Dale Cregan: Police Killer 'On Hunger Strike'

Convicted police killer Dale Cregan is reportedly on a hunger strike in a protest against being kept apart from other inmates.

The 30-year-old is serving a whole life sentence at HMP Full Sutton after being jailed in June for four murders.

Cregan gunned down unarmed policewomen Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, after luring them to a house last September.

He also killed father and son David and Mark Short in twin attacks earlier in 2012.

Cregan killed PCs Fiona Bone (L) and Nicola Hughes

Cregan is said to have started refusing food after the prison turned down his request to mix with other inmates, according to the Manchester Evening News.

One-eyed Cregan is also understood to be unhappy being at the Yorkshire prison and wants a move to Strangeways so he can be closer to family.

Cregan has been segregated from other inmates because of concerns over his safety as reports suggest there is an underworld reward of £20,000 for anyone who damages his remaining eye.

Cregan is serving a whole life sentence at HMP Full Sutton

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson could not confirm or deny the reports.

In a statement to Sky News, the spokesperson said: "We do not comment on individuals.

"We take food refusal extremely seriously. If a prisoner chooses to refuse food for any reason, the Prison Service works with healthcare staff to monitor their physical and mental health.

"Prisoners who are considered mentally capable are entitled to refuse health interventions, provided they fully understand the consequences of their decision."

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Mosque 'Arson Attempt': Police Hunt Under Way

Police are studying CCTV footage as they try and identify who was behind a suspected arson attempt on a mosque in Essex.

Members of the mosque have said there was a "concerted effort" to start the blaze with entrances sealed with foam so the fire would take hold.

They also said they were "very saddened" by what appeared to be an anti-Muslim attack.

A CCTV camera at the Islamic centre

Zia Rehman, vice-chairman of the Harlow Islamic Centre, said members of the mosque found the damage when they came in to pray at 4am.

No-one was hurt in the attack but there was some damage to doors and walls.

The mosque was set up 18 years ago when the Muslim community in Harlow grew in numbers and now serves a 2,000-strong community, according to the centre's website.

Mosque chairman Ajaib Hussain told Sky News that fires were set at five doors, including the main one at the front of the building.

He said: "It looks like industrial foam was used to start the fire. And it did catch fire but thankfully it didn't get any further.

"Behind it is a boiler and if that had caught fire then the whole thing would have blown up so we were very lucky it didn't get any further."

Sky's Rachel Younger, reporting from the scene, said the attack was "captured on CCTV cameras from the Islamic centre and police are studying that footage very carefully to try and identify who was involved".

Officers believe it took place between 10.30pm and 4am, and officers joined Mr Hussain to condemn the attack.

Chief Insp Ed Wells (L), Ajaib Hussain and Harlow MP Robert Halfon

Chief Inspector Ed Wells said: "We stand here together, appalled at the criminal behaviour of the individuals who last night tried to set fire to this building.

"They appear to have set fire to foam at one of the centre's doors which has damaged the wall, but thankfully not taken hold of the building.

"We have an excellent relationship with the leaders here. There will be a police presence throughout today and tonight and we will of course work tirelessly to identify those responsible.

"I want to thank Mr Hussain and the rest of his team who remain very dignified and calm despite this very concerning attack."

Mr Rehman said: "We have been working very hard within the local community, building bridges.

"And we were hoping we wouldn't have this kind of problem, but in the current climate there are elements within society that are not happy and there are issues.

"It's unfortunate and we are very saddened."

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Miley Cyrus Performs In Bikini At MTV Awards

Justin Timberlake was the big winner at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) but it was Miley Cyrus' raunchy routine which stole the show.

She appeared on stage with a troupe of teddy bears before changing into a nude-coloured bikini and dancing seductively with Robin Thicke during a performance of his summer hit Blurred Lines.

Timberlake, whose much-anticipated reunion with his 'N-Sync band mates provided one of the highlights of the night, won the coveted Video of the Year gong for his track Mirrors.

"I don't deserve this award," the 32-year-old, who picked up a hat trick of other prizes, said. "But I'm not going to give it back."

One Direction, fresh from the world premiere of their movie This Is Us, won Best Song of the Summer, while Bruno Mars scooped two awards - Best Male Video for Locked Out Of Heaven and Best Choreography for Treasure.

One Direction were winners, except in the eyes of Taylor Swift

Meanwhile, Taylor Swift picked out a former boyfriend for praise as she won Best Female Video for I Knew You Were Trouble.

The singer, who split with One Direction's Harry Styles earlier this year, said: "I want to thank the person who inspired this song, who knows exactly who he is, because I got one of these. Thank you so much."

Lady Gaga changed costumes four times as she opened the New York ceremony, although her performance lacked the shock value of previous VMAs, most notably the 2010 show at which she wore a dress made of raw meat.

Lady Gaga's dress sense was as controversial as ever

Katy Perry brought the event to a close, performing her new single Roar dressed as a boxer.

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Lamar Odom: NBA Star 'Missing For Three Days'

Basketball player Lamar Odom has been missing for three days after an argument with his wife Khloe Kardashian, according to reports.

Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian married in September 2009

Friends and family of the NBA forward have been unable to contact him for 72 hours, the TMZ website first reported.

The 33-year-old, who played last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, is reported to have gone missing after refusing to go into drug rehabilitation.

Last year, he went to a rehab centre in San Diego at the request of his wife, but left after three weeks.

On her Twitter page, Khloe wrote: "Really hard to sit here and listen to people talk **** about my family!

"I'm too protective for this ****!"

A representative for Mr Odom told TMZ he was fine, but did not comment on where he was.

The couple have been at the centre of rumours surrounding their marriage.

They married in September 2009 and their wedding was featured on the reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians. The couple also had a spin off series.

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Marseille Petition 'Asks Batman For Help'

Marseille residents have called on Batman for help after a recent surge in violent crime.

The mock online petition and Facebook page, entitled Will It Take Batman To Save Marseille?, comes after a pensioner was shot dead last week trying to stop a robbery.

Jacques Blondel, 61, knocked the robbers over with his car and confronted them with a baseball bat and pepper spray after they held up a tobacconist.

He tried to reason with them and grabbed for their gun but was shot in the thigh and stomach.

France's second biggest city has also seen 13 gang-related killings this year, many thought to be linked to the drugs trade.

Police at the scene of a Marseille shooting in March

Criminal gangs are increasingly using heavy duty weapons such as AK-47 assault rifles, thought to arrive in the city through its Mediterranean sea port.

Two murders earlier this month also saw an 18-year-old stabbed in the chest during a fight outside a nightclub and a 25-year-old man shot in his car by men on a motorbike.

The government has said it is sending in 130 extra riot police - who will be patrolling the city by the end of the month - as well as 24 more detectives.

But many residents of the southern city are critical of that response and say politicians are not doing enough.

The city's ritzy Old Port area masks a serious problem with violent crime

"Today finished the soundbites and rhetoric ... The city needs action!" says the petition.

"Or are we preparing to always call more police and army ... then Batman!"

The petition calls for a more inclusive approach involving Marseille community groups and the government working around a "common vision".

Marseille, a European Capital of Culture for 2013, has high unemployment and levels of poverty, with critics saying the large immigrant population has been marginalised and alienated.

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NSA Bugged UN Headquarters In New York

The National Security Agency bugged the UN's headquarters in New York and other major organisations, according to reports.

Citing secret US documents obtained by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, Germany's Der Spiegel newspaper said the files showed the US systematically spied on other states and institutions.

The report said the European Union and the UN's Vienna-based nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEAA), was also among those targeted by intelligence agents.

According to one of the documents, NSA experts succeeded in getting into the UN video conferencing system and cracking its coding in 2012.

The document said: "The data traffic gives us internal video teleconferences of the United Nations (yay!)."

According to the documents, the NSA ran a bugging programme in more than 80 embassies and consulates worldwide called the Special Collection Service.

Snowden is wanted for leaking information on covert surveillance programmes

Der Spiegel wrote: "The surveillance is intensive and well-organised and has little or nothing to do with warding off terrorists."

Snowden's leaks have embarrassed the US by exposing the global extent of its surveillance programmes.

Washington has said its spies operate within the law and that the leaks have damaged national security.

Snowden is wanted in the US for his revelations and is currently living at an unknown location in Russia after Moscow granted him temporary asylum for a year on August 1.

Last week, Britain detained the partner of a Brazil-based journalist working for The Guardian newspaper who has led coverage of Snowden's leaks.

British police said documents seized from David Miranda were "highly sensitive" and could put lives at risk if disclosed.

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama announced plans to limit the government surveillance programmes and said they should be more transparent.

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Gareth Bale: Real Madrid Bid Has Mystery Rival

By Paul Kelso, Sports Correspondent

Gareth Bale's future could remain undecided until the final hours of the transfer window, with Tottenham yet to accept Real Madrid's offer and understood to be considering a rival bid to the Spanish club's world-record £86m.

The winger had been expected to complete his anticipated move early this week, but sources on all sides say no deal has been finalised, and that barring sudden progress, an announcement is "unlikely" in the next 24 hours.

Bale spent the weekend at a villa in southern Spain but flew back to the UK on Monday and will return to training at Tottenham on Tuesday unless a transfer is confirmed.

The identity of the club behind the rival offer remains unclear but sources close to Manchester United and Chelsea, two of the domestic clubs with the financial firepower to consider a bid, distanced themselves from the issue.

Tottenham will hope that the prospect of competition will force Madrid to meet the exacting terms set out by chairman Daniel Levy.

The 24-year-old was in sensational form for Spurs last season

While Bale is determined to join Real, Levy is only willing to sell reluctantly, and on terms advantageous to his club.

The Tottenham chairman is thought to be willing to wait until the very end of the transfer window,  Monday September 2, before a final decision.

As well as allowing Spurs time to work on transfer business, they will be able to assess their position after Sunday's north London derby against key rivals Arsenal.

Progress on the Bale deal has been slowed by increasing ill-feeling between Spurs and Madrid, with Tottenham understood to be infuriated at what they perceive as arrogance on the Spanish club's part.

Bale merchandise is being sold off cheap by traders at White Hart Lane

Real Madrid have made no secret of their belief a deal is imminent, selling Bale shirts on the club website and erecting a stage inside the Santiago Bernabéu stadium last week for an anticipated presentation ceremony.

Spurs are also determined to complete their planned transfer dealings before agreeing to Bale's departure, not least to avoid paying a premium for their new players.

Levy has made it clear that he will not agree a deal that leaves Tottenham weaker, and has spent more than £50m already this summer, bringing in four players including club-record signing Roberto Soldado.

Spurs ars said to be infuriated at the 'arrogance' of the Bernabéu club

An attempt to sign Brazilian Willian was gazumped by a £30m counter-offer from Chelsea last week, and Spurs want to bring in a defender, expected to be Romanian Vlad Chiriches, and at least one more attacking player before agreeing to Bale's departure.

Tottenham are also reluctant to accept a deal with a relatively small up-front payment and the rest staggered over the full term of Bale's proposed six-year contract.

Spurs, who still harbour doubts about Real's ability to fund the huge purchase, would prefer a significant part of the transfer up-front to help finance summer spending.

If, as still seems likely, Bale still does move to Madrid, Tottenham's chairman is determined to ensure that it is on his terms.

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Syria: UN Inspectors 'Shot At By Snipers'

Prime Minister David Cameron will decide tomorrow whether to recall Parliament to discuss the possibility of military action against Syria, Downing Street has said.

The announcement came after UN weapons inspectors investigating an alleged chemical attack in Damascus were shot at by snipers.

The team's lead vehicle was "deliberately shot at multiple times" as they left a government checkpoint during a visit to part of the city where hundreds of people were allegedly killed, Martin Nesirky told Sky News.

The UN's Angela Kane leaves the inspectors' hotel in Damascus

None of the inspectors, who were dressed in body armour, are believed to have been injured in the attack, which came after two mortar bombs landed close to their hotel.

"The inspectors are determined to carry out the mission they are mandated to carry out," Mr Nesirky said.

"But it's obvious that all sides need to extend their co-operation so they can conduct this work safely."

Mr Nesirky said it was not clear who was responsible for the sniper attack, although Bashar al Assad's regime blamed the mortar fire on rebel fighters.

After the shooting, the UN inspectors were able to change vehicles and meet victims of the alleged chemical attack, taking samples for testing before returning to their hotel in Damascus.

UN inspectors speak to medics shortly after their convoy was attacked

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon did not blame either side for the convoy attack but said he had told his disarmament chief Angela Kane to make a "strong complaint" to the Syrian government.

The Assad regime said the inspections in Zamalka and Ein Tarma districts will prove allegations that chemical weapons were used against civilians, including children, were "lies".

The opposition claimed 1,300 people were killed, while Doctors Without Borders said 355 people died in hospital from "neurotoxic" symptoms.

Mr Ban said the people of Syria deserved to know the truth, adding: "We cannot allow impunity in what appears to be a grave crime against humanity."

The international community continues to consider its response to the crisis, with the Foreign Secretary warning military action may be the only remaining option.

Doctors Without Borders said 355 people died in the alleged attack

Hopes of a peace conference in Geneva appear to be receding, with sources in the Syrian opposition telling Reuters the talks are "off the table" after the alleged chemical attack.

William Hague said Britain and other countries could respond to the alleged attack without the unanimous backing of the UN, telling the BBC: "Otherwise it might be impossible to respond to such outrages, such crimes."

His comments came as David Cameron announced he was cutting short his holiday to chair a meeting of the UK's National Security Committee, which is expected to take place on Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has cancelled a planned trip to visit British troops in Afghanistan so he can attend the meeting.

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander urged the Prime Minister to recall Parliament to "make his case in advance of a decision being made".

A Downing Street spokesman insisted no decisions had been taken on military action and said there was no clear timetable.

Bashar al Assad denied his regime had used chemical weapons

Meanwhile, French politicians are preparing to meet "in the coming days" to decide whether to respond with force, according to the country's foreign minister Laurent Fabius.

There is mounting speculation that France, together with Britain and the US, could back limited airstrikes to demonstrate that deployment of chemical weapons will not be tolerated.

However, Mr Assad said military intervention by the US would fail.

"Failure awaits the United States as in all previous wars it has unleashed," the Syrian president said in an interview with Russian newspaper Izvestia.

Describing the chemical weapons accusations as "nonsense", Mr Assad added: "Would any state use chemical or any other weapons of mass destruction in a place where its own forces are concentrated? That would go against elementary logic.

"Accusations of this kind are entirely political and the reason for them is the government forces' series of victories over the terrorists."

Mr Assad received backing from two of his main allies, with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warning that the use of force without a UN mandate would violate international law.

Urging the West not to go down a "dangerous path", he said: "If anybody thinks that bombing and destroying the Syrian military infrastructure, and leaving the battlefield for the opponents of the regime to win, would end everything - that is an illusion."

Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed countries outside the Middle East for the turmoil and said states in the region backing the Syrian opposition would be damaged by the conflict.

"The main reason behind the status quo in the region is interference from outside the region," the state news agency Fars quoted Khamenei as saying in a meeting with Oman's Sultan Qaboos.

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Panda Pregnant? Cub Watch At Edinburgh Zoo

By Jane Chilton, Sky Reporter, Edinburgh Zoo

Staff at Edinburgh Zoo are on red alert for the birth of the first pandas in the United Kingdom.

It is still unclear whether Edinburgh's female giant panda Tian Tian is actually pregnant, as it is almost impossible to detect without an ultrasound scan.

But her zoo keepers are now on 24-hour panda cub watch.

Tian Tian's hormone test results continue to indicate she is pregnant, which means she could give birth any moment in the next two weeks.

The zoo's panda keepers now have access to CCTV footage at their homes and Tian Tian is being monitored round the clock for signs of labour.

Tian Tian has been artificially inseminated

Iain Valentine, Director of Giant Pandas for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said: "What we are seeing in Tian Tian's hormones is encouraging.

"But we still cannot guarantee a pregnancy or successful birth. If indeed she is pregnant, this is an extremely risky time for panda pregnancies.

"Female giant pandas can actually reabsorb any foetuses or reject them if pregnant.

"If she is pregnant and carries to full term, we believe a cub or cubs could be born anytime over the next two weeks - although there are no certainties we must err on the side of caution and be on red alert from today."

To keep her as relaxed as possible, Tian Tian has access to her off-show area and she is currently spending most of her time here.

This is where her cubbing box is located.

Extra insulation has also been installed in her enclosure to minimise noise.

One of her keepers, Sharon Hatton, told Sky News: "We think all the signs are very positive.

"If Tian Tian goes full term she'll become very restless and her waters will break, just like in humans.

"Then she'll start bleating and spending increased time in her nesting box."

Chinese panda keeper Haiping Hu, from the China Conservation and Research Centre (CCRCGP), arrived in Edinburgh on Saturday to be on hand if a cub or cubs are born over the next two weeks.

Miss Hu has extensive experience in assisting with panda births, especially if twins are born and one cub needs to be removed.

Her hormone test results continue to indicate she is pregnant

New incubators have also arrived and are in place in the panda nursery with keepers prepared for possible round the clock shifts to care for any cub that needs to be hand-reared.

Tian Tian and her male companion Yang Guang arrived at Edinburgh Zoo on December 4 2011 after a 5,000-mile flight from China and became the first giant pandas in the UK for 17 years.

Zoo bosses had hoped Tian Tian and Yang Guang would mate naturally when she came into season but animal experts ruled out putting them together after assessing her behaviour.

She was artificially inseminated in April using semen from Yang Guang and Bao Bao, a "genetically important" panda who died at Berlin Zoo last year.

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