Russia will target coalition jets in parts of Syria, defence ministry says

Russia says it will treat US-led coalition planes as potential targets in government-controlled areas of Syria west of the Euphrates River.

The escalation comes a day after the US shot down a Syrian air force jet.

In a statement, the Russian defence ministry said that starting on Monday it will track all jets and drones from the coalition in the area.

And it has demanded a full account of why the US military shot down the Syrian SU-22.

Areas of northern Syria west of the Euphrates were controlled by Islamic State until recent months when Syrian government forces captured most of the region back.

US Central Command confirmed that one of its F-18 Super Hornets downed the Syrian aircraft, which it said had dropped bombs near the American-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The Kurdish-led SDF - which is aligned with the US in the campaign against IS - had warned Syrian government forces to stop their attacks or face retaliation.

Image:SDF fighters pictured in the north of Raqqa

The downing of the warplane is the first time in the conflict that the US has shot down a Syrian jet.

Syria said that the fighter jet that was downed was on a combat mission against Islamic State.

Russia, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al Assad, has been providing air cover to the government's offensive since 2015.

Clashes between the SDF and Syrian government forces have been rare, with some rebel groups even accusing them of coordinating on the battlefield.

Both sides are battling IS - with SDF fighters focusing on the northern city of Raqqa and government forces attacking IS in northern, central and southern Syria.

Finsbury Park Attack: One dead after 'van hits mosque worshippers'

One man has died after a van hit 11 worshippers leaving a Muslim welfare centre in north London.

The Metropolitan Police said eight people had been taken to hospital after the collision at the junction of Whadcoat Street and Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park.

A further two people were treated at the scene, where police arrested a man who had been held by members of the public amid angry scenes.

According to a witness who asked to be called Abdulrahman, which is not his real name, the driver of the van said: "I want to kill Muslims."

Another witness, Adil Rana, 24, said: "The van was driving towards us to try and basically hit us at speed.

"When he got arrested, he was taunting, saying, 'I'd do it again, I'd do it again'."

Pictures of the van indicated it was rented from a company in South Wales, Pontyclun Van Hire.

Ellen Higginbottom's death: Two men arrested

Police have arrested two men on suspicion of murdering a teenage girl in Wigan.

Ellen Higginbottom died after being brutally attacked near Winstanley College, and her body was discovered at Orrell Water Park in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A post-mortem examination has concluded that the 18-year-old student had suffered multiple wounds to the neck.

Greater Manchester Police said a 47-year-old suspect was detained on Sunday afternoon in nearby Billinge, and is currently in custody for questioning.

A second man, aged 51, was arrested in Preston, Lancashire on Sunday evening.

Detective Superintendent Howard Millington has stressed the investigation "is still in its early stages".

He said: "This investigation is by no means over however, we still have a long way to go in piecing together the puzzle.

"Our investigative team will continue to work at the scene in the area around Orrell Water Park for the next few days."

Image:Police called Ellen Higginbottom's death an 'absolute tragedy'. Pic: Facebook

Classmates have described Ellen as a "lovely and caring girl" who will be remembered for her love of horses.

Her friend Katie Hatton wrote on Facebook: "Absolutely heartbreaking that this horror had to happen to such a lovely and caring young girl, always smiling and making me laugh in psychology.

"You were taken far too young - my love and thoughts are with friends and family. R.I.P. Ellen."

Lisa Wasilewski wrote: "Seriously saddened by the loss of the lovely Ellen Higginbottom. My thoughts are with her family right now.

"I will always remember you for your love of horses and your bubbly personality. You will be missed xxx."

Chloe Williams, who had posted a plea for information about Ellen in the hours after she went missing, said later: "Never felt as sick and upset and heartbroken in my entire life."

Muslim leaders: Finsbury Park attack 'senseless and evil'

Muslim leaders have described the Finsbury Park van attack on worshippers as "senseless and evil".

One has died and 10 others were injured after a white van was driven into a crowd near a mosque in the early hours of Monday morning.

Image:Emergency services at the scene

Mohammed Shafiq of the Ramadhan Foundation, a Muslim organisation which speaks out against extremism, said: "I utterly condemn the senseless and evil van attack against Muslim worshippers outside the Finsbury Park Mosque in London.

"According to eyewitnesses this was a deliberate attack against innocent Muslims going about their life.

Image:People injured in the Finsbury Park attack

"We should make clear that if this attack is confirmed as a deliberate terrorist attack then this should be classed as an act of terrorism.

"The British Muslim community requires all decent people to stand with us against this evil violence.

"Rampant Islamaphobia has been on the rise for a number of years and those on the far right have perpetuated hatred against Muslims.

"They should be called out for their hatred."

Image:Angry witnesses at the scene of the Finsbury Park attack

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) general secretary Harun Khan said: "During the night, ordinary British citizens were set upon while they were going about their lives, completing their night worship. It appears from eyewitness accounts that the perpetrator was motivated by Islamophobia.

"Over the past weeks and months, Muslims have endured many incidents of Islamophobia and this is the most violent manifestation to date.

Donald Trump claims his approval rating is higher than Barack Obama

Donald Trump has claimed his approval rating is higher than that of Barack Obama - despite the data he is referring to suggesting the opposite is true.

“The new Rasmussen Poll, one of the most accurate in the 2016 Election, just out with a Trump 50% Approval Rating. That’s higher than O’s #’s,” he wrote in an early morning tweet

Last week, the President had tweeted an image of a Rasmussen Reports poll that put his approval rating at 50 per cent - the first time it had been above 50 per cent since April.

The new Rasmussen Poll, one of the most accurate in the 2016 Election, just out with a Trump 50% Approval Rating.That's higher than O's #'s!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2017

“His approval rating has ranged from a high of 59 per cent in late January shortly after he took office to a low of 42 per cent in early April,” said the polling company.

On Sunday, Mr Trump sought to double down on the positive news by claiming his numbers were higher than those of his predecessor, Barack Obama.

However, data from the same polling company suggests that is not true. Mr Obama entered office on January 20 2009 with an approval rating of 67 per cent. At this same stage of his presidency his rating had slipped to 55 per cent, a level that was still a clear five points higher than Mr Trump.

US Navy calls off search for 7 missing sailors

The search for seven missing U.S. Navy sailors was called off Sunday after several bodies were recovered from the flooded compartments of the destroyer.

Commander of the Navy’s 7th Fleet told the grim news to reporters at a Navy base in Yokosuka, just south of Tokyo. Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin wouldn’t say how many bodies were found but said the identities of the sailors would be released following notification of the families.

The bodies were found in previously flooded compartments, including sleeping quarters.

Searchers gained access to these spaces that were damaged during the collision and brought the remains to Naval Hospital Yokosuka where they are to be identified, the Navy said in a statement.

The USS Fitzgerald was back at its home port in Yokosuka Naval Base south of Tokyo by sunset Saturday. The Philippine-flagged container ship was berthed at Tokyo’s Oi wharf, where officials were questioning crew members about the cause of the nighttime crash.

After stabilizing the USS Fitzgerald, the destroyer USS Dewey had joined other American and Japanese vessels and aircraft in the search for the missing sailors.

The U.S. 7th Fleet said in a statement that the crash damaged two berthing spaces, a machinery room and the radio room. Most of the more than 200 sailors aboard would have been asleep in their berths at the time of the pre-dawn crash.

Water was being pumped out of flooded areas and it was unclear how long it would take to get into the crushed mid-right side of the ship once it was at the pier in Yokosuka, the statement said.

Man dies and police hurt as violence escalates in Darjeeling, India

A man has died and scores of police were injured during rioting in the Indian resort of Darjeeling.

The violence has escalated in recent days and erupted in large-scale rioting on Saturday in the hill resort at the peak of the tourist season.

Almost 50 people, mostly police, were injured in riots and arson attacks which have been taking place for more than a week, forcing many visitors to leave.

The unrest intensified on Saturday and a man died as cars were torched and police were attacked by mobs with knives.

Officers responded with teargas and baton charges in an attempt to control the situation.

The director general of West Bengal state police, Anuj Sharma, said: "A man was killed and at least 35 policemen were injured yesterday. Some of them were stabbed in the back."

He said one officer who intervened in an arson attack was "seriously wounded after protesters slashed his throat".

Mr Sharma said the dead man appeared to have been shot but the circumstances were still unclear.

Police have denied using live ammunition.

Image:Protesters torched cars and buildings during widespread rioting

The escalation of the violence was triggered when police raided the homes and offices of members of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), a separatist movement that has long called for a new state of "Gorkhaland" to be carved out of West Bengal.

The group has accused police of shooting dead three of its members during the clashes but police have denied this.

GJM's general secretary Roshan Giri said: "Three of our comrades were killed and five were critically injured in police firing yesterday."

He said hundreds took to the streets of Darjeeling on Sunday for a silent protest against "police atrocities", waving India's tricolour flag and posters calling for peace.

Image:A man has died and scores of police injured

The hills are famous for the Darjeeling tea and the area is also famed for its "toy train" - a 48-mile uphill ride from New Jalpaiguri.

But the violence has dealt a major blow to the crucial tourism industry, leaving the normally busy destination deserted as shops, schools and banks closed.

As well as the campaign for a new state, tensions have risen recently over a decision to introduce the Bengali language in schools which has infuriated the Nepali-speaking Gorkhas.