Dogs Home Fire Was 'Like A Horror Film'

A staff member at the dogs home where at least 40 animals were killed after a fire has told Sky News it was "like something out of a horror film".

Colin Ballance, the liaison officer for Manchester Dogs' Home, said the scene was "horrendous" with flames up to 20 feet in the air when he arrived on Thursday night.

Mr Ballance managed to rescue two dogs from the building complex before thick black smoke stopped him.

"You could hear them screaming but the thing was, you couldn't do anything," he said.

A woman saves a dog from the fire. Pic: @manchesterfire

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been donated by members of the public following the suspected arson at one of the country's largest kennels, in the Harpurhey area of Manchester.

Mr Ballance said: "It was unbearable, it was like something out of a horror film. Something I don't want to remember if you know what I mean, but I will never forget it."

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson following the blaze.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jones, from Greater Manchester Police, said the youth from the local area was detained within an hour of the fire being reported just after 7pm.

Residents reported hearing "dogs yelping" as the fire spread through the buildings.

There were reports of people risking their lives by running into the burning building to save animals.

Mr Ballance says he will never forget what happened

At least 43 dogs were confirmed to have died, with "numerous" other animals having to be treated for injuries, police said.

Part of the roof of the single-storey kennels collapsed and 30 firefighters battled the flames, said Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service station commander Paul Duggan.

Outrage and shock at the blaze resulted in several fundraising campaigns being launched which have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the home.

The Manchester Evening News newspaper had originally aimed to raise £5,000 but this has now soared to over £800,000.

On its Twitter page, Manchester Dogs' Home said: "Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful.

Firefighters said 150 dogs were rescued. Pic: Manchester Fire

"We are overwhelmed with the offers of help, support and money. Grateful and humbled."

Anna Stansfield, manager of the home's sister facility, Cheshire Dogs' Home, described the fire as "soul destroying".

She said all the 150 dogs rescued by the fire service would be transferred to its site in Grappenhall, Warrington.

The blaze provoked an angry response on social media, but police warned people not to "take matters into their own hands".

The home has cared for more than one million dogs since it was established in 1893. It is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year.

Police are asking for people with donations of bedding, food or bowls to take them to Central Park Police Station between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Reverend Mike McGurk from the nearby Christ Church says they have been receiving donations of dog food and blankets throughout the night.

"People have come from York, Derby and even Stevenage to donate supplies. It's been incredible how strong the support is and how generous people have been," he told Sky News.

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Oscar Pistorius Guilty Of Reeva's Manslaughter

Pistorius: Trial Of The Century?

Updated: 1:20pm UK, Friday 12 September 2014

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent, in Pretoria

The live television coverage of the Oscar Pistorius trial has exposed a slow and sometimes bizarre criminal justice system and some shoddy policing.

It has allowed the two principal lawyers to showboat and frighten witnesses into choosing not to be seen on camera.

And it was unable to stop grim images of the victim's shattered head being flashed on screen.

But most here believe the bold decision to let cameras into a South African court for the first time was the right one.

It has allowed justice to be seen to be done, a right that's been denied to most of the population in this fledgling democracy where, for so many years, justice was colour blind.

The judge deciding the Olympic athlete's guilt or innocence is a former tea girl from the Soweto township.

When Thokozile Masipa became a judge at the age of 43 she was only the second black woman to do so.

But she has presided over a trial that's been excruciatingly embarrassing at times.

It was supposed to last three weeks, but has limped on in fits and starts for six months and a tougher judge might have clamped down on the delays.

She has also, in some observers' views, allowed the principal lawyers, prosecutor Gerrie Nel and defence barrister Barry Roux, to play to the gallery.

There has been no jury to sway, so who else can their showboating have been aimed at but the television audience?

And Nel's mocking and goading of Pistorius in his cross-examination was courtroom behaviour that would never be tolerated in the Old Bailey or any British court.

But, oddly, the judge suddenly one day reprimanded the prosecutor for calling Pistorius a liar.

The whole trial was predicated on the prosecution's belief that the defendant was lying. If Mr Nel thought Pistorius was telling the truth, there would not have been a trial.

The witness translation was sometimes laughable, with interpreters translating from Afrikaans into English which was their third language.

So poor was it that some witnesses who had chosen to speak in Afrikaans gave up and delivered the rest of their testimony in often perfect English.

Cross-examination of police witnesses revealed some shoddy detective work.

An officer who handled a gun without gloves, a door that was kept in a senior detective's office instead of contamination-free storage, and a valuable watch that appeared to have been stolen from Pistorius' house in the early hours of the investigation.

Seemingly important evidence introduced early on, but never revisited.

The court was shown photographs of blood splatter on the wall above Oscar's bed and a bullet hole in a door frame.

The images hinted at a fight, but that was the first and last we saw or heard of them.

And the defence promised we would hear sound test recordings that would demonstrate that Oscar Pistorius screams like a woman. The recordings were never played.

For all its delays, faults, inconsistencies and omissions, few people who have followed the Oscar Pistorius trial could argue that it was wrong to televise it live.

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Young Are Turned Off From Voting - Not Politics

Sky News' Stand Up Be Counted: How It Works

Updated: 8:50am UK, Monday 01 September 2014

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs and Education Editor

There is a group of people in this country who are invisible. They have little ability to influence politics, their voices are rarely heard in the news, and their opinions are largely ignored.

:: Click here to visit the Stand Up Be Counted site

This may sound like the predicament of a small and hard to reach minority, but it has been the reality for more than half of young people in the UK.

Many 18 to 24 year olds don't vote. At the last election, only 44% of that age group voted. That means more than half not influencing who gets into power.

It means politicians can comfortably ignore a whole demographic, confident in the knowledge that they have no influence at the ballot box.

It means disengaging from the process which governs everyone's lives.

From today, Sky News is doing something different, to create a change. We are launching Stand Up Be Counted - to help give young people a voice.

Our new site will let people in this age group upload a short clip of them talking on camera about something they are passionate about.

This could range from prejudice in the criminal justice system, to the effect of the rise in tuition fees, and calls for cycling helmets to be made mandatory.

The Stand Up site is already a showcase for creative, absorbing and sometimes entertaining debate from 16-25 year olds in their bedroom, back garden or high street, talking about the things that matter to them.

You can share it too, on mobile devices on WhatsApp and Kik, and on all devices on Twitter, Facebook and email.

The process is simple. You can register via the upload button at the top of your screen. You'll need a profile picture and a short biography up to 50 words.

After that, you're a few clicks away from being able to upload your video or content. Short videos - ideally around 60 seconds - blogs and photos are all welcome on one condition - they have to come from the heart.

And it's safe to speak openly, and powerfully.

This is a place for robust debate, with zero tolerance for abuse, so that you can make your point freely, knowing that as well as starting conversations with your peers, you also have access to Sky News' audience, and crucially, those in power who have found it all too easy to ignore the views of young people.

One click on the site takes you straight to the page where you can register to vote - an act that, were every young person to do it - would drastically transform the political and decision-making landscape in this country.

This is changing Sky News, too. The voices we are hearing are informing our coverage and changing our perspective.

It's easy to think that because they don't vote, young people are disinterested.

Venting frustration on Facebook at "corruption" (one of the words young people we asked most associate with politics) is not enough.

Now is the time to speak. And, crucially, speak where the nation is listening.

:: Stand Up website: www.skynews.com/standupbecounted

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Chancellor Cancels Trip Due to Yes Vote 'Risks'

The Chancellor has cancelled an official trip to Australia because of the potential economic risks of a Scottish Yes vote.

George Osborne and the Bank of England Governor Mark Carney are pulling out of a meeting of the G20 on September 20 and 21.

The decision comes as polls show the Yes and No camps neck and neck ahead of the crucial independence referendum on September 18.

Thee are also growing warnings from businesses over the impact of a Yes vote.

Mark Carney is to return early from Australia for the result

The Bank has confirmed that Mr Carney - who is due to chair a meeting of the financial stability board of bank regulators in Cairns on Wednesday - will now return early to be back in time for the result.

And the Treasury said that Mr Osborne will not now be going to the weekend summit so will be the UK for the outcome of the vote.

"I can confirm that he is not attending," a Treasury spokesman said.

The Bank said that Mr Carney will be represented at the G20 by the deputy governor for financial stability, Sir Jon Cunliffe.

The latest opinion poll on independence suggests the result is on a knife edge, with both side neck and neck.

With less than a week to go, a new survey for Guardian and ICM indicate support for the No campaign is on 51%, while those in favour of Yes is just 2% behind on 49%.

But 17% of those asked said they had still not made up their minds.

Another poll also suggests the Better Together campaign has narrowly edged back into the lead with a 4% gap.

A YouGov survey put No on 52% and Yes on 48%.

The results came as as several independent heavyweights expressed their concerns if Scotland was to vote to become a separate country.

Asda and John Lewis said the increased costs of operating in an independent Scotland would inevitably be passed on to the consumer, leading to higher prices.

But Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, has told Sky News that price rises are not inevitable if Scotland votes for independence.

RBS, which has been based in Scotland since 1727 and employs 11,500 people there, also confirmed it would be moving its headquarters to London if Scotland voted for independence.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), meanwhile, said a vote for independence could have a negative effect on the markets in the short-term because of "uncertainty".

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Sabrina Moss Killers Get 37-Year Minimum Jail

Three men have been jailed for a minimum of 37 years each for an attack which killed Sabrina Moss, who was shot while celebrating her 24th birthday.

The nursery teacher was caught in crossfire near a fast food restaurant in Kilburn, north London, in an attack by two hooded men armed with a machine gun and sawn-off shotgun.

She and her friend, Sabrina Gachette, were victims of a "deep-seated" drugs turf war as they sheltered from the rain with a group of 15 others near the Woody Grill, in the early hours of August 24, 2013.

The mother-of-one was shot in the heart and died in hospital from her injuries.

The victims' families clapped and cheered in court as the judge sentenced Hassan Hussain, 29, Martell Warren, 24, and Yasin James, 20.

Convicted: (L-R) Yasin James, Martell Warren and Hassan Hussain

Some of the defendants swore and shouted back.

The three men were jailed for life, with a minimum term of 37 years, for the murder of Miss Moss, and the attempted murder of Sabrina Gachette.

Jurors at the Old Bailey heard how Hussain discharged the Mac 10 "spray and pray" machine gun six times and James fired both barrels of the shotgun at near point blank range, before fleeing the scene in a car driven by Warren.

Sabrina Moss had a four-year-old son

The women were not the intended targets and were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, unknowingly sheltering from the rain under an awning with members of a rival gang.

Their killers were out to get members of the South Kilburn Gang - and Miss Moss, who was dressed in a bright red dress and high heels - would have stood out from the crowd like a beacon in the night, jurors were told.

The women were sheltering under an awning near the Woody Grill Police at the scene of the shooting in north London

Miss Gachette, who was hit in the back by more than 50 gunshot pellets, survived to give evidence during the 10-week trial.

The 25-year-old, who almost a year on still has a few pellets lodged in her body, told the court: "There was no warning. I thought someone had thrown a brick at me. Then because of the explosion I thought it was a firework.

"Sabrina was in front of me and that was when I heard her say she had been shot in her heart. That is the last thing I remember hearing her say."

Sabrina Gachette survived and gave evidence at the trial

Miss Moss, who had just moved into a new flat with her partner and four-year-old son, had been celebrating at the Love and Liqor nightclub on the night of her murder.

The court heard how the trigger for the attack came when Martell Warren was rushed by members of a rival gang half an hour before the shooting.

Jurors heard he was a convicted drug dealer and a member of the Kensal Green Boys or Bloods, known as the KGB.

Hassan Hussain also had a previous conviction for grievous bodily harm and was jailed for five years for stabbing his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend.

The trial also found the three defendants guilty of the attempted murders of Mahad Ahmed and Edson Da'Silva, as well as weapons charges and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

Simon Baptiste, 29, who acted as a spotter for the group, was sentenced to four years.

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Former EastEnders Actor Dies Aged 75

John Bardon, who was known by millions for his role as Jim Branning in EastEnders, has died at the age of 75.

He is understood to have died in the early hours of this morning, seven years after a stroke left him needing round-the-clock care.

Actress June Brown - who played his screen wife Dot - said: "I am so sorry that John has passed away but hope that he is now at peace after seven difficult years.

The EastEnders team said they will miss Bardon forever. Pic: @bbceastenders

"I shall miss him very much as I loved him dearly. My thoughts are with his devoted wife Enda," she added.

Bardon's characterful face made him a familiar figure on screens, with appearances in a number of sitcoms, films and TV dramas.

He had roles in drama Rumpole Of The Bailey and films such as Clockwise, East Is East and One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing.

Brown and Bardon in character as Dot and Jim

The actor made his last appearance in EastEnders three years ago and Jim Branning's disappearance from the soap was explained by him also suffering a stroke.

Speaking on behalf of the programme, an EastEnders spokeswoman said: "Everyone at EastEnders is absolutely heartbroken to learn that John has sadly passed away.

"His bravery, dignity and courage in battling against the devastating effects of his stroke were admired by all who had the privilege of working with him.

The pair won best on-screen partnership at the British Soap Awards in 2005

"Loved by us all, John was an exceptionally talented actor whose humour, mischievousness and brilliant performances made Jim Branning one of Walford's most loveable, memorable characters and we will miss John forever.

"Our love and deepest sympathies are extended to Enda, his truly wonderful wife, at this very sad time. May he now rest in peace."

The BBC tweeted that Friday night's episode will be dedicated to the actor.

Bardon first appeared in the show with a brief role in 1996 but returned three years later in a more regular role, going on to marry Dot.

He also appeared frequently on stage and picked up an Olivier Award in 1988 for best musical actor for his role in Kiss Me, Kate.

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Pistorius Family 'Never Doubted' Athlete's Story

Oscar Pistorius' uncle Arnold has said the family never doubted his version of events on the night he killed his girlfriend.

He said Reeva Steenkamp's death at the athlete's house in Pretoria, South Africa, was a "tragic event" and his family remained "deeply affected" by it.

Arnold Pistorius also said he was grateful to Judge Thokozile Masipa for finding the runner not guilty of murder and it was a "big burden off our shoulders and Oscar's".

The double amputee was convicted of a lesser charge of culpable homicide, which is the equivalent charge of manslaughter in the UK.

Judge Masipa said Pistorius had acted negligently when he fired four shots on Valentine's Day last year into a locked toilet door, killing the 29-year-old model who was behind it.

But she also said he did not intend to kill anyone and could not have seen that the intruder he thought was hiding in his toilet was actually Ms Steenkamp.

Arnold Pistorius said: "We always knew the facts of the matter. We never had any doubt in Oscar's version of this tragic incident."

He said "there were no victors" and added: "It won't bring Reeva back but our hearts still go out to her family and friends."

Pistorius was also convicted of discharging a firearm at a Johannesburg restaurant on January 11, 2013.

But he was acquitted of firing a gun through a car sunroof while with his then-girlfriend Samantha Taylor and friend Darren Fresco on November 30, 2012, and cleared of illegally possessing ammunition.

Oscar Pistorius pictured leaving court after his bail was extended

The Paralympian and Olympian was freed on bail and will return to court in Pretoria on October 13 to be sentenced.

Nathi Mncube, for the National Prosecuting Authority, said he was "disappointed" Pistorius was convicted of only two charges.

Speaking outside the court he said: "We respect the judgment that has been delivered.

"We believed in this instance there was enough evidence to secure a conviction under premeditated murder.

"Of course we are disappointed. We are disappointed we did not secure a conviction under premeditated murder and also there was acquittal on the other two (gun) charges."

He said it was too early to decide whether prosecutors would launch an appeal.

The victim's parents June and Barry Steenkamp were in court for the judgement but the family has not yet commented on any of the verdicts.

However, her close friends Gina and Kim Myers were very disappointed, very tearful and left court shaking their heads, according to Sky's Alex Crawford in Pretoria.

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Ex-Democratic Unionist Leader Ian Paisley Dies

The former Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley has died, aged 88.

His family said they are "heartbroken", while his successor as DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said he was a "towering figure".

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness also expressed his deep regret and said he had lost a friend.

A firebrand Protestant preacher turned politician, Dr Paisely led opposition to compromise with the IRA for decades later became a peacemaker when he entered government with Sinn Fein at Stormont following a landmark deal.

Dr Paisley's family said they are 'heartbroken'

He had been ill for some time, and was hospitalised in 2012 with a heart problem.

In a statement announcing his death, his wife Eileen said: "My beloved husband, Ian, entered his eternal rest this morning.

"Although ours is the grand hope of reunion, naturally as a family we are heartbroken.

"We loved him and he adored us, and our earthly lives are forever changed."

The funeral will be private but a memorial service is planned later in the year.

Mr Robinson told Sky News: "Ian Paisley was a towering figure, not just within unionism, but Northern Ireland politics as a whole.

Dr Paisley at Westminster in 1970

"He was in many ways Mr Northern Ireland."

Mr McGuinness, Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, said: "In the brief period that we worked together in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister I developed a close working relationship with him which developed into a friendship, which despite our many differences lasted beyond his term in office."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Ian Paisley was one of the most forceful and instantly recognisable characters in British politics for nearly half a century.

"Of course, Ian Paisley was a controversial figure for large parts of his career.

"Yet the contribution he made in his later years to political stability in Northern Ireland was huge."

Dr Paisley with Hillary Clinton and Martin McGuinness in 2007

Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said: "Ian was a man of deep convictions. The convictions never changed. But his appreciation of the possibilities of peace, gradually and with much soul searching, did. He began as the militant. He ended as the peacemaker."

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said: "Dr Paisley was by any measure a major figure in the history of these islands.

"While he was of course a divisive figure, his greatest legacy will be one of peace."

In his tribute, former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain said: "Ian Paisley was the Big Man of Northern Ireland politics.

"The historic 2007 peace settlement bringing bitter lifetime enemies to govern jointly could never have happened without him."

Dr Paisley led opposition to any accommodation with republicans for decades and his fiery rhetoric was legendary.

He opposed successive political deals including the Anglo Irish and Good Friday Agreements but agreed to power-sharing with Sinn Fein in 2007 following that party's acceptance of the new police force.

The former North Antrim MP stepped down as leader of the DUP and as first minister in 2008.

He retired from the European Parliament in 2009, Parliament in 2010 and the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2011.

1. Dr Paisley was elevated to the House of Lords in 2010 taking the title Lord Bannside, to reflect the starting point of his parliamentary career in the now-defunct constituency.

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Mayor Rob Ford Withdraws From Election Race

Troubled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has withdrawn from the mayor's race, following reports this week that he had been diagnosed with a tumour in his abdomen.

Mr Ford, who gained global notoriety after admitting using crack in a "drunken stupor", checked in on Wednesday to a Toronto hospital complaining of abdominal pains.

The 45-year-old - who is currently undergoing medical tests, with biopsy results expected in a week - will stand instead for his old council seat.

Even as he dropped out of the mayoral race, his older brother, Councillor Doug Ford, picked up the "Ford Nation" banner and filed papers on Friday to run in his place.

"He is in for the fight of his life," Doug Ford, who was campaign manager for his brother, said of him on Friday in an interview with the Toronto Sun newspaper.

Rob Ford had been campaigning energetically ahead of the October 27 vote.

He acknowledged last November - after months of denial - that he had smoked crack cocaine, and said he had driven after drinking.

He also admitted using "every drug you can probably think of".

Mr Ford entered a rehabilitation facility in May, and returned to work the following month.

His father died of colon cancer in 2006.

Two other main candidates are still in the mayoral race.

John Tory, a conservative businessman, has forged a lead, while left-leaning Olivia Chow was a distant third.

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Police Investigate Two Hospital Baby Deaths

Police have launched a criminal investigation after the hospital deaths of two babies who died from suspected contaminated drips.

The production of intravenous feeds is the focus of the probe into the deaths at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

The two babies, who have not been named, died on June 1 and June 10 this year.

"Officers have also been liaising with colleagues in Cambridgeshire Constabulary about a third baby who also died in similar circumstances at the Rosie Maternity Hospital, part of Cambridge University Hospitals," said a police statement.

"We are aware of a small number of other babies who received this feed and are working with relevant agencies to speak to those families."

The health trusts are not being investigated.

Guy's and St Thomas' released a statement saying it was one of six trusts that had been working with health watchdogs over the suspected contaminated drips.

"We are co-operating fully with the police in their investigation," said a spokesman for Cambridge's Rosie Maternity Hospital.

"Our thoughts continue to be with the family."

More follows...

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