Emotional Obama Responds To School Shooting

US President Barack Obama wept as he addressed the nation in the aftermath of the school shootings in Connecticut.

Mr Obama paused repeatedly as he struggled to keep his composure while speaking of the children who had been killed and the milestones in their lives they would never have - birthdays, graduations, weddings.

"Our hearts are broken today," he said, at times using a finger to wipe tears at the corners of his eyes.

Mr Obama said he had reacted to news of the elementary school shooting first as a parent.

He added that he and First Lady Michelle would do what any other parent in America would do - "hug our children a little tighter".

"There is not a parent in America who does not feel the same overwhelming grief I do," he said.

Mr Obama called for "meaningful action" regardless of politics.

"As a country, we have been through this too many times," he said in the televised address from the White House.

Many of those killed in the rampage were between the ages of five and 10.

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Egyptians Vote In Constitution Referendum

Queues have formed at polling stations in Egypt as the country votes on a constitution many hope will lead to long-term stability.

The referendum, which is taking place over two days, asks Egyptians to accept or reject the charter, which must be in place before a parliamentary election can take place next year.

Opponents say the constitution does not guarantee basic rights for Egyptians and places emphasis on Islam and Sharia law.

Queues formed across Egypt as polling stations opened

Supporters of President Mohamed Morsi say it is needed to secure democracy, nearly two years after the fall of military-backed former leader Hosni Mubarak.

If the charter is voted down, a new assembly will have to be formed to draft another version - a process that could take up to nine months.

Mr Morsi, who was among the first to vote, was shown on television casting his ballot and dipping his finger in ink - a measure designed to prevent people voting twice.

President Mohamed Morsi casts his vote in the referendum

Security has been tightened around polling stations and government buildings, with 120,000 troops and 6,000 tanks and armoured vehicles deployed by the army.

It follows weeks of violent clashes between supporters and opponents of Mr Morsi.

On Friday, at least 19 people were reportedly injured in a sword fight in Alexandria, Egypt's second largest city. Cars were set alight and a mosque was surrounded, trapping a preacher who had criticised those planning to oppose the constitution.

In Cairo, at least eight protesters have died and hundreds have been hurt since Mr Morsi assumed sweeping new powers to push through the constitution.

The president later annulled the decree but demonstrations have continued in the capital's Tahrir Square.

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US School Shooting: Gunman Kills 27

The United States is in shock after a man murdered his mother at home before gunning down 20 children and six adults in a Connecticut school.

The heavily armed gunman, named as 20-year-old Adam Lanza, shot the children - aged between five and 10 years old - at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where his mother had worked as teacher.

Dawn Hochsprung, the head teacher at the school in Newtown, was among those killed in the shooting, which began at around 9:30am - just after school day started.

After storming through several classrooms, Lanza, who was wearing a bullet-proof vest and carrying two handguns, turned one of the guns he was carrying on himself.

A police officer leads two women and a child from the school

An emotional US President Barack Obama wiped tears from his eyes as he told a stunned country: "Our hearts are broken today."

Mr Obama hinted at possible gun law reform, declaring that the latest atrocity signals that the country should come together to take meaningful action, "regardless of the politics".

The President also used his weekly address to express his sadness in the wake of the shooting.

A young boy weeps after learning of the school massacre

"We grieve for the families of those we lost. And we keep in our prayers the parents of those who survived. Because as blessed as they are to have their children home, they know that their child's innocence has been torn away far too early," Mr Obama said.

Children told their parents they had heard bangs and, at one point, a scream over the intercom. Teachers ordered them to hide in closets or corners.

"I was going back to my classroom and I heard like a person kicking on the door and I turned around I smelled smoke," an eight-year-old boy told NBC.

Reports said Lanza killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, and then drove to the school in her car.

Mr Obama wiped away tears and struggled to maintain his composure

At least three guns were found - a Glock and a Sig Sauer, both pistols, inside the school, and a high-powered rifle in the back of the car, authorities said.

A law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity said some of the guns used in the attack may have belonged to Lanza's mother, who had legally purchased five weapons.

The attack, just two weeks before Christmas, was America's second-deadliest school shooting, exceeded only by the Virginia Tech university massacre in 2007 that left 32 dead.

Authorities offered little clue as to the motive for the shootings in the picturesque small town northeast of New York City.

The gunman was believed to suffer from a personality disorder and lived with his mother in an affluent part of Newtown.

Lanza's older brother Ryan was questioned

State police Lt Paul Vance said just one person suffered an injury and survived, indicating that the gunman was unusually accurate or methodical in his fire.

Lanza's older brother Ryan, 24, of Hoboken, New Jersey, has been questioned by police but a law enforcement official said he was not believed to have had any role in the shooting and was "extremely cooperative".

Ryan Lanza told law enforcement he had not been in touch with his brother since about 2010.

Hours after the shooting, hundreds of people gathered for a vigil, the crowd filling the church to capacity and spilling outside its doors.

Some lit candles while others joined hands to sing Christmas songs.

Vigils were held in the town on Friday evening

"Evil visited this community today," State Governor Dan Malloy said earlier.

David Connors, whose triplets were at the school during the shooting but were unharmed, said he was still horrified.

"It's hard. I've never imagined a thing like that could happen here."

Police said they expected to be able to make public the identities of the victims later on Saturday.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "It is heartbreaking to think of those who have had their children robbed from them."

The shooting happened at a school in the town, 60 miles from New York

The Queen sent a message to Mr Obama in which she said she was "deeply shocked and saddened".

Pope Benedict XVI sent a letter of condolence to the community, which was read aloud at a vigil in Newtown on Friday evening.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon wrote to Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy to give his "deepest condolences at the shocking murders," a statement said.

"The targeting of children is heinous and unthinkable," he added in condemning the "horrendous" crime.

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North Korea Rocket: Mass Rally Staged

Hundreds of thousands of North Koreans have gathered for a government-staged rally to celebrate a long-range rocket launch, state TV has shown.

Below a grey sky and with flags flying high, the huge crowd of soldiers and civilians stood in neat ranks and applauded various speeches from officials.

State media released footage of the launch

Military and party figures praised the country's young leader Kim Jong-Un and hailed the success of Wednesday's launch, which has been condemned by the international community.

Jang Chol, president of the State Academy of Sciences, said: "This was achieved thanks to the Great Marshall Kim Jong-Un's endless loyalty, bravery and wisdom."

North Korea has said the launch was designed to place a satellite in orbit for peaceful research. Critics say it amounted to a banned ballistic missile test.

The communist state is not thought to have a nuclear warhead small enough to mount on a missile, but the launch has been seen by many as an advance in its weapons programme.

South Korea's navy has retrieved rocket debris that fell into sea and it will be studied to determine the North's rocket-launching capabilities.

The rally in Pyongyang came hours after state media published a statement by Mr Kim ordering more launches in spite of global outrage.

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Earthquakes Hit US West Coast In Pacific

Two large earthquakes have struck off the coast of southern California and Mexico.

The US Geological Survey said the two first quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 and hit 163 miles southwest of the Californian city of Avalon.

A second quake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck 88 miles from Avalon. Both were recorded at relatively shallow depths, although no tsunami warning has been issued.

More follows...

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Russia Journalist Murder: Ex-Policeman Jailed

A former policeman has been jailed for 11 years in a prison camp over the murder of the journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov admitted tracking Politkovskaya so that she could be assassinated in 2006.

The established journalism was well known for her hard hitting reporting and her criticism of the Kremlin under Vladimir Putin.

Politkovskaya was shot dead in the lift of her flat block in Moscow on October 7, 2006.

She was shot twice in the chest, once in the shoulder, and once - at point blank range - in the head.

More follows...

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Man Held Over Facebook Child Abuse Video

Police have arrested a mechanic for alleged child abuse after a video of a toddler being hit by his stepdad was put on Facebook.

A 32-year-old suspect was held over the nine-minute video which was first posted by Facebook user Vasu Amaithi Padai on Tuesday, according to the New Straits Times.

The video, which has 44,537 shares, shows the three-year-old being physically abused by his stepfather whilst a baby and another toddler are in the room.

The child is slapped to the ground, held in the air and punched repeatedly and beaten with a various objects.

He is now being treated in a Malaysian hospital and under the supervision of social welfare officers.

Many Facebook users expressed outrage and demanded the police take action against the individual and the video-maker.

Facebook user, Alice Perumal, commented: "Oh my god! It is so cruel! Is this his real father? Who is doing the shooting (the video)? I can't stop crying after watch this ..."

In a statement to the media through their Facebook account, the Royal Malaysian Police confirmed that the man in the footage was the stepfather to the three-year-old toddler, said the newspaper.

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Brazil: Team Quits Final Over 'Gun Threat'

The final of South America's second biggest football competition was abandoned after the away team claimed they were beaten and had guns pulled on them at half-time.

Brazil's Sao Paulo were awarded the Copa Sudamericana after their Argentinian opponents refused to play the second half of the final's second leg, claiming the players feared for their safety.

There were ugly scenes as players fought while leaving the pitch at the end of first half, with the Brazilian side leading 2-0 in front of their home fans.

The referee leaves the field to discuss Tigre's concerns about safety

Things apparently got worse for Tigre during the break, with coaches claiming security personnel entered the changing room and attacked their players with clubs.

Tigre manager Nestor Gorosito briefly returned to the pitch and, referring to unspecified security officials, told reporters: "They pulled two revolvers. We're not going to play any more".

Tense negotiations took place outside the changing room area

While it was unclear what happened in the changing room, Argentine television showed what appeared to be blood stains spattered on walls.

After the break, referee Enrique Osses of Chile awarded the trophy - South America's equivalent of the Europa League - to Sao Paulo after waiting around 30 minutes for Tigre to retake the field.

Tigre's coach Tigre Gorosito told reporters guns were pulled on his team

"Police entered and struck our players with sticks," Gorosito told Argentine television. "It was crazy. What happened was crazy."

Romer Osuna, a Bolivian official with Conmebol, South America's governing body of football, said Tigre players were afraid to carry on with the game.

Earlier, Sao Paulo star Lucas had given the home side the lead

"The Tigre people declined to play because they considered security was not good enough," Osuna told Fox Sports.

Fans at the 72,000 capacity Morumbi stadium celebrated Sao Paulo's first Copa Sudamericana win as if the violence had never happened, but the incident may raise questions about Brazil's ability to host the 2014 World Cup.

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Royal Prank Call Nurse 'Left Three Notes'

The nurse tricked by a radio prank call was found hanging from a wardrobe by a scarf, an inquest has heard.

Jacintha Saldanha died days after falling victim to the hoax that targeted the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated.

The opening of her inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court heard injuries were found on the nurse's wrists - and that she had also left three notes.

Two were found in her room at London's King Edward VII hospital and another was among her possessions.

The inquest was told police were exploring emails and texts sent by the 46-year-old, who was discovered in her nurses' quarters by a colleague and a security guard on Friday.

Officers are also interviewing Ms Saldanha's friends and family, and staff at the Australian radio station responsible for the prank.

Detective Chief Inspector James Harman said: "On Friday December 7 Jacintha Saldanha was found by a colleague and a member of security staff. Sadly she was found hanging.

"There were also injuries to her wrists. The London Ambulance Service was called to the scene. At this time there are no suspicious circumstances."

Michael Christian and Mel Greig gave tearful interviews after the hoax

The inquest came as pressure mounted on bosses at the radio station to name the executives responsible for airing the hoax.

Sky News understands Australia's independent media watchdog, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has had 2,500 complaints from around the world over the 2Day FM segment.

ACMA has announced a rare fast-track investigation into the prank, which saw Ms Saldanha put two radio hosts through to a fellow nurse who unwittingly revealed details about Kate's treatment.

DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian impersonated the Queen and Prince Charles, with the "monarch" making enquiries about her "granddaughter".

Australia's radio broadcasting code stipulates that it is a breach to record a person in conversation, and also air it, without their knowledge.

The radio station insists it did not break the law and says it tried to contact the hospital on five separate occasions. The hospital disputes any contact was ever sought.

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Obama: US Recognises Syrian Opposition

Syria: A War Tearing Apart Families

Updated: 8:59am UK, Wednesday 12 December 2012

By Tim Marshall, Foreign Affairs Editor, in Damascus

At night the Rizak extended family come together in one room and listen to the sounds of shelling, gunfire, and explosions.

They are from Jaramana in Damascus, close to the road leading to the international airport which continues to see fierce fighting between Syrian troops and opposition fighters.

It is a mixed district, but the majority of residents are from the minority Druze and Christian communities.

They mix freely with Alawites and some Sunni Muslims who also live there.

It is a microcosm of Syrian society, one which is slowly being destroyed as people cleave to their own amid the violence pushing them apart from others.

The Rizaks gather in a room away from the windows in case a stray shell hits their building.

Tragedy has already struck them.

Two weeks ago, two car bombs exploded in the street next to their home. Some 68 people were killed and 130 injured. Annan Rizak, 20, was killed alongside his uncle Haldoon.

Annan's father Salim, an engineer, invited us into their front room, reserved for guests, and now adorned with a large photo of the deceased.

Over small cups of Arabic coffee, Salim told me of the hopes he had that Annan would have a successful life.

"He was very clever, he always had good grades," he said.

"Now in the evenings, we are all in one room. We sit very close so we can help each other. There is too much noise, too many explosions coming down."

Two floors up, in the same building, Ghias Rizak lies in bed, his leg shattered in the same explosion that killed Annan and Haldoon.

The attack was blamed on the then Jihadist al Nusra Front, which has carried out a number of such attacks including suicide bombings. Other victims included Iraqis who had fled the violence in Baghdad.

As we talked Ghias' wife, Malak, bustled in tidying up because of the presence of a TV crew. She insisted we have coffee and eat some fruit and told of how she had heard the first explosion and rushed out onto her balcony to see what was happening.

"I looked down and there was Ghias, and then there was the second bomb, and I saw him thrown several metres by the blast," she said.

Ghias and Malak have two children who join Salim and others in the evenings.

Ghias, who will be off work for three months because of his injuries, said their two children are always asking questions: "Will we go to school tomorrow? Can I see my friends? What is going to happen?"

On the ground floor the family's patio is crowded with bags of candles brought by neighbours of other religions to help them light the house during the frequent electricity cuts, and to remember their loss.

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