Polar Vortex: NFL Fans Brave -26C Wind Chill

Diehard fans have braved freezing temperatures and a wind chill of -26C (-14F) to watch an NFL playoff match in Wisconsin.

The Green Bay Packers took on the San Francisco 49ers at their home field on Sunday night, in one of the coldest American football matches ever played.

A phenomenon described as a polar vortex has plunged states in the north and northwest US into a deep freeze, causing transport chaos and school closures.

Some Packers fans - affectionately known as cheeseheads - wore costumes

Fans at the Packers' Lambeau Field swaddled themselves in multiple layers of thick clothing and covered themselves with blankets for the tie, which lasted around three hours.

The 49ers' stars - who are more used to balmy California temperatures - wrapped up on the touchline in signature red blankets.

Despite not being accustomed to the inclement weather, they won 23-20, putting them one step closer to February's Super Bowl.

Thick layers were necessary for the three-hour game

The weather phenomenon has seen super-chilled air from the Arctic sucked into North and South Dakota, the Great Lakes states and New England, sending temperatures plunging.

Washington DC has already seen its coldest temperatures for 20 years and several states in the Midwest have recorded their lowest mercury readings for more than a decade.

Icy weather is feared to have been a factor that led to a Delta Airways flight skidding off the runway at JFK Airport on Sunday.

None of the flight's 35 passengers was injured and the aircraft was safely towed to a gate.

Snow at JFK Airport in New York

The busy New York airport suspended operations for about two hours due to slick runways.

In Chicago, about 1,200 flights were cancelled at the city's O'Hare and Midway international airports after more than 11 inches of snow fell.

Weather Bell meteorologist Ryan Maue described the current weather conditions as a once-in-a-generation event.

"If you're under 40 (years old), you've not seen this stuff before," he said.

Scituate, Massachusetts, is among the places to have seen blizzards

With much of the northeast of the country already under thick snow and well below zero, a newly emerging weather system is threatening to cause further misery.

The "polar vortex" is an anti-clockwise rotating pool of cold, dense air that forms close to the North Pole, but typically hangs over Canada.

Meteorologists say that unusually, this year, it is heading south and moving towards the north and eastern United States.

Fargo in North Dakota is expected to dip to -31C (-25F), International Falls, Minnesota, is forecast to fall to -35C (-31F) and Indianapolis, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois, to -26C (-15F).

The forecast prompted Minnesota public school officials to announce a statewide closure for Monday, marking the first such mass closing in 17 years.

The Wisconsin cities of Milwaukee and Madison have also announced school closures to start the week.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard upgraded the city's travel emergency level to "red", making it illegal for anyone to drive except for emergencies or seeking shelter.

The last time the city issued such a travel warning was in 1978.

Temperatures are expected to dip close to freezing in parts of Florida on Tuesday.

In Canada, people have reported hearing loud booms which are thought to be "frost quakes" as temperatures dip to -20C.

The phenomenon, known as a cryoseism, is caused when water in the ground expands in extreme cold, causing it to crack and make the booming noise.

At least 16 deaths have been blamed on a snow storm that swept across the eastern half of the US at the end of last week.

Only a few thousand people have been left without power in the US despite heavy snowfalls, but in Canada, which has seen unusually heavy snow in a country used to cold winters, nearly 90,000 are without power in Newfoundland.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bangladesh Election 'Won' By Ruling Party

Bangladesh's ruling party has been declared the winner of parliamentary elections that have been marred by killings, an opposition boycott, and low turnout.

At least 18 people died in political violence on polling day alone, in a vote which saw fewer than half of the 300 seats being contested.

It meant the result was a foregone conclusion and the ruling Awami League took 232 seats - far more than the 151 needed to form a government.

But the chaos surrounding Sunday's election has plunged Bangladesh deeper into turmoil and fuelled fears of economic stagnation, amid the threat of further violence.

Police kick a protester after a polling booth was set on fire

International observers refused to attend the election, which was branded flawed.

Along with a low voter-turnout, it is set to put pressure on the Bangladesh government to hold talks with the opposition.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia, who leads the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), are bitter rivals.

The country has been ruled by either of these women - both from powerful political families - for more than two decades.

The boycott was sparked after Ms Hasina refused to agree to opposition demands to step down and appoint a neutral caretaker government to oversee the election.

The poverty-stricken nation of 160 million people has been hit by political violence in recent months as opposition activists staged attacks, strikes and transport blockades.

This has caused disruption to the country's $22bn (£13bn) clothing industry, which accounts for 80% of exports.

More than 100 people were killed in the run-up to the ballot, mostly in rural areas, and fears of violence kept many voters away.

Soldiers line a street blocked by a tree that was cut down by activists

Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, a BNP vice chairman, said: "The turnout is a clear indication that the common people rejected this election and it is almost an election without voters."

Law Minister Mohammad Quamrul Islam said the election was necessary for the democratic process, and repeated that another poll could be held anytime in agreement with the BNP.

"But they must stop violence before dialogue for the next elections could start," he said.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Iraq: Militants Pledge To Fight Government

Al Qaeda-linked militants and tribal fighters who have taken over parts of the strategic Iraqi city of Fallujah have pledged to fight the government.

An unnamed commander of the anti-government Fallujah military council said: "The revolutionaries of Fallujah tribes are resolved to punish those, the covetous, who are linked to the sectarian government."

But, speaking on Monday on state television, Prime Minister Nouri Maliki urged the city's residents and allied tribesman to "expel" the militants to avoid a full scale battle.

He also called on Iraqi soldiers looking to retake control of the city to avoid strikes on Fallujah's residential areas.

Tribesman have taken up weapons in Fallujah

Al Qaeda's Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) has been steadily tightening its grip in the vast Anbar province in recent months to try to create a Sunni Muslim state straddling the frontier with Syria.

But last week's capture of positions in nearby Ramadi and large parts of Fallujah was the first time in years that Sunni insurgents had taken ground in the province's major cities and held their positions for days.

Iraqi government forces battling an al Qaeda offensive near the Syrian border launched an air strike on Ramadi on Sunday, killing 25 Islamist militants, according to local officials.

In Fallujah, Isil's task has been made easier by disgruntled tribesmen who have joined its fight against the government.

Nouri Maliki called on Fallujah's residents to drive out the militants

The group currently controls the centre of the city, with its black flags being seen on captured police and government vehicles.

Dozens of families from Fallujah and Ramadi have fled to Kerbala to take refuge from Iraqi government bombardments.

Mohammed, a resident of Ramadi, said: "We are going to Kerbala to get food and cooking gas. We are displaced people, we thank the people of Kerbala."

Kerbala resident Abu Faris said: "We are providing the people of Ramadi with foodstuffs and flour. They were affected (by the violence) and they have nothing, so we are providing them with relief aid."

Al Qaeda-linked militants have gained a foothold in Anbar province

The situation in Anbar province ignited at the end of last month when militias formed following the arrest of a Sunni politician and the clearing an anti-government protest camp.

Iraq's government is mainly made up of Shia Muslims.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has made it clear that, although Washington would provide "assistance" to Iraqi security forces, it would not put American "boots on the ground".

Mr Kerry told reporters in Jerusalem: "We are not obviously contemplating returning, we are not contemplating putting boots on the ground, this is their fight.

"But we're going to help them in their fight ... we are going to do everything that is possible to help them."

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Angela Merkel Injured In Skiing Accident

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been injured during a cross-country skiing accident in Switzerland.

Mrs Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said the Chancellor suffered a fractured pelvis and must rest as much as possible over the next three weeks.

Mrs Merkel has been forced to cancel a number of official appointments, but will continue to lead the government and hold Cabinet meetings.

The 59-year-old politician will mainly work from home during her period of rest, Mr Seibert said.

Cross-country skiiers seen racing in Switzerland's Engadin region in 2011

She has cancelled a planned trip to Warsaw on Wednesday, as well as a visit to Berlin by Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel that had been scheduled for Thursday.

"It goes without saying that as chancellor, she is capable of acting as well as communicating fully," Mr Seibert said.

Mrs Merkel was skiing in the Swiss region of Engadin, which boasts top ski resorts such as St Moritz, when the accident occurred over the Christmas holidays.

The injury was initially thought to be just painful bruising, but after Mrs Merkel's return to Berlin doctors diagnosed a fracture in the pelvic area.

Mr Seibert said that Mrs Merkel's injury occurred "at low speeds", but was unable to say if another person was involved.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ashes: Australia Thrash England In 5-0 Sweep

England's cricket captain has apologised after Australia crushed England by 281 runs to claim a 5-0 Ashes series whitewash on the third day of the final Test in Sydney.

Mitchell Johnson (L) takes the wicket of England's Gary Ballance

Alistair Cook said sorry to England fans who had travelled to Australia only to see the team "hit rock bottom".

"It's tough knowing you've played in five games and been beaten badly in five games," he told the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

England's Ben Stokes walks off the field after his dismissal by Australia

"We weren't good enough to turn it around.  When you hit rock bottom the only way is up. We have to look at ourselves, look at where we want to go.

"We have a huge amount of talent in England. We haven't shown it in these five games."

Australia's George Bailey catches out England's Kevin Pietersen

Addressing the England fans, he added: "I'm sorry we've let you down, we haven't played very well but we really do appreciate your support."

The 5-0 series sweep was only the third in the history of Ashes encounters after Australia's 1920-21 and 2006-07 triumphs.

Australia celebrate after taking the wicket of England's Scott Borthwick

The humiliating defeat for England is expected to have major ramifications for English cricket after they beat Australia 3-0 just months ago.

Sky's Australia correspondent Jonathan Samuels, in Sydney, said: "When England arrived here they were over-confident and they under-estimated how angry and determined Australia was going to be.

England's Michael Carberry goes for an unsuccessful catch off Ryan Harris

"England were riding high on the back of three Ashes wins, but their batsmen haven't performed; even Graham Gooch, who has been coaching the batsmen has been questioning the techniques he's been passing onto them.

"It wasn't the most exceptional side Australia put out, but their bowlers have been quite remarkable."

England's Michael Carberry broke his bat in the final throes of the game

England coach Andy Flower conceded his team "underperformed badly" throughout the Ashes series, but he paid tribute to the Australian team.

"We've underperformed in the first innings for quite a long period of time. We haven't scored many runs, haven't scored any first innings above 400 for a long time, and people lost confidence early on in this tour.

But he took a catch to dismiss Australia's Ryan Harris

"The pace rocked the batting order in the first Test and we never quite recovered.

"I would like to pay tribute to the Australia camp. Their bowling attack has been outstanding.

Australia's Mitchell Johnson after taking the wicket of Alastair Cook

"We've seen a sustained style of bowling, exceptional pressure and (Mitchell) Johnson's pace has been a huge difference between the two sides."

During the game England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was caught by George Bailey off a ball from spinner Nathan Lyon for a three-ball duck and Scott Borthwick was magnificently caught by skipper Michael Clarke off another Lyon ball for just four runs.

Shane Watson of Australia is applauded as he leaves the field

England skipper Alastair Cook, Ian Bell,and Kevin Pietersen all fell in the middle session as England limped to tea on just 87-3.

Cook, who has endured a miserable series with the bat, was caught behind off Johnson for seven and was followed by Bell, who was snapped up the gully off Ryan Harris.

Australia's Brad Haddin is congratulated during a lap of honour

Things got worse after the interval as Australia took four wickets in just two overs, England despairing against inspired Australian bowling and fielding. 

Stuart Broad managed to hit four sixes and three fours to take 42 runs off 36 balls before he was bowled by Harris, and Boyd Rankin was the last man out, caught overhead by Clarke at second slip to complete the victory.

5-0: The Australian team salute their win

The tourists capitulated against the home side's attack by losing seven wickets in under an hour and were beaten for 166 in 31.4 overs; which was not even close to the 448 target they needed for a win.

It is the second time in three away Ashes series that  England has lost all five test matches. The last time was in 2006 to 2007 when Australia were considered a much stronger side.

Today's result also means Australia have overtaken England in the International Cricket Council rankings as the England team dropped to fourth place.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

More follows...

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Polar Vortex To Plunge US Temperatures to -60C

Windchills of nearly -60C (-70F) are threatening to turn states in the north and northwest US into an icy deep freeze.

A phenomena described as a polar vortex is set to suck super-chilled air from the Arctic into North and South Dakota, the Great Lakes states and New England, sending temperatures plunging.

Washington DC has already seen its coldest temperatures for 20 years and several Mid Western states have recorded their lowest mercury readings for more than a decade.

Weather Bell meteorologist Ryan Maue described current weather conditions as a once in a generation event.

"If you're under 40 (years old), you've not seen this stuff before," he said.

But with much of the north east of the country already under thick snow and well below zero, a newly emerging weather system is threatening to cause further misery.

Scituate, Massachusetts, is among the places to have seen blizzards

The 'polar vortex' is an anti-clockwise rotating pool of cold, dense air that forms close to the North Pole, but typically hangs over Canada.

Meteorologists say that unusually, this year, it is heading south and moving towards the north and eastern United States.

Fargo in North Dakota is expected to dip to -31C (-25F), International Falls, Minnesota will fall to -35C (-31F) and Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois, will reach -26C (-15F).

Forecasters say that at those temperatures exposed skin can get frostbitten in minutes and hypothermia can quickly set in as wind chills may reach 50, 60 or even 70 below zero F (45.5,  51 or even 56.7 below zero C).

Parts of northeastern New England have already dropped into the negatives with some places hitting -35C (-30F) in Vermont and -38C (-36F) in Maine.

TV pictures from some of the worst affected areas have been reminiscent of images from an Antarctic or Arctic winter.

People enjoy Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro during a heatwave in Brazil

At least 16 deaths have been blamed on a snow storm that swept across the eastern half of the US at the end of last week.

Only a few thousand people have been left without power in the US despite heavy snowfalls, but in Canada, which has seen unusually heavy snow in a country used to cold winters, nearly 90,000 are without power in Newfoundland.

Temperatures were also expected to plummet to -35C in northwestern Ontario and Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Saturday night for much of southern Ontario, warning of heavy snowfalls.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, soaring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro set off fire sprinklers in shopping malls as the thermometer topped 40C (102F).

Thousands headed to the beach as temperatures rose to more than 50C in the sunshine.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Eusebio: Portugal Football Legend Dies

Former Portugal footballer Eusebio, often ranked as one of the best players ever, has died at the age of 71, his former club has confirmed.

The forward was the top scorer in the 1966 World Cup as he guided his team to third place in the tournament.

The 71-year-old reportedly died early on Sunday morning of cardiac failure.

Portuguese state television channel RTP quoted his his biographer, Joao Malheiro, as saying: "Having followed his life close up and on a daily basis, I was a witness to his health having become very fragile and there were clear signs of this in recent years.

"At the moment though this isn't the most important thing, what's most important is to remember the man who was, and always will be, in the place of the imortals of this country and was clearly of emblematic importance for Portuguese in the 20th century, above all during the 1960s when Portugal lived under a dictatorship."

The 71-year-old's health was reportedly deteriorating for some time

Nicknamed the Black Panther or the Black Pearl, Eusebio spent most of career with Benfica in Portugal after moving from the then Portuguese territory Laurenco Marquez, now Mapatu in Mozambique.

The club's fans will be offered the chance to pay their final respects to the player at the Estadio da Luz later on Sunday.

"Eusebio's body will be brought to the stadium later today and all fans will be able to say goodbye," the spokesman said.

"It's a very sad day for all of us."

Eusebio spent most of his career with Benfica in Portugal

Current Portugal star Ronaldo posted a picture of himself and Eusebio on his Facebook page.

"Eusebio will always be eternal. Rest in peace," he wrote alongside the picture.

Former Portugal captain Luis Figo, the 2001 FIFA world player of the year, tweeted: "The king!! Great loss for us all! The greatest!!"

Franz Beckenbauer, the former Germany player and manager, said: "One of the greatest football players ever has passed away. My friend Eusebio died last night. My thoughts are with his family."

Eusebio with current Portugal captain Ronaldo in 2008

Eusebio scored 733 goals in 745 competitive games - including 317 goals in 301 appearances for Benfica - over his career and in a poll conducted for Uefa's Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2004 he was voted as the 7th best European footballer to have played the game.

He won the European Cup with Benfica in 1962 and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1965.

In an interview in 2011, recalling his tears after a 2-1 World Cup semi-final loss to England, Eusebio said: "I was the best player in the world, top scorer in the world and Europe. I did everything, except win a World Cup."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Iraq: US 'Will Not Join' Battle For Fallujah

The US has said it will not get involved in the fight for Fallujah and Ramadi after the Iraqi cities fell under the control of al Qaeda-linked militants.

The US Secretary of State John Kerry made it clear that, although Washington would provide "assistance" to Iraqi security forces, they will not put US "boots on the ground".

Clashes erupted after the predominantly Shia government cleared a Sunni-Arab protest camp in Ramadi last week.

After a few days the fighting spread to neighbouring Fallujah, a hotbed of insurgent activity in Anbar province following the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Now Fallujah is reportedly to be under the control of fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an Islamist insurgent group active in Iraq and Syria.

Iraqi security forces said they were preparing for a major attack on Sunday which would allow them to retake the cities.

Armed men roam a street in the western, mainly Sunni Muslim city of Ramadi

Earlier, Lt Gen Rashee Fleih of the Anbar Military Command said it would take "two to three days" to dislodge the militants.

The army is currently paused on the edge of Fallujah while residents are allowed to leave, officials said.

There are four separate groups involved in the battle for control of Anbar province; the Iraqi security forces, Sunni tribes loyal to the government, the anti-government Military Council of the Tribes, and the ISIL.

Mr Kerry told reporters in Jerusalem: "We are not obviously contemplating returning, we are not contemplating putting boots on the ground, this is their fight.

"But we're going to help them in their fight ... we are going to do everything that is possible to help them."

In 2004, Fallujah saw some of the worst fighting of the Iraq conflict, with US troops trying to root out insurgents during violent street battles which left much of the city-centre destroyed.

Friends and relatives pray over the coffin of a man killed in Fallujah

US forces eventually took control of Anbar province from militants with the support of Sunni Arab tribesmen who joined forces with the US in 2006.

Mr Keery said Washington was "very, very concerned" about the resurgence of the ISIL after some 160 people were killed over the weekend.

The ISIL is currently enjoying a significant resurgence in Iraq and Syria, where it has become a major player in the three-year-old revolution against President Bashar al Assad.

But it has received strong criticism for imposing strict Sharia law in the areas it controls.

Meanwhile, at least 15 people have been killed in a series of bombings in commercial areas of the capital, Baghdad.

The deadliest attack took place in northern Baghdad's mainly Shia district of Shaab where two car bombs went off killing at least nine people and wounding 25. 

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Schumacher Remains 'Critical But Stable'

Former Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher remains "critical but stable" in hospital after a skiing accident, his family says.

The racing star has been at Grenoble University Hospital in France in a medically-induced coma for six days following the accident in the French Alps.

Schumacher's wife Corinna arrives at hospital this morning

Schumacher's wife, brother and father arrived at the hospital this morning with FIA President Jean Todt.

No official statement has been made on the 45-year-old's condition, but friend and former Formula 1 driver Philippe Sttreiff told reporters yesterday that Doctor Gerard Saillant, a friend of the Schumacher family, said: "Michael's life in not in danger anymore".

Gerard Saillant (R) allegedly revealed Schumacher's life was not in danger

Speaking outside the hospital he said: "I'm repeating what Gerard Saillant told me. Gerard Saillant said it is a serious condition but his life is not in danger anymore now, thankfully."

But Schumacher's manager later responded to this, by confirming his condition remained "stable, but still critical".

The star's manager Sabine Kehm has played down rumour's about his condition

Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm also sought to play down media speculation about his health, and requested respect for the family's privacy.

Citing consultations with Schumacher's doctors, she said no press conferences were expected before Monday.

Meanwhile, a camera reportedly attached to Schumacher's helmet is being examined in the hope it will reveal more about the circumstances of his accident.

Authorities are checking the device while also questioning Schumacher's son, who was with him at the time of the accident.

Schumacher, known affectionately as Schumi by fans, is the most successful F1 driver in history, racking up a record 91 race wins. He retired in 2012.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

More follows...

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

China: Falling Girl Saved By Air-Con Unit

A four-year-old girl fell from a fifth floor window of an apartment block in China - but was luckily stopped midway by an air-conditioning unit.

Video shows firefighters rushing to the scene in the Fuling District of Chongqing, in the southwest, and rescuing the girl within minutes.

The youngster was said to be in a state of shock, but her condition was described as "good".

The girl on the air-conditioning unit waits to be rescued

Authorities said the girl was with her grandfather in the apartment when the accident happened on Friday afternoon.

He was said to be watching television at the time.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.18 | 0 komentar | Read More