols, swapping photos, shaking hands, sharing chocolate, but the following day the war continued with the same severity.
"Nothing had changed; it was a one-day wonder.
"That is not the world in which we live, truces are rare."
Two police officers helped deliver a Christmas Day baby on a train in Philadelphia.
Sergeant Daniel Caban and Officer Darrell James boarded the Market-Frankford subway train after receiving an emergency call.
They soon discovered there was no time to get the woman to hospital - and instead they helped her deliver a healthy baby boy on the carriage.
Both mother and child were then taken to hospital in good condition.
Mother and baby were taken to hospital in good condition
Sgt Caban told ABC News station WPVI: "I had already opened all my presents. I didn't know I had another one waiting for me around 5:53 this afternoon!"
Officer James added: "They tell us there will be crazy days. They never told me it would be on Christmas Day now, but all in all, this is a blessing."
The pair's boss was quick to tweet his delight at the delivery.
"Transit Police SGT and PO deliver baby on Market Frankford El train!!!! WOOHOO!!! Now that's a Christmas gift!!!" posted SEPTA chief Thomas J Nestel III.
Doctors have been given permission to switch off a life support machine keeping a clinically-dead woman alive because she is pregnant.
In a landmark ruling, Dublin's High Court said keeping the young mother alive would deprive her of dignity in death.
It added that keeping her alive would subject her father, partner and two young children to "unimaginable distress" in a "futile exercise".
The panel of judges said it was in the best interest of the unborn child to authorise the withdrawal of life support in what was a "tragic and unfortunate case".
The High Court added that it was a case of "great public importance".
The 26-year-old was pronounced clinically dead on 3 December after suffering a trauma injury last month.
Her family had sought to switch the equipment off to preserve her dignity.
But doctors refused, fearing they might be prosecuted under Ireland's strict Catholic-influenced abortion laws, which give the 18-week-old foetus the same constitutional rights as the mother.
Under the Irish constitution, the foetus is regarded as a citizen.
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Video:Tsunami Victims Remembered
Survivors and families of victims have gathered across Asia for memorials to mark 10 years since the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
Around 230,000 people died after a 9.1-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia's western coast triggered a series of huge waves in the Indian Ocean.
The rising waters caused devastation across the region, striking countries as far apart as Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Somalia.
A man looks at the names of victims at the Aceh Tsunami Museum
The wave swept the whole of the Indian Ocean's shoreline, also hitting the coasts of India, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Maldives and Bangladesh.
Around six hours after the start of the disaster the coasts of east Africa - Somalia, Tanzania, Kenya - were struck by the wave.
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Gallery: Sri Lanka Marks 10th Anniversary of Indian Ocean Tsunami
Tsunami survivors offer flowers as they pray at a graveyard to commemorate the victims of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami on December 26, 2014 in Peraliya, Sri Lanka
A Sri Lankan local dancer stands in a graveyard in Peraliya commemorating victims
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Sri Lankan Buddhist monks attend the Alms Giving Ceremony for remembrance and prayer for the victims
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A young Buddhist monk prays for the victims at the Alms Ceremony
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Sri Lanka was one of the worst hit countries of the 9.1 magnitude quake with around 35,000 deaths
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The tsunami caused widespread destruction to many coastal communities.
Thousands of foreign holiday-makers were also killed.
The vast majority of Indonesia's 170,000 victims perished in Aceh province, among them tens of thousands of children.
Some 7,000 mourners gathered on Christmas Day in Banda Aceh for the first of several memorials.
Aceh governor Zaini Abdullah led the event at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque.
Video:Charity To Help Tsunami Victims
He thanked Indonesians and the international community for their support in the aftermath of the tsunami, which he said had helped the area recover.
Teuku Ahmad Salman, who joined thousands at the service, said: "I cannot forget the smell of the air, the water at that time ... even after 10 years."
Indonesia's Vice President, Jusuf Kalla, led a prayer ceremony where he and other officials placed flowers at a mass grave where thousands of unknown victims were buried.
In a statement released to mark the anniversary, Prime Minister David Cameron praised the "real resilience" of those who have rebuilt their lives.
He said the UK Government had provided almost £300m to support the reconstruction of affected areas.
Video:Archive Report On The '04 Tsunami
Some 151 British nationals killed in the tsunami.
"Today we think of all those for whom Boxing Day is no longer a happy festive celebration but the day they lost a loved one in the Indian Ocean tsunami," he said.
"At this poignant time, my prayers are with all those remembering people who were caught up in the disaster, including the 151 British nationals who lost their lives.
"In the face of tragedy and adversity, hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated real resilience to rebuild their lives and millions more have shown extraordinary generosity to help those affected."
More than 100 survivors, along with bereaved relatives, held a memorial service on a beach in Khao Lak, Thailand.
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Gallery: Photos Taken In Indonesia After The Tsunami
Indonesian rescue workers remove a body from the fence of the Grand Mosque in the city of Banda Aceh
Refugees cover their noses from the stench of bodies
]]>
They walked into the waves and laid flowers in the sea, while diplomats placed wreaths on the sand.
Crowds also gathered and laid wreaths at the country's tsunami memorial park in Ban Nam Khem, a southern fishing village which was decimated.
More than 5,000 people were killed in Thailand, about half of them tourists.
In Indonesia, staff members at the German, Austrian and Swiss embassies held a minute's silence to remember the victims.
In Sri Lanka, the water swept a train from its tracks, killing almost 2,000 people.
Video:'We Escaped As The Walls Collapsed'
The train, including five of the original carriages, decorated with Buddhist flags, symbolically recreated the journey, carrying survivors who mourned the dead and missing.
:: A special documentary, Tsunami: Ten Years After The Wave, can be seen on the Sky News Catch Up service.
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Video:Tsunami Victims Remembered
Survivors and families of victims have gathered across Asia for memorials to mark 10 years since the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
Around 230,000 people died after a 9.1-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia's western coast triggered a series of huge waves in the Indian Ocean.
The rising waters caused devastation across the region, striking countries as far apart as Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Somalia.
A man looks at the names of victims at the Aceh Tsunami Museum
The wave swept the whole of the Indian Ocean's shoreline, also hitting the coasts of India, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Maldives and Bangladesh.
Around six hours after the start of the disaster the coasts of east Africa - Somalia, Tanzania, Kenya - were struck by the wave.
1/13
Gallery: Sri Lanka Marks 10th Anniversary of Indian Ocean Tsunami
Tsunami survivors offer flowers as they pray at a graveyard to commemorate the victims of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami on December 26, 2014 in Peraliya, Sri Lanka
A Sri Lankan local dancer stands in a graveyard in Peraliya commemorating victims
]]>
Sri Lankan Buddhist monks attend the Alms Giving Ceremony for remembrance and prayer for the victims
]]>
A young Buddhist monk prays for the victims at the Alms Ceremony
]]>
Sri Lanka was one of the worst hit countries of the 9.1 magnitude quake with around 35,000 deaths
]]>
The tsunami caused widespread destruction to many coastal communities.
Thousands of foreign holiday-makers were also killed.
The vast majority of Indonesia's 170,000 victims perished in Aceh province, among them tens of thousands of children.
Some 7,000 mourners gathered on Christmas Day in Banda Aceh for the first of several memorials.
Aceh governor Zaini Abdullah led the event at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque.
Video:Charity To Help Tsunami Victims
He thanked Indonesians and the international community for their support in the aftermath of the tsunami, which he said had helped the area recover.
Teuku Ahmad Salman, who joined thousands at the service, said: "I cannot forget the smell of the air, the water at that time ... even after 10 years."
Indonesia's Vice President, Jusuf Kalla, led a prayer ceremony where he and other officials placed flowers at a mass grave where thousands of unknown victims were buried.
In a statement released to mark the anniversary, Prime Minister David Cameron praised the "real resilience" of those who have rebuilt their lives.
He said the UK Government had provided almost £300m to support the reconstruction of affected areas.
Video:Archive Report On The '04 Tsunami
Some 151 British nationals killed in the tsunami.
"Today we think of all those for whom Boxing Day is no longer a happy festive celebration but the day they lost a loved one in the Indian Ocean tsunami," he said.
"At this poignant time, my prayers are with all those remembering people who were caught up in the disaster, including the 151 British nationals who lost their lives.
"In the face of tragedy and adversity, hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated real resilience to rebuild their lives and millions more have shown extraordinary generosity to help those affected."
More than 100 survivors, along with bereaved relatives, held a memorial service on a beach in Khao Lak, Thailand.
1/7
Gallery: Photos Taken In Indonesia After The Tsunami
Indonesian rescue workers remove a body from the fence of the Grand Mosque in the city of Banda Aceh
Refugees cover their noses from the stench of bodies
]]>
They walked into the waves and laid flowers in the sea, while diplomats placed wreaths on the sand.
Crowds also gathered and laid wreaths at the country's tsunami memorial park in Ban Nam Khem, a southern fishing village which was decimated.
More than 5,000 people were killed in Thailand, about half of them tourists.
In Indonesia, staff members at the German, Austrian and Swiss embassies held a minute's silence to remember the victims.
In Sri Lanka, the water swept a train from its tracks, killing almost 2,000 people.
Video:'We Escaped As The Walls Collapsed'
The train, including five of the original carriages, decorated with Buddhist flags, symbolically recreated the journey, carrying survivors who mourned the dead and missing.
:: A special documentary, Tsunami: Ten Years After The Wave, can be seen on the Sky News Catch Up service.
A union has hit out at the timing of an announcement that more than 2,700 workers are facing redundancies after parcel delivery group City Link went into administration.
The RMT union has demanded "urgent talks" with Business Secretary Vince Cable after it was revealed on Christmas Day that the company had called in administrators.
The administrators - EY - were called in after years of "substantial losses".
City Link, which employs 2,727 people and is understood to count John Lewis among its largest clients, expects there to be a number of redundancies after no buyer could be found.
As well as the talks with Mr Cable, the union has demanded an investigation into the release of the news, saying it believed there could have been "more cynical motives" behind the decision to "delay" the announcement.
The RMT said it had been told the Coventry-based firm was in administration on Christmas Eve, something which neither the company nor the administrators were prepared to publicly confirm until the next day.
The union's general secretary, Mick Cash, said: "The delayed timing of the announcement that City Link was in administration to tea time on Christmas Day stinks to high heaven.
"Not only was it the most brutal and callous way to treat nearly 3,000 staff but RMT believes there may have been more cynical motives behind it which we want the Government to investigate.
"The disgraceful timing of the City Link announcement at the start of the festive season must not be allowed to delay and hamper efforts to rescue the jobs."
Employee Mark Critchley told Sky News that staff were angry with City Link's managers, who he called "cowardly and underhanded".
"We'd like them to come down here and tell us what's going on and why they've done it," he said.
In an internal email from the company's chief executive Dave Smith, seen by Sky News, Mr Smith apologises to staff for the timing of the announcement.
"I am sorry to break this news to you, particularly at this time of year."
The company's operations at all of its depots have been suspended until Monday.
Customers and those expecting deliveries will then be able to collect their parcels.
Hunter Kelly, joint administrator to City Link, said the strain of the firm's losses "became too great".
"Despite the best efforts to save City Link Limited, including marketing the company for sale, it could not continue to operate as a going concern and administrators were appointed."
Administrators EY said some employees will be kept on to help return parcels to customers and help with the winding down of the company.
Customers who had placed parcels with the company on Christmas Eve and recipients who have been told of a failed or pending delivery have been urged to pick up their parcels as soon as possible on or after December 29.
The company's 53 depots will remain open for a short period of time so people can collect their parcels.
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Video:Bargain Hunters Out For Boxing Day
Thousands of people have braved the cold to hit the high street early as stores kick off their Boxing Day sales.
Retailers say big discounts are available - even as a record eight million people shopped online on Christmas Day as some shops started their sales on the internet a day early.
Sky News' Katie Spencer at Selfridges in London said it was "incredibly busy" but noted that a lot of the shopping would likely be done online.
Shoppers searching for discounts online are expected to spend £748m today, or £519,000 every minute, according to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG.
Lining up outside Harrods department store in London
An estimated 142 million visits were made to retail websites on Christmas Day and an online survey found that more than a third of Britons buy Christmas presents in the post-Christmas sales.
Experian's Giles Longhurst, said: "This year has seen record breaking online shopping rates, particularly on Black Friday, which saw an astronomical £810m in estimated spend due to the massive resources put behind promotions by a wide range of retailers.
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Gallery: Boxing Day Sales Across Nation
Shoppers are out in force as they hunt for a Boxing Day bargain
Crowds flocked to big department stores in London, such as Selfridges
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At Harrods people in the queue were treated to hot coffees
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When the doors opened shoppers who had lined up rushed inside
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Boxing Day is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Continue through for more images
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"Traditionally, the Boxing Day sales have been the busiest day for retailers in the UK, but this year we expect them to come second to Black Friday."
Myf Ryan, director of the Westfield shopping centres, said Boxing Day remained a "huge attraction" for shoppers.
"Last year we had queues out of the door on Boxing Day by 5am," he said.
"This year we expect an exceptionally busy day yet again, fuelled by excellent retail offers and special deals with over 50% off by many of our 600 retailers."
But retail staff will also spend much of their time sorting out disputes with consumers returning Christmas presents.
The new retail ombudsman, Dean Dunham, who takes up his new role on 2 January, said he expected thousands of complaints from shoppers who have been refused refunds.
He said: "If the goods are not faulty, the law places no obligations on the retailer so you have to examine their terms and conditions.
"If their terms say the retailer will not accept returns where packaging is damaged or missing, and most terms do, the retailer will be perfectly within their rights to enforce this."
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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:Bargain Hunters Out For Boxing Day
Thousands of people have braved the cold to hit the high street early as stores kick off their Boxing Day sales.
Retailers say big discounts are available - even as a record eight million people shopped online on Christmas Day as some shops started their sales on the internet a day early.
Sky News' Katie Spencer at Selfridges in London said it was "incredibly busy" but noted that a lot of the shopping would likely be done online.
Shoppers searching for discounts online are expected to spend £748m today, or £519,000 every minute, according to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG.
Lining up outside Harrods department store in London
An estimated 142 million visits were made to retail websites on Christmas Day and an online survey found that more than a third of Britons buy Christmas presents in the post-Christmas sales.
Experian's Giles Longhurst, said: "This year has seen record breaking online shopping rates, particularly on Black Friday, which saw an astronomical £810m in estimated spend due to the massive resources put behind promotions by a wide range of retailers.
1/10
Gallery: Boxing Day Sales Across Nation
Shoppers are out in force as they hunt for a Boxing Day bargain
Crowds flocked to big department stores in London, such as Selfridges
]]>
At Harrods people in the queue were treated to hot coffees
]]>
When the doors opened shoppers who had lined up rushed inside
]]>
Boxing Day is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Continue through for more images
]]>
"Traditionally, the Boxing Day sales have been the busiest day for retailers in the UK, but this year we expect them to come second to Black Friday."
Myf Ryan, director of the Westfield shopping centres, said Boxing Day remained a "huge attraction" for shoppers.
"Last year we had queues out of the door on Boxing Day by 5am," he said.
"This year we expect an exceptionally busy day yet again, fuelled by excellent retail offers and special deals with over 50% off by many of our 600 retailers."
But retail staff will also spend much of their time sorting out disputes with consumers returning Christmas presents.
The new retail ombudsman, Dean Dunham, who takes up his new role on 2 January, said he expected thousands of complaints from shoppers who have been refused refunds.
He said: "If the goods are not faulty, the law places no obligations on the retailer so you have to examine their terms and conditions.
"If their terms say the retailer will not accept returns where packaging is damaged or missing, and most terms do, the retailer will be perfectly within their rights to enforce this."
Hackers have claimed responsibility for a cyber-attack on Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox game consoles.
The attack hit gamers on Christmas Day, and some users continued to report problems today.
The attack was claimed by a group called Lizard Squad, while another group, calling itself Finest Squad, said it was trying to get the games back online.
"I have the nation on strings," Lizard Squad wrote on its Twitter site. The group flooded Xbox and PlayStation servers with sustained Denial of Service requests.
"Xbox and PSN have been restored. Give it about 30min to an hour for full service", Finest Squad responded.
The group calling itself Finest Squad claims to try to restore service
But frustrated users took to Twitter to vent their disappointment and anger at Lizard Squad, which also claimed responsibility for attacks on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live earlier this month.
"Is Microsoft going to reimburse us for the live time that we're missing out on that most of us paid for .. #xboxlivedown #Microsoft," wrote one user.
"PSN has been down for the past 48 Hours, my kids can't enjoy their Christmas present.#ChristmasRuined," wrote another.
Neither Sony nor Microsoft have confirmed the attack. But PlayStation and Xbox confirmed the outages of their networks, adding that they were working to restore the service.
"We're aware that some users are having issues logging into PSN - engineers are investigating," PlayStation said via its Twitter account.
A message on the Xbox Support Twitter account said: "We're aware users are having issues logging into XBL & are actively working to resolve."
Sony suffered a devastating hack over its controversial film The Interview
The attack meant gamers were unable to play online and also impacted online components of hugely popular games such as Call of Duty, Madden, FIFA and The Sims 4.
Three Xbox platforms were affected by the service problem: Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Xbox on other devices, Microsoft's status website said.
Lizard Squad had issued a threat at the start of December and describes itself as the "Grinch of Christmas".
It is not clear what Lizard Squad wants or who they are, but some reports suggest the hacking group could be Russian, though this has not been proven.
A link on their Twitter site was originally a Russian-based domain.
The latest trouble for Sony comes after hackers calling themselves the Guardians of Peace broke into the company's internal systems and stole large amounts of data last month.
The hack was reported to be in retaliation for the planned release of The Interview, a film about a fictional plot to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
The Sony leak resulted in the release of details about some 40,000 employees, full versions of movies yet to be screened, and highly embarrassing private email exchanges.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 20 Desember 2014 | 00.48
A candlelit vigil has been held after eight children were found stabbed to death at a house in Cairns, Australia.
The children are reportedly aged between 18 months and 15 years old.
Police were called to a property in the suburb of Manoora following reports of a woman with serious injuries.
During the search of the house the bodies of the children were discovered.
The 34-year-old woman is reportedly the mother of seven of the children. The eighth child is thought to be a family member.
The mother is said to be in a stable condition at a hospital where she is being questioned by police.
Organisers of the vigil asked the community to light a candle in remembrance.
Candles, flowers and gifts have been left at the scene
Queensland Police Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said: "There are no suspects at this point. It's very early days. The woman in hospital is the mother of most of the children.
"I am not able to confirm how the children died."
Video:Local Reaction To The Killings
He added that there was no reason for the public to be concerned and said it was a "tragic, tragic event".
Lisa Thaiday, who said she was the woman's cousin, said another sibling, a 20-year-old man, came home and found his brothers and sisters dead inside the house.
She said: "We're a big family... I just can't believe it."
Cairns Post reporter Scott Forbes, at the scene, told Sky News: "I've spoken to some of the family members and they say the woman, who is the biological mother, actually has more children but the other kids weren't at home at the time.
"Many of the people here are actually connected to the family or relatives of the family. They are very shocked. They said they were a happy family and were enthusiastic about Christmas.
Video:Cairns Stabbings A 'Tragic' Case
"They've said she was a very proud mother who was very protective of her children, so everyone lining the streets here is reeling right now."
The street is in lock down and a crime scene will remain in place for at least another day, police said.
Cairns MP Michael Trout told Sky News the close-knit community was in shock over the "dreadful tragedy".
"How can anyone harm innocent children is on everyone's lips at this moment," he said.
Media outlets reported that the neighbourhood was predominantly inhabited by indigenous Aboriginal Australians, and was known by residents to have a high crime rate.
Video:Bodies Found In Northern Australia
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott called the events in Cairns "heartbreaking" and acknowledged that these were "trying days" for Australia.
Queensland premier Campbell Newman said he was "deeply saddened" and "shocked".
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those concerned."
The deaths come as Australia is still feeling the shock of the deadly siege in a Sydney cafe earlier this week.
Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has told the inquests into the Hillsborough disaster that he feared for his son's safety.
Paul, then 12, was among the crowd that spilled onto the pitch after the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was stopped.
Dalglish said he went to look for him and to his great relief found him safe and well.
Dalglish and Forest boss Brian Clough on the day of the tragedy
The 63-year-old was manager of Liverpool at the time of the tragedy in 1989, which claimed the lives of 96 fans.
They were fatally injured in a crush on the Leppings Lane terrace at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium.
Video:Officer Recalls Hillsborough Chaos
Dalglish said earlier he remembered the referee stopping the match after six minutes and returning with his players to their dressing room.
He said: "I think the police had spoken to the referee to get the players off the pitch... I don't think anyone understood what was happening.
"We were told there were fatalities. We weren't told what the cause was. Stories were coming from every angle."
Dalglish said he and Forest manager Brian Clough were asked by police to make an announcement.
They agreed and were taken to the police control room but the microphone was not working.
They then went to another location and made a "brief statement that people had been injured".
Video:Sept: Profound Regret Over Tragedy
Dalglish was also quizzed about a section of his autobiography on ticketless fans "bunking in" to games by John Beggs QC.
Mr Beggs asked him if he was "prepared to agree" that if 2,000 or 3,000 Liverpool fans turned up late for the Hillsborough match, they would have contributed to the disaster.
But Lord Justice Goldring intervened, telling him: "He can't answer that question."
Dalglish, who also played for Liverpool and is regarded as one of the club's greatest strikers, was giving evidence at the final session of the inquests, in Warrington, before Christmas.
The hearing, which has now been adjourned, will resume in the New Year.
Detectives are investigating whether an off-duty police constable was beaten to death because he was recognised as an officer.
Neil Doyle was attacked by a group of men in Liverpool city centre during a Christmas night out with colleagues from Merseyside Police.
The 36-year-old got married in July and was due to go on honeymoon next month.
Two other off-duty officers suffered facial injuries in the attack, which took place near the Aloha nightclub in Colquitt Street at around 3.15am on Friday.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said officers are investigating the possibility they were targeted because of their jobs.
"It's one line of inquiry that we are looking at but it's by no means the set-in-stone motive," he said.
Mr Doyle, who joined the force in May 2004, was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, but died a short time later.
Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy described the investigation as being at a "very early stage".
Police at the scene of the killing in Liverpool
He said: "On behalf of everybody connected with Merseyside Police I extend our heartfelt and sincere condolences to his wife Sarah and the rest of his family.
"Constable Doyle was enjoying a Christmas night out with his work colleagues.
"At around 3.15am Neil left the Peacock bar and walked with two colleagues along Colquitt Street in the city centre.
"The three officers were subjected to an apparently unprovoked and vicious attack by a group of males."
Mr Doyle had received a commendation for his actions in arresting three men after a violent robbery.
Peter Singleton, chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, said the police community was "devastated" by his killing.
"He exemplified the British bobby. He was a solid, good, hard working, honest copper," he said.
The two other officers required hospital treatment. One suffered a fractured cheekbone.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the force on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
A mentally ill man has been detained indefinitely in a high-security psychiatric hospital after he admitted killing a Colombian woman in her west London flat.
Robert Richard Fraser, 40, was charged with murdering Maria Duque-Tunjano on 28 January.
Prosecutor Simon Denison QC accepted a plea of guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Ms Duque-Tunjano, 48, was working as an escort to help support family members in Colombia and in the UK.
Her battered body was found in her flat still dressed in the black corset and high heels she had changed into after agreeing to entertain Fraser as a client.
Her blood was also found spattered on walls and floors around the flat.
In a video-link appearance at the Old Bailey, Fraser admitted killing her and taking a mobile phone and £150.
Maria Duque-Tunjano was working as an escort to support her family
The court heard that Fraser believed his "enemy" was a man disguised as a female sex worker and that after killing Ms Duque-Tunjano he "believed he had defeated his enemy".
Sentencing Fraser, Judge John Bevan said: "You represent an ongoing and very real danger to women, which is likely to continue.
"I am persuaded that the right course here in the interests of justice and of yourself is to make an order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act."
Fraser pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning and sexually assaulting another woman - who was also an escort - 10 days before the killing, but did admit robbing her of £1,000 during a terrifying and sustained attack.
Mr Denison said: "She was convinced during it that he was going to kill her."
The prosecutor described how Fraser grabbed the woman and stuffed her underwear into her mouth and she tried to fend him off with a high-heeled shoe.
The court heard she only escaped after she "managed to grab his testicles and squeeze as hard as she could".
Fraser suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and is now receiving treatment in the high-security Broadmoor Hospital.
He has suffered from persecutory delusions since 2009 and believes the devil represents women, the Old Bailey heard.
His defence counsel told the court that the former bank worker was known to psychiatric services as far back as 2009, but had not received the attention he needed.
Three months before Ms Duque-Tunjano's killing, he had tried to get help in hospital, but was forced to leave because he was threatened with arrest for bed blocking.
A motorist who killed seven close friends and a pensioner in a devastating car crash has been jailed - despite pleas from bereaved families for him to be spared from prison.
Shaun Kelly caused the most deadly collision in Ireland's history after watching the World Cup final in 2010.
The 26-year-old was behind the wheel, with the seven friends and relatives also packed into the vehicle, when the "horrific" tragedy happened.
The community has remained united in its support for the Kelly family
Despite also having a previous conviction for dangerous driving after a near-miss with a police car in 2007, Kelly is likely to serve only two years behind bars.
In Letterkenny Circuit Court, four of the victims' families told the judge that they "didn't believe a prison sentence is needed", as "enough lives have been ruined in this accident".
His Volkswagen Passat, which had been seen speeding away from a pub, veered into the path of a woman's car in Co Donegal on the night of the accident.
Kelly was unable to avert a collision and the back of his car smashed into that of Anne McGilloway - with the impact ripping off a front wheel on her car.
The former lorry driver was convicted of dangerous driving before the crash
That caused Ms McGilloway's car to spin uncontrollably into an oncoming Toyota belonging to Hugh Friel, a 66-year-old man who died instantly.
Kelly's car ploughed into a ditch and smashed into a telegraph pole. He suffered a brain injury in the crash, with all of his friends - aged between 19 and 23 - declared dead at the scene. None of them had been wearing seatbelts.
Eamon Sweeney, the father of a teenage boy killed in the accident, said his son Ciaran also needed to take some responsibility for the tragedy.
"It's very unfortunate that Shaun has been left to accept all the blame," he said. "We wish that Shaun is given a chance in life. He needs all the help and support he can get, not punishment."
Kelly, a former lorry driver, had spent two years denying dangerous driving, but entered a guilty plea in July.
His father, Liam, apologised for the whole family to those who were bereaved - as Kelly is incapable of doing so properly.
"They are very honest and decent people and we are very sorry for what has happened to them," he said during sentencing.
"Despite their loss, they have given us all great comfort and support."
But other relatives have reacted angrily, saying they have been given a life sentence and felt hatred and resentment.
In all, Kelly was handed a four-year sentence, with the final two years suspended. He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.
The number of patients being treated within a four-hour target in accident and emergency units in England is at its lowest since figures began.
Figures released by NHS England show that 89.8% of people were seen within the target time last week (ending 14 December).
That figure fell from 91.9% the previous week. Records have been kept since 2010.
In the run-up to Christmas hospitals are admitting the highest number of emergency patients in a decade.
There were 111,062 emergency admissions last week.
Dr Barbara Hakin, national director of commissioning operations for NHS England, said: "Pressures on our A&E services continue to increase significantly.
"We have admitted more people to hospital this week to take care of them than in any previous week on record. I want to pay tribute to the staff dealing with that - they are doing a brilliant job.
"While we are now below the extremely high waiting time standards that we set ourselves, the service we provide remains robust."
Records for emergency admissions have been held for more than a decade.
There were also 440,428 patients attending A&E, which was more than 24,000 on the same week last year.
Dr Hakin said: "The NHS's waiting times for urgent treatment are among the best for any major country that measures them.
"As we come into the holiday period, it is important people continue to look after themselves and nip problems in the bud.
"They should ensure they have proper medication, get their flu jab if they have not done so, and get advice from their pharmacist."
Nigel Farage has said he feels sorry for a UKIP candidate who was forced to step down after being recorded using derogatory terms about homosexuals and Chinese people.
The politician described Kerry Smith, a parliamentary hopeful in one of UKIP's strongest constituencies, as a "rough diamond" who fell victim to London snobbery over colloquial language.
Mr Smith was taped in a phone call where he labelled gay party members as "poofters" and referred to someone as a "Chinky bird". The Essex councillor also joked about embarking on a "peasant hunt" by shooting people in Chigwell.
Even though the UKIP leader insisted his former colleague did not use the terms maliciously, he conceded Mr Smith was "not suitable to be a parliamentary candidate" for South Basildon and East Thurrock.
Mr Smith is 'not suitable' to stand as a parliamentary hopeful, Farage said
In an LBC interview, Mr Farage said: "I'm a bit sad, because Kerry Smith is a rough diamond. He's a council house boy from the East End of London, left school early and talks and speaks in a way that a lot of people from that background do.
"Even the 'poofter' comment - the next sentence he was saying how good a candidate was, and the fact he was gay would be an asset to the party.
Video:Nigel Farage: The Highs And Lows
"Kerry himself said that he used language that Del Boy used to use on Only Fools and Horses, and nobody objected then."
Mr Farage also claimed that "a lot of people" would use the word "Chinky", yet stressed he had never used the term himself.
Pressed on the issue, he asked: "If you and your mates are going out for a Chinese, what would you say you were going for?"
Mr Smith stood down as a parliamentary candidate earlier in December, and has since resigned as a UKIP member.
In light of the controversy, Mr Farage conceded UKIP does "have people who do things and say things that are wrong".
However, he insisted they only amounted to a small proportion of UKIP candidates, adding: "So do the other parties as well. We do not have a monopoly on stupidity, I promise you."
Mr Farage himself recently made headlines after appearing to blame immigration for traffic on the M4. During the interview, he claimed this remark was intended as a joke.
Video:May - Miliband: Farage 'Not Racist'
"I've learnt something. Never joke. There's no point, is there? No one's got a sense of humour anymore," he added.
John Healey, a Labour MP, said: "It tells you all you need to know about Nigel Farage: that he is defending words which the vast majority of people find offensive, while also suggesting that people living in council housing are racist.
"It's more proof that UKIP is a nasty party with no understanding of, and nothing to offer to, the people they want to represent. They are completely out of touch with modern Britain."
Meanwhile, a senior UKIP figure has been suspended as chairman of the Lambeth and North Croydon branch pending a party investigation.
UKIP declined to comment on what the investigation into Winston McKenzie would look into, however the Croydon Advertiser reported a number of party members had backed a letter of no confidence against him.
Mr McKenzie, who this week likened Nigel Farage to Jesus, will remain UKIP's General Election candidate in Croydon North.
An investigation into the Sony cyber-attack has determined the North Korean government was behind the operation, the FBI says.
The agency said a "significant overlap" existed between the infrastructure used in the Hollywood studio hack and previous malicious cyber activity linked to North Korea.
A technical analysis of data deletion malware used in the data breach also provided links to malware previously developed by North Korean actors, the FBI said.
"North Korea's actions were intended to inflict significant harm on a US business and suppress the right of American citizens to express themselves," the agency said in a statement.
"Such acts of intimidation fall outside the bounds of acceptable state behavior."
Video:18 Dec: White House On Sony Hack
North Korea has previously denied involvement in the hack.
The Obama administration has called the devastating cyber-attack a serious national security matter.
On Thursday, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said a "proportionate response" was being considered.
A US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the probe revealed a possible Chinese link either through collaboration or through the use of Chinese servers.
China responded to the allegations by urging the US to share evidence that pointed to a possible Chinese link.
Video:Hollywood Caves Into Threats
The hack prompted Sony Pictures on Wednesday to cancel the release of the comedy The Interview, which depicted a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
The decision to pull the film was made after the group claiming responsibility for the cyber-attack made terrorist threats against US cinemas that showed the movie.
The hackers, who call themselves Guardians of Peace, praised the decision to cancel the film's release in a statement provided to CNN on Friday.
The group also said it would keep Sony's data secure if the company continued to comply.
"It's very wise that you have made a decision to cancel the release of The Interview," the message said, according to CNN.
1/8
Gallery: Eight Other Controversial Films
Sacha Baron Cohen upset a lot of people with his Borat film. Kazakhstan's government said it portrayed its people as racist. There were also accusations of anti-Semitism
South Park's creators sent up Kim Jong-Il in Team America: World Police. North Korea reportedly asked the Czech Republic to ban the film
Kurdish forces in Iraq claim to have broken an Islamic State siege that left Yazidi civilians and fighters trapped on a mountain for almost four months.
The breakthrough came during a two-day blitz in the Sinjar region involving 8,000 peshmerga fighters and some of the heaviest airstrikes since a US-led coalition started an air campaign in September.
Speaking at an operations centre near the border with Syria, Masrour Barzani, the son of the Kurdish president and the intelligence chief for the Iraqi autonomous region, said: "Peshmerga forces have reached Mount Sinjar, the siege on the mountain has been lifted."
The peshmerga said they had recaptured eight villages and killed around 80 IS fighters in the initial phase of the offensive launched from Rabia on the Syria border and Zumar on the shores of Mosul dam lake.
Peshmerga fighters after a suicide attack in Kesarej village
They suffered seven losses on Wednesday when they failed to stop an IS suicide bomber who rammed an explosives-packed armoured vehicle into their convoy, officers at the scene told AFP.
Mr Barzani added in a statement: "This operation represents the single biggest military offensive against IS and the most successful."
Video:Aug 2014: IS Forced Conversions
The peshmerga commander for the area said troops had reached the mountain and secured a road that would enable people to leave, effectively breaking the siege.
Several thousand are still thought to be trapped there.
"Tomorrow most of the people will come down from the mountain," Mohamed Kojar told AFP by phone, explaining the offensive had secured a corridor northeast of the mountain.
A Yazidi leader at the top of the mountain, however, said he could see no sign of a military deployment.
1/21
Gallery: Thousands Of Displaced Yazidis
Displaced people from the minority Yazidi sect, fleeing violence from forces loyal to the Islamic State in Sinjar town, walk towards the Syrian border, on the outskirts of Sinjar mountain
Islamic State militants have killed at least 500 members of Iraq's Yazidi ethnic minority during their offensive in the north, Iraq's human rights minister says
FIFA has agreed to publish Michael Garcia's World Cup bidding report "with appropriate redactions".
The organisation's executive committee decided in Morocco to make the report public once the ongoing inquiry into World Cup bidding corruption is complete.
Officials reportedly reached agreement without a vote being taken and FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce confirmed the decision.
In a statement, FIFA president Sepp Blatter reiterated that there were no plans for a rerun of the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup, to be held in Russia, or the 2022 tournament, which will take place in Qatar.
Michael Garcia's resignation marked a 'new low' for FIFA
He said: "We will not revisit the 2018 and 2022 vote and a report by independent, external legal experts... supports the view that there are no legal grounds to revoke the Executive Committee's decision on the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups."
Mr Blatter, who initially opposed calls to publish the report in full, said: "It has been a long process to arrive at this point and I understand the views of those who have been critical.
"We have always been determined that the truth should be known."
Speaking after the decision was taken, he added: "We have been in a crisis. The decision today (means) the crisis has stopped."
Concerns have been raised over conditions for labourers in Qatar
Sky News Sports Correspondent Paul Kelso said FIFA's independent legal advice suggested there was no obligation to revisit the bidding because the process had not been "significantly illegal".
More detail on the content of the Garcia report has also emerged.
The US lawyer recommended that FIFA tighten rules on gifts, friendly matches and use of consultants - all ways bidding nations have used cash to promote their campaigns, according to Sky sources.
He also said football projects outside the host country should not be permitted and bidding countries should retain records for inspection, following the "destruction" of Russia's 2018 bid computers.
Mr Garcia put pressure on FIFA ahead of the two-day meeting in Marrakesh by resigning as the independent ethics investigator of football's governing body.
He criticised FIFA's handling of his report into bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, claiming there was a "lack of leadership" on the issue at the top of the organisation.
Mr Garcia also said he had lost confidence in the independence of his ethics committee colleague, German judge Joachim Eckert.
He quit a day after the FIFA appeals panel rejected his challenge of Mr Eckert's summary of the confidential 430-page investigation dossier.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 13 Desember 2014 | 00.48
Winter Blast Brings More Travel Misery
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Video:Sky News UK Weather Forecast
Severe weather is continuing to batter the UK, bringing gale-force gusts, heavy rain and more travel disruption.
The Met Office has issued yellow "be aware" warnings for large parts of the country, with snow and ice in parts of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England.
Winds peaked at 90mph (145kph) overnight at Needles Battery on the west coast of the Isle of Wight.
Snow covering parts of Hadrian's Wall. Pic: English Heritage
Sky News weather forecaster Isobel Lang said: "Even during the morning rush hour winds of 40 to 50mph were reported across southeast England along with some very intense rainfall."
The bad weather caused disruption to rail services in Wales and Scotland during the morning commute.
1/7
Gallery: Snow Blankets Parts Of UK
Middleham Moor in the Yorkshire Dales after overnight snow
The blanketing of snow came overnight, showing that winter is well and truly here. Continue through for more images
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And drivers in Scotland, North Wales and the North of England were also advised to allow extra time for their journeys because of ice on the roads.
In Wales, flooding between Machynlleth and Caersws caused disruption between Pwllheli/Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury. Passengers in these areas were warned to expect delays of almost an hour-and-a-half.
In Scotland, the poor conditions meant trains could not run between Mallaig and Fort William.
Some ferry crossings at the Port of Dover were delayed due to the weather conditions, officials said.
1/21
Gallery: Weather Bomb Explodes On UK Coast
Large waves roll in near the pier in Blackpool as stormy weather causes disruption across parts of the UK, with power cuts, ferry and train cancellations and difficult driving conditions
Waves crash onto the promenade
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Winds in the English Channel were gusting to force 10 amid "very rough" sea conditions.
But most parts of the country are set to get a break from the stormy weather later in the day.
Sky News Weather Producer Chris England said: "Southern Britain will have a mainly fine end to the evening, but there will be a scattering of showers elsewhere, wintry over the hills.
"Showers will develop more widely for a time tonight, but they will be well scattered and will become largely confined to northern and western coastal counties by morning."
1/18
Gallery: Snow And Ice Across Parts Of UK (Dec 8)
The Met Office issued warnings for snow, ice and wind across Britain. Here Abigail Wright, aged eight, makes a snow angel as she and her family enjoy the overnight snow at the summit of the Kirkstone Pass in Windermere, Lake District
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Weather warnings were also issued in Ireland, with wintry showers forecast in the western and northern counties and snow forecast for lower and higher ground.
The latest stormy weather comes after a so-called "weather bomb" hit the north of the country over the last two days.
Waves of 52ft were recorded and thousands of homes were left without power.
Wind speeds of 144mph were recorded on St Kilda, an uninhabited archipelago 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides.
Video:Predicting Weather 'Bombs'
Gale-force gusts of more than 80mph also struck some northern coastal areas.
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Winter Blast Brings More Travel Misery
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Sky News UK Weather Forecast
Severe weather is continuing to batter the UK, bringing gale-force gusts, heavy rain and more travel disruption.
The Met Office has issued yellow "be aware" warnings for large parts of the country, with snow and ice in parts of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England.
Winds peaked at 90mph (145kph) overnight at Needles Battery on the west coast of the Isle of Wight.
Snow covering parts of Hadrian's Wall. Pic: English Heritage
Sky News weather forecaster Isobel Lang said: "Even during the morning rush hour winds of 40 to 50mph were reported across southeast England along with some very intense rainfall."
The bad weather caused disruption to rail services in Wales and Scotland during the morning commute.
1/7
Gallery: Snow Blankets Parts Of UK
Middleham Moor in the Yorkshire Dales after overnight snow
The blanketing of snow came overnight, showing that winter is well and truly here. Continue through for more images
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
And drivers in Scotland, North Wales and the North of England were also advised to allow extra time for their journeys because of ice on the roads.
In Wales, flooding between Machynlleth and Caersws caused disruption between Pwllheli/Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury. Passengers in these areas were warned to expect delays of almost an hour-and-a-half.
In Scotland, the poor conditions meant trains could not run between Mallaig and Fort William.
Some ferry crossings at the Port of Dover were delayed due to the weather conditions, officials said.
1/21
Gallery: Weather Bomb Explodes On UK Coast
Large waves roll in near the pier in Blackpool as stormy weather causes disruption across parts of the UK, with power cuts, ferry and train cancellations and difficult driving conditions
Waves crash onto the promenade
]]>
Winds in the English Channel were gusting to force 10 amid "very rough" sea conditions.
But most parts of the country are set to get a break from the stormy weather later in the day.
Sky News Weather Producer Chris England said: "Southern Britain will have a mainly fine end to the evening, but there will be a scattering of showers elsewhere, wintry over the hills.
"Showers will develop more widely for a time tonight, but they will be well scattered and will become largely confined to northern and western coastal counties by morning."
1/18
Gallery: Snow And Ice Across Parts Of UK (Dec 8)
The Met Office issued warnings for snow, ice and wind across Britain. Here Abigail Wright, aged eight, makes a snow angel as she and her family enjoy the overnight snow at the summit of the Kirkstone Pass in Windermere, Lake District
]]>
Weather warnings were also issued in Ireland, with wintry showers forecast in the western and northern counties and snow forecast for lower and higher ground.
The latest stormy weather comes after a so-called "weather bomb" hit the north of the country over the last two days.
Waves of 52ft were recorded and thousands of homes were left without power.
Wind speeds of 144mph were recorded on St Kilda, an uninhabited archipelago 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides.
Video:Predicting Weather 'Bombs'
Gale-force gusts of more than 80mph also struck some northern coastal areas.
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