Israeli Soldier Shot Dead On Lebanon Border

An Israeli soldier has been shot dead by a Lebanese army sniper on the border between the two countries.

Within hours, Israel's army said its troops had shot two Lebanese soldiers after it identified "suspicious movement" along the border.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the soldier who was shot had been driving along the border near Rosh Hanikra.

"The soldier was treated at the scene and was then evacuated to a hospital. He later died of his wounds," the IDF said in a statement.

"Initial enquiry confirmed that the sniper is a member of the Lebanese Armed Forces."

Lebanon's National News Agency confirmed the shooting was by a member of the Lebanese army.

The army has opened fire in the past after saying Israeli soldiers had tried to infiltrate Lebanese territory.

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, an Israeli army spokesman, said Israel had protested "this outrageous breach of Israel's sovereignty" with UN peacekeeping forces and heightened its state of preparedness.

"We will not tolerate aggression against the state of Israel, and maintain the right to exercise self-defence against perpetrators of attacks against Israel and its civilians," he said.

The shootings raise the possibility of renewed fighting in the volatile border region, which has remained mostly quiet since a month-long war in 2006.

Israel has responded with airstrikes and artillery fire following a number of rocket attacks and shootings across the border.

In the most serious incident, a high-ranking Israeli officer was killed by a Lebanese sniper in 2010 after Israeli forces tried to cut down a tree along the border.

Israel responded with artillery fire, killing two Lebanese soldiers and a journalist.

Andrea Tenenti, a spokesman for UN forces in southern Lebanon, said the UN was informed of a "serious incident" along the border.

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Reann Murphy Killing: Jerrod Metsker Held

A neighbour arrested over the killing of a nine-year-old girl whose body was found in a bin is due to appear in court.

Jerrod Metsker, 24, was held on a murder charge early on Sunday afternoon by police investigating the death of Reann Murphy.

Sheriff Travis Hutchinson described Mr Metsker as a family friend and neighbour but would not provide information about how Reann was killed or a possible motive for the crime.

Reann was last seen on Saturday night playing at the mobile home park where she lived in Smithville, around 30 miles southwest of Akron, Ohio.

Police found her body in the trash in a courtyard of the park at around 1.30am on Sunday, some five hours after she was reported missing by her family.

Wayne County Sheriff's Office said Mr Metsker was seen with Reann in the hours before she disappeared.

He is set to appear in the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas on an aggravated murder charge today.

Reann's father Richard Murphy told the Wooster Daily Record: "All she did was love people."

He said he wanted "the worst for the guy" who had killed his daughter.

Wayne County prosecutor Dan Lutz said: "Obviously, all of our thoughts and prayers go to the family. It's a horrific thing to take place at any time but especially before the holidays."

Marilyn Briggs, who lives in a house next to the mobile home park, said she didn't know Reann but was upset by her death.

She said: "It sickens me and I'm so sad for the family, and this close to Christmas. It's just awful. You never think something like that is going to happen in your area."

Ms Briggs said the park was a bit run-down but generally safe and that there had not been any serious crimes in the area in the eight years she had lived there.

The police investigation is continuing.

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China's Illegal Detention Of Christian Pastor

By Mark Stone, China Correspondent, in Henan Province

A Chinese Christian pastor and 23 members of his congregation have been held at an unknown location illegally and without access to lawyers since mid-November.

The case of Pastor Zhang Shaojie is evidence that in parts of China the violent suppression and unlawful arrests of the faithful by local government officials continues.

China's poor record on religious tolerance has been showing signs of improvement in recent years.

The Communist government had pledged to improve the rights of religious groups but this case suggests challenges remain.

Our research led us first to a small town on the border of Hebei and Henan Provinces.

We arrived at 1am to meet the daughter of Pastor Shaojie. Her name is Zhang Yunyun and she is a mother on the run.

We meet her in the hotel room she is hiding in for the night with her 11-month-old daughter Jessie.

Yunyun is on the run because she fears the arrest of her father could lead to her own detention.

She has received repeated threats on the phone from officials. One caller threatened to "wipe out her family" if she talks to reporters. But she is undeterred.

It is nearly a month since she last saw her father. Speaking in whispers, she explains what happened.

The pastor's daughter Zhang Yunyun and her 11-month-old daughter Jessie

"My father went to work (in the church) as usual, it was a Saturday.

"Suddenly a dozen police came, they forcefully took my father away.

"There was no paperwork at all, they just took him away. we haven't seen him since."

We look at photographs she took of the government men who turned up at the church on November 16.

"Government," she says, pointing at a group of plain-clothed men. They look threatening.

She describes how they tied up her father and took him away with some of his parishioners.

She selects another photograph and points to some of those who have disappeared.

"Her, her, him, her," she says. In all, 24 people were taken away.

This is a case that pits a Christian community, which had been growing in numbers and influence, against a local government that has seized the land bought for a new church.

Our conversation with Yunyun wakes Jessie, who begins to cry. It is time for us to leave.

A man defends himself with makeshift barricades

She shows us the location of her church on a map. It is in a town 20 minutes' drive away, over the border in Henan Province.

We arrive at Nanle County Church at dawn. It is a rundown building in centre of the town. The front door is closed but a side door is ajar. We go inside.

It does not resemble a European Christian church. It looks more like a theatre: 600 or so seats and a large stage with a pulpit in its centre.

This is where Pastor Zhang and his worshipers were dragged from a month ago.

There are two types of church in China: some are sanctioned and authorised by the state and others are not.

Nanle County Church is sanctioned and so, in theory, its worshippers should face no problems from the authorities.

As we are looking around, some of the parishioners emerge from a side room. They recall the day of the arrests.

"Pastor Zhang was negotiating with our local government here. Suddenly a dozen people arrived, and they took Pastor Zhang away," one woman says.

"We did some charity work, perhaps some of that was too much? They always discriminate towards religions."

"We are very worried about my dad," another says.

"My mother was arrested here too, at the church. No arrest warrant, no evidence, just arrested."

I ask whether it is hard to practise their religion in China.

"I think it's really unsafe here and there's no freedom. Whenever we come to services there are always restrictions."

The parishioners then receive a phone call. It is from one of a group of lawyers who have taken up the case and who have just arrived at the prosecutor's office across town.

We drive over to meet them. For 10 minutes we chat to them about the case.

A child seen inside the Nanle County Church in China

"Christianity in the Chinese system does not have any real standing," one lawyer explains.

The lead attorney for the detained Christians is Xia Jun. "Our rights as lawyers to meet our client have been blocked," he says.

"I've been in Nanle for more than 20 days, I'm representing Pastor Zhang Shaojie. We went to the detention centre to see him five times, but all been denied.

"Four times I went to the Public Security Bureau to report about it, all been rejected. Then I was followed, every day. I drive around the roundabout three times, the car following me drove three times too."

They explain the complexity of the case. It combines a number of themes: intolerance of religious groups, land-grabs for financial gain, and rampant local corruption by officials who operate above their own laws.

"The key problem is the power of officials in our country. They behave like uncaged monsters ... out to harm us all. For them, the law doesn't exist," Mr Xia says.

Moments later we all discover what he means. A coach pulls up next to us. We assume those who disembark are more Christian supporters, but they're not. They are just the opposite.

In a split second, our civilised chat with the lawyers turns into a melee of chaos. The coach-load of women backed by some men attack the lawyers, the Christians and us.

One of the lawyers is beaten and kicked in front of us. Our camera is then pulled from the Sky News cameraman's shoulder and damaged.

We retreat inside the prosecutor's office, which turns out to be deserted. One of the lawyers puts a chair leg through the door to stop the mob from entering the building. It doesn't work.

The mob move into the lobby and we retreat with the lawyer and one of the Christians into another room: a dead end.

The lawyer barricades us all inside the small room using a sofa, a chair, a desk and a drawer to wedge the door handle. Inches away on the other side of the door the determined mob are trying to get to us.

"Who are they? I ask.

"They are paid and backed by the local government. They come and go as required. All this is organised behind the scenes by the government," Mr Xia explains.

Xie Jun, the lawyer for Pastor Zhang Shaojie

The same group had attacked him the previous day.

We watched through the barred window as another lawyer, stuck outside, is struck on the head with a small rock.

"This case is for pure religious causes," Mr Xia says.

"More than 20 people were arrested. Pastor Zhang Shaojie and most of them are church staff: the core leaders of the church.

"When they are arrested, all the activities like worshiping and services, can't take place as normal."

For four hours, the local government rent-a-mob did their best to get inside. We watched a police car pull up outside and then drive away again.

The violent spectacle is a demonstration of a determined intolerance of religion incited by a corrupt local government.

The lawyers tell us that they believe the government seized the church land because it can be used for their own lucrative construction projects.

We call the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing, who "handle" foreign reporters in China, to explain the situation.

Eventually, the same authorities who refuse to tell anyone why they are holding Pastor Zhang and his congregation escort us out of the building and out of the town.

They have given us safe passage out but continue to intimidate the Christians within their town.

"I miss my father very much," Zhang Yunyun had told me the previous night. It is exactly a month since she last saw him.

I ask if she thinks he will be home for Christmas.

She pauses: "I don't think so."

She and her baby daughter Jessie remain on the run, in hiding and frightened.

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Groom Killed Helping Motorist Stuck In Snow

A groom was killed hours after his wedding when he and a motorist stranded in snow were hit by several vehicles.

William Riley Knight, 49, was on his way from his wedding reception to a hotel with his new bride when the accident happened.

Mr Knight, from Crown Point, Indiana, stopped his truck when the couple saw a woman whose car had slid off the road into the snow.

He pulled into a nearby driveway and left his wife Nikki Knight waiting while he went to help 42-year-old Linda Darlington.

The pair were standing at the side of the road when they were struck by one vehicle and then by two more, the Lake County Sheriff's office said.

Mrs Knight, a registered nurse, said neither her husband nor Ms Darlington had pulses when she got to the accident scene. Both were pronounced dead early on Sunday morning.

Parts of the US have been gripped by a winter freeze

She told the Chicago Sun-Times: "I went from being a newlywed to a widow in less than 48 hours - the highest high to the lowest low. It's a blur.

"He said 'we've got to stop, it's late and they need help'.

"He was the type of person who was willing to put himself on the line and support you no matter what."

Mr Knight, who went by his middle name of Riley, had served in the US Army Rangers before retiring in the mid-1990s, his ex-wife told WBBM.

He had two daughters, a stepson and stepdaughter.

All the drivers involved in the accident stayed at the scene and police said no charges had been filed.

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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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Nelson Mandela Funeral: Live Updates From Qunu

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11:36am UK, Sunday 15 December 2013

Nelson Mandela guided South Africa from the shackles of apartheid

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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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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's Body Flown Home For Funeral

Nelson Mandela's body has arrived in South Africa's Eastern Cape ahead of a funeral service for the former president.

His coffin, draped in the country's national flag, was carried from a farewell service in Pretoria and onto a military plane, accompanied in clear blue skies by two fighter jets.

Less than two hours later, the plane landed in Mthatha, where huge crowds lined the streets to watch the anti-apartheid hero's final journey.

Officers carrying Mr Mandela's coffin march slowly towards the plane

Thousands of people, many waving flags and carrying posters of Mr Mandela, gathered to see his coffin taken towards his childhood home of Qunu, where he will be given a state funeral.

It comes after Desmond Tutu, the former archbishop, revealed he will miss his close friend's burial after receiving "no indication" he had been invited.

President Jacob Zuma claimed the 82-year-old, who also missed a memorial service in Sowetto earlier this week, was "definitely" on the guest list.

Retired archbishop Desmond Tutu said he 'loved and treasured' Mr Mandela

However, there is speculation he was excluded from the event for political reasons, following his open criticism of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party.

In a statement, Mr Tutu said: "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.

"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 mostly sombre event in Pretoria was punctuated by song and dance, as the ANC paid tribute to its former leader.

Mr Zuma recalled the political achievements of his predecessor, saying he brought discipline and vision to the anti-apartheid movement.

"He did something that is not easy to do," he said.

Mr Mandela's grandson Mandla, who sat with his grandfather for three days while he lay in state in Pretoria, also attended the service.

South African President Jacob Zuma pays tribute to his predecessor

He told the audience: "I have witnessed his army, I have witnessed his people, I have witnessed ordinary South Africans who walked this long walk to freedom with him.

"I can assure the ANC that today, the future of this country looks bright."

Mr Mandela's state funeral is a first for South Africa and means full military ceremonial honours will be laid on, led by the armed forces.

Mr Mandela's coffin is surrounded by well-wishers at a farewell ceremony

A 21-gun salute will ring out and the South African Air Force will perform a fly pass.

The centuries-old traditions of the Xhosa tribe will also be observed, with a ritual slaughtering of an ox before Mr Mandela's body arrives at Mthatha airport.

A group of traditional leaders and Mandela elders, led by Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, the AbaThembu king, will welcome him home to Qunu.

Crowds have gathered in Mthatha ahead of the arrival of Mr Mandela's coffin

According to his memoirs, the village, with its rolling hills and dusty tracks, was where he spent "the happiest days" of his childhood.

Zwelonke Sigcau, the Xhosa king, told Sky News: "The Xhosa people believe Nelson Mandela is not leaving us. It is just his body which is going into the ground. His spirit will remain."

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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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