Binman Drank Pint Cocktail With Four Live Fish

A 33-year-old binman who drank a cocktail containing four live fish has walked free from court after admitting animal cruelty.

Paul Wooding, from Ross-on-Wye, was sentenced by Hereford magistrates over two offences linked to the online Neknominate craze.

He was handed an 18-month conditional discharge for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and failing to protect the fish.

The prosecution was brought by the RSPCA after Wooding posted video of the incident on his Facebook page.

In the video, he announced "this is my Neknominate" before downing a pint glass of wine, gin, vodka, rum and lemonade - together with the fish.

Wooding was watched by a group of friends

He then nominated four other people to join the drinking game.

Rafe Turner, prosecuting, said professional vet confirmed that "the fish have been caused pain, based on the video evidence".

The Neknominate phenomenon is thought to have started in Australia, with Wooding thought to be the fifth such court case in the UK.

After being interviewed about the video, Wooding later wrote on Facebook: "Some people's lives must be that sad and boring, to get any excitement they have to report me to the RSPCA for my Neknominate."

Wooding proudly diisplays the fish cocktail

Wooding told investigators he had been nominated to drink by friends and "something was going around to get some fish, to make it different".

Mr Turner said he told the RSPCA the fish were "little minnows" and he had got them out of his friend's fish tank an hour before carrying out the act.

Wooding said he had drunk about eight pints and six double gins before downing the cocktail at the Golf Inn, in Ross.

His lawyer Chris Morgan questioned why the case had made it to court when cautions had been issued for "other similar matters".

He added: "Yes, those fish may have experienced pain and then died, but they are small fish, nothing more."

Wooding was also ordered to pay £500 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

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Man Arrested Over Tilbury Container Death

Police in Northern Ireland have arrested a man in connection with the death of an immigrant who was found in a container at Tilbury Docks in Essex.

The 34-year-old, from Limavady in County Londonderry, was arrested just after midday on the A1 at Banbridge on suspicion of manslaughter and facilitating illegal entry.

He is currently in the custody of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) ahead of being returned to England for questioning by Essex Police.

Mr Kapoor was one of 35 Afghan Sikhs in the container

PSNI officers are also searching his home to help the investigation.

Meet Singh Kapoor, 40, from Afghanistan, was found dead inside the airtight container on a P&O Ferry on Saturday.

He is understood to have died in his children's arms. A post-mortem examination was unable to establish how he died.

Mr Kapoor was one of 35 Afghan Sikhs, including 13 children, from Kabul who were found the container.

The alarm was raised after "banging and screaming" could be heard from the container when it arrived at Tilbury on a ship from Zeebrugge in Belgium on Saturday morning.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore, of Essex Police, said: "This is a fast-moving investigation which has already involved a number of police forces and law enforcement agencies from across the United Kingdom and Europe.

Tilbury Docks is east of the capital

"I am very grateful to officers from the PSNI for their assistance this morning.

"We will continue to work closely with all of our policing colleagues as we pursue our investigation to bring those responsible for this crime to justice."

Those who survived the ordeal are now applying for asylum in the UK and under the care of the Home Office.

"We are continuing to provide expert support, along with the National Crime Agency, to the Essex Police investigation into the discovery of 35 people in a container at the port of Tilbury on Saturday," a Home Office spokesman said.

"This tragic incident is a reminder of the devastating human consequences of illegal migration and we will do all we can to help bring those responsible to justice."

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Iraq Conflict: Fighting Resumes At Mosul Dam

Fighting has resumed at Mosul Dam in northern Iraq with US jets spotted flying overhead, according to Sky sources.

Islamic State (IS) militants seized the strategically important site, which supplies water and power to millions of people down the Tigris river valley, nearly two weeks ago.

But US President Barack Obama announced on Monday that Iraqi and Kurdish forces had regained control of the hydroelectric facility with the help of American airstrikes.

He called it a "major step forward" in the battle against the extremist group.

However, as the Kurds were celebrating their victory at the dam, it appeared there were still remnants of IS in the area who were putting up resistance.

Mosul Dam. Pic: File

Sky's Alex Crawford, at Mosul Dam, said: "We heard firing behind us about 1km away. The president's son said he suspected some hardened IS fighters were in the south of the dam who had not been cleared from the area."

She added: "They are still clearly holding out and putting up some sort of defence."

Crawford said she heard heavy machine-gun fire and possibly mortar shelling as well as jets overhead.

US fighter jets and drones have been attacking IS targets as they try to help push back the Sunni extremists who have taken over large parts of the north and west since June as Iraqi troops fled.

There is also fierce fighting near the centre of Tikrit, the hometown of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

The dam and the city of Mosul are in the north of the country

Iraqi forces have halted their advance to Tikrit, which was seized by IS two months ago, due to fierce resistance from the militants.

The Iraqi military had earlier shelled militant positions inside and outside the town, officials said.

Much of the fighting was taking place near the main hospital, more than two miles from the centre.

Meanwhile, the insurgents, who also seized control of the second city of Mosul in June, have threatened to respond to US airstrikes by attacking American targets, posting a video in which they warn: "We will drown all of you in blood".

The message was accompanied by photographs of beheadings.

Unlike al Qaeda, IS has, to date, focused on seizing land in Iraq and Syria for its self-proclaimed caliphate, rather than attacking Western targets.

Earlier, the group denied losing control of Mosul Dam.

Also, the UN refugee agency said it was poised to mount a massive aid operation in Irbil for 500,000 Iraqis driven from their homes by the jihadists.

Among the initial supplies are 3,000 tents, 200,000 plastic sheets, 18,500 kitchen sets and 16,500 jerry cans.

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Mates Back Bodybuilder Over Balcony Death

By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent

Friends of an Australian man accused of murdering a woman he met on the Tinder dating app have taken to social media to stand by him.

Bodybuilder Gable Tostee from Queensland has been charged with murdering 26-year-old New Zealand tourist Warriena Tagpuno Wright.

Warriena Tagpuno Wright, 26, died on August 8

Police allege Ms Wright fell from the 13th floor of his Surfers Paradise apartment in the early hours of August 8.

Writing on Facebook, friend Tony Ongart said: "No matter how much hate from the media our mate gets, we always stick by our mates till the end including Gable Tostee.

The Avalon apartment block. Pic: Ten Eyewitness News

"So go hate as much as you want, we don't care, it won't change our decision. In all these years he's stuck by us, and has never been a violent person... so we will back him up the whole way."

Hundreds have left comments on the post.

Mr Tostee was charged with murder on Friday at Surfers Paradise police station.

Speaking after a court hearing on Saturday, his defence lawyer Michael Purcell said the 28-year-old would fight the charge.

He said: "My client maintains his innocence and we look forward to the provision of a brief of evidence so we can move on with the court process."

Ms Wright was found at the base of the Avalon Apartments building at about 2.20am.

Mr Tostee's neighbours reported hearing voices and noises before Ms Wright apparently plunged from the high-rise block.

He was arrested at his parents' home in Carrara, according to media reports.

Marreza Wright said her sister was the "most important in the world"

Detectives who questioned him said he "exercised his right to silence".

Ms Wright's younger sister Marreza, 23, has referred to her sibling as "the most important person in my world".

She said: "It's hard for me facing the loss of my sister without knowing what happened in the last hours of her life."

Mr Tostee has been remanded in custody.

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Horror Video Of Snipers Picking Off 'Fishermen'

Fiji police are analysing a video which appears to show fishermen being shot dead at sea by unknown gunmen.

The 10-minute video - which was uploaded to YouTube by an unknown source - shows the men clinging to the remains of an upturned boat as shots are fired from what appears to be a commercial vessel.

One of the commercial vessels seen in the video

The film shows some of the men on the boat, which appears to be a tuna fishing vessel, laughing and posing for photographs after the killings.

Interpreters said languages heard on the video included Mandarin, Thai and Vietnamese, while the markings on one of the boats reportedly identify it as Taiwanese.

Fiji Police spokesman Atunaisa Sokomuri said it was too early to confirm whether the footage was genuine.

"There is no clear evidence to identify the victims as Fijian citizens, nor is there a clear indication of where or when this gruesome incident took place," he said.

The president of the Fiji Tuna Boat Owners Association, Graham Southwick, told Pacific Beat radio that Taiwanese boat contractors in Suva have claimed the footage shows the aftermath of a failed hijacking off Somali last year.

Men on the vessel laughed and posed for pictures after the killings

"It's a very famous incident and this didn't happen in Fiji, it happened off the coast of Somalia," he said.

"And the graphic pictures you see of people gunned in the water are not Fijians, but Somali pirates that attempted a hijack of some Taiwanese vessels that attempted a hijack that backfired and they all got gunned down.

Authorities have asked for help from Interpol and other Pacific nations to identify the vessels seen in the video.

Fairfax Media New Zealand, citing Fijian police sources, has reported that a student found the footage on a mobile phone left in a taxi in the Fijian capital, Suva.

Fiji is home to a large tuna fishing fleet, with many of the vessels from so-called "distant water" nations who ply the Pacific because it is one of the few regions where stocks, though declining, are still relatively abundant.

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Cilla Black 'Positive' Cliff Richard Is Innocent

Sir Cliff Richard's close friend Cilla Black has said she is "absolutely positive" allegations he sexually assaulted a boy are untrue.

The singer, who is often spotted at social events with the pop star, said she was shocked to hear that an investigation has been launched into an alleged sexual assault on a boy under the age of 16 in 1985.

Sir Cliff's Berkshire penthouse apartment was searched for five hours last Thursday by officers from South Yorkshire and Thames Valley Police.

Sir Cliff with Black (L) and Lulu in 1970

The singer, who was at his home in Portugal when the search took place, has firmly denied any wrongdoing.

Black, 71, said in a statement: "Cliff is a very close friend of mine and has been for a million years.

"I, like everyone else, was shocked to hear of these allegations and I am absolutely positive that they are without foundation."

Black and Sir Cliff's friendship dates back to the 1960s and they are often photographed watching the tennis at Wimbledon together.

Other high-profile names have defended Sir Cliff, including Sir Michael Parkinson who said the media's handling of the case was like a "witch hunt" and called for greater protection of people's anonymity until they are charged.

Sir Cliff is expected to return to the UK on Tuesday and police have said they want to speak to the star soon.

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Pope's Family Dies In Argentina Car Crash

Two great nephews of Pope Francis, and their mother, have been killed in a traffic accident in Argentina, say police.

The accident took place in the early hours of the morning on the Rosario-Córdoba highway in the district of Cordoba, 550km (340 miles) northwest of Buenos Aires, said police commissioner Carina Ferreyra.

The Pope's nephew, Emanuel Horacio Bergoglio, was reportedly driving a vehicle with his wife Valeria Carmona, 36, and their two children, Jose agd 8 months and 2-year-old Antonio.

Mr Bergoglio, who is the son of Alberto, the Pope's late brother, has been hospitalised and is in a serious condition.

Early reports suggest the vehicle they were travelling in hit a truck in front of them.

The family were reportedly returning to Buenos Aires following a holiday weekend.

Vatican spokesman the Rev Federico Lombardi said "The Pope was informed about the tragic accident. He is deeply pained," adding Pope Francis had asked "all who share in his grief to unite with him in prayer."

Earlier today, Pope Francis touched on the subject of his own death for the first time, telling reporters he gave himself "two or three years" to live.

On a flight back to the Vatican from South Korea, the 77-year-old pontiff said: "I see it as the generosity of the people of God. I try to think of my sins, my mistakes, not to become proud.

"Because I know it will last only a short time. Two or three years and then I'll be off to the Father's House."

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Israel Airstrikes After Rockets Fired From Gaza

Israel says it has carried out a series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip after three rockets fired by Palestinian militants hit the south of the country.

The latest round of violence meant a days-long truce, that had been extended on Monday night for another 24 hours, broke down.

The Israeli military said the rockets landed in open areas near the city of Beersheba. There were no reports of casualties.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said: "This rocket attack on Beersheba is a grave and direction violation of the ceasefire."

The Israel Defence Forces added on Twitter: "Terrorists have violated the ceasefire."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his military to strike Gaza "terror targets", according to an official.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket attacks.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

But shortly before the launch, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum hinted of more rocket fire, saying: "If Netanyahu doesn't understand ... the language of politics in Cairo, we know how to make him understand."

The extension to the five-day temporary truce had been agreed between Israel and Gaza's rulers Hamas and was due to expire at 10pm (UK time) on Tuesday night.

Egyptian-brokered negotiations have been taking place over how to end the weeks-long conflict.

Mr Netanyahu has now reportedly ordered his negotiators in Egypt's capital Cairo to return home.

Israel launched its military offensive on July 8 to stop rocket fire from the Palestinian territory.

In over a month of fighting, nearly 2,000 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of them civilians.

Sixty-seven Israelis have been killed, all but three of them soldiers.

Hamas is seeking an end to a seven-year Israeli-Egypt blockade that has hit Gaza's economy.

Israel wants the militant group to disarm.

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Airlines Warned Over Iceland Volcano Eruption

Why Volcanic Ash Is So Dangerous For Planes

Updated: 9:50am UK, Tuesday 19 August 2014

By Carole Erskine, Sky News Online

Pilots are advised never to fly though an ash cloud because of the extreme problems it can cause an aircraft.

Ingesting ash dust can cause partial or total engine power loss, and even power loss in all engines.

The ash can also damage aircraft ventilation, hydraulic, electronic and air data systems along with the plane's paint, windscreens and power plants.

Former British Airways pilot Eric Moody has first-hand experience of flying through an ash cloud.

In June 1982 he was piloting a Jumbo 747 from Kuala Lumpur to Perth, Australia when he hit an ash cloud just off Java.

"It was very frightening, all the engines stopped for 14 to 15 minutes and we didn't know what was happening," he told Sky News.

"It was dark and the effect was of St Elmo's fire around the aircraft. We were looking for the cloud that had caused it but didn't know it was a volcanic ash cloud.

"We glided the aircraft about 80 nautical miles and went down 37,000ft to about 12,000ft.

"That was when we must have come out of the bottom of the ash cloud. It was a dark old night."

As a result of Mr Moody's flight experience research into the effects of volcanic ash clouds on aircraft increased and Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres were established around the world.

"Flying into volcanic ash is as deadly as flying with ice on your aircraft," said Mr Moody.

"And everyone knows how dangerous that is."

There was huge disruption in the UK in 2010 after a massive cloud of ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland drifted into UK airspace.

A number of airports were closed and hundreds of flights cancelled.

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Dehydrated Migrants Found In Somerset Lorry

Fifteen young migrants suffering from dehydration have been found in the back of a lorry stopped at a service station in Somerset.

Avon and Somerset Police said the vehicle was stopped at about 1pm by the Southfields roundabout on the A303 near Ilminster after officers received a calls about "shouts and banging" coming from the back of the lorry.

The German lorry driver, who is also understood to have raised the alarm with his boss in Denmark, has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating the unlawful entry of people into the UK and is being questioned by officers at Yeovil police station.

The eleven men, three women and a 15-year-old boy found inside the refrigerated box lorry - from Eritrea and Kashmir - received treatment and were checked over by paramedics.

A police officer removes clothing from inside the lorry

Officers said they were working with immigration authorities to investigate how the people got on board the vehicle which was travelling towards Exeter in the South West when it was stopped.

The lorry, owned by Thermotraffic, an international freight company, left Sweden last Friday bound for Cornwall.

Carrying among other general Industrial cargo, table tennis tables, it was later driven away from the scene.

The driver's boss, based at the company's Scandinavian branch, told Sky News the refrigerated box was locked with a "bull" lock and could only be opened via the rear doors.

Sky's David Bowden said: "It looks like this was a tip-off. Police were following this vehicle. It clearly pulled into the service station and the police swooped."

Superintendent Geoff Wessell told Sky News: "Officers opened up the back to find 15 people in quite a state of distress in the back.

"I am aware the driver was in contact with his company... and was trying to find a safe place to pull over.

"He was quite shocked to find people in his vehicle and he is assisting us with our inquiries."

Mr Wessell said some of the people found in the lorry could speak English and were able to tell officers they got into the back of the vehicle in mainland Europe, on the other side of the Channel, at one of the main ferry ports.

Most of the men and women are believed to be in their late teens or early 20s.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: "Their health and welfare is paramount as we try to piece together with the immigration authorities exactly what has happened."

The discovery comes after the death of Meet Singh Kapoor, 40, from Afghanistan, who was found dead inside a container at Tilbury Docks in Essex on Saturday.

The rest of the 34-strong group of Afghan Sikhs from Kabul, which included 13 children, survived the ordeal. 

More follows...

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