Severed Hand Saved By Being Sewn To Ankle

A man who lost his right hand in an accident at work has had it successfully reattached after doctors grafted it to his ankle for a month.

Xiao Wei underwent reattachment surgery in Changsha, Hunan province, after badly injuring himself in November.

Initially, doctors said they would be unable to save his limb.

Mr Wei said: "I was just shocked and frozen to the spot, until colleagues unplugged the machine and retrieved my hand and took me to the hospital.

Xiao Wei is hopting to regain full function of his hand

"I am still young, and I couldn't imagine life without a right hand."

However, doctors at a larger hospital offered a solution and opted to sew the hand to the ankle to stop it dying while they treated his other injuries.

Wei's doctor told Rex Features: "His injury was severe. Besides ripping injuries, his arm was also flattened. We had to clear and treat his injuries before taking on the hand reattachment surgery."

Nearly a month after his hand was severed, Wei had recovered sufficiently to undergo reattachment surgery.

According to doctors he will need to undergo several other procedures, but they are hopeful that he will regain full function of his hand.

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Riviera Bones Not From Missing Stephane Hirson

A pile of human bones found off the French Riviera do not include the remains of a missing Parisian teenager as previously thought, according to investigators.

Police said in November that DNA tests indicated that the remains of vulnerable 17-year-old Stephane Hirson, who disappeared from his home near Paris in 1994, were among the bones of at least four people discovered by an amateur diver in the sea close to the resort of Antibes.

But now the prosecutors' office in Grasse, which is leading a murder investigation into the case, said new tests had disproved that.

The bones include the remains of two men and two women.

The remains were found by a diver in the sea close to the resort of Antibes

Among them was a skull that had a target sign drawn on it, together with the words "death to paedophiles" written in indelible ink.

"In the end the DNA of the bone found at Antibes does not correspond to that of the young Hirson," prosecutor Georges Gutierrez said in a statement.

Tests based on the DNA of Stephane's mother had initially indicated the bones were his, but later tests on samples taken from his father showed this was not the case.

The development leaves investigators with few leads in a case that has fascinated France, following the discovery of the bones in February.

Police recovered the remains after they were found by the diver who was searching for sea urchins just off the rocky Cap d'Antibes coastline.

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Harvard Evacuated Over 'Explosives On Campus'

Staff and students have been evacuated from Harvard University after "unconfirmed reports of explosives" on campus.

The Ivy League institution has issued a warning about "unconfirmed reports" of explosives at four of its buildings.

Police, the bomb squad and bomb-sniffing dogs are on site at the Cambridge, Massachusetts, campus and searches of the buildings are taking place.

CNS News reports that police received the report by email.

Police gather at one of the affected buildings. Pic: Harvard Crimson

A statement on the university's website said: "The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) this morning received an unconfirmed report that explosives may have been placed in four buildings on campus -  the Science Center, Thayer, Sever and Emerson Halls.

"HUPD and Cambridge Police are on the scene. Out of an abundance of caution, the buildings have been evacuated while the report is investigated. 

"Harvard's focus is on the safety of our students, faculty and staff.  We will update the media when we have more information."

Firefighters outside a gate at Harvard Yard

The school, where final exams have begun, posted alerts on its emergency page and Twitter account.

One student said she was preparing to start an exam when a fire alarm went off and everyone was ordered to leave the hall.

Freshman Hamidah Mahmud said: "We were about to take our science final in the Science Center. We had our pencils out, we were about to start it and right when he was about to say 'go' the fire alarm started and they evacuated everyone.

Police cordoned off Science Center plaza. Pic: Harvard Crimson

"Because the Boston bombings happened so recently, I think they are taking extra precautions.

"It was pretty scary."

The Harvard Crimson newspaper reported that students have been moved to Annenberg Hall, one of the college's main eateries.

Students taking exams were moved to Annenberg Hall. Pic: Harvard Crimson

The paper said that Harvard dean of undergraduate education Jay Harris told those assembled in the hall that the morning's final exams had been cancelled.

Transport police carried out a sweep of Harvard's subway station, but it was not closed or evacuated, according to the Boston Globe.

Harvard's main campus covers 209 acres in a heavily-populated area, around 5km from downtown Boston.

More follows...

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Arizona Wildfire: Hotshot's Call For Help

By Toby Sadler, Sky News Reporter

A crew of 19 firefighters killed in a catastrophic Arizona wildfire can be heard desperately radioing in for help before their deaths in newly released recordings.

A helmet cam on one fireman picked up the audio as well as footage which showed the blaze bearing down on the Granite Mountain Hotshots team as they faced a 100ft wall of flames.

"Breaking in on Arizona 16, Granite Mountain Hotshots, we are in front of the flaming front," one member said as they realised they were in trouble in Yarnell Hill last summer.

The recordings were released after an investigation revealed commanders made numerous mistakes managing the wildfire that also destroyed more than 100 homes.

Moments before the hotshots deployed their fire shelters, they called for water-dropping aircraft: "Air Attack, Granite Mountain 7!"

The response was: "Okay ... unit that's hollerin' in the radio, I need you to quit, and ... break, Operations Bravo 33."

But fire commanders did not even know where the hotshots were.

Only one of the Granite Mountain Hotshots crew survived

"So you're on the south side of the fire then? We've got several aircraft coming to you. We'll see if we can't take care of business for you."

Deborah Pfingston, the mother of firefighter Andrew Ashcraft, who died, said: "It shows confusion and that's heart-breaking."

The last dispatch from the Hotshots came from the group's leader Eric Marsh.

He said: "Yeah, I'm here with Granite Mountain Hotshots, our escape route has been cut off.

Audio and video recordings have been released

"We are preparing a deployment site and we are burned out around ourselves in the brush and I'll give you a call when we are under the shelters."

At 4.38pm that day - June 30 - there was a call from dispatch.

"Division Alpha, Bravo 33. Do you hear a helicopter?" But there was no reply.

"Little by little the truth is coming out," said Mr Ashcraft's wife Juliann.

However, to Ms Pfingston the recordings also provide some comfort.

"These guys were working to save each other to the very last moment, and that is commendable," she said.

Brendan McDonough was the sole survivor of the crew

Only one of the elite crew, 21-year-old Brendan McDonough, survived the blaze.

He was on a hilltop as a lookout and warned his crew the weather was changing rapidly.

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Mandela Funeral: End Of 'Extraordinary Journey'

Nelson Mandela, hailed as "Africa's greatest son" at an emotional state funeral, has been laid to rest near his childhood home.

The burial of the anti-apartheid icon followed a service attended by 4,000 mourners from across the world, at which South African President Jacob Zuma declared Mr Mandela's "extraordinary journey" was now over.

"It is the end of 95 glorious years of this freedom fighter, a dedicated and humble servant of the people of South Africa," he said during a poignant speech.

Mr Mandela's coffin is carried along a hilltop overlooking Qunu village

"He was a fountain of wisdom, a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope for all those fighting for a just world order."

In contrast to the funeral, held in a huge tent at Mr Mandela's ancestral home of Qunu, in South Africa's Eastern Cape, the burial service was a smaller affair.

Several hundred of Mr Mandela's family and closest friends gathered at the grave site, as military jets and helicopters performed a fly past.

Television cameras cut away as officials lowered his body into the ground.

Earlier, Mr Mandela's coffin was carried to the funeral on a military carriage and covered with the South African flag, as a 21-gun salute echoed around his childhood home.

It was placed in front of a stage, on which 95 candles - one for each year of his life - were lit and a huge portrait of the smiling former president was displayed.

Mourners heard from political leaders, Mr Mandela's family and some of his closest friends during an emotional service that brought both tears and laughter.

Mr Mandela's family and South Africa's president sit beside his coffin

Ahmed Kathrada, who was imprisoned on Robben Island for 26 years with Mr Mandela, gave a memorable speech, recalling a man he described as his "elder brother".

Speaking directly to his friend, he said: "What can we say ... in these, our last, final moments together?

"Your abundant reserves of love, simplicity, honesty, service, humility, care, courage, foresight, patience, tolerance, equality and justice continually serve as a source of enormous strength to millions."

Mr Kathrada said his close friend was an "enormous" source of strength

Holding back tears, he added: "My life is in a void and I don't know who to turn to."

Hailemariam Desalegn, the Ethiopian Prime Minister and chairman of the African Union, said: "His was a life of struggle in the face of unparalleled odds. A life of suffering in the hands of malicious perpetrators of injustice. A life of perseverance in the face of challenge.

"But we are not mourning. We are celebrating humanity at its finest. We should find consolation that his legacy will live on for eternity."

Mr Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Mandela (left) and widow Graca Machel (centre)

Jakaya Kikwete, the President of Tanzania, described Mr Mandela as "our leader, our hero, our icon and our father", while Kenneth Kanda, the former president of Zambia, added: "As we go on without Madiba ... let us remember the love he had for us all. Without that, we cannot succeed."

High-profile guests included businessman Sir Richard Branson, TV chat show host Oprah Winfrey and actor Idris Elba, who plays Mr Mandela in a forthcoming film about his life, while prominent US civil rights activist Reverend Jessie Jackson and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams also made the journey.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was in the audience after earlier claiming he had not received an invitation, while the Prince of Wales attended on behalf of the Queen.

Oprah Winfrey and Sir Richard Branson attended the service

During his speech, Mr Zuma described his predecessor as a man "so great and yet so humble".

"We wish to express two simple words," he said. "Thank you. Thank you for being everything we wanted and needed in a leader during a critical period in our lives."

He added: "We'll cherish every moment we spent with you.

"You were an exceptional human being and you will remain our guiding light as we continue our journey to build the South Africa of your dreams."

Archbishop Desmond Tutu initially thought he had missed out on an invite

As the funeral was beamed to specially erected big screens on hillsides around Mr Mandela's home, warriors, dressed in their colourful tribal outfits, gathered to sing, dance and clap.

Sky's Special Correspondent Alex Crawford, in Qunu, said: "The authorities and the Mandela family have always insisted this should be a coming together of a huge, important state funeral with all its pomp and ceremony, and the traditions of Mr Mandela's tribe.

"These past 10 days have been a chance not just for local people to grieve and to mourn, but also to remember how much of a colossus this man was, both in world politics and South African history."

Members of the armed forces marched alongside Mr Mandela's coffin

Mr Mandela's body arrived in South Africa's Eastern Cape on board a military plane, escorted by two fighter jets.

Tens of thousands of people lined the roads as the funeral procession made the short journey from Mthatha airport to Qunu, although some were angry the cortege did not stop to allow them time to pay their respects.

Preparations for service - the first ever state funeral in South Africa - were also marred by a public spat between the country's government and Mr Tutu, one of the most prominent survivors in the long struggle against apartheid.

A 21-gun salute heralded the arrival of Nelson Mandela's coffin

Mr Tutu, a Nobel laureate who has been critical of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, initially said he was not invited - an apparent snub denied by the government.

More than 100,000 people saw Mr Mandela's body lying in state in Pretoria over the last three days, but some had to be turned away.

The former leader, who was imprisoned for 27 years for opposing racist apartheid before emerging in 1990 to forge a new democratic South Africa, died on December 5.

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Ireland Exits Bailout As Economy Turns Around

Ireland has become the first country in the eurozone to exit a bailout programme it was forced to take when it fell on hard times.

The country's economy, previously dubbed the Celtic Tiger because of it incredible growth, needed the emergency measure because its revenues fell and expenses increased in the wake of the financial crisis.

The bailout programme allowed the country access to £72bn (85bn euros) in cash to help pay its bills.

But the ready supply of money, from the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and EU, came at a price.

Experts from the IMF, ECB and EU were able to take partial control of Ireland's economy.

It led to a period of austerity, with taxes being raised and government spending cut, resulting in thousands of public jobs being lost.

It was also viewed as a national humiliation, with the public appalled that its leaders had been forced to go 'cap in hand' to outside bodies.

The government claims that the measures have helped Ireland's economy and jobs are now being created at a faster rate than for years.

The amount of interest Ireland was paying on its government debt began to increase as uncertainty over the country's future intensified and this is widely seen as the main reason for the problems.

The rate at which it borrows money has now fallen, which has allowed it to bring public expenditure under control.

Ireland is some distance ahead of other countries that suffered a similar fate.

Portugal is predicted to complete its programme next year, but Greece could be many years away yet. Other EU countries that are not members of the euro also face controls on their economies for some time.

Despite the bailout exit, Ireland's finance minister has warned the country is not out of danger yet.

He said the signs of sustained improvement were good, but it depended on the country's economy continuing to grow.

Michael Noonan said on Friday: "This isn't the end of the road. This is a very significant milestone on the road. But we must continue with the same types of policies.

"The real heroes and heroines of this are the Irish people. People are beginning to spend. Property prices are improving... it's fragile.

"But in my view things are building well and I would hope that next year would be better for a lot of people who have made a lot of sacrifices."

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Paul Walker: Funeral For Fast And Furious Star

A small and intimate funeral has been held for Fast and Furious star Paul Walker who died two weeks ago in a car crash.

Only his loved ones were invited to the 45-minute service which his family wanted to be extremely private.

The Porsche the 45-year-old actor was a passenger in hit a pole and burst into flames in Valencia, north of Los Angeles, shortly after leaving a charity event.

The Daily Mirror reported that the ceremony was held under a green awning to avoid the glare of the sun on those attending.

A picture of the actor was put on display at the event which is understood to have been attended by his 15-year-old daughter Meadow.

His ashes were interred after the ceremony at Hollywood's Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Tyrese Gibson has paid tribute to Walker

His Fast and Furious co-stars joined extended relatives at another memorial service afterwards, according to E! Online.

Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris and Michelle Rodriguez were among about 200 who gathered to hear the actor's father Paul Walker Snr and his manager Matt Luber say a few words in tribute.

American singer-songwriter Ben Harper sang a song in the star's memory.

Afterwards, some of his co-stars posted tributes on social media.

Tyrese said on Instagram: "Today In a room full of your loved ones I wish today was your wedding instead.... God has a better plan even beyond ALL of our own understandings."

Ludacris said: "Always in our hearts…"

Ms Rodriguez added: "I said goodbye to a great man today, a man I never got to show just how much I love his spirit and his golden heart, 'stay golden pony boy'... I hope you get my tweet in heaven, ps your right; 'stop talking just do it already';) Love you Paul, your departure is fuel to my fire, well meet again, enjoy that light."

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Nelson Mandela Funeral Blog: As It Happened

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3:12pm UK, Sunday 15 December 2013

Nelson Mandela guided South Africa from the shackles of apartheid

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Shooting At Denver School Near Columbine

A gunman has killed himself after opening fire at a Denver high school near to the site of the Columbine High School massacre.

One 15-year-old student was injured at the Arapahoe High School in Centennial and is in a critical condition, according to authorities.

Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson identified the shooter as 18-year-old Karl Halverson Pierson.

Pierson entered the school with a shotgun and was looking for an individual teacher who he identified by name, said Mr Robinson.

Armed police at the school

He added: "The teacher began to understand that he was being looked at and exited the school. One student confronted the armed student and was shot."

Mr Robinson did not elaborate on any possible motive except to say Pierson had had a "confrontation or disagreement" with the teacher.

The teenager was later found with fatal self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Mr Robinson said a possible Molotov cocktail was also found at the scene.

Pupils were led out of the building with their hands in the air by police officers after the shooting, which began at 12.30pm local time. All the schools in the area are on lockdown as a result. 

One student told the Denver Post: "I was scared and shaking." She added that she heard, "bang, bang, bang" and by the third shot was on the ground.

Youngsters told the newspaper they hid in the corners of dark classrooms until police SWAT teams arrived.  

A student is reunited with her father after the shooting

The school is about eight miles (13km) east of Columbine High School in Littleton, where two teenage shooters killed 12 classmates and a teacher before killing themselves in 1999.

Tracy Monroe, who had step-siblings who attended Columbine, was standing outside the high school looking at her phone, reading text messages from her 15-year-old daughter inside.

She said she got the first text from her daughter, Jade Stanton, at 12.41pm. The text read: "There's sirens. It's real. I love you."

A few minutes later, Jade texted "shots were fired in our school".

Ms Monroe rushed to the school and was relieved when Jade texted that a police officer entered her classroom and that she was safe.

Ms Monroe was friends with a teacher killed in the Columbine shooting, Dave Carpenter.

"We didn't think it could happen in Colorado then, either," she said.

Some 2,141 students attend the school, which has 70 classrooms.

The attack comes almost one year after 20 children and six adults were killed in a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown.

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Mandela Funeral: Tutu 'Heartbroken At Snub'

Desmond Tutu is said to be "heartbroken" after he was apparently left off the guest list for the funeral of his close friend Nelson Mandela.

The 82-year-old retired archbishop said he received "no indication" he had been invited to the burial service.

He worked closely with the former South African president in his long struggle against apartheid and welcomed Mr Mandela into his home after his fellow campaigner's release from jail.

"Much as I would have loved to attend the service to say a final farewell to someone I loved and treasured, it would have been disrespectful to Tata to gatecrash what was billed as a private family funeral," he said.

Contradicting President Jacob Zuma's claim that he was "definitely" on the guest list, Mr Tutu added: "Had I or my office been informed that I would be be welcome, there is no way on Earth that I would have missed it."

The apparent exclusion of the Nobel Peace Prize winner has led to speculation he is being punished for vocal criticism of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party.

Don Mullan, who travelled from Ireland to South Africa as Mr Tutu's photographer, told Sky News the veteran campaigner is "grieving very, very much" and deserved to be at the event.

"The world needs Desmond Tutu to be here to say goodbye to his old friend," he said.

"This is about Madiba, it's about South Africa and it's about two very important peacemakers saying farewell to each other."

Mr Mullan, who said he will refuse to attend the service in protest against the apparent omission of Mr Tutu, said there was "great confusion" but also "great sadness" at his absence.

"Mr Tutu was the one who kept the flame of freedom alive when Mr Mandela and other campaigners were in prison or in exile," he said.

"He is the one Mr Mandela spent his first night of freedom with and the one he and Graca Machel asked to assist at their wedding."

Zelda la Grange, a former private secretary to Mr Mandela, said South Africa's first black president was "very fond" of the man he affectionately called "The Arch".

"Madiba really adored him," she said. "He respected him, he loved him - there was a very close relationship."

Mr Mandela will be buried in his childhood home of Qutu following South Africa's first state funeral.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Mthatha, as his body was driven towards its final resting place.

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