Pistorius: Reeva Death 'End Of The World'

A courtroom has been reduced to tears after Reeva Steenkamp's cousin described the moment she learned the model had been shot dead by Oscar Pistorius.

Kim Martin, the first prosecution witness at the athlete's sentencing, said the death of her cousin was the "worst ever experience".

"It was for me, the end of the world," she said.

"It's ruined our whole family. It's ruined Auntie June and Uncle Barry... Reeva was everything to them."

Sky's Alex Crawford, at the High Court in Pretoria, described Ms Martin's face as "a picture of pain" as she laid bare the extent of the family's grief at the death of Ms Steenkamp.

June Steenkamp placed her hand on her husband Barry's shoulder, who also appeared to be crying, as Ms Martin recalled tales of their daughter's childhood.

Video: No Jail Term Would Be 'Too Light'

She also revealed how she and most members of the extended family were either still having trauma counselling and therapy, or were on medication.

Ms Martin said when she asked Ms Steenkamp's parents if it was okay she spoke in court, they gave her their blessing and said: "You must be Reeva's voice."

Crawford said: "She spat out the words through large sobs and tears. There were a large group of people in the courtroom who were crying too. A very harrowing, heartbroken testimony."

Earlier, prosecutor Gerrie Nel said anything but a prison sentence for Pistorius for killing his girlfriend would be "shockingly inappropriate".

He resumed his relentless cross examination of probation officer Annette Vergeer, a defence witness, who on Tuesday told the court Pistorius would be "broken as a person" if he was jailed.

Mr Nel said to place the runner under house arrest and sentence him to community work for three years as she had recommended would be "too light" a punishment.

Video: 'Blood Money' Paid to Steenkamps

The prosecutor also raised the prospect of a public backlash if the sentence for the double-amputee Olympian was not harsh enough, saying the court had to guard against people "taking the law into their own hands".

"Our courts and society value human life," he told Ms Vergeer, and asked her: "Don't you think society wants a heavy punishment?

"You're recommending house arrest... but the accused could be allowed to pursue his athletics, train, find a job and go to work and return to his house.

"That this accused be sentenced to three years correctional supervision, with 16 hours a month correctional duties is shockingly inappropriate. It cannot even be considered," Mr Nel said.

Pistorius, 27, was convicted last month for killing Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013.

The court heard on Tuesday that Pistorius paid 6,000 rand (£350) per month to the Steenkamps to help them with their rent and living expenses.

Video: Oscar Pistorius Witness Challenged

He also offered the family 375,000 rand (£21,305) as compensation which Mr Nel said the Steenkamps had rejected as "blood money" - and had decided to hand back the monthly payments.

Defence lawyer Barry Roux told the court the Steenkamps intended to pay back Pistorius "every cent", and also confirmed they would not be pursuing a civil claim against Pistorius for killing their daughter.

Pistorius could receive a fine and a suspended jail sentence or up to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of culpable homicide, the equivalent of manslaughter in the UK.

The sentencing hearing resumes on Thursday.

12.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Killing Of Reeva Steenkamp Devastated Family

By Alex Crawford, Special Correspondent, in Pretoria

Many in the courtroom were reduced to tears as they heard for the first time how Reeva Steenkamp's killing had devastated her family.

The cousin of the model and law graduate broke down as she recounted the moment when she heard of her death.

Kim Martin was on her way to work listening to the car radio when the news came on that "Oscar Pistorius has shot his girlfriend".

She said she sat bolt upright and cried to her husband: "I hope to God that Oscar's been cheating on her."

She couldn't bear to believe the news but when she saw her aunt (Reeva's mother), June, hysterical with grief, she knew it was true.

She said: "For me, it was the end of the world. We were all like, Why? Why? Why Reeva? It ruined our family."

Ms Martin went on to tell the judge that many members of her extended family were now on medication, receiving therapy and trauma counselling.

Her own daughter had to be placed in an institution for a short time to get professional help in coping with the loss.

Video: Reeva's Cousin Kim Martin

For the first time during the many months of evidence in this trial, the court heard about Reeva, the person: how hard-working she was; how she got a bursary to study law; how she gave her parents her first cheque from modelling and regularly helped them financially; how she loved cats and valued family above all else.

Her cousin said the family were always strapped for cash but Reeva had never wanted for love.

Both her parents adored her and she got her hard-working ethic from them, she said.

She said the two cousins had formed an early bond, when at 12 years old, a young Kim was allowed to hold her first baby.

The newborn was her cousin Reeva and she appears to have loved her from that very special first moment.

Video: No Jail Term Would Be 'Too Light'

Ms Martin's evidence is part of the state's attempt to secure the toughest sentence possible for the athlete.

In South Africa, there is no minimum sentence for a conviction of culpable homicide and two defence witnesses have suggested the double amputee runner be placed under house arrest and do community service.

The defence is arguing jail would not help in the runner's rehabilitation and he risks being gang-raped if imprisoned because he would be more vulnerable due to his disability.

Earlier, the Steenkamp family issued a statement saying they would be repaying the monthly payments they've been getting from the athlete since a few weeks after their daughter's death.

The statement - which was read out in court - confirmed they would be dropping a civil claim for compensation.

Video: 'Blood Money' Paid to Steenkamps

June Steenkamp has said she sees cash handouts from the athlete as "blood money".

Judge Masipa once again urged the legal teams to try to finish this sentencing hearing by Friday.

She has commitments for the next few weeks and if they cannot wrap up by the end of the week, the case looks set to be adjourned again until possibly mid-November.

12.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Oscar Money U-Turn May Be Due To Media Deals

The spectre of blood money - being offered and accepted - has emerged for the first time in the Oscar Pistorius trial.

The court heard the athlete wanted to pay the Steenkamp parents a lump sum of more than £21,000 but this was rejected by Reeva's mother because she felt it was 'blood money'.

The Steenkamp lawyer, Dup De Bryn, said after the model was shot and killed by the double amputee runner, her parents were struggling financially.

They considered a civil claim for compensation against the runner.

The Pistorius legal team was told the Steenkamp family was broke and needed cash.

Oscar Pistorius and his victim Reeva Steenkamp

The athlete then came back and offered to pay them 6,000 South Africa Rand a month (or £350) and he'd been paying it ever since over the past 19 months or so making a total of about £6,000 to pay back.

When asked if the parents had found it difficult to accept the money from their daughter's killer, Mr De Bryn said: "It's not difficult when you have no money."

Video: Prison Term would 'Break' Pistorius

Sky News asked him why they were handing the money back now more than a year on and the answer was because their circumstances had changed.

The couple have signed a number of media deals in exchange for interviews at key points of the trial and this may be how their financial circumstances have improved.

The information emerged as a probation officer hired by the Pistorius defence said an offer of compensation indicated remorse on the runner's part.

Annette Vergeer also said prison would 'break' the double amputee and South African jails were not equipped to cope with his level of disability.

She was the second witness for the defence to suggest a period of house arrest with community service would be much more appropriate.

Ms Vergeer urged Judge Masipa not to give in to the public baying for a more severe punishment saying a correctional services sentence was not lenient.

Mr Vergeer said a range of programs designed to rehabilitate the athlete would help him reintegrate into society and as a young man, he still had much to contribute if allowed.

She indicated he - and society - would benefit more if his community service included not just domestic cleaning but also working with disabled or impoverished children who would see him still as inspirational.

The Pistorius family spokesman said they did not agree with the State's version about the financial payments to the Steenkamps and would be addressing this issue in court on Wednesday.

The prosecution still has two witnesses of its own to call and evidence may include an 'impact statement' from June Steenkamp on how her daughter's death has affected her family.

The family lawyer said they were not interested in making money from any claims and simply wanted closure.

12.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pistorius Offered 'Blood Money' To Steenkamps

Oscar Pistorius offered Reeva Steenkamp's family 375,000 rand (£21,305) as compensation for killing her after already making monthly payments to them, a court has heard.

But chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel said the Steenkamps rejected the lump sum which they called "blood money".

Mr Nel said the Steenkamps would also hand back the other payments Pistorius had given them, the court was told.

The athlete arrived without his usual phalanx of police and minders

Pistorius' probation officer Annette Vergeer, called by the defence, revealed the payments on the second day of the athlete's sentencing hearing in Pretoria, which was watched by his father Henke and Ms Steenkamp's mother June.

Ms Vergeer said Pistorius had been paying 6,000 rand (£350) per month to the Steenkamps as a form of maintenance or compensation - though the payments stopped a while ago.

Video: 'Blood Money' Paid to Steenkamps

Suggesting the athlete was genuinely remorseful for the killing, she told the court he sold one of his cars for 375,000 rand and offered the money to the Steenkamps as a lump sum.

Ms Vergeer said: "He sold his last asset, his motor vehicle, and requested the amount be paid into the account of the Steenkamps' lawyers should they wish to accept the amount.

"I was informed they did not want the amount of money offered by the accused."

Cross-examining Ms Vergeer, Mr Nel said: "Did you know that the deceased's mother went so far as to say she does not want blood money?"

Ms Vergee replied: "You can place it on record now m'lady that the money was in fact rejected and no further legal action would be taken."

Reporting from Pretoria, Sky's Alex Crawford said: "These payments had not been known before.

"The Steenkamps' lawyer said this was because Pistorius' defence team asked for it to be kept secret."

When asked about the payments, the Steenkamps' lawyer Dup de Bruyn said: "I am not commenting because I'll get cross-examined about it. They are going to pay back every cent of it."

Video: Pistorius Trial: Special Report

Ms Vergeer also said Pistorius was sorry and heartbroken at what had happened and that prison "would not assist him but break him".

Fanning herself while in the witness box, Ms Vergeer said Pistorius did not appear to be "such a danger to society" that a prison sentence was required.

However, prosecutor Mr Nel suggested she gave evidence on issues she knew little about.

The athlete arrived at the North Gauteng High Court without his usual phalanx of police or minders, while in an unusual move, Judge Thokozile Masipa appeared flanked by six armed guards.

Pistorius, 27, was cleared of murdering his girlfriend but found guilty of culpable homicide - the equivalent of manslaughter in the UK.

The double-amputee Olympian could receive a fine and a suspended jail sentence or up to 15 years in prison.

The prosecution are pushing for him to serve a prison sentence for the killing, while his defence team submit he should serve no more than house arrest or community service.

His sentencing continues on Wednesday.

12.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

North Korea's Kim Jong-Un Seen In Public

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has been seen in public for the first time in more than five weeks, scotching rumours of a coup.

State media said early on Tuesday, local time, that Mr Kim visited a residential district and a scientific establishment.

The failure of Mr Kim to appear on TV since 3 September has led to a mass of speculation about what could have happened to the 31-year-old.

Most North Korea watchers believed that the leader's absence from the public eye was because he was suffering from illness.

But others suspected that power struggles at the heart of one of the most secretive regimes in the world was the explanation.

Video: Kim Missing Due To 'Pulled Tendon'

The report from the official KCNA news agency did not touch on the leader's prolonged absence from public view.

His last public appearance was to attend a concert with his wife.

Since then he has missed a key political anniversary and a recent session of the country's parliament.

The report - typical of the way the state media discusses Mr Kim's activities - said he "gave field guidance" to workers at a new facility called Wisong Scientists Residential District.

It added that he also visited the newly-built Natural Energy Institute of the State Academy of Sciences.

1/25

1. Gallery: Kim Jong-Un Inspecting Things

   Before recently disappearing from public view North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was making regular public appearances across the country

2. The state media followed him as he enjoyed visits to factories, military installations and construction sites. Continue through for more pictures

It is not known on which day the visit was made.

Mr Kim was quoted as saying: "Our scientists are patriots who are devoting all their lives to building a rich and powerful nation."

Among the conditions he has been rumoured to be suffering from are gout, obesity, a pulled tendon and fractured ankles.

His country's state news agency admitted he was suffering "discomfort" but has not elaborated.

Diplomatic sources had already ruled out a coup, as there has been no evidence that one had taken place, but it is thought feasible that his sister could have been in charge if Mr Kim had been too ill to rule.

12.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

IS Hostage's Letter To Parents Describes Fear

By Sky News US Team

The parents of an American being held captive by Islamic State (IS) militants have released new portions of a letter sent by their son from captivity.

The letter from Abdul-Rahman Kassig, formerly known as Peter, was received by Ed and Paula Kassig earlier this year.

In it, Mr Kassig, who was captured on 1 October 2013 while on a humanitarian mission in Syria, described "incredible" fear but attempted to reassure his parents that he is "coping as best I can".

He wrote: "It is still really hard to believe all of this is really happening... as I am sure you know by now, things have been getting pretty intense.

"We have been held together, us foreigners ... and now about half the people have gone home. ...

1/5

1. Gallery: Profile: Abdul-Rahman, Peter, Kassig

   A young Peter Kassig with his mother at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Kentucky

2. Mr Kassig fishing with his father along the Ohio River in southern Indiana in 2011

3. Mr Kassig is an Iraq War veteran

4. Mr Kassig working as a medic in Syria

5. Mr Kassig founded an organisation that provides aid to Syrians affected by the country's civil war

"I hope that this all has a happy ending but it may very well be coming down to the wire here, and if in fact that is the case then I figured it was time to say a few things that need saying before I have to go."

Mr Kassig goes on to thank his parents for "everything both of you have done for me".

"Secondly, I want you to know about things here and what I've been through straight from me so you don't have to wonder, guess, or imagine (often this is worse than the reality).

"All in all I am alright. Physically I am pretty underweight but I'm not starved, & I have no physical injuries, I'm a tough kid and still young so that helps.

"Mentally I am pretty sure this is the hardest thing a man can go through, the stress and fear are incredible but I am coping as best I can.

Video: Henning's Family 'Numb With Grief'

The 26-year-old Indiana native and Iraq War veteran wrote about playing chess and sharing "stories and dreams of home" with fellow captives.

"But all in all I am holding my own," he added. "I cried a lot in the first few months but a little less now. I worry a lot about you and mom and my friends.

"They tell us you have abandoned us and/or don't care but of course we know you are doing everything you can and more.

"Don't worry Dad, if I do go down, I won't go thinking anything but what I know to be true. That you and mom love me more than the moon & the stars."

An IS militant threatened to kill Mr Kassig at the end of a video posted online earlier this month that showed the killing of British aid convoy volunteer Alan Henning.

Video: British Hostage In New IS Video

His parents said Mr Kassig changed his name to Abdul-Rahman after years of humanitarian work in the region "culminated in him embracing Islam".

Ed and Paula Kassig have issued video pleas for their son's safe return. They also said they have asked the US government to "change its actions" in the region.

The US has been leading daily airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq and Syria, where the extremist group has seized large swathes of territory.

Four IS hostages - two Americans and two Britons - have been killed since the airstrikes began on 8 August.

An estimated 15 to 20 hostages are still being held by IS, according to the AP news agency.

12.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ebola Crisis: Alex Crawford's Special Report

In a week when the World Health Organisation declared deaths from ebola have reached over 4,000, Sky's Special Correspondent Alex Crawford gained exclusive access to a body recovery team in Liberia.

You can watch a special version of the highlights of the report, or watch the full documentary and read her full story.

Our Health Correspondent Thomas Moore looks in detail at this latest global health crisis in this Sky News special report.

Video: Liberia Gripped By Ebola Virus Fear

Video: Africa Ebola Crisis: Special Report

12.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ebola: Nurse Is First To Contract Disease In US

Tests are being carried out on another suspected ebola sufferer in the US - hours after a female nurse was confirmed to have contracted the disease from a patient.

The man was put into isolation in Boston, Massachusetts, after recently returning from Liberia - one of the countries worst affected by the outbreak.

It follows the death of 42-year-old Thomas Eric Duncan at a hospital in Dallas, Texas, the first from ebola on US soil.

A nurse who was treating Mr Duncan at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital was confirmed on Sunday to have been the first to contract the disease in the US.

The unnamed woman, who had been wearing full protective gear, reported having a "low-grade fever" on Friday and was then isolated, officials said.

Video: Ebola Due To 'Breach In Protocol'

Dr Thomas Frieden, from the Centres for Disease Control, said the hospital worker caught the disease because of a breach of care protocol during Mr Duncan's treatment.

A further 18 workers could also have been exposed, he said, and are being monitored.

The male suspected ebola victim who recently returned from Liberia is being evaluated at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston.

He presented himself to a hospital in Braintree, Massachusetts, complaining of headache and muscle aches, before being transferred.

Video: World Bank: Ebola Response Too Slow

It is expected to take between 24 and 48 hours to discover if he is suffering from ebola.

More than 4,000 people have died in the latest outbreak, mostly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea in west Africa.

The US started screening people travelling from those countries to its busiest international airports on Saturday to limit the disease's spread.

An exercise also took place in the UK over the weekend to ensure emergency authorities were prepared for the disease's possible spread.

Video: US To Screen Travellers For Ebola

UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has now announced that calls to the NHS's non-emergency 111 phoneline are to be screened for possible cases of ebola.

Anyone ringing up with possible symptoms of the disease will be questioned to see if they have been to West Africa.

It has been reported that there are fears hundreds of students returning to UK universities after a summer break in west Africa could be at risk of inadvertently bringing the disease to Britain.

Mr Hunt said that the UK had "robust and well-tested systems for dealing with any imported case of ebola", but added: "However, we keep the need for further measures under review and will never be complacent - and so I asked for additional steps to be taken by NHS 111."

Video: Is Britain Ready To Handle Ebola?

Britain is also planning enhanced screening at Heathrow and Gatwick airports and at Eurostar rail terminals.

The UK's chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, said the country should expect a "handful" of ebola cases in the coming months.

The British expert in charge of the United Nations response to ebola, Dr David Nabarro, said on Sunday he hopes the spread of the killer virus will be "under control" in three months.

12.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Airstrikes Missing IS Front Line, Say Fighters

We met Abu Ibrahim, a Free Syrian Army (FSA) Commander, and his two friends in a coffee shop in Urfa, Southern Turkey.

They had just returned from the Syrian border town of Kobane, where he told us the FSA had joined forces with Kurdish militias to fight the group calling themselves Islamic State (IS).

It was an uneasy alliance with the Kurds, Abu Ibrahim told us, but they had little choice - they had to unite against their common enemy and help defend the town.

Abu Ibrahim says he left Kobane to help carry injured fighters to hospitals in Turkey.

He and his two friends - an activist and a fighter - say they plan to smuggle back in to Kobane imminently.

Video: First RAF Airstrikes Against IS

They are all originally from Eastern Syria but were forced out of their towns by IS militants. 

They made it to Kobane a few weeks ago but admit they are now running out of ammunition.

"Turkey needs to open the border for us to get ammunition, because now we are trapped between Turkey and IS.

"I was smuggled into Turkey illegally and I will go back the same way."

He continued: "If things stay the same way, frankly we'll have no other option but to fight with knives.

"There's no way to bring in weapons ... we would rather die than leave our land."

Abu Ibrahim also says IS has around 5,000 fighters in Kobane right now and admits his forces and the Kurds are less than half of that.

Abu El Majed has been fighting in Kobane against IS for months and says they are not only outnumbered but also outgunned.

"We have RPGs, machine guns, light weapons like Kalishnikovs ... and that's what we're using against IS who have tanks, canons, heavy weapons," he explained.

For the past few days, US- led airstrikes have focused on hitting the outskirts of Kobane, but the fighters say the strikes are having almost no effect because they're not targeting the IS front line.

Abu Jarrah is an FSA activist who says he watched the coalition strikes from a hilltop.

"I could see IS positions clearly, they had their flags raised, they weren't hiding.

"But the jets would hit a kilometre or two away from the target," he told us, throwing his hands up in disbelief

For these men and thousands like them from the FSA, Kobane is the last hope. 

They've been driven out of towns from Eastern Syria all the way to the Turkish border.

If they lose this battle with IS, they'll have nowhere else to go.

"I'm prepared to fight until the last drop of my blood. I know if I am killed in Kobane, that's it. I can't live in Turkey. So we will fight with everything we have," said Abu Majed.

But that may not be enough. 

US and Arab air power in Syria is not stopping the advance of the militants, while those fighting IS on the ground are being defeated and slowly driven out of their own country.  

12.14 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hagel Expects 'Long-Term Battle' Against IS

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has said the embattled Syrian city of Kobani is a "difficult problem", but insisted that airstrikes had made some progress in driving back Islamic State fighters.

Kurdish forces fighting IS militants on the streets of city, at the border with Turkey, say they are struggling to hold on to the city and have urged the US-led coalition to escalate airstrikes on IS.

Speaking in Santiago, Chile, Mr Hagel said: "We are doing what we can do through our airstrikes to help drive back ISIL (IS)."

He admitted the battle against the militants, who have seized swathes of Iraq and Syria, was a long-term fight.

"It is a long-term effort. This is difficult, it is complicated. It's going to require many factors. And we are working now (with) coalition partners," he said.

Video: Calls For Ground Forces In Kobani

Asked about the situation in Iraq, Mr Hagel said Iraqi security forces were in full control of Baghdad and continue to strengthen their positions there.

"We continue to help them with airstrikes, with our assistance and advisers."

The US-led coalition escalated airstrikes on IS in and around Kobani four days ago, but a Kurdish military official, speaking to Reuters from Kobani, said street fighting was making it harder for the warplanes to target IS positions.

Video: IS Fights In The Streets Of Kobani

"We have a problem, which is the war between houses," said Esmat al Sheikh, head of the Kobani defence council.

"The airstrikes are benefiting us, but Islamic State is bringing tanks and artillery from the east. We didn't see them with tanks, but yesterday we saw T-57 tanks."

Meanwhile, IS militants have released footage of themselves fighting in the streets of Kobani.

Video: US Warns IS Could Take Kobani

The footage, which could not be verified, showed masked men walking through deserted streets firing machine guns and rocket launchers at unseen targets.

Sky's Middle East correspondent Sherine Tadros, reporting from the Turkey-Syria border, said: "(IS fighters) have been pushing in and pushing back the militias back right to the border with Turkey.

"That is where we understand the militias are holding their front line.

Video: Sam Kiley On The Battle For Kobani

"We can the sound of heavy machine gun fire. It has been near constant for the last few hours.

"I think it is too early to say the militants are in full control of Kobani but certainly the next few hours seem decisive."

Most residents of the predominantly Kurdish town have fled since the IS assault on Kobani began in mid-September, but the UN has warned more than 500 people still trapped there could be massacred.

Video: IS Footage Shows Kobani Onslaught

More than 200,000 people are believed to have fled over the border to Turkey but thousands of others are said to be unable to cross.

12.14 | 0 komentar | Read More