Theresa May and Donald Trump have agreed there is a "window of opportunity" to persuade Russia to abandon its support for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
The two leaders spoke about the crisis by telephone, days after a US air strike against a Syrian airbase.
It comes after Boris Johnson told G7 leaders in Italy that further sanctions would be considered against Russia.
Foreign leaders there are trying to agree a co-ordinated response to Syria.
The meeting has been taking place ahead of a visit to Moscow by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Mr Trump ordered a series of missile strikes against a Syrian airbase on Friday in response to the deaths of more than 80 people, including children, during a chemical attack in the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun on 4 April.
Mrs May said she agreed during a phone call that it was no longer in Russia's strategic interest to support President Assad.
'Lasting political settlement'
A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Trump thanked Mrs May, who is on a short walking holiday in Wales, for her support in the wake of the US air strike.
He added: "They agreed that US Secretary of State (Rex) Tillerson's visit to Moscow this week provides an opportunity to make progress towards a solution which will deliver a lasting political settlement.
"They also discussed the broader Middle East, including the threat posed by Iran throughout the region.
"The prime minister and president also stressed the importance of the international community, including China, putting pressure on North Korea to constrain the threat it poses."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also agreed during a call with Mr Trump that President Assad should be held accountable, the White House said.
G7 seeks unity on Syria
Why is there a war in Syria?
Russian press critical of Trump
US officials say the airbase it targeted was used to launch a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of civilians.
But Syria has denied using any chemical agents and Russia says the US has failed to provide evidence Syria has chemical weapons.
Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson said senior Russian military officers involved in co-ordinating Syrian military efforts could face international sanctions.
At a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Lucca, Italy, Mr Johnson issued a fresh appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to abandon his backing for his Syrian ally.
He said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "toxifying the reputation of Russia by his continual association with a guy who has flagrantly poisoned his own people".
Mr Johnson also defended his decision to pull out of talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, saying it was important that Mr Tillerson had the "clearest possible mandate" when he went to Moscow to deliver the response of the G7.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump's son, Eric, said the US would not be "pushed around" by Mr Putin, the Daily Telegraph reports.
The president is not intimidated by Moscow's talk of war, his son said.
He insisted there was "no one harder" than his father if Russia chose to "cross us".
The US president's spokesman Sean Spicer said on Monday that further action would be considered in certain circumstances.
But Russia and Iran - Assad's two principal international backers - have warned that they would respond "with force" to any fresh attack on their ally.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Huge fire reduces Dunkirk migrant camp to 'ashes'
Hundreds of migrants have been evacuated after a huge blaze ravaged their camp, reducing it to "a heap of ashes".
The fire erupted at the Grande-Synthe migrant camp outside the northern French city of Dunkirk, hours after clashes between up to 150 Kurds and Afghans.
Riot police moved into the camp - home to around 1,500 people - to break up the trouble. Five people were injured, leaving three of them in hospital with knife wounds.
Officials have linked the fire to the fighting and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the blaze - the flames of which were visible from several miles away.
"There is nothing left but a heap of ashes," said Michel Lalande, chief of France's Nord region.
The fire erupted at the Grande-Synthe migrant camp outside the northern French city of Dunkirk, hours after clashes between up to 150 Kurds and Afghans.
Officials have linked the fire to the fighting and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the blaze - the flames of which were visible from several miles away.
"There is nothing left but a heap of ashes," said Michel Lalande, chief of France's Nord region.
A quarter of Britain’s birds at serious risk of extinction
A quarter of all bird species in the UK are endangered, with some facing extinction according to the latest survey.
The annual State of the UK Birds report lists 67 species in urgent need of help, with curlews and puffins among 15 species moved up to the so-called 'red list'.
Image:The plight of the curlew is of particular concern to conservationists
Dr Mark Eaton, principal conservation scientist at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said the report also highlights significant improvements in some breeding stocks, with 22 species moving to the lowest category of concern.
"We see some birds moving off that red list and demonstrating that conservation work can work and turn fortunes around - we just need more of it," he said.
The plight of the curlew is of particular concern to conservationists. A quarter of the world's breeding population lives on UK uplands but its numbers have more than halved since 1970.
Image:The magestic Golden eagle sitting on her nest
Climate change is blamed for the curlews' decline, and for falling numbers of kittiwakes which are struggling to find enough sand eels to eat in seas that are getting steadily warmer.
Puffins have been added to the UK red list after being put on a watch list for global extinction.
Among conservation successes highlighted in this year's report are red kites which have increased tenfold in the past 20 years and golden eagles whose population has grown 16% since 2003 to 508.
The survey relies on records gathered by thousands of volunteers and is produced by the RSPB, The British Trust for Ornithology, and The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.
The annual State of the UK Birds report lists 67 species in urgent need of help, with curlews and puffins among 15 species moved up to the so-called 'red list'.
Image:The plight of the curlew is of particular concern to conservationistsDr Mark Eaton, principal conservation scientist at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said the report also highlights significant improvements in some breeding stocks, with 22 species moving to the lowest category of concern.
"We see some birds moving off that red list and demonstrating that conservation work can work and turn fortunes around - we just need more of it," he said.
The plight of the curlew is of particular concern to conservationists. A quarter of the world's breeding population lives on UK uplands but its numbers have more than halved since 1970.
Image:The magestic Golden eagle sitting on her nestClimate change is blamed for the curlews' decline, and for falling numbers of kittiwakes which are struggling to find enough sand eels to eat in seas that are getting steadily warmer.
Puffins have been added to the UK red list after being put on a watch list for global extinction.
Among conservation successes highlighted in this year's report are red kites which have increased tenfold in the past 20 years and golden eagles whose population has grown 16% since 2003 to 508.
The survey relies on records gathered by thousands of volunteers and is produced by the RSPB, The British Trust for Ornithology, and The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.
Monday, April 10, 2017
British Vogue: Edward Enninful becomes first male editor of UK fashion magazine
For the first time in its 101-year history, British Vogue will have a man at the helm.
Ghanaian-born Edward Enninful, who is described as "influential in fashion, Hollywood and music", will take over from Alexandra Shulman in August.
Mr Enninful, who will be the publication's 11th editor, has been creative and fashion director of US magazine W since 2011.
Twenty years earlier, aged just 19, he became the youngest magazine fashion editor in the industry when he landed a top job at i-D.
From 1998 to 2011, Mr Enninful contributed to American Vogue and Italian Vogue and in 2014, he was named fashion creator of the year by the British Fashion Council.
He was made an OBE in 2016, and earlier this year, he helped make I Am An Immigrant - a video on the fashion industry protesting against President Donald Trump's travel ban.
Mr Enninful said: "People like me thought America was the best place to be creative, to be free to create, to have the freedom to be who you are.
"I just thought, 'Let's do something that shows that we're all from somewhere else'" - whether participants were immigrants personally, or the descendants of immigrants.
Mr Enninful, 45, came to London from Ghana as a child, growing up in the capital's Ladbroke Grove area.
He became interested in fashion as a teenager after being scouted as a model. He quit university at Goldsmiths to pursue his fashion career.
Jonathan Newhouse, chairman and chief executive of publisher Conde Nast International, cited Mr Enninful's work at Italian Vogue as having "attained landmark status in recent cultural history".
He described Mr Enninful as "an influential figure in the communities of fashion, Hollywood and music which shape the cultural zeitgeist".
Newhouse added: "By virtue of his talent and experience, Edward is supremely prepared to assume the responsibility of British Vogue."
Ms Shulman announced in January that she was stepping down as editor-in-chief of British Vogue after more than 25 years at the helm
She said it was a hard to decision to quit the magazine "that I love" but she wanted to "experience a different life".
Ghanaian-born Edward Enninful, who is described as "influential in fashion, Hollywood and music", will take over from Alexandra Shulman in August.
Mr Enninful, who will be the publication's 11th editor, has been creative and fashion director of US magazine W since 2011.
Twenty years earlier, aged just 19, he became the youngest magazine fashion editor in the industry when he landed a top job at i-D.
From 1998 to 2011, Mr Enninful contributed to American Vogue and Italian Vogue and in 2014, he was named fashion creator of the year by the British Fashion Council.
He was made an OBE in 2016, and earlier this year, he helped make I Am An Immigrant - a video on the fashion industry protesting against President Donald Trump's travel ban.
Mr Enninful said: "People like me thought America was the best place to be creative, to be free to create, to have the freedom to be who you are.
"I just thought, 'Let's do something that shows that we're all from somewhere else'" - whether participants were immigrants personally, or the descendants of immigrants.
Mr Enninful, 45, came to London from Ghana as a child, growing up in the capital's Ladbroke Grove area.
He became interested in fashion as a teenager after being scouted as a model. He quit university at Goldsmiths to pursue his fashion career.
Jonathan Newhouse, chairman and chief executive of publisher Conde Nast International, cited Mr Enninful's work at Italian Vogue as having "attained landmark status in recent cultural history".
He described Mr Enninful as "an influential figure in the communities of fashion, Hollywood and music which shape the cultural zeitgeist".
Newhouse added: "By virtue of his talent and experience, Edward is supremely prepared to assume the responsibility of British Vogue."
Ms Shulman announced in January that she was stepping down as editor-in-chief of British Vogue after more than 25 years at the helm
She said it was a hard to decision to quit the magazine "that I love" but she wanted to "experience a different life".
Wonga data breach may affect '245,000 UK customers'
Wonga is contacting 245,000 customers in the UK and another 25,000 in Poland following a data breach in which hackers gained access to personal information.
The payday lender said it had called in police after realising data had been accessed on Friday last week.
Wonga said it was likely to include customer account numbers, bank sort codes, addresses and the last four digits of users' bank cards.
It apologised and urged customers to watch out for any "unusual activity" arising from the "illegal and unauthorised" activity, but said it did not believe the limited information left people at risk of theft.
A spokeswoman said: "We are working closely with authorities and we are in the process of informing affected customers.
"We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused."
The data breach is a blow to the company as it strives to rebuild its business in the wake of a string of scandals and a regulatory crackdown in the UK market.
A flexible loan product has been launched as it seeks to diversify away from the short-term lending activity that sparked political and public controversy.
In 2015, it was ordered by the City watchdog to pay more than £2.5m in compensation to 45,000 customers who were sent letters purporting to be from law firms but which in fact did not exist.
Wonga's losses have totalled nearly £120m in the last two years.
The payday lender said it had called in police after realising data had been accessed on Friday last week.
Wonga said it was likely to include customer account numbers, bank sort codes, addresses and the last four digits of users' bank cards.
It apologised and urged customers to watch out for any "unusual activity" arising from the "illegal and unauthorised" activity, but said it did not believe the limited information left people at risk of theft.
A spokeswoman said: "We are working closely with authorities and we are in the process of informing affected customers.
"We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused."
The data breach is a blow to the company as it strives to rebuild its business in the wake of a string of scandals and a regulatory crackdown in the UK market.
A flexible loan product has been launched as it seeks to diversify away from the short-term lending activity that sparked political and public controversy.
In 2015, it was ordered by the City watchdog to pay more than £2.5m in compensation to 45,000 customers who were sent letters purporting to be from law firms but which in fact did not exist.
Wonga's losses have totalled nearly £120m in the last two years.
Thousands expected at funeral of PC Keith Palmer
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.
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.
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.
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