OAP Dies After Being Bitten By Police Dog

A 73-year-old woman has died after being bitten by a police dog that was searching for a suspect at her Middlesbrough home.

Irene Collins was attacked by the Alsatian on Wednesday and died at the weekend at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital.

Cleveland Police has said it is "deeply saddened" and has referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The dog was withdrawn from operational duties after the incident, which took place on Penrith Road in the town's Park End area.

Local media reported that Ms Collins had allowed police into her garden to chase a drugs suspect who had run away from officers.

Assistant Chief Constable Sean White said: "Our thoughts are with family members, relatives and friends who will be distraught at this sad news.

"Members of Cleveland Police share the grief that is felt and we all wish to express our sincerest condolences to the family.

"We are providing the highest level of co-operation to the IPCC and seeking to support the family where it is possible to do so."

Police said the dog's handler was also very upset by the attack and is receiving support.

The family of Irene Collins released a brief statement saying they were "devastated" and asking for privacy.

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MH17: Warplane 'Flew Near Doomed Airliner'

A Ukrainian military plane flew within 3-5km of flight MH17 just before the Malaysian aircraft crashed, the Russian Defence Ministry has claimed.

Moscow has also denied supplying pro-Russian rebels with BUK missile systems - the weapon that is suspected of bringing down the passenger plane - or any other military hardware.

It said it detected the Ukrainian SU-25 combat jet on radar and noticed an increase in radar activity just before the Malaysian Airlines jet carrying 298 people, including 10 Britons, was destroyed.

It also said Ukrainian air defence forces had three or four battalions of BUK-M1 systems on combat duty on the day of the crash.

However, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said all his planes in the area were grounded at the time of the downed aircraft.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said the evidence pointed towards flight MH17 being shot down by an SA-11 missile, also known as a BUK-M1, fired by pro-Russian separatists.

Mr Cameron said Russian President Vladimir Putin must use his influence to end the conflict in Ukraine by halting supplies and training to separatists.

US President Barack Obama has called on Mr Putin to compel the rebels to stop hampering the probe and allow international investigators unrestricted access.

He accused the separatists of removing evidence from the crash site, actions that he said raised the question of "what exactly are they trying to hide?"

Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Mr Putin is "on the side of the devil" as he reiterated Kiev's view that Russia had a clear role in shooting down the airliner.

The Russian president has vowed to "do everything to ensure the security and safety" of experts investigating the disaster. And he said "all people" in Ukraine are responsible for the tragedy.

The remains of 282 of the victims are being taken in refrigerated carriages on a train from the rebel-held town of Torez, near the crash site, to the government-controlled city of Kharkiv and then handed over to Dutch officials.

Mr Putin says experts investigating the disaster should be protected

The black box flight recorders are to be handed over by the rebel leader to Malaysian officials, according to the Malaysian PM.

Ukrainian deputy prime minister Volodymyr Groysman suggested pro-Russian rebels had tampered with the recorders.

In the Netherlands, Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have met relatives of the 193 Dutch people who died on the plane.

Mr Cameron said tougher sanctions may soon be imposed on Russia, adding he had spoken to Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande and there is "strong co-operation" within the EU for action.

Mary Dejevsky, a Russian and EU analyst, told Sky News that Mr Putin controls rebels in the area "far less than is commonly believed outside Russia".

She said nobody controls the area which is "one of the reasons why things are so desperate there".

The UN Security Council will today vote on a resolution to condemn the downing of the aircraft.

The resolution, drafted by Australia, demands that those responsible for bringing the plane down will be held accountable, and that armed groups do not compromise the integrity of the crash site.

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'Fake Sheikh' Suspended As Tulisa Trial Collapses

An undercover reporter dubbed the "fake sheikh" has been "suspended pending an immediate internal investigation" following the collapse of the Tulisa Contostavlos drugs trial.

The former N-Dubz singer, 26, was accused of brokering a cocaine deal for Mazher Mahmood but the trial has been thrown out after the judge told the jury there were "strong grounds to believe" that Mr Mahmood had "lied".

Reading a statement outside Southwark Crown Court, Ms Contostavlos said the whole case had been a "horrific and disgusting entrapment" by Mr Mahmood and The Sun on Sunday newspaper.

"Mahmood has now been exposed by my lawyers openly lying to the judge and jury. These lies were told to stop crucial evidence going before the jury, " she said.

Ms Contostavlos claims Mr Mahmood's driver Alan Smith had been pressurised into changing his statement to strengthen Mr Mahmood's evidence.

Mr Smith originally suggested he had heard the star talking disapprovingly about drugs but "changed his mind" after a conversation with the undercover reporter, the court was told.

During a pre-trial hearing, Mr Mahmood was asked: "Did you subsequently ask or find out, discuss with Mr Smith anything that was said in the car?"

He replied: "No."

Michael Coombs, also known as Mike GLC, walks free

Asked if at any stage he discussed Ms Contostavlos saying she "disapproved" of drugs, he also said no.

But the judge said he gave answers which were "entirely inconsistent" when he gave evidence about the same topic at the trial last week.

It can now be reported that, before the trial began, defence counsel argued that the case should be "stayed" - meaning thrown out - but their application was turned down.

In her statement Ms Contostavlos denied ever having dealt or taken cocaine and said she was targeted by the reporter when things were going badly for her.

Ms Contostavlos has urged the police to launch an investigation and said "this type of entrapment should not be allowed to happen to anyone", adding that her life had been ruined for a year.

A Sun spokesman said: "We are very disappointed with this outcome, but do believe the original investigation was conducted within the bounds of the law and the industry's Code. This was demonstrated by the CPS decision to prosecute.

"The Sun, of course, takes the judge's remarks very seriously. Mr Mahmood has been suspended pending an immediate internal investigation."

Explaining his decision to halt the case to the jury, the Judge Alistair McCreath said: "Occasionally - very rarely - circumstances may arise in which a court has to say that, whatever apparent merits a prosecution may have, the court cannot allow the prosecution case to be taken forward to trial."

He said the situation arose from a "fundamental principle" that the court "cannot allow itself to be party to improper conduct".

The Metropolitan Police said it is aware of the judge's decision and will "continue to liaise with the CPS should further work be required".

Earlier Ms Contostavlos appeared ecstatic, punching the air as she left the dock before crying as she hugged supporters including her PA, Gareth Varey, shortly after the case against her was thrown out.

Mike GLC - whose real name is Michael Coombs - pleaded guilty before the start of the trial to supplying half an ounce (13.9g) of cocaine but he also walked free after judge said the case cannot proceed against him.

The 36-year-old also wept as he hugged defence barrister Jeremy Dein QC.

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Hijackers Drag Boy Trapped In Seatbelt To Death

A four-year-old boy has been dragged to his death behind a hijacked car in South Africa after his foot got stuck in a seatbelt.

Taegrin Morris' mum had just strapped her son into the back seat of her VW Golf in Reiger Park, Johannesburg, when she turned around to find a group of men, one of whom pointed a gun at her head.

Chantel Morris, whose daughter managed to escape, pleaded with the hijackers as she wrestled with her son's seatbelt, telling them: "Take everything but just let me take my child."

"Taegrin kept saying, 'Mummy, mummy, please help me.' But I couldn't. Then they ripped him from my hands," she told South Africa's Times newspaper.

Mrs Morris chased the hijackers but could not get them to stop. Pic: eNCA

With Taegrin's foot stuck in the seatbelt, the hijackers sped off, dragging the youngster along the road.

His mother and witnesses chased after the car in horror, desperately trying to get the hijackers to pull over.

The vehicle was later found abandoned 4km (2.5 miles) away, with Taegrin's body alongside.

In an emotional interview with eNCA, Mrs Morris appealed directly to her son's killers, telling them: "I don't have a child today. I have to make peace with that. But please, hand yourselves over."

Police have offered a reward of 50,000 rand (£2,750) for information leading to the arrest of the hijackers.

Taegrin's death came just days after an armed gang stole another vehicle in Bronkhorstspruit, near Pretoria, with a five-year-old boy inside.

The youngster, Mongezi Phike, is still missing and President Jacob Zuma has appealed to the public for help in finding him.

South Africa has one of the highest violent crime rates in the world.

Vehicle theft is common, especially in larger cities like Johannesburg.

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Tom Daley In Emergency Landing In Russia

Diver Tom Daley has tweeted about the "scary" emergency landing a plane he was travelling on had to make in Russia.

The Olympian and his partner Dustin Lance Black were travelling on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Shanghai to London.

However, the Airbus A340, which was carrying 301 people, had to put down in the Siberian city of Irkutsk because of a "technical issue".

Daley, who was returning after competing in the world diving championships in Shanghai, wrote on Twitter: "Scary to emergency land in RUS after recent events, yet no word on what problem is after hour surrounded by fire engines #VirginAtlantic."

He also posted a photo of the plane's fuel dump on Instagram.

Daley was travelling with his partner

Dustin Lance Black wrote: "EMERGENCY LANDING into a Russian town. This was our view over Mongolia."

A Virgin spokeswoman said: "Virgin Atlantic can confirm that the VS251 travelling from Shanghai to London Heathrow has diverted to Irkutsk Airport, Russia, as a precautionary measure due to a technical issue. Safety and security is always our top priority.

"The aircraft is currently on the ground and our customers are being looked after by our cabin crew. Our priority now is to ensure our customers resume their journey as soon as possible.

"The airline would like to thank passengers for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused."

There were 286 passengers aboard, including three infants, as well as three flight deck crew and 12 cabin crew.

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Man Held After Fellow Climber Falls To His Death

A man has been arrested after a fellow climber plunged to his death from a coastal cliff.

A 51-year-old man was airlifted to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough after falling at Kettleness Point, near Runswick Bay, north of Whitby, at around 12.40pm on Friday.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

North Yorkshire Police said a man his 20s, from the Whitby area, had been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

It is believed he was climbing with the man who fell.

Officers have appealed for two walkers who were seen in the area at the time to come forward.

Temporary detective superintendent Steve Smith said: "This is a tragic incident involving two climbers who appear to have got into difficulty, resulting in the death of one of them.

"A full investigation is under way to establish exactly what happened."

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McDonald's And KFC Probe 'Rotten Meat' Supplier

McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut in China say they have suspended orders from a supplier amid claims it sold them out-of-date beef and chicken.

A television news report featured video footage of staff in white suits at a meat processing factory run by Shanghai-based Husi Food Company allegedly picking up and using meat and hamburger patties that had fallen onto the floor.

Packages of chicken wings and breasts showed a shelf life of six days, but the parts had been expired by almost half a month, the report claimed.

When an undercover journalist for Shanghai-based Dragon TV asked if the meat could still be used, a member of staff replied: "No worries. Move it up (the production line)."

The Shanghai Food and Drug Administration at Husi Food factory in Shanghai

The report showed the meat being sent to the production line and transformed into Chicken McNuggets.

The footage also showed one employee handling out-of-date beef and calling it "stinky meat".

Chinese authorities have ordered the company to suspend its operations while the claims are investigated.

Officials also seized products which allegedly had been made using expired meat, the Shanghai food and drug administration said in a statement.

Husi Food Company has been ordered to suspend its operations

McDonald's - and Yum Brands, which owns the KFC and Pizza Hut franchises - said they had immediately stopped using meat from the firm and were conducting their own probes.

"Food safety is a top priority for McDonald's," the company said in a statement, adding that it pursues "strict compliance" with consumer safety laws and regulations and has "zero tolerance for illegal behaviour".

China's Xinhua news agency cited a Husi manager, Yang Liqun, who said the firm has a strict quality control system and was co-operating in the investigation.

KFC, which is China's biggest restaurant chain with 4,000 outlets and has plans to open 700 more, has faced food safety issues in China before.

The international fast-food chains have halted orders from the supplier

In 2012, authorities found excessive levels of antibiotics in chicken it sourced from local suppliers.

Other customers of Husi Food include Burger King, Papa John's Pizza and coffee chain Starbucks, according to the the Shanghai Daily newspaper.

Furniture maker Ikea told the South China Morning Post it stopped using the company's products in August 2013, while sandwich maker Subway also denied using meat from the firm.

It is the latest product scandal to hit China. Infants, hospital patients and others have been killed by contaminated milk powder, drugs and other goods in the past decade.

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Skipper Steven Gerrard Retires From England

England captain Steven Gerrard has retired from international football.

The 34-year-old represented his country 114 times, putting him third overall behind Peter Shilton (125) and David Beckham (115).

Gerrard skippered England 38 times and scored 21 goals - but his Three Lions career ended on a low following a disappointing World Cup in which he and his teammates failed to win a game.

The Liverpool midfielder said: "I have enjoyed every minute of representing my country and it is a sad day for me knowing that I won't pull on the England shirt again.

Gerrard is the third most capped Englishman of all time

"To ensure I can keep playing to a high level and giving everything to Liverpool Football Club I believe this is the right decision.

"This has been a very difficult decision, one of the toughest I've had to make in my career. I have agonised over this since coming back from Brazil and have spoken to family, friends and people close to me in the game before coming to this point."

Gerrard, who first represented England in 2000, will take on an ambassadorial role with The FA.

Manager Roy Hodgson described him as "an incredible man and a fantastic footballer".

Wayne Rooney is thought to be a contender to take the armband

"While I'm disappointed in the decision, I can entirely understand Steven's situation and can have no complaints given the incredible service he has given to his country," he said.

"It is never by coincidence that people reach such a staggering figure as 114 caps, it is a mark of his wonderful talent allied to a huge drive and determination to live up to the highest standard."

Despite a glittering club career, Gerrard failed to get past the quarter-final stage of any tournament with England.

FA chairman Greg Dyke said his retirement was "sad news" and that Gerrard would be remembered as a "great". 

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes Hodgson now has a "big decision" ahead as there is "no stand out candidate" to replace Gerrard.

"Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart are the two leading candidates," said Carragher.

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Israel 'Hits Hospital' As Death Toll Tops 500

Four people have been killed and a further 70 injured after Israeli tank shells hit a hospital in central Gaza, according to Palestinian medics.

Thirty of those wounded in the attack were reportedly medical staff.

Health official Ashraf al Kidra said 12 shells hit the intensive care unit, surgery department and administration building at the al Aqsa hospital in the town of Deir el-Balah.

A Palestinian man salvages a mattress from the remains of his house

Footage on Hamas' al Aqsa TV station showed chaotic scenes at the facility.

In an earlier Israeli airstrike, 28 members of the same family were killed near Gaza's southern border with Egypt, according to medics.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army claimed it killed more than 10 Hamas militants who entered Israel via cross-border tunnels.

Palestinian men mourn the death of their relatives at a morgue in Rafah

Grainy video released by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) showed what appeared to be Hamas gunmen in a firefight with Israeli forces before they were hit by an airstrike.

The film showed several armed men lying in the grass near what Israel claimed was the exit to the tunnel on the Israeli side.

After exchanging fire the men appear to retreat before they are hit by what Israel claimed was an airstrike.

Officials say some 35,000 Palestinians have been fleeing the bombardment

There was no way of verifying the video.

One of the tunnels came out just one kilometre (half a mile) from the southern Israeli town of Sderot, the IDF said.

Military radio claimed the "second terrorist squad" tried to approach Niram kibbutz, close to Gaza's northeastern tip, where they engaged in gunfire with Israeli soldiers.

Several soldiers were hurt, the radio report said, without giving further details.

The family of Major Tsafrir Bar-Or during his funeral in Holon, Israel

Hamas' armed wing the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades claimed it had carried out "an operation behind enemy lines in response to the massacre in Shejaiya [Shaja'iya]".

The attack came as the UN Security Council urged an "immediate cessation of hostilities" in a call echoed by US President Barack Obama in a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has flown to Cairo to try to broker a end to the two-week-long conflict after previous ceasefire talks were unsuccessful.

Israeli soldiers mourn during the funeral of colleague Bnaya Rubel in Holon

Israel's continued aerial bombardment has resulted in an exodus of some 35,000 civilians, according to officials.

People fleeing Israeli shelling in Shaja'iya at the weekend described it as a "massacre", with many women and children among the dead.

The Israeli army said it had given civilians two days warning to leave the area.

Meanwhile, Israel's UN ambassador Ron Prosor denied claims by Hamas that an Israeli soldier had been abducted.

Pro-Israel supporters rallied at Times Square, New York at the weekend

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the situation in Gaza as "intolerable" and the Israeli attacks a "crime against humanity".

The Israeli government has claimed Hamas is hiding behind the civilian population.

Spokesman Naftali Bennet said: "What Hamas is doing is effectively self genocide.

"They're, in a cowardly and cynical fashion, placing their women and children as shields, killing them, then coming to Sky News and other outlets and saying 'Israel is killing us'."

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MH17: Trains Holding Bodies Set Off For Holland

Trains containing the bodies of people killed when a Malaysian airliner was shot down have left the station in Ukraine where they were being held.

The remains of 282 victims from the crash site were in refrigerated wagons on trains seen leaving Torez, in eastern Ukraine.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said they will be taken to the city of Kharkiv, where they will be handed over to Dutch officials before being flown to the Netherlands in a Hercules military transport plane.

It comes after Ukraine's deputy prime minister, Volodymyr Groysman, said pro-Russian rebels had tampered with black box flight recorders retrieved from the Malaysian airliner shot down in east Ukraine, Kiev has claimed.

Mr Groysman told a news conference that the rebels would give the flight recorders to international aviation authorities, but added: "There is information that the recorders were in their hands all these days and they did certain things to them."

Asked whether he thought the rebels had tampered with the recorders, Mr Groysman concurred.

It comes after his government said the trains were being blocked by "terrorists".

The wagons were reportedly surrounded by 50 insurgents and there were conflicting reports about whether the refrigeration systems on the trains are working.

Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for shooting the plane down and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko denied one of his country's warplane was flying near the aircraft before it came down.

Rescuers have found 272 of the 298 victims and 66 fragments of bodies in the area where the plane crashed, but it is feared some of the bodies were incinerated without a trace in the crash.

Michael Bociurkiw, a spokesman for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), said: "We're looking at the field where the engines have come down.

"This was the area which was exposed to the most intense heat. We do not see any bodies here. It appears that some have been vaporised."

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