Hammond: Britain Yet To Decide On IS Airstrikes

Britain is keeping all options open in the fight against Islamic State (IS) as worlder leaders meeting in Paris agreed to provide military aid to fight the extremist network.

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Britain had yet to decide whether to launch airstrikes against IS targets, adding that the SAS had not been sent in to rescue British hostage Alan Henning because it was not clear exactly where he was being held.

Aid worker Mr Henning appeared at the end of an IS video released on Saturday in which fellow UK hostage David Haines was killed, with a threat that he would be next.

Speaking to Sky News Mr Hammond said he understood Mr Henning's family was "going through hell," and that the government was doing everything possible to protect him.

"We have considered every possible option to support these kidnap victims, both British and others," he said.

"If we knew where they were, it would be a different story but we do not.

"We have to do what we can to protect the individual in question, and we also cannot be deterred from our strategic objective of crushing IS and the barbarous ideology it is trying to impose on the region."

Monday's summit in Paris, which was spearheaded by French President Francois Hollande and Iraqi President Fuad Masum - brought together 30 countries to co-ordinate a response to the IS threat.

Mr Hammond and US Secretary Of State John Kerry arriving in Paris

International efforts to combat the Islamist militants, who have grabbed large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq, have taken on an added urgency after the killing of Mr Haines and the threat to Mr Hennings.

The nations agreed to "support the Iraqi government by any means necessary - including military assistance".

French foreign minister Laurent Fabius said: "When you are facing a terrorist group as dangerous as this one, a certain number of measures have to be taken of a military nature, and these will vary according to the country."

Mr Haines was taken hostage in Syria last year

Mr Hollande opened the summit, warning: "The terrorist threat is global and the response must be global. The cowardly murder of David Haines is a terrifying example of what is going on... There is no time to lose."

Some 930 French citizens or residents, including at least 60 women, are actively engaged in jihad in Iraq and Syria, or are planning to go there.

Mr Masum said there was a need for a "quick response" to the Islamist group which he said had "committed massacres and genocidal crimes".

Mr Cameron has vowed to 'hunt down' the 'monsters' who killed Mr Haines

Representatives of the six-nation Gulf Co-operation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) and US Secretary of State John Kerry were also among the delegates at the conference.

However, Iran said it had rejected a request from the US to join the fight against IS because of Washington's "unclean intentions".

Sky's Europe Correspondent Robert Nisbet, in Paris, said: "This is about building a much broader alliance with regional actors, especially countries with Sunni majorities.

A central part of the plan is to engage Arab countries in the coalition

"This is now the pressing international issue and America would like to see all countries uniting against Islamic State."

Ahead of the talks, the US said several countries in the Middle East had offered to join airstrikes against the militants, while Australia said it would send aircraft and personnel and France announced it would begin reconnaissance missions over Iraq.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who is under pressure to act following the killing of Mr Haines, has given no indication over whether he would commit military forces to airstrikes.

Video footage of the British aid worker's death showed a knife-wielding militant who speaks with a British accent.

The clip also included a threat to kill a second hostage, Alan Henning, who was a volunteer on an aid convoy.

It followed the beheadings of two American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff.

Mr Cameron vowed to "hunt down" the "monsters" who killed Mr Haines, and said the crime would "strengthen our resolve" to smash the extremist network which has seized swathes of Iraq and Syria.

Explaining Mr Cameron's dilemma, Sky's Chief Political Correspondent Jon Craig said: "He tried to get a vote in Parliament last year on missile strikes on Syria.

"Thirty or so Conservative MPs voted against, as did Labour, and he lost the vote. He was humiliated. So he doesn't particularly want to go down that route again."

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Vodafone 'Plotted Joint Takeover Of Phones 4u'

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Vodafone was in talks about a joint takeover of Phones 4u as recently as two months ago but abandoned the proposed deal without explanation.

Sky News has learnt that Vodafone executives discussed at a meeting in June with financial and legal advisers to Phones 4u a takeover of the chain by the mobile phone network along with EE, its rival.

The deal would have been structured as a 50:50 acquisition of Phones 4u, with Vodafone encouraging the retailer's legal team to "review how this could be achieved given the competition constraints", according to a person close to the talks.

A subsequent discussion between Vodafone and Phones 4u indicated that Vodafone might pursue a takeover on its own if EE did not wish to participate, the person added.

On July 8, while parallel discussions were taking place about extending Vodafone's distribution contract with Phones 4u, the mobile network's UK executives made a presentation to group colleagues entitled "Phones 4u - Partner of Choice".

Several weeks later, Vodafone notified Phones 4u that it would not be renewing their agreement, while no further talks about a takeover of the company were held.

The revelations shed new light on the final months of Phones 4u's existence as a standalone company, with its future now under threat following decisions by Vodafone and EE to terminate distribution agreements next year.

A Vodafone spokesman acknowledged that the takeover discussions had taken place but said: "For regulatory and commercial reasons the acquisition of Phones 4u was not an option.

"The UK management team took legal advice in the early summer to review its potential but it was quickly dismissed given the advice we received. 

"We have made our position on the commercial negotiations with Phones 4u very clear and have nothing more to add.

"The decision to terminate our contract with them was made independently by the UK management team on purely commercial reasons following extensive negotiations."

The news puts in jeopardy as many as 5,500 jobs at Phones 4u, although as Sky News revealed earlier on Monday, its larger rival Dixons Carphone is drawing up plans that could see many hundreds of those staff retain their roles or fill other vacancies at the UK's biggest mobile phone retailer.

Dixons Carphone has tweeted support for Phones 4u workers

Phones 4u's crisis sparked an unusually hostile bout of corporate mud-slinging, with John Caudwell, the retailer's founder, accusing Vodafone of being a "ruthless partner".

Currys and PC World shops currently employ just over 800 Phones 4u staff, with Dixons Carphone keen to offer all of them jobs at the rebranded Carphone Warehouse concessions.

The timing of a more detailed statement by Dixons Carphone will depend upon the progress of discussions between it and PricewaterhouseCoopers, which was designated by Phones 4u directors as the company's administrator on Sunday.

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Microsoft Buys Minecraft's Mojang For $2.5bn

Microsoft has confirmed it is buying the maker of Minecraft, with the game's creator leaving the company because he is a "nerd", not a CEO.

The US tech giant is stumping up $2.5bn (£1.5bn) for Sweden-based Mojang.

Minecraft lets users build and explore a virtual Lego-like world and has been downloaded 100 million times on PCs alone since it launched in 2009.

It is also the most popular online Xbox game and is the top paid-for Apple and Android app in the US. The hit game will continue to be available on all its current platforms.

Markus 'Notch' Persson, writing on his blog, said he never made the game to have a huge hit and expressed frustration at having become a "symbol".

"I'm not an entrepreneur. I'm not a CEO. I'm a nerdy computer programmer who likes to have opinions on Twitter," he said.

Notch said he intends to go back to "small web experiments".

Addressing criticisms from some fans that he is "selling out", Notch signs off: "It's not about the money. It's about my sanity."

All three of Mojang's founders are to leave the company.

Microsoft said its cloud and mobile technologies would bring "richer and faster worlds, more powerful development tools, and more opportunities to connect across the Minecraft community".

Mojang CEO Carl Manneh: "As the founders move on to start new projects, we believe the high level of creativity from the community will continue the game's success far into the future."

The scale and flexibility of the game have seen users create scale replicas of the UK and Westeros, from the Game of Thrones series.

Considering the multibillion-dollar purchase of Mojang, Microsoft will almost certainly be looking for its developers to create for "a new hit game" exclusive to Microsoft platforms, said Ryan King, editor of Video Games at Imagine Publishing.

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Cancer Doctor Admits Sex Attacks On Children

A children's cancer doctor has admitted a series of sexual assaults on patients as young as 11 in his care.

Dr Myles Bradbury, who worked at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault and 13 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Appearing at Cambridge Crown Court, Bradbury also pleaded guilty to three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of voyeurism and two counts of making indecent images of a child.

Prosecutor John Farmer said the offences involved 18 victims and dated back to 2009.

Paediatric haematologist Bradbury was bailed and told he would have to sign the sex offenders register.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one of sexual assault, which Judge Gareth Hawkesworth said would probably remain on file.

A sentencing date was not given but the judge said Bradbury could expect a "substantial" custodial sentence.

Bradbury worked as a paediatric haematologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital

As he left court, Bradbury told reporters: "I'm so sorry."

He refused to answer further questions.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Police Police warned "there are likely to be more victims" of Bradbury.

A helpline can be called if parents, patients or former patients have any concerns, the spokesman said.

Detective Sergeant Shane Fasey said Bradbury had refused to co-operate with police during three interviews.

He said: "Bradbury's offences were an appalling breach of trust committed against vulnerable victims who had been placed in his care.

"The families believed the boys were in his safe hands but they were actually being abused by Bradbury, who carried out examinations purely for his own sexual gratification and with no medical justification whatsoever.

"I would like to praise the victims and their families who have shown the bravery to come forward and help bring Bradbury to account."

Dr Keith McNeil, chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Addenbrooke's, said: "I am so deeply sorry these incidents have happened and I am also deeply saddened, as a doctor, that one of my own profession has placed himself and his patients in this position.

"There is a very ancient and sacred trust that exists between a doctor and his patients and, quite frankly, it sickens me to think that trust has been breached."

:: Anyone with concerns can call the helpline set up by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust on 0800 389 8625.

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'Astonishing' Lack Of Apathy Among Young People

Young People Not Engaged In Politics: Sky Poll

Updated: 8:22am UK, Monday 01 September 2014

By Faisal Islam, Political Editor

Almost half of young people in Britain are not engaged in politics, feel their voices are not heard and do not believe that politicians are addressing their needs, a Sky News poll has found.

The Survation poll was commissioned as part of the launch of Stand Up Be Counted, a brand new digital platform designed by Sky News to give young people a voice.

The survey appears to show widespread apathy and indifference towards politics among those aged 24 and below.

Click here to visit the Stand Up Be Counted site

Forty-nine percent of 16-24 year olds questioned know neither the name nor party of their local MP, the survey found.

And 47% said none of party leaders David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband or Nigel Farage best exemplify the qualities they want in their political leaders.

For example, of those questioned, more than a quarter (26%) said they were not engaged with politics and had no interest in becoming more involved.

Seventeen percent said they were not engaged in politics but would like to become more so.

Just 8% said they were fully engaged with the political process.

In total 39% expressed an interest in becoming more engaged in politics while 50% said they had no interest in becoming more engaged.

The poll also showed the frustration and lack of faith many young people have in politics.

Asked if they felt their voices were heard in society, 44% said they were not listened to despite trying to express concerns or beliefs.

Forty-two percent said they did not try to make themselves heard. And just 12% felt that they were being listened to.

Forty-five percent of those questioned said they had "not very much" confidence that politicians would address the issues that matter most.

And only 31% said they trusted government to address their needs and concerns.

The three attributes named by those polled as most desirable in politicians were honesty, being in touch with ordinary people and the ability to make tough decisions.

Asked to reveal the first word that comes to mind when thinking of politics 9% said "lies" or "liars", 8% said "boring" and 7% referred to "corruption".

MPs have faced recent criticism for rowdy displays at the weekly Prime Minister's Questions sessions.

And 53% of those questioned said they would be more likely to listen to politicians if they behaved better at PMQs. Forty-three percent said it showed politicians displaying passion.

The poll also shows that mainstream media is viewed with suspicion by young people.

Eight out of 10 of those surveyed said they did not believe that traditional media (newspapers, radio and TV) portrayed them accurately.

Instead social media such as Facebook and Twitter are more trusted to accurately reflect their views and concerns according to 46%.

:: Survation polled 1,004 16-24 year olds on behalf of Sky News between August 21 and 26, 2014.

:: Stand Up website: www.skynews.com/standupbecounted

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Eight 'Slaves' Rescued In Caravan Site Raid

Four people have been arrested after eight "slaves" were rescued during a raid on a caravan site in Bedfordshire.

The alleged victims - seven men aged between 20 and 46, and a 17-year-old boy - were found at the Greenacres site near Leighton Buzzard.

Police say some had been held there for "many years".

They are said to be in a "poor state of physical health".

Some are receiving medical and psychological treatment at an undisclosed location, but others refused to engage with police.

Four residents of the Gipsy Lane site, two men and two women, were arrested under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

Some 65 officers, including a helicopter, firearms and dog unit, took part in the dawn raid on Sunday.

Police previously raided the site in 2011. Pic: File

Chief Inspector Tania Coulson said: "The men we found at the plot were in a poor state of physical health and the conditions they were living in were cramped and filthy.

"We believe that some of the victims had been living and working there in a state of virtual slavery, some for just a few days/weeks and others for many years.

"The offences being investigated are extremely serious.

"We understand that some people may have information about what has been happening, but have been too scared to come forward and report it.

"People who do want to talk to us about this matter should contact us on 101, or Crimestoppers, which is both anonymous and independent from the police. You do not have to give your name, but if you do we will keep it secret."

The raid followed a lengthy investigation into reports that a number of people were being held as "modern slaves".

Two other men were arrested - one for obstructing a police officer and another for breach of the peace.

In 2011, 24 "slaves" were found at the site after a police raid. Four people were later convicted.

The latest operation comes amid a campaign by the Home Office to raise awareness of "modern slavery".

Those who suspect cases of modern slavery or feel they may be a victim can call a national helpline on 0800 0121 700.

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British Jihadis: How Widespread Is UK Extremism?

By Afua Hirsch, Social Affairs Editor

In the wake of the beheading of British hostage David Haines, there is a renewed focus on the role of UK Muslims in the conflict in the Middle East and the apparently British fighter now earning notoriety as his suspected killer.

With an estimated 500 British Muslims fighting abroad with groups including Islamic State (IS), Sky News took an in-depth look at how widespread extremism is across the UK, and what its root causes are.

In Birmingham, we met Shahid Butt, who travelled abroad to fight in the 1990s, prompted by the realisation that Muslim civilians were suffering in Bosnia.

He says a similar sense of compassion drives many young Muslims to the Middle East, where the conflict in Syria - known to have already displaced more than nine million people - has inspired a strong desire to help fellow Muslims.

Experts estimate 500 British Muslims are fighting abroad

"I believe the media has mis-portrayed the whole situation. Anybody who goes to Syria is a mad, crazy, warmongering, bloodthirsty person," said Mr Butt. "This is wrong."

One young man in East London, who asked to remain anonymous, strongly condemned the acts of terrorist groups like IS (also known as ISIS), but said he would nevertheless like to go to Syria to help.

"Recently I have been thinking about going to Syria or Iraq on humanitarian purposes," he said.

"I know when I'm going there, there's a chance I might not come back. But I'm doing the right thing - that's all that matters."

The wrong portrayal of larger numbers of Muslims travelling to help as part of the terrorist threat is itself increasing the risk of radicalisation, says rapper Kash 'The B.A.D.' Choudhary.

David Haines was captured and then beheaded

"James Foley, we have built up his character, it's very sad what happened to him, we know his history, we know his name, he has got an identity, emotional attachment," said Choudhary.

"But the Muslims in Iraq, Syrians, Afghans, Pakistanis, they are just left to die in shallow graves. So that huge sense of injustice definitely contributes to people being radicalised."

Another young man could see how the desire to do something could also be exploited by extremist groups.

"As a Muslim, when another Muslim is being oppressed… I feel the same pain," said the teenager, who did not want to be named.

Mr Haines' killer is believed to be British

"I know there are other things I can do. Whereas another individual... they feel like nothing is being done... So they will buy that plane ticket to Syria or Iraq, and they will go and support an ideology, like ISIS, that they think are doing the right thing."

But it is clear that there are a minority who are travelling to the Middle East attracted by violence.

Mr Butt said the extreme violence young people were exposed to through games like Grand Theft Auto, and the allure of gang culture, had a part to play.

"You've got an eight, nine, 10-year-old child playing those kind of violent games with heads blowing off, limbs blowing off. What kind of a mentality is that kid going to have? You've dehumanised that person."

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British Hostage's Friends 'In Absolute Disbelief'

Anti-IS Coalition Agrees Military Action Plan

Updated: 5:34pm UK, Monday 15 September 2014

Britain is keeping all options open in the fight against Islamic State (IS) as worlder leaders meeting in Paris agreed to provide military aid to fight the extremist network.

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Britain had yet to decide whether to launch airstrikes against IS targets, adding that the SAS had not been sent in to rescue British hostage Alan Henning because it was not clear exactly where he was being held.

Aid worker Mr Henning appeared at the end of an IS video released on Saturday in which fellow UK hostage David Haines was killed, with a threat that he would be next.

Speaking to Sky News Mr Hammond said he understood Mr Henning's family was "going through hell," and that the government was doing everything possible to protect him.

"We have considered every possible option to support these kidnap victims, both British and others," he said.

"If we knew where they were, it would be a different story but we do not.

"We have to do what we can to protect the individual in question, and we also cannot be deterred from our strategic objective of crushing IS and the barbarous ideology it is trying to impose on the region."

Monday's summit in Paris, which was spearheaded by French President Francois Hollande and Iraqi President Fuad Masum - brought together 30 countries to co-ordinate a response to the IS threat.

International efforts to combat the Islamist militants, who have grabbed large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq, have taken on an added urgency after the killing of Mr Haines and the threat to Mr Hennings.

The nations agreed to "support the Iraqi government by any means necessary - including military assistance".

French foreign minister Laurent Fabius said: "When you are facing a terrorist group as dangerous as this one, a certain number of measures have to be taken of a military nature, and these will vary according to the country."

Mr Hollande opened the summit, warning: "The terrorist threat is global and the response must be global. The cowardly murder of David Haines is a terrifying example of what is going on... There is no time to lose."

Some 930 French citizens or residents, including at least 60 women, are actively engaged in jihad in Iraq and Syria, or are planning to go there.

Mr Masum said there was a need for a "quick response" to the Islamist group which he said had "committed massacres and genocidal crimes".

Representatives of the six-nation Gulf Co-operation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) and US Secretary of State John Kerry were also among the delegates at the conference.

However, Iran said it had rejected a request from the US to join the fight against IS because of Washington's "unclean intentions".

Sky's Europe Correspondent Robert Nisbet, in Paris, said: "This is about building a much broader alliance with regional actors, especially countries with Sunni majorities.

"This is now the pressing international issue and America would like to see all countries uniting against Islamic State."

Ahead of the talks, the US said several countries in the Middle East had offered to join airstrikes against the militants, while Australia said it would send aircraft and personnel and France announced it would begin reconnaissance missions over Iraq.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who is under pressure to act following the killing of Mr Haines, has given no indication over whether he would commit military forces to airstrikes.

Video footage of the British aid worker's death showed a knife-wielding militant who speaks with a British accent.

The clip also included a threat to kill a second hostage, Alan Henning, who was a volunteer on an aid convoy.

It followed the beheadings of two American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff.

Mr Cameron vowed to "hunt down" the "monsters" who killed Mr Haines, and said the crime would "strengthen our resolve" to smash the extremist network which has seized swathes of Iraq and Syria.

Explaining Mr Cameron's dilemma, Sky's Chief Political Correspondent Jon Craig said: "He tried to get a vote in Parliament last year on missile strikes on Syria.

"Thirty or so Conservative MPs voted against, as did Labour, and he lost the vote. He was humiliated. So he doesn't particularly want to go down that route again."

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Referendum: PM Makes Final Appeal In Scotland

David Cameron has made his final appeal in Scotland for the country's people to reject independence in Thursday's referendum.

The Prime Minister said a Scottish exit from the United Kingdom would be forever.

In a speech in Aberdeen, Mr Cameron said independence would "not be a trial separation but a painful divorce".

Latest polls put the No campaign ahead but the result is still too close to call.

Mr Cameron said: "The people who are running the Yes campaign are painting a picture of Scotland that is better in every way and they can be good at painting that picture.

"But when something looks good to be true, that's usually because it is. And it's my duty to be clear about the likely consequences of a Yes vote."

"It would mean we would no longer share the same currency, the armed forces built up over centuries would be split up forever and our pension funds would be sliced up at some cost.

"And the borders we have would become international and may no longer be so easily crossed, and over half of mortgages would be provided by banks in a foreign country." 

Downing Street said the Prime Minister's visit was expected to be his last before the vote and said he would spend Thursday at No 10.

Earlier, Alex Salmond said the PM's "fingerprints are all over a scaremongering campaign" to force a referendum No vote.

As the battle for Scotland reaches its end-game, the country's First Minister said Mr Cameron had pressed businesses to issue warnings over the impact of independence.

He suggested supermarket bosses had been called to Downing Street ahead of comments by some that independence could lead to price rises for Scottish shoppers.

And he accused the Treasury of leaking details of the Royal Bank of Scotland's plan to move its headquarters to London if Scots voted to quit the UK.

More follows...

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British Tourists Found Dead On Thailand Beach

The naked bodies of two British tourists who had apparently been attacked with a hoe have been found on a beach in Thailand.

The pair were found with head wounds on Koh Tao, an island in Surat Thani province known for its diving sites and stunning beaches.

The victims' clothes and a hoe with blood stains were found nearby, Colonel Prachum Ruangthong from Thailand's police force said.

Police suspect the victims - a 23-year-old woman from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and 24-year-old man from Jersey - were killed with the hoe, leaving deep wounds on their heads.

The island is a four-hour boat trip from the Thai mainland

Images from the scene show the woman's body sprawled metres from the sea in an area of the beach hidden by rocks and the suspected murder weapon discarded nearby.

Col Prachum said: "The man was chopped in the back and on the side of his head, while the woman was chopped in her face. It's very gruesome."

The pair had been staying in a bungalow 100 metres from where their bodies were found on Sairee beach and had been at a party there on Sunday night, according to Sky News sources.

Investigators are probing whether there was a sexual motive for the attack and have been checking CCTV footage from nearby restaurants, hotels and shops for clues.

Footage from the scene showed shocked tourists and locals gathered behind a cordon on the beach on Monday while dozens of police carried out investigations.

Kath Patel and Helen Bradbrook said they were shocked by the murders

The victims' bodies were removed from the beach in blue body bags.

British travellers Kath Patel and Helen Bradbrook, who have been staying 100 metres from where the bodies were found, said they were shocked by the murders and had decided not to go out for their final night on the island.

They said many people on the island have been carrying on with their holidays as normal.

Ms Patel, 23, from Lancashire, told Sky News: "We have been in Vietnam and Cambodia, and out of everywhere we have been I have felt most safe here on Koh Tao.

"We have not noticed anything between the locals, they have seemed really friendly."

Ms Bradbrook, from Guildford, Surrey, added: "It is so small, like a really friendly atmosphere, and because it is just that one beach then you feel really safe when you are out."

Sky News Asia Correspondent Mark Stone said police have shut down ferry routes to and from the mainland.

Koh Tao is known for scuba-diving and beautiful beaches

He said: "It was a particularly gruesome attack. Eyewitnesses have said the two victims sustained incredibly serious head wounds." 

The Foreign Office (FCO) has sent a representative to the Thai island to assist with the investigation.

According to the Lonely Planet travel guide, Koh Tao welcomes thousands of visitors who "come to worship the turquoise waters offshore".

The guides say its coral, sharks and rays attract divers, while hikers enjoy jungle walks and the bar scene "rages on until dawn".

Tourism in Thailand has been badly affected by the country's deep political crisis and the introduction of martial law.

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