Fears For Eight As Vessel Overturns Off Scotland

A major search effort has resumed in a bid to find the missing crew of an overturned cargo ship.

Two helicopters, four lifeboats and five coastguard rescue teams are looking for the eight people who were on the Cypriot-registered Cemfjord.

A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said "every effort" was being made to find them.

Pictures released by the RNLI show the Cemfjord during the rescue operation

The Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) has also deployed a team to investigate.

The search was sparked after the crew of a passenger ferry raised the alarm when they spotted the upturned hull of the vessel in the Pentland Firth, off the north coast of Scotland.

After darkness fell it was called off, although passing vessels were asked to scan the area, between Orkney and John O'Groats.

The MCA spokeswoman said: "The search has resumed this morning, with two helicopters, four lifeboats and five coastguard rescue teams. There is no sign of any of the crewmen.

The search has been taking place northeast of Wick

"It is early in the day so we will see how the day progresses, but every effort is under way."

German shipping company Brise of Hamburg confirmed that there were eight people on the ship, seven Poles and one Filipino.

A spokesman for the company said: "No distress call was received from the vessel. Bad weather prevailed in the area at the time and conditions remain difficult at the scene, with storm force winds."

Shetland Coastguard was alerted by the NorthLink ferry Hrossey which spotted the vessel around 10 miles east of the Pentland Skerries, about 15 miles from Wick.

The 83-metre bulk cement carrier had been bound for Runcorn, Cheshire, on the west coast of the UK. She was carrying 2,000 tons of cement.

The RNLI tweeted: "Our thoughts are with the crew of the upturned cargo ship, their family, friends and all those involved in today's search operation."

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Man Stabbed To Death In Manchester

A murder investigation has been launched after a 26-year-old was stabbed to death in Manchester's city centre.

The man was found at about 3.25am in Charles Street in the city centre and died later in hospital.

Detective Superintendent Joanne Rawlinson of Greater Manchester Police said: "A young man has sadly died and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his relatives and friends.

"I cannot begin to imagine what they are going through and specially-trained officers are offering them whatever support we can."

She appealed for any witnesses to come forward, adding: "We are in the very early stages of the investigation and we have a team of experienced detectives working to establish the circumstances leading up to his death."

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Det Supt Rawlinson said:"Although one man has been arrested in connection with the murder, we still need to hear from anyone who was around the Charles Street area in the early hours of this morning or has any information which may assist us with our investigation.

"We will have an increased police presence in the area as we continue our investigation and to reassure local residents, so if you have any concerns or information you wish to provide please come and speak to us."

:: Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call police on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Two Charged With New Year's Day Pub Murder

Two men have been charged with murder after an alleged axe and knife attack at a Plymouth pub which left builder Tanis Bhandari dead.

Four other people were seriously injured in the "major disturbance" outside the Kings Arms in the village of Tamerton Foliot on New Year's Day.

Police said Ryan Williams, 21, and Donald Pemberton, 20, both of St Budeaux, Plymouth, have been charged with murder.

They are also accused of being in possession of an axe and a knife in a public place.

The pair are due to appear at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The violence took place outside the Kings Arms pub

Police were called to the pub, which had held a New Year's Eve disco, at around 1.30am.

Mr Bhandari was taken to Derriford Hospital with serious injuries, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Another man, aged 21 from Plymouth, remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Three others were treated in hospital.

Detective Inspector Gregg Dawe said: "An axe and knives have been recovered and searches are continuing in the Milford Lane area for any further knives that may have been used.

"I want to thank everyone who has assisted us with the police investigation so far. Searches and inquiries are continuing in relation to this incident."

A statement posted on the Kings Arms Facebook page described the incident as a "terrible attack" on a "lovely group of people on the way home from a great night in our pub".

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Salvage Mission After Car Carrier Runs Aground

Salvage experts are assessing how to refloat a car carrier after it ran aground in one of the country's busiest shipping lanes.

Overnight 25 crew members were rescued by a helicopter and lifeboats from the cargo ship which was heading towards Germany and became grounded on a sandbank near the Isle of Wight.

The ship, the Hoegh Osaka, is listing at 45 degrees and there are fears that changes in tide level might destabilise it further.

It was hoped that this morning's high tide would right the ship, but that did not happen and the 180-metre vessel remains stranded on Bramble Bank, in the Solent between Southampton and Cowes.

The stricken carrier has become a tourist attraction with Hampshire Police reporting that car parks along the coast were filling up with people wishing to view it. 

Video: RNLI Rescue Operation

It is not yet clear how the 51,000-tonne Singapore-registered ship, which is capable of carrying thousands of vehicles, got into difficulty in an area notorious for its shallow waters.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the salvage company Svitzer had been appointed by the ship's owners, Hoegh Autoliners, and a salvage team was on its way to make an initial assessment.

"Salvage plans will be developed by Svitzer and reviewed by the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage & Intervention, (SOSREP).

"There is no impact on vessels transiting the Solent as the vessel is not within a shipping channel," a spokeswoman said.

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1. Gallery: Ship Beached In The Solent

   The car carrier ship became grounded on Bramble Bank at around 9.20pm, listing at 45 degrees Pic: Jamie Griffin/M & Y News Agency, Portsmouth

Twenty-five crew were rescued by a coastguard helicopter and lifeboats Pic: @CalshotRNLI

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Ched Evans To Join Oldham Athletic - Reports

League One club Oldham Athletic is set to agree a deal to sign rapist footballer Ched Evans, Sky News understands.

The 26-year-old striker was released from prison in October after serving half of a five year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman in 2011.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), which has always taken the stance that Evans, who still protests his innocence, deserved the chance to resume his career following his release from prison, is due to hold a press conference on Monday concerning the player.

There has been no official confirmation or denial from the club, which last month insisted they would not be offering Evans a contract or an opportunity to train. But it is understood further discussions have taken place since then.

The club has previously signed a former convict as a player.

Lee Hughes, who served three years in prison for causing the death by dangerous driving of father-of-four Douglas Graham in Meriden, near Coventry, in 2004, also signed for Oldham after his release in 2007.

Oldham's reported interest in Evans sparked lively debate on unofficial fans forums, with some supporters saying they would not attend another game at the club's Burnden Park home if Evans signed.

On one fans' forum a member named as Underdog wrote: "Please god no ... we are a family club ... He is a convicted sex offender until the courts decide otherwise ... can you imagine the grief we would get as fans ...This is a nightmare, if he signs I will not be returning back to BP until he has gone and would have to consider my role in playershare and trust oldham."

And Bristolatic wrote: "I wasn't 100% comfortable with the Lee Hughes signing, but he did at least show some contrition ... Ched Evans, on the other hand, has shown no remorse whatsoever. Instead, he has chosen to simply declare that he is innocent.

"My conscience would not allow me to be at a game in which he was playing."

However another poster, Hands On, wrote: "We all have to make our own minds up. I have made up mine and believe he should be given the chance to pursue his chosen profession again. I will continue to support my club."

Reaction on Twitter was similarly divided, with some Oldham fans saying they would stop attending games and others backing the club, saying that everyone deserves a second chance.

Sky News Correspondent Becky Johnson said that while the reaction from fans was important, it was the sponsors' "we really need to watch".

"It will be very interesting to see what sponsors here in Oldham will make of this, if as we understand it is the case that Ched Evans will be coming here, because of course in the end in football it does all come down to money," she said.

Evans had an offer to train with his former club Sheffield United withdrawn in November following a backlash from Blades supporters, sponsors and patrons opposed to his return. Some 160,000 people signed a petition against it.

Other clubs including Tranmere and Hartlepool also rejected the opportunity to sign him and a recently touted move abroad to Maltese club Hibernians floundered due to rules on convicted sex offenders and their probation regime.

Evans was jailed in April 2012 for raping a woman in a hotel room in Rhyl, North Wales.

The player denied the offence, saying the sex was consensual, but he was found guilty by a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court.

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Funeral Held For Glasgow Lorry Crash Family

By Becky Johnson, Sky Correspondent

Hundreds of mourners have gathered for the funeral of three members of the same family killed when a bin lorry crashed into Christmas shoppers in Glasgow.

Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68 and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, all died when the out-of-control refuse vehicle ploughed into pedestrians in the city's George Square three days before Christmas.

Some 700 people packed in to St Patrick's RC Church in Dumbarton, where the family live, for a joint requiem mass for the teenager and her grandparents, with more mourners standing outside.

Three hearses filled with white roses lined the pavement outside the church.

Crash victims Jack and Lorraine Sweeney and granddaughter Erin McQuade

Erin, who was in her first year studying English literature at Glasgow University, had been out Christmas shopping with her family when the crash happened.

Her mother, Jacqueline, was just yards away from her daughter and parents as the disaster unfolded. She arrived at the church holding hands with her 14-year-old son Aidan.

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1. Gallery: Tributes For Lorry Crash Victims

   Flowers were left near the scene of a bin lorry crash which killed six people and left 10 more injured

A service to remember the victims of the disaster was held at Glasgow's St Andrew's Cathedral

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Malta's PM Warns Over Rapist Ched Evans Offer

Malta's Prime Minister has intervened in the controversy over striker Ched Evans after one of the country's football club's offered the convicted rapist a contract.

Joseph Muscat has urged caution over Hibernians FC signing the former Sheffield United player and Welsh international, who has been shunned by a number of English clubs.

The Maltese PM said footballers are role models, and warned how the decision would reflect both on the club and the country.

His comments come after Hibernians, who are top of the country's domestic league, said they had made an offer to Evans for the remainder of the season.

The 26-year-old had an offer to train with League One United withdrawn in November after his release from prison following strong opposition.

Video: Evans Has "Served His Time"

Other English clubs including Tranmere and Oldham also rejected the chance to sign him.

However, Malta's Justice Minister, Owen Bonnici, argued should be given "a second chance".

He tweeted: "If we believe in rehabilitation of ex-prisoners we should practice what we preach."

Club vice-president Stephen Vaughan, the controversial former Chester City owner, told Sky News: "The bottom line is Ched Evans has been punished for previous misdemeanours.

Video: Justice Secretary On Evans' Future

"We are looking at signing Ched Evans the footballer.

"We are looking for a centre-forward that can find the back of the net, and we believe Ched Evans fits the bill."

Mr Vaughan, who was disqualified from acting as a company director for 11 years in 2009 for his involvement in an alleged £500,000 VAT fraud and was jailed in 2011 for attacking a police officer, said he was "very confident" of doing a deal to sign Evans.

"If someone offers you a cheap Ferrari, you're gonna drive it," Mr Vaughan said.

Video: 21 Nov: U-Turn 'Right Decision'

However, a statement issued by the office of the Maltese PM said: "Footballers are role models and the decision by Hibernians will not only define the club but also, to a certain extent, Malta.

"The PM hopes that the decision by the club's management takes this into consideration before the final decision."

But Hibernians technical director, Jeffrey Farrugia, told Sky News Evans' rape conviction would not be a problem for the club.

"He paid for what he did so for us it is not an issue," he said.

Video: Clough Defends Decision On Evans

"We'll open the doors for him to come over here and start his career again in international football."

Evans is keen to resume his playing career after being released from prison in October.

He served two-and-a-half years of a five-year sentence after being found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in 2011. He claimed she had agreed to have sex.

He was initially given permission by Sheffield United to train with them at the request of players' union, the Professional Footballers Association.

Video: 22 Oct: Evans Wants To Clear Name

But following a backlash from supporters, sponsors and patrons, including Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill, the club changed their mind.

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Hamza Too Disabled For Jail, Lawyers Claim

London hate preacher Abu Hamza should be sent to a prison hospital because he is too disabled to spend life at a high-security US jail for terror offences, lawyers have claimed.

Attorneys for the one-eyed, handless, radical Egyptian cleric also claim by sentencing him to life in prison, the US would breach assurances given to judges in the UK, to secure his 2012 extradition to America.

Hamza used his sermons in London to incite murder and racial hatred

But this is disputed by federal prosecutors, who argue Hamza should be held accountable for his role as a "global terrorist leader who orchestrated plots around the world to further his deadly mission".

The 56-year-old was convicted in May of 11 charges, including conspiring to set up a terror training camp in Oregon, conspiring to kidnap Americans in Yemen and providing support to terrorist organisations.

Video: May 20: Hamza Faces Life In Jail

Hamza, whose real name is Mustafa Kamel Mustafa, has already served a UK prison sentence for using his sermons at the Finsbury Park Mosque in London to incite murder and racial hatred.

He was extradited to the US to face trial after a protracted legal battle lasting almost a decade.

A UK High Court judge ruled in October, 2012, that Hamza and four other men could be removed after the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) refused to intervene and stop the Home Secretary extraditing them.

Speaking at the time, Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "absolutely delighted" Hamza was out of the country.

He said: "Like the rest of the public I'm sick to the back teeth of people who come here, threaten our country, who stay at vast expense to the taxpayer and we can't get rid of them."

Ahead of Hamza's sentencing on 9 January, his lawyers' said in court papers he would face unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment if his amputated forearms, psoriasis, diabetes and high blood pressure were not taken into account at his sentencing on 9 January.

They argue a non-life sentence would be "appropriate" in light of mitigating circumstances, and that he should have specially adapted accommodation to ensure he receives fair treatment while in custody.

But a letter submitted by Jeffery Allen, chief of health programs for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, said Hamza would be given a full medical evaluation and assessed by a prosthetic specialist after he was sentenced.

Mr Allen also said there were special cells for those with disabilities and if the prison could not address Hamza's health needs, he would be moved to a prison hospital.

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Couple's Relief As £130k Early Birth Bill Wiped

By Sky News US Team

A British couple stranded in New York after their son was born 11 weeks early will no longer have to pay the expected $200,000 (£130,000) hospital bill for his care.

Katie Amos, 30, and Lee Johnston, 29, are "hugely relieved" the medical costs for Dax, who weighs just 3lb (1.4kg), are now being covered.

The pair, from Burgh-le-Marsh, Lincolnshire, have been told they cannot return safely to the UK until their son's original due date in March.

Dax was born on December 28 while Mr Johnston, a personal trainer, and Miss Amos, a fitness instructor, were on holiday, and is being treated at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan.

Close friend Richard Crow, who set up an online appeal which has raised more than £7,700 to help the couple, said: "I spoke last night with (Katie and Lee) and they told me the medical bills are being taken care of.

A photo from the pair's Dax's Tale of New York appeal

"I understand the hospital made a statement saying they are working with their travel insurers to make sure they don't have to pay anything.

"They are hugely relieved, absolutely. They're just overwhelmed by all the support.

"They are all doing very well. Dax is one thing that they don't have to worry about - he's being well cared for."

The couple are staying in accommodation offered by the Ronald McDonald House Charities near the hospital.

A Facebook page supporting the appeal called Dax's Tale of New York has received worldwide attention.

Mr Crow said cash raised will go towards covering the cost of the couple's rent and bills in the UK and living costs in New York so they can stay near their son.

"We're going to continue fundraising to help cover expenses that they incur over there and also back home," he added.

Responding to criticism on Facebook that donors thought they were helping towards medical costs and not living expenses, Mr Crow said: "The appeal was only ever to raise money for their living costs, we never intended to raise money for the medical bills.

"I have offered on the Facebook page to refund anyone who feels they were misled but I have had no messages so far.

"The criticism has only come from people who haven't actually donated."

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British Ebola Nurse Now 'Critical' In Hospital

A British nurse battling Ebola in a London hospital is now in a critical condition, medical staff say.

A statement from the Royal Free Hospital said the health of Pauline Cafferkey, who was diagnosed after travelling back to Glasgow from Sierra Leone, had deteriorated over the past two days.

Ms Cafferkey, who was part of a team of medical volunteers deployed to Africa by the UK Government last month, is being treated using the blood of a recovered patient and an experimental anti-viral drug which has not yet been proven to work.

Earlier this week Dr Michael Jacobs, who has been involved in Ms Cafferkey's treatment, said she had been sitting up and talking - adding she was able to read, eat and drink and had spoken to her family.

However, he revealed the hospital was unable to obtain ZMapp, the drug used to treat fellow British volunteer nurse William Pooley, who recovered, because "there is none in the world at the moment".

Ms Cafferkey was voluntarily deployed to Sierra Leone by the UK Government

A brief statement on the hospital's website said: "The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is sorry to announce that the condition of Pauline Cafferkey has gradually deteriorated over the past two days and is now critical."

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon added: "Our thoughts continue to be with Pauline Cafferkey and her family during this extremely distressing time.

Video: Ebola Nurse Flies To Sierra Leone

"I would like to thank all of the health professionals involved in treating Pauline, as they continue to show tremendous dedication and expertise."

Ms Cafferkey, who is from Glasgow and works at Blantyre Health Centre, South Lanarkshire, was diagnosed with the deadly virus after returning to Glasgow from Heathrow. She had flown from Sierra Leone via Casablanca in Morocco.

At Heathrow, the 39-year-old was considered high risk because of the nature of her work and checked, but showed no symptoms. When she raised concerns about her temperature, she was checked a further six times but cleared to travel and returned to Glasgow.

Video: Ebola Patient Arrives In London

Ms Cafferkey was then transferred from Scotland to north London on an RAF Hercules plane.

A Public Health England (PHE) spokeswoman confirmed all British-based passengers and crew members on both flights from Heathrow to Glasgow and from Casablanca to Heathrow have been contacted.

She said they had all been "given advice and reassurance" by health officials.

Video: How Ebola Attacks The Human Body

She added that an additional 31 international passengers on the Casablanca to Heathrow flight were being contacted by international public health authorities.

The Moroccan Ministry of Health has also been tracing passengers aboard the Royal Air Maroc flight from Freetown in Sierra Leone to Casablanca as a precautionary measure.

All passengers on that flight were screened before they left Freetown and cleared to travel, as well as on their arrival in Casablanca, PHE said.

Video: Ebola: Busting The Myths

More follows ...

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