Colleagues of PC Keith Palmer, the officer killed in the Westminster attack, have paid tribute to the "perfect policeman".
PC Palmer's body is currently lying at rest in Westminster's Chapel of St Mary Undercroft after it was received with a guard of honour last night.
The 48-year-old died after being stabbed by Khalid Masood, who was then shot dead by armed officers in the precincts of the Palace of Westminster.
Masood had knocked down and killed four pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before crashing into the fence around the Houses of Parliament.
PC Palmer's coffin will be taken from the Palace of Westminster to Southwark Cathedral for his funeral later.
Thousands of officers from across the country are expected to line the streets around the cathedral during the service, which is to be followed by a private cremation.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Marvel pulls comic over hidden Koranic messages
Marvel comics has removed a book from circulation after a fan backlash against some Koranic messages in the artwork.
In two vignettes of X-Men Gold #1, Indonesian artist Ardian Syaf coloured several hidden references to passages of the Koran and to Muslim protests against the Christian governor of Jakarta.
The verses were referenced using numbers in two different illustrations.
They were perceived as intolerant by some fans, who complained to Marvel about what they called "anti-Christian and anti-Jewish messages".
On Saturday, Marvel issued a statement to Sky News denying previous knowledge of the hidden messages and adding "disciplinary action is being taken".
"The mentioned artwork in X-Men Gold #1 was inserted without knowledge behind its reported meanings," Marvel said.
Marvel assured Sky that "the implied references do not reflect the views of the writer, editors or anyone else at Marvel and are in direct opposition of the inclusiveness of Marvel Comics and what the X-Men have stood for since their creation".
"This artwork will be removed from subsequent printings, digital versions, and trade paperbacks and disciplinary action is being taken," they added.
:: Is Marvel's push for more diversity harming profit?
In the book, Jewish X-Men character Kitty Pryde is seen talking to a crowd, with the "Jew" portion of the word "Jewellery" over her head, and the numbers 212 and 51 in the background.
The number 212 is often used as a reference to the Muslim protest against the Christian governor of Jakarta on 2 December 2016, which the artist admitted on his Facebook page to draw inspiration from.
"This is a special memory for me," he wrote in response to online criticism.
"The number is a peace act, when a governor did blasphemy to our holy book," he added.
"I don't hate Jews or Christians, I worked with them for 10 years. A lot of good friends too. For all that happened I apologise sincerely." he wrote.
The numbers "5:51" are seen in another vignette of the comic book as well. They are on a top that Russian mutant Colossus is wearing while hitting a ball with a bat.
They reference a Koranic passage which reads: "O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people."
The verse was used by Jakarta's governor in 2016, and led to mass protests by the country's conservative Muslim population.
Contacted by Sky News, Marvel has not yet revealed if the artist will continue to collaborate in the X-Men Gold series, or what kind of disciplinary action has been taken.
In two vignettes of X-Men Gold #1, Indonesian artist Ardian Syaf coloured several hidden references to passages of the Koran and to Muslim protests against the Christian governor of Jakarta.
The verses were referenced using numbers in two different illustrations.
They were perceived as intolerant by some fans, who complained to Marvel about what they called "anti-Christian and anti-Jewish messages".
On Saturday, Marvel issued a statement to Sky News denying previous knowledge of the hidden messages and adding "disciplinary action is being taken".
"The mentioned artwork in X-Men Gold #1 was inserted without knowledge behind its reported meanings," Marvel said.
Marvel assured Sky that "the implied references do not reflect the views of the writer, editors or anyone else at Marvel and are in direct opposition of the inclusiveness of Marvel Comics and what the X-Men have stood for since their creation".
"This artwork will be removed from subsequent printings, digital versions, and trade paperbacks and disciplinary action is being taken," they added.
:: Is Marvel's push for more diversity harming profit?
In the book, Jewish X-Men character Kitty Pryde is seen talking to a crowd, with the "Jew" portion of the word "Jewellery" over her head, and the numbers 212 and 51 in the background.
The number 212 is often used as a reference to the Muslim protest against the Christian governor of Jakarta on 2 December 2016, which the artist admitted on his Facebook page to draw inspiration from.
"This is a special memory for me," he wrote in response to online criticism.
"The number is a peace act, when a governor did blasphemy to our holy book," he added.
"I don't hate Jews or Christians, I worked with them for 10 years. A lot of good friends too. For all that happened I apologise sincerely." he wrote.
The numbers "5:51" are seen in another vignette of the comic book as well. They are on a top that Russian mutant Colossus is wearing while hitting a ball with a bat.
They reference a Koranic passage which reads: "O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people."
The verse was used by Jakarta's governor in 2016, and led to mass protests by the country's conservative Muslim population.
Contacted by Sky News, Marvel has not yet revealed if the artist will continue to collaborate in the X-Men Gold series, or what kind of disciplinary action has been taken.
Norway threat level raised to 'probable' after device found in Oslo
Norway has raised its national threat level after an explosive device was discovered near an underground station in central Oslo.
The risk of an attack in the coming months is now "probable" rather than "possible", say authorities.
The "bomb-like device", which was about 30cm wide, was made safe by police after it was discovered on Saturday night.
It is thought the object had been capable of causing only a limited amount of damage.
A 17-year-old asylum-seeker from Russia has been arrested in connection with the incident.
He was detained on suspicion of handling explosives, said prosecutors.
The teenager was known to intelligence agencies and was allegedly part of "extreme Islamism" circles in Norway.
"(Norwegian security service) PST is now working on finding his intentions and find out whether others are involved," said chief prosecutor Signe Aaling.
PST head Benedicte Bjornland said: "It is not yet clear whether the suspect was acting alone."
Referring to other terror incidents in Europe, she added: "It is likely that attacks in France, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and Sweden can create a copycat effect in Norway with people with Islamic sympathies."
The youth has not been identified publicly but it is known he arrived in the country with his family in 2010.
A large area of the Norwegian capital was cordoned off after Saturday's security alert.
Investigators said the explosive device was discovered outside Groenland underground station, and armed officers swept through the area to evacuate people from bars and restaurants.
Police in Scandinavia have been on heightened alert after a lorry was driven through a crowd in the Swedish capital Stockholm on Friday.
Four people, including a British man, were killed and 15 hurt in an attack claimed by Islamic State.
The risk of an attack in the coming months is now "probable" rather than "possible", say authorities.
The "bomb-like device", which was about 30cm wide, was made safe by police after it was discovered on Saturday night.
It is thought the object had been capable of causing only a limited amount of damage.
A 17-year-old asylum-seeker from Russia has been arrested in connection with the incident.
He was detained on suspicion of handling explosives, said prosecutors.
The teenager was known to intelligence agencies and was allegedly part of "extreme Islamism" circles in Norway.
"(Norwegian security service) PST is now working on finding his intentions and find out whether others are involved," said chief prosecutor Signe Aaling.
PST head Benedicte Bjornland said: "It is not yet clear whether the suspect was acting alone."
Referring to other terror incidents in Europe, she added: "It is likely that attacks in France, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and Sweden can create a copycat effect in Norway with people with Islamic sympathies."
The youth has not been identified publicly but it is known he arrived in the country with his family in 2010.
A large area of the Norwegian capital was cordoned off after Saturday's security alert.
Investigators said the explosive device was discovered outside Groenland underground station, and armed officers swept through the area to evacuate people from bars and restaurants.
Police in Scandinavia have been on heightened alert after a lorry was driven through a crowd in the Swedish capital Stockholm on Friday.
Four people, including a British man, were killed and 15 hurt in an attack claimed by Islamic State.
Royals join Canadian PM for ceremony to mark centenary of WWI battle
The Prince of Wales and his sons joined Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to pay tribute to those lost in the battle of Vimy Ridge a century ago.
Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry were given a guided tour of the trenches in northern France, where Canadian troops, under British command, fought the German military.
Canada managed to capture the strategically-positioned ridge but around 3,600 of its soldiers were killed and more than 7,000 others injured.
The four-day battle was a decisive victory for the Allies and important in the development of Canada's national identity, as its troops attacked for the first time officially as the Canadian Corps.
The Queen was not present at the ceremony, but sent a message reminding that "it is our duty to remember and honour those who served so valiantly and who gave so much throughout the First World War".
Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry were given a guided tour of the trenches in northern France, where Canadian troops, under British command, fought the German military.
Canada managed to capture the strategically-positioned ridge but around 3,600 of its soldiers were killed and more than 7,000 others injured.
The four-day battle was a decisive victory for the Allies and important in the development of Canada's national identity, as its troops attacked for the first time officially as the Canadian Corps.
The Queen was not present at the ceremony, but sent a message reminding that "it is our duty to remember and honour those who served so valiantly and who gave so much throughout the First World War".
Russia and Iran say US has crossed 'red line' over airstrikes on Syria
Russia and Iran have issued a warning to the US as G7 foreign ministers prepared to meet in Italy to discuss Syria.
Russian president Vladimir Putin and Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani said the US has been warned it crossed a "red line" with its missile strikes on Syria.
The cruise missile strike came after a nerve gas attack on civilians that killed more than 80 people, including children, in the rebel-held Syrian province of Idlib at the start of last week.
An arm of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, meanwhile, issued a statement it said was on behalf of Russia, Iran and its allies, vowing to "reply with force" to any future aggression "in a variety of ways".
The US and UK are expected to tell Russia it must stop supporting the regime of Syrian president Bashar al Assad and instead help with drawing up a plan to rebuild the country.
The G7 foreign ministers, led by Boris Johnson and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, are reportedly ready to offer Moscow the chance to rejoin the G8 if it complies with the demand.
Mr Johnson has warned the US could launch further airstrikes on Syria following its bombing of the Shayrat airfield near the city of Homs.
The Foreign Secretary said: "Crucially - they could do so again. We cannot miss this moment."
He said it was time for Russian president Vladimir Putin "to face the truth about the tyrant he is still propping up".
Italy, Germany, France, Britain, Canada and Japan are likely to use the G7 summit in Tuscany to tackle Mr Tillerson about US policy on the Middle East.
Some European diplomats believe US policy is unclear because of its twin ambitions of wanting Syrian regime change and defeating Islamic State.
Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said at the weekend that the President's priority was regime change in Syria, but Mr Tillerson said on Saturday the first priority was the defeat of Islamic State.
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Trump's national security adviser Herbert HR McMaster said defeating IS and removing the Syrian president were the country's dual goals.
The US and UK blame Russia for being complicit in the deaths of Syrian civilians in last week's chemical attack.
Mr Tillerson will visit Russia this week to deliver a "clear and coordinated" message to the Kremlin, after Mr Johnson pulled out of a trip following conversations with Mr Trump's team.
A UK government source said: "The important thing is that this is Britain helping to influence US policy on Syria and Russia, far from being a poodle.
"Three months ago Syria wasn't really an issue for them but our push and recent events have made a difference."
Russian president Vladimir Putin and Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani said the US has been warned it crossed a "red line" with its missile strikes on Syria.
The cruise missile strike came after a nerve gas attack on civilians that killed more than 80 people, including children, in the rebel-held Syrian province of Idlib at the start of last week.
An arm of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, meanwhile, issued a statement it said was on behalf of Russia, Iran and its allies, vowing to "reply with force" to any future aggression "in a variety of ways".
The US and UK are expected to tell Russia it must stop supporting the regime of Syrian president Bashar al Assad and instead help with drawing up a plan to rebuild the country.
The G7 foreign ministers, led by Boris Johnson and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, are reportedly ready to offer Moscow the chance to rejoin the G8 if it complies with the demand.
Mr Johnson has warned the US could launch further airstrikes on Syria following its bombing of the Shayrat airfield near the city of Homs.
The Foreign Secretary said: "Crucially - they could do so again. We cannot miss this moment."
He said it was time for Russian president Vladimir Putin "to face the truth about the tyrant he is still propping up".
Italy, Germany, France, Britain, Canada and Japan are likely to use the G7 summit in Tuscany to tackle Mr Tillerson about US policy on the Middle East.
Some European diplomats believe US policy is unclear because of its twin ambitions of wanting Syrian regime change and defeating Islamic State.
Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said at the weekend that the President's priority was regime change in Syria, but Mr Tillerson said on Saturday the first priority was the defeat of Islamic State.
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Trump's national security adviser Herbert HR McMaster said defeating IS and removing the Syrian president were the country's dual goals.
The US and UK blame Russia for being complicit in the deaths of Syrian civilians in last week's chemical attack.
Mr Tillerson will visit Russia this week to deliver a "clear and coordinated" message to the Kremlin, after Mr Johnson pulled out of a trip following conversations with Mr Trump's team.
A UK government source said: "The important thing is that this is Britain helping to influence US policy on Syria and Russia, far from being a poodle.
"Three months ago Syria wasn't really an issue for them but our push and recent events have made a difference."
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Real animal fur sold as fake on British High Street
Sky News has found four types of animal fur being sold on the British High Street - but marketed to shoppers as fake fur.
A fibres expert has identified items which are most consistent with rabbit, raccoon dog, mink and cat being mis-sold to consumers as faux fur.
Fur farms were banned in the UK in 2003 - but foreign farmed fur is still finding its way in to British retailers' supply chains from Asia - and being mislabelled as synthetic material.
We found real animal fur being sold in department store House of Fraser and fast fashion outlet Missguided - despite both retailers having fur-free policies.
Claire Bass, Executive Director of Humane Society International told Sky News: "We are finding an increasing amount of real fur being sold either mislabelled or not labelled at all as real fur, in the last couple of years in the UK.
"This is a problem in two ways. Firstly it's a problem for the animals who are suffering awful, deprived lives and excruciating deaths on fur farms and traps around the world to produce these products.
"And secondly, it's a problem for consumers, who are not being protected from unfair trading, who want to shop ethically and avoid the fur trade."
All the items Sky News found were labelled as "made in China" and priced at £30 or under.
Ms Bass claims mass fur farming in Asia had driven down prices.
Image:Sky News investigators found a beanie hat described as being made with faux fur but actually made with real fur
She said: "Life is really, really cheap in the fur farming industry. These animals are kept in appalling conditions; they're denied veterinary care, they are fed terrible food."
Fibres expert Dr Phil Greaves who tested the products told Sky News the mislabelling of real animal fur is "becoming increasingly common, particularly over the past five years."
Shopper Donna Allison bought a pair of pink stiletto heels from fast fashion retailer Missguided, with pom poms that she immediately suspected were real fur.
She says she was disappointed that despite contacting Missguided on Twitter with her concerns, they simply "dismissed it as being faux" - in line with their no fur policy.
Image:These shoes were found to have been made with fur consistent with mink
When Dr Greaves confirmed the shoes were indeed animal fur, most consistent with cat, she told Sky News: "My life is basically animals and cats, so it's really hurtful, really shocking.
"Whether they know they are selling it or not there needs to be something done about it. They need to be more responsible for what they are selling."
Raccoon dog fur is becoming increasingly common and Ashley Palmier, Director of Ventura Wildlife told Sky News that the animal's soft, dense fur has made them "quite appealing to the fur trade and that, combined with massive litters of anywhere up to 16 individuals from one set of parents, they are being mass farmed now and often skinned alive".
Image:These gloves bought in House of Fraser were found to be made of real fur consistent with rabbit
House of Fraser have now stopped selling a pair of gloves which were identified by Dr Greaves as having rabbit fur trim as a result of Sky News' investigation.
A House of Fraser spokesperson said: "House of Fraser has a strict no fur policy and we ensure all of our suppliers and brand partners are aware of this.
"We would never knowingly mislead our customers, who we believe have the right to know what they purchasing. We are extremely concerned that fur can be mislabelled in this way, particularly for brands that we stock.
"Our customers want assurances that House of Fraser is not be complicit in such unnecessary suffering of animals and we take this issue very seriously and have communicated this to the brand in question.
Image:The raccoon dog is now mass farmed in Asia, and its fur is making its way in to items sold on the British high street
"As a result all products have been removed from sale and returned to the brand.
"We will offer a full refund on any purchases of this item previously made. We will also be launching a full brand partners and supplier engagement to ensure that they are reminded of our no fur policy."
In addition to the pink shoes most consistent with cat fur, a second pair of pointed pumps sold by Missguided were identified as having pom poms, most consistent with rabbit fur by Dr Greaves.
Missguided stressed it had a strict no fur policy and removed the shoes from sale after being informed of our findings.
A spokesperson said: "We will be launching an internal investigation with the relevant suppliers and will ensure these matters are addressed urgently."
A fibres expert has identified items which are most consistent with rabbit, raccoon dog, mink and cat being mis-sold to consumers as faux fur.
Fur farms were banned in the UK in 2003 - but foreign farmed fur is still finding its way in to British retailers' supply chains from Asia - and being mislabelled as synthetic material.
We found real animal fur being sold in department store House of Fraser and fast fashion outlet Missguided - despite both retailers having fur-free policies.
Claire Bass, Executive Director of Humane Society International told Sky News: "We are finding an increasing amount of real fur being sold either mislabelled or not labelled at all as real fur, in the last couple of years in the UK.
"This is a problem in two ways. Firstly it's a problem for the animals who are suffering awful, deprived lives and excruciating deaths on fur farms and traps around the world to produce these products.
"And secondly, it's a problem for consumers, who are not being protected from unfair trading, who want to shop ethically and avoid the fur trade."
All the items Sky News found were labelled as "made in China" and priced at £30 or under.
Ms Bass claims mass fur farming in Asia had driven down prices.
Image:Sky News investigators found a beanie hat described as being made with faux fur but actually made with real furShe said: "Life is really, really cheap in the fur farming industry. These animals are kept in appalling conditions; they're denied veterinary care, they are fed terrible food."
Fibres expert Dr Phil Greaves who tested the products told Sky News the mislabelling of real animal fur is "becoming increasingly common, particularly over the past five years."
Shopper Donna Allison bought a pair of pink stiletto heels from fast fashion retailer Missguided, with pom poms that she immediately suspected were real fur.
She says she was disappointed that despite contacting Missguided on Twitter with her concerns, they simply "dismissed it as being faux" - in line with their no fur policy.
Image:These shoes were found to have been made with fur consistent with minkWhen Dr Greaves confirmed the shoes were indeed animal fur, most consistent with cat, she told Sky News: "My life is basically animals and cats, so it's really hurtful, really shocking.
"Whether they know they are selling it or not there needs to be something done about it. They need to be more responsible for what they are selling."
Raccoon dog fur is becoming increasingly common and Ashley Palmier, Director of Ventura Wildlife told Sky News that the animal's soft, dense fur has made them "quite appealing to the fur trade and that, combined with massive litters of anywhere up to 16 individuals from one set of parents, they are being mass farmed now and often skinned alive".
Image:These gloves bought in House of Fraser were found to be made of real fur consistent with rabbitHouse of Fraser have now stopped selling a pair of gloves which were identified by Dr Greaves as having rabbit fur trim as a result of Sky News' investigation.
A House of Fraser spokesperson said: "House of Fraser has a strict no fur policy and we ensure all of our suppliers and brand partners are aware of this.
"We would never knowingly mislead our customers, who we believe have the right to know what they purchasing. We are extremely concerned that fur can be mislabelled in this way, particularly for brands that we stock.
"Our customers want assurances that House of Fraser is not be complicit in such unnecessary suffering of animals and we take this issue very seriously and have communicated this to the brand in question.
Image:The raccoon dog is now mass farmed in Asia, and its fur is making its way in to items sold on the British high street"As a result all products have been removed from sale and returned to the brand.
"We will offer a full refund on any purchases of this item previously made. We will also be launching a full brand partners and supplier engagement to ensure that they are reminded of our no fur policy."
In addition to the pink shoes most consistent with cat fur, a second pair of pointed pumps sold by Missguided were identified as having pom poms, most consistent with rabbit fur by Dr Greaves.
Missguided stressed it had a strict no fur policy and removed the shoes from sale after being informed of our findings.
A spokesperson said: "We will be launching an internal investigation with the relevant suppliers and will ensure these matters are addressed urgently."
Weather: Temperatures set to plunge by 10C as hot spell ends
Temperatures are expected to fall by around 10C in some parts of the UK on Monday after a weekend when many Britons basked in sunshine.
The southeast corner of England will again see the best of the weather but highs are unlikely to get past the mid-teens.
It follows a Sunday when the mercury hit 25C (77F) in Cambridge and also Northolt in northwest London as the UK enjoyed the hottest day of the year so far.
In contrast, the Met Office forecasts that London will only reach 13C on Monday, with parts of Cambridgeshire expecting to reach similar highs.
Sky News weather presenter Kirsty McCabe said: "It will be much chillier on Monday with temperatures down around 10 degrees for parts of the southeast.
"Most places will be dry with some bright or sunny spells, although scattered showers are likely in the north where it will also be quite breezy.
"Some of the showers could be heavy and wintry over Shetland and the hills of northern Scotland. Thicker cloud and more persistent outbreaks of rain will reach northwest Scotland later on.
The Met Office said it was too early to give an accurate forecast for Easter as yet but temperatures over the holiday period are not expected to reach the highs of this weekend.
Many parts of England and Wales saw highs of at least 20C (68F) with Scotland and Northern Ireland reaching 16C (61F) and 15.2C (59F) respectively.
The warm spell came as high pressure moved eastwards during the weekend, allowing for southerly winds to suck up the warm air from Spain and northwest Africa.
In Somerset, one ambulance service was called on when an elderly woman got her leg trapped in a sun lounger.
The pensioner was given first aid and oxygen as crews used cutters to release her.
The previous warmest day of the year was recorded in Gravesend, Kent on 30 March, when temperatures hit 22.1C.
Overnight on Sunday, winds will change to a northerly direction - pushing down cloud, rain and showers.
Wales is likely to reach 10C, Northern Ireland around 8C and parts of Scotland could fall to a maximum high of 6C.
The southeast corner of England will again see the best of the weather but highs are unlikely to get past the mid-teens.
It follows a Sunday when the mercury hit 25C (77F) in Cambridge and also Northolt in northwest London as the UK enjoyed the hottest day of the year so far.
In contrast, the Met Office forecasts that London will only reach 13C on Monday, with parts of Cambridgeshire expecting to reach similar highs.
Sky News weather presenter Kirsty McCabe said: "It will be much chillier on Monday with temperatures down around 10 degrees for parts of the southeast.
"Most places will be dry with some bright or sunny spells, although scattered showers are likely in the north where it will also be quite breezy.
"Some of the showers could be heavy and wintry over Shetland and the hills of northern Scotland. Thicker cloud and more persistent outbreaks of rain will reach northwest Scotland later on.
The Met Office said it was too early to give an accurate forecast for Easter as yet but temperatures over the holiday period are not expected to reach the highs of this weekend.
Many parts of England and Wales saw highs of at least 20C (68F) with Scotland and Northern Ireland reaching 16C (61F) and 15.2C (59F) respectively.
The warm spell came as high pressure moved eastwards during the weekend, allowing for southerly winds to suck up the warm air from Spain and northwest Africa.
In Somerset, one ambulance service was called on when an elderly woman got her leg trapped in a sun lounger.
The pensioner was given first aid and oxygen as crews used cutters to release her.
The previous warmest day of the year was recorded in Gravesend, Kent on 30 March, when temperatures hit 22.1C.
Overnight on Sunday, winds will change to a northerly direction - pushing down cloud, rain and showers.
Wales is likely to reach 10C, Northern Ireland around 8C and parts of Scotland could fall to a maximum high of 6C.
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