Paedophile Teacher 'One Of The Worst Predators'

Child Predator: Husband And 'Popular Teacher'

Updated: 11:44am UK, Thursday 24 April 2014

The serial child predator at the centre of an FBI investigation had a wife and two adult children and was a popular teacher among his students, officials have said.

William James Vahey travelled the world for four decades before his suicide in a Minnesota motel last March.

While teaching, he also served as coach on various school sports teams.

The FBI said he was a "popular and highly respected teacher".

"He had access to children because of his position of trust," said FBI special agent Patrick Fransen.

"He created a system that gave him the opportunity and the means to molest children."

The FBI says he may have carried out child molestation on an unprecedented scale, often drugging his victims.

Vahey told investigators he suffered molestation as a child and went on to prey on boys.

The New York native graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, according to a resume cited by the FBI.

He received a master's degree in curriculum development from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont.

At the time of his death, he was 64, approximately 6ft (182cm) tall, and weighed about 190 pounds (86kg).

He was teaching ninth-grade world history and geography at the American Nicaraguan School in Managua.

Vahey maintained two residences, one in London, where he had taught at an elite school, and another on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the FBI said.

In 1969, Vahey was arrested in California on six counts of child molestation.

He pled guilty to one count of child molestation and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, followed by five years' probation.

The conviction required Vahey to register with California's sex offender registry for the rest of his life.

However, Vahey eluded that requirement.

Officials said he had not renewed his registration as a sex offender since 1970. He went on to pursue his teaching career in Nicaragua, the UK, Venezuela, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Iran, Spain, and Lebanon.

His victims are believed to be multinational as many of those schools were attended by the children of American diplomats or military personnel stationed overseas.

Vahey coached boys on middle school, varsity boys' basketball, softball, flag football, and soccer, among other things.

He also served as activities director, student council adviser, cooking club adviser and forensics adviser. 

He often accompanied students on cultural studies or sports trips, the FBI said.

Vahey killed himself two days after agents in Houston sought a warrant to search a computer thumb drive belonging to him.

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British Teenager Dies After Tribal Drug Ritual

By Alex Watts, Online Producer

A British backpacker has died after taking a hallucinogenic drug during a tribal ritual in Colombia.

Henry Miller, 19, was in a remote rainforest area, near the town of Mocoa, with other tourists when he drank yage with a local tribe.

The psychedelic drink, also known as ayahuasca, is made from leaves and is used by native people in South America for healing and spiritual purposes.

Mr Miller took the drug on Sunday without any effects. He took it again on Tuesday and was found dead later.

Filip Goematre, owner of Casa del Rio hostel, where the teenager was staying, told Sky News: "Lots of people come to this area to take the yage drug, which is part of an indigenous ritual.

Mr Miller took the drug in a rainforest outside Mocoa, southwest Colombia

"But I am not a fan of it. I prefer people come here to enjoy the Amazon and look at the animals and nature.

"Henry came here last week and heard about the drug from other tourists and got motivated to do it.

"I'm not involved in the drug and do not promote it in anyway. But it's an indigenous ritual and involves drinking juice from a medicinal plant. One of the effects of it is to hallucinate.

"Henry stayed at the hostel for seven days. He did it (the drug) once on Sunday night, and on the Tuesday he was travelling on.

"But he changed his mind at the last minute and decided to do the ritual. There is a police investigation going on and an autopsy is being carried out on his body, but it looks like the drink.

"It's an intoxicant, and hundreds of people do it and a couple of times people die. It's not considered dangerous, but it can happen."

Mr Miller, from Bristol, travelled with a group of eight people to land belonging to a local shaman, according to the Daily Mail.

The teenager had stayed at Casa del Rio hostel for seven days

After taking the drug, he reportedly started "lashing out with his hands and feet" and then "made weird animal noises, pig sounds and at one point he tried to fly".

The shaman's family told the other tourists they would look after him, but when they woke up in the morning Mr Miller was not there, the paper quoted one of the group as saying.

Police arrived and showed them a picture of Mr Miller's body, which was said to have been found by a dirt road.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office told Sky News: "We are aware of the death of a British national on April 23 in Colombia. We are providing consular assistance to the family at this very difficult time."

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Ukraine Crisis: Russia Vows To Free Observers

It Is No Longer A Game For Separatist Militia

Updated: 12:32am UK, Saturday 26 April 2014

By Sam Kiley, Foreign Affairs Editor in Slavyansk

Their rifles were cocked. The safety catches off. Triggers were fingered. The car lurched to a stop.

Shrill nervous orders were barked in Russian. Men in an assortment of camouflage uniforms lay spread eagled on the roadside glaring down their sights.

A quick search followed. Then a man with a new AK74, probably nicked from the local police station, squinted, his face covered with a balaclava, perhaps attempting a faceless smile.

"Sorry for any inconvenience," he said and waved the car through.

The mixed messages of their behaviour, both aggression and politeness, both bravado and fear, point to a wider conundrum - do they really understand what they're getting in to?

One of their comrades had been shot dead that morning about a mile away on the road out of Slavyansk by an Ukrainian army patrol - probably probing the outer defences of these pro-Russian separatist militants.

Four more, the government said, had been killed in other clashes around the town.

They stand accused of kidnapping the city's elected mayor.

They have taken over city hall and are sandbagging it against an attack and yet they often appear to be no more than young or old boys playing at soldiers.

Occasionally one comes across a trained soldier. Fit and quiet they slink in the background of the occupied buildings.

They may be Russian agents, or former Ukrainian police from the disbanded Berkut who were responsible for sniper attacks on revolutionaries in Kiev.

But the ordinary militants, who are led by local politicians and allegedly funded either by Moscow or allied oligarchs, are clearly being used.

They are the teaspoons the Kremlin is using to keep the east of Ukraine swirling with dark rumours of anti-Russian ethnic cleansing.

Allegations of persecution of pro-Russian groups are entirely false.

But while the militants swagger about the streets, take over government buildings and harass their political opponents, they face a crack down from Kiev.

The nervous men at the road block feared an Ukrainian government attack on the bases in Slavyansk.

They were also facing the reality that what may have felt like a nationalistic camping trip with the added spice of gun play, may no longer be a game.

They may fold under a professional attack by Ukrainian troops.

But if they do not, there will be blood.

And if it flows from Putin's local pawns then so may Russian troops pour in from the east.

He may win, but they will not be around to see his victory.

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Parents Weep In Court Over Dead Children

The mother arrested over the deaths of her three disabled children has appeared before magistrates accused of their murders.

Tania Clarence wept in the dock as she was remanded in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Friday.

She spoke only to confirm her name, age and address and no formal plea was entered.

The 42-year-old is accused of three counts of murder between April 20 and April 23 this year.

She will appear again at the Old Bailey on May 9 and a separate bail hearing will be held on April 29.

The 43-year-old is pictured with his twin sons and their New Malden home

Her husband, Gary Clarence, 43, also broke down in tears as he sat in the public gallery during the brief hearing. A group of people, thought to be family and friends, supported him during the proceedings.

He was in his family's native South Africa with the couple's eight-year-old daughter when he heard about the deaths.

Sky News Reporter Joe Tidy said: "When Tania Clarence walked in the 42-year-old broke down immediately and began to cry when she looked over to the public gallery.

"She could barely read her name, her date of birth and her address details.

"Gary Clarence arrived ahead of proceedings and sat in the public gallery. He had tears in his eyes and was greeted with lots of support and hugs from people who seemed to know him in the gallery."

Police were called to the home on Tuesday night

Fiona Abbott, chairwoman of the bench, said: "For these three charges you will be sent to the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on May 9.

"There will be a bail application at the Central Criminal Court at 10am on April 29."

Tania Clarence was arrested after her four-year-old daughter, Olivia, and three-year-old twin sons Ben and Max were found dead at the family's home in New Malden, south west London, on Tuesday night.

Post-mortem examinations were due to be carried out at Great Ormond Street Hospital on the three children on Thursday. They are understood to have had spinal muscular atrophy.

The life-limiting genetic condition is also known as floppy baby syndrome and leaves children with little or no control of their movement.

Mrs Clarence is originally from South Africa and moved to Britain with her husband some years ago.

The couple moved into their £1.2m house around six months ago after the property was redeveloped with mobility equipment, including a lift.

A neighbour of the family, retired nurse Joy Devis, 86, described the Clarences as a "delightful couple".

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Virgin Hijack Scare: Drunk Passenger Arrested

A drunken passenger sparked a hijack scare after trying to break into the cockpit of a Virgin passenger plane.

The plane is currently at Bali's international airport and a 28-year-old Australian has been arrested, an Indonesian air force spokesman said.

All 139 passengers are unharmed and have been evacuated from the aircraft, he added.

It is understood the Virgin Australia aircraft was scheduled to fly from Brisbane to Bali.

All passengers were safely evacuated from the Virgin Australia aircraft

Palani Mohan, a passenger on a flight that was about to take off from Bali, said: "The captain of my plane made an announcement saying we were delayed indefinitely.

"He said it was because a hijack was going on in Bali airport, about 150 metres away from us.

"I saw at least five vehicles including military-style trucks, filled with men in uniform, rushing towards the plane.

"Then the Virgin plane taxied away, followed by the convoy of security forces. The flight attendant said it's been taken off to a different part of the airport.

"Bali airport seems to be in lockdown, we've been told no planes will be departing or arriving. The pilot's not allowing anyone off our plane."

The plane was flying from Brisbane and landed in Bali

Indonesian air force spokesman Hadi Tjahjanto told Metro TV television station: "We got information that a 737-800 from Brisbane to Bali has been hijacked".

According to an Indonesian transport official the captain raised the alarm after a passenger tried to enter the cockpit. 

However, a Virgin Australia spokeswoman later denied the plane had been hijacked.

She said: "There are incorrect reports that a Virgin Australia aircraft was hijacked en route to Denpasar. This is not correct.

"The aircraft in question has landed safely and at no point was the safety of our passengers ever in question."

Virgin Australia Airlines, formerly Virgin Blue Airlines, is Australia's second-largest airline as well as the largest by fleet size to use the Virgin brand. 

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Russia Wants World War Three, Says Ukraine

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has accused Russia of wanting to start "a third world war".

Mr Yatseniuk said that Russia wanted to occupy Ukraine "militarily and politically", creating a conflict that would spread to the rest of Europe.

"The world has not yet forgotten World War Two, but Russia already wants to start World War Three," he said.

His comments came as Barack Obama said he would consult key European leaders later on the possibility of imposing new sanctions against Russia.

A pro-Russian separatist fills sand bags at a checkpoint in Slavyansk

Speaking in Seoul, Mr Obama said he wanted to coordinate a united approach with Western US allies.

On the ground, Ukrainian special forces launched a second phase of their "anti-terrorism" operation in the east of the country on Friday.

They mounted a full blockade of the rebel-held city of Slavyansk, an official on the presidential staff said.

Reports that pro-Russian snipers had shot at a Ukranian military helicopter in the eastern town of Kramatorsk have been treated cautiously. 

According to officials in Kiev, the helicopter exploded at a military base after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Barack Obama will consult European leaders about new sanctions

Its pilot managed to escape but was wounded, the official said. Kramatorsk is one of several under the control of pro-Kremlin gunmen.

Sky's foreign affairs editor, Sam Kiley, in Ukraine, said that the "bellicose" rhetoric between Russia and Ukraine was escalating more quickly than action on the ground.

"On the ground, there are incidents, but the level of violence has been relatively low and does not justify the type of rhetoric we have heard," Kiley said. 

Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry accused Russia of "deception" and "destabilisation" in Ukraine and hinted at more sanctions.

John Kerry has warned Russia of 'grave' consequences

Mr Kerry warned Moscow time was running out for it to change course.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia face a choice," he said in unusually blunt language.

"If Russia chooses the path of de-escalation ... all of us will welcome it. But if Russia does not, the world will make sure that the costs for Russia will only grow."

Mr Kerry added this would be a "grave" and "expensive mistake".

He also said the Kremlin has not honoured an agreement aimed at defusing the crisis, echoing earlier comments by Mr Obama.

A checkpoint apparently set on fire by pro-Russian separatists

The Geneva accord between Russia, Ukraine, the US and EU compelled armed groups to put down their weapons and vacate official buildings.

The US says Moscow is stoking unrest and separatist sentiment in the east of Ukraine after its annexation of Crimea.

Russia accuses Washington of encouraging a pro-Western government to adopt anti-Russian policies.

On Thursday, Ukraine's interior ministry said up to five "terrorists" had been killed during an operation to clear checkpoints in the eastern town of Slavyansk.

And seven people were injured overnight at a pro-Ukrainian checkpoint near the Black Sea port of Odessa when an explosive device blew up, police said.

A pro-Russian actvist has his head bandaged

Residents in the town have built several such checkpoints aimed at stopping pro-Russian separatists entering from Moldova's breakaway territory of Transdniestria.

Interfax news agency quoted witnesses as saying a bomb was thrown at the checkpoint from a passing car, though this was not confirmed by police.

Mr Putin has said there will be "consequences" if Kiev has used its army against the activists.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned the crisis is threatening to "spin out of control" and urged all sides to "refrain from violence".

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FBI Hunts For UK Victims Of Paedophile Teacher

Child Predator: Husband And 'Popular Teacher'

Updated: 11:44am UK, Thursday 24 April 2014

The serial child predator at the centre of an FBI investigation had a wife and two adult children and was a popular teacher among his students, officials have said.

William James Vahey travelled the world for four decades before his suicide in a Minnesota motel last March.

While teaching, he also served as coach on various school sports teams.

The FBI said he was a "popular and highly respected teacher".

"He had access to children because of his position of trust," said FBI special agent Patrick Fransen.

"He created a system that gave him the opportunity and the means to molest children."

The FBI says he may have carried out child molestation on an unprecedented scale, often drugging his victims.

Vahey told investigators he suffered molestation as a child and went on to prey on boys.

The New York native graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, according to a resume cited by the FBI.

He received a master's degree in curriculum development from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont.

At the time of his death, he was 64, approximately 6ft (182cm) tall, and weighed about 190 pounds (86kg).

He was teaching ninth-grade world history and geography at the American Nicaraguan School in Managua.

Vahey maintained two residences, one in London, where he had taught at an elite school, and another on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the FBI said.

In 1969, Vahey was arrested in California on six counts of child molestation.

He pled guilty to one count of child molestation and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, followed by five years' probation.

The conviction required Vahey to register with California's sex offender registry for the rest of his life.

However, Vahey eluded that requirement.

Officials said he had not renewed his registration as a sex offender since 1970. He went on to pursue his teaching career in Nicaragua, the UK, Venezuela, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Iran, Spain, and Lebanon.

His victims are believed to be multinational as many of those schools were attended by the children of American diplomats or military personnel stationed overseas.

Vahey coached boys on middle school, varsity boys' basketball, softball, flag football, and soccer, among other things.

He also served as activities director, student council adviser, cooking club adviser and forensics adviser. 

He often accompanied students on cultural studies or sports trips, the FBI said.

Vahey killed himself two days after agents in Houston sought a warrant to search a computer thumb drive belonging to him.

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Arrested Mum 'Struggled With Children's Care'

A mother arrested on suspicion of murdering her three disabled children centred her life on them but often had to cope alone, according to a family friend.

Tania Clarence, 42, was taken into custody after police found the bodies of the children at her home in New Malden, south London, on Tuesday night.

The children - a four-year-old girl and twin three-year-old boys - are understood to have had spinal muscular atrophy.

The life-limiting genetic condition is also known as floppy baby syndrome and leaves children with little or no control of their movement.

Gary Clarence, the children's father, was in the family's native South Africa with the couple's eight-year-old daughter when he heard the news.

Flowers have been left outdide the family's £1.2m house in London

A family friend, who did not want to be named, told South Africa's Times Live website that the couple lived a hectic, regimented life based around caring for their children.

"Everything was regulated, everything they ate diarised. I bet Tania had not had a decent night's sleep in a few years."

Despite having help to look after the children, the friend said the family still struggled.

"They tried to have a normal family life in the evening, by not having a house full of carers. Tania's borne the brunt [of it]. Gary is a businessman and had to [travel].

"Everybody who met her could not but be compassionate. Most would think 'there but for the grace of God go I'," the friend told Times Live.

"They did not go and have babies knowing they were giving them a genetic disease. She's been slammed for having three kids with SMA.

"They had the one child, their second child, who was young, only a few months old, when she fell pregnant [with the twins]. It was not planned, but they felt they could cope."

Mrs Clarence was initially taken to hospital with minor injuries and later discharged.

Chief Superintendent Glenn Tunstall told a news conference on Wednesday afternoon officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

He said specialist detectives were providing support to the family.

Sky reporter Joe Tidy said the couple moved into the £1.2m house with their four children around six months ago, once the property had been redeveloped with mobility equipment, including a lift.

Specialist officers are helping the family, says Chief Supt Glenn Tunstall

Mr Clarence works as a director at Investec bank - his mother and sister are understood to have flown to the UK to support him.

A neighbour of the family, retired nurse Joy Devis, 86, said she had been in the house "once or twice" and described the Clarences as a "delightful couple".

Post-mortem examinations of the three children will be held this afternoon at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

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Putin: Ukraine 'Crime' Will Have Consequences

Vladimir Putin has warned there will be "consequences" if Ukraine has used its army against pro-Russian activists in the east.

Ukraine's interior ministry said "up to five" rebels were killed in a military operation to clear the eastern town of Slavyansk on Thursday.

The Russian President responded: "If Kiev really began to use the army against the country's population... that is a very serious crime against its own people.

"That is simply a punitive measure that will without question have consequences... including for our inter-governmental relations."

Vladimir Putin has warned of consequences

Ukraine announced on Wednesday that it was re-launching a campaign against pro-Russia insurgents occupying government buildings.

Ukraine's interior minister Arsen Avakov used Facebook to report on Thursday that the country's military had liberated a town hall in eastern Mariupol without any casualties.

He also claimed 70 people led by Russian soldiers raided a Ukrainian base at Artemivsk, wounding one soldier.

Mr Putin's threat of consequences comes just hours after his foreign minister accused the West of instigating a "revolution" in Ukraine as part of a "geopolitical game" against Moscow.

Ukrainian tanks roll into Slavyansk

Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov claimed the US and EU were behind the uprising that ousted Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Kremlin president of Ukraine, in February.

"In Ukraine, the United States and the European Union tried to stage another 'colour revolution', an operation to unconstitutionally change regime," the Interfax news agency quoted Mr Lavrov as saying.

"Our Western partners, first and foremost the United States, tried to behave as winners in the Cold War and pretend that one can ignore Russia in European affairs and undertake activities that directly damage Russian security interests."

Mr Lavrov added that Ukraine was being used as a "pawn in geopolitical game" against Russia.

Sergei Lavrov says the West is behind the Ukraine crisis

Meanwhile, Russia's Gazprom has sent an $11.4bn (£6.7bn) gas bill to Ukraine energy firm Naftogaz - five times the original amount.

Earlier on Thursday US President Barack Obama warned Moscow could face "consequences" after accusing the Kremlin of not honouring an international agreement aimed at defusing the Ukraine crisis.

The Geneva accord between Russia, Ukraine, the US and EU called for an end to violence in eastern Ukraine and compelled armed groups to surrender weapons and leave official buildings.

Mr Obama has said further sanctions were "teed up" in case Russia continued to disregard the spirit of the agreement.

"So far at least we have seen them not abide by the spirit or the letter of the agreement in Geneva," said Mr Obama.              

"Instead we continue to see malicious, armed men taking over buildings, harassing folks who are disagreeing with them, destabilising the region, and we haven't seen Russia step out and discourage it."

More follows...

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Missing Plane: Material Washes Ashore In Oz

Officials searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane say material has washed ashore off the coast of Western Australia.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is now examining photographs of the objects, which have been secured by police in the region, to establish whether they are linked to flight MH370.

Authorities said the images had also been passed to investigators in Malaysia.

Relatives are urging governments not to give up the search

The development came after Australia pledged to keep searching for the plane despite no sign of wreckage after almost seven weeks.

Bad weather is continuing to hamper the search with aircraft grounded for the second day due to heavy rain, low clouds and rough seas.

An undersea drone is nearing the end of its first full mission and Australian PM Tony Abbott says the search strategy may change if seabed scans taken by the US Navy drone fails to find a trace of MH370, which vanished on March 8 with 239 people on board.

The deep search covers an area where sonar equipment picked up a signal

"We may well re-think the search but we will not rest until we have done everything we can to solve this mystery," he said.

"The only way we can get to the bottom of this is to keep searching the probable impact zone until we find something or until we have searched it as thoroughly as human ingenuity allows at this time."

The Bluefin-21 drone is a key component in the search after the detection of audio signals, or "pings", believed to be from the plane's black box flight .

Relatives are asking Mr Hussein to investigate old media reports

The search co-ordination centre said the robotic submarine had so far covered more than 80% of the 120 square mile (310 square kilometres) seabed search zone off the Australian west coast, creating a three-dimensional sonar map of the ocean floor, but failing to find anything of interest.

The 2.8 mile (4.5-kilometre) deep search area is a circle 12 miles (20 km) wide around an area where sonar equipment picked up a signal on April 8 consistent with a plane's black boxes. The batteries powering those signals are now dead.

Both Australia and Malaysia are under growing pressure to show what lengths they are prepared to go to in order to give closure to the grieving families of those on board.

In a sign of the families' growing desperation for answers, a group purporting to be relatives of the missing flight's passengers wrote a letter to Malaysian defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein, urging the government to investigate old media reports that the plane landed in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

"It is high time that the government should start thinking out of the box by exploring and re-examining all leads, new and old," said the letter, published on Facebook on Wednesday.

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Murder Probe As 'Disabled' Children Found Dead

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three young children were found dead at a house in southwest London.

Officers discovered the bodies when they were called to a large, semi-detached home in Thetford Road, New Malden, at around 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Sky sources say the three children - a four-year-old girl and two three-year-old boys - were disabled and had "life-limiting genetic conditions".

The 43-year-old woman arrested was taken to hospital with minor injuries and later discharged. She is in custody at a south London police station.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident."

The youngsters were found inside a large Victorian house in Thetford Road

Sky's Joe Tidy, at the scene, said a South African couple - named locally as Gary and Tania Clarence - moved into the house with their four children around six months ago.

They moved in after the £1.2m property was redeveloped with mobility equipment, including a lift.

Mr Clarence, a director at Investec Bank, and his eldest child are abroad, and are travelling back today.

His company said in a statement: "Gary Clarence is a valued colleague and has worked with us for many years.

"We do not know the facts at this time but our thoughts are with the Clarence family.  We are doing all that we can to help Gary and his eldest child and ask that their privacy is respected."

Flowers and toys have been left outside the house

Officers removed evidence bags from the property this morning. It is unclear whether the children's bodies are still inside the house.

Post-mortem examinations are to take place later.

Neighbours said Mrs Clarence is a full-time carer for her children.

One local, who did not want to be named, said she met the couple at a barbecue two weeks ago.

"They were very friendly. He played golf and he had been playing golf that morning. He was going to America for a golf championship, to watch," she said.

Police are investigating the incident in New Malden

"We were out last night dancing and when we came home there were police cars and ambulances outside."

Retired nurse and health visitor Joy Devis, 86, said she had been in the house "once or twice".

"They are a delightful couple, they seemed to be very happy," she said.

"Their children were super, lovely children. They were very happy, there was a very nice atmosphere there."

She said the family had help from a nanny and a maid.

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Madeleine Police Probe Five New Assault Cases

British police are looking at five new cases in which young British girls were sexually abused during holiday home break-ins by an intruder in the Algarve.

One of these assaults took place on a 10-year-old girl in Praia da Luz, from where Madeleine McCann vanished two years later.

Scotland Yard recently made an appeal to trace the intruder which lead to 500 people contacting them with new information.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood said today: "We have now identified a further five sexual assaults and one near miss. None of those six matters we were aware of prior to our appeal.

"In this new tranche of information we have got one crime which is very clearly in the heart of Praia da Luz in 2005, on a young, white, 10-year-old girl.

Madeleine disappeared from her bed in Praia da Luz in 2007

"Clearly the fact that we've now got an assault that is in the heart of Praia da Luz, very close to where a previous matter had been reported, means that we are even more interested in this as part of the inquiry."

In four of these incidents the man sexually assaulted five white girls, aged between seven and 10, while they were in their beds.

British police added they are poised to begin operations in Portugal following an official agreement from Portuguese police later this week.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt said he is "cautiously optimistic" Portuguese and British officers can act soon.

Police are still keen to trace a man seen near Madeleine's appartment

"I am cautiously optimistic that in the not-too-distant future we are going to start to see activity," he said.

Officers have so far identified a series of 12 crimes committed between 2004 and 2010 where a male intruder entered villas occupied by UK families on holiday in the Western Algarve.

Police believe the suspect may have been in the villas for some time before being disturbed by parents or a child waking up - and he remained calm even when interrupted.

The noise of a bin collection lorry was heard nearby on two occasions.

The suspect is described as having tanned skin with short, dark, unkempt hair.

Police are still hunting a man seen carrying a girl fitting Madeleine's description on the night of her disappearance.

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Holland Boss Favourite To Fill United Hot Seat

Holland boss Louis van Gaal is runaway favourite to replace David Moyes as Manchester United manager.

Sky Bet ranks the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager as 9/4 to become the next permanent manager of the troubled champions.

He is followed by Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp at 9/2, Old Trafford legend Ryan Giggs at 6/1, and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired at the end of last season, is fifth-favourite at 18/1.

Any move for Van Gaal would be complicated by his commitment to the Netherlands for the World Cup in Brazil - which could keep him tied up until after July 13 if they make it to the final.

Meanwhile Klopp, 46, has repeatedly reiterated his commitment to Dortmund and recently signed a contract extension - but he has had to deal with the frustration of seeing his best talent poached by rivals Bayern Munich.

Giggs has taken over until the end of the season, but it would be a gamble to give such a high profile job to a player with no managerial experience.

Carlos Quieroz, Sir Alex's former assistant at Old Trafford, was once seen as a possible heir to the United hot seat.

He is currently in charge of the Iranian national side, and is 20/1 to replace Moyes.

Pep Guardiola is currently at fairly long odds of 25/1 – partly due to a successful first season at Bayern Munich's helm.

Speculation in Italy suggests United have already made initial contact with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

He was widely thought to been keen to take over from Sir Alex lasts summer, but returned to Chelsea after Moyes was appointed. He is rated at 40/1 for the Old Trafford hot seat.

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David Moyes Sacked From Man United: Live

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10:23am UK, Tuesday 22 April 2014

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David Moyes Sacked As Manchester United Boss

David Moyes has been sacked as Manchester United manager, with Ryan Giggs taking over until the end of the season.

A statement on the club's website said: "Manchester United has announced that David Moyes has left the Club.

Manchester United veteran Giggs will take the reins for the remaining games

"The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role."

Shortly after, it released another statement, saying: "Ryan Giggs, the club's most decorated player, will assume responsibility for the first team until a permanent appointment can be made."

Moyes was informed of the decision to let him go this morning at the club's Carrington training ground, said Sky News' Paul Kelso.

Chief executive Ed Woodward is said to have told Moyes the news face to face.

Speculation over his sacking started yesterday, after United's 2-0 weekend defeat to Moyes' former club Everton.

The result left the Premier League champions in seventh place and meant it was mathematically impossible for them to qualify for next season's Champions League - the first time they have failed to do so since 1991.

Van Gaal (L) and Jurgen Klopp are among favourites to take over

The team has lost 11 times this season, six of them at home, and also endured defeats to bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

There has reportedly been discontent among some of the club's top players during Moyes' brief time at Old Trafford.

Moyes was handpicked by Sir Alex Ferguson after 11 years at Everton where he guided the team to five top-six finishes.

Moyes' tenure fell well short of fans' early expectations

The 50-year-old signed a six-year contract but is now in line for a pay-off of around £4m - a year's salary - after less than a year in charge.

Former Manchester United star Gary Neville - whose brother Phil was part of Moyes' backroom staff - told Sky he thought the manager should have been given more time, but admitted the club's form had taken a nose dive.

"The results have been poor," said Neville.

"As a fan, I haven't enjoyed watching it.

"The performances have got worse and worse. There was a little bit of a pick-me-up at Christmas where you thought there might be a little bit of a run.

Nail in the coffin? Moyes' team lost 2-0 at Everton on Sunday

"But in the last month or two the performances have deteriorated - Olympiakos, Liverpool and the Everton one were particular low points."

Dwight Yorke, part of United's historic treble winning side in 1999, also told Sky Sports that Moyes had been a "huge disappointment".

Favourites to replace the Scot include Louis van Gaal, manager of the Dutch national side, and Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp.

Argentinean Diego Simeone is also in the frame after a successful season at Athletico Madrid.

But it is Old Trafford legend Ryan Giggs who will look to steady the ship for the remaining four games of the season.

The club's American owners, the Glazer family, are thought to be ready to bankroll a summer spending spree of £150m or more as the club pushes for a swift return to the top of the game.

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Teachers Set For National Strike Over Pay

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) is set for a national walkout in June in a row over pay, pensions and conditions.

Teachers will strike for one day in the week beginning June 23 if "significant" progress is not made to resolve the long-running dispute.

The NUT's 900 delegates voted overwhelmingly for the walkout at the union's annual conference in Brighton, where angry rhetoric was aimed towards Education Secretary Michael Gove.

At one point delegates chanted "Gove must go".

The resolution also opens the possibility of more industrial action in the autumn - and officials are not ruling out walkouts spanning several days.

Delegate Hazel Danson told Sky News: "What we're angry about is not just our pay and conditions, and the pension issue - it's what this Education Secretary is doing to the education of our children.

"It feels like he's putting a wrecking ball through state education.

One in eight schools had to close during an NUT strike in March

"We've got a secretary of state who will not engage with us in any constructive way at all. We feel very frustrated about that."

Hundreds of thousands of children across England and Wales could face school closures and disruption to lessons.

Exam timetables show at least a dozen GCSE and A-level papers will be sat on June 23 and 24.

But NUT general secretary Christine Blower insisted "strike action will not disrupt exams".

"If necessary, exemptions can be given to staff who are needed to supervise an exam," she said.

The Department of Education said any strikes would disrupt families and harm children's education.

"Ministers have met frequently with the NUT and other unions and will continue to do so," a spokesman said.

"Further strike action will only disrupt parents' lives, hold back children's education and damage the reputation of the profession.

The dispute has been going on for two years

"We know that the vast majority of our teachers and school leaders are hard-working and dedicated professionals.

"That is why we are giving teachers more freedoms than ever and cutting unnecessary paperwork and bureaucracy."

Approximately one in eight schools in England were forced to close when the NUT staged a one-day strike last month. It is thought many more had to partially close. 

Ms Blower admitted parents would be put out.

"Of course parents will say this is inconvenient, it is inconvenient," she said.

"It's actually in the nature of industrial action that you do it because you want to cause inconvenience because you're trying to bring your grievances to people's attention."

The dispute has been going on for two years.

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South Korea Ferry Tragedy 'A Murderous Act'

Timeline Of Doomed Ferry's Journey

Updated: 8:49am UK, Sunday 20 April 2014

The Sewol ferry sank in the East China Sea less than three hours after the first distress call was made to land.

Here is a timeline of the ship's voyage from Incheon:

April 15, 9pm

The Sewol leaves port in Incheon at around 9pm with 475 people and 150 vehicles on board, heading for Jeju Island.

April 16, 8.55am

First contact between vessel and land is made, with officer telling Jeju Vessel Traffic Services Centre (VTS) "our ship is in danger".

Survivors say passengers were told to remain in cabins.

April 16, 9am

Officer tells Jeju VTS ship is listing to the left and adds "it's impossible to move". Coastguard tells vessel to "wear life jackets and prepare as the people might have to abandon ship".

April 16, 9.05am

Other vessels notified as ferry continues to tilt to the side.

April 16, 9.30am

The coastguard, helicopters and other ships begin to arrive at the scene and rescue passengers who have escaped from the ferry.

April 16, 10am

Rescuers start to search for people in the overturned hull of the Sewol.

April 16, 11.20am

The ferry sinks in the East China Sea.

April 17

Text messages from people on board the ferry reveal passengers were ordered to remain in their seats and cabins as ship began listing.

Crew member Oh Yong-Seok reveals the captain waited 30 minutes before ordering the evacuation as officers tried to stabilise the vessel. By that time, the crew were unable to reach passengers because the ship was titled at such an acute angle.

April 18

Investigators reveal the ship's captain, Lee Joon-Seok, was not at the helm when the Sewol began to list. They are also examining why the ship's third mate ordered an abrupt turn around three hours before the vessel was due to arrive at Jeju Island.

Mr Lee, along with two more of the ship's crew, are arrested.

Vice-principal of Danwon High School, Kang Min-Kyu, is found dead on Jindo island. In a note found in his wallet, he described his rescue as "too painful while 200 remain unaccounted for".

April 19

Mr Lee issues a public apology for causing a "disturbance" and says he delayed the evacuation of the ferry because he thought the sea water was too cold.

Investigators reveal the third mate was steering the ship in difficult waters for the first time and in foggy conditions.

Divers trying to gain access to the ferry describe seeing bodies through its windows as the death toll officially climbs above 30.

April 20

Angry relatives clash with police on Jindo island over the speed of the recovery operation.

Divers break windows on the ferry to get inside the vessel and find more bodies, with the death toll confirmed above 50.

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Russia Accuses Kiev Of 'Violating' Geneva Deal

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Ukraine of breaking an agreement aimed at defusing tensions in the country.

He said: "Steps are being taken - above all by those who seized power in Kiev - not only that do not fulfil, but that crudely violate the Geneva agreement."

It came as pro-Russian separatists claimed they came under attack in the eastern city of Slavyansk.

A shootout in Slavyansk threatens fragile moves to de-escalate the crisis

Mr Lavrov said the deadly firefight, which reportedly left at least three dead and others wounded, showed Kiev did not want to control "extremists".

He said: "The authorities are doing nothing, not even lifting a finger, to address the causes behind this deep internal crisis in Ukraine."

The self-declared mayor of Slovyansk has appealed to Russia's President Vladimir Putin to help residents by sending in troops.

Sergei Lavrov has accused Kiev of not wanting to control "extremists"

This will add to fears in the West, which accuses Moscow of stoking unrest, that the violence will be used as an excuse for Russia to seize more Ukrainian territory, in a repeat of the annexation of Crimea.

Russia has tens of thousands of troops based along Ukraine's eastern border.

The shootout, the cause of which is fiercely disputed, threatens to derail already shaky efforts to de-escalate the continuing crisis.

The deal reached between Russia, Ukraine, the US and European Union, demanded an immediate end to violence.

The Geneva accord called for illegal armed groups to disband, and for protesters to leave occupied government buildings.

But pro-Russian separatists, who have seized offices across eastern Ukraine, have shown no signs of moving on.

Mr Lavrov pointed out the authorities in Kiev had failed to remove protesters camped out in the capital.

"This is absolutely unacceptable," he said.

Western powers have warned Moscow of further sanctions if it fails to bring its influence to bear on pro-Russian activists.

US Vice President Joe Biden is due to arrive in Kiev for talks.

More follows...

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Ukraine: 'Five Killed At Separatist Checkpoint'

A gunbattle at a checkpoint manned by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine has left five dead, it has been claimed.

Russia's state-run Rossiya 24 news station said the five died when gunmen attacked the post near the Ukrainian city of Slavyansk, which is under separatist control.

A separatist interviewed by Reuters at the scene said three of the dead were with the pro-Russian militia. He added that the attack had happened at 2am local time.

"We had three dead, four wounded," a fighters called Vladimir told Reuters at the checkpoint, where there were two burned-out jeeps.

Sky's Katie Stallard who is in Slavyansk says the reports from the scene are inconsistent and there is no coherent evidence to back up what the separatists are saying.

Reuters TV footage of the scene showed two bodies, one of whom appeared to have gunshot wounds to the head and face.

One of the dead was dressed in camouflage fatigues, the other in civilian clothes.

Kiev's Interior Ministry said one person had been killed and three injured in an armed clash. It said police were trying to establish more details of what happened.

The separatists claimed the attackers were members of Right Sector, a hard-right fringe group that was part of the anti-Russia movement whose protests in Kiev and western Ukraine forced the former president to leave office. 

A map showing the location of Slavyansk

Right Sector denied being involved, instead blaming Russian special forces in an indication of the claim and counter claim that has been rife during the crisis.

Russia's foreign ministry said it was outraged by the shootout, describing it as a "provocation".

Pro-Russia Separatist gunmen maintain a firm grip over a string of towns across eastern Ukraine despite an international deal signed last week demanding they leave state buildings they are occupying.

Authorities in Kiev, which have vowed to remove the separatists, said they have suspended military operations against the pro-Moscow rebels until after the Easter holidays.

Russia, the US, the European Union and Ukraine struck a deal on Thursday aiming at de-escalating the crisis, part of which involves the separatists agreeing to lay down their arms.

The deadline runs out on Monday, after which the US and the EU have said they will consider further sanctions against Russia, which is viewed as having influence over the pro-Russian militia operating in eastern Ukraine.

Earlier, Ukraine's Prime Minister accused the Russian President of Soviet Union ambitions by saying Vladimir Putin has "a dream to restore the Soviet Union".

Arseny Yatseniuk said: "I consider that the biggest disaster of this century would be the restoring of the Soviet Union under the auspices of President Putin."

Meanwhile, the heads of the Ukrainian and Russian Orthodox churches traded barbs over the crisis in the country as believers flocked to church for Easter services.

Pro-Russian protesters occupying barricades outside Donetsk's regional administrative building celebrated Easter by sharing traditional treats of pasky (baked Easter cakes) and pysanky (Easter eggs).

In western Ukraine, families had celebrated the festival on Saturday, gathering for the traditional blessing of Easter baskets laden with cakes and eggs, as well as meat, cheese and butter.

Blessing cakes on the eve of Easter is a tradition in Ukraine.

More follows...

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South Korean Ferry Families Clash With Police

S Korea Ferry: Final Contact From Doomed Vessel

Updated: 11:11am UK, Sunday 20 April 2014

A transcript of communications between the stricken Sewol ferry and the coastguard has lifted the lid on the final minutes before the order was given to abandon ship.

The conversations show panic setting in on board the vessel, with officers asking for help to "please come quickly" as it began to tilt to the left, three hours from its destination of Jeju Island.

The transcript also appears to back up claims that the evacuation order may have come too late for some passengers as officers said the ship was tilting so much it was "impossible to move" to check on them.

The communication, which begins with the first distress call made by the ferry on Wednesday morning, has been translated by The Associated Press.

It reads:

8.55am

Sewol: Harbour affairs Jeju, do you have reception of The Sewol?

Jeju Vessel Traffic Services Centre (VTS): Yes, Sewol, this is harbour affairs Jeju.

Sewol: Please notify the coastguard. Our ship is in danger. It's listing right now.

8.56am

Jeju VTS: Where's your ship? Yes, got it. We will notify the coastguard.

Sewol: This ship has listed a lot. Can't move. Please come quickly. We're next to Byeongpung Island.

Jeju VTS: Yes, we got it.

8.58am

Jeju VTS: Sewol, this is harbour affairs Jeju. Do you have reception? Sewol, harbour affairs Jeju.

8.59am

Sewol: Harbour affairs Jeju, this is Sewol.

Jeju VTS: Sewol, this is harbour affairs Jeju. Channel 21, please.

9.00am

Jeju VTS: Sewol, this is harbour affairs Jeju.

Sewol: Jeju, Sewol here.

Jeju VTS: What's the current situation?

Sewol: Currently the body of the ship has listed to the left. The containers have listed as well.

Jeju VTS: OK. Any damage of the human life?

Sewol: It's impossible to check right now. The body of the ship has tilted, and it's impossible to move.

Jeju VTS: Yes, OK. Please wear life jackets and prepare as the people might have to abandon ship. 

Sewol: It's hard for people to move.

Jeju VTS: Yes, got it.

9.05am

Sewol: Harbour affairs Jeju, do you have reception of Sewol?

Jeju VTS: Yes, this is harbour affairs Jeju, Sewol.

Sewol: What's going on with the coastguard?

Jeju VTS: Yes, we have notified the coastguard. Currently we are calling Jindo VTS and Wando VTS. Please hold for a moment.

After this, Jeju VTS notified other ships and Wando VTS.

9.24am

Sewol: If this ferry evacuates passengers, will they be rescued right away?

Jeju VTS Even if it's impossible to broadcast, please go out and let the passengers wear life jackets and put on more clothing. The rescue of human lives of Sewol ferry... the captain should make your own decision and evacuate them. We don't know the situation very well. The captain should make the final decision and decide whether you're going to evacuate passengers or not.

Sewol: I'm not talking about that. I asked, if they evacuate now, can they be rescued right away?

Jeju VTS then said patrol boats would arrive in 10 minutes, but did not mention another civilian ship had already arrived near the scene.

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Cameron-Appointed Quango Chief Resigns

By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent

A businessman appointed by David Cameron to head a £60bn quango has resigned after it was revealed he was declared bankrupt.

Tony Caplin was in charge of the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) which provides loans to infrastructure projects.

Under anti-sleaze rules, anyone on a public body must inform ministers if they are made bankrupt.

Tony Caplin was in charge of the PWLB

A Government spokesman said: "Tony Caplin was appointed to a number of public bodies by the Labour party. He was re-appointed to the PWLB by the Prime Minister.

"He should have declared he was bankrupt. This has been pointed out to him and as a result he has resigned."

According to the Mail on Sunday, Mr Caplin was a friend of the Chancellor, George Osborne, who is a former chairman of the same City firm where Mr Cameron's father was a partner.

He previously worked for the Conservatives as their Chief Operating Officer, but Tory sources have emphasised he no longer has a role in the party. He has also left his post on the Medical Research Council.

Chris Leslie MP, Labour's Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, told Sky News: "It is astonishing that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor could appoint someone who went bankrupt owing so much to the Treasury to run the Treasury's lending operations.

"For him to be bankrupted in 2012 and appointed by the Prime Minister as chairman of this key Treasury body the following year is surely a misjudgement too far by a Prime Minister with a track record of poor judgement in relation to his cronies.

"The Prime Minister and the Chancellor need to set out whether they knew about Mr Caplin's bankruptcy and debts to HMRC before making the appointment, whether it was a coincidence that the chairmanship was granted only weeks after Caplin was discharged as a bankrupt, and on which occasions they met with Caplin during the past four years."

The Labour MP and Chairman of the Public Account Committee, Margaret Hodge, told the Mail on Sunday: "This raises serious questions which should be investigated."

Conservative MP Douglas Carswell told the newspaper: "This proves the need for MPs to be given the right to interview public appointments instead of letting ministers hand them out to whoever they choose."

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