Over 2,000 Confirmed Dead In Afghan Landslide

More than 2,000 people are feared dead in a landslide in Afghanistan after part of a hill above a village collapsed.

The community, in Badakhshan province which borders Tajikistan in the country's northeast, has been buried in more than 300ft of mud (100 metres).

"More than 2,100 people from 300 families are all dead," Naweed Forotan, a spokesman for the Badakhshan provincial governor, told the Reuters news agency.

There are fears of further landslides in the area

Other officials have said the death toll is lower, in the hundreds. 

Hundreds of mud brick homes were destroyed when two landslides triggered by torrential rain hit Hobo Barik, in Argo district.

At least 100 people have been injured.

A digger works to clear the mud

The side of the mountain collapsed as villagers were trying to recover belongings and livestock following a smaller landslip a few hours earlier.

Mark Bowden, the humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan, has told Sky News as many as 2,700 people could have been killed, with at least 4,500 people displaced.

Local people and dozens of police officers equipped with only basic digging tools began searching for survivors from first light on Saturday.

Thousands of people have been displaced

But it quickly became apparent there was no hope of finding anyone.

The United Nations says the focus is now on the thousands of people who have been displaced by the disaster.

A memorial service was planned for later on Saturday, and the site is expected to be designated as a mass grave, according to UN spokesman Ari Gaitanis.

Afghan National Army troops in Kabul load supplies for survivors

He added the survivors need water, medical support, counselling, food and emergency shelter.

British charities are mobilising teams to help with the rescue effort.

Save the Children sent five ambulances to the scene and are planning to distribute blankets and give medical assistance.

Other charities are monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide assistance if necessary.

There are also fears that another section of the mountainside could collapse, threatening the homeless and hundreds of rescue workers.

The US and the Nato-led coalition in Afghanistan have offered to send help

The Afghan military flew rescue teams to the search area on Saturday because the remote mountain region is served by only narrow, poor roads that have been damaged by more than a week of heavy rain.

Nato-led coalition troops are ready to assist, but have not yet been asked for help by the Afghan government.

US President Barack Obama has also offered to send help.

Seasonal rains and spring snow melt have brought destruction to large parts of northern Afghanistan, killing more than 100 people.

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McGuinness: Adams Arrest 'Politically Motivated'

Martin McGuinness has reiterated his claim that the timing of Gerry Adams' arrest was "politically motivated".

The Northern Ireland deputy first minister was speaking as a new mural of the Sinn Fein president was unveiled in west Belfast.

Mr McGuinness also helped display a poster of Mr Adams with former South African president Nelson Mandela, which had the words "Defend the peace process" and "release Gerry Adams".

Mr Adams is continuing to be questioned by police in connection with the 1972 murder of mother-of-10 Jean McConville.

On Friday, officers were granted another 48 hours to quiz him at Antrim police station.

His party colleague Mr McGuinness told Sinn Fein supporters that he believed the arrest was linked to the local government and EU elections in three weeks' time.

Mr McGuinness helped display a poster of Gerry Adams and Nelson Mandela

As the election campaign continues, he claimed Sinn Fein candidates were being denied the solidarity and support of the party leader.

And Mr McGuinness alleged some people in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) who were "hostile" to the peace process were "using dirty tricks" and "deliberately and cynically exploiting" the killing of Ms McConville.

Mr McGuinness has claimed a "cabal" within the PSNI was behind the arrest, with the intention of damaging the process and inflicting political scars on Sinn Fein in election month.

But Justice Minister David Ford said: "I see no evidence that there's political policing in Northern Ireland.

New mural of Gerry Adams in west Belfast

"I do see evidence of a lot of politicians trying to politically interfere with what's being done by policing."

The republican party has warned it will review its support for the police if the veteran leader is charged.

The deputy first minister said he and colleagues would not be making a "knee-jerk" decision.

But he suggested they would "reflect" on their endorsement of the PSNI if such a situation came to pass.

He said of the arrest: "In my view this is a failed attempt at the replay of the effort in 1978 to charge Gerry Adams with membership of the IRA. That case was based on hearsay, gossip and newspaper articles. It failed then and it will fail now.

Ms McConville was dragged screaming from her home by an IRA gang in 1972

"Thirty six years later those within the PSNI who are hostile to the peace process are using the same old dirty tricks. They are deliberately and cynically exploiting the awful killing of Jean McConville and the grief and hurt inflicted on her family."

Mr Adams, 65, vehemently denies allegations levelled by former republican colleagues that he ordered the murder after she was wrongly accused of passing information to the security forces.

No one has ever been charged with the murder of the 37-year-old widow.

But after years without progress in the criminal investigation there have been a series of arrests in recent weeks.

The recent police activity followed a decision by a US court compelling a Boston university to hand over to the PSNI recorded interviews with republicans about the murder.

Boston College interviewed a number of former paramilitaries about the Troubles on the understanding transcripts would not be published until after their deaths.

But that undertaking was rendered ineffective when the court ordered last year that tapes that contained claims about the killing be given to detectives.

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Clarkson Hits Out At BBC Over Racism Row

Clarkson Racism Row: 10 Top Gear Gaffes

Updated: 3:53pm UK, Friday 02 May 2014

As Jeremy Clarkson "begs for forgiveness" over claims he used racist language, Sky News looks at past controversies on his show.

:: Lorry load of trouble over 'prostitute' claim (series 12, November 2008)

The BBC received hundreds of complaints after Clarkson joked about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes.

"Change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder," he said. "That's a lot of effort in a day."

One MP called for Clarkson to be sacked but the BBC defended its presenter, saying viewers have "clear expectations" of his on-screen persona and humour.

:: Top Gear slammed over "vulgar" Mexico claims (series 16, December 2010)

A special episode of the show upset Mexicans by describing them as "lazy, feckless and flatulent" and branding their food "refried sick".

It claimed the Mexican ambassador to the UK would not complain as he was likely to be asleep.

In response, ambassador Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza wrote to the BBC, describing the comments as "outrageous, vulgar and inexcusable".

Ofcom found the BBC had not breached guidelines but the broadcaster admitted the language used had "reinforced" stereotypes.

:: "Slope" remark during Burma special (series 21, March 2014)

Clarkson was accused of using "casual racism" during a Top Gear special, during which he and his co-presenters built a bridge over a Burmese river.

As a man walked across the bridge, Clarkson said: "That's a proud moment but there's a slope on it."

A BBC spokesman said the show was not aware the word "slope" was considered by some to be offensive and insisted it was used to make a "light-hearted wordplay joke".

:: Mock-Nazi salute sparks anger (series seven, November 2005)

Clarkson did little to strengthen Anglo-German relations when he made a mock-Nazi salute during a segment discussing a new Mini.

He also claimed the car's in-built navigation system "only goes to Poland".

German diplomats sternly pointed out that, had his salute been on German TV, he would have faced criminal charges and even a possible six-month prison term.

The BBC said it would be dealt with under its "rigorous" complaints procedure.

:: '"N-word" edited out of Top Gear broadcast' (series 19, February 2013)

Clarkson was accused by the Daily Mirror of using the "n-word" while filming an episode of the motoring show.

According to the paper, Clarkson "can be heard chanting, 'Eeny, meeny, miny moe...', before mumbling, 'Catch a n****r by his toe'."

Clarkson responded by saying he was "horrified" by the allegations.

The BBC launched an investigation into the episode, which was broadcast without the alleged comment.

:: Fallout from the top over India special (series 17, December 2011)

An Indian special, during which Clarkson built a toilet into the back of a Jaguar, claiming it would be "perfect" for tourists because "everyone" who visits the country suffers diarrhoea, sparked a complaint from the Indian High Commission.

It accused the show of "cheap jibes" and "tasteless humour", adding that it "lacked cultural sensitivity".

A BBC spokesman said it had not insulted Indian people or the country's culture.

:: Albanian man's 'murder' triggers complaints (series 16, February 2011)

Hundreds of people complained to the BBC after Top Gear aired a segment during which the presenters tried to squeeze an overweight Albanian man, who had ostensibly been murdered, into their boots of their cars.

The presenters pretended to have been sent to the country to test drive cars for a mafia boss.

:: Dead cow 'humour' angers viewers (series nine, February 2007)

During a one-off US special, Clarkson tied a dead cow to the roof of a Chevy Comaro before reversing the car and flinging the animal to the ground.

The stunt sparked complaints to both the BBC and Ofcom but the broadcaster insisted it was "very typical" of the show's "irreverent humour".

A spokesman added: "No offence was intended."

:: Botswana special leaves trail of controversy (series 10, November 2007)

Environmental campaigners claimed Top Gear had damaged Botswana's Makgadikgadi salt pan by blasting through it during a 2007 special.

They claimed tracks left by the team's vehicles would remain visible for decades.

However, the BBC said it was careful to avoid sensitive conservation zones.

:: Crash test damages villagers' tree (series three, November 2003)

The BBC was forced to hand over £250 to a parish council in Somerset after Clarkson damaged a horse chestnut tree while testing the strength of a Toyota Hilux.

Local people thought the damage had been caused by vandals until later recognising the tree on TV.

The show "unreservedly apologised".

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Ukraine Observers Freed Amid New Offensive

Military observers kept prisoner in Ukraine for more than a week have been released as bloody clashes in the country show no sign of letting up.

The seven observers and their five assistants, from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, were seized in Slavyansk on April 25.

The separatists had previously accused the observers of being "Nato spies" and said they were to be used as human shields.

A prisoner-swap was thought likely, although they were set free today without any conditions.

Scuffles broke out outside the burned building in Odessa on Saturday

Colonel Axel Schneider, the head of the observers, said the group had shown "strength" and that the captivity was "unforgettable for us".

The release comes as Ukraine launched a dawn military operation against separatists in the east of the country.

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said troops had seized control of a television tower in Kramatorsk, near the rebel stronghold of Slavyansk.

Two of the observers pictured while they were being held in Slavyansk

"We are not stopping," Mr Avakov wrote on his Facebook page. Heavy fighting is now being reported in the town, according to Ukraine's anti-terrorist centre.

The violence comes hours after 31 people died after a building in Odessa was set on fire during clashes between protesters.

Police said some people inside the trade union building were overcome by smoke and others were killed jumping from windows as they tried to escape.

Pro-Russian and pro-Kiev activists fought running battles as the southern city saw some of its worst violence since President Victor Yanukovych was ousted in February.

Police are guarding the charred trade union building in Odessa

The Interior Ministry said a total of 42 people had died.

Sky News' Katie Stallard said emotions were running high on the city's streets on Saturday as a few hundred officers guarded the charred building and people came to lay flowers.

"There is anger toward these officers. People feel they stood by yesterday; that they did very little to protect people.

"One woman told us she saw a young man and woman jump together from this building. People here witnessed something terrible last night."

A protester throws a petrol bomb at the building during Friday's clashes

Russia said it was "outraged" and denounced the "criminal irresponsibility" of the pro-Western authorities in Kiev.

Russia's foreign ministry called on Ukraine and its "Western backers to end the anarchy and take responsibility for the Ukranian people".

At an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, the UK accused Moscow of "breathtaking" hypocrisy over the latest clashes.

People wait for rescue on an upper-storey ledge during the fire

The UK's ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, said Russia had "funded, equipped and directed" some of those involved in the insurgency.

"Many" pro-Russian separatists were also said to have been killed on Friday as the Ukrainian army took control of checkpoints around Slavyansk.

Two Ukrainian soldiers were also killed as two helicopters were shot down in the city, acting president Oleksandr Turchynov said.

The Ukrainian Security Service said one was shot down with a surface-to-air missile, adding that the sophisticated weapon undermined Russia's claims that Slavyansk was simply under the control of armed locals.

Sky News Chief Correspondent Stuart Ramsay, in Donetsk, said the Ukraine government is in a "very difficult position".

"If they want to take control of these towns they are going to have to put a lot of soldiers on the ground and bring in police from other parts of the country. If that happens it will absolutely be violent – it will only escalate further.

"Russia has made it clear that would be a reason for them to intervene to protect ethnic Russians.

"If Kiev doesn't do that, they are going to see the eastern parts of the country drift away."

Russia has tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine's border, and Kiev claims its neighbouring country is preparing to invade and that it is stoking the unrest in the east.

Moscow denies the allegations, but has warned Russia would respond to attacks on Russian citizens or interests in the east, where insurgents have seized government buildings in around a dozen cities.

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Nasa Images Capture Huge Fires In North Korea

Dozens of raging fires in North Korea have been photographed from space.

The images taken from a Nasa satellite showed vast plumes of smoke rising from across the east and southeast areas of the secretive state, near its border with South Korea.

Many of the fires appeared to be in farm lands near rivers, which the agency said may have been lit by farmers clearing debris to help fertilise the soil.

Low-lying areas appear in brown and elevated areas in green

Others were in heavily forested areas, suggesting they could be wildfires, or started by drooping wires on ageing power lines.

"Collectively, the fires were producing enough smoke to send plumes of haze drifting east over the Sea of Japan," Nasa said on its website.

The images were taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on Nasa's Aqua satellite, earlier this week.

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Clifford's Sky Antics 'Show Lack Of Remorse'

The judge at Max Clifford's trial said the PR man's mocking appearance behind a Sky News correspondent was "extraordinary" and showed a lack of remorse for his crimes.

Clifford appeared behind Tom Parmenter as he was reporting outside the court while the trial was still continuing on April 8.

He appeared to mimic the correspondent as he described intimate details of the evidence and how his victims were affected.

The piece to camera was not being broadcast live - but Clifford did not know that at the time.

Judge Anthony Leonard said: "I have discovered that you appeared behind a reporter outside this court whilst he was making his report of your evidence and during which you mimicked his actions in a way that was designed to trivialise these events.

"I find your behaviour to be quite extraordinary and a further indication that you show no remorse."

Parmenter said Clifford had later asked him whether his news colleagues had found it funny.

The recording outside Southwark Crown Court was not aired until after Clifford had been convicted.

The 71-year-old was sentenced to eight years on Friday after being found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault against four women aged between 15 and 19.

He will serve at least half that sentence.

Detective Chief Inspector Michael Orchard said it had been a "painstaking investigation" which he hoped would encourage other victims of historical sexual abuse to come forward.

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Thousands Missing As Landslide Buries Village

As many as 2,000 people are missing after a landslide buried part of a village in Afghanistan, according to officials.

Three hundred homes in the village of Hobo Barik were buried after heavy rains caused part of a hill to collapse at around 1pm local time on Friday.

Governor Shah Waliullah Adeeb said around a third of the village had been hit by the landslide and appealed for equipment for rescue teams.

He said: "It's physically impossible right now. We don't have enough shovels, we need more machinery."

Mr Adeeb added authorities had evacuated a nearby village over fears of more landslides.

Faziluddin Hayar, police chief in Badakshan province, said seven people have been rescued and search crews were looking for more survivors.

Badakshan province is located in the Hindu Kush and Pamir mountain ranges and is one of the most remote areas in the country.

The area, which borders Tajikistan and China, has seen few attacks from insurgents following the 2001 US-led military action in the country.

It comes after severe flooding left 150 people dead and thousands affected in Jowzjan, Faryab and Sar-e-Pul provinces in the north of the country.

Avalanches are also common in the mountains of northern Afghanistan. In February 2010, more than 170 people were killed in an avalanche in Salang Pass, which connects the capital Kabul with the north of the country.

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Clifford Jailed For Eight Years For Sex Crimes

Shamed publicist Max Clifford has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a string of sexual offences.

The 71-year-old, who was found guilty last month of eight counts of indecent assault against four women aged between 15 and 19, will have to serve at least half his sentence.

He was told by Judge Anthony Leonard: "The reason why (your crimes) were not brought to light sooner was because of your dominant character.

"Your victims thought you were untouchable, something I think you too believed."

A group of photographers chase after the prison van carrying Clifford

The judge also condemned Clifford's "contemptuous attitude" and said some of the assaults he committed would be considered rape under current legislation.

Sky's Ashish Joshi, at Southwark Crown Court, said the PR guru appeared "impassive" as the sentence was read out.

"He looked straight at the judge and showed no reaction whatsoever," he said.

"As the lewdest of sex acts were described, he would look away. He would stare at the walls and on a couple of occasions, he shook his head as if to say, 'I still can't believe it'.

During his trial, Clifford branded his victims 'liars' and 'fantasists'

"That was mentioned by the judge, who said the fact he continued to dismiss the evidence against him and trivialise the whole event was the reason he was sentenced to eight years."

Sky's Nick Pisa, who was also in court, added: "Clifford initially remained emotionless but then turned to the gallery, took off his hearing loop, switched off his mobile phone and smiled at his friends before he was led away."

Clifford refused to apologise to his victims when he arrived at court, but spent nearly five minutes posing for photographers, at times standing on the street with his hands in his pockets.

He told Sky's Tom Parmenter: "I stand by everything I've said in the past."

Clifford's behaviour in this Sky News clip was branded 'extraordinary'

Asked whether that included his description of the women as "liars" and "fantasists", the PR guru refused to answer and strolled away, posing for photographers as he wandered towards the court steps.

During his trial, Clifford crept up behind Parmenter, mimicking the reporter's actions as he recorded a piece for Sky News.

The judge referred to the bizarre incident - which was not broadcast during the trial - in his sentencing remarks, describing it as "extraordinary" and proof he had shown "no remorse".

Clifford used to represent some of the UK's top celebrities, including music mogul Simon Cowell and Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis.

Clifford held his hands in his pockets as he posed for pictures at court

Both men have severed ties with his company, Max Clifford Associates, which was expected to be shut down after the judge passed sentence.

Speaking outside his Surrey home before being driven to court, Clifford admitted: "It's not the best day of my life, is it?"

"I just have to face up to it," he added.

In sentencing Clifford, the judge had to use guidelines in force when the offences were committed in the 1970s and 1980s.

DCI Michael Orchard, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "Without the support of Clifford's victims, we would not have secured these successful convictions, and I commend them for their courage, strength and confidence."

"I hope this case gives other victims courage to come forward."

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Stabbed Teacher's Family Lay Flowers At School

The family of teacher Ann Maguire have laid flowers at the entrance to the school where she was stabbed to death in front of her pupils.

Holding hands as they huddled beneath an umbrella, the 61-year-old's husband and two daughters spent several minutes reading some of the hundreds of tributes left at the gates of Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds.

They also visited the church next to the school, where pupils and teachers held a memorial service earlier this week.

Earlier, Mrs Maguire's family sat metres from her alleged killer, as he appeared briefly at a youth court in the city charged with murder.

Mrs Maguire's family read some of the tributes to her outside the school

The 15-year-old suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in custody ahead of a crown court bail hearing on Friday.

Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt, in Leeds, said: "The teenager didn't have to say anything and appeared in the dock wearing a dark jumper and trousers.

"He showed no obvious signs of emotion as he was asked whether he understood the charge of murder, to which he nodded in response."

Mrs Maguire was stabbed as she taught at Corpus Christi Catholic College

Earlier, Mrs Maguire's family issued a moving tribute to "a loving wife, the best mother, a treasured sister (and) a true friend", describing her as a "shining light who brightened the world for so many".

"This horrific happening has robbed us of all of this and so much more," they said.

"We are devastated. Her selfless, genuine, caring nature will remain with us eternally."

Mrs Maguire had worked at Corpus Christi Catholic College for more than 40 years and was due to retire later this year.

She taught Spanish at the school and was also in charge of Year 11.

Headteacher Steve Mort reads messages attached to bouquets of flowers

Headteacher Steve Mort praised students for their handling of Mrs Maguire's death and thanked the public for their "overwhelming" support.

"I'm immensely proud to be headteacher at Corpus Christi," Mr Mort said.

"Our children have proven themselves to be great ambassadors for the school.

"I want to pay particular tribute to them and to the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by our staff at this very difficult time."

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Details Of Scene At Peaches' Home Revealed

Heroin 'Likely Contributed' To Peaches Death

Updated: 3:48pm UK, Thursday 01 May 2014

Heroin is likely to have contributed to the death of writer, model and TV presenter Peaches Geldof, an inquest has heard.

The 25-year-old was found slumped across a bed in a spare bedroom by her husband Tom Cohen on Monday, April 7.

The musician had arrived at their home in Wrotham, Kent, with his mother, and thought Peaches was asleep.

He found their 11-month-old son Phaedra, who Peaches had been looking after, and called to his mother to ring emergency services.

The inquest in Gravesend, Kent, also heard Peaches' father Sir Bob Geldof formally identified her body.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fotheringham said a post-mortem examination was inconclusive, prompting further tests.

But he told the 10-minute hearing: "Forensic samples have been examined and results concluded there was recent use of heroin and that the levels identified were likely to have played a role in her death."

He said Mr Cohen, 23, went with his two sons to spend the weekend at his parents' house in south-east London.

"This is a normal occurrence which enables Peaches and Thomas to complete work in their respective careers," he said.

Peaches spent Saturday afternoon until Sunday morning on her own at home.

"Throughout this period she maintained telephone contact with family and friends, including contact with Thomas' mother to arrange a family activity, but this was cancelled," DCI Fotheringham said.

"Peaches maintained contact with family and friends throughout Sunday and at 5pm Thomas's father Keith Cohen took the youngest child, Phaedra, back to Wrotham and spent half an hour with Peaches before leaving the child with her."

The last contact with Peaches is believed to have been at 7.45pm on the Sunday when she had a telephone conversation with a friend.

DCI Fotheringham said: "All of the friends and family who had contact with Peaches during this period described how she seemed her normal self and was making plans for the future, including a family outing for her sons for the following weekend.

"There was no cause for concern."

Mr Cohen tried to contact his wife on Monday morning and then drove to the family home with his mother, Sue, and 23-month-old son Astala, arriving at around 1.30pm.

"Thomas entered the property and located Peaches in the spare bedroom," DCI Fotheringham said.

"She was located on the edge of the bed with one leg hanging down to the floor and the other leg tucked underneath her. She was slumped across the bed."

The hearing was adjourned until July 23, when a fuller inquest will take place.

Hours before she died, Peaches posted a picture of her as a youngster with her mother.

Paula Yates died from an accidental heroin overdose in 2000 at the age of 41.

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Peaches Geldof Death: Heroin 'Likely Contributed'

Heroin is likely to have contributed to the death of writer, model and TV presenter Peaches Geldof, an inquest has heard.

The 25-year-old was found slumped across a bed in a spare bedroom by her husband Tom Cohen on Monday, April 7.

The musician had arrived at their home in Wrotham, Kent, with his mother, and thought Peaches was asleep.

He found their 11-month-old son Phaedra, who Peaches had been looking after, and called to his mother to ring emergency services.

The inquest in Gravesend, Kent, also heard Peaches' father Sir Bob Geldof formally identified her body.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fotheringham said a post-mortem examination was inconclusive, prompting further tests.

The picture Peaches posted with her mother

But he told the 10-minute hearing: "Forensic samples have been examined and results concluded there was recent use of heroin and that the levels identified were likely to have played a role in her death."

He said Mr Cohen, 23, went with his two sons to spend the weekend at his parents' house in south-east London.

"This is a normal occurrence which enables Peaches and Thomas to complete work in their respective careers," he said.

Peaches spent Saturday afternoon until Sunday morning on her own at home.

"Throughout this period she maintained telephone contact with family and friends, including contact with Thomas' mother to arrange a family activity, but this was cancelled," DCI Fotheringham said.

"Peaches maintained contact with family and friends throughout Sunday and at 5pm Thomas's father Keith Cohen took the youngest child, Phaedra, back to Wrotham and spent half an hour with Peaches before leaving the child with her."

The last contact with Peaches is believed to have been at 7.45pm on the Sunday when she had a telephone conversation with a friend.

Peaches' funeral was held in the village of Davington

DCI Fotheringham said: "All of the friends and family who had contact with Peaches during this period described how she seemed her normal self and was making plans for the future, including a family outing for her sons for the following weekend.

"There was no cause for concern."

Mr Cohen tried to contact his wife on Monday morning and then drove to the family home with his mother, Sue, and 23-month-old son Astala, arriving at around 1.30pm.

"Thomas entered the property and located Peaches in the spare bedroom," DCI Fotheringham said.

"She was located on the edge of the bed with one leg hanging down to the floor and the other leg tucked underneath her. She was slumped across the bed."

The hearing was adjourned until July 23, when a fuller inquest will take place.

Hours before she died, Peaches posted a picture of her as a youngster with her mother.

Paula Yates died from an accidental heroin overdose in 2000 at the age of 41.

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Nigel Farage Hit By Egg On Campaign Trail

Egged In The Line Of Duty

Updated: 4:55pm UK, Thursday 01 May 2014

Nigerl Farage isn't the first politician to be struck by an egg while on the campaign trail.

:: Nick Griffin 

The BNP leader was famously bundled away by his security team after a mob of protesters from Unite Against Fascism confronted him outside the Houses of Parliament in 2009 during his party's campaign in the run-up to the local and European elections.

:: David Cameron

The Prime Minister was hit by an egg thrown by a teenage student as he was leaving Cornwall College in Saltash in 2010. Mr Cameron's assailant was later released without charge after being questioned by police.

:: John Prescott 

The Deputy Labour Prime Minister was egged during a rally in Rhyl, Wales in 2001. Mr Prescott responded with a left jab to Craig Evans, a farm labourer protesting about the treatment of the farming industry.
 

:: Ed Miliband

The Labour leader was pelted with eggs during a campaign visit to south London in 2013. "This is not the first time it's happened to me, I'm sure it's not the last," he said.

:: Ruth Kelly

The then Labour Education Secretary had been giving evidence against a Fathers 4 Justice campaigner in 2006 when she was struck with an egg as she left Salford Magistrates' Court.

:: John Major

The former Conservative Prime Minister was hit in the face with an egg thrown by a student while campaigning for the general election in 1992. The egg hit Mr Major on the right side of his face and dribbled down onto his clothes. Student John McIntyre who was 25 at the time was later fined £175 and ordered to pay for Mr Major's suit to be dry cleaned.

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Bob Hoskins: Stars Mourn 'Terrible Loss'

Stars of large and small screen alike have reacted with sadness at the announcement Bob Hoskins has died.

One of the first to tweet was Stephen Fry who said: "Oh no, Bob Hoskins. Gone? That's awful news. The Long Good Friday one of the best British movies of the modern era. A marvellous man.."

The Hollywood actor James Woods said: "Actor Bob Hoskins dies at 71. Oh man, what a terrible loss. A great guy and a superb artist."

Fellow Tinstletown legend Samuel L Jackson said: "Truly saddened by the passing of Bob Hoskins! A truly Gigantic talent & a Gentleman. R.I.P."

Actress Helen Mirren said: "Bob was a great actor and an even greater man.

"Funny, loyal, instinctive, hard working, with that inimitable energy that seemed like a spectacular firework rocket just as it takes off.

"When I worked with him on his iconic film, the Long Good Friday, he was supportive and unegotistic.

"He was never sexist, when many around at that time, were. I had the honour of watching the creation of one of the most memorable characters of British film.

"I personally will miss him very much, London will miss one of her best and most loving sons, and  Britain will miss a  man to be proud of."

Actor Nick Frost, who appeared alongside Hoskins as a dwarf in the 2012 film Snow White And The Huntsman, tweeted: "Terribly sad news about Bob Hoskins. A pleasure to have shared the screen with you mate. An Actors actor and a gentleman to boot. RIP.

He added: "If you want to see Bob in full flow watch The Long Good Friday. A tour de force. The long shot at the end of Bob in the taxi is amazing."

The British Academy of Film and Television Awards, of whose awards he won one and was nominated for three more, said: "We're deeply saddened to learn that Bob Hoskins has passed away."

The British Film ‏Council said: "So sad to hear we lost Bob Hoskins - one of UK's truly great performers."

Within minutes of his death, Hoskins was trending at number two in Twitter's list of the United Kingdom's most talked about people.

Actor and writer Mark Gatiss, who appeared with the star in The Wind In The Willows and posted a picture, said: "So sad to hear we've lost the great Bob Hoskins. A true gent & an inspiration. Happy memories of 'the Willows' in '06."

Eighties actor and pop star and fellow Londoner Martin Kemp said: "RIP Bob Hoskins, 'Long Good Friday' one of the best movies ever made! You will be missed!"

Irish Game Of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, who starred with Hoskins in Jimmy McGovern drama The Street, tweeted: "I filmed 'The Street' with Bob Hoskins in 2010. Had copious amounts of wine with the man. It was a joy to work with him. RIP".

Comedian and film reviewer Andrew Collins said: "Forgive me if this has been overdone already, but Bob Hoskins, TwentyFourSeven ... seek and watch. RIP."

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Ukraine On Full Combat Alert Over 'Invasion'

Ukraine's military is "on full combat alert" over a possible invasion by Russian troops massed on the border, Kiev's acting leader has said.

Interim president Oleksandr Turchynov told a ministerial meeting: "Our armed forces are on full combat alert. The threat of Russia starting a war against mainland Ukraine is real."

Ukraine's government later announced the country's armed forces would hold military exercises in central Kiev on Wednesday night.

Russia has denied it has any plans to invade eastern Ukraine after its annexation of the Crimean peninsula in March.

Ukraine's acting president Oleksander Turchinov at the cabinet meeting

Kiev, however, has accused Moscow of orchestrating an armed uprising in the industrial east by Russian-speaking separatists, who have seized government buildings in a number of towns and cities.

Ukraine's army and police appear to be making little progress in a high-profile operation to prevent the rebels expanding their grip over towns in the east.

It came as the International Monetary Fund said Russia was already in recession, while citing the effect of the ongoing crisis on investment in the country.

IMF economist Antonio Spilimbergo was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying: "If we define recession as negative growth in two quarters in a row, then Russia from that point of view is experiencing recession."

The IMF has lowered its 2014 growth forecast for Russia to 0.2% from the 1.3% figure it issued on April 8, Mr Spilimbergo added.

Russia deployed around 40,000 troops to its shared border with Ukraine in March. Moscow initially claimed they were sent for exercises but later said they were ready to respond to Kiev's military offensive against pro-Kremlin rebels.

Russian President Vladimir Putin insists he has a "right" to send his forces into Ukraine, but has not yet done so.

Kiev and the US say Russian special forces are already active in the insurgency in eastern Ukraine.

Mr  Turchynov told the cabinet meeting: "Our number one task is to prevent terrorism spreading from the Donetsk and Lugansk regions to other Ukrainian regions".

He underlined moves announced a day earlier to set up armed civilian "territorial volunteer militia" units to help beleaguered police and troops in the east.

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Minnesota Homeowner Guilty of Teen Murders

A US homeowner who shot and killed two teenagers, calling them "vermin" after they broke into his house in Minnesota, has been convicted of their murders.

Byron Smith shot unarmed cousins Haile Kifer, 18, and Nick Brady, 17, a total of nine times as they crept into his Little Falls home on Thanksgiving Day in 2012.

The 65-year-old said it was self-defence and that he had been in fear of his life after previous burglaries in the area.

But prosecutors said Smith had plotted to kill the intruders, waiting with loaded guns in his basement and even parking his vehicle elsewhere to make the property appear unoccupied.

Smith said he lived in fear of being burgled

On Tuesday, a jury found Smith guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder.

The trial heard Smith had set up an audio-recording device and surveillance cameras to capture the intruders in the act.

In the recording that was played in court, Smith could be heard shooting Brady and saying: "You're dead." He then opened fire on a screaming Kifer.

As the audio continued to run, Smith was then heard saying: "I see them as vermin."

The killings prompted debate in the state about how much deadly force a householder may reasonably use.

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Actor Bob Hoskins Dies Of Pneumonia Aged 71

Stars React To Bob Hoskins' Death With Sadness

Updated: 4:45pm UK, Wednesday 30 April 2014

Stars of large and small screen alike have reacted with sadness at the announcement Bob Hoskins has died.

One of the first to tweet was Stephen Fry who said: "Oh no, Bob Hoskins. Gone? That's awful news. The Long Good Friday one of the best British movies of the modern era. A marvellous man.."

The Hollywood actor James Woods said: "Actor Bob Hoskins dies at 71. Oh man, what a terrible loss. A great guy and a superb artist."

Fellow Tinstletown legend Samuel L Jackson said: "Truly saddened by the passing of Bob Hoskins! A truly Gigantic talent & a Gentleman. R.I.P."

Actress Helen Mirren said: "Bob was a great actor and an even greater man.

"Funny, loyal, instinctive, hard working, with that inimitable energy that seemed like a spectacular firework rocket just as it takes off.

"When I worked with him on his iconic film, the Long Good Friday, he was supportive and unegotistic.

"He was never sexist, when many around at that time, were. I had the honour of watching the creation of one of the most memorable characters of British film.

"I personally will miss him very much, London will miss one of her best and most loving sons, and  Britain will miss a  man to be proud of."

Actor Nick Frost, who appeared alongside Hoskins as a dwarf in the 2012 film Snow White And The Huntsman, tweeted: "Terribly sad news about Bob Hoskins. A pleasure to have shared the screen with you mate. An Actors actor and a gentleman to boot. RIP.

He added: "If you want to see Bob in full flow watch The Long Good Friday. A tour de force. The long shot at the end of Bob in the taxi is amazing."

The British Academy of Film and Television Awards, of whose awards he won one and was nominated for three more, said: "We're deeply saddened to learn that Bob Hoskins has passed away."

The British Film ‏Council said: "So sad to hear we lost Bob Hoskins - one of UK's truly great performers."

Within minutes of his death, Hoskins was trending at number two in Twitter's list of the United Kingdom's most talked about people.

Actor and writer Mark Gatiss, who appeared with the star in The Wind In The Willows and posted a picture, said: "So sad to hear we've lost the great Bob Hoskins. A true gent & an inspiration. Happy memories of 'the Willows' in '06."

Eighties actor and pop star and fellow Londoner Martin Kemp said: "RIP Bob Hoskins, 'Long Good Friday' one of the best movies ever made! You will be missed!"

Irish Game Of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, who starred with Hoskins in Jimmy McGovern drama The Street, tweeted: "I filmed 'The Street' with Bob Hoskins in 2010. Had copious amounts of wine with the man. It was a joy to work with him. RIP".

Comedian and film reviewer Andrew Collins said: "Forgive me if this has been overdone already, but Bob Hoskins, TwentyFourSeven ... seek and watch. RIP."

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Max Clifford Found Guilty Of Sex Charges

PR guru Max Clifford has been found guilty of a string of sex attacks on teenage girls.

The 71-year-old became the first person to be convicted under the high profile Operation Yewtree sex crime investigation at Southwark Crown Court.

He was found guilty of eight indecent assaults, cleared of two and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on one other.

The guilty verdicts relate to four women, aged between 15 and 19 at the time of the offences, between 1978 and 1984.

The verdicts were taken in a hushed but packed courtroom, given by the forewoman of the jury on its eighth day of deliberations.

Clifford sat still in the dock as the jury forewoman returned the verdicts.

Max Clifford getting into his car after the verdicts

He could be seen breathing deeply as he listened through a hearing loop.

The publicist walked out of the courtroom with friends and supporters in complete silence, one of them patting him on the shoulder as he walked.

He walked outside to face the media, with his daughter Louise to his right, and said he had been "told not to say anything".

As he walked to his car, he was asked what it felt like to be the story, and Clifford replied it was "not the first time".

Clifford was released on bail until his sentencing on Friday, but Judge Anthony Leonard QC warned him this was no reflection on the sentence that will be passed.

He said: "You must realise that the fact I have given you bail is no indication of what the final sentence will be."

Clifford repeatedly denied the claims, calling his arrest and prosecution "a nightmare" and protesting his innocence.

Clifford has described the charges as a 'nightmare'

Jurors in the trial - six men and four women - had started an eighth day of deliberation this morning.

They were sent out on April 15 at the end of a six-week trial in which Clifford was accused of manipulating seven girls and women into performing sex acts between 1966 and 1984.

He was arrested by detectives from Operation Yewtree in December 2012, and charged in April the following year.

The court heard from a string of women who testified about Clifford's behaviour, romping naked in his New Bond Street office.

Prosecutors portrayed him as a well-practised manipulator, who promised to boost his victims' careers and get them to meet celebrities in exchange for sexual favours.

He offered to get them casting appointments, pretending to be Hollywood bigwigs including Steven Spielberg, Albert "Cubby" Broccoli and Michael Winner on the phone.

He even bizarrely bragged about having a tiny penis, telling one victim: "Is it the smallest you've ever seen?"

The trial heard from Clifford's daughter Louise who said he was 'her rock'

The exact size of his manhood became a matter of contention during the trial, and his defence team asked a doctor to measure his penis as part of the evidence.

Victims included a dancer who received a phone call while she was at a nightclub from someone pretending to represent producer Broccoli, and was told to find out whether Clifford was circumcised.

She then "froze" and realised she was "stuck", and feared she would be raped when Clifford took her into the toilet and assaulted her.

Another girl, a teenage model, said Clifford groped her when she went to his office for career advice in 1983, bragging that he could get her a part in a James Bond film.

He then masturbated while he was on the phone to his wife, and tried to put his penis in her mouth.

The court also heard from a woman who claimed Clifford had impressed her parents with celebrity tales and went on to abuse her from the age of 15.

She said she was driven to contemplate suicide when he falsely told her he had a photograph of her giving him oral sex, and in 2011 sent him a letter claiming he had made her life "a living hell".

For his part, Clifford branded his accusers as "fantasists and opportunists".

The investigation, Scotland Yard's inquiry into historic allegations of sexual offences, was prompted after claims were made against the late DJ Jimmy Savile.

DCI Michael Orchard, of the Metropolitan Police, thanked victims for coming forward, while Jenny Hopkins, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said Monday's verdicts had given victims a "long, denied justice".

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Sheffield Fire: Three Children Among Five Dead

Five people, including three young children, have died in a house fire in Sheffield despite heroic efforts to save the youngsters.

The children - a nine-week-old girl and two boys aged seven and nine - died alongside their aunt, Shabina Begum, 20, and grandmother, Anum Parvaiz, 54. 

The older boy was named as Adhyan Nazim and his younger brother Amaan Nazim. The baby has not yet been named.

Firefighters said the blaze was severe

Residents in the street were woken shortly after midnight by the sound of wailing and screaming.

Witnesses said that neighbours banged on doors of the home and smashed a window to raise the alarm. 

A neighbour told how they saw the grandmother run distraught from the blazing home, before going back inside to try and rescue the others. 

It is understood the children's father, taxi driver Nazim Parvaiz, was out working when the fire broke out but their mother, Razia Nazim, survived the blaze.

Police are investigating the cause of the blaze

They are said to be devastated and are being comforted by relatives.

Scenes of crime officers have erected a tent outside the three-storey terraced home in Wake Road, Sharrow, and are searching for clues.

Ishfaq Hussain Kayan, the cousin of one of the women who died, said: "Words cannot describe how sad this is. It's a tragedy beyond description.

"They (the children) were full of life, quite bubbly, very energetic. They were looking forward to attending school."

Wake Road is about one mile from the centre of Sheffield

He said the children's mother "is in a state of shock".

"She's beyond consoling, really. I just hope and pray that they recover from this tragedy."

Mr Hussain Kayani said he believed Ms Nazim, the mother, was in the house when the fire broke out .

"She managed to escape. The grandmother of the children, she made attempts to rescue the children but obviously it wasn't to be," Mr Hussain Kayani  said.

"She came out then went back in, tried her level best. Frantic attempts were made to rescue the children."

Police have sealed off the road

He told Sky News: "The father had taken the boys for haircuts for school and the 20-year-old was getting ready to start university.

"Just in a matter of minutes the whole family has been destroyed. They were such a lovely family, such a prosperous family, such a joyous family, well-respected."

The five victims died after the blaze broke out shortly after midnight.

Phil Shillito, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue area manager, said 25 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze.

Ishfaq Hussain Kayan says the family were 'joyous and prosperous'

"They were faced with a very challenging fire, lots of flames coming out of the property, and they were aware family members were in the premise and they went in wearing breathing apparatus enabling them to breathe in the hot and smoky environment.

"Unfortunately they did find five casualties in the property."

Sky's North of England Correspondent Mike McCarthy said Wake Road had been sealed off while investigations continued.

"A 999 call was made at 12.15am and an operation involved an aerial ladder to reach an upper floor," McCarthy said.

"There's a white scenes of crime tent outside the house and there's a window open there. I can still smell the smoke from the fire." 

Four fire engines were called to the scene, as well as police and ambulance services.

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The Once 'Untouchable' Clifford Now Faces Jail

By Tom Parmenter, Sky Correspondent

Celebrity publicist Max Clifford was found guilty of eight indecent assaults following a five-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.

A series of women accused the PR guru of either indecently assaulting them or forcing them to commit sex acts between 1966 and 1984.

In court, Mr Clifford accused them of being "liars and fantasists" who were looking for compensation.

But women who do not know each other and who live in different parts of the UK said strikingly similar things about his lewd behaviour.

The 71-year-old has had a long career representing some of the biggest names in showbiz including Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Muhammad Ali and Simon Cowell.

Prosecutor Rosina Cottage QC earlier told the jury: "He has been at the top of the media game for many years. He knows the strings to pull. He knows how to manipulate, lie and get what he wants."

Many of the women said Clifford seemed obsessed with his own penis and made prank phone calls using bogus identities to ask the women about his size.

The defence argued the varying descriptions they gave in court meant the allegations were bogus, but Rosina Cottage QC told the jury: "It is what he did with it that is important, not the size."

She described his former office on New Bond Street in central London as Clifford's own "sexual fiefdom" where he manipulated and bullied young women.

The PR man had already admitted to extra marital affairs, wild sex parties in the 1970s and sexual practical jokes, but Clifford's method of bullying young women into doing exactly what he wanted had remained hidden.

One of the women described in court how, in the 1990s, she tried to speak to one of the national newspapers about her allegations.

The voice at the other end of the line told her: "You will not get a paper to print a story on Max Clifford. He is untouchable."

Clifford was cleared of two further charges, while the jury was unable to reach a verdict on another.

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Teacher Stabbed To Death At Leeds School

School Pupils Caught With Weapons

Updated: 12:07am UK, Wednesday 23 April 2014

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs and Education Editor

Almost 1,000 pupils were caught with weapons including guns, axes and a meat cleaver in schools in the last three years, a Sky News investigation has found.

New figures show 981 children have had weapons confiscated on school premises since 2011.

They include at least 80 primary school children, the youngest of whom was an eight-year-old caught with a knife.

Some 36 pupils were found with an assortment of guns, including two hand guns, seven air-powered weapons and 27 BB guns.

Of those found with weapons, 329 caught with items including an axe, a cut-throat razor and a stun gun were charged with a criminal offence.

One 18-year-old, who is taking part in a young offender's programme in London, said: "I carried a weapon ... but only because of the environment I was in.

"My generation is a bit wild ... so it's a normal thing to carry a weapon because you know everyone else is. It's making it fair, basically."

Campaigners warned the scale of the problem is likely to be much worse, as 21 of the UK's 52 police forces did not supply figures requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

Data from West Midlands Police, which alone recovered weapons from 538 people during the same period, was not included because it also accounts for colleges and universities.

The figures raise questions about whether schools and the Government have failed to tackle the problem.

Jayne Walmsley, whose son Luke was murdered at a Lincolnshire school in 2003 aged 14, said: "Something is happening to the society we live in.

"We need to think and educate these kids. It's got to stop. We've got to do something about it."

Patrick Regan, CEO of charity XLP, which was founded in response to a school stabbing, added: "There's a culture of fear that needs to be broken down."

The Government said it had given teachers powers to take action if they suspect a pupil has brought a weapon into school.

"Teachers can now search pupils without consent, confiscate prohibited items and use force to remove disruptive pupils from the classroom when necessary," a spokesman for the Department for Education said.

"We've also given heads the final say on expulsions by removing the right of appeal panels to put pupils back in the classroom."

However, Chris Douglas, a youth worker with St Giles Trust, which engages with young people caught up in crime, warned the use of weapons is a growing problem.

"We're not hearing about stabbings because they're becoming more common," he said.

Last year, a study by UCL and charity Kids Company found half the young people working with the organisation had seen someone shot or stabbed in their community in the past year.

In 2009, the then-Government announced new measures to curb the problem of weapons in schools after a spate of attacks against children.

There were plans to introduce airport-style metal detectors as part of a violent crime action plan.

But campaigners are concerned the issue has disappeared from public discourse, leaving children vulnerable.

"Sometimes it's a bit like banging your head on a brick wall," Mrs Walmsley said.

"Schools won't admit to the problem because all they want is more pupils for more money."

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Nile Ranger To Be Questioned Over 'Assault'

Police want to interview a former Premiership footballer in connection with an alleged assault on a woman and criminal damage at an apartment block.

Ex-Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger, who now plays for League One side Swindon Town, faces questioning after a building management company contacted officers.

The Wiltshire force says the firm has handed it CCTV footage of a man "kicking and smashing a door and lift" and "punching a female".

Police said around £2,000 worth of damage was caused to a lift door, wall and glass panel at a block of flats in Gordon Gardens in the centre of Swindon on April 13.

The force said a 23-year-old man would be "contacted via his solicitor for interview by appointment".

Officers also said they wanted to speak to the woman in the CCTV footage.

A spokeswoman for Wiltshire Police said: "Police were contacted on April 23 by a building management company to report criminal damage at a residential address in Gordon Gardens, Swindon.

"The company were visiting to assess damage reported by residents to have happened on April 13 at approximately 4am.

"Damage caused is in the region of £2,000 of a lift door, a wall and a glass panel which was smashed.

"During the course of enquiries the company have supplied the police with a copy of CCTV of the incident which shows a man kicking and smashing the door and lift, and at one point punching a female who was with him.

"Police have been making enquiries to locate the suspect.

"As a result a man, aged 23, from Gordon Gardens in Swindon will be contacted via his solicitor for interview by appointment in connection with the criminal damage and assault."

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Helicopter Crash: Probe After Five Killed

An investigation has been launched into why a Lynx helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing five British service personnel.

The crash site, near Kandahar, has been cordoned off by investigators from the Military Aviation Authority.

The Taliban claimed its insurgents shot down the helicopter, but the Ministry of Defence denied this and said initial indications were a technical problem during the routine flight caused it to crash.

Experts have said the investigation will examine the aircraft's log books, weather conditions and whether the the helicopter was carrying out an authorised job in keeping with its capabilities.

Flowers left outside RAF Odiham in Hampshire

A spokeswoman said: "The investigation is now under way, and the area of the crash has been cordoned off.

"We cannot go into further details. At this stage it is not known how long the investigation might last or when investigators will deliver their report, but it will be a thorough inquiry."

Three of the servicemen were from the Army Air Corps, based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.

A Royal Air Force serviceman also stationed at the base was among those killed, along with a member of the Army Reserve from 3 Military Intelligence Battalion.

Major General Richard Felton, commander of Joint Helicopter Command at RAF Odiham, said: "It is with the deepest sadness that I must confirm the death of five service personnel.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families at this most difficult time.

The aircraft went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar

"The focus for the immediate future is to ensure that the families receive the support they need at this most difficult of times."

Next of kin for all five servicemen have been informed.

It is the third biggest single loss of life of British troops since the conflict in Afghanistan began in 2001. A total of 453 UK service personnel have been killed.

It comes after Prime Minister David Cameron said on Sunday his "heart goes out to the families and friends of those killed in this terrible tragedy".

He said: "Every British fatality is a source of deep sadness.

Lynx helicopters are deployed for a wide variety of operations

"This latest incident, which has cost the lives of five UK service personnel, brings home to us all once again how our armed forces continue to put their lives on the line to help the people of Afghanistan."

Foreign Secretary William Hague told Sky News the deaths appeared to have been a "tragic accident".

He added: "It is a reminder of the work that our troops still do in Afghanistan."

Kandahar provincial police spokesman Zia Durrani said the helicopter went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar province, around 30 miles from the Pakistan border - and that it was not attacked by militants.

The helicopter involved was a Westland Lynx, an aircraft with a range of uses including transport and resupply.

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Two Popes Made Saints In Historic Ceremony

Up to one million people have gathered at Vatican City for a historic day in the Roman Catholic Church as two former Popes were declared saints.

The Canonisation of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII took place in the presence of two living pontiffs, Pope Francis and his predecessor Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI.

The unprecedented double Canonisation was presided over by Pope Francis in St Peter's Square and watched by millions around the world.

Pope John Paul II and John XXIII were declared saints

He believes the two men revitalised the Church, and has bent years of tradition allowing them to be celebrated on the same day.

Sky's Robert Nisbet, in Vatican City, said: "There are enormous crowds here.

"They are estimating up to one million people could be crowding around Vatican City and the centre of Rome to be part of this event.

The recipient of John Paul II's second miracle is seen at the altar

"And certainly they've come from all over the world. There's a huge contingent from Poland here - John Paul II obviously still a hero figure to many."

Pope Francis and Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, who is rarely seen in public and last year became the first pontiff in six centuries to step down, hugged briefly as the two-hour mass began.

During the service, which began under light rain, relics of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII were taken to the altar, and their sainthoods requested three times.

Pope Francis meets Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe

Floribeth Mora, said to be the recipient of John Paul II's second miracle, was one of many who took part in the ceremony, which is estimated to have cost £6m.

She suffered an aneurysm and was told she had just one month to live, but after seeing John Paul II's beatification ceremony in 2011, she claimed the pain disappeared.

About 850 cardinals and bishops celebrated mass and 700 priests distributed communion to the huge crowd.

Emeritus Pope Benedict arrives for the ceremony in St Peter's Square

"We declare and define Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II to be saints and we enrol them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole Church," Pope Francis said in his formal proclamation in Latin about 30 minutes into the service.

Pope Francis later toured St Peter's Square in his Popemobile -  deeper into the crowds than his predecessors.

Nisbet said it was an attempt to be seen as "less staid" than previous Popes and "to be more down with the people".

Pope Francis greets the faithful as he rides in his Popemobile

Scholars see the double Canonisation as an attempt by Pope Francis to unite modernists and traditionalists in the faith.

Both popes helped shape the second half of the 20th century.

John XXIII, who reigned from 1958 to 1963, convened the famous second Vatican council - a key moment in the modernisation of the Church.

John Paul II, who reigned for 26 years, saw the fall of communism in his home country of Poland and played a leading role on the world stage.

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Ukraine: Pro-Russian Separatists Seize TV Offices

Pro-Russian separatists have seized control of state television offices in eastern Ukraine, according to reports.

Four men wearing masks and armed with truncheons were standing at the entrance to the building in Donetsk, while more separatists could be seen inside wearing camouflage fatigues, Reuters reported.

The regional governor's office and the city hall in Donetsk have already been seized by separatists.

One of the masked men claimed to be a member of the Donetsk People's Republic and said the TV station would now be broadcasting Rossiya 24 - a Russian state-owned news channel.

It comes after the US reassured its East European allies of Nato's support as the worst post-Cold War stand-off between Russia and the West continues.

The first contingent of US troops arrives in the Latvian capital Riga

US Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and "underscored the ironclad commitment of the US" to the collective defence of Nato members.

They "agreed that Russia would face further costs for its destabilising actions in Ukraine and massing of troops along the Russian-Ukrainian border," the White House said.

The US has ruled out sending American or Nato forces into Ukraine, but has begun deploying 600 US troops to bolster defences in the nearby countries of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Meanwhile, Western leaders are urging Russia to help free a team of international military observers in eastern Ukraine.

Eight members of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) were travelling with five Ukrainian troops when they were detained by separatists in the flashpoint town of Slavyansk.

A barricade around the state security service building in Slavyansk

Team leader Colonel Axel Schneider appeared before cameras in Slavyansk to say they are being well-treated and "haven't been touched" by their kidnappers.

They are being protected by the town's self-appointed mayor Vyacheslav Ponomaryovt and "treated as his guests," he said.

"We have no indication when we will be sent home to our countries," he said.

"We wish from the bottom of our hearts to go back to our nations as soon and as quickly as possible."

The head of the OSCE, secretary general Lamberto Zannier, is due to fly Ukraine later on Sunday.

Rebels have accused the observers of being "Nato spies" and vowed to continue holding them.

Speaking at a news conference in Malaysia, US President Barack Obama said it was important for the world to send Russia a message.

"We're going to be in a stronger position to deter Mr Putin when he sees that the world is unified and the United States and Europe is unified rather than this is just a US-Russian conflict," he said.

Senior EU diplomats will hold an emergency meeting in Brussels on Monday to discuss sanctions against Moscow.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the EU and US would be bringing forward further travel bans and asset freezes against Moscow over coming days as punishment for its "bullying" behaviour.

Speaking on Sky's Murnaghan programme, he said damage to the UK economy from imposing trade sanctions on Russia would be a "price worth paying".

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