Israel Bombs Gaza After Hamas Rocket Fire

Israel has launched air and sea strikes on more than 50 targets in the Gaza Strip to quell the rocket and mortar attacks over the border by Hamas militants.

The Israeli military said the campaign - dubbed Operation Protective Edge - could form part of an extended offensive on the Hamas-ruled territory and is in retaliation for the attacks against it.

"They chose the direction of escalation," said army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner.

"So the mission will go on as long as we feel it is necessary to carry it out. We don't expect it to be a short mission on our behalf."

A Palestinian man wounded in an Israeli airstrike receives treatment

He added that additional reservists were being recruited for a possible ground invasion of Gaza.

Among the sites targeted by the aerial and naval assaults were four homes of alleged Hamas operatives, concealed rocket launchers, militant compounds and training bases.

Palestinian media reported at least 15 people, including a child, had been injured. An emergency services spokesman said four people had been killed, including a man in an area close to the Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

There was also a suggestion one of the houses targeted was of a senior Hamas military-wing figure.

A Palestinian boy carries belongings from a bombed house

Sky's Middle East Reporter Tom Rayner, on the Israel-Gaza border, said: "Israel says it has also intercepted rockets. This morning we have seen about four or five rockets fired from northern Gaza towards southern Israeli cities."

Hamas warned Israel had "crossed a red line" and would pay the price, threatening an "earthquake" in response to the attacks.

"If this policy does not stop, we will respond by enlarging the radius of our targets to the point where the enemy will be surprised," the group's military wing said in a statement.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas demanded Israel end its assault and called on the international community "to immediately intervene to halt this dangerous escalation which would lead the region to more destruction and instability".

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza International Airport in Rafah on Monday

The Israeli military said close to 100 rockets had been fired at southern Israel on Monday alone.

Israel responded with dozens of airstrikes and eight Palestinian militants were killed.

Tensions in the region have been inflamed following the kidnap and murder of three Israeli teenagers - Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach - and the suspected revenge killing of 16-year-old Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khadair.

The bodies of the three young Israelis were discovered in shallow graves on June 30, nearly three weeks after they disappeared while hitchhiking home.

Mohammed was burned alive, according to a preliminary post-mortem examination. He was found in the Jerusalem Forest last week.

Three of the six people arrested over his death have reportedly confessed but charges are yet to be brought.

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North Korea's Kim Jong-Un Caught Off Balance

By Mark Stone, Asia Correspondent

The North Korean leader appears to have sustained an injury to his leg.

Footage of Kim Jong-Un limping onto a stage in the country's parliament building was broadcast on North Korean state television.

The young leader was attending a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the death of his grandfather, Kim Il-Sung, who died 20 years ago.

The North Korean leader seems to be favouring his right leg

In the footage, Mr Kim walks briskly onto an empty stage clearly limping. Another camera angle shows him sitting on the stage looking particularly stern.

The limp has not been acknowledged by the North Korean authorities. It is unusual for the regime to show the country's leader displaying anything other than perfect health.

Mr Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, developed a tennis-ball-sized growth on the back of his neck in his latter years. State media was banned from filming or photographing him from certain angles. 

Kim Jong-Un inspects sharks at the Songdowon International Children's Camp

The Supreme Leader was not filmed leaving the ceremony which was broadcast live. He did not speak at the event but listened to the country's nominal head of state Kim Yong Nam who hailed the late Kim Il-Sung as "the greatest leader in human history".

Kim Il-Sung, the founding leader of North Korea, ruled the county from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994.

He was succeeded by Kim Jong-Un's father, Kim Jong-Il - he died in December 2011 and power was transferred to the youngest Kim.

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'Dangerous' Typhoon Races Towards Japan Islands

By Mark Stone, Asia Correspondent

A warning of significant damage to property has been issued in coastal regions of western Japan as Typhoon Neoguri continues its path across the country.

Half a million people in Okinawa Prefecture have been urged to evacuate, with Japan's main broadcaster NHK warning of possible "extensive damage" caused by a storm surge.

The storm was downgraded from its super-typhoon status overnight and its core appears to have missed the southern Japanese islands.

But even its periphery has brought strong winds, with a speed of 107mph recorded on Okinawa Island.

Airports and schools have been closed in Okinawa and fishermen have been told to return to port.

Typhoon Neoguri's predicted path across Japan. Source: JTWC

Residents in some areas have been told to remain in their homes and others living in low-lying areas told to evacuate.

On Ishigaki island, south of Okinawa and approximately 75 miles west of the eye of the storm, residents took precautions in an effort to protect their property.

Cars were secured to the ground using ropes and loose debris cleared away.

According to NHK, one woman sustained a head injury and one fisherman is missing after he was swept from his boat.

There are no reports of any other casualties.

Trees are blasted by strong winds in Naha on Japan's Okinawa island

Japan is used to storms and many people appear to have heeded the advice of the authorities.

Keiji Furuya, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, urged residents to "take refuge as early as possible".

Although the storm has been downgraded and will lose much of its power once it makes landfall, the rain levels are a significant concern.

The storm is unusually early in the typhoon season and comes just at the end of the rainy season.

Saturated ground will be unable to absorb much of the rain due to fall in the coming hours.

Typhoon Neoguri has brought powerful winds and heavy rain

The speed and wide area of the storm are both further concerns.

It is moving slowly in a northerly direction and is due to turn eastwards overnight into Wednesday, taking it straight over the Japanese mainland.

It is expected to reach Tokyo later this week.

Okinawa is home to the American Air Force base Kadena.

Aircraft have been flown to other bases in the Pacific to avoid any damage to them, after the commander of the base warned of the dangers posed by the storm.

Residents cross a precarious-looking suspension bridge in eastern Taiwan

Brigadier-General James Heckler said: "I can't stress enough how dangerous this typhoon may be when it hits Okinawa.

"This is the most powerful typhoon forecast to hit the island in 15 years. This is not just another typhoon.

"If we all follow the typhoon procedures and take care of each other, we will all make it through this typhoon safely."

Authorities in Philippines, which was hit by the world's strongest ever recorded typhoon in November, have said the storm did not make landfall, passing 300 miles east of the country.

The Chinese, Taiwanese and South Korean governments have all warned their ships to stay clear of the storm.

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Hamas Warns Israel 'Will Pay' Over Gaza Strikes

Hamas has promised to avenge the deaths of nine militants killed in the deadliest aerial assault on Gaza since the deaths of Israeli and Palestinian teens triggered a fresh escalation in tensions.

Referring to Israel, the militant group warned: "The enemy will pay a tremendous price" over the latest killings.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, said seven of its members were killed when Israel hit a tunnel used by its men in the early hours of the morning.

Israel says the airstrikes are in retaliation for rocket attacks from Gaza

Two militants from a different group were reportedly killed in a separate strike.

The Israeli military said it struck at least "14 terror sites" including "concealed rocket launchers" in retaliation for rocket attacks from Gaza which a military spokesman described as "unbearable and unacceptable."

Around a dozen rockets were reportedly fired overnight, injuring one Israeli soldier.

Monday's attacks were the deadliest to hit Gaza in recent weeks

Another 25 rockets hit Israel on Sunday.

Both Israel and Hamas have stepped up aerial assaults against one another since the deaths of three Israeli teenagers and a 16-year-old Palestinian resulted in a spike in tensions.

Israel blames Hamas for the death of the Jewish teens, whose bodies were discovered in the West Bank last week.

The Palestinian from East Jerusalem was found dead in the Jerusalem Forest a day later in what many suspect was a revenge killing.

Murdered Israeli teens Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach

A preliminary post-mortem examination found that Mohammed Abu Khadair had been burned alive.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjanim Netanyahu has telephoned Mohammed's father to express his outrage at the killing. 

"We denounce all brutal behaviour. The murder of your son is abhorrent and cannot be countenanced by any human being," Mr Netanyahu told Hussein Abu Khadair.

The teenager's death has prompted days of violent protests which have spread from East Jerusalem to Arab Israeli towns.

Police said 110 people were arrested overnight for disturbing public order. 

A video captures the moment Tariq was reportedly beaten by Israeli police

Their arrests follow the detention of Mohammed's cousin Tariq Abu Khadair who was filmed apparently being severely beaten by Israeli police.

Tariq, an American of Palestinian descent, has now been released from custody.

Police claim he resisted arrest, attacked officers and was carrying a slingshot when he was detained during the clashes.

Six Jewish extremists have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in Mohammed's death.                 .

An unidentified suspect is also being held in connection with the killing of the three Israeli youths.

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Lifeguard Drowns Trying To Save Swimmer

A lifeguard has drowned while trying to rescue a swimmer off a California beach.

The lifeguard was identified as 32-year-old Ben Carlson, who had been with the department for 15 years.

He went into the water at Newport Beach, Southern California, on Sunday afternoon to help a swimmer in distress.

He went under water, prompting a search involving some 25 people. At one point the divers created a human chain in the rough waters.

Fellow lifeguards found Mr Carlson's body around 8pm. Efforts to resuscitate him failed, and he was pronounced dead in hospital.

The divers created a human chain in their effort to find their colleague

The swimmer he was saving made it to shore safely.

It was the first time in the department's 100-year history that a lifeguard died in the line of duty, CBS News said.

The National Weather Service issued a coastal hazard warning of dangerous rip currents and high surf along Southern California beaches.

Some beaches saw up to 8ft (2.4m) high surf.

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Pistorius Witness 'Too Close' To Be Credible

Prosecutors have claimed the evidence of a key defence witness in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial is not credible.

The trial resumed with the questioning of Professor Wayne Derman, the doctor for the South African Paralympic team.

Professor Derman testified last week that Pistorius was vulnerable, stressed and would have been unable to flee because of his disability.

But prosecutor Gerrie Nel put it to the court on Monday that Professor Derman was close to Pistorius, travelled the world with him and therefore could not be objective.

"You don't want to give an answer that will not benefit the accused," said Mr Nel.

The witness responded: "I have attempted to come to court to give as objective evidence as I can - I do not think I am biased."

The prosecutor argued that even if the physician's analysis was correct, and "hyper vigilance" caused Pistorius to shoot Reeva Steenkamp, the Paralympian was a "danger to society".

Pistorius waits for the final defence witness to resume his evidence

Mr Nel did not mention explicitly the video broadcast on Australian TV that shows Pistorius re-enacting the night he shot his girlfriend.

The defence commissioned the video but chose not to use it as part of their case - and they are furious it has been broadcast.

The footage shows Pistorius running on his stumps and miming shooting - and though Mr Nel did not refer to it in court, he suggested Professor Derman's claims about the defendant's lack of mobility were not accurate.

The physician maintained that Pistorius could not flee "as you or I" could - but conceded under questioning that fleeing to another room would have been an "option".

Professor Derman also admitted that having a gun made the athlete "less vulnerable" on the night.

Sky's Emma Hurd was in court and said the video broadcast in Australia was an "elephant in the room".

"Gerrie Nel has asked Professor Derman about the level of movement Pistorius would have had," she said.

"The video has not been mentioned explicitly but has been hinted at, so we're not expecting it to be introduced as evidence."

Pistorius, who is on trial for premeditated murder, denies deliberately killing his girlfriend, claiming he mistook her for an intruder.

He faces between 25 years and life in prison if found guilty.

The trial has been adjourned until Tuesday morning, when the defence is expected to close its case.

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Israel Makes Arrest Over Murdered Teenagers

Missing Teens: Timeline Of Events

Updated: 5:24pm UK, Tuesday 01 July 2014

Israel launched a major military operation in attempt to find three teenagers after they disappeared in the West Bank. Here's how the situation unfolded:

June 12: Israeli students Naftali Frenkel and Gilad Shaar, both aged 16, and 19-year-old Eyal Yifrach disappear in the West Bank. They were last seen hitch-hiking near Hebron.

June 15: Israel blames Hamas militants for abducting them and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatens "serious consequences" unless the trio are found safe.

June 16: Dozens of Palestinians are arrested as part of the search, including the speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council.

A Palestinian man is reportedly killed when the Israeli army opens fire after unrest broke out during an operation to find the youngsters outside Ramallah.

A vigil is held in New York for the three teenagers, including Mr Frenkel who had dual Israeli-US citizenship.

June 17: Mr Netanyahu meets the families of the youths, telling their relatives that Israel is doing everything possible to find the boys.

June 19: British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Twitter: "My thoughts are with the families of the three kidnapped Israeli teenagers. Praying for their early and safe return home."

June 20: A Palestinian youth is killed by Israeli forces amid tensions over raids in the West Bank.

June 22: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reiterates his opposition to the alleged kidnapping of the three Israeli youths and says he is working to return them to their families.

June 26: Israel's security agency, Shin Bet, reveals the identity of two of the main suspects in the apparent kidnapping. They are alleged Hamas members Marwan Quasma and Amar Abu Eisha, both from Hebron.

June 29: A rally is held in Tel Aviv in support of the missing youths.

June 30: The bodies of the three teenagers are found near the village of Halhul, north of Hebron.

Hundreds of mourners hold a vigil in Tel Aviv to remember the trio.

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Boy In Beating Video Row Under House Arrest

A teenager who was filmed apparently being beaten by Israeli forces is to be put under house arrest for nine days.

Tariq Abu Khadair's family claim the 15-year-old American boy of Palestinian descent was punched and kicked by police.

His relatives say he is the cousin of Mohammed Abu Khadair, who was killed in Jerusalem earlier this week.

The 16-year-old Arab boy was apparently burned alive and his death sparked days of violent protests.

Palestinians believe Mohammed was killed by Israeli extremists in a revenge attack after three Israeli youths were found dead.

A number of Jewish suspects have been arrested over Mohammed's killing.

Police claim Tariq resisted arrest, attacked officers and was carrying a slingshot for hurling stones when he was held during clashes with security forces.

Tariq Abu Khadair was allegedly beaten by Israeli police

A court has ordered the youth to remain at home in the east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Beit Hanina.

The mobile phone footage of the alleged attack on Tariq - said to have been recorded in East Jerusalem - was released by a human rights group that described it as state sanctioned violence against children.

His mother, Sohair Abu Khadair, told Sky News that at least one officer did not want her to see her son at hospital.

She said: "I was in a complete state of shock. I couldn't believe it.

"There was a police officer in front of his room door that didn't want to let me in to see him until my husband had spoke to him.

"And then he finally said 'you can go in, just don't touch him, don't speak to him, don't get near him'. He was handcuffed. His ankles were handcuffed to the bed."

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said America was "profoundly troubled" by the reports and "strongly condemn(s) any excessive use of force".

"We are calling for a speedy, transparent and credible investigation and full accountability for any excessive use of force," she said.

Micky Rosenfeld, national spokesperson for the Israeli police, told Sky News the video was "edited" and "biased".

Mr Rosenfeld said: "It does not represent the events that took place before the actual arrest."

He added: "Throughout the day in east Jerusalem there were hundreds of rioters, many of them masked, that hurled pipe bombs, Molotov cocktails, fireworks and stones at our police officers.

"And as a result of that, 15 police officers were injured during clashes by Palestinians.

"The suspect himself was one of six masked Palestinians that were arrested by undercover police officers. Three of them were armed at the time."

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Kenya Attacks: Dozens Killed In Two Shootings

At least 29 people have been killed in two separate shootings on the coast of Kenya, according to the interior ministry.

One of the attacks happened at a shopping centre in Hindi, Lamu county, where a group of 10-15 men opened fire.

Nine people were killed in the overnight raid.

The other assault was in the Gamba area of Tana River county, where 20 people lost their lives.

Security forces are investigating the deadly raids

Lamu commissioner Miiri Njenga said the attackers targeted government offices and some properties were burnt down.

"They went around shooting at people and villages indiscriminately," said the area chief Abdallah Shahasi.

Militants from the al Qaeda-linked Somalian group al Shabaab have reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Lamu county was the same area where 60 people were killed in a massacre last month.

In September 2013, the rebels raided the upmarket Westgate shopping mall in the capital Nairobi, killing 67 people.

There has been a wave of gun and grenade attacks along the coast and in Nairobi since Kenyan troops went into Somalia in October 2011 to fight al Shabaab.

The Kenyan tourism business has been badly hit by the rebel assaults.

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Fifa VP's Son In World Cup Ticket Scandal

The son of Fifa vice president Julio Grondona has become embroiled in a scandal implicating officials from the football governing body in the illegal re-sale of World Cup tickets.

Tickets reported to be in Humberto Grondona's name were among hundreds seized by Brazilian police as part of the ongoing investigation into ticket touting.

A picture of one ticket bearing his name has been widely circulated on social media. 

In an interview with Argentinian television station TYC, Grondona Jnr admitted giving tickets to a friend, but denied re-selling them at an inflated price. 

Humberto Grondona denies selling the tickets for more than their face value

He said: "You think with how much I care about my family name I would do such a stupid thing?"

He added that he was unsure what his friend had then done with the tickets.

Re-selling tickets for more than their face value is illegal in Brazil. 

Ahead of the tournament's kick off, all Fifa employees and World Cup delegates were warned against selling tickets, all of which have an electronic chip which makes them traceable back to their original purchaser.

Fifa spokeswoman Delia Fischer would not comment on the investigation, but said anyone found breaching the governing body's regulations would be sanctioned.

Julio Grondona is the second most powerful man in world football

Sky News Sports Correspondent Paul Kelso says that with tickets for matches so hard to come by, the news that the son of a top Fifa executive has allowed tickets to end up on the black market has caused a real stir.

He said the scandal is "acutely embarrassing" for Julio Grondona, who is also president of the Argentina Football Federation, where his son is an official.

The revelation comes days after police in Rio de Janeiro arrested 11 people suspected of running a multimillion pound ticket touting operation.

Police said the source of the tickets is believed to have stayed at the Copacabana Palace Hotel, used by top Fifa officials.

Some of the tickets are thought to have been sold for up to eight times their face value.

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