Police 'Puzzled' As Law Professor Gunned Down

Florida police investigating the shooting death of a prominent criminal law professor believe he was the intended victim.

Dan Markel, also a blogger, was gunned down in his home in an upscale neighbourhood in Tallahassee and died on Saturday.

His death shocked the community at Florida State University, where he taught.

Police went back to his home on Monday and said they did not believe the killing was random - rather Mr Markel was the intended target.

Officials said it not appear to be a burglary.

But they released little else information about the death that remains without an apparent motive.

"This is a puzzle and we need to get all of the pieces of the puzzle put together to bring this case to a close," police spokesman David Northway told CBS.

The Toronto-raised Mr Markel got his law degree at Harvard and joined Florida State University in 2005.

He was a contributor to The New York Times and USA Today and often commented on themes relating to the theory of retributive justice.

In a statement, Florida State University called Mr Markel "an outstanding teacher and extraordinary scholar".

Colleagues on his blog Prawfsblawg wrote: "The terrible, senseless nature of his loss makes it all the harder to bear."

CBS quoted a lawyer for his ex-wife as saying she is devastated and afraid following Mr Markel's death.

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Litvinenko Death: Public Inquiry To Be Held

The widow of poisoned ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko says she is "relieved and delighted" that there will be a public inquiry into his death.

Marina Litvinenko said the Government's announcement there would be a full investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death sent a message to his killers that "no matter how strong and powerful you are, the truth will win out in the end".

Home Secretary Theresa May outlined the terms of the public inquiry in a written statement.

Investigators will now be able to examine whether his killing was a Russian state-ordered assassination, as has been suggested.

Marina Litvinenko had been fighting for a public inquiry

Mr Litvinenko was poisoned by a cup of tea laced with the deadly radioactive element polonium-210 during a meeting at a London hotel in 2006 with two former Russian agents. He died three weeks later.

Mrs Litvinenko has fought for a public inquiry into his death ever since, but the Government refused on the grounds it wanted to wait for the outcome of an inquest into his death.

Mrs May said in her statement: "I very much hope that this inquiry will be of some comfort to his widow."

The Litvinenko affair has caused significant diplomatic ructions between Britain and Russia. Police have asked for the arrests of two prime suspects, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun, but the Kremlin has refused.

The announcement of an inquiry could not have come at a worse time for Britain's increasingly frayed relationship with Russia as tensions between the two countries intensify over Vladimir Putin's handling of the Ukraine air disaster.

Andrei Lugovoi is now a Russian MP

Sky's political correspondent Anushka Asthana said: "Sources admit it is 'bad timing' but insist there is no conspiracy. They point to a High Court ruling back in February, following a judicial review by Mr Litvinenko's widow. It said there was a pressing need for an inquiry. So the Government had to act.

"But it did so slowly. Today was its final opportunity, according to the source, because it is the day that Parliament breaks up - and given the ruling it would be inappropriate to wait until after the summer."

Mr Litvinenko fled Russia in 2000 and was granted asylum in Britain. His widow claims he was working for MI6 at the time of his death after meeting Mr Lugovoi and Mr Kovtun at the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square.

Last year, Sir Robert Owen, who was conducting the inquest and would now chair the inquiry, said he could not hold a "fair and fearless" investigation into Mr Litvinenko's death because the Government refused to release information on Russian and British intelligence involvement.

Alexander Litvinenko in 1998

He had said a public inquiry would be the best way to proceed.

Mr Lugovoi, who is now a Russian MP, withdrew his cooperation with the inquest in 2013, accusing the British Government of a cover-up.

He has always denied murdering Mr Litvinenko, but has admitted meeting him shortly before his death, however, traces of radiation at key locations on his route from Moscow to London were found.

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MH17: Families And Futures 'Ruined' By Crash

Russia Only Needs To Create Doubt Over MH17

Updated: 12:50pm UK, Tuesday 22 July 2014

By Katie Stallard, Moscow Correspondent

From a cavernous situation room inside the Russian Ministry of Defence, the Lieutenant-General set out Russia's version of events.

The briefing was carried live on Russian state TV and handed out on DVDs by Russia's ambassador to Malaysia.

They claim to have detected a Ukrainian military aircraft within 3-5km of the Malaysian Airliner on Thursday.

"The SU-25 fighter jet can gain an altitude of 10km, according to its specification," Lt Gen Kartopolov explained (which happens to be the exact altitude at which MH17 was flying).

"It's equipped with air-to-air R-60 missile that can hit a target at a distance up to 12km, up to 5km for sure.

"We would like to get an explanation as to why the military jet was flying along a civil aviation corridor at almost the same time and at the same level as a passenger plane."

They also claim to have detected an unusual increase in Ukrainian radar activity leading up to the incident, and that the airliner came down "within the operating zone" of Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile defences.

He showed satellite images of a Ukrainian base close to Donetsk, pointing out that its surface-to-air missile units were missing on the day of the crash.

He then appeared to claim that one of the units had moved into rebel-controlled territory on the morning of the crash.

Finally, Russia categorically denied supplying the rebels with Buk surface-to-air missile systems, or indeed any other weaponry.

Now, firstly, it's worth saying there is a propaganda war in both directions here, which has been going on for several months, and that both sides are pursuing interests beyond the immediate tragedy of MH17.

But the questions Russia presents "that Kiev must answer" raise a few questions themselves.

The SU-25 "fighter jet" Russia claims to have identified close to the airliner is a ground attack aircraft - according to its manufacturer its maximum service height, without weapons, is 7,000m - 3km short of MH17.

As Russian military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer pointed out, it's also too slow: "They should have at least claimed it was an SU-27," he said.

And if the rebels don't have the Buk missile system, or indeed any other Russian-supplied weaponry - how did they target the dozen Ukrainian military aircraft they have previously boasted of shooting down?

This included an Antonov-26 transport aircraft, flying at an altitude of 6,500m last week.

It is possible of course that the rebels have acquired weapons from Ukrainian military bases, although the government in Kiev insists it can account for all of its missile systems.

And what exactly is the case Russia is setting out? Is it suggesting the Ukrainian SU-25 (despite its technical limitations) shot down the passenger jet in mid-air?

And why? The plane would seem to have been travelling in the wrong direction for Ukrainian forces to have perceived it as a hostile aircraft coming from Russia, and the rebels don't have an air force.

So are they seriously suggesting the Ukrainians deliberately moved their missiles on to rebel-held territory and shot the airliner down as part of some sort of nefarious plan to frame the rebels and turn world opinion against them?

But then Russia doesn't need to prove its case - all it needs is to create one, to insist that there are different versions of events, that there is credible claim and counter-claim.

In much the same manner as a criminal defence barrister, Russia doesn't have to demonstrate that its alleged client is innocent - just to establish enough doubt in the minds of the jury - in this case the international community - that they can't be completely sure.

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Woman Killed By Car 'May Have Been Pushed'

Two pedestrians killed on a busy Norfolk road had seperately asked someone to call the police shortly before their deaths, detectives have revealed.

The man and woman, believed to be Lithuanian nationals in their 20s who were living in the area, died on Sunday afternoon after being hit by a car on the A47 east-bound at Terrington St John.

Police say they are treating the woman's death as suspicious following accounts by some witnesses that she may have been pushed into oncoming traffic.

Both the man and woman were walking barefoot towards King's Lynn on the busy dual carriageway at the time.

Det Chief Inspector Paul Durham, said that officers were trying to piece together the pair's movements but help from other witnesses is needed.

The first reported sighting of them is at 12.30pm on the Elm roundabout at Wisbech. At 1.20pm they stopped at Worzals Farm Shop in Walpole Highway and each asked an assistant to call police, giving no explanation about why. 

They left before police were called, the detective said.

He went on: "Witnesses then see them again walking along the verge of the A47 eastbound dual carriageway, where they are struck and killed by a single vehicle at 2.15pm.

"They would have posed an unusual sight - the woman wearing a bright pink vest-top and the man in designer-style jean shorts - both walking barefoot along one of our busiest trunk roads on one of the hottest days of the year.

"We need to find out how and why this tragedy occurred and I would urge anyone who thinks they may have seen them in the area, at any time on Sunday morning, to come forward with information."

The man is described as slim, white, 6ft 1in and with short dark hair. He was wearing blue knee-length jean shorts and a grey T-shirt.

The woman is described as slim, white, 5ft 7in, and with long auburn hair. She was wearing a bright pink vest top and black knee-length leggings.

Police are trying to trace next of kin and will not reveal the pair's identity until their families have been told.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Pregnant Woman And Child Among Airstrike Dead

A four-year-old girl and three women, one of them pregnant, were among those killed in the latest Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, according to medics.

It comes as the Israeli military confirmed one of its soldiers was missing, presumed dead, and diplomatic efforts were stepped up aimed at securing a ceasefire in the bloody conflict.

At least six people were killed in three separate aerial attacks in Bureij and Al-Maghazi in central Gaza, and Rafah in the south.

A Palestinian medic inspects damage at a hospital in Gaza

The missing Israeli soldier was one of seven personnel who had been inside an armoured vehicle hit by an anti-tank missile on Sunday.

The military has only been able to identify six of the dead, but a spokesman denied any possibility the unaccounted for soldier was still alive.

It follows claims by Hamas that it had captured a soldier, which was denied at the time by Israel's ambassador to the UN.

Israel is continuing its offensive to stop attacks by Hamas militants

Militants displayed a photo ID and army serial number raising fears they had seized his remains, which could be used to exchange for prisoners.

More than 600 Palestinians, many of them women and children, and 29 Israelis, including 27 soldiers, have been killed in the 15-day conflict as Israel tries to stop rockets being fired from Gaza.

The continued violence comes as diplomatic efforts intensify in Cairo, where US Secretary of State John Kerry has met Egyptian leaders including the country's president Abdel Fattah al Sisi.

As Mr Kerry arrived in Cairo, the US confirmed it would provide $47m (£27m) in humanitarian aid for Gaza.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Cairo to try and broker a ceasefire

He has urged Hamas, which wants Israeli restrictions eased around Gaza, to seek peace talks based on an Egyptian truce proposal, that the group has rejected.

Meanwhile, UN chief Ban Ki-Moon has held talks in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and was also due to meet Palestinian officials in the West Bank.

Mr Netanyahu said the international community should hold Hamas accountable, accusing the militant group of rejecting ceasefire moves, and comparing it to other terror organisations including Isis, al Qaeda, and Boko Haram.

The funeral of an Israeli soldier near Tel Aviv

He insisted Israel was targeting "terrorist targets" in Gaza, and accused the fighters of hiding behind civilians.

"We will do what we need to do to defend ourselves," Mr Netanyahu said.

Mr Ban said: "We condemn strongly the rocket attacks. They must stop immediately."

The bombardment of Gaza has led to an exodus of more than 100,000 civilians

He also condemned the use of civilian sites by Hamas militants.

He called on both sides to "stop fighting, start talking".

And Mr Ban also urged Israel to exercise restraint.

Israel's aerial bombardment has so far resulted in an exodus of more than 100,000 Palestinian civilians, according to the United Nations.

:: Delta Airlines and US Airways have cancelled all flights to Israel indefinitely amid reports of a rocket near Tel Aviv airport.

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MH17: Rebels 'Calm' As Search For Clues Begins

Russia Only Needs To Create Doubt Over MH17

Updated: 12:50pm UK, Tuesday 22 July 2014

By Katie Stallard, Moscow Correspondent

From a cavernous situation room inside the Russian Ministry of Defence, the Lieutenant-General set out Russia's version of events.

The briefing was carried live on Russian state TV and handed out on DVDs by Russia's ambassador to Malaysia.

They claim to have detected a Ukrainian military aircraft within 3-5km of the Malaysian Airliner on Thursday.

"The SU-25 fighter jet can gain an altitude of 10km, according to its specification," Lt Gen Kartopolov explained (which happens to be the exact altitude at which MH17 was flying).

"It's equipped with air-to-air R-60 missile that can hit a target at a distance up to 12km, up to 5km for sure.

"We would like to get an explanation as to why the military jet was flying along a civil aviation corridor at almost the same time and at the same level as a passenger plane."

They also claim to have detected an unusual increase in Ukrainian radar activity leading up to the incident, and that the airliner came down "within the operating zone" of Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile defences.

He showed satellite images of a Ukrainian base close to Donetsk, pointing out that its surface-to-air missile units were missing on the day of the crash.

He then appeared to claim that one of the units had moved into rebel-controlled territory on the morning of the crash.

Finally, Russia categorically denied supplying the rebels with Buk surface-to-air missile systems, or indeed any other weaponry.

Now, firstly, it's worth saying there is a propaganda war in both directions here, which has been going on for several months, and that both sides are pursuing interests beyond the immediate tragedy of MH17.

But the questions Russia presents "that Kiev must answer" raise a few questions themselves.

The SU-25 "fighter jet" Russia claims to have identified close to the airliner is a ground attack aircraft - according to its manufacturer its maximum service height, without weapons, is 7,000m - 3km short of MH17.

As Russian military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer pointed out, it's also too slow: "They should have at least claimed it was an SU-27," he said.

And if the rebels don't have the Buk missile system, or indeed any other Russian-supplied weaponry - how did they target the dozen Ukrainian military aircraft they have previously boasted of shooting down?

This included an Antonov-26 transport aircraft, flying at an altitude of 6,500m last week.

It is possible of course that the rebels have acquired weapons from Ukrainian military bases, although the government in Kiev insists it can account for all of its missile systems.

And what exactly is the case Russia is setting out? Is it suggesting the Ukrainian SU-25 (despite its technical limitations) shot down the passenger jet in mid-air?

And why? The plane would seem to have been travelling in the wrong direction for Ukrainian forces to have perceived it as a hostile aircraft coming from Russia, and the rebels don't have an air force.

So are they seriously suggesting the Ukrainians deliberately moved their missiles on to rebel-held territory and shot the airliner down as part of some sort of nefarious plan to frame the rebels and turn world opinion against them?

But then Russia doesn't need to prove its case - all it needs is to create one, to insist that there are different versions of events, that there is credible claim and counter-claim.

In much the same manner as a criminal defence barrister, Russia doesn't have to demonstrate that its alleged client is innocent - just to establish enough doubt in the minds of the jury - in this case the international community - that they can't be completely sure.

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England 'Won't Bid While Sepp Blatter At Fifa'

By Richard Suchet, Sky News Reporter

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke says England will not bid for any Fifa tournaments while Sepp Blatter is in charge of the organisation.

Giving evidence to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS), Mr Dyke said: "We have already made a decision that we will not bid for Fifa tournaments while Sepp Blatter is there because we won't win.

"Mr Blatter sees the allegations (about corruption in Qatar's bid) as an attack on Fifa by the British press. Our decision is to try and concentrate in the years ahead on hosting Uefa tournaments.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter

"I don't think we should walk out of Fifa because within a week everyone has forgotten you and I don't think that sort of gesture-politics would help.

"I think trying to reform through Uefa and from the inside is the better way forward."

The DCMS is investigating allegations of corruption and bribery against two former vice-presidents of Fifa, the governing body of world football.

The claims stem from reports in the Sunday Times that Jack Warner, a former influential figure at Fifa, allegedly received $1.6m (£950,000) from a company controlled by Mohamed bin Hammam, a senior figure in Qatar's bid.

The organisers of Qatar 2022 World Cup have refuted the allegations, insisting they are "baseless and riddled with innuendo".

The small Emirate won a secret ballot of Fifa's executive committee, defeating bids from the US, Australia, Japan and Korea in 2010.

Asked about the Qatar event, Mr Dyke said: "It is accepted by everyone now that the 2022 World Cup will not be held in Qatar in summer.

Qatar's World Cup organisers have refuted corruption allegations

"That means it will either be played somewhere else, or in Qatar at a different time of year.

"The Premier League has also accepted the 2022 World Cup will not be held in summer. Its preference would be November, December time but European football associations each have their own preferences. Discussions are ongoing."

Mr Dyke also told the panel of MPs that England manager Roy Hodgson did "quite a good job" at the World Cup, adding: "We are looking at what needs to change and that discussion will happen in September."

And the FA chairman also said he was undecided over whether Russia should be stripped of the 2018 World Cup following recent political events in Ukraine and Crimea.

"I think it has to be looked at in longer terms than a week or two. We wouldn't have a view yet," Mr Dyke said.

Hodgson did "quite a good job" in Brazil, according to Mr Dyke

"I think we have to wait and see how things play out."

Labour's shadow health minister Andy Burnham is among those who have called on Fifa to "revisit" its decision to let Russia host the World Cup.

Fifa declined to comment when asked by Sky News if it believed Russia remains an appropriate choice for the 2018 World Cup following the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

A spokesman said: "We are in contact with both federations (Russia & Ukraine) and Uefa. We are not in a position to comment further at this stage."

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British Experts To Examine MH17 Black Boxes

Air accident investigators based at Farnborough will examine the data from the black boxes of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

David Cameron confirmed the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), part of the Department for Transport, would take the lead in analysing the crucial black box data.

He tweeted: "We've agreed Dutch request for air accident investigators at Farnborough to retrieve data from #MH17 black boxes for international analysis."

Aleksander Borodai handed the boxes to Malaysia's Colonel Mohamed Sakri

Rebel leader Aleksander Borodai - prime minister of the self-styled Donetsk People's Republic - earlier handed over the boxes in front of a packed room of journalists.

Malaysian Colonel Mohamed Sakri said they were "intact, although a bit damaged".

The handover comes as Dutch foreign minister Frans Timmermans said the EU had agreed to impose sanctions on more Russia officials in the wake of the crash.

European ministers have been meeting in Brussels to discuss new measures against Moscow, which is accused of backing the rebels suspected of being behind the disaster.

Mr Timmermans said a "forceful decision" had been agreed that would impose further visa bans and asset freezes.

The train carrying the MH17 victims left rebel-held territory overnight

He did not specify names or say how many Russian officials were on the list.

Mr Timmermans added that EU foreign ministers were preparing more forceful sanctions against Russia's arms, energy and financial sectors if it continues to back the rebels in Ukraine.

Many of the victims of flight MH17 have now arrived in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, where the bodies will be handed over to Dutch officials.

Refrigerated train wagons made the 186-mile (300km) journey from Torez overnight, after armed separatists who had been guarding the carriages allowed them to leave.

Inside were up to 280 bodies, which will now be flown to the Netherlands where two-thirds of the 298 victims came from.

The bodies are expected to arrive in the country on Wednesday.

More follows...

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'Evidence' Of Islamist School Takeover Plot

School 'Trojan Horse': A Timeline

Updated: 1:26pm UK, Tuesday 22 July 2014

:: March 7

A letter is sent to Birmingham City Council, apparently from an Islamic extremist, giving details of a "takeover" of Birmingham schools known as Operation Trojan Horse. The plot, it says, has seen four head teachers removed from post and replaced with Islamist appointments.

It highlights 12 other schools that are to be targeted. The letter has now been widely denounced as fake but is thought to have been written by someone who was trying to draw attention to the problem.

:: March 10

Birmingham City Council launches a five-point response plan announcing a six-month investigation into allegations to be led by former head teacher Ian Kershaw. A review group will oversee the work.

:: March 22

Park View Academy, one of the schools at the centre of the allegations is to be placed in special measures, according to senior education sources, who leak the details of an Ofsted inspection.

::April 14

Birmingham City Council announces Peter Clarke, the former Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism boss, will oversee the Trojan Horse inquiry. Community leaders say it sends out the wrong message.

:: May 28

Head teacher Tim Boyes discloses he warned the Department for Education in 2010 about a plot by Islamic hardliners to infiltrate Birmingham schools.

:: June 2

A leaked Ofsted inspection on the Golden Hillock school finds it "failed to protect children from extremism".

::June 3

The former chairman of governors at Golden Hillock, John Ray, says he raised Islamist infiltration fears with John Major's government in 1994.

:: June 4

Comments by Education Secretary Michael Gove are leaked to The Times in which he is critical of the Home Office approach to tackling extremism. In response the Home Office releases a letter from Theresa May to Mr Gove asking why his department did not tackle fears of an Islamist takeover plot when they were raised in 2010.

:: June 5

A leak of the Ofsted report into Golden Hillock school, run by the Park View Educational Trust, shows it is to be placed in special measures.

:: June 6

After three statements insisting they work well together, Mr Gove says he is "not at war with Theresa May".

:: June 7

Mr Gove is made to apologise for his comments and Mrs May's aide Fiona Cunningham is forced to resign for her response to The Times story. She told journalists: "Why is the DfE wanting to blame other people for information they had in 2010? Lord knows what more they have overlooked on the subject of the protection of kids in state schools? It scares me."

:: June 8

Downing Street releases some details of Ofsted reports on the 21 Birmingham schools that have been inspected as part of the Trojan Horse response. Schools are accused by Ofsted of covering up evidence of infiltration and some are placed in special measures.

David Cameron orders Michael Gove to launch spot checks on schools.

:: June 17

An assistant principal at Park View claimed "plain old Islamophobia" was behind the claims. Lee Donaghy told a panel of MPs that people were failing to differentiate between "Muslims", "terrorists" and "extremists" and twisting events at his school.

:: July 9

Chief inspector of schools Sir Michael Wilshaw told MPs on the education select committee that there was no evidence of actual extremism.

However his inspectors had found schools implicated in the so-called "Trojan Horse" plot used deliberate intimidation against those who did not conform to their ideology, leaving pupils at risk.

:: July 15

The chairman and board of trustees of the Park View Education Trust, Tahir Alam, resign. Michael Gove becomes a victim of the Cabinet reshuffle, losing his job as Education Secretary to Nicky Morgan. Mr Gove becomes Commons chief whip in a period of legislative calm ahead of the next General Election.

Mr Alam also urged the new Education Secretary to "urgently consider" removing Ofsted head Sir Michael from his position for what he called his "role in this fiasco".

:: July 22

The report carried out by Mr Clarke finds: There has been co-ordinated, deliberate and sustained action, carried out by a number of associated individuals, to introduce an intolerant and aggressive Islamic ethos into a few schools in Birmingham."

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US Flights To Israel Halted Amid Rocket Fire

Three US airlines have cancelled all flights to Israel following rocket fire near Tel Aviv airport.

Delta said one of its planes from New York to Ben Gurion Airport had to be diverted to Paris on Tuesday because of the missile fire.

Flight 468 had 273 passengers and 17 crew on board.

US Airways and United Airlines also cancelled flights to Israel.

Delta said its service between Ben Gurion and John F Kennedy International Airport in New York would be suspended until further notice.

The airline said: "Delta continues to work closely with US and other government resources to monitor the situation."

Israel launched a major offensive on July 8 on the Gaza Strip to stop Hamas militants firing rockets into Israel, and the fighting continues.

On Tuesday, a Hamas rocket hit a town near Ben Gurion Airport.

Israeli police spokeswomen Luba Samri told the Associated Press news agency the missile damaged a house and slightly wounded one Israeli.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said at Tuesday's daily briefing there were no plans for US aviation chiefs to warn against flying into Israeli air space.

The Federal Aviation Authority issued such an advisory about Ukraine earlier this year before last week's downing of a passenger jet over that country, killing all 298 people on board.

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