Israel Bombs Gaza After Teenagers Found Dead

Israeli fighter jets have bombed dozens of sites in the Gaza Strip hours after vowing to take revenge on the killers of three teenagers.

Soldiers also demolished the West Bank homes of two main suspects in the murders of the kidnapped trio.

A man was shot dead after allegedly throwing a grenade at troops attempting to arrest a militant in the Jenin refugee camp.

A fireball rises above Rafah, southern Gaza, following an Israeli airstrike

The Israeli teenagers' bodies were found under a pile of rocks in an isolated spot near Hebron, three weeks after they went missing.

Eyal Yifrach, 19, and 16-year-olds Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frenkel disappeared on June 12 while hitchhiking home from the Jewish school where they were studying.

Their bodies were found by soldiers after the biggest Israeli ground operation inside the West Bank in nearly a decade.

Soldiers walk away from the Hebron home of one of the kidnap suspsects

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the Islamic militant group Hamas for the atrocity and said the teenagers were "kidnapped and murdered in cold blood by human animals".

"Hamas is responsible and Hamas will pay," he said.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, has denied any involvement in the kidnappings, although a spokesman said: "Threats don't scare Hamas and if (Mr Netanyahu) wages a war on Gaza, the gates of hell will open on him."

An adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the country was committed to peace so that "no mother or no family will be bereaved for the loss of their beloved ones, (whether) Palestinian or Israeli."

One of Amer Abu Eisheh's relatives walks through the shell of his home

However, Mark Regev, a spokesman for the Israeli government, told Sky News: "President Abbas says he's committed to peace, reconciliation and fighting terrorism, and yet he's in an alliance with terrorists who kidnap and murder children.

"When he chose to form a pact with Hamas, he was turning his back on his own commitment to fighting terrorism.

"Hamas is part of a family of terrorist movements, such as Hizbollah in Lebanon and Isis in Iraq, who are well known for their violence and their extremism.

Demonstrators march near the UN headquarters in New York

"President Abbas has to decide whether he's with them or with the path of peace and reconciliation."

About 400 suspected Hamas militants were arrested as Israeli air strikes hit 34 targets inside the Gaza Strip.

The homes of chief suspects Marwan Qawasmeh and Amer Abu Eisheh, who are still on the run, were also destroyed, witnesses told the AFP news agency.

Israeli security officials are expected to discuss possible further military action after an emergency meeting on Monday.

Overnight, thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv's central Rabin Square, close to where the teenagers were abducted, to sing, pray and light candles.

It came as Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the "despicable terrorist act" as an "outrage beyond any understanding or rationale".

"As a father, there are no words to express such a horrific loss that shakes all people of conscience," he added.

US President Barack Obama said the murders were "senseless" but warned against retribution that "could further destabilise the situation".

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World Cup: Cameroon Hit By Match-Fixing Claims

Cameroon is to investigate claims that seven of its players were involved in match-fixing at the World Cup in Brazil.

A statement by the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) said the probe would be conducted by its Ethics Committee.

The investigation comes after a convicted Singaporean match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal accurately predicted the score before Cameroon's 4-0 defeat by Croatia on June 18, according to German magazine Der Spiegel.

Song gets his marching orders

The report said he also predicted a Cameroon player would be sent off in the first half of the game.

Midfielder Alex Song, who plays for Barcelona, was subsequently dismissed during the opening 45 minutes for elbowing Mario Mandzukic.

Cameroon also lost their two other Group A matches - beaten 1-0 by Mexico and 4-1 by Brazil.

"Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon's three 2014 World Cup games, especially Cameroon v Croatia, as well as the existence of seven bad apples (in our national team), do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration," FECAFOOT said. 

"We wish to inform the general public that, though not yet contacted by Fifa in regards to this affair, our administration has already instructed its Ethics Committee to further investigate these accusations.

"We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays."

The statement added that Cameroon football has never been sanctioned for fraud.

Cameroon line up for the Coatia game

"We wish to reinstate that in fifty-five (55) years of existence, FECAFOOT has never been sanctioned for, involved in, or even linked to match-fixing or any fraud of any kind," it said.

Cameroon's match against Croatia was also marred by an incident in the second half when defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto appeared to headbutt team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo.

FECAFOOT subsequently launched an investigation into the incident but have yet to report the outcome.

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Nicolas Sarkozy Held In Corruption Inquiry

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is being held for questioning over suspected "influence peddling".

Detectives want to know if he promised a top role in Monaco to a high-ranking judge for information about an investigation into alleged illegal campaign funding.

They are looking into claims that Mr Sarkozy was warned his phone was being bugged as part of the funding probe.

The judge, Gilbert Azibert, a senior appeal court judge, was called in for questioning on Monday.

A second judge, Patrick Sassoust, was also quizzed, along with Mr Sarkozy's lawyer Thierry Herzog.

Mr Sarkosy arrives at the police station for questioning

The alleged illegal funding campaign is said to have been funded by the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Mr Sarkozy, 59, is being quizzed by detectives at their offices in Nanterre, west of Paris.

It is the first time a former head of state had been held for questioning in modern French history.

The conservative politician denies wrongdoing in a string of inquiries which could derail his hopes of a comeback after his 2012 presidential election defeat by Francois Hollande.

Mr Sarkozy has been out of power since 2012. File image

Asked about the matter, French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said Mr Sarkozy was "subject to justice just like everyone else."

Suspicions Mr Sarkozy and his lawyer kept tabs on the funding probe through well-connected informants arose after a legal phone-tappng operation.

The case is one of six involving Mr Sarkozy, including a new one this year into alleged irregularities in his unsuccessful 2012 election campaign.

In March last year Mr Sarkozy was placed under formal investigation, accused of accepting envelopes stuffed with cash from heiress Liliane Bettencourt to illegally finance his 2007 election campaign.

Lilliane Bettencourt

However, he was later cleared of taking unfair advantage of Ms Bettencourt, who is 91 and France's richest woman. 

The L'Oreal heiress was diagnosed with dementia in 2006 and was placed under the guardianship of her family in 2011.

Mr Sarkozy lost his immunity from prosecution when he was beaten in the 2012 presidential election by his Socialist opponent.

Since then he has had to contend with a string of allegations relating to his five years in power and various election campaigns.

If he is charged and found guilty of  "influence peddling", he could face up to 10 years in jail.

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British Schoolboy Dies In Alps Waterfall Plunge

By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter

A British teenager has died after a canyoning accident in the Italian Alps.

The 15-year-old boy, who has not been named, suffered serious injuries after it is believed he hit rocks near to a waterfall.

A helicopter was scrambled to the scene and paramedics battled to save him while his shocked friends looked on.

The tragedy happened at Lillaz, near Cogne, close to Mount Blanc on the Italian-French border just after 4pm on Sunday afternoon.

Weather conditions were said to be poor.

Police in Courmayeur were questioning members of the dead boy's party to establish what happened.

The group were believed to be part of an organised school trip and had arrived earlier in the day by bus from a nearby campsite.

Officials said the group was taking part in an organised canyoning trip and the boy died after suffering fatal injuries while moving between pools of water.

A police spokesman said the victim was wearing a helmet and wetsuit when he got into difficulty but the exact circumstances of how he died were still being investigated.

A mountain rescue spokesman said: "He was in a group with a number of other British children and adults.

"I'm not sure if it was a school party or some other organised trip. He was wearing a helmet and suit and appears to have got into some sort of difficulty while jumping between the waterfalls that are there in the river.

"The initial theory is that he smashed into some sort of obstruction. Paramedics were quickly on the scene and they tried for an hour to revive him but there was nothing they could do. He was declared dead at the scene."

The party was staying at a campsite in nearby Villeneuve.

A receptionist who answered the telephone said: "Everyone is really shocked. We don't really want to say anything else for the time being."

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are aware of an incident involving a British national in Italy, and stand ready to provide consular assistance."

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North Korea To Try US Pair Over 'Hostile Acts'

By Mark Stone, Asia Correspondent in Beijing

North Korea is to put two detained American men on trial for "committing hostile acts" against the country.

According to the country's state news agency, KCNA, investigations into Jeffrey Edward Fowle, 56, and Matthew Todd Miller, 24, have confirmed suspicions that they planned hostile acts during their visits.

The KCNA report said their "crimes" were confirmed through an examination of evidence and through testimonies given by the two men.

However, details of their alleged crimes have not been revealed. The North Korean regime has not disclosed any evidence or hinted at when their trials might begin.

Tourists are lured to North Korea by its secrecy and mystery

Mr Miller is understood to have arrived in North Korea on a tourist visa on April 10.

According to various reports, including KCNA, Miller publicly tore up his passport at Pyongyang Airport and declared he wanted to seek asylum in North Korea.

"A relevant organ of the DPRK put in custody American Miller Matthew Todd, 24, on April 10 for his rash behaviour in the course of going through formalities for entry into the DPRK to tour it," a KCNA report stated at the time.

Mr Fowle, a 56-year-old from the US state of Ohio, arrived in the country on April 29. He was also travelling on a tourist visa.

According to diplomatic sources, he was detained after leaving a bible in his hotel room. Christian missionaries are known to be active inside the country and play a role in helping people to escape the regime.

However, Mr Fowle's family have told reporters in Ohio that he was not on a mission for his church.

Kenneth Bae has been held in North Korea since November 2012

An increasing number of tourists are choosing to travel to North Korea, lured by the country's secrecy and mystery.

All tourists must travel with specific tour groups and are tied to rigid itineraries accompanied by government minders.

In May, the US State Department changed its travel advice to US citizens, warning against all travel to North Korea.

"US citizen tourists have been subject to arbitrary arrest and long-term detention," the State Department warning says.

"North Korean authorities have arrested US citizens who entered the DPRK legally on valid DPRK visas as well as US citizens who accidentally crossed into DPRK territory.

"Do not assume that joining a group tour or use of a tour guide will prevent your arrest or detention by North Korean authorities.

"Efforts by private tour operators to prevent or resolve past detentions of US citizens in the DPRK have not succeeded in gaining their release."

The UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel but says visitors should exercise sensible precautions.

"Very few British nationals visit North Korea and those that do are usually part of an organised tour. Most visits are trouble-free. However, the North Korean authorities have arrested other legal visitors, including 2 US citizens during recent years." it says.

The US has no diplomatic ties with North Korea, presenting it with significant difficulties in gaining access to the detained men.

The Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang takes responsibility for US consular affairs in the country.

Another American, Kenneth Bae, has been held in North Korea since November 2012.

A closed North Korean court convicted him of crimes against the state and sentenced him to 15 years hard labour. To date, attempts to secure his release have failed despite his failing health.

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Pistorius 'Not Mentally Ill' As Trial Resumes

Oscar Pistorius was not mentally ill when he shot dead his girlfriend at his home and is fit to stand trial, a psychiatric report has found.

However, the results of the month-long mental assessment may play a part in any future sentencing.

Pistorius' murder trial had been adjourned while an expert panel assessed whether an anxiety disorder could have played a part in his actions when he killed Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.

The judge ordered the evaluation after a psychiatrist giving evidence in the athlete's defence told the court he suffered from generalised anxiety disorder, and that this may have influenced his judgement.

The tests were requested by the chief prosecutor and opposed by Pistorius' lawyer.

Reading from the psychologists report, state prosecutor Gerrie Nel said: "Mr Pistorus did not suffer from a mental illness or defect that would have rendered him criminally not responsible for the offence charged.

Media were outside the court in Pretoria to catch Pistorius arriving

"Mr Pistorius was capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act and of acting in accordance of an appreciation of the wrongfulness of his act."

Pistorius denies murder, claiming he mistook Ms Steenkamp for an intruder.

He faces a life sentence if found guilty.

With the resumption of the trial, the defence team called  Dr Gerald Verseld, the orthopaedic surgeon who amputated both of Oscar Pistorius' legs when he was a baby.

The doctor told the court Pistorius might struggle on his stumps during a tense situation, and that he would have difficulty smashing the door of the toilet, where Ms Steenkamp was, with a cricket bat.

However, this was challenged by Mr Nel in cross-examination.

Later, the judge expressed her unhappiness that a piece of evidence at Pistorius' house - an electrical cord - could not be produced by the prosecution.

Mr Nel said he did not know where it could be found, and the judge ordered an investigation.

The next witness called by the defence was an acoustic expert Ivan Lin.

More follows...

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India Buildings Collapse Killing 22 People

Two separate buildings have collapsed in India, killing at least 22 people and trapping around a dozen more.

The search for survivors at the collapsed 11-storey building in Chennai

An 11-storey building under construction on the outskirts of Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu state, came down, killing and trapping construction workers, during monsoon rains.

Police said 28 workers had been pulled out so far and the search was continuing for more than a dozen others.

Four of the workers were killed instantly and another seven died of their injuries later in a hospital, said police officer George Fernandes.

Another 13 injured workers are in hospital, while six others were allowed to go home after medical attention.

Rescuers faced a tangle on scaffolding at the Chennai collapse

Police said two directors of the construction company, Prime Sristi, have been detained for questioning as authorities began investigating the cause of the collapse.

Balaguru, one of the builders, said the structure collapsed possibly due to lightning.

"Usually, once the construction gets over we install the equipment to prevent the building from a thunder strike. It was nearing completion," the Press Trust of India news agency quoted Balaguru, who uses one name, as saying.

Nearly 300 policemen and fire service workers worked overnight, looking for survivors in the debris.

More people are feared trapped in the rubble of the New Delhi block

Earlier in the day, 11 people, including five children, were killed when a four-storey building fell in New Delhi.

It is believed the collapse of the 50-year-old block may have been triggered by nearby construction work.

A local resident said he helped pull people from the debris before the emergency services arrived.

Ifikhar Ahmed said: "We ourselves pulled out seven people. Others have told us that they also rescued two to four people. To begin with, local residents rescued the victims and later the officials came."

Debris is cleared by hand from the collapsed New Delhi building

Deputy Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma told reporters an investigation into the cause of the New Delhi collapse had been launched.

Building collapses are common in India, where high demand for housing and lax regulations have encouraged some builders to cut corners, use substandard materials or add unauthorised extra floors.

In April last year, 74 people were killed when an eight-story building being constructed illegally in the Mumbai suburb of Thane caved in. It was the worst building collapse in the country in decades.

Debris is loaded onto a truck at the site of the collapse in New Delhi

A politician from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tweeted that action was needed to stop more people dying.

Vijay Goel said: "Building collapse in Delhi brings forth need to adhere to safety requirements."

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Russia Accuses US Over Ukraine Confrontation

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the US of encouraging Ukraine into a confrontation with Moscow.

And he claimed the chances of resolving the Cold War-style crisis would be better if only Russia and Europe were involved.

Mr Lavrov suggested the US was an obstacle to settling the Ukraine conflict

Speaking on television, Mr Lavrov said: "Our American colleagues still prefer to push the Ukrainian leadership toward a confrontational path."

It came after EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Friday decided against immediately imposing new sanctions on Russia for destabilising eastern Ukraine, but gave Moscow and pro-Russian separatists until Monday to take steps to improve the situation.

Ukraine has also extended a ceasefire by its forces for 72 hours.

EU leaders also signed agreements with Ukraine and two other former Soviet states, Moldova and Georgia, to establish closer political and economic links with Europe.

Kiev celebrated the historic agreement between Ukraine and the EU

It was the decision of the former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych to ditch a deal with Europe in favour of a pact with Russia which triggered protests culminating in his overthrow earlier this year.

Moscow responded by annexing the mainly Russian-speaking Crimea in March, that led to pro-Moscow separatists rise up in eastern Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "The UK is firmly committed to the prosperity of these sovereign and independent countries, which are signalling their determination to forge closer political and economic links with Europe.

"I look forward to ever closer relationships that will better the lives of their people and contribute to prosperity across the region."

The Foreign Office predicted that the completion of the agreements could result in GDP growth in Georgia of €292m (£234m) a year and €1.2bn (£960m) in Ukraine, while boosting Moldova's national income by 5.4% annually.

Ukraine is seeking to increase its gas production after Russia cut exports

Meanwhile, Ukraine is seeking to increase its own gas production after Russia's state-controlled gas company, Gazprom, cut exports to the country, after talks to settle a debt and agree a lower price broke down.

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Iraqi Troops Strike Back In Tikrit Offensive

Thousands of Iraqi troops backed by tanks, warplanes and helicopter gunships have launched their biggest counteroffensive yet against ISIS militants in Tikrit.

There have been conflicting reports as to just how much headway the Iraqi military has made in its advance on Tikrit - the home town of Saddam Hussein which fell to the insurgents on June 11.

Following two weeks of demoralising defeats, the military has claimed to have regained control of the northern city - but the rebels have insisted they are still in charge.

As the "large military operation" started, Staff Lieutenant General Sabah Fatlawi warned the insurgents they had two choices: "flee or be killed".

Witnesses reported heavy clashes as troops moved in from the west.

An Iraqi army soldier moves on Tikrit

Troops in helicopters landed at a strategically located university campus, with sporadic clashes reported throughout the day.

Prime minister Nouri al Maliki's security spokesman said warplanes were targeting insurgents there.

Lieutenant General Qassem Atta said security forces were also now in full control of a key road from Baghdad to Samarra, between the capital and Tikrit.

He said there was coordination with the US, which has deployed special operations forces to Iraq, over "studying important targets", without elaborating.

Sky's Senior Correspondent Michelle Clifford, who is in Baghdad, said if the recapture of Tikrit is true, "it would not only be a strategic but a symbolically significant victory".

Iraqi forces advance on Tikrit from the direction of Samarra in the south

"The government is desperate to portray this as a victory because of the humiliating capitulation by the Iraqi forces in the early days of the insurgency," she added.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary William Hague has called on Iraq's political leaders to form a "more inclusive government", as the new parliament prepares to convene on Tuesday.

"It isn't for us and it wouldn't help anybody for us to pronounce on who should be the Prime Minister of Iraq," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

"But there has been a failure in recent years to bring together Iraqi leaders and people out of their sectarian divisions.

"No one has succeeded in doing that in Iraq in the last eight years or so."

Special operations forces hunting down ISIS militants

World leaders have insisted on a political settlement among Iraq's Shia Arab, Sunni Arab and Kurdish communities.

Top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani has also called for unity in Iraq.

Mr al Maliki, who has publicly focused on a military response to the crisis, has acknowledged that political measures are also necessary.

On Saturday, Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said in Damascus: "Russia will not remain passive to the attempts by some groups to spread terrorism in the region.

Tikrit fell to the insurgents on June 11

"The situation is very dangerous in Iraq and the foundations of the Iraqi state are under threat."

Twenty security personnel - nine soldiers and 11 police officers - were killed in clashes on Saturday in three areas southwest of Baghdad, doctors said.

Baghdad has agreed to buy more than a dozen Sukhoi warplanes from Russia and Belarus in a deal that could be worth up to $500m (£295m).

Iraqi state TV quoted Lt Gen Atta as saying Sukhoi jets had arrived, without specifying how many.

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US Armed Drones Take To The Skies Over Iraq

US And Iranian Drones Flying Over Iraq

Updated: 5:16am UK, Saturday 28 June 2014

By Dominic Waghorn, US Correspondent, Washington

US officials have confirmed that armed drones are now flying in the skies above Baghdad. Previously, US drones operating there were thought to be unarmed.

All unmanned aerial missions will remain tasked with surveillance but the armed drones could be called on to protect the hundreds of US troops who've been sent to act as military advisers.

President Obama has for now ruled out offensive military action in Iraq, but this will give him the ability to respond quickly with force should US assets become threatened.

It also means that US and Iranian drones are almost certainly for the first time flying in the same theatre of war, on the same side. 

US press reports claim Iran is also operating drones from an airfield in Baghdad. 

American and Iranian objectives in Iran overlap. 

Both countries are determined to reverse the fortunes of ISIS - for different reasons. 

Iran is concerned about the threat to its ally, the Shiite-dominated government of Iraq, fellow Shia Iraqis, and Shia holy places. 

The US is concerned by the success of an Islamist movement so extreme it's been condemned by al Qaeda.

American officials have been at pains to rule out coordinating military activity in Iraq with Iran. 

But they have said they are willing to explore a dialogue to explore mutual interests in the country.

Iranian commanders are reported to be operating in Baghdad. Qassem al Suleimani, commander of the elite Iranian Quds Brigade, is said to be among them.  

He is thought to have helped organise Iranian support for Iraqi militia attacks on both US and British troops over the last decade, not least with the use of roadside bombs.

He is now thought to be advising the Iraqi military on defending Baghdad and taking on ISIS after its blitzkrieg advance through the west of the country. 

At the same time and in the same city, as many as 300 US military advisers are working with other elements of the Iraqi forces with the same purpose.

The US government has said it is concerned the Iranians' involvement could increase the risk of sectarian conflict in Iraq. 

Iran is interested in protecting Shia Iraqis in what is spiralling towards civil war.

For its part, Iran has voiced concerns America is trying to stage-manage events in Iraq with only its interests in mind and orchestrate the removal of the Shia prime minister Nouri al Maliki.

But both countries are prepared to overcome such friction in the interest of defeating a common enemy and maintaining influence in Iraq. 

The Iranians are reportedly making a bigger investment to that end, operating a round-the-clock air bridge into Baghdad funnelling tons of materiel into Iraq.

America may look on with alarm at the burgeoning Iranian presence in Iraq and what Teheran may expect in return. 

But for now the rise of ISIS remains a bigger worry and Washington has little choice but to work alongside its enemies to vanquish a bigger foe.

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