Russian Hunt For Meteorite As Clean-Up Begins

Divers are scouring the bottom of a Russian lake for fragments of a meteor that plunged to Earth in a fireball and caused a booming shockwave.

Part of the 10-tonne space rock, which sparked terror when it blazed across western Siberia, is believed to have landed in the frozen Lake Chebarkul.

Curious onlookers gathered nearby were stopped from venturing out on to the lake by police as the search continued.

Some 20,000 rescuers and recovery workers have already been dispatched to the region around Chelyabinsk to help stricken residents.

Experts are also examining major buildings in case they have been structurally damaged by the blast.

Workers in Chelyabinsk examine the damage to a large building

Around 1,100 people were injured and thousands of homes were damaged in the fallout from the strike in the Urals on Friday morning.

Residents who had poured into the streets to watch the light show after spotting the initial flash were wounded by glass shattered by the subsequent sonic boom.

Windows in more than 4,000 buildings across the region were blown out, sending glass flying.

The authorities have promised to them all fixed within a week but this is a long wait when even midday temperatures are -12C (10F).

Crews from glass companies in other regions are being flown in to help as volunteers and residents cover windows with plastic sheeting and gather warm clothes and food.

Some 15 people are still in hospital following the blast. The regional health ministry said one was in a coma.

The meteor burned brightly in the sky before plunging to Earth

Regional governor Mikhail Yurevich said the cost of the damage from the explosion is estimated at 1bn rubles (£21m).

As the recovery mission begins in earnest, the emergencies ministry said six divers would be inspecting the lake for any pieces of meteorite.

Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov added: "We have a special team working ... that is now assessing the seismic stability of buildings. We will be especially careful about switching the gas back on."

Scientists will be desperate to examine the rock for any clues about the cosmos but Mr Puchkov said no fragments had yet been discovered.

The explosion appears to have been one of the most stunning cosmic events over Russia since 1908 when an asteroid was blamed for a massive blast in Siberia.

Nasa estimated that the amount of energy released when the meteorite crashed into the Earth's atmosphere was about 30 times more than the force of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb.                 

The meteor hit in the Urals on Friday morning

"We would expect an event of this magnitude to occur once every 100 years on average," said Paul Chodas of NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office.

The drama happened just hours before an asteroid whizzed safely past the Earth at an unprecedented distance of 17,200 miles.

This is closer than some distant satellites and set alarm bells ringing in some Russian circles about the need for joint global action to protect Earth from space.

Russian parliament's foreign affairs committee chief Alexei Pushkov wrote on Twitter: "Instead of fighting on Earth, people should be creating a joint system of asteroid defence."

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Horsemeat: Farmers In 'Buy British' Campaign

By Clare Fallon, Sky News Reporter

Officials investigating the horsemeat scandal have raided three more properties in Britain.

Two sites in Tottenham, North London, and one in Hull in Yorkshire were searched by Food Standards Agency officials, who removed computer equipment and took away meat samples to be analysed.

Farmers, meanwhile, have advertised in national newspapers urging people to buy British.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has taken out adverts in 10 national newspapers, saying it is championing British produce as a direct response to the contamination and mislabelling of some beef products.

According to NFU President, Peter Kendall, British farmers feel let down.

"Farmers are very proud of what they produce and are, quite rightly, furious about this current situation. They feel let down by what looks like a criminal element in an isolated part of the food chain," he said.

One of the businesses being investigated by the FSA in Tottenh am is Dinos & Sons Continental Foods.

The company released a statement saying it is co-operating with officials, adding: "At no time has Dinos & Sons produced or manufactured anything that is under investigation or is the subject of any possible contamination or mislabelling."

The raids came as three men who were arrested on Thursday remain in police custody on suspicion of offences under the Fraud Act.

Dafydd Raw-Rees, 64, the owner of Farmbox Meats near Aberystwyth, and a 42-year-old man were arrested in Wales.

A 63-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of the same offence at Peter Boddy Slaughterhouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.

Both plants were inspected on Tuesday by the FSA.

After test results revealed around 1% of products checked contained a significant amount of horse meat, Environment Secretary Owen Patterson insisted he wants all other tests to be completed by the end of next week.

"It's up to the food businesses to carry out the tests, to organise their businesses and to provide quality products," Mr Patterson told Sky News.

The problem has gone beyond supermarket bought burgers and lasagnes - hotels, restaurants and pubs have also been affected after confirmation from Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn, Beefeater Grill and Brewers Fayre, that horse DNA has been found in its food.

Cottage pie served to children at 47 schools in Lancashire has also tested positive and has now been removed from menus.

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Backpacker: Brit Teen Drank Urine To Survive

A British backpacker missing in the scorching Australian outback for three days drank his own urine and contact lens solution to survive, his mother has said.

Sam Woodhead, 18, became lost after he set out for a jog from the remote Queensland cattle station where he had worked for less than two weeks.

But the chance discovery of packets of lenses in his rucksack - put there by his father, Peter - helped to keep him going for 72 hours in blistering temperatures of around 40C (104F).

Sam Woodhead was a keen long distance runner

The former Brighton College student, from Richmond upon Thames, London, was found about three miles away from the ranch by rescuers in a helicopter.

His mother, Claire Derry, has visited him in hospital in Longreach, about 50 miles away from where he was discovered. She said he had lost weight and his kidneys were not working properly due to dehydration.

She added: "He looks fantastic, he's suntanned, his mouth isn't blistered, he looks great, he's thinner and questionably a lot thinner than when I last saw him.

"The only concern is that his kidneys are not quite functioning normally and his blood's not normal. But that, the doctor says, is completely typical of somebody who's been completely dehydrated."

Ms Derry went on: "He  tried to drink his own urine. He said he'd run out of the contact lens fluid and the contact lens capsules said they were 69% water. But they'd all gone so the urine had become very, very concentrated.

"So he said he couldn't stomach it, so he had nothing, he had nothing to keep him going, by the time the helicopter crew got to him."

Mr Woodhead with his mother and sister Rebacca before the ordeal

She told Sky News: "Sam is an amazingly cool guy and he said 'hi mum' and I said 'Sam I didn't think I would be holding you in my arms again frankly'.

"But he didn't cry and didn't show very much emotion at all. He just said I'm really happy to see you."

Mr Woodhead, who is set on joining the Armed Forces and is a keen long distance runner, is expected to leave hospital on Sunday.

Mike Curtin from Queensland State Police said: "He was quite disorientated but, you know, his body seemed to bounce back fairly quickly once he knew that obviously he was located and so forth and he was quite happy of the fact that someone had found him."

Mr Curtin warned of the harsh Australian climate and called on young people to be careful when travelling or working in the remote Australian Outback.

He said: "It's one of those things and I think there's a lesson to be learned here from any of these young fellows who do take, or young boys and girls, who take jobs in areas like this isolated part of the state, to be careful, to be safe, and prepare.

"And never take the harshest Australian environment and our climatic conditions here for granted."

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Oscar Pistorius Breaks Down In Tears In Court

Olympic star Oscar Pistorius has broken down in tears as he appeared in court charged with murdering his girlfriend.

He stood before magistrate Desmond Nair with his head bowed as the charge was read out.

Prosecutors say they intend to prove that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder.

Local news correspondent Barry Bateman described him as "sobbing uncontrollably" as he sat in the dock.

Pistorius' father leaned forward and placed his hand on his son's back during the 40-minute hearing.

Oscar Pistorius is charged with murdering Reeva Steenkamp

Prosecutors had asked to deal with the bail hearing as a section 6 offence, meaning the accused has to provide exceptional circumstances to be released on bail. The defence opposes this.

The case was postponed until Tuesday, and Pistorius will remain in custody in the meantime.

The body of Miss Steenkamp, a top South African model, was discovered at the athlete's property in the Silver Woods gated community in eastern Pretoria on Thursday morning.

She had been shot four times. A 9mm pistol was found at the scene.

Local media has reported that she was shot through a bathroom door.

A police officer holds a gun allegedly used to kill Miss Steenkamp

Pistorius, 26, spent Thursday night in custody and was subject to blood-alcohol, DNA and other tests, as forensics experts continued to work at the crime scene at his home in an upmarket gated estate.

His lawyer Kenny Oldwage said his client was "very well, obviously emotional, but fine".

Police were called to Pistorius's home at around 4am on Thursday by neighbours who heard gunshots. He is the only suspect in the case.

Pistorius made history at the London Olympics last year when he became the first double-amputee track athlete to compete at any games.

He did not win a medal but did make the semifinals of the 400 metres and the final of the 4x400 relay, propelling the world's best-known Paralympian to the level of an international track star.

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Michael Le Vell 'Will Not Appear In Corrie'

Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell will not appear in further episodes of the soap after being charged with child sex offences.

Le Vell, who plays garage owner Kevin Webster in the ITV soap opera, is accused of 19 child sex offences, including child rape, and sexual activity with a child between 2001 and 2010, Greater Manchester Police said.

Le Vell, 48, a father-of-two whose real name is Michael Turner, will appear in court charged with the offences on February 27.

An ITV spokesman said: "Given the serious nature of these charges, Michael Le Vell will not be appearing in Coronation Street pending the outcome of legal proceedings. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time."

The actor was initially arrested in connection with the offences in September 2011.

The investigation was dropped three months later when authorities said there would be no further action taken against him as there was not enough evidence against him.

Michael Le Vell was first questioned over the child sex allegations in 2011

However, following a review of the case by lawyers at the Crown Prosecution Service the decision has been taken that it is in the "public interest" to charge the actor.

Speaking after the investigation against him was dropped in 2011, Le Vell said he was "delighted" to have been "completely exonerated", thanked police for their "thorough" investigation and Coronation Street staff and the public for their support.

Le Vell vowed to put the allegations behind him and returned to the show after a short break and is now currently involved in some of the soap's main storylines.

Alison Levitt, QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions, reviewed a file of evidence in relation to allegations of sexual offences and looked again at a decision previously made not to prosecute.

Ms Levitt said: "I have very carefully reviewed the evidence in this case and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Michael Robert Turner with a number of sexual offences.

"I have authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Mr Turner with 19 offences, including rape of a child."

Le Vell, who split from his wife Janette Beverley last year,  is one of television's most famous faces after playing car mechanic Kevin Webster for the past 30 years in the TV show.

Originally from Manchester, he began his acting career in the Oldham Theatre Workshop after taking an interest in amateur dramatics while at school.

He first joined the soap in 1983 and quickly endeared himself to fans who have followed the trials and tribulations of Kevin, from Brian Tilsley's apprentice mechanic through to his stormy marriage to Sally, played by Sally Dynevor, and fathering two teenage girls as well as a love child from his affair with Molly Dobbs.

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Meteorite Shower Hits Russia Injuring 500

By Katie Stallard, Moscow Correspondent

More than 500 people have been injured after a meteor strike in central Russia, the country's interior ministry said.

Fragments of at least one meteorite - the weight of a double-decker bus - were seen falling from the morning sky in the Chelyabinsk region at around 9am local time, around 1,500km east of Moscow.

Witnesses described feeling a pressure wave and hearing explosions overhead as the object hurtled to earth. Windows shattered and there were localised power cuts, sparking panic among residents.

The meteor lit up the sky

The Russian Academy of Sciences estimates the meteor weighed about 10 tonnes and entered the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of at least 33,000mph - 15 times the speed of a rifle bullet - and shattered up to 32 miles above ground.

The emergencies ministry said that 20,000 rescue workers had been dispatched to help the injured and locate those needing help.

The meteorite streaking across the sky

The defence ministry said it had identified a six metre crater near a lake in this region and has sent soldiers to the site of the impact.

Police urged people to remain calm and asked those who had been injured to call a special hotline.

Five people have been seriously injured

Russia's Ministry of Interior said more than 500 people had reported injuries, with most requiring treatment for minor cuts and bruises caused by broken glass and damage to buildings. No serious injuries have been reported.

The local office of the National Emergencies Ministry said in a statement: "A meteorite disintegrated above the Urals (mountain range in central Russia), partially burning up in the lower atmosphere.

More than 500 people have been injured

"Fragments of the meteorite reached Earth, falling in sparsely populated areas in the Chelyabinsk region."

Many drivers in Russia have video recorders fitted in their cars in case of accidents or disputes with traffic police. Footage from these uploaded to YouTube show the fireball crashing to the ground.

There were reports of traffic in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk grinding to a halt and people seeking shelter in buildings as the fireballs lit up the sky.                 

Viktor was injured by a shock wave

The emergencies ministry confirmed the mobile phone network was temporarily cut.

Schools have been closed for the day across the region after the impact blew out windows.

The meteor hit Chelyabinsk

The Chelyabinsk region is Russia's industrial heartland, home to many factories and other huge facilities that include a nuclear power plant and the Mayak atomic waste storage and treatment centre.

A spokesman for Rosatom, the Russian nuclear energy state corporation, said that its operations remained unaffected.

"All Rosatom enterprises located in the Urals region - including the Mayak complex - are working as normal," said a Rosatom spokesman.

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Oscar Pistorius: Reeva Steenkamp Remembered

In the days leading up to her death, Reeva Steenkamp's excitement about Valentine's Day was clear.

"What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited," the girlfriend of South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius tweeted.

Miss Steenkamp then received a series of replies, one of which was from a mother who said her children would be making a card for their father. 

She responded: "That sounds amazing! Wow that's what it's all about! It should be a day of love for everyone :) may it be blessed."

Miss Steenkamp said Pistorius - her boyfriend since November - had "impeccable" taste.

"His gifts are always thoughtful," she was quoted as saying on the social pages of last weekend's Sunday Independent.

But February 14 ended up going terribly wrong for the 30-year-old. She was shot dead after Pistorius allegedly mistook her for an intruder.

Now Twitter and other social media are flooded with tributes to the model and law graduate.

Former Miss South Africa Melinda Bam said: "Heartbroken for #ReevaSteenkamp's family & for #OscarPistorius.This highlights how unsafe most South Africans feel because of crime#RIPReeva."

Sammy Lambrechts said: "A woman with rare beauty... A classy and sophisticated young socialite with a heart of gold. A true lady."

On Facebook, her cousin Deon Steenkamp said: "RIP cuz this is tragic we will always remember you for your stuning smile brighting up everyone world."

The couple had a "healthy" relationship, her publicist said

Miss Steenkamp's publicist Sarit Tomlinson described her as "the sweetest human being" and "a talented and bright young girl".

She told Sky News that the couple had a "healthy, fabulous relationship".

Miss Steenkamp had most recently been a celebrity contestant on South African reality TV show Tropika Island Of Treasure 5. 

The first episode of the show, which was filmed in Jamaica, was due to air this weekend.

She grew up in Port Elizabeth, where she studied law, but later moved to Johannesburg after signing a deal with cosmetics company Avon.

She went on to model for FHM and feature in various advertising campaigns.

The Cape Town-born model described herself as someone who has a "passion for cars and cooking and prefers to read a book on her off days and spend quality time with friends and family".

Miss Steenkamp was shot at the home of Pistorius

She was from a family of horse trainers, who she said she was very proud of.

Her father was Barry Steenkamp, a well-known trainer related to famous South African trainers the Amos brothers.

Her family was "shocked" and "devastated" by the news, Miss Steenkamp's publicist said.

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Oscar Pistorius: Shock After Gun Death Arrest

South Africa's Gun Death Epidemic

Updated: 11:03am UK, Thursday 14 February 2013

With the 12th-highest gun crime death rate in the world, many South Africans have sought sanctuary in gated communities in parts of the country.

Protected by high walls, guard dogs, electric fences, and advanced alarm systems – the areas are a refuge from the high crime rates.

With six million guns in circulation, some well-off families have homes fitted with panic buttons linked to private armed security contractors.

The South African Police Service also often employs security companies to protect their own police stations, with the private security industry estimated to be worth £1bn.

Fear of crime is high, with the Institute for Security Studies estimating that 50% of people in Pretoria feel "very unsafe" walking in their area at night.

Around 50 people are murdered in South Africa each day, but while the murder rate is higher than most countries it has fallen from a high of 66.9 per 100,000 in 1994/95.

There are also high levels of assault, rape, robbery and carjackings.

A study by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, based in Johannesburg, said there are a number of causes for the high levels of violence in South Africa.

These include the normalisation of violence in society, so it has become a legitimate means of resolving conflict, and a subculture of criminality ranging from individuals to gangs.

The report also highlighted the vulnerability of young people and the high levels of unemployment and poverty.

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Oscar Pistorius Charged With Murder

Paralympic and Olympic star Oscar Pistorius has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his Pretoria home.

Her body was discovered at the athlete's home in the Silver Woods country estate in eastern Pretoria, South African police said.

Pistorius reached the 400m semi-finals at the London 2012 Olympics

Initial reports in the South African media suggested Pistorius' girlfriend was apparently shot as she woke him, trying to surprise him on Valentine's Day.

But police said the shooting was being treated as a murder investigation and that they were "very surprised" by the reports which they said did not come from them.

Brigadier Denis Beukes confirmed the pair were the only ones present in the house at the time of the shooting, and that there had been previous incidents at the premises including "allegations of a domestic nature".

Pistorius was arrested on Thursday morning following the shooting and taken to hospital for a medical examination, reportedly including blood tests.

He is expected to appear at Pretoria Magistrate's Court shortly on a murder charge.

The 26-year-old is alleged to have shot his 30-year-old model girlfriend from Port Elizabeth in the head and upper body.

Paramedics were called to his home between 4am and 5am local time.

Police arrived shortly afterwards and a 9mm pistol was recovered from the scene.

They said they will be opposing bail when the suspect appears in court.

The shooting took place at Pistorius' home at Silver Woods country estate

"The deceased was shot four times and died on the scene. It is believed that she was the girlfriend of the accused," said police spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale.

Miss Steenkamp's body was removed by a hearse at around 8am.

Pistorius and Miss Steenkamp are believed to have been seeing each other since November.

His father, Henke Pistorius, said: "I haven't seen him. He is with the police and the matter is in the hands of the authorities. Obviously we are shocked."

There had been speculation the shooting may have been a Valentine's Day surprise gone wrong.

South African journalist Kalay Maistry told Sky News: "It is alleged that he thought his girlfriend, who'd come in to try to surprise him for Valentines Day, was an intruder. It's alleged that he shot her at least twice in the arm and head.

"I think what this actually highlights is the level of fear ordinary South Africans have.

Miss Steenkamp has been described as a "talented and bright young girl"

"This is a man who has gone to bed, it's an innocent surprise from a girlfriend … and the moment he thinks someone is trying to break in he grabs his gun.

"This has come as a complete surprise for a man who's considered a national hero," she added.

Miss Steenkamp, a top South African model and a law graduate, was active on Twitter just 14 hours before.

She tweeted: "What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay"

In response to someone else's plans, she said: "That sounds amazing! Wow that's what it's all about! It should be a day of love for everyone :) may it be blessed!"

Her publicist Sarit Tomlinson said the family was "shocked" and "devastated" by the news.

She described Miss Steenkamp as "the sweetest human being" and "a talented and bright young girl", adding that the couple had a "healthy, fabulous relationship".

Photos of the model appeared in newspapers at the weekend, when she described Pistorius as an impeccable man who always had her best interests at heart.

Police are investigating the shooting and have launched a murder probe

Reporting from South Africa, Sky's Emma Hurd, said: "It does appear that this was a tragedy - a Valentine's Day surprise which went horrifically wrong."

The Johannesburg-born athlete, known as the "Blade Runner", made history in 2012 when he became the first amputee to compete in the Olympics.

He won gold in the 400m and another in the 4x400m relay at the Paralympic Games.

The athlete had both legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old, because of a congenital condition, and runs on carbon fibre blades.

Last year Time Magazine named him as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

His London-based agent, Kate Silvers, said she would not be commenting at this stage, but will be issuing a statement later.

Silver Woods, situated in the country's capital, is a high security gated complex with electrified walls, a guarded entrance and regular patrols.

South Africa has some of the world's highest rates of violent crime with an average of nearly 50 people murdered each day.

Pistorius lives in a gated complex in the South African capital Pretoria

Some home-owners carry weapons to defend themselves against intruders. According to statistics, nearly 13 in every 100 people in the country own a gun, and it is estimated there are almost six million civilian firearms.

Pistorius, like many fellow South Africans, appeared to have serious concerns about his safety, and reportedly kept a revolver at his bedside and a machine gun by his window, as well as a cricket bat and baseball bat behind his bedroom door.

Runner's World magazine editor Mike Finch, speaking from South Africa, told Sky News: "If anybody can overcome this sort of thing it's probably Oscar.

"He's had to deal with a lot in his life. He had a mother that died when he was very young, he obviously has his disability, but yet he's been amazing from a South African perspective as an ambassador.

"There is a certain school of people that don't particularly like him, but I think today everybody has kind of rallied round him."

South Africa's Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee said the organisation was in no position to comment, "other than to say our deepest sympathy and condolences have been expressed to the families of all concerned".

UN figures show that in South Africa, just over 17 people are killed by gun crime per 100,000 people.

The highest gun death rate in the world is in Honduras with 68 deaths per 100,000. In the USA, the figure stands at 2.97 deaths, while in the UK it is 0.1.

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Pregnant Kate: Now Oz Mag To Show Pictures

By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent

An Australian publication has followed the lead of the Italian gossip magazine Chi and said it will publish photographs of the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge in her bikini.

The weekly magazine Woman's Day will be on sale on Monday and will feature the pictures of Kate and William's Caribbean holiday, where the duchess was snapped wearing a blue bikini and strolling on a beach.

Editor Fiona Connolly has defended her decision to publish the prints, telling Sky News: "The photos are what our readers want to see. Kate looks beautiful, glowing and healthy."

Ms Connolly said it was her understanding that the photographs were taken by a member of the public rather than "a photographer hiding in the bushes" and, as a result, were not an invasion of the royal couple's privacy.

The editor said the pair had been mingling with others on a public beach and would have been aware that there were other holidaymakers around with cameras.

The issue will also feature pictures of Kate's sister Pippa Middleton, who was holidaying with the royals on the island of Mustique, staying in a £5.1m villa.

Ms Connolly said the photographs show Kate "fabulous, fit and glowing, out and about on a public beach".

She said British journalists and picture editors would no doubt be "frustrated" that they were not also running the pictures because of the "gentleman's agreement" between editors and the royal family about what sort of photos would be published.

Kate was on holiday in Mustique with her husband William and sister Pippa

"As a magazine that does publish photos of the royals, I am sensitive to the sort of pictures that shouldn't be published," she said, referring to the 2012 topless shots of the duchess that appeared in various magazines.

"These are certainly not photos that they would disapprove of - they are happy."

"The last time we saw Kate looking really unwell, coming out of hospital and at a really tough time for her in her pregnancy - to see these photos where she's fit and healthy and really glowing is even more reason to celebrate."

The couple are expecting their first child in July.

In December Kate was admitted to hospital with a severe form of morning sickness, which pushed the couple to announce the pregnancy.

The news that an Australian magazine is publishing the pictures comes at a particularly sensitive time, just two months after a pair of Australian radio presenters made a prank call to King Edward VII's Hospital in London where Kate was being treated.

Pretending to be the Queen and Prince of Wales they were able to speak to a nurse about her condition. The nurse who put the call through, Jacintha Saldanha, subsequently committed suicide.

On news that Chi was publishing the photos St James's Palace issued a statement saying: "We are disappointed that photographs of the Duke and Duchess on a private holiday look likely to be published overseas.

"This is a clear breach of the couple's right to privacy."

Ms Connolly admitted the bidding for the photos between several of Australia's biggest selling weekly gossip magazines was "furious".

Last year the royal family launched legal action against French magazine Closer, over paparazzi pictures of Kate sunbathing in bikini bottoms on the balcony of a private chateau in the South of France.

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LA Manhunt: Dorner Shootout Ends In Cabin Fire

A gun battle between Christopher Dorner and police has ended after fire ripped through the remote cabin where the murder suspect was thought to have been hiding.

TV footage showed flames rising from the property in California's Big Bear Lake area, which also had thick black smoke billowing from it.

The Sheriff's spokeswoman said charred human remains had been found in the rubble of the burned cabin.

Jodi Miller said the remains were found late on Tuesday, and forensic tests to be carried out to determine if the remains are Dorner's.

A law enforcement official said a gunshot was heard before the fire broke out, and the suspect did not come out of the cabin as it was engulfed in flames.

Police had urged the fugitive to turn himself in as authorities surrounded the cabin where he was reportedly holed up with an arsenal of weapons.

Dorner had earlier exchanged gunfire with federal authorities.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon told a news conference that a sheriff's deputy had died of wounds he suffered during the shootout. Another deputy was also injured in the exchange.

Authorities have focused their hunt for Dorner in the mountainous area since they said he launched a campaign to exact revenge against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for sacking him.

LAPD Commander Andrew Smith had urged Dorner to surrender, telling him: "Enough is enough."

It is believed the 33-year-old - who is suspected of three other killings - may have held a couple hostage in a holiday home before police tracked him down.

Commander Smith said: "It's time for you to turn yourself in. It's time to end the bloodshed."

Another police officer told the Associated Press that Dorner robbed the cabin and tied up the holidaymakers, but one was able to get away and make a phone call.

Dorner reportedly fled in a stolen white Dodge pickup truck and a California Fish and Game ranger fired on the vehicle.

He then abandoned the truck and ran into the forest.

The noise of the gun battle was broadcast by KCAL-TV, whose reporter suddenly found himself near the shooting. Someone could be heard yelling at the reporter to get out of the area.

The manhunt has centred on the San Bernardino mountains since Dorner's truck was found in the area last Thursday.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Jodi Miller said a stolen vehicle report from a residence was received at 12.20pm on Tuesday and the owners of the car described the suspect as looking similar to Dorner.

Police had been following up hundreds of new leads prompted by a $1m (£640,000) reward for information.

Dorner, a naval reservist, is suspected of killing a couple on February 3 and then ambushing two policemen early on Thursday, killing one.

An angry Facebook rant with threats against the LAPD led officials to assign officers to protect officers and their families.

Within hours of the release of photos of Dorner, described as armed and "extremely dangerous," the suspect then ambushed police in Riverside County, shooting three and killing one police officer.

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Horsemeat: British Plants Raided Amid Warning

How Horsemeat Scandal Unfolded

Updated: 7:22am UK, Wednesday 13 February 2013

The horsemeat scandal has been unfolding for weeks and products have been flying off the shelves, although not in a good way. Where did it all begin?

January 16

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland says beefburgers with traces of equine DNA, including one product classed as 29% horse, are being supplied to supermarkets by Silvercrest Foods in Ireland and Dalepak Hambleton in Yorkshire, subsidiaries of the ABP Food Group.

Ten million suspect burgers are taken off the shelves, including by retailers Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland and Dunnes Stores.

A third company, Liffey meats, based in Co Cavan, Ireland, was also found to be supplying products to supermarkets with traces of horse DNA.

January 17

The ABP Food Group suspends work at its Silvercrest Foods plant in Co Monaghan, Ireland, until further notice.

Sainsbury's, Asda and the Co-op later withdrew some frozen products as a precaution but had not been found to be selling contaminated food.

January 23

Burger King, which is supplied burgers by ABP Food Group, switches to another supplier as a precautionary measure.

January 25

Waitrose removes a range of frozen burgers made by Dalepak but says its burgers have been tested and are 100% beef.

The Food Standards Agency said tests at a Dalepak plant in North Yorkshire had found no traces of meat contaminated with horse or pork DNA.

However, Aldi found traces of pig and horsemeat in samples taken from three lines of Dalepak burgers.

It withdrew Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Quarter Pounder, Oakhurst Beef Quarter Pounders and Frozen Oakhurst Beefburgers from sale.

February 4

Production at a second meat supplier, Rangeland Foods in Co Monaghan, is suspended after 75% equine DNA is found in raw ingredients, The Department of Agriculture confirm.

February 5

Frozen meat at Freeza Meats company in Newry, Northern Ireland, is found to contain 80% horse meat, The Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland said. It is potentially linked to the Silvercrest factory in the Republic of Ireland.

Asda withdraws products supplied by Freeza Meats.

February 6

Tesco and Aldi take down frozen spaghetti and lasagne meals produced by French food supplier Comigel following concerns about its Findus beef lasagne.

The FSA reveals a second case of "gross contamination" after some Findus UK beef lasagnes were found to contain up to 100% horse meat. The products were made by French food supplier Comigel.

February 8

Aldi withdraws its Today's Special Frozen Beef Lasagne and Today's Special Frozen Spaghetti Bolognese after tests showed the products contained between 30% and 100% horsemeat.

February 12

Peter Boddy slaughterhouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, and meat processing plant Farmbox Meats at Llandre in Aberystwyth, West Wales, are raided and shut down, pending investigations.

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Pope Resigns: Frontrunners Emerge For Role

The Pope: What Happens Next?

Updated: 3:13pm UK, Monday 11 February 2013

Whenever a pope dies or abdicates, their successor is drawn from the cardinals - the senior Roman Catholic bishops who normally assist the Pope in the Vatican or head up the various dioceses around the world.

He is chosen by a group of cardinals called the Cardinal Electors, who are all the cardinals under the age of 80.

Normally, between 15 and 20 days after the death of a pope, the Cardinal Electors must meet and start to decide who takes over.

The election process always takes place in secret in the Sistine Chapel, in the Vatican, in a meeting called a conclave.

In 1970 Pope Paul VI determined that the college of cardinals was to be limited to 120. He also ordered measures to prevent bugging of the proceedings.

In the period between when a pope dies or resigns and a new pope is chosen, the temporary head of the Roman Catholic Church is the Cardinal Camerlengo, the chief administrator of the church's property and wealth.

The cardinals must take an oath of secrecy when they enter the conclave. The penalty for breaking the oath is automatic excommunication.

In order to prevent a deadlock, which happened in the 13th century, the cardinals are traditionally locked up and given only bread and water as a means of inducing them to draw the proceedings to a close. They are only given a doctor and a cook to assist them.

Ballot papers are distributed and each of the Cardinal Electors writes the name of the cardinal he would like to become the Pope, and in the process pledges he is voting for "the one under God" he thinks "ought to be elected".

The ballot papers are then folded and placed on a plate, on top of a chalice, that has been placed on an altar.

The plate is used to prevent a cardinal attempting to put two or more ballot papers in without those supervising being able to see.

When a vote has been checked to make sure it is correct, it is allowed to fall into the chalice.

Before they are unfolded, the ballot papers are counted to make sure they add up to the number of Cardinal Electors. If the number is different, all the ballot papers are burnt and the process is repeated.

If the number of ballot papers is correct, each vote is read aloud and is pierced with a needle and  threaded on to a string.

Four ballots are held each day, two in the morning and two in the evening. The process is repeated until one cardinal emerges with a majority of two thirds.

Every time a vote takes place, the ballots are burned and smoke appears out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, telling the world a vote has been held.

If the vote has been unsuccessful, a black dye is put in with the ballot papers so black smoke emerges, informing the world a decision has not been made.

When a new pope is finally successfully elected, the ballot papers are burned without the dye so white smoke emerges, confirming the decision.

When Pope Benedict XVI was chosen, church bells were also rung to signal a new pope had been elected.

Before 1978, within a couple of days of the Pope's election, a Papal Coronation would have been held with a huge procession leading from the Vatican. The coronations have not taken place since Pope John Paul II was elected.

The vast majority of popes have been Italian and until the election of Pope John Paul II, who had previously been Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, the last non-Italian pope had been Pope Adrian VI from the Netherlands who was elected in 1522.

There have been previous resignations of popes but the last one was in 1415 when Pope Gregory XII resigned in order to end a schism in the Roman Catholic Church.

Before resigning, he formally convened an official church council and authorised it to elect his successor.

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North Korea Confirms 'Successful' Nuclear Test

North Korea has confirmed it has carried out a third nuclear test after monitoring agencies reported an "unusual seismic event".

"A third nuclear test has been successfully staged," the North's state-run Korean Central News agency said.

"The nuclear test was conducted as part of measures to protect our national security and sovereignty against the reckless hostility of the United States that violated our republic's right for a peaceful satellite launch."

An activist defaces a poster of Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju.

At just before midday local time, an earthquake with a magnitude measuring 4.9 was detected just north of a site where Pyongyang conducted earlier nuclear tests.

The two previous tests, in 2006 and 2009, prompted quakes of 3.6 and 4.5 respectively.

The South Korean defence ministry, which raised its military alert level after the quake, said the blast had an explosive yield of between six and seven kilotons (6-7kt) and was of "enormous destructive power".

In comparison, the nuclear weapons detonated above Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 carried a yield of around 20kt each.

A Japanese seismic official shows where the blast occurred

A spokesperson for the UN boss Ban Ki-moon said: "The Secretary-General condemns the underground nuclear weapon test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today.

"It is a clear and grave violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions."

Tibor Toth, the executive secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), said the event's location was "roughly congruent with" nuclear tests carried out by North Korea in 2006 and 2009.

"This act would constitute a clear threat to international peace and security, and challenge efforts made to strengthen global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, in particular by ending nuclear testing," he added.

A North Korean soldier stands guard after the test

China expressed its "firm opposition" to North Korea's nuclear test, saying its wayward ally had gone ahead with the blast "despite widespread opposition from the international community".

"We strongly urge the DPRK to honour its commitment to denuclearisation, and not to take any actions which might worsen the situation," the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

The UN Security Council will hold urgent talks on the blast at 2pm GMT and US President Barack Obama said the test posed a threat to international peace and security.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "The UK will begin urgent consultations with Security Council partners calling for a robust response to this latest development."

Protesters in Seoul shout anti-North slogans

Mr Obama said the US will "continue to take steps necessary to defend ourselves and our allies" and it will work with other nations "to pursue firm action".

He added that North Korea's action "warrants further swift and credible action by the international community".

Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "North Korea's development of its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities poses a threat to international and regional security.

"Its repeated provocations only serve to increase regional tension, and hinder the prospects for lasting peace on the Korean peninsula."

The Russian foreign ministry said: "By implementing a new nuclear test, Pyongyang once again ignored the rules of international law and has shown disregard UN Security Council resolutions.

South Korean troops march along the demilitarised zone at the 38th parallel

"There is an urgent need to create an effective system of regional peace, which would be based on the principle of undiminished security for all participants in accordance with multilateral commitments on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula."

Japan said the North Korean nuclear test was a "grave threat", according to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"(The test) is a grave threat to the safety of our country and a serious challenge against the global framework of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation," Mr Abe said in a statement, adding it "cannot be tolerated".

After the blast took place a North Korean newsreader urged the Korean People's Army (KPA) to prepare for combat against its foes.

She stressed that If an order was given "the KPA should blow up the stronghold of aggression at a strike".

"And wipe out the brigandish US imperialists and South Korea puppet army to the last man and thus accomplish the historic cause of national reunification."

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British Boy Orphaned In Crash That Kills Five

A one-year-old boy was the only survivor of a car crash in Saudi Arabia that killed five members of his family from south Wales.

Mohammed Eisa Daniel was reportedly found in the crumpled wreckage being cradled in the arms of his dying grandfather.

Three generations of his family had been making a religious pilgrimage to Mecca ahead of the wedding of one of the victims when the taxi they were travelling in crashed.

The dead, from Newport, have been named as Shaukat Ali Hayat, 56, his wife Abida, 54, eldest son Mohammed Isshaq, 33, daughter Saira Zenub, 29, who was due to marry this weekend, and Mohammed's heavily pregnant wife, Bilques, 30.

The trip turned to tragedy when the taxi they were travelling in left a motorway while en-route to Jedda.

Family members say the car went straight into a concrete bridge, somersaulted off the road and ended up in a ditch.

The South Wales Argus newspaper reported Shaukat's brother Sma Hayat, 58, as saying his sibling was a "well loved and liked" teacher and writer of Islam.

He also described Saira Zenub as a "very talented" locum pharmacist, while Mohammed Isshaq was hoping to do a PhD in neuroscience at university.

"Shaukat saw what happened as the car went out of control. He grabbed the baby, clutched it in his arms and cushioned him.

"The boy (Mohammed) has lost everyone but luckily he's pulled through."

The Argus reported that the five were buried on Monday in a graveyard called the Jannat-ul-Baqi, Medina, alongside famous names of the Islamic faith.

Newport West MP Paul Flynn told the paper that the Hayat family had been an important part of the Newport Labour Party for 40 years.

Mr Flynn said: "The head of the family came here after serving the British Army for a number of years and was a prisoner of war in the Second World War."

Shaurkat's brother Ibrahim is a Labour councillor for Newport's Pillgwenlly ward.

Tribute was paid to the family by his colleague Ron Jones, who said it was "a massive and unbelievable tragedy".

"They were a tremendous family. They worked for us during the election. They were deeply involved in the community and were absolutely upstanding.

"There are a lot of people who are going to feel their passing very deeply."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it has been assisting the victims' relatives following the accident on Friday.

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James Bulger Killer Venables 'Still A Danger'

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

The mother of James Bulger has told Sky News she believes tougher sentences are needed to stop people who commit serious crimes from "getting away with it".

Speaking on the eve of the 20th anniversary of her son's murder, Denise Fergus said she feels she has still not achieved justice despite fighting for two decades.

James was just two years old when he was abducted from the Strand shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside.

CCTV cameras captured 10-year-old schoolboys Jon Venables and Robert Thompson leading the toddler by the hand.

They took him to a railway embankment in Walton, Liverpool, where they tortured him, inflicting 42 injuries before leaving him dead on the tracks where a train severed his body.

Venables was 10 when he and Robert Thompson murdered James

Venables and Thompson were convicted of murder and given life sentences in November 1993. Less than eight years later, in June 2001, the pair were released and given new identities.

Mrs Fergus told Sky News she feels let down by the justice system and strongly believes a change in the law is needed so killers receive harsher punishments.

"They should make them realise what they've done is wrong. If they give them a hard enough time maybe they'll think again before they go on to commit another crime," she said.

"What I'm saying is stop giving them stupid sentences like five or 10 years or if they get a 10-year sentence stop dropping it to five years because of good behaviour.

Mrs Fergus believes Venables is still a danger

"They've done bad in the first place to be there. Start giving them proper sentences, sentences that fit the crime and stop being so lenient on them."

Venables was jailed again in 2010 for downloading and distributing dozens of indecent images of children. He is now making a new bid for release.

Mrs Fergus is expected to deliver a victim statement in person for the first time to his parole board. She told Sky News she feels strongly he should remain behind bars.

She has been concerned that a possible sexual motive for her son's murder has never been properly investigated. She believes Venables still poses a risk to the public.

She said: "I just urge them not to release him because I still believe he is a danger. He's a ticking time bomb and he always has been.

"To get away with so much you know someone out there hasn't been doing their job.

"He was meant to have been monitored on his release. To build up all those images on his laptop is unbelievable and just proves that he hasn't been getting monitored at all."

"I'm not saying lock him up forever. Until he's got a stable mind then I think he should be locked up. But I don't know if he'll ever get that stable mind."

Mrs Fergus also believes Venables should not be given a second new identity.

"If he gets another ID then he's putting other people in danger because on his release people are going to be aware who moves into their area," she said.

"If someone new moves in on his release then everyone's going to be pointing fingers and it might not be him, it might be an innocent man."

Mrs Fergus, her husband Stuart and three sons will visit James's grave on the anniversary of his death. She said she will never stop fighting for justice.

"That's something I'll never give up. The day I give that up I'll be letting a lot of people down. All the support that I've had over the past 20 years would be undone," she said.

"I'd feel I was letting my family down, and I'd feel I'd be letting James down, I'd be letting myself down. You know if it takes another 20 years I'm going to keep on fighting."

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Weather: Ice Warning After Snow And Sleet

Ice warnings are in place for much of the country after more than four inches (10cm) of snow settled in some places.

Sleet and snow began falling in central, eastern and southern areas overnight with most areas from Scotland down through to southeast England hit with a covering of at least two inches (5cm).

And the worst affected areas, including north England and the Midlands, could have twice that.

More than four inches has already settled in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

The snow is expected to stop later this morning, but the accumulations could still cause travel disruption.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings affecting much of England, Scotland and Wales, because of the danger of ice following the snow.

More light flurries are predicted for today and tomorrow, after which the week is expected to turn milder.

Epping Forest in northeast London

Sky News meteorologist Chris England said: "Eastern Wales and central and eastern parts of Scotland and England will see widespread snow overnight. The snow will clear from Scotland and northern England later.

"Elsewhere, western Wales, southwest England and Ireland will mostly have rain, but there will be some snow too, mainly over the hills. It will turn mostly dry there by morning.

"Today will be rather dull for southern Britain and Ireland, with a little rain in the west and a few snow flurries in the east, but southwest England will enjoy bright spells.

"Scotland and northern England will be mainly dry with some sunshine, once wintry showers clear the far north. It will be cold in the north and east, with a rather chilly breeze.

"Tuesday will be cold and dry for most, but Ireland will see rain moving into the west later. That rain will spread to Britain on Wednesday, bringing more snow to the north."

Meanwhile, thousands of UK passengers have been stranded in the US after flights to Britain were grounded when a massive snowstorm hit the US east coast.

It dumped more than three feet of snow from Massachusetts to New Jersey, while hurricane-force winds battered the eastern states and up into Canada, killing at least eight people.

Heathrow Airport said 10 inbound flights - all from New York and Boston - were cancelled today, as was one outbound flight to Washington.

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Air Canada were all forced to cancel flights, Heathrow said.

Passengers were advised to check if their flights are affected with their airlines.

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Pope Benedict Resigns, Vatican Confirms

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign on February 28, the Vatican has announced.

He will be the first head of the Catholic Church to resign in almost 600 years. The Vatican said his departure would leave the post temporarily vacant.

The 85-year-old's resignation letter said: "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.

"I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

"However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me."

He will step down after almost eight years in the post, having been elected in April 2005.

The final post on his Twitter page, sent on Sunday, said: "We must trust in the mighty power of God's mercy. We are all sinners, but His grace transforms us and makes us new."

Edward Pentin, from the Catholic Herald, told Sky News: "It really is too early to say what his greatest achievement has been."

More follows...

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Children Of Alcoholics Face Ongoing Struggle

By Clare Fallon, Sky News Reporter

As Children of Alcoholics Week begins, campaigners are trying to raise awareness about the difficulties faced by youngsters who grow up in households with alcohol abuse issues.

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics receives more than 4,500 calls a year - many from under 18s who are struggling to cope.

Their youngest ever caller was a five-year-old girl whose alcohol-dependent mother had committed suicide in the bathroom.

Hilary Henriques, one of the founders of the charity, warns the recession has only made the situation worse with addicts drinking to cope with financial pressure and in turn struggling to fund their alcohol problem. 

She said: "Alcoholics who drink don't choose to drink. Drink is how they get through the day."

Martin Williams is one of the alcoholic parents the charity has helped.

He describes how his relationship with alcohol became more important that his relationship with his two children.

"They stopped becoming the priority. The drink became the priority. And you try and juggle the two," he said.

Now though, he has been off the drink for more than three years and says his children are getting their dad back - an improved, sober version. 

Martin Williams says alcohol was once more important to him than his kids

The most recent figures show around one-fifth of children are living with someone drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol.

According to research, the impact of having an alcoholic parent can be lifelong, with significantly increased chances of developing mental health problems and eating disorders.

Children of alcoholics are also more likely to get into trouble with police and develop a drink problem themselves. 

Rosey, 20, has now moved out of home and is studying at university. 

While her flatmates enjoy a typical student lifestyle, she does not touch alcohol and says does not think she ever will.

Rosey's father has been an alcoholic as long as she can remember. 

She describes how she never invited school friends back home because she did not what them to meet her "slurring and rocking" dad. 

She says she has given up thinking it's her job to try to help him.

The charity Children of Addicted People and Parents said such situations are common.

Its founding director Emma Spiegler describes the situation faced by many youngsters as "a hell hole with no escape". 

But she insists with help and support children can come through it.

"Together we can help to break the silence, secrecy and stigma young people keep bottled up inside," she said.

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Horsemeat Scandal: 'Prepare For More Cases'

More cases of contaminated meat may be revealed within days, the Government has warned as it raised fears that an international criminal conspiracy was behind the horse meat scandal.

The warning came as The Independent newspaper claimed up to one in 30 horses being exported to Europe for consumption could contain traces of a drug known as Bute which is harmful to humans.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said the next set of results on all retailers' and manufacturers' processed beef products could reveal further traces of horse meat.

"There may well be more bad results coming through, that's the point of doing this random analysis," Mr Paterson said.

The results, ordered by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), are due on Friday.

But David Clarke, chief executive of Red Tractor Assurance, a food guarantee scheme that covers British production standards, urged people to put the scandal into perspective.

Paterson: 'Prepare for more bad news'

He told Sky News: "The news in the last three weeks has been of great concern to consumers. But to get it in perspective it is only affected a small part of the food that is in the shops.

"I would hope that all of the fresh meat that people are eating for Sunday lunch today should not be affected by this."

Mr Clarke added that the food industry had learnt lessons from the last few weeks, namely that "this very cheap processed meat produced with raw materials that are traded all across the world, all across Europe, is potentially a problem".

Meanwhile, one of the food companies at the centre of the horsemeat scandal has said it is considering taking legal action against its suppliers.

Frozen foods firm Findus, which has taken its beef lasagnes off shelves after some were found to have up to 100% horse meat in them, said it was looking into legal action as an internal investigation "strongly suggests" that the contamination "was not accidental".

The Ministry of Agriculture in Romania - to where the horsemeat has been traced - has launched an inquiry after two of its abattoirs were implicated in the scandal.

The Environment Secretary also revealed retailers have agreed plans to improve their food testing, adding that they hold the "ultimate responsibility" for making sure their products do not contain horse meat.

Mr Paterson was speaking after attending an emergency meeting with bosses from leading supermarkets, trade bodies and the FSA on Saturday to discuss the scandal which has seen chains including Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and Iceland withdraw some products.

He said supermarkets and trade bodies had already begun plans to carry out more testing and report their results on a quarterly basis.

Aldi has withdrawn products containing horsemeat

They had also agreed that consumers should be compensated for buying withdrawn products with no questions asked, he said.

Mr Paterson added: "It's a question of either gross incompetence, but as I've said publicly and I'll repeat again, I'm more concerned there's actually an international criminal conspiracy here, and we've really got to get to the bottom of it."

Scotland Yard have met representatives from the FSA, although there is currently no official police investigation.

Prime Minister David Cameron has described the scandal as "shocking" and "completely unacceptable", while Labour leader Ed Miliband said it was "appalling".

The Trading Standards Institute has said the discovery of such high levels of horse meat suggests "deliberate fraudulent activity".

Food safety experts have said there is no risk to public health.

Tesco and Aldi have also withdrawn a range of ready meals produced by Comigel over fears that they contained contaminated meat.

The GMB union said all hospitals, schools and meals-on-wheels services should verify that horse meat had not been served to vulnerable people.

Responding to fears that school dinners might be contaminated with horsemeat, the Department for Education said schools and councils were responsible for their food contracts.

A spokeswoman for the Local Authority Caterers Association said: "We are as sure as we can be that this is not affecting the school catering area."

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Fox Bites Off Baby's Finger In Cot Attack

A fox dragged a one-month-old baby from his cot and mauled his hand, biting off one finger, it has been reported.

The boy was left seriously injured after the animal crept into his bedroom in Bromley, southeast London.

His mother was alerted by his screaming and rushed into his room to see his hand in the animal's mouth, the Mail On Sunday reported.

After a short struggle, the mother managed to free him, but by then his finger had been ripped off.

Plastic surgeons were able to reattach the boy's finger and he is said to be recovering well at home.

The animal had got into the family home through an open backdoor.

The fox attack happened in Bromley on Wednesday

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We were called at 1638 on February 6 by staff at St Thomas's Hospital to reports a baby boy who had been admitted to hospital after being attacked by a fox.

"Police attended to find a four-week-old baby with a hand injury. The baby was admitted to hospital after the attack at its home address in Bromley."

London Mayor Boris Johnson said more needs to be done to deal with the problem of urban foxes.

"Thankfully this sort of attack, though terrible, is rare, but we must do more to tackle the growing problem of urban foxes," he said.

"They may appear cuddly and romantic but foxes are a pest and a menace, particularly in our cities."

Boris Johnson: 'Something must be done'

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the only reason a fox would attack is due to fear.

"It's extremely unusual for foxes to attack young children or anyone," she said.

"It's not typical fox behaviour at all. Foxes will come closer to a house if there are food sources.

"Then they can become quite bold, but they usually do back off and run away when there's people around."

In June 2010, twin baby sisters Lola and Isabella Koupparis were attacked by a fox while sleeping in their cots in east London.

Lola (L) and Isabella Koupparis were attacked by a fox in June 2010

Isabella was found with deep cuts to her arm and Lola's face was covered in blood. Both underwent surgery at the Royal London Hospital.

The issue of foxes attacking humans has divided the public, with many sceptics questioning recent cases amid fears of a backlash against urban foxes.

In April last year, wildlife presenter Chris Packham said he simply did not believe reports of people getting attacked by the animals.

The broadcaster said there was no proof foxes attack dogs and cats and would only do so except in "exceptional circumstances".

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