WikiLeaks: Assange Dad Assad Visit 'Unapproved'

WikiLeaks has said it was unaware of and did not approve a delegation to Syria which met President Bashar al Assad, and reportedly included Julian Assange's father.

It came after Australia's WikiLeaks Party announced it was to to take part in the "solidarity delegation", which it said aimed to show opposition to violence and Western military intervention.

John Shipton, the father of the WikiLeaks founder and chief executive of Australia's WikiLeaks Party, was said to be among those who travelled to the conflict-torn country.

The group met Mr Assad on December 23, according to a post on the Syrian president's Twitter feed.

The visit has sparked an angry backlash in Australia, with the centre-left Labour opposition branding it "extraordinary" and "irresponsible".

Australia's WikiLeaks Party was founded by Julian Assange

Labour frontbencher Chris Bowen said: "The Assad regime has been widely criticised and correctly criticised around the world.

"For an Australian political party to think it's sensible to go and have discussions and try and provide some legitimacy, is something I think which they have to explain."

The WikiLeaks Party was founded by Mr Assange as part of his failed campaign for election to Australia's parliament this year, but is separate to the controversial leaks website.

WikiLeaks has distanced itself from the delegation. On its official Twitter feed, the group said: "Peace brokering a good idea, but obvious meeting would be spun without care. Did not know or approve."

According to The Australian newspaper, the delegation included Mr Shipton and WikiLeaks national council member Gail Malone, as well as Sydney university academic Tim Anderson and refugee activist Jamal Daoud.

Mr Shipton announced plans to set up a WikiLeaks Party office in Damascus in a show of solidarity with ordinary Syrians, reported The Australian.

It came as it was reported that Scandinavian escort vessels preparing to remove Syria's chemical weapons had been returned to port, after it became apparent an end-of-year deadline would not be met.

The US-Russia deal for Syria to surrender more than 1,000 tons of chemical agents avoided American-led military strikes after a chemical weapons attack on August 21 near Damascus, which the US says killed 1,400 people.

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Cruise Ship Passenger Missing Off Caymans

A passenger has gone missing from one of the world's largest cruise ships off the Cayman Islands.

The 65-year-old man, from Canada, was reported missing on Tuesday morning by his wife, before the Royal Caribbean Cruises ship docked at Grand Cayman's port.

A search of the 15-deck Independence of the Seas cruise ship and closed-circuit camera footage has turned up nothing so far.

Marine search operations were also conducted until the evening without success, according to police.

The man, who has not been named, is the second passenger to have gone missing from a Royal Caribbean ship in the last few days.

On Saturday, another Canadian man, 26-year-old Tien Phuoc Nguyen, leapt from the company's Adventures of the Seas.

Mr Tien jumped from the ship off a remote Puerto Rican island on the final night of a week-long Caribbean cruise with his family.

The ship docked in Grand Cayman shortly after the man was reported missing

Rescuers ended their search for him on Monday.

The missing 65-year-old was last seen entering his room on the liner just before midnight, according to Tracy Quan, a spokeswoman for Royal Caribbean.

According to police, the man's wife said they went to bed at about 1am on Tuesday, but when she awoke seven hours later he was gone.

"She searched for him and when she did not find him she made the report of her husband missing," Chief Inspector Patrick Beersingh said in a statement.

The 1,112ft-long (339m) Independence of the Seas is on a six-night Caribbean cruise that departed from Fort Lauderdale on Sunday.

It is due to call at ports in Jamaica and Haiti. The ship can house 4,375 guests and over 1,300 crew members.

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Prague: Palestinian Ambassador Killed In Blast

The Palestinian ambassador to the Czech Republic has died from injuries sustained in an explosion, according to police.

Ambassador Jamal al Jamal was in his apartment with his family at the time of the explosion on Wednesday, a spokesman for the Palestinian Embassy said.

He was seriously injured and rushed to hospital, where he later died.

A forensic officer outside the apartment building

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the blast occurred when the 56-year-old diplomat was moving an old office safe box.

Martin Cervicek, the country's top police officer, told public television there was no evidence the explosion was an attack. 

Prague rescue service spokeswoman Jirina Ernestova said Mr al Jamal was placed in a medically induced coma when he arrived at Prague Military Hospital with abdominal injuries.

She said a 52-year-old woman was taken to a different hospital suffering from shock.

The ambassador's apartment is in Prague's Suchdol neighbourhood. He had only moved to the residence two days ago, on the north of the capital, after taking office in October.

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Volgograd Bombings: Putin Meets Survivors

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been to the city of Volgograd, where two suicide bombings in two days killed dozens of people.

He placed flowers at a makeshift shrine to the victims and visited some of the wounded still being treated in hospital.

No group has yet said it carried out the bombings at the main railway station on Sunday and on a city tram on Monday, killing 34 people and wounding more than 100.

President Putin lays flowers at the shrine to the bomb victims

Opening a meeting of federal security chiefs in the city Mr Putin said: "Whatever motivated the criminals' actions, there's no justification for committing crimes against civilians, especially against women and children."

Mr Putin with senior federal security officials in Volgograd

The attacks come after the leader of an Islamic insurgency in Russia's south called for attacks in the run-up to February's Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi.

On Monday, Mr Putin said the games would be "safe and secure", but the attacks in Volgograd, which is 430 miles northeast of Sochi, have demonstrated the reach of the insurgents and the vulnerability of the public transport system.

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Migrant Numbers 'Should Be Decided By People'

By David Bowden, Senior News Correspondent

Britain should hold a referendum to decide how many EU migrants should be allowed to come to the UK, a leading MP has told Sky News.

The call was made by Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, as restrictions on Romanians and Bulgarians arriving to find jobs were lifted.

Speaking to Sky News from Luton Airport, which is one of a number of airports where flights from Bucharest and Sofia will land, Mr Vaz said: "This is an issue that does need to be put to the British people, so we don't get this kind of drama and people rushing around thinking hundreds of thousands of people are going to arrive at Luton on the first day.

"We do need to look at this sensibly.

"It needs to be part of negotiations for a reformed EU, because freedom of movement is very important.

"It's one of the cornerstones of the EU and we need to have a proper discussion, and that means at the end of the day the British people have to make that decision."

Many people arriving on a flight from Romania on Wednesday morning already worked in the UK, but one of those coming to the country for the first time was Victor Spiresau.

The 30-year-old who said he hoped to earn more in the UK, but was not planning on settling.

Damian Draghici says Britain is 'playing a political game'

He initially planned to wash cars, but wanted to find work in the building industry.

Mr Spiresau, who has left his wife behind in their small village, said: "I don't come to rob your country. I come to work and then go home.

"I don't want to stay here. I want to renovate my home and to make a good life in Romania because it's much easier to live in Romania because it's not expensive."

Also on the flight was Silviu Todea, who was returning to London after visiting Romania over the holidays.

He said he believed the majority of his fellow Romanians would want to work.

Mr Todea, 27, who has a job in marketing in the capital, said: "Everyone has their own opinions especially with their past experiences with other nations, but I think it won't be so bad."

Meanwhile, an adviser to the Romanian Prime Minister told Sky News that job seekers from his country will not 'invade' Britain, despite the ending of curbs.

Senator Damian Draghici, who is from a Roma family, accused those warning there would be a tide of Romanians and Bulgarians taking advantage of relaxed work restrictions of covering up failed policies at home.

He told Sky News: "I believe it's more of a political game or a way to blow things out of proportion, I don't think Romanians are going to invade England."

The outspoken politician added: "They are the voices of political extremists trying to cover up for unsatisfied public policies."

Mihai Fertig says he is not expecting a rush for seats

The UK imposed the seven-year restrictions on Romania and Bulgaria after they joined the EU in 2007, only allowing citizens a visa if they were self-employed, had a job offer, or were given a specialist role.

But from January 1, Romanians and Bulgarians are entitled to come to the UK for work and will be able to claim benefits like other EU citizens.

It has prompted fears of an influx of immigrants and David Cameron moved to counter concerns with a series of measures including banning migrants from claiming benefits for three months and making foreigners pay for NHS treatment.

Mr Draghici also had a message for Mr Cameron, wishing him a Happy New Year and issuing an invite to him. He told Sky News: "Why don't you come over?"

The Conservative leader of Westminster Council, Philippa Roe, has claimed the arrival of Bulgarians and Romanians would add to the burden on council taxpayers.

She said central London had a problem with Roma "causing a massive amount of disruption and low-level crime".

But in Bucharest's Berceni market, as stallholders prepared for the last shoppers of 2013, there was no real interest from anyone Sky News spoke to in spending 2014 working in the UK.

One man working on a fruit stall said: "My country is more beautiful, so not for the moment, but it's a nice idea."

A woman market trader said: " I make my money here, I have my relatives and my friends here, I feel at home here, I would never go."

A middle-aged man said: "Myself, I'd never consider it, I'm happy here. If somebody wants to work then then they'll find it anywhere, you don't need to go to Britain."

Mihai Fertig is the chief operating officer of the Romanian arm of the biggest coaching group in Europe.

He already runs three services a week to the UK, but he's not expecting a rush for seats to London.

He said: "No not really, we aren't enthusiastic. I think the main part of the people who want to work abroad are already there.

"We expect, because of the opening of the market, that the bookings will increase maybe 10%."

Most people in Romania do not understand what all the fuss is about in the UK, and most doubt the predictions that tens of thousands will flock to Britain seeking work.

They are more concerned with the so called "brain drain" of young qualified Romanians, especially doctors and nurses, that have already left to work in other countries since their homeland joined the EU seven years ago.

Analysts in Romania estimate there are between three and four million Romanians already working abroad, a small proportion of around 250,000 in the UK.

A University College London report in November found that immigrants had contributed £25bn to the UK economy between 2000 and 2011 - significantly more than they had claimed in handouts.

They were also, it said, 45 percent less likely to receive benefits than British people.

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Boston Drawbridge Accident Leaves Mother Dead

A woman has been crushed to death between sections of a drawbridge over the Chelsea River in Boston.

Aura Garcia, a 46-year-old mother-of-two, was crossing the bridge on the way to a medical appointment when the operator, unaware she was there, began raising it for a boat to pass.

She grabbed hold of one of the sides of the bridge and the operator immediately lowered it when he heard her scream, but she became trapped in between the plates.

Witness Waldina Garcia told the Boston Globe: "I couldn't see her, but I could hear her.

"She was screaming and screaming and screaming."

Ms Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene.

Barriers come down when it is about to be raised Pic: CBS Boston

Investigators have said her death on the Meridian Street Bridge, which connects Chelsea and East Boston, was an accident.

An official said it was not clear whether she began crossing the bridge after warning lights and alarms were activated.

Police said the distraught bridge operator was taken to hospital for evaluation.

Dot Joyce, a spokeswoman for the Mayor's office, told the Boston Globe he had been placed on unpaid leave until the investigation was complete.

She added that this was standard procedure.

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Kim Jong-Un: Uncle's Killing Removed 'Filth'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has hailed the elimination of "factional filth" after the execution of his uncle last month.

In his New Year message, broadcast on state television, Mr Kim said: "Our party took resolute action to remove ... scum elements within the party last year."

He accused General Jang Song-Thaek, who was once considered the second most powerful individual in the North, of trying to build his own power base within the ruling party.

Jang (L) was seen as North Korea's second-most powerful man

"Our party's timely, accurate decision to purge the anti-party, anti-revolutionary elements helped greatly cement solidarity within our party," Mr Kim said.

General Jang's death was announced by state news agency KCNA on December 13.

Branding him a "traitor" it said General Jang had been executed after a special military trial for committing such a "hideous crime as attempting to overthrow the state by all sorts of intrigues and despicable methods with a wild ambition to grab the supreme power of our party and state".

South Korean media said they believed he was killed by machine gun, a relatively common form of execution in the North.

Kim Jong-Un was pictured at a newly-built ski resort this week

General Jang, who was seen as vital in helping Mr Kim secure power after the death of his father, had earlier been removed from regime posts because of allegations of corruption, drug use, gambling, womanising, and generally leading a "dissolute and depraved life".

He was shown being dragged from his seat at a meeting and arrested on state TV shortly before his execution was announced.

Mr Kim also used his New Year message to warn that another war on the peninsula would prompt a "massive nuclear disaster" and the US would not be safe.

"We are faced with a dangerous situation in which a small, accidental military clash can lead to an all-out war," he said.

Jang was shown on state television being arrested

South Korea worries instability in the North Korean regime could lead to attacks on the South. The two countries are still technically at war after the Korean War ended in a 1953 armistice.

Last week, Pyongyang sent Seoul a fax warning of a "merciless" strike after effigies of the North Korean leader and his father were set on fire by crowds in the South.

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Albinism: Model Thando Hopa Fights Taboos

By Alex Crawford, Special Correspondent

Thando Hopa is challenging all manner of perceptions.

She is a South African model with albinism - one of the very few in the world - and she's a young woman with a law degree, tackling male chauvinism as a prosecutor.

But it's smashing traditional notions of what is beauty that she is passionate about.

Having albinism means she has no pigment in her skin, hair or eyes due to an absence of melanin.

This means she is very prone to sunburn and her eyes are extremely sensitive to light.

She's officially classified as blind. But in Africa, it also means she stands a high risk of being hunted down and killed or tortured and used as "muti" or medicine.

Those with albinism are believed to have special healing powers in Africa.

Thando Hopa is fighting discrimination in African countries

Some also believe that if you kill a person with albinism this will bring you extraordinary riches.

Thando has never felt in danger, but she is acutely aware that many others like her are not so fortunate.

At the very least, those with albinism in Africa suffer discrimination and prejudice.

It's this knowledge which has prompted her desire to be a role model for those less fortunate.

She turned down three other modelling offers before she agreed to a request by Gert-Johan Coetzee, South Africa's rising fashion designer.

"Right now I'm known as Thando the model with albinism," she told Sky News.

"I want there eventually to be a day when I am known not as someone with albinism, but just as Thando.

"I want to make a difference, and not just one about perception.

Bellina Motsoahae says men have ulterior motives for sleeping with her

"I want practical help for those with albinism so they get help buying suncream and help with their eyesight."

She's certainly given others with albinism much more confidence - but their lives are tough.

Bellina Motsoahae, 23, has albinism, and has two children, one with albinism. She also has two sisters with albinism. 

They all live together in a tiny one-room house.

They are very stoic about their challenges, but the children have all been bullied and their father has deserted them.

Bellina believes the fathers of her two children only struck up a relationship with her because they believed sleeping with a person with albinism would somehow enhance their lot, maybe bringing them riches.

Neither of them have stayed with her.  

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Michael Schumacher: F1 Star Remains 'Stable'

Schumacher's Injuries 'Dangerous'

Updated: 12:14pm UK, Monday 30 December 2013

A leading neurosurgery specialist has described Michael Schumacher's condition as "very dangerous", warning that his injuries may take several days to "reach their peak".

Christopher Chandler, of the London Neurosurgery Partnership, said the haematoma and bruising the F1 champion suffered could cause "ferocious swelling".

"An intra-cranial haematoma is a blood clot, which causes swelling and pressure on the brain," he said. "The scenario may be that he had a blood clot in his brain that required immediate removal, which would explain the surgery.

"By bilateral lesions, I suspect they mean contusions or bruising to the brain. That bruising of the brain, which you can see on a scan, causes ferocious swelling and that is really serious.

"(Cerebral) contusions are often the most significant injury. Once you remove the clot, the swelling carries on and bruising precipitates and propagates that swelling.

"If you have a brain injury with sufficient severity to cause a coma, that indicates a very serious situation. The longer a patient is in a coma, the less likely they are to make a full recovery.

"You can't say that they won't recover, and you can't say they won't be brain- damaged, but an injury such as bilateral bruising, which means on both sides of the brain, is very serious, and can be very dangerous."

The consultant continued: "Brain swelling takes a number of days to reach its peak. The brain has a rigid unyielding box around it - the skull - which allows no room for growth, making swelling very, very dangerous.

"And once that injury occurs it's a vicious circle where a little bit of swelling causes more pressure, which causes more swelling, more pressure, and it starts to accelerate and affect vital parts of the brain.

"When that happens, you are in really deep trouble, but this man received probably the best possible care that you could imagine in the circumstances.

"He had the brain injury and within minutes a team of medics were there and they airlifted him to hospital. Within half an hour he was assessed and being flown to the neurological unit in Grenoble."

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Lebanon Arrests Al Qaeda-Linked Group Leader

The leader of an al Qaeda-linked group which claimed responsibility for a double suicide bombing at the Iranian embassy in Beirut has been arrested, according to authorities in Lebanon.

Majid al Majid, the 'emir' of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, was detained by the intelligence services and was currently being interrogated at a secret location, Defence Minister Fayez Ghosn said.

The Sunni Muslim extremist group said it had carried out the bomb attack in November, which killed 25 people, in retaliation for Iran's support of the militant Hizbollah group, which is a main ally of President Bashar al Assad in neighbouring Syria's civil war.

The double suicide bombing took place in Beirut in November

Among those killed was the embassy's cultural attache.

The area, known as a Hizbollah stronghold, had been hit by a number of previous explosions.

Mr Ghosn did not say where Majid al Majid had been arrested, but he added: "He was wanted by the Lebanese authorities and is currently being interrogated in secret."

Shi'ite Iran has been bankrolling Mr Assad's fight against the mainly Sunni rebels and has given military support.

And Hizbollah fighters have been supporting his forces in several key battles across Syria, which has served to heighten sectarian tensions in the two countries.

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