'Facebook Killer' Guilty Of Murdering Wife

Derek Medina shot 27-year-old Jennifer Alfonso eight times during an argument in their Florida home.

The 33-year-old former amateur boxer, who claimed he acted in self-defence, admitted to the August 2013 killing in posts on Facebook.

A Miami jury returned a guilty verdict on Wednesday, one day after being handed the case.

Medina faces up to life in prison.

At trial, prosecutors said Medina fatally shot Ms Alfonso because she threatened to leave him.

Court records indicated the couple had a tumultuous relationship.

They were first married in January 2010, divorced in February 2012 and then remarried three months later.

Medina's defence, who deferred making an opening statement, argued that Ms Alfonso abused drugs, battered her husband and was involved in Satan worship.

They claimed Medina shot his wife after she attacked him a knife.

Afterward, he posted two messages on Facebook, acknowledging he had killed her.

"I'm going to prison or death sentence for killing my wife love you guys miss you guys take care Facebook people you will see me in the news," he wrote in the first post.

The next and final post, called "Rip Jennifer Alfonso", was a gruesome photograph showing a woman in a black leotard slumped on the floor.

The photo was up for more than five hours before Facebook removed the page.

Turkey's move against Russia: Cold War redux?

On November 24, a Russian Su-24 warplane was shot down near the Turkish-Syrian border. According to Turkish officials, the plane was running an assault against Sunni-Turkmen groups fighting joint Russian-Syrian ground forces. 

Russia has confirmed that one of their pilots died after ejecting from the jet, which certainly raises the stakes for Moscow to respond.

Although the downing was breaking news, it wasn't completely surprising for Russia and Turkey watchers, who have been following repeated Russian violations of Turkey's airspace.

After all, Turkey has been watchful of growing Russian involvement in Ukraine and the Black Sea since February 2014, and was already monitoring Russian violations of Turkey's airspace in the Black Sea.

Not the first time

For example, in early March 2014 and March 2015, Russian fighter-bombers conducted unannounced air-to-sea attack exercises locking onto NATO warships in the Black Sea, briefly violating Turkish airspace, and leaving only after Turkey scrambled its jets.

Turkey may have to sacrifice their support for the Turkmen, abandon its involvement in the Aleppo battle, along with the rest of its operational priorities in Syria in order not to provoke Russia and escalate the crisis into an unmanageable magnitude.

After Russia moved into Syria in early October of this year, the number of Russian airspace violations increased dramatically and on a recurring basis. The most substantial and direct threat was the case in which a Russian Su-30 had "painted" a Turkish F-16 via radar lock for a duration of more than five minutes.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Russian violations and said that they are becoming intolerable, and NATO warned Russia by calling its incursions into Turkey as an "extreme danger".

Indeed, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed the alliance's concerns and stated that Russian violations of the Turkish airspace are no accident and have happened multiple times and for longer periods. More concretely, Stoltenberg offered to field ground troops in southern Turkey in response to growing Russian violations of Turkey's airspace.

Russia's intrusion into Turkish airspace is the latest instalment of similar violations against NATO countries. One of the most significant of these incidents was the late-October 2014 Russian air exercise, close to Norwegian, British, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Turkish airspace.

An ongoing pattern of Russian airspace violations is also observed in the Baltic Sea. Adding on top of all is the established Russian military pattern of "accidentally" engaging in hostilities.

For example, in August 2014, heavily armed and battle-ready Russian paratroopers penetrated Ukraine's eastern territories - a move that was defined by the Russian defence ministry as an "accident".

The mounting momentum of Russian moves around NATO territory and in Ukraine has generated substantial mistrust in Ankara towards what Russia really intends to do in Syria.

Why now?

But why did Turkey shoot down the Russian jet - while other NATO countries did not resort to such an extreme measure? Most importantly, despite the lack of a similar confrontation between Russia and Turkey during the Cold War - and the fact that the last time a Russian jet was downed by NATO was in 1952 - what caused the Turkish Air Force to shoot down a Russian jet this time?

After all, based on flight data provided by Turkish armed forces, two F-16 jets scrambled in advance to intercept any probable Russian violation and they have practically ambushed the Su-24, which reveals a more profound planning behind the interception.

The most immediate explanation is also the most straightforward - that Russian jets have been violating Turkish airspace both above the Black Sea and also recently above Syria, and despite repeated warnings, this went on for an extended period of time.

The point of no return was Ankara and NATO's earlier ultimatum in October, after which Turkey did not have any other option but downing the jet when Russia violated its airspace again.

Less visibly, on the other hand, Turkey was infuriated by the joint Russian-Syrian operations against pro-Turkish Turkmen militias, whom Turkey defines as ethnic kin.

Squeezed into a small pocket of territory called Bayirbucak across Turkey's Hatay province, these Turkmen groups recently lost ground as Syrian troops supported by the Russian military captured several key positions.

However, more than kinship, Bayirbucak region's strategic location - as the main northern Syrian opening into the Mediterranean - is what makes it significant.

As Turkey seeks to prevent Syrian Kurdish groups, such as the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the People's Defence Forces (YPG) from establishing a united de facto statelet, a significant part of the strategy revolves around denying those groups access to the Mediterranean and keeping them landlocked.

Turkey's strategy was to keep the Turkmen of Bayirbucak well-funded and well-armed and integrate them into the proposed "safe-zone".

That safe zone would then span from Jarablus in the east to Azaz in the west, joining with the other Sunni enclaves in northern Aleppo and Idlib, and becoming the foundations of a future independent state in northern Syria.

However, lack of coordination in the field, along with Russia's entry into the theatre has rendered this strategy implausible, if not impossible.

Repercussions

So, what now? What does this incident tell us about the future of Russia's relations with Turkey in particular, and NATO in general?

NATO will surely assert its support for Turkey publicly while conveying their annoyance with Turkey's aggressive measure. This is especially true for the US, whose air force is flying at close proximity to Russian jets operating in northeast Syria.

Had the pilots been rescued and delivered to Russia, damage control would have been slightly easier. But now, with one pilot dead, there will be more pressure on the Kremlin to retaliate and avenge the situation through a visible and publicised event.

Although Turkey has a justification in downing the Russian jet from an international law point of view, this righteousness is unlikely to translate into strategic gains for Turkey.

With a more aggressive Russian aerial presence eager to settle the score, and with the Russian navy dominating the Black Sea and patrolling through the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean, Turkey may have to sacrifice its support for the Turkmen, and abandon its involvement in the Aleppo battle along with the rest of its operational priorities in Syria, in order not to provoke Russia and escalate the crisis into an unmanageable magnitude.

In turn, Russia may exert substantial support on Syrian-Kurdish groups such as PYD and YPG, which Turkey defines as "terrorist organizations".

Akin Unver is an assistant professor of international relations at Kadir Has University, Istanbul.

The views expressed in this article are the author's own.

Teen's Shooting: Obama 'Deeply Disturbed'

Barack Obama has said he is "deeply disturbed" by a video showing a white Chicago police officer fatally shooting a black teenager.

It comes as small groups of protesters took to the streets of the city for a second night, reportedly confronted by police officers.

Writing on his Facebook page, the US President said: "Like many Americans, I was deeply disturbed by the footage of the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald."

Activists have compared the killing with that of black teenager Michael Brown who was shot dead by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri last year.

His death led to 15 months of demonstrations in cities across the US over the issue of what protesters claim was ongoing police brutality.

Laquan McDonald was shot 16 times on 20 October 2014 while running down a street in the city.

Police say he refused to drop a knife which was recovered from the scene.

Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke has been charged with first-degree murder.

Prosecutors say the officer emptied his 9mm pistol of all 16 rounds and that he was on the scene for just 30 seconds before he started shooting.

It is alleged he opened fire just six seconds after getting out of his vehicle and kept firing even though Mr McDonald dropped to the ground after the initial shots.

During demonstrations on Wednesday several hundred people blocked traffic on the city's West Side while some circled police cars in an intersection and chanted "16 shots".

Five people were arrested during the demonstrations on charges including hitting a police officer, weapons possession and resisting arrest.

The fatal shooting put Van Dyke's record in the force under scrutiny, as it emerged that he had at least 20 complaints filed against him but was never disciplined.

Taylor Swift Accused Of Endangering Rare Birds

The Bad Blood singer's production company was given permission to film at Bethells Beach near Auckland, home to the critically-endangered New Zealand dotterel.

But conservationists claim the crew failed to follow rules limiting them to two vehicles on the sand - instead using up to a dozen vans and 4x4s.

New Zealand's Department of Conservation says there are around 1,700 dotterels left in New Zealand and warns that their nests on beaches are "easily destroyed by careless feet, dogs and off-road vehicles".

Waitakere Ranges Local Board chair Sandra Coney told Sky News: "There are restrictions on the number of vehicles and what they can do when they're on the beach. 

"So this particular filming company was given permission for two vehicles, which is what they asked for, but considerably more vehicles actually went onto the beach.

"And we don't know yet whether they followed the rules, which are that they shouldn't be going more than 10kmph and they should have a spotter in front of any vehicle that's moving on the beach."

Ms Coney said she would ask Auckland Council to investigate the 25-year-old star and her crew.

She said: "I certainly don't think we're going to shake it off because the part of the Auckland Council that is responsible for giving film permits will be getting in touch with the film company and having a conversation with them and I don't know what will follow from that."

film company, Cherokee Films, issued an apology and absolved Swift of responsibility over the incident.

The company said: "As the local film production company...we accept responsibility and apologise for this situation.

"Taylor Swift and her management team were in no way at fault and did not do anything that violated permits or ordinances."

The company said it had followed guidelines issued by the authorities and had stayed away from dotterel habitats during the shoot.

The statement added: "In acknowledgement of the concern this has added to those in charge of protecting local dotterel population Cherokee Films will make a donation to the breeding program as we support your concerns."

Bethells Beach is regularly used for filming and featured in Jane Campion's Oscar-winning film The Piano, starring Holly Hunter and Anna Paquin.

In 2013, a Mad Max-style ad for Samsung featured a stampede of elves, Maori warriors and chariots on the sand.

Russian jet navigator: 'No warnings at all'

The surviving crew member of a Russian fighter jet shot down by Turkey has rejected Ankara's explanation of the incident, saying there were no warnings given before the plane was attacked.

Turkey said the fighter jet violated its airspace on its southern border with Syria, an assertion that navigator Konstantin Murakhtin denied.

"No, this is impossible, not even for a second," Murakhtin told Russian media on Wednesday.

The navigator was rescued by Russian and Syrian special forces, but the pilot was shot dead by rebels as he parachuted to the ground.

Turkey on Wednesday released what it said was an audio recording of a warning given to the Russian fighter jet.

A voice in one of the recordings can be heard saying in English: "You are approaching Turkish airspace, change your heading."

According to Turkish armed forces, the warnings were issued by the Diyarbakir airbase and not by pilots.
However, Murakhtin said he heard nothing.

"In actual fact, there were no warnings at all, neither by radio, nor visually. There were no contacts whatsoever."

Turkey's military said it invited Russian military attaches to its headquarters and explained that Ankara shot down the Russian jet because its rules of engagement went into effect after the plane did not respond to the alleged warnings.

In a written statement on Wednesday, Turkish armed forces said it had made great efforts to find and rescue the pilots of the plane, and had called military authorities in Moscow to express readiness for "all kinds of cooperation".

"The nationality of the plane was not known ... and the rules of engagement were automatically used" after the plane did not respond to "10 different warnings", the military said.

"All questions have been answered, radar maps have been used to explain the issue to the Russian side and [our] readiness to share any kind of information have been expressed."

Meanwhile, fighting has resumed in Kassab, Syria, where the Russian jet came down, further complicating investigations into the incident. 

Parts of the plane landed in Turkey, leaving resident Mevlut Horoz injured.

"We heard the sound of an explosion. We heard a loud boom. For a moment I thought I was dying. Then I saw my ear was bleeding. I also saw something went into my leg. Blood was dripping from my face."

The downing of the jet was one of the most serious publicly acknowledged clashes between a NATO member and Russia in half a century.

Sky News Eco-Rally Puts Green Cars To The Test

We will be comparing the best-selling electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, against the first hydrogen-powered car, a fuel-cell version of Hyundai's ix35 SUV.

The COP21 Conference signals the beginning of the end for the internal combustion engine that powers almost all cars today.

The EU has pledged to cut carbon dioxide emissions by at least 40% over the next 15 years - impossible to achieve with petrol and diesel vehicles.

Technology correspondent Tom Cheshire will drive the electric LEAF from Sky's studios in west London.

But the 270 mile journey is beyond the range of the car's battery.

It's likely he will have to plug in to a recharging point two or even three times, each stop adding at least 30 minutes to his time.

Science correspondent Thomas Moore will drive the hydrogen ix35.

He will have the advantage of a three-minute refuelling time and a theoretical range that puts Paris within reach.

But a hydrogen filling point at Heathrow is his only chance to take on gas. The current lack of a fuelling stations means that if he runs out he will be stranded.

also have to take the cross-Channel ferry. Gas-powered cars are banned in the tunnel even though experts say the hydrogen fuel is as safe, if not safer, than petrol.

That should put Tom in his electric car ahead at the half-way point in Calais.

Tom said: "Electric is the established technology; everyone from Silicon Valley start-ups to 100-year old car companies are betting on it.

"Batteries get better and charging stations are proliferating over Europe. That means we avoid range anxiety and can get on with the driving.

"Also, I'm a fantastic driver, reminiscent of a young Damon Hill."

Thomas is confident that his hydrogen vehicle will get to Paris first.

"Hydrogen fuel cells are no longer just found in concept cars at trade shows.

"They're now a reality, combining the range of a petrol car with the emissions-free driving of an electric.

"Crack the refuelling problem and what's not to like?"

PM: We Must Bomb IS In Syria To Keep UK Safe

The Prime Minister is to set out the case for RAF jets and drones to strike IS (also known as ISIL) targets in Syria as well as Iraq.

"It is in Syria, in Raqqa, that ISIL has its headquarters, and it is from Raqqa that some of the main threats against this country are planned and orchestrated," he will say.

"We have to deny a safe haven for ISIL in Syria.

"The longer ISIL is allowed to grow in Syria, the greater the threat it will pose.

"It is wrong for the United Kingdom to sub-contract its security to other countries, and expect the aircrews of other nations to carry the burdens and the risks of striking ISIL in Syria to stop terrorism here in Britain."

The Prime Minister will unveil his seven point plan for dealing with IS and Syria and answer questions posed in a report by the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC), which raised doubts about the need for and effectiveness of extending airstrikes.

The Seven Point Plan:

:: Maintain counter-terrorism capabilities to protect the UK
:: Advance a political settlement
:: Deliver a Syrian government that credibly represents all of the Syrian people
:: Defeat IS through military and wider action
:: Continue to provide humanitarian support to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people
:: Plan for the stabilisation and reconstruction of Syria
:: Work with international partners to mitigate the impact of IS on the stability of the region

"Whether or not to use military force is one of the most significant decisions that any government takes," he will say.

"The need to do so most often arises because of a government's first duty: the responsibility to protect its citizens.

"It is right that Parliament, on behalf of the people, asks difficult questions and holds the Government to account."

Mr Cameron will stress there is no guarantee a vote will actually happen unless he can be assured of a clear majority.

The Prime Minister suffered embarrassment in 2013 when he was defeated on a vote for airstrike in Syria against the Bashar al Assad regime. 

He has said a similar defeat would damage the nation's reputation.

Downing Street said: "There will only be a Commons vote on the extension of airstrikes if there is a clear majority because we don't want to hand ISIL a propaganda victory."