Migrant Numbers 'Should Be Decided By People'

By David Bowden, Senior News Correspondent

Britain should hold a referendum to decide how many EU migrants should be allowed to come to the UK, a leading MP has told Sky News.

The call was made by Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, as restrictions on Romanians and Bulgarians arriving to find jobs were lifted.

Speaking to Sky News from Luton Airport, which is one of a number of airports where flights from Bucharest and Sofia will land, Mr Vaz said: "This is an issue that does need to be put to the British people, so we don't get this kind of drama and people rushing around thinking hundreds of thousands of people are going to arrive at Luton on the first day.

"We do need to look at this sensibly.

"It needs to be part of negotiations for a reformed EU, because freedom of movement is very important.

"It's one of the cornerstones of the EU and we need to have a proper discussion, and that means at the end of the day the British people have to make that decision."

Many people arriving on a flight from Romania on Wednesday morning already worked in the UK, but one of those coming to the country for the first time was Victor Spiresau.

The 30-year-old who said he hoped to earn more in the UK, but was not planning on settling.

Damian Draghici says Britain is 'playing a political game'

He initially planned to wash cars, but wanted to find work in the building industry.

Mr Spiresau, who has left his wife behind in their small village, said: "I don't come to rob your country. I come to work and then go home.

"I don't want to stay here. I want to renovate my home and to make a good life in Romania because it's much easier to live in Romania because it's not expensive."

Also on the flight was Silviu Todea, who was returning to London after visiting Romania over the holidays.

He said he believed the majority of his fellow Romanians would want to work.

Mr Todea, 27, who has a job in marketing in the capital, said: "Everyone has their own opinions especially with their past experiences with other nations, but I think it won't be so bad."

Meanwhile, an adviser to the Romanian Prime Minister told Sky News that job seekers from his country will not 'invade' Britain, despite the ending of curbs.

Senator Damian Draghici, who is from a Roma family, accused those warning there would be a tide of Romanians and Bulgarians taking advantage of relaxed work restrictions of covering up failed policies at home.

He told Sky News: "I believe it's more of a political game or a way to blow things out of proportion, I don't think Romanians are going to invade England."

The outspoken politician added: "They are the voices of political extremists trying to cover up for unsatisfied public policies."

Mihai Fertig says he is not expecting a rush for seats

The UK imposed the seven-year restrictions on Romania and Bulgaria after they joined the EU in 2007, only allowing citizens a visa if they were self-employed, had a job offer, or were given a specialist role.

But from January 1, Romanians and Bulgarians are entitled to come to the UK for work and will be able to claim benefits like other EU citizens.

It has prompted fears of an influx of immigrants and David Cameron moved to counter concerns with a series of measures including banning migrants from claiming benefits for three months and making foreigners pay for NHS treatment.

Mr Draghici also had a message for Mr Cameron, wishing him a Happy New Year and issuing an invite to him. He told Sky News: "Why don't you come over?"

The Conservative leader of Westminster Council, Philippa Roe, has claimed the arrival of Bulgarians and Romanians would add to the burden on council taxpayers.

She said central London had a problem with Roma "causing a massive amount of disruption and low-level crime".

But in Bucharest's Berceni market, as stallholders prepared for the last shoppers of 2013, there was no real interest from anyone Sky News spoke to in spending 2014 working in the UK.

One man working on a fruit stall said: "My country is more beautiful, so not for the moment, but it's a nice idea."

A woman market trader said: " I make my money here, I have my relatives and my friends here, I feel at home here, I would never go."

A middle-aged man said: "Myself, I'd never consider it, I'm happy here. If somebody wants to work then then they'll find it anywhere, you don't need to go to Britain."

Mihai Fertig is the chief operating officer of the Romanian arm of the biggest coaching group in Europe.

He already runs three services a week to the UK, but he's not expecting a rush for seats to London.

He said: "No not really, we aren't enthusiastic. I think the main part of the people who want to work abroad are already there.

"We expect, because of the opening of the market, that the bookings will increase maybe 10%."

Most people in Romania do not understand what all the fuss is about in the UK, and most doubt the predictions that tens of thousands will flock to Britain seeking work.

They are more concerned with the so called "brain drain" of young qualified Romanians, especially doctors and nurses, that have already left to work in other countries since their homeland joined the EU seven years ago.

Analysts in Romania estimate there are between three and four million Romanians already working abroad, a small proportion of around 250,000 in the UK.

A University College London report in November found that immigrants had contributed £25bn to the UK economy between 2000 and 2011 - significantly more than they had claimed in handouts.

They were also, it said, 45 percent less likely to receive benefits than British people.

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Hartlepool Murder: Teen Held Over Boxer Death

By Gerard Tubb, North of England Correspondent

A murder inquiry has been launched after a man died at a New Year's Eve party in Hartlepool.

Mark Denton, a 31-year-old amateur boxer, was taken to hospital after suffering what the police have described as serious injuries at a house in the town.

A 17-year-old was arrested and is being questioned in connection with the incident, Cleveland Police said.

Officers were called to the house in in Hutton Avenue at 10.20pm.

Mr Denton was found at a semi-derelict property in the affluent street, a few doors away from the house lived in by Lord Mandelson when he was the local MP.

Bobby Gill, a friend of Mr Denton, told Sky News he had gone to the house with another man to attend a party.

He said: "He was a good lad, he was no angel but no one deserves this do they on New Year's Eve?"

A post-mortem examination will be carried out today to establish the cause of death.

Officers have cordoned off the address and are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 101.

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Stag Attack: Academic Kate Stone 'Critical'

A woman who was seriously injured when she was gored by a stag remains in a critical condition in hospital, according to a colleague.

Dr Kate Stone, 44, was injured by the animal near Fort William in the Highlands in the early hours of Monday, December 30.

She was treated by paramedics before being taken to Fort William's Belford hospital, and later transferred by air to the Southern General in Glasgow.

A statement released by a colleague at Dr Stone's print firm Novalia confirms she is in a critical but stable condition, and "doctors expect to operate in the next few days to repair damage to her trachea".

It continued: "Her sister and friends are with her and have received messages of support from her many friends around the world.

Dr Stone had been to a ceilidh on the night she was injured

"Our love and support goes to Kate and we wish her all the best for the speediest possible recovery."

Dr Stone was standing with a group of friends outside a private residence in Lochailort when the incident happened.

She had been on a short break in the Highlands, staying at the Mo-Dhachaidh B&B in Lochailort.

The Press and Journal newspaper reported that the animal appeared to single out Dr Stone, who at 6ft was the tallest of the group.

Her friends had initially thought she had just been knocked over in the attack.

Dr Stone studied at Cambridge for a PhD in physics and microelectronics and is now a research engineer at the university's institute of manufacturing.

Gary Burton, who owns the B&B where Dr Stone was staying, said: "I think what happened was that the stag panicked. It was trapped in a fenced garden having got through a gate.

"I don't think there was anywhere else to go and it charged out of the gate.

"This is a one-in-a-million event which has shocked the whole community. We are at one with nature in Lochailort, and we have deer all around us.

"We are all hoping and praying that Kate pulls through."

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Prague: Palestinian Ambassador Killed In Blast

The Palestinian ambassador to the Czech Republic has died from injuries sustained in an explosion, according to police.

Ambassador Jamel al Jamal was in his apartment with his family at the time of the explosion on Wednesday, a spokesman for the Palestinian Embassy said.

He was seriously injured and rushed to hospital, where he later died.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the blast occurred when the 56-year-old diplomat was moving an old office safe box.

Martin Cervicek, the country's top police officer, told public television there was no evidence the explosion was an attack. 

Prague rescue service spokeswoman Jirina Ernestova said Mr al Jamal was placed in a medically induced coma when he arrived at Prague Military Hospital with abdominal injuries.

She said a 52-year-old woman was taken to a different hospital suffering from shock.

The ambassador's apartment is in Prague's Suchdol neighbourhood. He had only moved to the residence two days ago, on the north of the capital, after taking office in October.

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Bosham Murder Hunt As Woman Found Dead

A 55-year-old woman has been found dead at a family home she was looking after during the holidays in a picturesque south coast seaside village.

The victim, named by police as Valerie Graves, was discovered with a serious head injury at the house at Smuggler's Lane, in Bosham, near Chichester, West Sussex, on Monday at 9.50am.

Mrs Graves, of Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex, who had two grown-up children, had been staying at the six-bedroomed house with three members of her family while the owners, listed as Malcolm and Jane Chamberlain, and their two children were away over the Christmas holidays.

Police teams working at the house on Tuesday

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "They (the owners) have people staying in the house while they are away for the holidays, it could be friends, it could be family.

"It is not rented out, people come because it is a nice place to visit. We do not know who they were, they have been there since Christmas.

"There were cars parked in the drive, they were entirely well-behaved, they came gently and went gently, we heard absolutely nothing."

The home has children's play equipment in the garden outside

She added: "I am just very sad for our neighbours and for everybody. You can't imagine coming back from holiday to this, it must be just horrendous."

Police said that the death was being treated as suspicious and was being investigated by detectives from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Fanner said: "At this stage we are keeping an open mind as to the motive, but we are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area from late afternoon on Sunday, December 29 to around 9am on Monday, December 30.

"Please call us if you know anything, no matter how insignificant you might think it is. It could be important to the investigation.

"This is a rare incident for Bosham, which is a safe area. We have increased our neighbourhood policing patrols in the village and if anyone has any information or concerns, I would urge them to speak to one of the officers who are there."

Forensics officers were working at the home, which is valued at £1.5m and has children's playground equipment outside, on Tuesday morning. 

Bosham has a rich history and legend has it that King Canute  lived  in the village and it was there he ordered the waves to retreat.

Bosham church features on the Bayeux tapestry and King Harold sailed for Normandy from Quay Meadow in 1064.

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Veteran Comedian John Fortune Dies Aged 74

Comedian John Fortune, who was best known for the series Bremner, Bird And Fortune, has died aged 74.

The veteran satirist's agent, Vivienne Clore, said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that I write of the death of John Fortune this morning aged 74.

"He died peacefully with his wife, Emma and dog Grizelle, at his bedside.

"A renowned satirist, early work included contributions to Peter Cook's Establishment club and more latterly his work with long term collaborator, John Bird and Rory Bremner.

"He is survived by his adored wife, Emma and three children."

Bird (left), Bremner (centre) and Fortune

Bremner tweeted: ""I'm so sorry to let you know that my friend John Fortune died this morning.

"Lovely man, dear friend, brilliant & fearless satirist."

Fortune enjoyed a long working relationship with Bird, appearing together in A Series Of Bird's in 1967, The Long Johns in 1995 and in Bremner, Bird And Fortune between 1999 and 2007.

The duo were particularly adept at playing self-satisfied but bumbling establishment figures, such as politicians, bankers and military officers.

Fortune was also a popular character actor in feature films such as Match Point, The Tailor Of Panama and Calendar Girls.

Other TV roles included parts in New Tricks, Yes Minister and Murder Most Horrid.

John Challis, best known for his role as Boycie in Only Fools And Horses, tweeted: ""So sad to hear that John Fortune has died.

"I played henchman to his chief villain in Cat's Eyes and we laughed a lot. Another goodun gone."

And Stephen Fry tweeted: "Oh how sad John Fortune has died. He was in the first play I was ever in, 40 Years On. Huge influence on the satire boom. Loved parrots too."

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Schumacher Showing 'Slight Improvement'

Michael Schumacher has shown "slight improvement" after a surgical procedure but is not out of danger, doctors treating him have said.

The operation to remove the largest of a series of blood clots in the racing driver's brain took around two hours, and the coming hours are 'critical' according to medical staff in Grenoble, France.

Schumacher continues to be kept in an artificial coma after he suffered a severe head injury while skiing off-piste in the resort of Meribel on Sunday.

He was reportedly travelling at speeds of up to 60mph when the accident happened, and is thought to have been saved by his skiing helmet, which split on impact.

Rescuers were on hand within minutes and he was initially conscious after the fall before deteriorating into a critical condition.

Doctors have refused to give a prognosis for the 44-year-old Formula One champion.

Schumacher's family are being kept fully informed about his treatment.

Following the surgery, a new scan on Tuesday morning showed "a slight improvement" said the hospital's director general Jacqueline Hubert.

But Professor Emmanuel Gay, one of the specialists treating Schumacher, told a news conference: "The dangers are still there. We cannot say that we have won because there are still some highs and some lows, but it's better than yesterday.

"He is still in a very critical condition, this has not changed. And we still cannot tell how he will be, which state he will be in when he does wake up.

"We cannot speculate on the future because once again it would be too early to do so."

The seven-times F1 champion was admitted to hospital suffering from intracranial haematoma - blood clots - bruising and swelling of the brain.

Professor Gay warned: "There are still many haematomas in the brain, with little bits everywhere.

"That is what makes the situation critical and it needs to be looked at hour by hour, day by day.

"The situation can still evolve, but we won't be able to evacuate the other haematomas at the moment because they are not accessible. They are not as big as the one we removed yesterday."

Schumacher has received an outpouring of support from the racing world, with former and current stars urging him to pull through.

German chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "extremely shocked along with millions of Germans" to learn of the accident.

Schumacher retired from F1 for the final time in 2012 after a three-season comeback with Mercedes.

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Michael Schumacher: Hospital Press Conference As It Happened

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Stag Seriously Injures Woman In Highlands

A Cambridge academic has been seriously injured on holiday after being gored by a stag in a "bizarre and horrific" attack.

Dr Kate Stone is said to be fighting for her life after being wounded by the animal near Fort William in the Highlands.

She had to be airlifted to hospital in Glasgow and is understood to be in intensive care, with injuries to her neck and spine caused by the stag's antlers.

The attack happened in the early hours of Monday, December 30, when Dr Stone and a group of friends were standing outside a private home in Lochailort.

The Press and Journal newspaper reports that the animal appeared to single out Dr Stone, who at six foot was the tallest of the group.

The research engineer had been on a short break. Pic: Kate Stone/Facebook

Her friends initially thought she had just been knocked over in the attack, but it soon became apparent she had been badly hurt.

Dr Stone, who was born a man but changed gender in 2007, studied at Cambridge for a PhD in physics and microelectronics, and is now a research engineer at the university's institute of manufacturing.

She also established her own successful start-up company, Novalia, which looks "at making anything that's printed interactive".

She was among a group on a short break in the Highlands, and had been at a ceilidh in Lochailort Inn.

They were staying at the nearby Mo-Dhachaidh B&B owned by Gary Burton.

Mr Burton said he heard about the attack when one of Dr Stone's friends returned at around 2.30am.

"I think what happened was that the stag panicked. It was trapped in a fenced garden having got through a gate. I don't think there was anywhere else to go and it charged out of the gate," he said.

"It's very bizarre and very horrific."

The group was left shocked by the attack but managed to help Dr Stone and contact the emergency services, Mr Burton said.

"The last I heard was late last night that Kate is still in intensive care," said Mr Burton, who explained the community had never experience a stag attack like this before.

He said: "This is a one-in-a-million event which has shocked the whole community. We are at one with nature in Lochailort, and we have deer all around us.

"We are all hoping and praying that Kate pulls through.

"I don't pry into our guests' personal lives but I had a conversation with Kate and I know she is a very outdoors person, and loves camping and walking.

"It would be a tragedy if she couldn't do that any more."

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Schumacher Fighting For His Life, Say Doctors

Former motor racing world champion Michael Schumacher is in a coma following a skiing accident in France - and doctors say they "cannot predict his future".

The 44-year-old German is fighting for his life at a hospital in Grenoble and surgeons are working "hour by hour" to save him.

Michael Schumacher was skiing with his son at the time of the accident

At a press conference this morning, in Grenoble, doctors said he had suffered many lesions to his brain and his prognosis was unclear.

Surgeons operated to remove a blood clot in his brain and are now trying to reduce "dangerous swelling", meaning his condition could go either way. 

The hospital revealed that Schumacher was being kept in a state of hyperthermia by controlling his temperature to keep it at 34C-35C (93.2F-95F).

He is under general anaesthetic in an induced coma.

"He's in a critical situation - this is considered to be extremely serious," Chief Anaesthetist Jean-Francois Payen told journalists.

The "Dent de Burgin" peak under which Schumacher was skiing

The doctor said that Schumacher's family were at his bedside and friends had flown in to the hospital to lend their support.

"We are working day and night at his bedside," Dr Payen said. "It is too early to say anything as far as prognosis is concerned," he added.

Neurosurgeon Stephan Chabardes said an emergency brain scan had revealed internal bleeding, and injuries including contusions and lesions.

Michael Schumacher was staying at this exclusive chalet in Meribel

"On his arrival we examined him clinically and we realised he was in a serious condition, in a coma, with in fact cranial pressure," Dr Chabardes said.

"The brain scan showed a number of pieces of information, some intercranial haematoma but also some cerebral contusions and oedema.

"We operated urgently to try to eliminate the haematoma. After the operation we saw that we had been able to eliminate these haematoma but also sadly the appearance of various bilateral lesions.

The F1 racer was taken to hospital by helicopter

"So therefore he was taken to intensive care to try to help.

"I am very worried just like his family, we are very worried about his condition. The doctors won't tell you more because they can't tell you more, they are working hour by hour." 

Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he hit his head on a rock while skiing in the French Alps resort of Meribel with his 14-year-old son.

Doctors could not give a prognosis at a press conference in Grenoble

"Someone who had suffered this accident without a helmet would not have made it this far," Dr Payen said

The area where Schumacher was skiing is part of a web of trails that slice down through a vast and, in parts, very steep snowfield.

Although challenging, the runs are broad and neatly tended, and the off-piste areas - where Schumacher was found - is free of trees.

The lane to Schumacher's private chalet

The motor-racing champion was conscious when first responders arrived on the scene, although agitated and in shock, according to a resort spokesman.

He was first airlifted to a local hospital and then later brought to Grenoble for more intensive treatment, when his condition deteriorated.

The French Mountain Gendarmerie had earlier said Schumacher's life was not in danger.

The German Formula One legend skiing in Italy in 2006

Fellow drivers, politicians and friends spoke of their alarm. Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "extremely shocked along with millions of Germans". 

Schumacher's family also released a brief statement. It read: "We would like to thank the medical team who we know do everything possible to help Michael.

"We like to also thank the people from all around the world who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for Michael's recovery."

The accident occurred in the resort of Meribel in France

A leading neurosurgery specialist in London has described Schumacher's condition as "very dangerous".

Christopher Chandler, of the London Neurosurgery Partnership, warned that his injuries may take several days to "reach their peak".

He said the haematoma and bruising could cause "ferocious swelling".

Schumacher, a seven-time world champion, first retired from Formula One in 2006.

Schumacher made a comeback to Formula One for Mercedes in 2010

He has been hurt seriously once before, in a motorcycling accident in February 2009 when he suffered neck and spine injuries.

Schumacher recovered sufficiently from those injuries to make a comeback to Formula One in 2010.

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Volgograd: At Least 14 Dead In Bus Bombing

At least 14 people have reportedly died in an explosion on an electric bus in the Russian city of Volgograd in the second deadly attack in the city in as many days.

Investigators have described the blast, during the morning rush-hour on a trolleybus, as "an act of terror".

Russian investigators said the bus explosion was caused by a male suicide bomber.

A statement from the Federal Investigative Committee said: "It is now possible to preliminarily say that the explosive device was set off by a suicide bomber - a man whose body fragments have been collected and sent for genetic testing."

The death toll could rise further

It comes just a day after a female suicide bomber was blamed for killing 17 people and leaving dozens more injured at the city's main railway station.

Police identified that bomber as a Dagestan national called Oksana Aslanova - who had been married to two Islamists killed by Russian forces.

She apparently detonated a bomb in front of a metal detector inside the main entrance of the station. Russian television is suggesting there may have been two attackers.

That attack was the deadliest in Russia since January 2011, when a male suicide bomber from the North Caucasus killed 37 people in the arrivals hall of a busy Moscow airport.

Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for Russia's main investigative agency, said the latest explosion involved a bomb similar to the one used to target Volgograd railway station. The bomb contained 4kg of TNT equivalent explosive.

He said: "That confirms the investigators' version that the two terror attacks were linked. They could have been prepared in one place."

Security has been stepped up after the station blast

President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia's counter-terrorism agency to step up security in Volgograd and nationwide in the wake of the two attacks, the Kremlin announced.

The explosions have put the city on edge and highlighted the terrorist threat that Russia is facing as it prepares to host the Winter Olympics in February.

Volgograd is about 400 miles northeast of Sochi, where the Games are to be held.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either of the attacks.

In July, Doku Umarov, leader of an ongoing insurgency in the nearby North Caucasus region, urged militants to use "maximum force" to disrupt the Winter Olympics, a project close to Mr Putin's heart.

Russian authorities have pledged to make the event the "safest ever".

Sky's Foreign Affairs Editor Tim Marshall said: "It's 39 or 40 days until the Winter Olympics open, this is the opportunity for the Islamic separatists in the Caucasus region to really put themselves on the world map.

"The more this sort of thing happens, if it is indeed them, the more that cause is going to get on the front pages around the world, spoil Putin's Olympics and, more seriously, the more lives it will take."

Known in Soviet times as Stalingrad, and previously as Tsaritsyn, Volgograd is a major industrial centre with a population of more than a million people.

The North Caucasus is the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, bordered by Georgia and Azerbaijan to the south.

It includes the predominantly Muslim Krasnodar Kai, Stavropol Krai, Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan.

Insurgents have carried out attacks on Russian military and civilians following two wars against Chechnya in 1994-1996 and from 1999 to 2009.

The violence has spread into neighbouring republics and even Moscow as insurgents attempt to establish an Islamic state in the region.

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Jahi McMath Family Running Out Of Time

A 13-year-old girl declared brain dead could be disconnected from a breathing machine today despite her family's attempt to keep her on life support.

Under a court order, Children's Hospital of Oakland in California is allowed to remove Jahi McMath from a ventilator at 5pm local time (1am on Tuesday, UK time).

But her family believes the girl is alive and is hoping to be able to move her to another facility where she can be kept on a breathing machine.

Jahi went into cardiac arrest earlier this month. Pic: KPIX/CBS

The battle is dividing public opinion in the US.

Jahi suffered complications after undergoing a tonsillectomy at the hospital on December 9.

After she awoke from the operation, her family said, she started bleeding heavily and went into cardiac arrest.

Both the hospital and an independent paediatric neurologist from Stanford University have concluded the girl is brain dead.

The family is hoping to move her to a New York facility. 

"The family is together, and today everybody is praying and being together," Chris Dolan, the family's lawyer, told the AP news agency.

After two California care homes withdrew offers to accept her, Jahi's family views the New York option as their "last, last hope", said Mr Dolan.

The hospital said it would need to confirm there is "lawful transportation" included in any plan to transfer Jahi, and written permission from the coroner.

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Antarctic Ship: Helicopter To Rescue Passengers

Passengers on a ship trapped in Antarctic ice for nearly a week will be evacuated by helicopter as soon as possible, Russian officials say.

The majority of passengers and crew will be removed by a Chinese helicopter after the latest bid to free the vessel failed.

A picture taken from the ship shows the ice around the vessel

The MV Akademik Shokalskiy ship has been stuck since Christmas Eve after blizzard winds pushed sea ice around the ship, freezing it in place.

The ship is not in danger of sinking, and there are weeks' worth of supplies for those on board, but the vessel cannot move.

A statement by the Russian foreign ministry read: "A decision has been reached to evacuate 52 passengers and four crew members by helicopter from China's Xue Long ship, should the weather allow."

Professor Chris Turney is one of the scientists aboard the ship

It was unclear what would happen to the remaining 18 passengers on the ship.

The Australian Aurora Australis ship abandoned the latest rescue attempt because of 30-knot winds, snow showers and poor visibility.

Speaking before the rescue attempt was abandoned, Aurora Australis captain Murray Doyle said ramming the ice around the trapped ship was his "first option".

The Aurora Australis had moved back into open water but may make further rescue attempts once weather conditions improve.

A Chinese vessel, The Snow Dragon, is also in the area after it failed to reach the ice-locked ship during a rescue bid last week.

The scientific team on board the MV Akademik Shokalskiy research ship had been recreating Australian explorer Douglas Mawson's century-old voyage to Antarctica.

It left New Zealand on November 28.

Before the Australian rescue mission was called off, ship passenger Terry Gostlow said passengers were in good spirits.

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Ferry Fire: Man Arrested Over Suspected Arson

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire alert on a North Sea ferry sparked an emergency evacuation.

Northumbria Police said they had also arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of affray.

Four crew members and two passengers had to be winched off the ferry, which was heading to Amsterdam, after they inhaled smoke when the fire broke out 30 miles off the Humberside coast.

The six people were taken to Scarborough Hospital by RAF helicopter but are not thought to be in a serious condition.

The ferry looped back when it was 30 miles off Flamborough Head

A further 15 passengers and eight crew members were treated by doctors for smoke-related injuries on board the ferry.

The fire broke out in a cabin on the DFDS King Seaways ferry at around 10.45pm on Saturday night but was extinguished "within 15 minutes", according to the company.

RAF helicopters from Leconfield near Hull, and Boulmer, Northumberland were scrambled to the vessel along with two RNLI lifeboats from Bridlington and Filey.

Passengers were reunited with friends and family at Newcastle Ferry Port

The 30,000-tonne ship returned to Newcastle Ferry Port, in North Shields, at around 4am and passengers were kept on board until 9am while police investigated.

Police said earlier that a passenger had been detained by the ship's staff following the incident.

Olivia Elliott, who was in a nightclub on the ferry when the alarm went off, told Sky News she "panicked" not knowing how serious the situation was.

"(It was) scary out there in the middle of the ocean. You've never been in that situation before - you don't know what to do."

This photo of the RAF helicopter was taken by a passenger

She added: "The captain came on the tannoy and said we needed to evacuate to the outer deck because there had been a fire.

"We were outside for about 40 minutes before we were allowed to go back in."

Despite the emergency, she said most people remained calm.

Another passenger, Steven Basford, said: "They sounded the fire alarms, high-pitched alarms, and then made an announcement we would have to evacuate to an outside deck.

"Then, when we started to evacuate to go further up the boat, you could see smoke in the corridors and in the common area and it hit home more then."

Passengers were kept on board until 9am on Sunday while police investigated

Lynn Smith-Davis told Sky News the ship's crew had handled the emergency well but that some passengers had started fighting.

She said: "There was no panic where we were, but then later on when we were inside sitting in the bar and cafe area some people started fighting - fights broke out, which really didn't help the situation."

Were you on board the King Seaways ferry? Email your pictures and video to news@sky.com, text 84501 (costs 25p, network charges vary), or tweet @SkyNews

DFDS Seaways said 946 passengers and 127 crew members were on board the ferry and added that "psychological assistance" would be provided to anyone who needs it.

Police arrived at the Newcastle Ferry Port in the early hours

Spokesman Gert Jakobsen said the company would help people find alternative crossings to Amsterdam.

He added: "The cabin that was burnt is very damaged and there has been some smoke damage to surrounding cabins but the ship's function has not been affected in any way and is safe to travel."

According to the DFDS Seaways website, the 26-year-old vessel has room for over 1,500 passengers and 600 cars and was renovated in 2006.

It offers entertainment including restaurants, bars, a nightclub and a casino.

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Building With Hole Is For 'Flashy Rich People'

Popularly known as the "the flashy rich people's circle", an upright circular building with a 47-metre-wide hole in the middle is proving controversial.

The yellow structure, in the shape of giant Polo mint, has recently been completed and has been praised and criticised alike in China.

One local resident called it "unique" but some people on the internet said it was a crass symbol of wealth and nicknamed it "Tuhao Circle" or "Copper Coin Building".

The 33-storey-high Guangzhou Circle Building is designed to resemble an ancient Chinese jade disc.

It is becoming a landmark of Guangzhou city, despite being in the middle of a suburb 40 minutes away from the central business district.

Architect Joseph di Pasquale drew inspiration from seeing a jade disc at a museum in Guangzhou.

The structure has been criticised by some

He said the hole in the building was key to the structure because the empty centre would evoke an emotional response from its viewers.

It also forms a figure-eight with its reflection on the Pearl River, suggesting the Chinese lucky number eight.

"I think he (the architect) is very brave. He made something that other people did not have the courage to make. It's a circular building, which is really unique in Guangzhou," said architecture student, Ash Sze.

One unidentified student said: "It's quite unusual. I'm quite intrigued to see a building with a circular hole in the middle. Personally, I think it's for the flashy rich people."

The building will house China's largest plastics trading floor, the Guangdong Plastics Exchange, where 300bn yuan (£30bn) worth of plastic raw materials and goods are traded annually.

Encased in 8,920 copper plates and built at a cost of around 70m yuan (£7m), the building on an island in Yangzhong county in the province of Jiangsu, hovers 15 storeys above ground.

It is not the first controversial building in China.

Earlier this year, a viewing tower built in the shape of a giant puffer fish caused a storm of protest on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter.

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Michael Schumacher Hurt In Skiing Accident

Former motor racing world champion Michael Schumacher has suffered head injuries in a skiing accident.

It happened while the 44-year-old was skiing in the French resort of Meribel in the popular Three Valleys area.

It is understood he was wearing a helmet when he hit his head on a rock in an off-piste area and that he did not lose consciousness.

He was airlifted off the mountain and is now at a hospital in Grenoble.

Schumacher was being treated at a hospital in Grenoble

The duty manager at the hospital told Sky News that Schumacher had been admitted and is undergoing a scan.

He said he had no further information and that ''his injuries are being examined at the moment''.

Olivier Desaulty, sales director at Meribel ski resort, told Sky that rescuers quickly reached Schumacher.

"Around 11am Michael Schumacher fell on the slopes," he said. "Well it was not really on the slopes – he was skiing a bit off piste.

The German F1 legend skiing in Italy in 2006

"(He was) close to a slope called Mauduit and he hurt his head.

"We are sure he had a helmet – we hope it will be okay. Some security patrol got to the spot immediately to check everything and we had to ask for a helicopter to take him to the hospital."

Meribel officials have also told French media that the Formula One legend was in shock but conscious, and added that police were looking into the incident.

His agent, Sabine Kehm, said: ''Michael fell on his head during a private ski trip in the French Alps.

"He was hospitalised and is receiving medical care. We ask for your understanding that we cannot give a running commentary on his state of health.

"He was wearing a helmet and was not alone.''

Schumacher owns a chalet in the resort and is a keen skier.

The German driver retired from Formula 1 for a second time in December 2012.

He made a disappointing return to the sport after making his comeback in 2010, managing only one podium finish during his three years with Mercedes.

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New Malden: Teen Found On Fire In Street Dies

A teenager has died after she was found on fire in the street in south-west London early on Sunday morning.

Emergency services were called at 1.10am to reports of a burning woman on the level crossing near a Tesco branch at West Barnes Lane in New Malden.

They managed to extinguish the fire but the woman, believed to be around 18 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokeswoman for the London Fire Brigade said the woman had suffered burns on every part of her body.

Nearby Burlington Road and neighbouring streets were sealed off.

Officers believe they know the identity of the deceased and have informed next of kin. No formal identification has taken place.

Her death is being treated as unexplained pending an investigation by officers from Merton Borough and the London Fire Brigade.

Scotland Yard said it believed the fire started in a nearby house in Linkway.

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