Cancer Fundraiser Stephen Sutton Leaves Hospital

A terminally-ill teenager who has raised more than £3.1m for charity has been discharged from hospital after a dramatic improvement in his condition.

Stephen Sutton, 19, posted on his Facebook page that he had been allowed to leave hospital after a "remarkable recovery".

He wrote: "I then also have some more great news... I've been discharged from hospital!

"After being at a point where it seemed like I'd never make it out it feels so awesome to be able to put that.

Stephen Sutton has raised more than £3.1m for the Teenage Cancer Trust

"The recovery I've undergone recently is quite remarkable. It has been difficult, there is an emotional trauma attached to nearly dying (a few times) that will take a while to get used to, but ultimately I now feel even more fortunate to just be here and the experience serves as a potent reminder to go out there and live life as freely and as positively as possible."

Earlier this week, the teenager recounted how his breathing "dramatically improved" after he "coughed up a tumour" while in hospital.

He will now recover at home before potentially starting a trial drug treatment.

The teenager's Facebook page has more than 500,000 "likes"

He wrote: "Physically my body has been through a lot recently so naturally I will need some time to recover.

"I have an appointment with the professor in about two weeks time and he's mentioned that if I'm healthy enough there is a trial drug treatment I am eligible for that I could potentially try.

"It would be a 5th different chemotherapy regime for me, with previous others having limited effect, so we will need to seriously discuss the efficacy of me trying it but to even be talking about a few weeks time and having options is a great feeling."

Mr Sutton has now raised more than £3.1m for the Teenage Cancer Trust and has more than 540,000 likes on his Facebook page, where he published a bucket list of things he wanted to achieve before he dies.

He was diagnosed with incurable colorectal cancer at the age of 15 and has released a 10-minute YouTube video called When Life Gives You Cancer, featuring interviews with his mum, his school teachers and his best friend.

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Ukraine Observers Freed Amid New Offensive

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

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

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

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

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

Colonel Axel Schneider, the head of the observers, said the group had shown "strength" and said the captivity was something he would never forget.

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

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

Fresh scuffles broke out outside the burned building in Odessa on Saturday

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

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

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

A pro-Russian activist fires a gun during clashes with rivals

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

The Interior Ministry said a total of 42 people were killed in Odessa.

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

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

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

A protester throws a petrol bomb at the trade union building in Odessa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Over 2,000 Confirmed Dead In Afghan Landslide

More than 2,000 people have been confirmed dead in a landslide in Afghanistan after part of a hill above a village collapsed.

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

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

There are fears of further landslides in the area

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

At least 100 people have been injured.

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

A digger works to clear the mud

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

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

The United Nations says the focus is now on the more than 4,000 people who have been displaced by the disaster.

Four thousand people have been displaced

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

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

Hundreds camped out overnight in near freezing temperatures, although some were provided with tents. Food and water have also been distributed.

Afghan National Army troops in Kabul load supplies for survivors

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

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

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

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

US President Barack Obama has also offered to send help.

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

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Max Clifford Defiant As He Faces Sentencing

By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter

Shamed publicist Max Clifford has refused to apologise to his victims after arriving at court to be sentenced for eight sex offences.

The PR guru initially said nothing as he spent nearly five minutes posing for photographers, at times standing on the street with his hands in his pockets.

But when asked by Sky's Tom Parmenter whether he had anything to say to his victims, he replied: "I stand by everything I've said in the past - everything."

The 71-year-old, who was wearing a blue jacket over a white shirt and jeans, was then asked if that included his description of the women as "liars" and "fantasists".

Clifford climbs out of his car to face a bank of press photographers

At that point he walked off and took the time to pose for more pictures before entering the court.

Earlier, Clifford, who is due to be sentenced at 2pm, admitted today was "not the best day of my life", adding: "I just have to face up to it."

Legal experts say Clifford faces at least two years in jail, as the judge will have to use guidelines in force when the offences were committed in the 1970s and 1980s.

If the offences had been committed in the last decade, he could have been given a life sentence because two of the guilty verdicts on a 15-year-old female victim involved serious sex crimes.

Clifford said he continues to 'stand by' everything he said in court

As well as his freedom, Clifford is expected to lose his high-profile PR business, which is set to close.

Max Clifford Associates, founded more than 20 years ago, was the go-to place for people wanting to promote their kiss-and-tell stories, as well as for celebrity clients including Simon Cowell.

Workers were in tears as Clifford was found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault against four women aged between 15 and 19 during an eight-year period from 1977.

The dozen all-female staff he employs were regulars in the public gallery at Southwark Crown Court but they are now all expected to lose their jobs.

Clifford's car parked outside the offices of his PR firm in April

Employee Ann Duffy, who broke down in tears as the verdicts were returned, told Sky News: "This is the biggest injustice and I'm very distraught."

Other staff members said it had been "the most awful week".

The company's website was inaccessible within hours of the guilty verdicts being returned, as a "horrified" Cowell cut links with Clifford, as did Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis.

Clifford's daughter Louise and several employees supported him at court

A source close to the PR firm said: "The girls ... know at the end of the day they're all going to lose their jobs.

"No one wants anything to do with the company and clients are distancing themselves."

The source added: "The Max that I know has always been a kind, generous and helpful person who has been a fantastic father.

"I hope he can spend his time in prison working out where things have gone wrong for him and come out and be the best person he can."

One of Clifford's employees told Sky News she had been left "distraught"

It has also emerged that earlier this year, Clifford took out an unexplained £3.5m mortgage on his Surrey mansion.

It is suggested he wanted to put his money out of reach of victims looking for compensation.

Clifford in the 1990s with Antonia de Sancha, one of his best-known clients

During the trial, he accused his victims of "jumping on a bandwagon" and trying to "cash in" by selling their stories.

There is also speculation that his wife of four years, Jo, is looking to divorce him.

She was noticeably absent during his trial, during which she was not called as a character witness, and was seen last month without her wedding ring.

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Max Clifford A Devil, Says Octuplets Mum

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

A mother who was represented by Max Clifford after she found out she was having octuplets has called the convicted PR guru "a devil".

Mandy Allwood said Clifford "preys on people's vulnerability" and used her as a "money-making machine".

She hit the headlines in 1996 after taking fertility drugs, but went on to miscarry all eight babies - and almost died herself.

Despite this, she claims that Clifford, 71, showed her no sympathy.

Mandy Allwood, when pregnant with the eight babies

Ms Allwood, from Warwickshire, told Sky News: "He preys on people's vulnerability.

"Obviously you can imagine going through that trauma, it was my children, he had no consideration for my wellbeing.

"He knew I was vulnerable, but he was just interested in lining his own pockets and there was no emotion, no feeling - he was just out for what he wanted."

Clifford, convicted of a string of sex attacks, had arranged a £75,000 deal with a tabloid newspaper for exclusive rights to her story in June 1996.

Max Clifford arranged a £75,000 deal with a tabloid paper

But in September she went into labour over an agonising three days, only to watch each child die in her arms.

At the time, in a series of interviews on her behalf, Clifford explained: "She needs help, and she came to me for help and guidance and that is exactly what she gets from me."

In 2001, Ms Allwood successfully sued him after she claimed he'd made "considerably more" out of the tragedy than she had.

"He is a devil, a manipulative selfish predator," the 49-year-old said.

"He's a clever guy who knows how to prey on your vulnerability. You can imagine, I was very vulnerable, he didn't even once say 'how are you Mandy?' - there was nothing.

Ms Allwood says Clifford showed no sympathy when she lost the babies

"I was a money-making machine for him - he was so up his own backside he thought he was invincible.

"Justice has been done for all his victims, and I was a victim, let's make that clear.

"I have no sympathy for the guy, I am so pleased that the verdict came back guilty, for the victims.

"Hopefully now they have got justice and they can start repairing their own lives."

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British Fighters Filmed In Syria 'War Crime'

By Tom Rayner, Middle East Reporter

Video has emerged implicating British fighters in Syria in an apparent war crime.

Footage uncovered by researchers at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR) shows jihadist rebels killing a prisoner, said to be a loyalist of President Bashar al Assad.

The incident is thought to have happened in the last two weeks near Raqqa in northern Syria.

The footage was posted on the Instagram account of a man believed to be from London.

The caption accompanying the video describes the prisoner as one of "Bashar [al Assad's] dogs" and says the killing was retribution for the deaths of four fellow rebels and the rape of a woman.

The ICSR monitors the social media accounts of hundreds of foreign fighters inside Syria.

Researchers say one of the executioners is a Briton seen in other videos

They believe the man that posted the video is part of a group of British fighters, known as Rayat al Tawheed, an affiliate of the Sunni jihadi movement ISIS, which controls large swathes of northern Syria.

Shiraz Maher, a senior ICSR researcher based at King's College London, said the killing of prisoners is a war crime in international law.

"It's incredibly serious," he said.

"We believe the main characters involved with Rayat al Tawheed come from London.

"We have deduced this based on our discussions with foreign fighters, our extensive record-keeping of foreign fighter activity in Syria, and our maintenance of social network maps which allows us to plot activity and associations in a visual form."

In one video a British fighter says a bullet is "the pen of the mujahid"

Although no audible English is spoken in the video itself, analysts from the ICSR believe they have identified one of the gunmen as being a British citizen.

A man is seen in the video firing shots into the body of the prisoner in the seconds after the initial bullet was fired by the main shooter.

Analysis of the gunman's physical build, wristwatch and balaclava led the ICSR to conclude he is the same man seen speaking English with a London accent in other videos posted by the group.

"We don't know if the prisoner was alive or dead when he fired, but he did partake in the execution, he did fire shots at the individual from his weapon, and we believe he is a British citizen," said ICSR researcher Joseph Carter.

On two separate videos posted on YouTube, the man identified as the gunman by the ICSR is heard berating the British Muslim community for failing to provide sufficient financial support for the jihad or the families the fighters have left behind.

The group lobbies for donations to buy more weapons and ammunition

"You know who you are, from the capital, the Midlands, up north, wherever you may be… it's a disgrace, that brothers know where these wives are, where these families are, and yet you are buying your nephew or your child a PlayStation 4 or taking them out to Nando's," he said.

The Government's counter-terrorism programme last week launched a campaign urging the families of young men planning to travel to Syria to intervene.

It is estimated that up to 400 Britons have travelled to fight or train in Syria in the last two years. 

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "This demonstrates why we have consistently called for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

"Horrific atrocities have been committed by both the Assad regime and by extremists. The international community must ensure that all those responsible are held to account.

"Our priority is to dissuade people from travelling, but any extremists should know we are prepared to take action to protect national security, and intelligence agencies and police are working to identify potential threats."

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Gerry Adams Facing More Questions Over Murder

The son of a woman murdered by the IRA has said he wants justice as police continue to question Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in connection with the 1972 killing.

Michael McConville, who was just 11 when his mother Jean was snatched by a gang in front of him at the family's Belfast home, said he was glad to see the police doing their job following the high-profile arrest.

He said he knew who had killed his mother but would never tell police for fear either he or his children would be shot by those who took Mrs McConville more than 40 years ago.

The Sinn Fein president agreed to go to Antrim police station on Wednesday, where he was arrested and questioned for four hours. Officers continue to question him.

Police have until Thursday evening to decide whether to release Mr Adams, charge him or apply for more time to question him.

Jean McConville's remains were found thirty years after she was killed

Mr Adams, 65, has strongly denied suggestions made by former republican colleagues that he had a role in ordering the death of Mrs McConville.

She is the most high profile of the "disappeared" - those who were abducted and killed during the Troubles.

The 37-year-old was killed by the Irish Republican Army after being wrongly accused of spying for the British Army.

Her remains were finally discovered in 2003 on a beach 50 miles from her home. No one has ever been charged with the widow's murder.

Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, Mr McConville said he been warned to stay silent about who had taken her.

He said: "I never told anyone who it was, I still haven't told anyone who it is. I do know the names of the people ... I have never told anyone."

He added: "If I told the police now, a thing, me or one of my family members or one of my children would get shot by these people.

"Everybody thinks this has all gone away, it hasn't gone away."

Mrs McConville was taken in front of her children in Belfast

In a statement released after his arrest, Mr Adams, a former MP for West Belfast who now sits in the Irish parliament, said: "I believe that the killing of Jean McConville and the secret burial of her body was wrong and a grievous injustice to her and her family.

"Well publicised, malicious allegations have been made against me. I reject these.

"While I have never disassociated myself from the IRA and I never will, I am innocent of any part in the abduction, killing or burial of Mrs McConville."

Sinn Fein's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has said the arrest was "politically motivated" and designed to damage both the party and Mr Adams.

Police reopened the case after a US court ruled researchers at Boston College should hand over interviews for a history project recorded with former paramilitary republicans about the Troubles to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Veteran republican Ivor Bell, 77, was charged in March with aiding and abetting the murder. Five others have been detained and questioned.

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Secret Boston Tapes Led To Gerry Adams Arrest

Northern Ireland's 'Disappeared' In Full

Updated: 9:28am UK, Thursday 01 May 2014

A list of Northern Ireland's "Disappeared", the 16 people abducted and killed by Republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.

Joseph Lynskey: A former Cistercian monk from west Belfast who went missing in the summer of 1972. His remains have not been found.

Seamus Wright: The married asphalt layer from Belfast disappeared in October 1972, and despite extensive searches in the Coghalstown area the remains of the 25-year-old have not been located.

Kevin McKee: Mr Mckee was also from Belfast and disappeared in the same month as Mr Wright. Searches for his remains in the Coghalstown area have also proved unsuccessful.

Jean McConville: The widower and mother-of-10 from Belfast was abducted and killed in December 1972 when she was 37. Her remains were found over the border in County Louth in August 2003.

Peter Wilson: The 21-year-old disappeared from his west Belfast home in August 1973. He was added to the list in 2009 and his remains were found in County Antrim in November 2010.

Eamon Molloy: He was taken from his home in Ardoyne area of Belfast in July 1975. The IRA named him as one of the "Disappeared" in a statement in 1999. His remains were discovered in a coffin left in a cemetery near Dundalk, County Louth.

Columba McVeigh: The painter was 17-years-old when he was murdered in October 1975. Despite extensive searches his remains have not been found.

Robert Nairac: An officer with the Grenadier Guards who was on a tour of duty in Northern Ireland, Captain Nairac was killed in County Antrim in May 1977. The 29-year-old's remains have not been found.

Brendan Megraw: The 23-year-old's wife was expecting their first child when he was abducted from his home and murdered in April 1978. Again, the location of his remains is unknown.

John McClory and Brian McKinney: The pair were abducted and killed in May 1978. A 30-day search of bogland in Inniskeen, County Monaghan unearthed a double grave with both of their remains in 1999.

Gerard (Gerry) Evans: A 24-year-old painter who vanished in March 1979 on his way home. His remains were discovered in County Louth in October 2010, but no one has admitted responsibility for his death.

Danny McIlhone: Mr McIlhone, from west Belfast, went missing in July 1981. His remains were uncovered in bogland in County Wicklow in 2008 after previous searches in 1999 and 2000 proved unsuccessful.

Charlie Armstrong: The married father-of-five was abducted and killed in August 1981 while on his way to collect a neighbour to go to mass. The 54-year-old's remains were found in County Monaghan in July 2010. No group has admitted responsibility.

Eugene Simons: Mr Simons went missing on New Year's Day 1981. Three years later his body was found in a bog in Dundalk, County Louth.

Seamus Ruddy: The 33-year-old English teacher, who was working in Paris, disappeared in May 1985. The Irish National Liberation Army admitted responsibility in December 1995 and four years later, it was suggested his body was buried in Rouen. Despite searches there, nothing has been found.

Source: Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains

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Stabbed Teacher's Family Face Suspect In Court

A teenage student has appeared in court charged with murdering teacher Ann Maguire at a school in Leeds.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attended the five-minute hearing at a youth court in the city.

Mrs Maguire's husband and two daughters held hands as they sat in the public gallery, metres away from the alleged killer.

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

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

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

The youngster was remanded in custody ahead of a bail hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Friday.

Earlier, Mrs Maguire's family issued a moving tribute to the 61-year-old, describing her as a "shining light who brightened the world for so many".

They said she was "a loving wife, the best mother, a treasured sister (and) a true friend", adding: "This horrific happening has robbed us of all of this and so much more.

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

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

Headteacher Steve Mort reads tributes to Mrs Maguire outside the school

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

Headteacher Steve Mort praised students for their handling of Mrs Maguire's death.

He also thanked the public, many of whom have laid flowers among the hundreds of bouquets left by students at the school gates, for their "overwhelming" support.

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

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

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

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Nigel Farage Rules Out 'Opportunist' MP Bid

UKIP leader Nigel Farage has ruled out running for MP in the Newark by-election saying he wants to focus on the European elections.

Mr Farage said he did not want to look like an "opportunist" by running in for a seat in an area with which he had no links.

The UKIP leader said he wanted to focus all of his attention on the May 22 vote, even though the by-election, triggered by the resignation on Tuesday of the former Tory MP Patrick Mercer, would fall after that date.

He told Sky News: "At 7.30 last night I found out there was going to be a by-election in Newark and 12 hours later I have thought hard about it overnight and I have realised we are just three weeks away from a European election ... I don't want to do anything that distracts from that."

He said had he agreed to fight the Newark by-election "all anybody would have wanted to talk to me about for the next three weeks would be that by-election".

Mr Farage added: "We will fight the Newark by-election but it won't be me. I would have been seen to be an opportunist. I would have been seen to be somebody effectively sent up from London and I am not sure electorally it would have worked any way."

John Prescott tweeted on Nigel Farage's announcement

He denied suggestions he was frightened of the contest - a loss would have been disastrous for the party leader ahead of the 2015 elections - and said he didn't want UKIP to be seen as a "one-man party".

However, a number of Labour and Conservative MPs took to Twitter to suggest the UKIP leader had "bottled it".

Labour MP for Newport West Paul Flynn wrote: "Farage wimps out and bursts his own bubble. "

While the Conservative MP for Wyre Forest, Mark Garnier, wrote: "Nigel Farage and the Newark by-election: Man or mouse ...? Pass the cheese!!! Squeek squeek ... "

Political observers suggested Mr Farage would have been likely to lose the by-election because of overwhelming Tory support in the constituency.

Patrick Mercer resigned over a cash for questions scandal on Tuesday night

Mr Mercer, who stepped down over a cash-for-questions scandal, was returned on a 16,000 majority in 2010, while UKIP's candidate came fourth - 26,000 votes behind.

But the UKIP leader insisted his party had a very good chance of winning the by-election.

He said: "Given the circumstances that a Conservative MP has gone in effectively what is an updated cash for questions row and scandal. 

"I think there will be such a level of anger that UKIP will have a very good chance of winning that by-election despite the size of the Conservative majority."

UKIP has been accused of racism

Tory MP and Minister without Portfolio, Ken Clarke, told the Radio 4 Today Programme: "I am not really surprised. Whatever else Nigel is, he is not an idiot and I don't think he'd have the faintest chance of winning in Newark,"

Mr Clarke, whose constituency is next-door to Newark, added there was no way the people of Newark would have voted for "a card who is larking about trying to get protest votes".

However, UKIP is now riding significantly higher in the polls with some putting support at 20%.

A string of controversies - claims of racist posters, a candidate tweeting that the comedian Lenny Henry should "emigrate to a black country" -  has failed to dent the party's standing

The Conservatives have announced their candidate as Robert Jennick, a 32-year-old lawyer and business director at Christies.

Former Army colonel Mr Mercer resigned after undercover reporters recorded him being given £4,000 to lobby for business interests in Fiji, tabling Commons questions and offering a Westminster security pass.

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Ukraine On Full Combat Alert Over 'Invasion'

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

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

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

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

Ukraine's acting president Oleksander Turchinov at the cabinet meeting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Has Farage Bottled It And Missed His Chance?

So, Nigel has decided to say no to Newark. Did he bottle it?

Here was - unquestionably - a massive opportunity for UKIP. This is a party that calls itself the anti-establishment voice; by-elections are lightning rods for anti-politics sentiment.

Yes, it would have been a challenge - a daunting 26,000 vote Tory lead over UKIP in 2010 to topple.

But if anyone could have done it, it was Nigel, riding high on a wave of public anger at Westminster.

UKIP have reached a record 20 points in the polls in recent weeks - Mr Farage is Mr Popular. So much so that questions about cushy European allowances or how his British jobs for British workers chimes with his decision to hire his German wife as a secretary simply wash over him. Nothing sticks.

Mr Farage says he wants to concentrate on the European battle - through which he hopes to top the poll and cause an "earthquake" in British politics. He can't be tied to Newark during a national election, he insists.

And he thinks that being parachuted into a seat that he knows little about would be "opportunistic" and "cynical". That might be smart.

Wrong seat, wrong time, says Nigel Farage

After all, he doesn't want to risk a key part of his appeal - that he is seen as an authentic politician.

So instead UKIP will fight hard in Newark using a candidate with "local/regional credentials", according to sources. They will try to replicate by-election successes in Wythenshawe and Eastleigh, where they jumped from fifth and fourth place respectively to second, embarrassing the Tories.

But in truth, Mr Farage is the man with the biggest chance of UKIP success because of his national profile. And the European elections could be good - rather than bad timing - channelling a tumbling momentum for UKIP into the race.

That could be weaker by next May's General Election after facing the full force of a well-funded Tory campaign.

If that were to happen, Mr Farage would look back with regret. Britain's first-past-the-post system makes it tough for small parties to get a foot into the Westminster door. This was a big chance for UKIP.

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Brit Oliver Gobat Feared Murdered In St Lucia

The family of a British man missing on the Caribbean island of St Lucia are awaiting the identification of a body found in the seat of his burnt-out car.

Hotelier and property developer Oliver Gobat, 38, was reported missing last Friday.

The Foreign Office is urgently investigating reports of his death.

Double Olympic decathlon gold medallist Daley Thompson paid a personal tribute to Mr Gobat on Twitter.

The retired athlete, who has carried out fitness sessions at the family's five-star Cap Maison hotel on the island, wrote: "My love and thoughts go out to friends and family of Ollie Gobat. He was a gem and his family must have been so proud of him. RIP, my friend."

Former heptathlete and Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis also tweeted: "Just reading the shocking news about the death of Oliver Gobat. So very sad. My condolences to his family and friends. Such a lovely guy."

The victim was reportedly shot twice in the head before being doused with petrol and set alight, although police have refused to confirm this.

A post-mortem examination is due to be held later.

An FCO spokesperson said: "We are aware of reports and are looking into them urgently."

It is claimed residents in nearby properties reported hearing sounds of gunshots before seeing flames coming from the vehicle.

A short time later, Mr Gobat's burnt-out Range Rover was found with a body of a man in the passenger seat.

It is reported there were no keys in the vehicle and the doors were locked.

A St Lucia police spokesman said: "The badly burned body of a man was found in a car in the Cap Estate at the roadside but we have no identity for the victim.

"The homicide department are investigating the death.

"We can confirm that we are searching for a missing man called Oliver Gobat, but we cannot confirm the identity of the dead man because of the state of the body.

"We do not know Mr Gobat's whereabouts at the moment."

Mr Gobat's parents, who live in Esher, Surrey, are understood to have flown out to St Lucia.

Mr Gobat represented Surrey juniors at cricket and attended Leeds University.

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UK Economy Grows 0.8% In First Quarter

The UK's economic recovery continued in the first quarter of 2014, with the first estimate of GDP growth coming in at 0.8%.

The figure, while weaker than the 0.9% most economists had expected, meant that output was 3.1% higher than on the same period the previous year, marking the fastest annual growth since the last quarter of 2007.

However, the economy remains 0.6% smaller than at its peak in the first quarter of 2008, after the recession wiped 7.2% off total output.

News of the economy's latest performance, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), showed growth across each major sector of the economy, though construction output was damaged by the impact of the winter storms.

The ONS said while widespread flooding appeared to have no overall effect on output it said bad weather in January and February did hit efforts to meet demand for new homes, with construction recording just 0.3% growth.

Mr Osborne says the figures show Britain is "coming back"

Output in the service sector - which makes up more than three quarters of UK GDP - rose by 0.9% and continued to be driven by consumer spending.

Manufacturing grew by 1.3%, its strongest quarter for nearly four years, bolstering hopes for a rebalancing in the recovery away from its reliance on consumers.

Industrial production rose 0.8% though mining and quarrying, electricity and gas production and agriculture shrank over the quarter.

The GDP figures were seized upon by the union organisation the TUC as evidence the recovery was not gaining enough momentum to sustain a raise in interest rates, which is widely expected next year.

The figures were released at the same time as statistics showing a 2.5% rise in the number of people being declared insolvent in England and Wales over the same period.

There were 24,931 individual insolvencies recorded during the three months - a period when wage increases finally caught up with inflation for the first time since the recession.

Chancellor George Osborne said: "Today's figures show that Britain is coming back - but we can't take that for granted. We have to carry on working through our long-term economic plan.

"For the first time in a decade all three main sectors of the economy - manufacturing, services and construction - have grown by at least 3% over the last year.

"The impact of the great recession is still being felt, but the foundations for a broad-based recovery are now in place.

"The biggest risk to economic security would be abandoning the plan that is laying those foundations".

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said: "Now that growth has finally returned, the question is whether ordinary working people will properly feel the benefit and we have a balanced recovery that's built to last.

"David Cameron and George Osborne want to tell people the cost-of-living crisis is over, but millions of hardworking people are still feeling no recovery at all".

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Leeds Teacher Died From Multiple Stab Wounds

A post-mortem has found a teacher killed at a Leeds school died from multiple stab wounds.

Ann Maguire, 61, who taught at Corpus Christi Catholic College for more than 40 years, had been due to retire in September.

Police say they will be interviewing the 15-year-old held in connection with her death at some point during the day.

Due to his age, officers said this would have to be handled sensitively.

The students who witnessed the incident are being interviewed by specialist officers.

The authorities have stressed the fatal stabbing is an isolated incident.

Flowers outside the school in Leeds where Mrs Maguire taught

Detective Superintendent Simon Buldon said: "This is clearly an unprecedented and tragic incident that's left the school and wider community in a state of shock."

The school's chair of governors Martin Dowling said: "This has been a shocking but isolated incident."

Chief Inspector Nic Adams said: "This is a horrific incident. It's unprecedented nationally, but very much in this local community it's something that's caused a lot of shock and distress.

"This is very much an isolated incident."

Nigel Richardson of Leeds City Council said: "The whole community has come together to continue to support one another."

The school opened as normal on Tuesday to allow staff and students to remember Mrs Maguire, and support each other.

Children began arriving early to add tributes to the more than 200 bouquets of flowers that cover the railings outside the gates.

Mrs Maguire was also remembered at a service in the neighbouring Corpus Christi Church.

Monsignor Paul Fisher said: "Today we pray for the light of hope: hope for ourselves that eventually we will come to terms with what has happened.

"We offer prayer too for the family of the man who unfortunately did what he did."

Officers were called to the school just before noon on Monday after a report a member of staff had been stabbed. A knife was recovered from the scene.

Around 30 pupils witnessed Mrs Maguire, who is believed have two grown-up daughters, being stabbed repeatedly in class.

Some reported hearing screams as other members of staff rushed to her classroom and restrained her attacker.

Her death is the first time a teacher has been stabbed to death in a British classroom.

Head teacher Philip Lawrence was murdered outside a school in Maida Vale, London, in 1995 when he went to help a pupil who was being attacked.

Cllr Judith Blake, the council's executive member for children's services, said she supported the school's decision to open.

She said: "At a time like this people need to come together.

"It's that support they will get from coming in today that will help them through such a difficult time."

A recent Sky News investigation revealed almost 1,000 pupils were caught with weapons including guns, axes and a meat cleaver in schools in the last three years.

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US Reassures Europe Of Nato's 'Ironclad' Support

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

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

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

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

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

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

Colonel Axel Schneider says his team are being well-treated

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

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

On Saturday, Moscow said it would take "all possible steps" to free the OSCE monitors as their capture was condemned by Western leaders.

However, rebels accused the observers of being "Nato spies" and vowed to continue holding them.

It comes as Britain and other G7 nations agreed new sanctions against Russia.

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

A barricade around the state security service building in Slavyansk

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

He said Russia had not "lifted a finger" to get pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine to comply with an international agreement to defuse the crisis.

"In fact, there's strong evidence that they've been encouraging the activities in eastern and southern Ukraine," he said.

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

Former US ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer told Sky's Murnaghan programe there was evidence Mr Putin did not have control over some of the separatist groups, adding: "It has the smell of chaos to it."

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Helicopter Crash: Five UK Service Members Die

Five military personnel killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan were UK service members, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

They died when their Lynx aircraft crashed during a routine flight in Kandahar province in the south on Saturday.

Prime Minister David Cameron said today his "heart goes out to the families and friends of those killed in this terrible tragedy".

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

One was a Royal Air Force serviceman also based at RAF Odiham.

One was a member of the Army Reserve from 3 Military Intelligence Battalion, based in London.

Next of kin of all five servicemen have been informed.

The aircraft went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar

Mr Cameron said: "Every British fatality is a source of deep sadness. This latest incident, which has cost the lives of five UK service personnel, brings home to us all once again how our armed forces continue to put their lives on the line to help the people of Afghanistan.

"I cannot pay high enough tribute to each and every one of them for the job that they do and the sacrifices that they make."

Foreign Secretary William Hague told Sky's Murnaghan programme: "This appears to have been a tragic accident although it is still being investigated.

"These personnel were doing as ever outstanding work for the people of this country for our national security, and indeed for the people of Afghanistan."

Major General Richard Felton, Commander Joint Helicopter Command, said: "It is with great sadness that we must confirm that five UK service personnel have been killed in this incident which, at this early stage, would appear to have been a tragic accident.

Lynx helicopters are deployed for a wide variety of operations

"Events like this, whilst mercifully rare, remind us of the risks our personnel face in their work in Afghanistan as we approach the conclusion of the combat mission later this year."

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

"It was doing military exercises and crashed as a result of technical fault," he said.

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

Defence analyst Paul Beaver said: "It is difficult to speculate on what has happened. It could be weather related, it could be dust or it could have been trying to avoid birds, for example, or it could be some kind of mechanical failure.

"There is a whole range of possible causes."

The deaths bring the total number of UK service personnel to have been killed in Afghanistan to 453.

It is thought to be the third deadliest incident involving British forces in the war and the worst air disaster since September 2006, when 14 service personnel were killed in a Nimrod surveillance aircraft which exploded mid-air.

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Two Popes Made Saints In Historic Ceremony

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

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

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

Pope John Paul II and John XXIII were declared saints

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Francis presided over the unprecedented double Canonisation

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

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

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

Francis is touring St Peter's Square in his Popemobile, and is expected to go deeper into the crowds than his predecessors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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