4.7 Magnitude Earthquake KOMANDORSKIYE OSTROVA REGION - 10th July 2012

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake has struck the KOMANDORSKIYE OSTROVA REGION at a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles), the quake hit at 03:29:08 UTC Tuesday 10th July 2012
The epicenter was 688 km (426.5 miles) Northeast of Mokhovaya, petropavlovsk-kamch, Russia
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

Iran hosts International Occupy Wall Street Cartoon Festival

omanian Court Clears President's Impeachment

Romania's top court on Monday cleared the way for a national referendum on whether to remove the country's president from office, despite criticism from European and U.S. officials fearful that democratic checks and balances are under threat.

On Friday, the Romanian parliament voted by a wide margin to impeach President Traian Basescu, saying he had overstepped his constitutional authority—the latest round in a bruising political battle between the right-leaning Mr. Basescu and the country's new leftist prime minister, Victor Ponta.

"These decisions definitely prove that all democratic and constitutional rules have been respected," Mr. Ponta said Monday night.

Critics of Mr. Ponta at home and abroad, however, have objected to a series of steps taken ahead of the vote—including firing the state's independent ombudsman and changing a law on referendums—that make it easier to oust the president.

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert on Monday used unusually strong language to condemn the impeachment process, saying it is "unacceptable when a European Union country infringes the fundamental principles of rule of law." Read More

One year on, US sees Sudans in "mutual suicide" struggle

WASHINGTON, July 9 (Reuters) - Sudan and South Sudan are playing a dangerous economic version of Russian roulette that threatens the success of both countries, the top U.S. official for the region said on the first anniversary of South Sudan's independence.

Princeton Lyman, U.S. special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, said frayed relations between Juba and Khartoum will slow desperately needed growth unless they can negotiate settlements to the border and oil issues that remain unresolved one year after the South seceded.

"Each side thinks the other is more vulnerable," Lyman said. "But it is a very dangerous attitude. It is kind of a mutual economic suicide approach."

Lyman's grim assessment came despite U.S. pressure on both sides to resolve their differences, which threaten to overshadow the peaceful emergence of South Sudan as Africa's newest independent state.

President Barack Obama's administration has promised to assist South Sudan economically and offered Khartoum - which is on Washington's official list of state sponsors of terrorism and has been under a U.S. trade embargo since 1997 - the prospect of better ties if the lingering disputes can be put to rest. Read More

Taliban Roadside Bomb Kills 5 Afghan Police Officers

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban struck multiple targets across Afghanistan on Monday, killing five police officers with a roadside bomb in a relatively peaceful province but failing to inflict heavy casualties with their multipronged assault in Kandahar, Afghan officials said.

The attacks highlighted both the geographic breadth of the Taliban’s reach and the limits of its capability. The insurgents have repeatedly mounted audacious assaults on targets in large cities, but have not killed many Afghan soldiers and police or foreigners — their stated targets — in the most recent attacks.

Instead, the Taliban’s most deadly tactic remains planting roadside bombs, especially on rural byways where they are less likely to be detected and defused by Afghan or coalition forces. Read More

"Rushed" European Commission proposals in response to the financial crisis could be "hugely damaging" to the City of London

"Rushed" European Commission proposals in response to the financial crisis could be "hugely damaging" to the City of London, a House of Lords committee has warned.

Crucial elements of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) risk creating unnecessary red tape, excluding American and Chinese companies from key markets and reducing competition and innovation in the financial sector, said the Lords Economic and Financial Affairs EU Sub-Committee.

In a report, the committee called on the UK Government to play an active part in negotiations with the Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament to amend the proposed regulations.

MiFID II is due for implementation in 2015 and will affect a wide range of services, from global investment banks trading complex securities to fund managers investing pension funds, stock-broking firms and small high street financial advisers providing financial advice to the general public.

It aims to update the earlier MiFID I regulatory package to take account of changes since it came into effect in 2007, including developments in technology and the fallout from the financial crisis of 2008.

A consultation was launched in December 2010 and the UK Government responded last year, but the new report warned that more time was needed to consider the potential impact of the new directive. Read More

UN envoy Kofi Annan in Iran for Syria talks

The visit comes on the heels of talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad. It is unclear whether the trip signals a role for Iran in resolving Syria's crisis.

TEHRAN — United Nations special envoy Kofi Annan was expected to meet with top Iranian officials Tuesday in the latest diplomatic offensive aimed at salvaging his faltering six-point peace plan to avert all-out civil war in Syria.

It was unclear whether Annan's visit here — immediately after his talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus — was a pro forma diplomatic gesture or signaled some new role for Iran in resolving the Syrian crisis.

Iran has been a staunch ally of Assad and has forcefully supported the Syrian president's assertions that the rebellion is a terrorist conspiracy hatched by the West and its Arab allies.

In a statement, Annan said he had come to Iran "to see how we can work together to help settle the situation in Syria."

The trip suggests that Annan is eager to have Tehran on board for any possible peace deal or transitional governing plan that may emerge for Syria. He has said repeatedly that Iran is an important regional power and should be involved in a resolution of the Syrian crisis. Read More

Eurozone ministers agree 30 Billion euros for Spanish banks

Eurozone finance ministers have agreed to offer Spain 30bn euros (£24bn; $37bn) to help its troubled banks.

After nine hours of emergency talks in Brussels, the ministers said the money would be available by the end of July.

It was also agreed that a 2013 deadline for Spain to cut its budget deficit to the EU limit of 3% could be extended by one year.

There have been fears that Spain's troubled banks could lead the country to ask for a full state bailout.

Eurozone countries agreed in June to lend up to 100bn euros ($125bn; £80bn) to support Spain's banks.

The yield on Spanish bonds rose sharply on Monday ahead of the meeting, with many fearing that little concrete action on Spanish banks would be reached. Read More

Egypt's top court says ruling on parliament final

CAIRO -- Egypt's highest court insisted Monday that its ruling that led to the dissolution of the Islamist-dominated parliament was final and binding, setting up a showdown with the country's newly elected president.

The announcement on state TV came a day after President Mohammed Morsi recalled the legislators, defying the powerful military's decision to dismiss parliament after the Supreme Constitutional Court ruled that a third of its members had been elected illegally.

However, both sides appeared together Monday at a military graduation ceremony. Morsi sat between the head of the armed forces Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi and Chief-of-Staff Sami Anan. The three sat grim faced for most of the ceremony, but Tantawi and Morsi exchanged a few words while seated on the reviewing stand.

The court's judges made the decision in an emergency meeting even as the speaker of the dissolved legislature, Saad el-Katatni, called for parliament's lower chamber, the People's Assembly, to convene on Tuesday. The court's ruling did not cover parliament's upper chamber, known as the Shura Council, which is largely toothless. Read More

Mormons Reject 'Cult' Label Ahead Of US Polls

Mormons give an insight into their normally secretive religion as one of their members battles to become US president.

A senior figure in the Mormon church has dismissed claims the religion is a 'cult' and told Sky News that America is learning to love the faith.

Republican Mitt Romney will become the first Mormon president should he beat Barack Obama in November's election.

But doubts persist among evangelical voters who believe the Mormon faith clashes with their own beliefs. Many Christians have labelled Mormonism a 'cult'.

MIchael Otterson, managing director of the church's public affairs, told Sky News: "Obviously I would say that that is completely wrong."

Speaking at the Salt Lake City headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the official name of the Mormon church, he added: "In reality we have very good relations with evangelical churches, there is no religious war going on here.

"I think there is a genuine interest in trying to find out more about what we really believe."

The church has launched a television advertising campaign across the United States featuring people from all walks of life. Each ad ends with the line 'And I am a Mormon'. Read More

Russia Floods: Public Anger Over Death Toll

Residents in the southern Krymsk region of Russia have told Sky News they were not warned about the floods that killed at least 171 people.

Emergency ministry chief, Vladimir Puchkov, said a warning system was in place but admitted it could have been more effective.

"A system to warn the residents was set up. But, unfortunately, not everyone was warned early enough," he said.

But angry locals say they were not alerted and only became aware of the danger when water started gushing into their homes.

Nikifor Shevtsova and his young sons Nikita and Alexei, survived by clambering onto the roof of their home - just before the water went well above head height:

"There was no warning although the local governor says they started telling people at 10.30. Nothing like that happened.

"There was a very easy example today - someone started a panic that there would be another flood and the city was evacuated in 15 minutes only. They could have done that on Friday and no one would be dead," he said.

The floods have left thousands of people homeless and put another stain on the Russian government's blighted public safety record. Read More

Trio Face Terror Charges After Gun Find

Three men have been charged with terrorism offences after police found firearms in a car they stopped on the M1.

Jewel Uddin 26, Omar Mohammed Khan, 27, and Mohammed Hasseen, 23, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London later, West Midlands Police said.

The trio, all from Sparkhill in Birmingham, were arrested by counter-terrorism officers last Tuesday.

They were among seven men detained over three days in Birmingham, Smethwick in the West Midlands, and Dewsbury in West Yorkshire.

The four other men remain in custody, police said.

The arrests followed a routine stop of a vehicle by officers on the M1 in South Yorkshire on Saturday, June 30.

The car was impounded on suspicion of having no insurance and firearms, offensive weapons and other material were later found inside, prompting police inquiries to trace and arrest its driver.

A police spokeswoman said the Crown Prosecution Service had advised that Khan, Uddin and Hasseen should be charged under Section Five of the Terrorism Act 2006 with engaging in conduct in preparation for an act or acts of terrorism, with the intention of committing such acts. Read More

Ian Dibell's Killer 'Peter Reeve' is still at Large

Police are continuing to hunt for a man wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a "brave and respected" police officer.

PC Ian Dibell was killed after attending an incident in Clacton, Essex in which another man was injured.

Police have named the suspected gunman as Peter Reeve - who is described as white, aged 64, about 5ft 10in with short greyish hair.

Essex Police Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle described Pc Dibell as a "brave, respected and experienced neighbourhood officer". Read More

Ian Dibell's Killer 'Peter Reeve' is still at Large

Police are continuing to hunt for a man wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a "brave and respected" police officer.

PC Ian Dibell was killed after attending an incident in Clacton, Essex in which another man was injured.

Police have named the suspected gunman as Peter Reeve - who is described as white, aged 64, about 5ft 10in with short greyish hair.

Essex Police Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle described Pc Dibell as a "brave, respected and experienced neighbourhood officer". Read More

5.1 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTH OF THE FIJI ISLANDS - 10th July 2012

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake has struck SOUTH OF THE FIJI ISLANDS at a depth of 18.1 km (11.2 miles), the quake hit at 02:28:12 UTC Tuesday 10th July 2012
The epicenter was 451 km (280 miles) SSW of `Ohonua, Tonga
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.5 Magnitude Earthquake IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION - 10th July 2012

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake has struck the IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION at a depth of 43.6 km (27.1 miles), the quake hit at 00:32:28 UTC Tuesday 10th July 2012
The epicenter was 193 km (119 miles) ESE of Hachijo-jima, Japan
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.4 Magnitude Earthquake KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA - 9th July 2012

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake has struck KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA at a depth of 163.1 km (101.4 miles), the quake hit at 21:01:33 UTC Monday 9th July 2012
The epicenter was 245 km (152 miles) ENE of Dili, East Timor
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

4.7 Magnitude Earthquake KURIL ISLANDS - 9th July 2012

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake has struck the KURIL ISLANDS at a depth of 40 km (24.8 miles), the quake hit at 20:44:04 UTC Monday 9th July 2012
The epicenter was 496 km (307.5 miles) Northeast of Nemuro, Kuril Islands, Russia
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

The Great Capitalist Heist: How Paris Hilton's Dogs Ended Up Better Off Than You

Summer 2009. Unemployment is soaring. Across America, millions of terrified people are facing foreclosure and getting kicked to the curb. Meanwhile in sunny California, the hotel-heiress Paris Hilton is investing $350,000 of her $100 million fortune in a two-story house for her dogs. A Pepto Bismol-colored replica of Paris’ own Beverly Hills home, the backyard doghouse provides her precious pooches with two floors of luxury living, complete with abundant closet space and central air.

By the standards of America’s rich these days, Paris’ dogs are roughing it. In a 2006 article, Vanity Fair’s Nina Munk described the luxe residences of America’s new financial elite. Compared with the 2,405 square feet of the average new American home, the abodes of Greenwich Connecticut hedge-fund managers clock in at 15,000 square feet, about the size of a typical industrial warehouse. Many come with pool houses of over 3,000 square feet.

Steven Cohen of SAC Capital is a typical product of the New Gilded Age. He paid $14.8 million for his Greenwich home, which he stuffed with a personal art collection that boasts Van Gogh's Peasant Woman Against a Background of Wheat (priced at $100 million); Gauguin's Bathers ($50 million); a Jackson Pollock drip painting (also $50 million); and Andy Warhol's Superman ($75 million). Not satisfied, Cohen spent millions renovating and expanding, adding a massage room, exercise and media rooms, a full-size indoor basketball court, an enclosed swimming pool, a hairdressing salon, and a 6,734-square-foot ice-skating rink. The rink, of course, needs a Zamboni ice-resurfacer which Cohen houses in a 720-square-foot shingle cottage. Munk quotes a visitor to the estate who assured her, “You'd be happy to live in the Zamboni house.”

So would some of the over 650,000 Americans sleeping in shelters or under highway overpasses. more

No Thanks Close The Daily Caller Social Experience Let your friends help you discover the best news, features and videos on TheDC. Publish what you read and maintain full control. Login with Facebook Report: 83 percent of doctors have considered quitting over Obamacare

Eighty-three percent of American physicians have considered leaving their practices over President Barack Obama’s health care reform law, according to a survey released by the Doctor Patient Medical Association.

The DPMA, a non-partisan association of doctors and patients, surveyed a random selection of 699 doctors nationwide. The survey found that the majority have thought about bailing out of their careers over the legislation, which was upheld last month by the Supreme Court.

Even if doctors do not quit their jobs over the ruling, America will face a shortage of at least 90,000 doctors by 2020. The new health care law increases demand for physicians by expanding insurance coverage. This change will exacerbate the current shortage as more Americans live past 65.

By 2025 the shortage will balloon to over 130,000, Len Marquez, the director of government relations at the American Association of Medical Colleges, told The Daily Caller.

“One of our primary concerns is that you’ve got an aging physician workforce and you have these new beneficiaries — these newly insured people — coming through the system,” he said. “There will be strains and there will be physician shortages.” more

The Hill Poll: Majority of voters believe Obama has changed country for worse (Surely, you jest!)

Two-thirds of likely voters say President Obama has kept his 2008 campaign promise to change America — but it’s changed for the worse, according to a sizable majority.

A new poll for The Hill found 56 percent of likely voters believe Obama’s first term has transformed the nation in a negative way, compared to 35 percent who believe the country has changed for the better under his leadership.

The results signal broad voter unease with the direction the nation has taken under Obama’s leadership and present a major challenge for the incumbent Democrat as he seeks reelection this fall.

Conducted for The Hill by Pulse Opinion Research, the poll comes in the wake of last month’s Supreme Court decision that upheld the primary elements of Obama’s signature healthcare legislation.

It found 68 percent of likely voters — regardless of whether they approve or disapprove of Obama — believe the president has substantially transformed the country since his 2009 inauguration.

The feeling that Obama has changed the country for the worse is strongest among Republicans, at 91 percent, compared to 71 percent of Democrats who support Obama’s brand of change. more

Japan: Experts fear that 400,000 people may die if quake strikes Nankai Trough at night

According to Wikipedia, the Nankai Trough is the near-surface extension of a zone of active seismicity that dips beneath South West Japan. It is located in waters off the Tokai region in central Japan to the Shikoku region in the west. According to the experts, should an earthquake occur in this region at night, as many as 400,000 people may die in one big swipe-out.

Kansai University professor Yoshiaki Kawata, who heads a government anti-disaster panel revealed this information in his speech in Konohana Ward, Osaka City. The panel also plans to publish its estimates on what to expect from such an occurrence, and this info should be available by next month. Apparently the number of deaths will cross 300,000 if the earthquake occurs at midnight.

Kawata’s hypothesis is based on the calculations of the March 11 earthquake last year. The estimated number of deaths would have crossed 63,000 if the earthquake occurred at midnight, this is because the number of people at home would have been three-times that of the number of people awake and outdoors during the day. The population of areas like Tokai, Kinki, Shikoku and Kyushu regions is estimated to be 47 million, around 6.3 times that of the population in areas affected by the March 2011 quake. Even if the earthquake occurs during the day, the findings predict that almost 120,000 will perish due to it. Almost 100 trillion to 150 trillion yen in financial damages and about 700 municipalities will get affected by the quake! source

Ammonia spill on trawler in Dutch Harbor sends 3 to hospital‎, Alaska

Two workers were hospitalized and at least 120 people were evacuated from a factory fish- processing ship that leaked up to 5,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia in port at Dutch Harbor Saturday afternoon.

The two were flown to Anchorage for medical treatment. The ship, the 367-foot-long M/V Excellence, was relocated to a moorage in Wide Bay, about 7.5 miles from the Kloosterboer North Dock in Dutch Harbor, where it leaked. Workers cannot enter the engineering space where the ammonia is leaking because of the danger, said Steven Russel of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

Anhydrous ammonia is used as a coolant in the vessel's refrigeration system. When compressed, the ammonia is a liquid, but upon release it turns into a gas. The gas displaces the oxygen in the body, causing nausea, shortness of breath, irritation to the eyes and headaches.

Ammonia is leaking at a fairly low pressure of less than 4 pounds per square inch. Russell said up to 4,000 pounds of the 22,000 pounds of ammonia aboard the vessel has been released. But Russel did not anticipate much more leakage due to the leak's location in the refrigeration system. Read More

Severe winds hit Spotsylvania, collapse two buildings

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. (WTVR) Severe wind gusts impacted Spotsylvania Sunday. The winds were so strong, some people thought it was a tornado (but that has not been confirmed by the National Weather Service).

The Free-Lance Star reported that Spotsylvania fire and rescue authorities said “what appeared to be a tornado touched down off Lafayette Boulevard in Spotsylvania County this afternoon, collapsing two buildings …”

Asst. Chief Mark Kuechler with the Spotsylvania Fire Department told CBS 6 that the most significant damage was on Lafayette Boulevard and Route 1. Kuechler said that about 5 p.m. the storm front came through and hit a two city block area. Read More

David Hilder Charged with Southsea Beach Torso Murder

A 46-year-old has been charged with the murder of a man whose torso was found wrapped in a bin liner on a popular tourist beach.

David Hilder, of Richmond Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, was charged by Hampshire police in connection with the death of 30-year-old David Guy.

The body of Mr Guy, who was of no fixed address but lived in Southsea, was found without its head, arms or legs on a beach in the city by a group of foreign students on July 3.

Hilder, who was charged following consultation between Hampshire police and the Crown Prosecution Service, is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on Tuesday morning and will remain in custody until then. Read More

Bombers kill two children in Afghan attack: officials

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Afghan suicide bombers killed two children and wounded six others Monday, when their explosive vests detonated prematurely as they went to attack police, an official said.

The three bombers were on a motorcycle when their explosives went off in southern Kandahar city, killing and wounding children playing nearby, provincial spokesman Jawed Faisal told AFP.

Shortly afterwards a group of armed insurgents launched an attack on police headquarters in the volatile capital, the spiritual birthplace of the hardline Islamist Taliban.

"Probably the three bombers who blew up and killed children were going to join the attack," Faisal said.

The children were aged between eight and twelve and were playing at the time of the explosion, he said. Read More

Syria 'friends' fuel murder with promises of weapons for rebels

Putin: West exports 'airstrike democracy' to cling to Arab influence

Israeli Border Invasion: Your private data, please

'After 9/11 NSA had secret deal with White House'

'Shielded by petro-dollars, Saudis worse than Syria'

Peter Reeve Killed Police Officer and Injured another Man in Clacton on Sea: Police urge people to stay indoors as the Hunt for Suspect Continues

Police tonight named the man they are hunting over a double shooting which left a police officer dead and another man injured.

Essex Police named the alleged gunman as Peter Reeve, described as white, aged 64, about 5ft 10in with short greyish hair and issued a photograph of him.

A spokesman added: "He was wearing jeans and possibly with glasses. He comes from the Clacton area."

The man who died was an off-duty police officer, named locally as Pc Ian Dibell, who lived nearby.

Mark Smith, chairman of the Essex Police Federation, added that Pc Dibell was a "dedicated professional officer who even though off duty, has paid the ultimate sacrifice for his bravery and selfless actions in trying to protect his local community".

Police launched the manhunt after the shootings in Redbridge Road, Clacton, at 3.30pm today.

A spokesman said: "Residents are being urged to remain indoors while armed officers locate the gunman.

"Neighbourhood policing officers are maintaining a high-profile and visible presence in the community, supporting victims and witnesses.

"Members of the public are urged to contact police on 999 if they see the gunman who should not be approached." Read More

5.1 Magnitude Earthquake MYANMAR - 9th July 2012

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake has struck MYANMAR at a depth of 33 km (20.6 miles), the quake hit at 20:13:08 UTC Monday 9th July 2012
The epicenter was 104 km (64.4 miles) West of Myitkyina, Burma
No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

Masonichip Interational: Masonic lodges gathering personal info on thousands of children in various countries. Yikes?

Various programs:

Maryland Masonichip
Masonichip International
Masonichip Ontario

Thoughts: At the CC, we don't usually delve into institutional issues such as these, but this is pretty darn strange. Is it a legitimate service? Would you hand over your children's personal information to these people? What do they do with it?

5.5 Magnitude Earthquake RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN - 9th July 2012

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake has struck the RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN at a depth of 49.5 km (30.8 miles), the quake hit at 19:25:08 UTC Monday 9th July 2012
The epicenter was 132 km (82 miles) NNE of Naze, Japan
No Tsunami Warning Issued - No Reports of Damage or Injuries at this time

81% of Koreans Dissatisfied with Their Life

Some 81 percent of 1,000 thousand Koreans questioned in a global poll said they are not satisfied with their life.

According to the online survey conducted by global research company Ipsos of 19,000 adults in 24 countries worldwide, 64 percent did not feel their life is fine the way it is.

In Korea, just 2 percent said they were "very satisfied" with their lives.

Among the 24 countries included in the poll, people in Indonesia, India and Mexico seem to be the happiest, while Russians, Koreans and Hungarians seem to be the most dissatisfied. more

Chris Brahney Found Dead In Canal

Police were called to Manchester Ship Canal in Salford where a body, later confirmed to be Chris Brahney, was discovered.

A Stone Roses fan who went missing after one of their concerts in Manchester has been found dead in Salford.

Police said they were called to the Manchester Ship Canal at 9.30am where a body, later confirmed to be that of 22-year-old Chris Brahney, was discovered.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said he could confirm that the body was that of the missing man.

Mr Brahney's disappearance sparked a huge Facebook and Twitter campaign to try to find him, including a message released from the band.

Posters were also put up around Manchester.

A statement by the Stone Roses: "We'd like to extend our sincerest condolences to Christopher's family and friends. Our thoughts are with them at this incredibly sad time." Ian, John, Mani and Reni. Read More

Clacton-on-Sea Shooting: Manhunt After Police Officer Shot Dead

Armed police are looking for a gunman who killed an off-duty police sergeant and injured another man in a shooting in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.

The incident happened in Fairlop Close, just after 3.30pm.

Officers were called and found one man dead and another with serious leg injuries. A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Residents are being urged to remain indoors while armed officers locate the gunman.

"Neighbourhood policing officers are maintaining a high-profile and visible presence in the community, supporting victims and witnesses.

"Members of the public are urged to contact police on 999 if they see the gunman who should not be approached."

The man who was killed is believed to have been an off-duty police sergeant in his 40s.

A police helicopter is involved in the search for the gunman.

Police said that the two victims were found inside a house after the alarm was raised. Read More

Radical cleric Abu Hamza has lodged an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights against his extradition from the UK to the US on terror charges.

The appeal 24 hours before the deadline expired now further delays the case.

It means the London-based cleric, who is 54 and in extradition custody, cannot be removed until a panel decides if the court's Grand Chamber should hear new submissions from his lawyers.

The charges on the indictment include hostage-taking in Yemen in 1998.

Four other extradition cases covered by a judgement which is being challenged, including that of terror suspect Babar Ahmad, are thought to be on hold for between six and eight weeks, the BBC's home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says on Twitter.

That is the period expected for the panel to decide whether to hear the appeal.

Mr Ahmad, 37, who is suspected by the US of supporting and fundraising for terrorism, has been in custody in the UK without facing trial since August 2004.

The other cases involve Mr Ahmad's co-accused Syed Talha Ahsan, and Adel Abdul Bary and Khaled al-Fawwaz, who are accused of being key aides to Osama bin Laden in London. Read More

Nato prepared to hunt Taliban fighters who executed woman for adultery

Nato troops were prepared to join a manhunt for the Taliban fighters who publicly executed a young woman for adultery in an incident that has drawn worldwide condemnation.

Footage of the execution of 22-year-old Najiba showed men cheering as she was shot several times in the back and head.

The incident in the Shinwari area of Parwan province recalled similar public executions which were commonplace during the Taliban's government of the 1990s.

General John Allen, commander of American and Nato forces, said: "Let's be clear, this wasn't justice, this was murder, and an atrocity of unspeakable cruelty.

"The Taliban's continued brutality toward innocent civilians, particularly women, must be condemned in the strongest terms." He added that his troops were "ready to assist the Afghan security forces in tracking down and holding accountable the perpetrators of this heinous act". Read More

Egypt Court Rejects Plan to Restore Parliament

CAIRO—Egypt's constitutional court affirmed Monday that an earlier decision that led to the dismissal of Parliament was final, rejecting a challenge by the new president and moving the country another step closer to a constitutional crisis.

The court's statement was the latest salvo in a duel between President Mohammed Morsi and the military leadership, which has relied on the courts to preserve legislative and executive powers despite a plan to hand authority to an elected government.

The sparring is wearing holes in a delicate political system and threatens to extend a 17-month-long transition that has devastated Egypt's economy, exhausted its citizens and rattled its neighbors.

Saad al-Katatni, speaker of the dissolved Parliament and a leader in the political party of Mr. Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, said the elected Parliament would convene shortly after noon on Tuesday, in defiance of the high court's earlier warning. Read More

Cruise and Holmes reach divorce deal

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have reached an agreement to settle their divorce, representatives of both film stars have confirmed.

"The case has been settled and the agreement has been signed," Holmes' lawyer Jonathan Wolfe said in a statement to People magazine.

"We are thrilled for Katie and her family," he added.

A spokeswoman for Cruise confirmed the settlement in an email to Reuters: "It is done."

In a joint statement released earlier on Monday, the pair said they were "working together" to settle custody of their daughter Suri, six.

"We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri's best interests," the statement read. Read More