Video: Reporter Confronts Iraq ISIS Militants

UK Carries Out Second Aid Drop In North Iraq

Updated: 3:53pm UK, Tuesday 12 August 2014

The RAF has completed its second aid drop over Northern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

More than 3,000 reusable water containers holding 3,500 gallons of water and other "essential supplies" were dropped on Mount Sinjar.

Up to 40,000 Yazidis remain in the sweltering mountains after fleeing militants from the Islamic State (IS).

A previous attempt to drop supplies had to be abandoned for fear it could hurt those on the ground.

A "small number" of Tornado jets are also being sent to the region so they can be used, if required, to help ensure humanitarian supplies are delivered.

The US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Iraq's new Prime Minister Haidar al Abadi to form a new government quickly, following his appointment on Monday.

It had looked like his appointment could result in increased instability after the incumbent prime minister Nuri al Maliki refused to step down from the role he has had for eight years.

But reports from Iraq said many of Mr Maliki's previous supporters backed Mr Abadi's appointment and on Tuesday a senior Iranian official, the Arab League and Saudi Arabia also welcomed the move.

Meanwhile, Mr Maliki ordered Iraq's security forces to stay out of what he called a "political crisis", damping fears they may intervene.

The US has been calling on Baghdad to form an "inclusive" government for many weeks in order to counter the threat from IS, formerly known as ISIS.

Mr Kerry said of Mr Abadi, a former exile in the UK: "We are urging him to form a new cabinet as swiftly as possible and the US stands ready to support a new and inclusive Iraqi government and particularly its fight against (the Islamic State)."

Mr Kerry had been meeting with senior figures in the Australian government and said afterwards that the allies would take the threat posed by jihadist foreign fighters to the United Nations.

The UN move came after Australia's prime minister slammed a "barbaric" photo which apparently showed the seven-year-old son of a militant holding the severed head of a Syrian soldier.

The European Union said it was increasing its aid to Iraq by 5m euros, bringing its total to 17m euros, in addition to the £13m in total provided by the UK.

The US's Centcom military information centre said it had carried out five aid drops on Mount Sinjar and a number of airstrikes on IS targets near the mountains.

France is planning a second aid drop into the mountains of Sinjar in the next two days.

The US has admitted that airstrikes against militants will not be enough to halt the advance of IS.

Joint staff operations director Lieutenant General William Mayville said: "We assess that US airstrikes in northern Iraq have slowed Islamic State (IS) … however, these strikes are unlikely to affect IS's overall capabilities or its operations in other areas."

But Mr Kerry also tried to allay US fears of being drawn back into another ground conflict in the area - 11 years after it launched a war in the country.

"There will be no reintroduction of American combat forces into Iraq. This is a fight that Iraqis need to join on behalf of Iraq," Mr Kerry added.

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World Mourns Loss Of 'Genius' Robin Williams

Robin Williams: Tributes For Actor Dead At 63

Updated: 3:15pm UK, Tuesday 12 August 2014

Relatives, showbiz personalities and politicians have expressed their sadness at the death of Robin Williams, who has died at the age of 63 in a suspected suicide.

The Oscar-winning actor was found dead at his home in northern California, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

Williams' wife Susan Schneider said in a statement: "This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken."

His daughter Zelda Williams posted an excerpt from the French poet and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery, which read: "You - you alone will have the stars as no one else has them ... In one of the stars I shall be living."

She added: "I love you. I miss you. I'll try to keep looking up."

The star of much-loved films including Mrs Doubtfire and Good Morning, Vietnam had been struggling with severe depression in recent weeks, according to Williams' press agent Mara Buxbaum.

A statement from President Barack Obama described the actor as "one of a kind".

"Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind," he said.

"He arrived in our lives as an alien - but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry.

"He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most - from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalised on our own streets.

"The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin's family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams."

Many celebrity colleagues and admirers took to Twitter to express their shock at the actor's death, and to pay tribute to Williams' large and well-respected body of work.

Pam Dawber, his co-star in Mork and Mindy, said: "I am completely and totally devastated. What more can be said?"

Film director Ron Howard recalled that he saw Mork's genesis as they worked together on the US series Happy Days.

In a message posted online, he said: "We lost Robin - first witnessed his genius as he created Mork before our eyes in two hours on set. A Force. A Sweet Soul. A Brilliant Artist."

Comedian and actor Billy Connolly, a close friend of Williams, said: "Robin was both my friend and my hero, a unique talent and a kind and generous man; the world will be a much poorer place without him."

Billy Crystal, who starred in a number of films with  Williams and joined him for a cameo in the sitcom Friends, said: "No words."

Steven Spielberg, who worked with Williams on Hook, said: "Robin was a lightning storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him.  He was a pal and I can't believe he's gone."

Spielberg famously regularly phoned Williams to cheer himself up during filming of his harrowing 1994 Holocaust drama Schindler's List.

Actor and comedian Steve Martin, his co-star in Waiting For Godot, said: "I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul."

Williams' Mrs Doubtfire co-star Sally Field said: "He always lit up when he was able to make people laugh, and he made them laugh his whole life long - tirelessly. He was one of a kind. There will not be another."

The Birdcage co-star Nathan Lane said: "What I will always remember about Robin, perhaps even more than his comic genius, extraordinary talent and astounding intellect, was his huge heart - his tremendous kindness, generosity, and compassion as an acting partner, colleague and fellow traveler in a difficult world."

His Good Will Hunting co-star Minnie Driver said: "My heart's broken. Robin was a beautiful, kind soul. Can't bear that he's gone. So incredibly sorry for his family."

Tributes have also been left at the Boston bench made famous during that film with quotes written in chalk on the concrete.

Ben Stiller, who starred in the Night At The Museum films with Williams, said: "A tweet cannot begin to describe the hugeness of Robin Williams heart and soul and talent. This is so sad."

The third installment of the franchise is due for release at Christmas.

Ricky Gervais, who also stars in the films, said: "I am deeply saddened. He was a lovely man who would keep everyone laughing even if he wasn't feeling good himself. RIP Robin Williams."

Johnny Depp said: "The world lost a legend of an actor and an extraordinary man today. Rest In Peace Robin Williams."

The US actor and director Henry Winkler wrote on Twitter: "Robin Williams was like no other .. To watch him create on the spot was a privilege to behold.

"Robin you are an angel now!!! REST IN PEACE," he added.

The Prince of Wales, who met Williams several times, also paid tribute, saying: "He was a remarkable man, whose wonderful frenetic humour brought a special kind of laughter into people's lives."

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in reference to his performance as the Genie in Aladdin, said: "Genie, you're free."

Comedian Eddie Izzard said: "Robin Williams has died and I am very sad. From every comedian here at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we salute him & we say goodbye."

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'Miracle' Panda Triplets Born In China Zoo

A zoo in China has unveiled what are believed to be the first ever surviving panda triplets.

Staff at the Chimelong Safari Park in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou described the triple-birth as a miracle, given the panda's extremely low reproductive rate.

According to the China Conservation and Research Centre, giant panda Juxiao - whose name translates as smiling chrysanthemum - gave birth to three cubs on Tuesday, July 29.

The cubs are said to be the only panda triplets to have survived

She delivered the first cub at 1.10am and the second cub at 3.47am. The third baby was successfully delivered at 4.34am. Staff said Juxiao was too exhausted to care for the cubs, who were moved to an incubator.

They have now been returned to Juxiao and the family are being monitored by an expert team 24 hours a day.

Incubators are being used to help the panda cubs survive

In a statement, an official from the safari park said that the three were said to be the only panda triplets that have ever survived.

However, given the high mortality rates among young pandas experts tend only to class them has having "survived" once they reach six months.

Mother panda Juxiao was said to be exhausted

If all three live beyond six months, their birth and survival will be considered a true miracle.

Their sex has not been disclosed and they have not yet been named publicly.

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Egypt Killings 'Planned At Highest Levels'

Egypt Killings Report: Key Findings

Updated: 2:03pm UK, Tuesday 12 August 2014

Human Rights Watch has issued a scathing 188-page verdict on the killings of more than 1,000 protesters in Egypt last year.

Here are the key findings:

:: The authorities used "deliberate and indiscriminate lethal force to disperse the two sit-ins, where protesters had remained encamped for 45 days, resulting in one of the most bloody incidents against protesters in recent history".

:: The attack on the encampment at Rabaa was carried from five different directions, with witnesses saying there were gunmen shooting down from helicopters at protesters who were being besieged with no access to safe exits for most of the day. 

:: The "brutal manner in which the security forces carried out the Rabaa and al Nahda dispersals appears to reflect policies that the Egyptian authorities at the highest levels implemented after weeks of planning". 

:: The Egyptian government used "disproportionate force, failed to take measures to minimise loss of life and knowingly opened fire on unarmed protesters".

:: The "systematic and widespread" nature of the killings along with evidence indicating the government planned to engage in mass unlawful killings, suggests the violations amount to crimes against humanity.

:: "Some protesters" carried weapons and shot at police. But "they were few in numbers" and did not justify the indiscriminate firing at unarmed protesters.

:: Rather than investigating potential wrongdoing, the government has refused to acknowledge any possible infractions on the part of the security forces. 

:: Instead, the government has accused foreign correspondents of biased coverage, and provided them with material, footage and photos to show that the encampments were training grounds for militants, often without verifying the material.  

:: An inquiry should investigate the role of the country's current President Abdel Fattah al Sisi and at least 10 senior military and security chiefs in the killing of 1,150 protesters over six weeks.

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Ukraine To Stop Russian Aid Convoy At Border

Ukraine has said it will stop an unofficial Russian aid convoy from crossing into a rebel-held part of the country.

Ukraine National Security and Defence Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko said the convoy of 280 lorries was not certified by the official aid coordinator, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The convoy of trucks had departed from a depot near Moscow on Tuesday morning and was expected to take up to a day to arrive at an undisclosed border location.

The ICRC confirmed it had no information on what the trucks were carrying or where they were going but Russian media said the vehicles were loaded with 2,000 tons of goods.

An orthodox priest walked along and blessed the trucks prior to their leaving the departure point.

Men load sacks on to one of the 280 trucks headed towards Ukraine

ICRC Ukraine mission spokesman Andre Loersch said that while it had reached a general agreement about aid delivery to the region, he had "no information about the content" of the trucks or destination.

The mission has raised fears in Ukraine and the West that it is being used as a pretext for sending troops, agents or arms to rebel-held areas adjacent to the Russian border.

Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said there was a "high probability" that Russia could intervene militarily in eastern Ukraine.

Mr Rasmussen said: "We see the Russians developing the narrative and pretext under the guise of a humanitarian operation.

"And we see a military build-up that could be used to conduct such illegal military operations in Ukraine."

Russia firmly denies the allegations but Nato said Moscow has massed 20,000 troops along the border - Kiev put the number at 45,000 troops.

EU humanitarian aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said aid deliveries must always comply "with the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence".

US President Barack Obama had earlier urged Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko to allow in humanitarian aid, including goods from Russia, to ease civilian suffering.

The White House said "any Russian intervention in Ukraine without the formal, express consent and authorisation would be unacceptable and a violation of international law".

More than 1,300 lives have been lost since April in the country, according to the United Nations.

It was unclear whether the trucks would cross the border and at least 60 miles of the border is currently in rebel hands.

The ICRC said it was ready to facilitate any aid operation with the involvement of all sides concerned.

But Laurent Corbaz, ICRC head of operations for Europe and central Asia, said "practical details of this operation need to be clarified" before the deliveries could be made.

French President Francois Hollande told Russian leader Vladimir Putin he had "grave concerns" about the mission.

His comments came as officials in Moscow said payment for two French-built helicopter carriers would only be made after the ships were delivered in 2015.

:: Ukraine's national currency fell on Tuesday to a record low against the US dollar, the strife-torn country's central bank said.

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Spanish Priest With Ebola Dies In Hospital

A Spanish priest who contracted ebola while working in Liberia has died in hospital, health authorities in Madrid have confirmed.

Father Miguel Pajares was the first European infected by a strain of the virus that has killed more than 1,000 people in West Africa.

He was airlifted from Liberia on August 7 after becoming infected while working for a non-governmental organisation there.

The 75-year-old was flown to Spain for treatment with his co-worker Juliana Bohi, a nun who has since tested negative for the disease.

Fr Parajes had been in quarantine in Madrid's Carlos III Hospital

Spain's Health Ministry said Fr Pajares was being treated with the experimental drug ZMapp, manufactured by U.S. company Mapp Biopharmaceutical. 

Two US aid workers infected by the disease have shown some signs of improvements since being given the drug, which had only previously been tested on monkeys.

Fr Pajares was part of a Catholic order at St Joseph's Hospital in Liberia's capital, Monrovia.

A Congolese nun died at the hospital over the weekend, days after its director also passed away.

The hospital has since been closed because of the outbreak.

Authorities in affected countries are spreading the word about the disease

Medics Zukunis Ireland and Abraham Borbor are expected to be the first Africans to be treated with ZMapp and have given written consent, Liberia's Information Minister Lewis Brown said.

Mr Brown told Reuters the Liberian government received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the pair to be treated before the drug could be exported - and that supplies should arrive in the next 48 hours.

Meanwhile, a panel of medical experts has ruled that it is ethical for infected patients to be treated with experimental drugs such as ZMapp, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

The UN health agency said in a statement: "In the particular circumstances of this outbreak, and provided certain conditions are met, the panel reached consensus that it is ethical to offer unproven interventions with as yet unknown efficacy and adverse effects, as potential treatment or prevention." 

Treatment with experimental drugs requires informed consent, freedom of choice, confidentiality, respect for the person, preservation of dignity and involvement of the community, the WHO said.

The virus has spread to four African countries - Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria - infecting a total 1,848
people, according to the WHO, which has branded the outbreak an international health emergency.

The latest outbreak has killed around 55-60% of those infected.

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DNA 'Links Teen To Girl's Rape And Murder'

Authorities say they have found DNA linking a teenager accused of raping and killing a six-year-old girl and his victim.

Details of the case emerged as a judge set a $1m bail for 17-year-old Gabriel Gaeta.

He is the only suspect in the murder of Jenise Wright, the Washington state girl who was strangled and sexually assaulted.

Gaeta was friends with her family and a neighbour in the mobile-home park in Bremerton.

Court documents lay out grisly details into the death of Jenise, who was last seen when she went to bed August 2 at her family's home.

A view of the mobile-home park where Jenise lived with the family

The girl's body was discovered on Thursday almost entirely submerged in a nearby muddy bog.

According to the New York Daily News, Gaeta went to her vigil before he was arrested.

Jenise's underwear and shorts were found about 15 to 20ft (4.5 to 6m) from where her body was found.

Authorities say forensic evidence analysed by the Washington state crime lab linked the clothing to the teen's DNA.

The sheriff's office collected DNA cheek swabs from Gaeta and dozens of other nearby residents during the investigation.

The shocked community left tributes for the little girl

Detectives interviewed the teen at the weekend and authorities said he "clearly nodded yes" when they asked whether he was the only one involved, according to court documents.

"Certainly, as you can see from the probable cause statement, his interactions suggested that he knew that responsibility was rightfully focused on him," Kitsap County Prosecutor Russ Hauge said.

Authorities then searched his home and found evidence, including a blood- and mud-covered shirt and a bloody towel in Gaeta's bedroom.

At a court appearance on Monday, prosecutors demanded a mental-health evaluation for the teen.

The next court appearance is scheduled for August 28.

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Fastest-Ever Camera Captures Chemical Reactions

Japanese researchers have unveiled the world's fastest camera which captures 4.4 trillion frames every second.

The results are up to 1,000 times faster than any camera before it.

It uses a technique called Sequentially Timed All-Optical Mapping Photography (Stamp) and is so fast that it can capture chemical reactions frame-by-frame.

The camera has been in development for three years and details of it have now been published in the journal Nature Photonics.

The researchers detailed how they successfully photographed the conduction of heat, a process which is a sixth of the speed of light.

There are a range of uses for such a camera, among them manufacturing fields that use laser cutting.

The camera could detect and allow the laser to correct cuttings as they are being performed, which could prove useful in medical fields, too.

Team member Professor Keisuke Goda, from the University of Tokyo, said the aim is to refine the camera to reduce its significant bulk. It currently measures around one square metre in size.

The pixel density is low compared to a typical camera - 450x450 - but is impressive by high-speed camera standards.

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Mother Arrested Over 'Fire Challenge' Video

A North Carolina woman has been arrested after she was accused of helping her son in a "fire challenge" video in which he set himself ablaze.

The "fire challenge" trend, in which people post videos of themselves on fire, has become a popular trend on Facebook, YouTube and other social media.

The suspect was allegedly present when this video was shot. Pic: Fox

However, Facebook has removed many similar videos and authorities discourage the activity pointing to its dangers.

Janie Lachelle Talley, 41, of Charlotte, has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Police say the woman was present when her 16-year-old son poured fingernail polish on himself on July 29 and set himself on fire.

The woman helped with the video recording, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

The teen suffered minor burns to his chest and neck as other people quickly intervened to put out the fire.

Police started investigating after the Department of Social Services was alerted to the incident.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said it "discourages this activity due to the extreme danger it poses to everyone involved and take all complaints seriously".

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Up To 35,000 Refugees Escape Mount Sinjar

The UN says up to 35,000 refugees have escaped Iraq's Mount Sinjar and are "exhausted" and "dehydrated".

Thousands, who faced starvation on the mountain, managed to reach northern Iraq's Kurdistan region through Syria over the past three days.

"The new arrivals are exhausted, dehydrated and many have suffered sun or heat stroke, with the daily temperatures reaching 40C to 45C," said UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards.

Meanwhile, an Iraqi helicopter delivering aid to the minority Yazidi sect on the mountain has crashed, Iraq's military spokesman Lt Gen Qassim al Moussawi told state television.

He said it was a Russian-made helicopter but gave no details on casualties.

Tens of thousands of Yazidis fled their homes to Sinjar after Islamic State fighters gave them an ultimatum to convert to Islam or die.

The Iraqi military as well as the US and UK have been flying supplies to help them.

Elsewhere in Iraq, two car bombs killed 12 people in Baghdad, police sources said.

A witness said he saw black smoke rising from the Karada area of the capital.

More follows...

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