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TV Licence Dodgers May Not Be Prosecuted

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 08 Maret 2014 | 18.25

TV licence dodgers may no longer face prosecution in the courts under new plans being considered by the Government.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling says "serious work" on the plan is under way, with more than 100 cross-party MPs in support.

"The Culture Secretary (Maria Miller) and I both agree that this is a really interesting idea, particularly given the pressure on our courts system," Mr Grayling told The Daily Telegraph.

"Our departments will be doing some serious work on the proposal."

Efforts to change the law are being spearheaded by Tory MP Andrew Bridgen.

He said that for some cash-strapped families, the current law was "criminalising them for being poor".

"It is outrageous that so many people are brought into the criminal justice system through this means. I believe that non-payment should be treated in the way that parking tickets are," Mr Bridgen told the newspaper.

"It is absurd that the courts are being clogged up by such a minor offence."

Offenders currently face a £1,000 fine and a criminal record, as well as possible time in jail if fines are not paid.

Some 180,000 people faced magistrates last year after being accused of not paying the £145.50 fee, accounting for in excess of one in 10 of all criminal prosecutions.

Of those, 155,000 people were convicted and fined.

The proposed changes could see dodging payment of the TV licence become a civil matter, with a fine set by the Government.

A BBC spokesman said: "Legislation is a matter for the Government. However, changing the law could lead to higher evasion. Just a 1% increase in evasion would lead to the loss of around £35m, the equivalent of around 10 BBC Local Radio stations."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sochi Paralympics: Jade Etherington Wins Silver

Visually-impaired skier Jade Etherington has won ParalympicsGB's first medal at the Winter Games in Sochi, less than an hour into the event.

She took silver in the women's downhill, clocking a time of one minute 34.28 seconds with the aide of her guide Caroline Powell.

It is Britain's first Paralympic slope medal in 20 years and means the team has already bettered its haul from Vancouver four years ago.

Jade Etherington competes in the women's downhill event at the Winter Paralympics in Sochi. The medal is an early birthday present for the 22-year-old from Lincoln

Etherington and Powell had not even met a year ago, and this was only their third competitive downhill run together.

The pair communicate on the slopes via radio.

There was a worrying moment when Etherington crashed crossing the finish line, but she was soon back on her feet.

Jade Etherington competes in the women's downhill event at the Winter Paralympics in Sochi with her guide Charlotte Evans. Jade Etherington is helped by her guide Caroline Powell

The 22-year-old trainee teacher from Lincoln, who celebrates her birthday on Sunday, said: "I can't believe what's just happened.

"We knew it was it was a solid run because we were shouting 'go, go, go' and we had good, solid communication.

"I'm so proud and excited and I can't wait to get that medal in my hands."

Powell added: "We were really excited today and we knew that being excited rather than nervous usually means we'll have a good run. I'm so proud of Jade and what she's done."

Etherington's teammate Kelly Gallagher, skiing with her guide Charlotte Evans, finished sixth.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Malaysia Airlines Plane 'Crashes In Vietnam'

A Malaysia Airlines plane with 239 people on board has crashed into the sea after losing contact with air traffic control 18 hours ago, say reports.

The Boeing 777-200 was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing when it vanished around two hours into the flight.

Vietnamese state media quoted a navy official as saying Flight MH370 crashed near Tho Chu island, off Vietnam's south coast, at around 2.40am local time.

All ships in the local area have been sent to the scene to look for survivors.

Beijing International Airport Distraught relatives and friends wait at Beijing International Airport

China's Xinhua news agency said teams from Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore are involved in the search near Tho Chu island.

However, Malaysia's Transport Minister Seri Hishammuddin told reporters: "There is no information on any wreckage, but we are looking at all possibilities."

The plane was last detected on radar at 1.30am (5.30pm UK time) about 85 miles (135km) north of the Malaysian city of Kuala Terengganu, said Azaharudin Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's civil aviation chief.

Journalist Leo Lewis, at Beijing airport, told Sky News families were waiting anxiously for news of their relatives.

Malaysia Airlines Plane 'Loses Contact' The plane is said to have crashed near Tho Chu island, in southern Vietnam

He said there were "scenes of considerable distress" and "increasing irritation" because of a lack of information about their fate.

Malcolm Moore, the Daily Telegraph's Beijing Correspondent, said the relatives have been taken by bus to a hotel in the centre of Beijing.

He told Sky News: "There has been no official confirmation (about what has happened), but it's looking increasingly grim."

The plane left Kuala Lumpur at 12.41am local time and was due to arrive in Beijing at 6.30am local time.

Malaysia Airlines said the flight was carrying 227 passengers, including two infants, and 12 crew members.

Anxious relatives wait for news about loved ones in Beijing, China Family members have complained of a lack of information

They were from 14 countries - 152 plus one baby from China, 38 from Malaysia, 12 from Indonesia, seven from Australia, three plus one baby from the US, three from France, two from New Zealand, two from Ukraine, two from Canada, one from Russia, one from Italy, one from Taiwan, one from Netherlands, and one from Austria.

The aircraft was piloted by Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, a 53-year-old Malaysian with a total of 18,365 flying hours. He joined the company in 1981.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected passengers and crew and their family members," Malaysia Airlines CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said in a statement.

Beijing International Airport Flight MH370 marked in red on Beijing airport's information board

The airline said it would provide "regular updates" on the situation and has set up the phone line +603 7884 1234 for concerned members of the public.

Aviation expert David Learmount told Sky News the Boeing 777-200's safety record is "absolutely superb".

He said the plane would have been travelling at cruising height (around 35,000ft) and it would have given the pilots plenty of time to make a distress call.

The "simple solution" would be to presume there was a bomb on board, "but there's no suggestion of that," he said.

Anxious relatives wait for news about loved ones in Beijing, China Relatives of those on board await news at Beijing airport

China has dispatched two maritime rescue ships to the South China Sea to help in the search and rescue work.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said: "This news has made us all very worried. We hope every one of the passengers is safe."

Malaysia Airlines has 15 Boeing 777-200 jets in its fleet of about 100 planes.

An Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 after a crash landing in San Fransisco A Boeing 777 crash landed in San Francisco

If the plane is found to have crashed, the loss would mark the second fatal accident involving a Boeing 777 in less than a year, after an unblemished safety record since the jet entered service in 1995.

Last summer, an Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 crash landed in San Francisco, killing three passengers.

Boeing said it was aware of reports that the Malaysia Airlines plane has gone missing and was monitoring the situation, but had no further comment.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

More follows...


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Putin 'Repeating Georgia Tactics' In Crimea

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 07 Maret 2014 | 18.25

Russia is using the same tactics to take control of Crimea as it used in efforts to annex other territories in the region, Georgia's former leader has said.

Mikheil Saakashvili told Sky News that Russia President Vladimir Putin wanted to achieve a number of unspoken aims through its involvement in the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

And the 46-year-old, who served two terms as Georgia's president between 2004 and 2012, said Moscow was doing "exactly the same thing" in Crimea as it did in its 2008 conflict with Georgia.

He claimed that in both instances, Mr Putin has sent in soldiers not identified as Russian troops to provoke matters in the neighbouring countries - but claimed they were merely Russian citizens seeking to defend themselves.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili during an informal CIS summit in Moscow Mr Putin and Mr Saakashvili before war broke out in 2008

"Of course this is not true, of course this is nonsense spread by Russian propaganda," he said.

"If the Ukrainian government responds now, Russia will say: 'Well those were not our troops and now we are moving in with real troops.'

"That's exactly what happened in Georgia and it's high time people who still propagate this rubbish version (of events) that we attacked first, to consider that (they have been) a victim of Russian lies.

"Putin has this plan to have occupation and annexation of territories ranging from South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Crimea, then all the other parts of Ukraine and then Transnistria in Moldova."

Mr Saakashvili said Mr Putin had various other motives in the Ukraine crisis.

"I think President Putin has very clear goals here," he said.

Russian soldiers on military vehicle travel on main road leading to Senaki Military Base Russian soldiers in Georgia during the 2008 conflict

"If Ukraine makes it, becomes a European and democratic state, then Russian citizens will be asking quite rightly why Russians cannot have the same, why they should live in a mafia-ridden, oligarchic, corrupt country.

"The other thing is Crimea has lots of shale gas. Actually, within the next three years, thanks to American companies, Ukraine was going to become a net exporter of gas and stop buying Russian gas.

"That would basically mean that Gazprom would lose its biggest buyer of gas in Europe."

Ukraine says Russia currently has around 16,000 troops in its Crimean territories. Kiev says the soldiers are behind the seizure of key bases in the region.

Mr Putin has claimed the gunmen responsible are merely local militias.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ukraine: Russia Denies 'Orchestrating Events'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied he is "orchestrating events" in Ukraine's Crimea peninsular, and says he is simply responding to a request for help.

He spoke out after Moscow was warned it faces further sanctions if it fails to pull its forces out of Ukraine, as the gravest post-Cold War stand-off between the West and Russia continues.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said if the first round of sanctions do not work, the West will consider targeting businesses and individuals close to Mr Putin, Reuters reported.

Overnight, US President Barack Obama spoke to Mr Putin on the phone for an hour, trying to convince him to accept the terms of a potential diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis.

Ukraine crisis

After the call, the Russian leader said the two sides were still far apart.

It came as Crimea's parliament voted to join Russia, and announced they will hold a referendum in nine days.

The move has sparked a dramatic escalation in the crisis - and was immediately condemned by Mr Obama.

Uniformed men, believed to be Russian servicemen, stand guard outside a Ukrainian military base in the village of Perevalnoye outside Simferopol Russian forces outside a military base in Simferopol, Crimea

In Russia, the Upper House of Parliament said Crimea has the right to hold a referendum on its future status.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk called it an "illegal decision" by Crimea's authorities.

He said Ukraine is ready for talks with Russia, but Moscow must first withdraw its troops, abide by international agreements and halt its support for "separatists and terrorists".

Downing Street protester Oksana Prots Ukraine protester Oksana Prots outside Downing Street in London

Former Kremlin spin doctor Gleb Pavlovsky said there was now a greater danger of shots being fired in Crimea.

"Russia is encouraging the action of local forces," he said.

"We are at a very dangerous point, and it threatens to push a political crisis in the direction of a military situation."

Laurent Fabius Laurent Fabius says the West may impose more sanctions on Russia

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Paralympic chief Valeriy Sushkevich said his team would compete in the Winter Paralympics in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.

But he said they would pull out of the Games, which begin this afternoon, if Russian forces invade mainland Ukraine.

Mr Obama ordered sanctions on those responsible for Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine, including bans on travel to America and freezing of their US assets

He also echoed European Union leaders and the pro-Western government in Ukraine in insisting the referendum would violate international law.

He said Russians and Ukrainians involved in what he called "threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine" would be punished - although a US official said Mr Putin was not on the list of those to be sanctioned.

Ukraine, Russia and Crimea

"The proposed referendum on the future of Crimea would violate the Ukrainian constitution and violate international law," Mr Obama told reporters at the White House.

"Any discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine."

But in a statement released by the Kremlin early on Friday, Mr Putin said Kiev's new authorities had imposed "absolutely illegitimate decisions on the eastern, southeastern and Crimea regions".

"Russia cannot ignore calls for help in this matter and it acts accordingly, in full compliance with the international law," he said.

Pro-Russian supporters gather near a Ukrainian military base in the village of Perevalnoye outside Simferopol Pro-Russians gather outside a military base in Crimea

Russia's Foreign Ministry also hit out at Nato's decision to curb its co-operation with Moscow - and said it showed a "biased and prejudiced approach" over Ukraine.

"We see as extremely dangerous attempts to bring in the 'Nato factor' to Ukraine, where the situation is complex and delicate as it is, as it creates additional tension and undermines the prospects for settling the situation," it said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Nato announced a full review of its co-operation with Russia and said it would suspend planning for a joint mission linked to Syria's chemical weapons.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Oscar Pistorius 'Cheated On Ex With Reeva'

An ex-girlfriend of Oscar Pistorius broke down in court today as she described how the athlete cheated on her with Reeva Steenkamp.

Samantha Taylor also told how Pistorius once shot a bullet through the roof of a car sunroof - and on another occasion waved a gun at a car which he thought was following him.

In a drama-packed morning at the Pretoria court Ms Taylor added that Pistorius once woke her fearing there was an intruder in the house and got up to investigate with his gun. 

Court proceedings were halted twice while Ms Taylor described her relationship with the defendant on day five of the trial in Pretoria.

Pistorius Promo

:: Sky News' live coverage of the trial is under way, and a special highlights programme will be broadcast every weekday at 9.30pm.

Ms Taylor described occasions when Pistorius screamed at her "out of anger" and said that he was often on his mobile phone when they were in bed together.

She said that he nearly always kept a gun on him and once became very angry when police stopped a car he was travelling in.

Pistorius, who was allegedly a passenger in the car, fired his gun out of the sunroof about 15 minutes after the vehicle was pulled over by police.

Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius sits in the dock during the fifth day of his trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria Pistorius in court on the fifth day of his trial

She said that after being stopped by the police, Pistorius was "very angry" but later joked about wanting to "shoot a robot" - a traffic light. 

Ms Taylor said that after shooting the bullet through the sunroof, Pistorius laughed. The athlete wanted to "irritate the police", she said. 

The court was told how she normally spent four nights a week at Pistorius' home. 

She wept, and the court was adjourned twice, as she said how "upset" she was about the couple's break-up and the fact that she had been cheated on.

Oscar Pistorius Is Tried For The Murder Of His Girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp Pistorius has been accused of cheating on his ex-girlfriend

Miss Taylor said that on one occasion Pistorius was followed by a white Mercedes car.

She said that Pistorius leapt out of his car as he approached the security gates of his home and waved his gun at the white car, which drove off. 

Ms Taylor gave her evidence after radiologist Johan Stipp resumed giving evidence and was questioned by defence lawyer Barry Roux. 

Yesterday Mr Stipp described how Pistorius knelt at Ms Steenkamp's side and struggled in vain to help her breathe by holding two fingers in her clenched mouth.

Reeva Steenkamp on set of reality TV show Tropika Island of Treasure (Pic: Stimulii) Ms Steenkamp was shot dead on Valentine's Day

Mr Stipp said he went to Pistorius' home after hearing shots fired on the night Ms Steenkamp was killed and found "a lady lying on her back".

"I also noticed a man kneeling on her side, on the left side. I remember the first thing he said when I got there was 'I shot her, I thought she was an intruder. I shot her,'" Mr Stipp told the court.

He said he did not recognise Pistorius, and described how he tried in vain to resuscitate Ms Steenkamp.

"She had no pulse in her neck, she had no peripheral pulse, she had no breathing movements that she made," he said.

"She was clenching down on Oscar's fingers as he was trying to open her airway.

Aimee Pistorius, sister of Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius speaks to family members of Reeva Steenkamp during the fourth day of his trial at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria Pistorius' sister Aimee speaks to a member of Ms Steenkamp's family

"I tried to do a jaw lift manoeuvre, to try to open the airway, but it was very difficult with the clenching down.

"All during that time, there wasn't any signs of life that I could see.

"I opened her right eyelid. The pupil was fixed dilated, and the cornea was milky - in other words, it was already drying out.

"So to me it was obvious she was mortally wounded.

"I looked at the rest of her body and I noted she had a wound in her right thigh, also a wound in the right upper arm.

Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius reacts while a witness testifies during the fourth day of his trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria Pistorius broke down on Thursday as he heard her death described in court

"During that time … Oscar was crying all the time. He prayed to God to 'please let her live, she must not die'.

"He said at one stage while he was praying 'he will dedicate his life and her life to God if she would just only live and not die that night'."

He added that Pistorius looked "sincere": "He was crying, there were tears on his face. He was actively trying to assist her."

Sky's Alex Crawford, who was in court, said Pistorius was openly sobbing as the evidence was given.

Earlier, Pistorius' defence team said it would have been "impossible" for neighbours to hear screams on the night Ms Steenkamp died.

Lawyer Barry Roux said neighbour Charl Peter Johnson's claim that he heard gunshots followed by a woman screaming was incorrect.

Oscar Pistorius trial Hundreds of journalists are in Pretoria covering the case

"At the time you heard the deceased, she was in a locked bathroom," said Mr Roux.

"You cannot hear it inside your house ... Even standing on the balcony, it would have been impossible to hear the screams."

Mr Johnson was giving evidence for a third day.

Both Mr Johnson and his wife Michelle Burger insist they heard a woman's screams during the shooting.

The issue of the sound of a woman screaming is a key point for the prosecution. The claims by neighbours that they heard the screams suggest Pistorius would have known it was Ms Steenkamp, rather than an intruder, as he fired.

Mr Johnson also claims he heard five or six shots on the night of the killing.

But Mr Roux pointed out that in his initial notes he wrote that he "did not count the number of shots fired".

Mr Roux said: "Three hours later you changed this paragraph, and you corrected little things.

"That is a sign that you revisited that note and amended it."

He also suggested Mr Johnson had given evidence to fit with his wife's account of the evening.

Mr Johnson said he and his wife had spoken after the incident about what had happened, but that he did not hear her give evidence or speak to her about what she said in court.

Mr Roux said: "Your interpretation today is a designed one, it's to incriminate."

On top of the premeditated murder allegation, Pistorius faces a charge of illegally possessing ammunition and two further counts related to shooting a gun in public in two separate incidents before the killing.

He denies all the charges against him and maintains he shot Ms Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder.

The athlete could face 25 years in jail if he is found guilty by Judge Thokozile Masipa. South Africa does not have trials by jury.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


18.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Russia TV Presenter Quits On Air In Protest

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 06 Maret 2014 | 18.26

A presenter for a Russian government-funded TV channel has resigned live on air, after accusing the station of "whitewashing the actions" of Vladimir Putin.

Liz Wahl, a US anchor for Russia Today America, told viewers during the broadcast: "I'm proud to be an American and believe in disseminating the truth and that is why after this newscast, I'm resigning."

Her grandparents fled to the US as refugees during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution to escape the Soviet Union.

Ukraine crisis continues Russian President Vladimir Putin

Moscow has been accused of invading Ukraine's Crimea region after months of pro-European protests there saw the nation's pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, ousted.

Russia denies this, claiming the troops operating there are "self-defence" forces who do not answer to Moscow.

In a statement on Ms Wahl's actions, Russia Today said: "When a journalist disagrees with the editorial position of his or her organisation, the usual course of action is to address those grievances with the editor, and, if they cannot be resolved, to quit like a professional.

"But when someone makes a big public show of a personal decision, it is nothing more than a self-promotional stunt.

Ukraine crisis continues Moscow says troops in Crimea are "self-defence" forces

"We wish Liz the best of luck on her chosen path."

Ms Wahl later tweeted: "I am grateful and humbled by the outpouring of support I have received."

Another host from the channel criticised the actions of pro-Russian forces earlier this week.

Abby Martin labelled the intervention "wrong" and said she was "strongly against" military involvement.

The channel responded by saying Ms Martin "does not possess a deep knowledge of reality of the situation in Crimea" and that she would be sent there to "make up her own mind from the epicentre of the story".

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


18.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pistorius Sobs As Reeva's Death Is Described

Oscar Pistorius has broken down in court as a neighbour described the moments he tried to save his mortally wounded girlfriend.

Prosecution witness Dr Johan Stipp went to Pistorius' residence after hearing shots fired on the night Reeva Steenkamp was killed.

He said: "I got inside and there was a lady lying on her back.

Pistorius Promo

"I also noticed a man kneeling on her side, on the left side. I remember the first thing he said when I got there was 'I shot her, I thought she was an intruder. I shot her.'"

:: Sky News' live coverage of the trial is under way, and a special highlights programme will be broadcast every weekday at 9.30pm.

He said he did not realise it was Pistorius at first.

Reeva Steenkamp on set of reality TV show Tropika Island of Treasure (Pic: Stimulii) Ms Steenkamp was shot dead on Valentine's Day

"He was crying and praying to God. At one stage he said he would give his life over to God if she would survive.

"First thing, I checked her pulse and airway. She was clenching down as Pistorius was trying to open her airway.

"I opened her right eyelid. Her cornea was milky, obviously already drying out."

Aimee Pistorius, sister of Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius speaks to family members of Reeva Steenkamp during the fourth day of his trial at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria Pistorius' sister Aimee speaks to a member of Ms Steenkamp's family

Sky's Alex Crawford, who is in court, said Pistorius was openly sobbing as the evidence was given.

Earlier, Pistorius' defence team said it would have been "impossible" for neighbours to hear screams on the night Ms Steenkamp died.

Lawyer Barry Roux said neighbour Charl Peter Johnson's claim that he heard gunshots followed by a woman screaming was incorrect.

"At the time you heard the deceased, she was in a locked bathroom," said Mr Roux.

"You cannot hear it inside your house. At any distance, she was in a locked bathroom.

Police crime scene tape marks off the Pretoria home of Oscar Pistorius Pistorius' Pretoria mansion pictured after the shooting

"The deceased was in the toilet and the door was locked. Even standing on the balcony, it would have been impossible to hear the screams."

Mr Johnson is giving evidence for a third day.

Both Mr Johnson and his wife Michelle Burger insist they heard a woman's screams during the shooting.

The issue of the sound of a woman screaming is a key point for the prosecution. The claims by neighbours that they heard the screams suggest Pistorius would have known it was Ms Steenkamp, rather than an intruder, as he fired.

Pistorius Pistorius' defence lawyer Barry Roux has been aggressive in his questioning

Mr Johnson also claims he heard five or six shots on the night of the killing.

But Mr Roux pointed out that in his initial notes he wrote that he "did not count the number of shots fired".

Mr Roux said: "Three hours later you changed this paragraph. And you corrected little things. That is a sign that you revisited that note and amended it."

He also suggested that Mr Johnson had given evidence to fit with his wife's account of the evening.

Pistorius Pistorius wrote notes during the hearing on a pad of paper

"Your statement is strikingly similar to your wife's statement," Mr Roux said.

Mr Johnson replied: "My wife and I did speak about the incident after it happened."

But he added: "I did not hear her testify or speak to her about what she said in court."

Mr Roux said: "Your interpretation today is a designed one, it's to incriminate. That's unfortunate, and we'll deal with it."

Pistorius The high-profile case is being televised around the world

On Wednesday, the court heard from Pistorius' boxer friend Kevin Lerena, who said he was injured when the star fired a gun in a restaurant.

Mr Lerena added that Pistorius then asked another friend to take the blame.

On top of the premeditated murder allegation, Pistorius faces a charge of illegally possessing ammunition and two further counts related to shooting a gun in public in two separate incidents before the killing.

He denies all the charges against him and maintains he shot Ms Steenkamp after mistaking her for an intruder.

The athlete could face 25 years in jail if he is found guilty by Judge Thokozile Masipa. South Africa does not have trials by jury.

More follows...

 :: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


18.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ukraine Accuses Russia Of Stoking Tensions

US Issues Rebuttal Of 'Putin's Ukraine Fiction'

Updated: 8:29am UK, Thursday 06 March 2014

Amid diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis in Ukraine, the State Department has taken the unusual step of issuing a point-by-point rebuttal of Vladimir Putin's assertions.

It bluntly spoke of "President Putin's Fiction" and even quoted Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky, saying: "The world has not seen such startling Russian fiction since Dostoyevsky wrote, 'The formula 'two plus two equals five' is not without its attractions'."

The "10 False Claims" statement follows a defiant press conference by the Russian president two days ago.

Here is the full text of the US rebuttal:

As Russia spins a false narrative to justify its illegal actions in Ukraine, the world has not seen such startling Russian fiction since Dostoyevsky wrote, "The formula 'two plus two equals five' is not without its attractions."

Below are 10 of President Vladimir Putin's recent claims justifying Russian aggression in the Ukraine, followed by the facts that his assertions ignore or distort.

1. Mr Putin says: Russian forces in Crimea are only acting to protect Russian military assets. It is "citizens' defense groups," not Russian forces, who have seized infrastructure and military facilities in Crimea.

The Facts: Strong evidence suggests that members of Russian security services are at the heart of the highly organized anti-Ukraine forces in Crimea. While these units wear uniforms without insignia, they drive vehicles with Russian military license plates and freely identify themselves as Russian security forces when asked by the international media and the Ukrainian military. Moreover, these individuals are armed with weapons not generally available to civilians.

2. Mr Putin says: Russia's actions fall within the scope of the 1997 Friendship Treaty between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

The Facts: The 1997 agreement requires Russia to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity. Russia's military actions in Ukraine, which have given them operational control of Crimea, are in clear violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

3. Mr Putin says: The opposition failed to implement the February 21 agreement with former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

The Facts: The February 21 agreement laid out a plan in which the Rada, or Parliament, would pass a bill to return Ukraine to its 2004 Constitution, thus returning the country to a constitutional system centered around its parliament. Under the terms of the agreement, Yanukovych was to sign the enacting legislation within 24 hours and bring the crisis to a peaceful conclusion. Yanukovych refused to keep his end of the bargain. Instead, he packed up his home and fled, leaving behind evidence of wide-scale corruption.

4. Mr Putin says: Ukraine's government is illegitimate. Yanukovych is still the legitimate leader of Ukraine.

The Facts: On March 4, President Putin himself acknowledged the reality that Yanukovych "has no political future." After Yanukovych fled Ukraine, even his own Party of Regions turned against him, voting to confirm his withdrawal from office and to support the new government. Ukraine's new government was approved by the democratically elected Ukrainian Parliament, with 371 votes - more than an 82% majority. The interim government of Ukraine is a government of the people, which will shepherd the country toward democratic elections on May 25th - elections that will allow all Ukrainians to have a voice in the future of their country.

5. Mr Putin says: There is a humanitarian crisis and hundreds of thousands are fleeing Ukraine to Russia and seeking asylum.

The Facts: To date, there is absolutely no evidence of a humanitarian crisis. Nor is there evidence of a flood of asylum-seekers fleeing Ukraine for Russia. International organizations on the ground have investigated by talking with Ukrainian border guards, who also refuted these claims. Independent journalists observing the border have also reported no such flood of refugees.

6. Mr Putin says: Ethnic Russians are under threat.

The Facts: Outside of Russian press and Russian state television, there are no credible reports of any ethnic Russians being under threat. The new Ukrainian government placed a priority on peace and reconciliation from the outset. President Oleksandr Turchynov refused to sign legislation limiting the use of the Russian language at regional level. Ethnic Russians and Russian speakers have filed petitions attesting that their communities have not experienced threats. Furthermore, since the new government was established, calm has returned to Kyiv. There has been no surge in crime, no looting, and no retribution against political opponents.

7. Mr Putin says: Russian bases are under threat.

The Facts: Russian military facilities were and remain secure, and the new Ukrainian government has pledged to abide by all existing international agreements, including those covering Russian bases. It is Ukrainian bases in Crimea that are under threat from Russian military action.

8. Mr Putin says: There have been mass attacks on churches and synagogues in southern and eastern Ukraine.

The Facts: Religious leaders in the country and international religious freedom advocates active in Ukraine have said there have been no incidents of attacks on churches. All of Ukraine's church leaders, including representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate, have expressed support for the new political leadership, calling for national unity and a period of healing. Jewish groups in southern and eastern Ukraine report that they have not seen an increase in anti-Semitic incidents.

9. Mr Putin says: Kyiv is trying to destabilize Crimea.

The Facts: Ukraine's interim government has acted with restraint and sought dialogue. Russian troops, on the other hand, have moved beyond their bases to seize political objectives and infrastructure in Crimea. The government in Kyiv immediately sent the former Chief of Defense to defuse the situation. Petro Poroshenko, the latest government emissary to pursue dialogue in Crimea, was prevented from entering the Crimean Rada.

10. Mr Putin says: The Rada is under the influence of extremists or terrorists.

The Facts: The Rada is the most representative institution in Ukraine. Recent legislation has passed with large majorities, including from representatives of eastern Ukraine. Far-right wing ultranationalist groups, some of which were involved in open clashes with security forces during the EuroMaidan protests, are not represented in the Rada. There is no indication that the Ukrainian government would pursue discriminatory policies; on the contrary, they have publicly stated exactly the opposite.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Oscars: 12 Years A Slave Wins Best Picture

Written By Unknown on Senin, 03 Maret 2014 | 18.26

British director Steve McQueen's film 12 Years A Slave has won the best picture award at this year's Oscars.

In one of the most hotly contested competitions of recent years, the film beat eight fellow nominees - American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Nebraska, Philomena and The Wolf Of Wall Street.

McQueen jumped for joy at the win and thanked his wife, who first showed him a copy of the original book, for "unearthing this treasure" and his parents before dedicating the win to "everyone who has endured slavery and 21 million who still do today".

Lupita Nyong'o won the best supporting actress prize for her role as Patsey in the 19th century drama.

Matthew McConaughey accepts the Oscar for best actor for his role in "Dallas Buyers Club" at the 86th Academy Awards in HollywoodBlanchett speaks on stage after she won best actress for her work in 'Blue Jasmine" at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood Matthew McConaughey and Cate Blanchett with their awards

The Mexican-born star, who is of Kenyan descent, paid tribute to McQueen, who she said charged "everything with the breath of your own spirit".

She thanked her co-stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender and said: "I'm a little dazed. I can't believe this is in my hands. I can't believe this is real life."

Ejiofor lost out in the lead actor category to Matthew McConaughey who won for his portrayal of an Aids activist in Dallas Buyers Club.

His co-star Jared Leto won the first award of the night after being named best supporting actor.

Leto beat Bradley Cooper, Michael Fassbender, Jonah Hill and Barkhad Abdi after playing an HIV-positive transgender woman in the film.

Alfonso Cuaron poses with the award for best director and best film editing for "Gravity" at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood Alfonso Cuaron with his best director award

Gravity was the big winner at this year's awards, winning seven trophies, including best director for Alfonso Cuaron.

The film, starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, won in many of the technical categories, including visual effects and original score.

Australian Cate Blanchett won the best actress prize for her role in Blue Jasmine, beating Sandra Bullock, Amy Adams, Dame Judi Dench and Meryl Streep.

Accepting her award, she praised her fellow actresses including the "sublime" Sally Hawkins and said films with strong female characters were not "niche".

She said: "Audiences want to see them and in fact they earn money."

Despite being nominated 10 times including in all four acting categories, David O Russell's American Hustle did not win a single prize.

A photo posted in Twitter by Oscar host Ellen Degeneres DeGeneres managed to take this widely tweeted selfie. Pic: @TheEllenShow

The ceremony at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre was hosted by comedian Ellen DeGeneres, who opened the show with a string of gags poking fun at the event.

Referring to a recent spell of wet weather in LA, she said: "For those of you around the world who are watching it has been a tough couple of days - it has been raining. We're fine, thank you for your prayers."

A selfie taken on DeGeneres' phone featuring Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence has become the most retweeted tweet in Twitter's history, garnering over one million in just 45 minutes and going on to be retweeted more than two million times.

DeGeneres announced: "We have broken Twitter."

Pharrell Williams was the first act to perform at the event, singing Happy from Despicable Me 2. He was followed by Karen O, U2 and Pink.

Williams, Karen O and U2 lost out in the original song category to Let It Go from Frozen. The box office hit also won the best animation prize.

Show host Ellen DeGeneres delivers pizza to the audience at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood DeGeneres gave out pizza to stars including Brad Pitt

Bette Midler received a standing ovation after singing The Wind Beneath My Wings following a montage paying tribute to members of the film industry who have died in the last year.

After joking about how hungry stars get during the notoriously long ceremony, DeGeneres appeared to order pizza which she then handed out to Leto and others sitting in the first few rows at the theatre.

The award for best documentary short went to The Lady In Number 6: Music Saved My Life - a week after its inspiration, pianist and world's oldest Holocaust survivor, Alice Herz-Sommer, 110, died in London.

Italian film The Great Beauty won best foreign film while 20 Feet From Stardom was named best documentary, beating The Act Of Killing which had been a favourite to win.

The Great Gatsby won best costume and production design while the make-up and hairstyling award went to Dallas Buyers Club.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Russia And China 'In Agreement' Over Ukraine

Russia has said China is largely "in agreement" over the situation in Ukraine after the other G8 nations condemned its intrusion into the country.

Hundreds of suspected Russian troops have surrounded a Ukrainian military base near Crimea's capital Simferopol, preventing soldiers from going in or out.

The convoy blockading the site includes at least 17 military vehicles, which have Russian number plates.

Still image taken from video shows Ukrainian navy chief Berezovsky swearing allegiance to the pro-Russian regional leaders of Crimea in Sevastopol Rear Admiral Berezovsky announces his defection before TV cameras

Troops were also reported to have taken control of a ferry terminal in the city of Kerch, around 12 miles (19km) by boat from Russia on the eastern tip of the Crimea region, and Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of blocking mobile telephone communications in parts of the peninsula.

But Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk insisted his country "will never give up Crimea to anyone" and urged Russian forces to withdraw.

It comes as Moscow's Stock Exchange dropped around 10% in the first hour of trading, and Russia's central Bank Rossii raised its rate to 7% from 5.5% as the ruble hit an historic low against the dollar and the euro.

Military personnel, believed to be Russian servicemen, stand guard outside territory of Ukrainian military unit in village of Perevalnoye outside Simferopol Russian servicemen outside a Ukrainian military unit in Perevalnoye, Crimea

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed Ukraine by telephone with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Monday, and claimed they had "broadly coinciding points of view" on the situation there, according to a ministry statement.

Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he said Russian troops were necessary in Ukraine "until the normalisation of the political situation".

He added: "We call for a responsible approach, to put aside geopolitical calculations, and above all to put the interests of the Ukrainian people first."

As the tense stand-off continues between Russian and Ukrainian forces, the other seven nations of the G8 urged Moscow to hold talks with Kiev.

"We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the President of the European Council and President of the European Commission, join together today to condemn the Russian Federation's clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," they said in a statement.

"We have decided for the time being to suspend our participation in activities associated with the preparation of the scheduled G8 Summit in Sochi in June."

British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who is in Kiev for talks on the crisis, said Russia has taken operational control of Crimea and described its intervention in Ukraine as the biggest crisis in Europe in the 21st century.

At a news conference with Mr Yatseniuk, he said: "If this situation cannot resolve itself, if Russia cannot be persuaded to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, there will have to be other consequences and other costs.

William Hague William Hague said the crisis was the biggest in Europe in the 21st century

"Russia should be in no doubt about this, this is something we take very seriously, that we have to take very seriously, because if this becomes the normal way of behaving in the world, of intruding or violating the sovereignty of neighbours, well then clearly that would be an even bigger crisis in international affairs."

Prime Minister David Cameron also tweeted he will chair a meeting of the National Security Council on the "British and international response to the grave situation in Ukraine".

Mr Yatseniuk indicated his country was mobilising for war following the move, saying in English: "This is not a threat: this is actually the declaration of war to my country."

A military personnel member, believed to be a Russian serviceman, stands guard on a military vehicle outside the territory of a Ukrainian military unit in the village of Perevalnoye outside Simferopol A soldier stands guard outside Perevalnoye

Mr Yatseniuk heads a pro-Western government that took power in the former Soviet republic when its Moscow-backed president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted last week.

US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Kiev on Tuesday to show "strong support for Ukrainian sovereignty".

Meanwhile, Ukraine launched a treason case against its new navy chief after he switched allegiance to the pro-Russian Crimea region.

Ukraine

Rear Admiral Denis Berezovsky was appointed head of Ukraine's navy on Saturday, but appearing before cameras in Sevastopol alongside Sergiy Aksyonov, the pro-Russian prime minister of Crimea's regional parliament, he said he had ordered Ukrainian naval forces there to disregard orders from "self-proclaimed" authorities in Kiev.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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Oscar Neighbour Heard 'Bloodcurdling Screams'

A neighbour of Oscar Pistorius has told how she heard screams and four gunshots on the night the star killed Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius is charged with murdering his girlfriend on Valentine's Day last year, and the highly anticipated trial is now under way.

The first witness, neighbour Michell Burger, told the court how on the night of the killing she woke up at 3am to the sound of "terrible screams" and called security.

"She screamed terribly and she yelled for help. Then I also heard a man screaming for help. Three times he yelled for help.

Reeva Steenkamp Ms Steenkamp was shot dead at Pistorius' home in February 2013

"Just after her screams, I heard four shots. It was very traumatic for me. You could hear that it was bloodcurdling screams."

Sky's Alex Crawford, who is in court, said: "When the trial got under way the first witness was absolutely gripping, very compelling testimony."

The trial started with Pistorius, wearing a dark suit and tie, pleading not guilty to murder and a series of firearms charges.

Pistorius arrives in court ahead of his trial in Pretoria Pistorius walks past Ms Steenkamp's mother (second from right)

For much of the opening statement by defence counsel Kenny Oldwage, Pistorius had his eyes closed and occasionally sighed.

Mr Oldwage told the court how Pistorius thought an intruder was in his bathroom when he shot Ms Steenkamp. He also said Pistorius denied an allegation the pair had argued before the shooting.

Questions over the investigation into the shooting were also raised, as he said the crime scene had been "contaminated and tampered with". State prosecutor Gerrie Nel denied there had been any tampering.

Police crime scene tape marks off the Pretoria home of Oscar Pistorius Pistorius' home pictured after the shooting

Pistorius' defence also said that claims the athlete wanted to kill Ms Steenkamp "couldn't be further from the truth".

Earlier, there was disruption in court as a woman known only as Anna Marie, who has attempted to intervene in previous hearings, turned up at court and was surrounded and asked to leave.

Crawford said the woman told reporters she knew Pistorius' mother, and wanted to see the judge. She also claimed to be the ex-wife of the surgeon who amputated Pistorius' legs as a baby.

June Steenkamp, Reeva Steenkamp's mother in court June Steenkamp is in court for the first time

In a landmark ruling, large parts of the case are being broadcast live by three remote-controlled cameras in court, but testimony given by Pistorius can not be shown.

The South African judge who made the decision said he had weighed up arguments for a fair trial from the Pistorius camp with principles of open justice and freedom of expression.

The trial, which will hear from more than 100 witnesses, is scheduled to run for three weeks but could go on for longer.

North Gauteng High Court The High Court in Pretoria where the trial is taking place

The South African legal system does not have trials by a jury, so a judge will preside over proceedings and ultimately pronounce Pistorius innocent or guilty.

The 27-year-old double amputee faces charges of murder, illegal possession of ammunition and two additional counts relating to shooting a gun in public in two separate incidents before shooting Ms Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria.

Ms Steenkamp's mother June is in court for the first time. Earlier she had said she wanted to look Pistorius in the eyes during the trial.

Pistorius

He stands accused of fatally shooting the 29-year-old model and reality TV star four times through a toilet door intentionally following a jealous row and then lying extensively about it.

Pistorius acknowledges he killed Ms Steenkamp but denies murder and says he shot her after mistaking her for an intruder.

Pistorius says he was terrified at the mistaken belief that there was a dangerous intruder in his home about to hurt him and the woman he loved dearly - but he had to intervene.

If found guilty of premeditated murder, the Paralympic and Olympic athlete could be jailed for at least 25 years.

More follows...

:: Sky News' live coverage of the trial is under way, and a special highlights programme will be broadcast every weekday at 9.30pm.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

 


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