Thailand Police Confront Anti-Coup Protesters

Police and armed soldiers have been involved in a tense stand-off with protesters marching against the military coup in Thailand.

A group of around 200 demonstrators defied limits on public gatherings imposed since the army took control and refused to obey instructions not to march through Bangkok.

As the protesters marched from a shopping centre in the centre of the city they were met by a line of riot police, backed up by heavily-armed soldiers, and ordered to disperse.

Sky News Asia Correspondent Mark Stone, who is at the scene of the confrontation, said it had been "bloodless, but incredibly tense".

He said: "This is very tense because one of the key conditions the general now in charge of this country made was that he did not want any political gatherings of more than five people."

Soldiers descended from a truck as the situation became more tense

Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was in a "safe place" on Saturday, an aide said, after being held by the army following a coup this week,

The army moved on Thursday after failing to forge a compromise in a power struggle between Ms Yingluck's populist government and the royalist establishment, which brought months of unrest to Bangkok's streets.

The military detained Ms Yingluck on Friday when she and scores of other people, most of them her political allies, were summoned to an army facility in Bangkok. 

Lines of riot police and soldiers confronted the protesters

Thailand has been locked in political crisis since a 2006 military coup that deposed Ms Yingluck's elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire tycoon who clashed with the royalist establishment.

His Red Shirt supporters had warned that any military overthrow of the government could trigger civil war and all eyes are now on how his movement will respond.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said there was "no justification" for the military takeover.

He said it would have "negative implications" for US relations, and demanded early elections.

British ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent said British citizens should "exercise extreme caution" and follow travel advice and media updates."

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Explosions And Gunfire Near Somali Parliament

At least four policemen have been killed after al Qaeda-linked militants carried out a bomb and gun attack outside Somalia's parliament.

Police said at least six insurgents also died in the assault in a Mogadishu compound.

There were two explosions - one was from a car bomb which exploded at the gate of parliament house and the other was a suicide bomber on foot nearby.

A soldier died while trying to stop the bomber from entering parliament in the capital.

Police captain Mohammed Hussein said security forces had shot and killed four men.

The two other attackers who died were the driver of the car bomb and the bomber on foot.

"A car bomb exploded at the gate of the parliament house - then it was followed by a suicide bomber explosion. So far we have confirmed four policemen dead," said police colonel Farah Hussein.

Al Shabaab admitted carrying out the 2013 Westgate shopping centre attack

"The lawmakers and the other workers were rescued as soon as the car bomb exploded. But the terrorists are still firing from inside a mosque nearby," he added.

Militants from the al Qaeda-linked group al Shabaab, which fighting to overthrow Somalia's internationally-backed government, reportedly claimed responsibility for the blasts.

The organisation previously admitted it was behind last September's attack on the Westgate shopping centre in the Kenyan capital Nairobi in which scores of people were killed.

Al Shabaab said that assault was in retaliation for Kenyan forces carrying out anti-militant operations in neighbouring Somalia.

The group was pushed out of Mogadishu about two years ago but has waged a sustained guerrilla campaign.

It has claimed a series of suicide bomb attacks in the city.

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Zuma Pledges SA 'Economic Transformation'

Jacob Zuma has been sworn in again as South African president vowing "economic transformation" will take "centre stage" in his second term in power.

He pledged the economy would be put on an "inclusive growth path" and promised to promote "broad-based black economic empowerment".

There have been concerns that much of the economy remains in the hands of South Africa's white minority.

In his speech to a cheering crowd of thousands, Mr Zuma said his country was "a much better place to live in now than before 1994".

But he added that poverty, unemployment and other problems persisted despite many improvements.

The ceremony, attended by dignitaries including the leaders of Nigeria and Zimbabwe, was marked by dance, prayer, a 21-gun salute and flyovers by the air force.

It took place in the amphitheatre of Pretoria's Union Buildings - the seat of government - where just five months before Nelson Mandela's body lay in state.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was among the dignitaries

"Today marks the beginning of the second phase of our transition from apartheid to a national democratic society," Mr Zuma said, promising a bigger economic role for the state.

Mr Zuma was a former anti-apartheid activist who was jailed for 10 years on Robben Island, the same prison where Mr Mandela was held for many years.

As president, Mr Zuma has been hit by criticism over a scandal surrounding more than $20m (£12m) in state spending on his private home.

On May 7, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) won elections, continuing its political dominance since the end of the apartheid system that it had fought for decades.

The ANC retains a comfortable majority, but opposition parties have capitalised with some success on allegations of official corruption and mismanagement.

National elections are held every five years.

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Putin Brands Charles Hitler Slur 'Unacceptable'

Vladimir Putin has branded a comparison made by the Prince of Wales in which the Royal likened the Russian president to Hitler as "not what monarchs do".

Mr Putin said Prince Charles' reported comments were "unacceptable" and "wrong".

The president was talking to leading global news agencies in St Petersburg including the British Press Association ahead of elections in Ukraine on Sunday.

It is claimed the Prince made his comments in a private conversation with a museum volunteer whose Jewish family fled Nazi Germany during the war during a Royal tour of Canada.

Marienne Ferguson, 78, said that after telling Charles the story of how her family fled the Nazis he replied: "Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler."

It is understood that Charles had been talking to Ms Ferguson about the Nazi occupation of Danzig at the start of World War Two, and had appeared to draw a parallel with Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in March.

When asked by the Press Association's chief executive what he thought of what the Prince was reported to have said, Mr Putin replied: "It reminds me of a good proverb: 'You are angry. That means you are wrong."'

He added: "Give my words to Prince Charles.

"He has been to our country more than once, if he made such a comparison, it is unacceptable and I am sure he understands that as a man of manners."

Mr Putin added: "I met him personally, as well as other members of the Royal Family. This is not what monarchs do.

"But over the past few years we have seen so much, nothing surprises me any longer."

Mr Putin's response comes a month before he is due to take part in a D-Day anniversary event with the Prince.

His comments made it clear that the disapproval of prominent international figures such as the Prince of Wales would not influence his actions in the current crisis in Ukraine.

He added: "I will be guided not by what they say about me anywhere.

"I will only be guided by the interests of the Russian people, and I hope our colleagues in Great Britain will keep that in mind and will always remember that when finding solutions to any issues, we are always guided by international law and its norms."

Mr Putin had earlier said he would treat the new Ukrainian president due to be elected on May 25 "with due respect" and would "work with the authorities (in place) based on the elections".

The deteriorating crisis in Ukraine last week led to Prime Minister David Cameron warning that the UK may have to prepare for "a very different long-term relationship with Russia".

But Mr Putin indicated that he did not regard the current differences as the start of a long-lasting rift in UK-Russian relations.

A spokeswoman for the Prince of Wales declined to comment.

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Three Killed In Shooting Near Jewish Museum

Three people have been killed and one other badly hurt in a shoot-out near the Jewish Museum in Brussels.

Belgian Interior Minister Joelle Milquet has tweeted to say he believes it was an "anti-semitic attack".

Two women and a man are thought to have been killed.

Sky's Robert Nisbet said a local website quoted witnesses as saying a car drove up to the museum and the driver and passenger got out and began firing indiscriminately at passers-by.

They then got back into the car and drove off.

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders heard shots and arrived at the scene moments later to find bodies on the ground.

"I am shocked by the murders committed at the Jewish museum, I am thinking of the victims I saw there and their families," he wrote on Twitter.

Police have closed off the area around the museum, and a number of ambulances are at the scene.

More follows...

 

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Germain Katanga Jailed For Congo War Crimes

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1:30pm UK, Friday 23 May 2014

Katanga is only the second person convicted by the international court

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Thailand Coup: Politicians Banned From Leaving

Timeline Of Thai Political Crisis

Updated: 3:24pm UK, Thursday 22 May 2014

Thailand has a long history of political unrest with the army staging at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.

The latest crisis has its roots in the 2006 military overthrow of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was embroiled in a telecoms corruption scandal.

September 2006: Thailand's armed forces oust Thaksin in a bloodless coup and impose martial law.

December 2007: The People Power Party made up of Thaksin's allies, wins elections and forms a coalition government.

May 2008: Royalist anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts relaunch street protests that led to the 2006 coup.

September 2008: State of emergency declared after clashes between pro and anti-government groups leave one person dead and dozens wounded.

Constitutional Court strips Thaksin-allied prime minister Samak Sundaravej of his powers, ruling he illegally accepted payments for hosting TV cooking shows. Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat takes his place.

October 2008: Clashes between police and demonstrators leave two people dead and nearly 500 wounded.

Court sentences Thaksin in his absence to two years in jail for corruption after he flees the country.

November-December, 2008: Thousands of Yellow Shirts blockade Bangkok's airports. State of emergency imposed for nearly two weeks.

December 2008: Constitutional Court dissolves Somchai's party, forcing him from office. British-born Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrats becomes premier in a parliamentary vote with army backing.

January-March 2009: Red Shirts loyal to Thaksin stage mass protests in the capital against Abhisit's government.

April 2009: Red Shirts storm an Asian summit in the beach resort of Pattaya, forcing the evacuation of regional leaders. Riots and a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok ensue, leaving two people dead.

March 2010: Tens of thousands of Red Shirts begin rolling demonstrations calling for Abhisit's government to step down, saying it is elitist and undemocratic.

April-May 2010: Street clashes between Red Shirt protesters and armed troops leave more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians, in the country's worst civil unrest in decades.

July 3 2011: Thaksin's allies sweep to power in elections on a wave of support from their Red Shirt followers.

August 2011: Parliament elects Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck Shinawatra as Thailand's first female prime minister.

November 2012: Police fire tear gas at demonstrators as clashes erupt at the first major street protests against Ms Yingluck's government.

October 2013: Protests break out against an amnesty bill which critics say is aimed at allowing Thaksin - who went into self-imposed exile to avoid jail for a corruption conviction - to return home and escape prison.

November 2013: Opposition protesters occupy the finance and foreign ministries demanding Ms Yingluck resign.

December 2013: Police use water cannon and tear gas on protesters who storm the government and police headquarters. Opposition politicians resign en masse from parliament.

Ms Yingluck calls early elections as demonstrators return to the streets. Opposition announces a poll boycott.

February 2, 2014: Opposition demonstrators prevent 10,000 polling stations from opening for the election.

March 21, 2014: Constitutional Court declares February elections invalid.

April 30, 2014: Government announces new elections for July 20.

May 7, 2014: Constitutional Court removes Ms Yingluck and several cabinet ministers from office. New caretaker premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan appointed by remainder of cabinet.

May 15, 2014: The Election Commission says a general election scheduled for July 20 is "no longer possible" as polls cannot be held without the support of the protesters.

May 20, 2014: Army declares martial law, stressing the move "is not a coup".

May 22, 2014:  The country's armed forces announce a military coup.

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Thai General Gave Rival Leaders Three Options

Timeline Of Thai Political Crisis

Updated: 3:24pm UK, Thursday 22 May 2014

Thailand has a long history of political unrest with the army staging at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.

The latest crisis has its roots in the 2006 military overthrow of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was embroiled in a telecoms corruption scandal.

September 2006: Thailand's armed forces oust Thaksin in a bloodless coup and impose martial law.

December 2007: The People Power Party made up of Thaksin's allies, wins elections and forms a coalition government.

May 2008: Royalist anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts relaunch street protests that led to the 2006 coup.

September 2008: State of emergency declared after clashes between pro and anti-government groups leave one person dead and dozens wounded.

Constitutional Court strips Thaksin-allied prime minister Samak Sundaravej of his powers, ruling he illegally accepted payments for hosting TV cooking shows. Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat takes his place.

October 2008: Clashes between police and demonstrators leave two people dead and nearly 500 wounded.

Court sentences Thaksin in his absence to two years in jail for corruption after he flees the country.

November-December, 2008: Thousands of Yellow Shirts blockade Bangkok's airports. State of emergency imposed for nearly two weeks.

December 2008: Constitutional Court dissolves Somchai's party, forcing him from office. British-born Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrats becomes premier in a parliamentary vote with army backing.

January-March 2009: Red Shirts loyal to Thaksin stage mass protests in the capital against Abhisit's government.

April 2009: Red Shirts storm an Asian summit in the beach resort of Pattaya, forcing the evacuation of regional leaders. Riots and a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok ensue, leaving two people dead.

March 2010: Tens of thousands of Red Shirts begin rolling demonstrations calling for Abhisit's government to step down, saying it is elitist and undemocratic.

April-May 2010: Street clashes between Red Shirt protesters and armed troops leave more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians, in the country's worst civil unrest in decades.

July 3 2011: Thaksin's allies sweep to power in elections on a wave of support from their Red Shirt followers.

August 2011: Parliament elects Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck Shinawatra as Thailand's first female prime minister.

November 2012: Police fire tear gas at demonstrators as clashes erupt at the first major street protests against Ms Yingluck's government.

October 2013: Protests break out against an amnesty bill which critics say is aimed at allowing Thaksin - who went into self-imposed exile to avoid jail for a corruption conviction - to return home and escape prison.

November 2013: Opposition protesters occupy the finance and foreign ministries demanding Ms Yingluck resign.

December 2013: Police use water cannon and tear gas on protesters who storm the government and police headquarters. Opposition politicians resign en masse from parliament.

Ms Yingluck calls early elections as demonstrators return to the streets. Opposition announces a poll boycott.

February 2, 2014: Opposition demonstrators prevent 10,000 polling stations from opening for the election.

March 21, 2014: Constitutional Court declares February elections invalid.

April 30, 2014: Government announces new elections for July 20.

May 7, 2014: Constitutional Court removes Ms Yingluck and several cabinet ministers from office. New caretaker premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan appointed by remainder of cabinet.

May 15, 2014: The Election Commission says a general election scheduled for July 20 is "no longer possible" as polls cannot be held without the support of the protesters.

May 20, 2014: Army declares martial law, stressing the move "is not a coup".

May 22, 2014:  The country's armed forces announce a military coup.

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Professor's 70ft Crevasse Plunge Escape Filmed

An American professor has filmed his incredible escape after falling 70ft (21m) down a Himalayan mountain crevasse while collecting snow samples.

Dr John All was researching climate change on the 23,379ft Mount Himlung, close to Mount Everest in Nepal, when he fell into a deep crevasse hidden by snow.

His body ricocheted between the walls of the ravine as he plunged to certain death.

But incredibly, he landed on a precarious ice ridge more than 300ft from the bottom.

Dr John Hall fillmed himself after landing on the ice ridge

The 44-year-old broke an arm, ribs and suffered severe cuts and bruises in the fall.

He recorded the scene on his mobile phone as he worked out how to get out of the crevasse.

He then spent the next six hours in agony, crawling inch by inch with his ice axe, knowing one slip and he would fall to his death.

Eventually, Dr All, a geology lecturer from West Kentucky University, managed to climb out out of the crevasse, and a few hours later reached his tent.

The view from the ledge to the top of the crevasse

Rescuers arrived the next morning and airlifted him to a hospital in Kathmandu.

"My body was shattered and I was in agony," he told the Daily Telegraph.

"My face hit one wall, my back and stomach hit the back wall and I bounced between them. My face was pretty torn up. I landed on a piece of ice at a midpoint.

"I could have fallen another 100 metres and it's amazing I didn't. The entire time climbing out I knew if I slipped I would have been dead."

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Putin Vows To Respect Ukraine Poll Result

Vladimir Putin has said Russia will recognise the outcome of Ukraine's presidential election, but slammed the West for imposing economic sanctions on his country.

He also blamed the West for plunging Ukraine into what he described as "chaos and a full-scale civil war" since the country's former president was overthrown months ago.

But Mr Putin tried to strike a more conciliatory note when he said he is ready to work with the new Ukrainian leadership and insisted Moscow wants peace and order restored in its neighbour.

Speaking at an investment forum in St Petersburg, the Russian president said: "We will treat the choice of the Ukrainian people with respect."

Pro-Russians attacked a military checkpoint in Volnovakh

His comments came a day after pro-Russian insurgents attacked a military checkpoint in eastern Ukrainian town of Volnovakh, reportedly killing at least 13 troops and wounding more than 30.

Militants have been seizing government buildings in eastern Ukraine and fighting government troops for more than a month.

Mr Putin also said Russia does not want to isolate itself from the rest of the world and wants to work with Washington on many projects.

"We are not planning any self-isolation," Mr Putin said.

"We hope that common sense ... will prompt our European and US partners to work with Russia."

He said Washington's "unipolar" vision of the world had failed and sanctions imposed on Russia over the Ukraine crisis would have a "boomerang effect" on the West.

"Isn't it obvious that economic sanctions as a tool of political pressure in the modern interdependent world have a boomerang effect and finally will affect the businesses and economies of the countries that initiated them?" he said.

The EU and the US have imposed sanctions on some of Mr Putin's aides and other officials, freezing their assets and imposing visa bans.

Pro-Russia militants at a Victory Day rally in Donetsk

Twenty-one candidates are competing on Sunday to become Ukraine's next leader.

However, it will be impossible to hold the vote in some areas in the east - especially in Donetsk and Luhansk, where insurgents have declared independence and pledged to derail the vote.

Polls show billionaire candy-maker Petro Poroshenko with a commanding lead but falling short of the absolute majority needed to win in the first round.

His nearest challenger is Yulia Tymoshenko, the divisive former prime minister.

Russia annexed Ukraine's southern Crimea Peninsula in March, triggering the worst crisis in relations with the West since the Cold War.

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China Market Explosion Kills Dozens In Urumqi

By Mark Stone, China Correspondent, in Beijing

An explosion at a market in the Chinese city of Urumqi has killed 31 people and left more than 90 injured.

According to witnesses quoted in state media, two 4x4 vehicles drove into a crowd of people in the centre of the city, which is the regional capital of the far northwestern Xinjiang Province.

Picture apparently showing the explosion in the market Pic: Weibo

Explosives were thrown from the vehicles, and one of the vehicles exploded, said Xinhua news agency.

The attack was described by China's Ministry of Public Security as "a serious violent terrorist incident of a particularly vile nature".

Pictures posted on China's version of Twitter, Weibo, show victims lying in a street strewn with debris.

One picture shows officials carrying a man with a badly-blooded head.

The pictures were taken by witnesses moments after the explosion and show flames rising from the market which, shortly before 8am, would have been busy.

On Weibo, one user with the alias "Clarence-DD" described what he saw: "(It) was only 300 metres from my home, so close. I don't know if it will happen to me next time. I only hope all are safe."

Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Province

Another witness, alias "Paikeluotuoci," posted: "It was before 8 this morning, (there were) several explosions took place near the Wenhuagong morning market, I was there, less than 100 metres away, I can see big smoke and people running around."

A user with the alias Suisuibusui wrote: "Two vehicles broke through police barrier, and drove into the morning market together, detonated explosives. 5 or 6 big sounds could be heard. One can smell the explosives from the north gate of the park."

Victims lying in a street full of debris Pic: Weibo

In a statement, Chinese President Xi Jinping said his government will "swiftly solve the case, harshly punish the terrorists, promptly recover the dead and treat the injured, offer condolences to the families of the injured, and strictly prevent any ripple effects to materialise from this."

The head of the Ministry of Public Security, Guo Shengqun, is on his way to Urumqi from Shanghai where he had been attending a major summit of Asian nations.

Meng Jianzhu, an official from China's Politburo, the top government body, said all will be done to help those caught up in the attack.

The market was busy at the time of the blast. Pic: Weibo

Xinjiang Province is the traditional home to China's Uighur Muslim population.

Over the past decade or so, an influx of the country's majority Han Chinese population has caused the Uighur community to complain of an erosion of their culture, their religion and their freedoms.

With a growing and worrying frequency, this resentment has manifested itself in violent attacks against government institutions and the Han Chinese population.

Attackers killed 29 people in Kunming train station in March

Three weeks ago, on the final day of a visit to the region by President Xi Jinping, a knife-wielding group attacked passengers at a train station in Urumqi.

One person was killed and 79 injured. The two attackers were killed by Chinese security personnel.

In March, a group of attackers stabbed to death 29 people on the concourse of Kunming train station in central China. A total of 143 people were injured.

A vehicle crashed into a crowd in Tiananmen Square last October

The incident, described within China as the country's 9/11, signalled to the Chinese government that Uighur extremist groups were capable of operating well outside Xinjiang province.

In December, a vehicle drove into railings in front of the iconic Tiananmen gate at the northern end of the hugely symbolic square in Beijing.

The Chinese government said the three occupants were all Uighur Muslims. They all died along with two tourists.

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LA Kidnap: A Case Of Stockholm Syndrome?

Authorities are expected to explore whether a woman who was kidnapped as a teenager and held for 10 years may have experienced Stockholm syndrome, which sees hostages sympathise with their abductors.

The victim, who remained unidentified, was initially locked up but was eventually allowed to lead what appeared from the outside to be a normal life, police said.

Investigators in Santa Ana, a suburb of Los Angeles, said she did try to escape her captor, Isidro Garcia, at least twice, but was severely beaten.

She appeared to have passed up other opportunities to escape, investigators said. 

The victim has not been named by police

According to authorities, the victim was new to the country, did not speak English and saw no way out of her situation as she lived under sustained physical and mental abuse.

She is believed to have been sexually abused and bore a child to her captor in 2012, five years after she was forced to marry him.

In other recent cases, such as the kidnapping of three women in Ohio, the victims were chained or tied up for most of the time.

It was still unclear if this was also the case with Garcia as no full details have emerged and police were investigating the circumstances of the abduction.

But neighbours said the couple seemed normal, hosting parties and going to church in Bell Gardens, a Los Angeles suburb where they lived for four years.

Garcia, who was known in the neighbourhood as Tomas Medrano, even bought a new car for the victim, who was known to neighbours as Laura Ortiz.

"I'm astounded she waited so long to say something," said Rita Salazar, who lived across the street from the couple and said she never saw any signs of trouble.

Neighbour Javier Campos said he did not believe the allegations.

Patty Hearst at her trial for bank robbery

Stockholm syndrome was identified in 1973 and named after a hostage situation in a bank in the Swedish capital.

During the course of the six-day ordeal, bank employees who were taken hostage came to sympathise with the abductors and defended them.

Perhaps the most famous example of Stockholm syndrome came a year later, when American heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army but joined the group later.

She was caught wielding a gun during a bank robbery and was later convicted for it. 

Dr Frank Ochberg, a prominent psychiatrist who helped define Stockholm syndrome, said people in kidnapping situations become "infantilised, dominated".

"They end up being attached to the person who dominates them, much like a child," Dr Ochberg told the AP news agency.

Small gifts, or token of kindness from a captor, such as a bit of food or a trip to the bathroom, can create positive feelings within the victim.

"Someone takes away the fear, the isolation, and we have positive feelings," he said.

"That could be the beginning of a trauma bond."

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Russia Brands Prince's Hitler Slur 'Outrageous'

When Is A Royal Conversation 'Private'?

Updated: 1:35pm UK, Thursday 22 May 2014

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

So when is a conversation deemed to be private and when is it considered public?

Clarence House has declined to talk specifically about what the Prince of Wales said about President Putin, insisting his comments were made during a "private conversation".

The problem is that the Prince was attending a "public" engagement at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at which he knew full well that once he departed, those with whom he spoke would, in turn, likely talk to the press.

So, in this case he will have expected that his comments. made to Marianne Ferguson comparing Mr Putin to Adolf Hitler, had a realistic chance of being made public in some form or another.

There is nothing to say the Prince of Wales can't have opinions.

We are well versed on the Prince's stance on the environment, conservation, architecture and education. But will people be able to stomach Prince Charles getting involved in international affairs?

Go to discussions on social networking sites, and there is general support for Charles.

Many even congratulate him for not sitting on the fence like many politicians do.

In addition, many feel his comments aren't too dissimilar from those made by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who in March said: "The claims by President Putin that they had to go into Crimea and maybe further into Eastern Ukraine because they had to protect Russian minorities is reminiscent of claims made back in the 1930s when Germany under the Nazis kept talking about how they had to protect German minorities in Poland, Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe."

So while Charles' opinions may have been expressed in a slightly more "off-the-cuff" way than Clinton's carefully worded comments, they aren't entirely ill-considered.

But is it, perhaps, the spontaneous nature of the heir's analogy that has upset some?

Diplomats will have been up early this morning working hard to limit any potential damage.

They have to clear up the mess, if any, left behind while Prince Charles moves on to his next walkabout and his next series of chats.

Will they, in turn, be considered private? In the eyes of Clarence House, yes. Until someone tells the press, that is.

Perhaps the only way of ensuring conversations are kept entirely private is to hold them behind closed doors and don't invite the press to public engagements. What would critics say then?

Does the Kremlin care, given Prince Charles and President Putin are both scheduled to attend the same key D-Day anniversary events in June?

Putin's spokesman hadn't even heard about Charles' comments, deemed private.

Anyway, Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov added: "I can't really trust The Daily Mail as a source."

Diplomatic spat averted then.

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Thailand's Army Chief Announces Military Coup

Timeline Of Thai Political Crisis

Updated: 3:24pm UK, Thursday 22 May 2014

Thailand has a long history of political unrest with the army staging at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.

The latest crisis has its roots in the 2006 military overthrow of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was embroiled in a telecoms corruption scandal.

September 2006: Thailand's armed forces oust Thaksin in a bloodless coup and impose martial law.

December 2007: The People Power Party made up of Thaksin's allies, wins elections and forms a coalition government.

May 2008: Royalist anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts relaunch street protests that led to the 2006 coup.

September 2008: State of emergency declared after clashes between pro and anti-government groups leave one person dead and dozens wounded.

Constitutional Court strips Thaksin-allied prime minister Samak Sundaravej of his powers, ruling he illegally accepted payments for hosting TV cooking shows. Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat takes his place.

October 2008: Clashes between police and demonstrators leave two people dead and nearly 500 wounded.

Court sentences Thaksin in his absence to two years in jail for corruption after he flees the country.

November-December, 2008: Thousands of Yellow Shirts blockade Bangkok's airports. State of emergency imposed for nearly two weeks.

December 2008: Constitutional Court dissolves Somchai's party, forcing him from office. British-born Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrats becomes premier in a parliamentary vote with army backing.

January-March 2009: Red Shirts loyal to Thaksin stage mass protests in the capital against Abhisit's government.

April 2009: Red Shirts storm an Asian summit in the beach resort of Pattaya, forcing the evacuation of regional leaders. Riots and a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok ensue, leaving two people dead.

March 2010: Tens of thousands of Red Shirts begin rolling demonstrations calling for Abhisit's government to step down, saying it is elitist and undemocratic.

April-May 2010: Street clashes between Red Shirt protesters and armed troops leave more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians, in the country's worst civil unrest in decades.

July 3 2011: Thaksin's allies sweep to power in elections on a wave of support from their Red Shirt followers.

August 2011: Parliament elects Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck Shinawatra as Thailand's first female prime minister.

November 2012: Police fire tear gas at demonstrators as clashes erupt at the first major street protests against Ms Yingluck's government.

October 2013: Protests break out against an amnesty bill which critics say is aimed at allowing Thaksin - who went into self-imposed exile to avoid jail for a corruption conviction - to return home and escape prison.

November 2013: Opposition protesters occupy the finance and foreign ministries demanding Ms Yingluck resign.

December 2013: Police use water cannon and tear gas on protesters who storm the government and police headquarters. Opposition politicians resign en masse from parliament.

Ms Yingluck calls early elections as demonstrators return to the streets. Opposition announces a poll boycott.

February 2, 2014: Opposition demonstrators prevent 10,000 polling stations from opening for the election.

March 21, 2014: Constitutional Court declares February elections invalid.

April 30, 2014: Government announces new elections for July 20.

May 7, 2014: Constitutional Court removes Ms Yingluck and several cabinet ministers from office. New caretaker premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan appointed by remainder of cabinet.

May 15, 2014: The Election Commission says a general election scheduled for July 20 is "no longer possible" as polls cannot be held without the support of the protesters.

May 20, 2014: Army declares martial law, stressing the move "is not a coup".

May 22, 2014:  The country's armed forces announce a military coup.

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Kidnap Victim 'So Happy' To Be With Family

LA Kidnap: Case Of Stockholm Syndrome?

Updated: 12:46pm UK, Thursday 22 May 2014

Authorities are expected to explore whether a woman who was kidnapped as a teenager and held for 10 years may have experienced Stockholm syndrome, which sees hostages sympathise with their abductors.

The victim, who remained unidentified, was initially locked up but was eventually allowed to lead what appeared from the outside to be a normal life, police said.

Investigators in Santa Ana, a suburb of Los Angeles, said she did try to escape her captor, Isidro Garcia, at least twice, but was severely beaten.

She appeared to have passed up other opportunities to escape, investigators said. 

According to authorities, the victim was new to the country, did not speak English and saw no way out of her situation as she lived under sustained physical and mental abuse.

She is believed to have been sexually abused and bore a child to her captor in 2012, five years after she was forced to marry him.

In other recent cases, such as the kidnapping of three women in Ohio, the victims were chained or tied up for most of the time.

It was still unclear if this was also the case with Garcia as no full details have emerged and police were investigating the circumstances of the abduction.

But neighbours said the couple seemed normal, hosting parties and going to church in Bell Gardens, a Los Angeles suburb where they lived for four years.

Garcia, who was known in the neighbourhood as Tomas Medrano, even bought a new car for the victim, who was known to neighbours as Laura Ortiz.

"I'm astounded she waited so long to say something," said Rita Salazar, who lived across the street from the couple and said she never saw any signs of trouble.

Neighbour Javier Campos said he did not believe the allegations.

Stockholm syndrome was identified in 1973 and named after a hostage situation in a bank in the Swedish capital.

During the course of the six-day ordeal, bank employees who were taken hostage came to sympathise with the abductors and defended them.

Perhaps the most famous example of Stockholm syndrome came a year later, when American heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army but joined the group later.

She was caught wielding a gun during a bank robbery and was later convicted for it. 

Dr Frank Ochberg, a prominent psychiatrist who helped define Stockholm syndrome, said people in kidnapping situations become "infantilised, dominated".

"They end up being attached to the person who dominates them, much like a child," Dr Ochberg told the AP news agency.

Small gifts, or token of kindness from a captor, such as a bit of food or a trip to the bathroom, can create positive feelings within the victim.

"Someone takes away the fear, the isolation, and we have positive feelings," he said.

"That could be the beginning of a trauma bond."

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Body Of US Marine Found After Aircraft Fall

Officials are trying to establish how a US Marine fell from an aircraft during a training exercise.

After a search of almost 24 hours, the body of the serviceman was found on Tuesday on state forestry land about 100 miles south of Raleigh, Bladen County Coroner Hubert Kinlaw said.

Marine Corps spokesman Michael Barton said the Marine, who was a member of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, appears to have died as a result of the fall.

It was not immediately clear how high the aircraft was or what may have caused him to fall.

More than 100 Marines helped local sheriff's deputies in the search after the Marine fell from an Osprey aircraft on Monday evening about 45 miles west of Marine Corps Air Station New River.

His name has not been released while family members are notified.

Ospreys have two large rotors that tilt forward and skyward, allowing the aircraft to fly at higher speeds than conventional helicopters, while maintaining the ability to conduct vertical take-offs and landings.

The multi-mission aircraft that has been used both in relief efforts, such as in the Philippines in the wake of a devastating typhoon, and in combat operations.

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Iranians Arrested Over Pharrell Happy Video

Six Iranians have been arrested by police and shown on state television after posting a version of Pharrell Williams' hit song Happy on YouTube.

The amateur video shows three young men and three unveiled women dancing to the tune on Tehran's streets and rooftops.

"We have made this video as Pharrell Williams' Fans in 8 hours, with iPhone 5S. "Happy" was an excuse to be happy. We enjoyed every second of making it. Hope it puts a smile on your face," reads a message at the end of the video, titled Happy We are from Tehran.

This man also dances in the video

But the group were detained when the video, which has been viewed thousands of times, came to the attention of Tehran's police force.

Police chief Hossein Sajedinia was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying: "After a vulgar clip which hurt public chastity was released in cyberspace, police decided to identify those involved in making that clip.

"Following a series of intelligence and police operations and after coordinating with the judiciary, all the suspects were identified and arrested."

ISNA said the detainees had "confessed to their criminal acts".

Pharrell Williams' song is from the film Despicable Me 2

State television aired blurred pictures of the video and then showed the six with their backs turned to camera.

Williams, whose song from the film Despicable Me 2 has been one of the biggest hits of the year, commented on the arrests on Twitter.

He wrote: "It's beyond sad these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness."

Conservatives say many young Iranians are abandoning Islamic values and turning to a more Western way of life.

Under Islamic law, in force in Iran since the 1979 revolution, women must cover themselves from head to toe.

More than a decade ago a "morality police" unit was formed to verify that women scrupulously respect the dress code in public.

The internet is also heavily filtered in Iran, with the authorities blocking access to popular social networking sites.

Civil liberties and women's rights have returned to the forefront since President Hassan Rohani's election last June.

Mr Rohani, a moderate, had campaigned for greater cultural and social freedoms in the Islamic republic, specifically urging police tolerance over the veil.

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Nigerian Twin Bombings Claim 118 Lives

The number of people killed in a twin bombing in the Nigerian city of Jos has risen to at least 118.

Police in the state of Plateau said dozens more were injured in the explosions at a bus terminal and market.

There are fears more bodies will be recovered from the wreckage of burning buildings.

One witness described hearing a "loud bang that shook my whole house" before seeing rising smoke. The blasts happened within 15 minutes of each other in the afternoon.

The explosions happened in Jos. Pic: Easymac22

They ignited fires which were still burning eight hours later, according to the National Emergency Management Agency.

Mohammed Abdulsalam, zonal coordinator for the agency, told the Associated Press news agency: "Firemen are still trying to put them out. We believe we will find more bodies."

The country's president, Goodluck Jonathan, said those behind the explosions were "cruel and evil".

He said: "The government remains fully committed to winning the war against terror, and this administration will not be cowed by the atrocities of enemies of human progress and civilisation."

The wreckage from a bombing in Kano on May 18

The Islamist sect Boko Haram is believed to be a prime suspect, although there was no immediate claim of responsibility. The group's insurgency has seen a series of bomb attacks in the north and centre of the country.

It has been widely condemned for the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from a village in the northeast of the country, which has prompted countries including the UK and the US to offer assistance in rescuing them.

The group previously said it was behind a church bombing in Jos, and two other sites, on December 25, 2011.

Jos is in an area known as the "Middle Belt", where the largely Christian south and mostly Muslim north meet.

Five people were killed when a suicide bomber struck in the northern city of Kano on Sunday.

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China Signs Russian Gas Deal 'Worth $400bn'

Is Wiley Putin Really Like Hitler?

Updated: 12:46pm UK, Wednesday 21 May 2014

By Sam Kiley, Foreign Affairs Editor

It's an opportunity for a brief snigger, a moment of international schadenfreude, the moment of guilty pleasure at someone else's misfortune - and it came all in one sentence.

In reaction to Prince Charles' comparison of Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler the Russian president's spokesman said: "I don't know anything about it. I can't really trust the Daily Mail as a source."

This offhand dismissal signals both that the heir to the British throne is irrelevant to Russia - and that the Kremlin is not to be moved, as British politicians very often are, by headlines in the UK's most powerful tabloid.

Charles' comment was made in private. It was controversial only because he said it.

His father, Prince Philip, has form for making off-the-cuff comments about foreigners that have been intended as jokes but taken too seriously.

"And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler," the Prince of Wales is reported to have said.

Hillary Clinton said much the same not long ago.

The former US Secretary of State told an audience: "The claims by president Putin and other Russians that they had to go into Crimea and maybe further into Ukraine because they had to protect Russian minorities is reminiscent of claims made back in the 1930s when Germany under the Nazis kept talking about how they had to protect German minorities in Poland, Czechoslovakia and elsewhere throughout Europe."

Prince Charles and Clinton are simply showing that they know their history.

Hitler's unopposed annexation of the Sudetenland, a German speaking part of Czechoslovakia, happened on the pretext of protecting ethnic Germans there after deliberately fomenting unrest, riots, and violent secessionist movements.

Putin has done exactly the same thing in Ukraine.

The issue is whether Russia wants to annex the vast central European country.

He needs to work out whether he has gone far enough or wants to go for broke - and he risks just that, going broke.

So his main focus this week has been on a state visit to China where he had hoped to sign a 30-year, $456bn, deal to export gas and other petrochemicals to China.

He needed this deal to offset the inevitable strategic shift by European national consumers of Russian gas to alternative supplies because Russia is no longer trusted following the annexation of the Crimea.

And Putin got it.

He landed the deal, according to the Chinese state news agency, on Wednesday.

Some 88% of Russia's total oil exports, 70% of its gas exports and 50% of its coal exports go to Europe.

They all face sanctions if Russia keeps the pressure on Ukraine with more of the destabilising tactics used by Hitler.

The Chinese deal is roughly the equivalent of Russia's current oil exports to Germany.

But he'll still be feeling smug.

Russia's play for Ukrainian territory has been as much about a land grab as it has been about weakening the European Union and the bloc's flirtation with Kiev.

He has designs on greater influence over 'Eurasia' and will be watching the EU-wide elections with great interest.

He'll be rooting for the anti-European right - for UKIP, the National Front in France, Austria's Freedom Party - all determined to leave the European Union.

A weakened EU is what Putin wants, so if anti-Europeans do well then Russia's president will enjoy yet another moment of shadenfreude - taking pleasure at the EU's misfortune.

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Ebay Users Urged To Change Their Passwords

By Tom Cheshire, Sky Technology Correspondent

Ebay has asked its users to change their passwords following a cyberattack that compromised the site's database.

The database, which was compromised between late February and early March, involved hackers infiltrating the database by accessing the log-in details of eBay employees.

The database included eBay customers' names, encrypted password, email address, physical addresses, phone numbers and dates of birth. 

However, the company says extensive tests carried out on its networks confirmed the breach had not resulted in any unauthorised activity for its users or compromise of their financial data. 

Ebay said it was "best practice" for users to change their passwords as it would "help enhance security for eBay users".

The company first learnt of the initial break-in two weeks ago, and a subsequent forensic analysis confirmed that a customer database had also been compromised.

The company said it has seen no increase in fraudulent activity since the hack. Paypal - which eBay owns - is unaffected, and it runs from a different database, according to the company.

"Working with law enforcement and leading security experts, the company is aggressively investigating the matter and applying the best forensics tools and practices to protect customers," eBay said in a statement.

Customers of eBay who use the same password for other websites should change their passwords on all sites.

The new cyberattack is only the latest in a recent string of high profile incidents. In February, the details of 2,200 Tesco clubcards were leaked online. Last year, US retailer Target lost the credit card details of 40 million customers.

A recent Verizon report found 1,367 serious data breaches in 2013, dubbed "the year of the retailer breach", saying it was a year of "large-scale attacks on payment card systems."

David Emm, a senior security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, said:  "It's difficult to quantify the danger customers may be in following the eBay cyberattack, but of course any personal data in the wrong hands is bad news and it appears that the attackers have gained access to customers' names, email addresses, physical addresses, phone numbers and dates of birth, as well as encrypted passwords.

"The fact that this attack took place two to three months ago means the attackers have had additional time with which to attempt to decrypt the stolen passwords as well as make use of the other personal data.

"On the face of it, it looks as though eBay has been slow to respond, but if the company has only just discovered the full extent of the attack it is now doing the right thing by notifying customers in a timely manner."

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Marine Missing After Falling From Aircraft

Military personnel and sheriff's deputies are searching a remote area of North Carolina for a US Marine who is believed to have fallen from an aircraft.

The Marine fell from an Osprey aircraft, which can take off like a helicopter and fly like an airplane, near White Lake, in the eastern part of the state on Monday.

It is not clear what caused the unnamed serviceman to fall.

The aircraft was based Marine Corps Air Station New River, about 45 miles away from where the Marine went missing.

WITN quoted Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point spokesman Mike Barton as saying: "While the cause of the mishap is under investigation, our first priority is to locate our missing comrade.

"We ask that everyone keeps this Marine in their prayers and that you do nothing to hinder the efforts of the authorities involved in the search."

The Osprey is a multi-mission aircraft that has been used both in relief efforts, such as in the Philippines in the wake of a devastating typhoon, and in combat operations.

Former Marine Lance Corporal Dustin Pennycuff tells Sky News that personnel aboard Ospreys would typically be strapped in while the aircraft's rotors were tilted forward.

He said Marines would remove the straps as the rotors tilted skyward for hovering during tactical insurgency exercises.

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Thailand Army Declares Martial Law After Unrest

Timeline Of Thai Political Crisis

Updated: 11:15am UK, Tuesday 20 May 2014

Thailand has a long history of political unrest with the army staging at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.

The latest crisis has its roots in the 2006 military overthrow of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was embroiled in a telecoms corruption scandal.

September 2006: Thailand's armed forces oust Thaksin in a bloodless coup and impose martial law.

December 2007: The People Power Party made up of Thaksin's allies, wins elections and forms a coalition government.

May 2008: Royalist anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts relaunch street protests that led to the 2006 coup.

September 2008: State of emergency declared after clashes between pro and anti-government groups leave one person dead and dozens wounded.

Constitutional Court strips Thaksin-allied prime minister Samak Sundaravej of his powers, ruling he illegally accepted payments for hosting TV cooking shows. Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat takes his place.

October 2008: Clashes between police and demonstrators leave two people dead and nearly 500 wounded.

Court sentences Thaksin in his absence to two years in jail for corruption after he flees the country.

November-December, 2008: Thousands of Yellow Shirts blockade Bangkok's airports. State of emergency imposed for nearly two weeks.

December 2008: Constitutional Court dissolves Somchai's party, forcing him from office. British-born Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrats becomes premier in a parliamentary vote with army backing.

January-March 2009: Red Shirts loyal to Thaksin stage mass protests in the capital against Abhisit's government.

April 2009: Red Shirts storm an Asian summit in the beach resort of Pattaya, forcing the evacuation of regional leaders. Riots and a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok ensue, leaving two people dead.

March 2010: Tens of thousands of Red Shirts begin rolling demonstrations calling for Abhisit's government to step down, saying it is elitist and undemocratic.

April-May 2010: Street clashes between Red Shirt protesters and armed troops leave more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians, in the country's worst civil unrest in decades.

July 3 2011: Thaksin's allies sweep to power in elections on a wave of support from their Red Shirt followers.

August 2011: Parliament elects Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck Shinawatra as Thailand's first female prime minister.

November 2012: Police fire tear gas at demonstrators as clashes erupt at the first major street protests against Ms Yingluck's government.

October 2013: Protests break out against an amnesty bill which critics say is aimed at allowing Thaksin - who went into self-imposed exile to avoid jail for a corruption conviction - to return home and escape prison.

November 2013: Opposition protesters occupy the finance and foreign ministries demanding Ms Yingluck resign.

December 2013: Police use water cannon and tear gas on protesters who storm the government and police headquarters. Opposition politicians resign en masse from parliament.

Ms Yingluck calls early elections as demonstrators return to the streets. Opposition announces a poll boycott.

February 2, 2014: Opposition demonstrators prevent 10,000 polling stations from opening for the election.

March 21, 2014: Constitutional Court declares February elections invalid.

April 30, 2014: Government announces new elections for July 20.

May 7, 2014: Constitutional Court removes Ms Yingluck and several cabinet ministers from office. New caretaker premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan appointed by remainder of cabinet.

May 15, 2014: The Election Commission says a general election scheduled for July 20 is "no longer possible" as polls cannot be held without the support of the protesters.

May 20, 2014: Army declares martial law, stressing the move "is not a coup".

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Is Coup Number 19 On The Cards For Thailand?

Timeline Of Thai Political Crisis

Updated: 11:15am UK, Tuesday 20 May 2014

Thailand has a long history of political unrest with the army staging at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.

The latest crisis has its roots in the 2006 military overthrow of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was embroiled in a telecoms corruption scandal.

September 2006: Thailand's armed forces oust Thaksin in a bloodless coup and impose martial law.

December 2007: The People Power Party made up of Thaksin's allies, wins elections and forms a coalition government.

May 2008: Royalist anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts relaunch street protests that led to the 2006 coup.

September 2008: State of emergency declared after clashes between pro and anti-government groups leave one person dead and dozens wounded.

Constitutional Court strips Thaksin-allied prime minister Samak Sundaravej of his powers, ruling he illegally accepted payments for hosting TV cooking shows. Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat takes his place.

October 2008: Clashes between police and demonstrators leave two people dead and nearly 500 wounded.

Court sentences Thaksin in his absence to two years in jail for corruption after he flees the country.

November-December, 2008: Thousands of Yellow Shirts blockade Bangkok's airports. State of emergency imposed for nearly two weeks.

December 2008: Constitutional Court dissolves Somchai's party, forcing him from office. British-born Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrats becomes premier in a parliamentary vote with army backing.

January-March 2009: Red Shirts loyal to Thaksin stage mass protests in the capital against Abhisit's government.

April 2009: Red Shirts storm an Asian summit in the beach resort of Pattaya, forcing the evacuation of regional leaders. Riots and a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok ensue, leaving two people dead.

March 2010: Tens of thousands of Red Shirts begin rolling demonstrations calling for Abhisit's government to step down, saying it is elitist and undemocratic.

April-May 2010: Street clashes between Red Shirt protesters and armed troops leave more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians, in the country's worst civil unrest in decades.

July 3 2011: Thaksin's allies sweep to power in elections on a wave of support from their Red Shirt followers.

August 2011: Parliament elects Thaksin's youngest sister Yingluck Shinawatra as Thailand's first female prime minister.

November 2012: Police fire tear gas at demonstrators as clashes erupt at the first major street protests against Ms Yingluck's government.

October 2013: Protests break out against an amnesty bill which critics say is aimed at allowing Thaksin - who went into self-imposed exile to avoid jail for a corruption conviction - to return home and escape prison.

November 2013: Opposition protesters occupy the finance and foreign ministries demanding Ms Yingluck resign.

December 2013: Police use water cannon and tear gas on protesters who storm the government and police headquarters. Opposition politicians resign en masse from parliament.

Ms Yingluck calls early elections as demonstrators return to the streets. Opposition announces a poll boycott.

February 2, 2014: Opposition demonstrators prevent 10,000 polling stations from opening for the election.

March 21, 2014: Constitutional Court declares February elections invalid.

April 30, 2014: Government announces new elections for July 20.

May 7, 2014: Constitutional Court removes Ms Yingluck and several cabinet ministers from office. New caretaker premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan appointed by remainder of cabinet.

May 15, 2014: The Election Commission says a general election scheduled for July 20 is "no longer possible" as polls cannot be held without the support of the protesters.

May 20, 2014: Army declares martial law, stressing the move "is not a coup".

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Moscow Train Collision Leaves 'Several Dead'

At least five people have been killed after a freight train crashed into a passenger train near the Russian capital, Moscow.

The side of one carriage of the passenger train was ripped open in the collision on the Bekasovo-Nara line, near the town of Naro-Fominsk and 24 miles from central Moscow.

Viktor Yatsenko, an emergencies ministry official, said 45 people had been hurt, 15 of them seriously.

Itar-Tass reported that police had said 16 carriages on the freight train derailed and smashed into the passenger train.

The scene of the crash near Bekasovo station

One of the drivers of the passenger train was quoted by RIA as saying: "We tried to use an emergency brake.

"We couldn't see anything ahead, there was lots of dust. Visibility was zero."

Three carriages holding people on the passenger train, which was en route from Chisnau in Moldova to Moscow, reportedly overturned.

Russian television footage showed passengers clambering from a train that was tilting over a grassy bank.

Rescue co-ordinator Vadim Andronov told Itar-Tass that the death toll was likely to rise.

"One of the carriages of the passenger train was crushed by the freight train wagons," he said.

"Rescuers are working to pull out injured people being crushed by the wagon."

It was no immediately clear what caused the collision.

Service on the line has been suspended.

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UK Firefighters Join Floods Rescue In Balkans

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correspondent in Bijeljina, Bosnia

British firefighters are providing a "lifeline" for flood survivors in the Balkans' worst natural disaster in living memory.

A team of 33 men and women from all over the UK have been working around the clock near the devastated communities close to the Bosnian city of Bijeljina.

The crews have been helping in small rural villages and have pulled 142 people to safety since they arrived.

Three men waiting to be rescued at a block of flats

Team leader Nick Searle from Merseyside Fire and Rescue told Sky News: "It is a huge job but we have an enormous amount of experience between us.

"This is the first time we have been deployed to an overseas flooding disaster and we have brought four inflatable boats and have set up a command and control base."

Inside one of the villages, one resident said the British crews were the first outsiders they had seen.

It will be a long time before the flood water recedes

Cheshire firefighter Paul Bickerton told Sky News: "The area that is underwater is staggering - as is the isolation.

"When they are thanking you for saving their lives it is brilliant to see."

Lincolnshire firefighter Chris Lowe has worked in the recent flooding in Somerset and the Thames Valley, but said: "This is on a different level. Some locals have decided to stay in their homes.

Men feed pigs stranded on the roof of a house

"In one village a family have decided to stay in their flooded bakery with three young children. They are stranded but it is their livelihood so they are adamant they want to stay."

The British team dropped off water, milk and some sweets for the young children.

"We are their only link to the outside world," Mr Lowe added.

The fire crews expect to be working in the villages for another week but the recovery in the disaster zones will take far longer.

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North Korea Apology After Apartments Collapse

An apartment building housing around 90 families has collapsed in North Korea, potentially killing hundreds of people.

State officials offered a rare public apology after the collapse, saying the accident was "serious" and had upset leader Kim Jong-Un.

A report from North Korea's Central News Agency said the apartment block was under construction in capital Pyongyang when the collapse happened on Tuesday but gave no details of the numbers killed or injured.

A North Korea official salutes in front of residents at the site

The report said it occurred in the Phyongchon district on Tuesday "as the construction of an apartment house was not done properly and officials supervised and controlled it in an irresponsible manner".

In South Korea a government official speaking on condition of anonymity said the 23-story apartment building was presumed to have housed 92 families.

That could mean that the casualties could run into hundreds because a typical North Korean family has four members.

It is not unusual for people to start living in apartments before the construction is complete.

According to state media, the rescue operation ended on Saturday and officials apologised to bereaved families and district residents.

The report cited one official as saying Kim Jong-Un "sat up all night, feeling painful after being told about the accident".

The authoritarian regime's tightly-controlled media rarely report news that might be considered negative.

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Evacuations After Violent Anti-China Protests

Beijing has evacuated more than 3,000 of its citizens from Vietnam amid violent anti-China protests triggered by a flare-up over disputed land.

Chartered flights and ships have been used to get the nationals home, while 16 critically injured people were evacuated separately on a medical flight.

Vietnam's communist rulers have vowed to clamp down on the violence, and several arrests have been made in the capital Hanoi and commercial hub Ho Chi Minh City.

The protests were triggered after Chinese state energy firm CNOOC deployed dozens of ships two weeks ago and towed a $1bn (£590m) oil rig to a location 150 miles off Vietnam's coast in an area both counties claim.

Some 3,000 Chinese nationals have been transported home

That part of the South China Sea bed is believed to contain billions of barrels of oil.

US officials in Washington have described China's action as provocative, and said Beijing's fraught relations with neighbours could potentially strain ties with the US.

Protests involving hundreds of people were allowed to go ahead in Vietnamese cities a week ago, a rare move in a state that usually suppresses them.

However, the protests quickly escalated into looting, arson and destruction.

Fighting between Vietnamese and Chinese workers broke out in central Ha Tinh province on Wednesday killing two people and wounding 140, the government said.

However, a doctor and an eyewitness said they saw between 13 and 21 dead bodies, mostly Chinese, on the night of the unrest.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry updated its travel advice for Vietnam on Sunday, telling Chinese citizens "not to go for the time being".

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Mining Bosses Arrested After Turkish Tragedy

Police have detained 18 people, including mining company executives, as part of an investigation into Turkey's mine disaster.

A preliminary report on the accident, which was obtained by the Milliyet newspaper, pointed to safety violations in the mine, including a shortage of carbon monoxide detectors and support beams made of wood instead of metal.

The tragedy occurred in Soma, 300 miles south-west of Istanbul, on Tuesday when a fire sent deadly carbon monoxide through the mine, operated by Soma Komur.

Bosses deny any negligence.

"We have all worked very hard," said general director Akin Celik. "I have not seen such an incident in 20 years."

Relatives mourn beside a grave in Soma

The Dogan news agency says Mr Celik was among those detained, along with general manager Ramazan Dogru.

Two final bodies were carried out of the mine on Saturday as the rescue operation ended, taking the number of dead to 301.

The tragedy triggered protests across the country about poor industry safety procedures.

Riot police used tear gas and water cannon on protesters in Soma on Friday as several thousands gathered amid intensifying anger with the government.

Officers then set up checkpoints and arrested dozens on Saturday to try to enforce a ban on protests. Security remained tight on Sunday.

Families dispute the death toll and have accused the government of a cover-up to hide the true scale of the disaster.

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Balkans: Worst Floods In A Century Kill 44

The worst floods to hit the Balkans in more than a century have killed at least 44 people, and there are fears that number could rise further as water recedes from deluged towns and cities.

Tens of thousands have fled their homes in Bosnia and Serbia after three months of rain fell on the region in just three days.

Hundreds have also been evacuated in Croatia, where one person has died.

Boats and helicopters have been used to evacuate those affected by floodwaters, which reached the second floor of homes in some parts of Bosnia, where 27 have died.

People receive food in the flooded town of Obrenovac

Security Ministry spokesman Admir Malagic said approximately a million people, more than a quarter of the population, live in the affected area.

Bakir Izetbegovic, the chairman of Bosnia's three-man presidency, said the country was facing a "horrible catastrophe".

In the eastern town of Bijeljina, around 100,000 people were evacuated on Saturday after flood defences were unable to hold back the rain-swollen Sava River.

Mayor Mico Micic said: "We need everything, we are under water."

Boats and helicopters are being used to rescue people

The rain has also caused almost 300 landslides, burying dozens of houses and cars.

Many have lost homes they have only just finished rebuilding after the 1992-95 war which killed 100,000 people and devastated the country.

Mines from that conflict litter Bosnia's mountains, and many warning signs have been swept away, increasing the risk of deadly accidents.

More than 15,000 people have been evacuated in Serbia, where 16 people have died.    

Many people have lost homes rebuilt after the 1992-95 war

Most of those who have fled their homes have found shelter in schools and sports halls.

Soldiers and emergency crews are using boats and helicopters to rescue thousands of people trapped in the town of Obrenovac, near the capital, Belgrade.              

The flooding there is threatening the country's biggest power plant, Nikola Tesla.

Capacity at the plant has already been cut after a coal mine nearby was submerged.

A man peers over at the high level of the Sava river in Sremska Mitrovica

Residents of the nearby town of Baric have also been ordered to leave immediately, with many leaving on buses and military trucks.

There was a slight respite for some parts of the country on Saturday when the rain eased, but Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic warned a new flood wave on the Sava will hit on Sunday evening.

"Our primary concern is to protect the power plant," he said.

"We are doing all we can."

Thousands of volunteers have been bused in from all over the country after responding to a government appeal to help build flood defences along the river.

People build a dam of sandbags by the Sava river

Residents have used social media to help collect food, blankets and clothes for crisis-hit areas.

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has appealed for people to help. He wrote on his Twitter account: "Support for everyone! Let's help the endangered! Join the aid action!"

Both countries have appealed for international help and many European Union countries have sent equipment and emergency crews.

A Russian team has joined the rescue effort and a team from the UK was expected to arrive by the end of the day.

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Libya: Rogue General Launches Parliament Attack

Gunmen loyal to a rogue general have stormed the Libyan parliament after bombarding the building with rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft weapons.

Heavy smoke was seen coming from the building in the country's capital, Tripoli.

A spokesman for General Khalifa Haftar said his forces were responsible for the raid.

Mohammed al Hegazi told the television channel Alahrar it was carried out in order to arrest Islamists, but General Haftar's forces were met with resistance.

"These are members of the Libyan National Army," he said, using the name of the irregular forces commanded by Gen Haftar.

Al Hegazi called the parliament the "heart of the crisis" in Libya, and added: "This parliament is what supports these extremist Islamist entities.

"The aim was to arrest these Islamist bodies who wear the cloak of politics."

MP Omar Bushah told the Reuters news agency the gunmen had stormed offices in the General National Congress and set it on fire.

Gen Haftar's forces have been fighting militants in Benghazi

A journalist from the Associated Press reported seeing militias armed with machine-gun mounted vehicles near the building.

Roads leading to parliament have been sealed off and residents were seen rushing home.

The parliament is split between Islamist and non-Islamist forces who have argued over choosing a new government and holding fresh elections.

A security official said the gunmen have also shelled a nearby military base controlled by an Islamist militia.

The Al Qaaqaa and Sawaaq militias are both based near the parliament. They operate under the government's mandate but support non-Islamist political forces.

Gen Hafter is waging an offensive against militants in Libya's second largest city, Benghazi.

Authorities have accused him of carrying out a coup, but Gen Hafter has said they have no mandate and has vowed to continue.

Fighting in Benghazi broke out on Friday, leaving 70 people dead.

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