Xbox One: Million Consoles Sold In 24 Hours

Microsoft has sold more than one million Xbox One consoles in less than 24 hours, despite some users saying they have been plagued by technical problems.

The next-generation gaming console is now sold out at most retailers after going on sale in 13 countries across the world on Friday, the US firm said.

Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of marketing and strategy for Xbox, said: "We are humbled and grateful for the excitement of Xbox fans around the world.

"Seeing thousands of excited fans lined up to get their Xbox One and their love for gaming was truly a special moment for everyone on the Xbox team.

Gamers queuing for the new console in Paris

"We are working hard to create more Xbox One consoles and look forward to fulfilling holiday gift wishes this season."

But the launch has not been without problems after some gamers complained their £429 machines have been "bricked" - rendered useless by a fault - after downloading a day one update.

In some cases, those reporting the update issue have been faced with an E100 error message, which does not seem to have an easy fix.

When contacted by Sky News, a Microsoft spokesman was unable to say how many users have been affected.

"If a user is experiencing a stall for more than 10 minutes when connecting to Xbox Live to take the day one update they should contact Xbox customer support and we will work with them to troubleshoot and get them up and running," he said.

Eager gamers queued for hours to get their hands on the console, which is expected to go head-to-head in a Christmas sales battle with PlayStation 4 when the Sony machine is released in the UK on November 29.

Microsoft said that in the 24 hours after the Xbox One's launch, gamers killed over 60 million zombies in Dead Rising 3, drove more than 3.6 million miles in Forza Motorsport 5 and defeated 8.5 million foes in Ryse: Son of Rome.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dallas Honours Kennedy's Memory And Legacy

Thousands of people have gathered in Dealey Plaza in Dallas to mark the assassination of President John F Kennedy 50 years ago.

Bagpipers, singers and a roster of speakers kicked off the event on Friday.

Of the historic day, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said, "Our collective hearts were broken. Traffic stopped in cities across the country as news spread from car to car, and the world grieved with us."

And of the current age: "This was a lifetime ago. Now, today, we the people of Dallas honour the life, legacy and leadership of the man who called us to think not of our own interests, but of our country's. We give thanks for his life and his service."

Thousands gathered despite the rain

A moment of silence was observed at the time the president was shot.

The Navy choir performed America The Beautiful and The Battle Hymn Of The Republic in between speeches by local dignitaries.

Historian David McCullough spoke, reflecting on what the nation lost in Kennedy.

"There was no side-stepping reality in what he said," he said. "He knew that words matter. His words changed lives. His words changed history."

Across the nation, many took comfort in reflecting upon the words of a charismatic man whose rhetoric and call to service continues to inspire.

"Today, we honour his memory and celebrate his enduring imprint on American history," President Barack Obama declared.

Across the Atlantic, too, Kennedy was remembered.

A wreath-laying ceremony was planned in the Berlin neighbourhood where Kennedy gave his famed Cold War-era "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech to a rapturous crowd.

At Kennedy's tomb in Arlington Cemetery outside Washington, two bagpipers from the Black Watch of the British army repeated a tribute their regiment had performed at the funeral 50 years ago.

In Boston, people were able to view a statue of Kennedy on the front lawn of the Statehouse that is usually off-limits. Governor Deval Patrick attended a wreath-laying there this morning.

At the JFK Library, a new exhibit of items from his state funeral has gone on display.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bin Laden Hunt: Pakistani Doctor Charged

The Pakistani doctor who helped the US track down Osama bin Laden has been charged with murder.

Shakil Afridi was arrested after US special forces killed bin Laden in May 2011 in a secret raid that outraged Pakistan and strained relations between the two countries.

Afridi was sentenced to 33 years in jail for membership of militant group Lashkar-e-Islam, an accusation he denied. But in August, Pakistan overturned his conviction, citing procedural errors and ordering a retrial.

The murder charge relates to the death of a patient eight years ago in the country's rugged Khyber Agency region.

The Abbottabad compound where Osama bin Laden was tracked down and killed

According to the Reuters news agency, the patient's mother blamed Afridi for operating on her son without being a surgeon and causing his death. 

The development may anger the US, where the doctor is hailed as a hero for his work.

He ran a fake vaccination campaign to collect DNA used to confirm the al Qaeda leader was in the town of Abbottabad, where he was later killed.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Greenpeace Goal: Have Events Shifted Focus?

When Greenpeace activists attempted to board an offshore oil platform they wanted to highlight what they see as the potential ecological disaster of Arctic Ocean oil drilling, but it was the hardline stance of the Russian authorities that got them noticed.

As members of the so-called Arctic 30 were being released on bail from detention in St Petersburg, the environment movement said the protest has significantly raised the profile of group and the issues they campaign on.

As well as reporting a huge increase in membership inquiries and donations, Greenpeace says more than two million people have now signed a petition calling for the activists to be freed - its fastest-ever growing petition.

The organisation's UK executive director John Sauven admits that putting the protesters behind bars gave the cause far more impetus than the initial protest itself.

The protesters were arrested after Russian authorities seized their boat

"We didn't actually aim to get the Arctic 30 into the nick and I think all of them would have preferred their freedom rather than to spend two months in prison," he told Sky News.

"But there is no doubt it raised people's awareness about what is happening in the Arctic, that threats from the oil industry that want to drill in the Arctic are such that people globally are much more aware and I think this is quite important."

But Nina Gold, the partner of Frank Hewetson - one of the protesters bailed by the Russian courts - told Sky News that the use of direct action has to be carefully considered.

Activist Frank Hewetson is one of the Britons who have been bailed

"I believe he is working for a good cause and is trying to do what he thinks is right and I do think that direct action protest can help but you have to consider the consequences quite carefully," she said.

"My campaign is to ensure that Frank and the other 29 people are released, and actually get home - that's the campaign I'm interested in at the moment."

Greenpeace hailed Thursday as "historic", when the rights of the Arctic 30 were upheld by an international court of law.

Activists Mr Hewetson, Iain Rogers, Alexandra Harris and Anthony Perrett, and journalist Kieron Bryan were the first of six Britons to be freed on bail. Three Russian nationals were freed on Monday.

The sixth Briton, Philip Ball, has been granted bail, but is yet to be freed.

Journalist Kieron Bryon enjoys daylight again as he is released on bail

Speaking after his release, Mr Bryan told Sky News it felt "very, very good" to be free.

"It's good to be outside and see the sky for the first time for a while," he said.

"To everyone who's supported me and the rest of the group: Keep fighting, we're not free yet, this is first step. It's a glimmer of justice, but it's not finished."

He said being imprisoned had been "tough" and that he was looking forward to "a long shower", "never doing another Sudoku puzzle again" and "an improved diet".

Mr Rogers told Sky News: "It's lovely (to be out). It's been pretty traumatic, but it's good for the campaign.

"I think Gazprom have given us the ideal opportunity and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for publicising our campaign to stop drilling in the Arctic so much."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Head Injury 'Uncovers Teen's Musical Gift'

A tone-deaf teenager who spent weeks in hospital with concussion injuries has since discovered the ability to play 13 musical instruments.

Lachlan Connors, 19, from Denver, tried to learn to play the piano before his injuries, but found he had no aptitude for music.

"He really had no talent," his mother Elsie Hamilton told CBS4.

"I would say: 'Can't you hear what's next?' (while Lachlan played) something like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and he said: 'No'."

Lachlan was a keen sportsman. He loved to play lacrosse, and hoped to play professionally one day.

Lachlan spent several weeks in hospital with concussion (Pic: CBS4)

However, a series of concussion injuries on the field led to seizures and eventually hospital.

"I fell backwards and hit the back of my head on the ground. I remember getting up and feeling really dazed. I didn't really understand something bad had happened," Lachlan said.

In subsequent matches he suffered further blows to the head. He started to have epileptic seizures and hallucinations, and eventually spent several weeks in hospital.

When he was released, doctors told Lachlan he could no longer play contact sports. However, he soon discovered he could play music easily by ear.

Lachlan has the ability to play 13 musical instruments by ear (Pic: CBS4)

He can now play as many as 13 instruments, including the guitar, the piano, the bagpipes, the mandolin and the accordion.

"I honestly think something got rewired and something just changed. Thank God it did," Lachlan told CBS4.

Lachlan's doctors said the concussion injuries may have stimulated a previously unused part of his brain.

"This was not a small injury for him," said Dr Spyridon Papadopoulos.

"The thought is that this was a talent that was laying latent in his brain and was somehow uncovered by his brain rewiring after the injury."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shark Kills Surfer In Western Australia

By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent

A 35-year-old man has been killed by a shark while surfing in Western Australia.

Beaches have been closed in the area near Gracetown, 167 miles (270km) south of Perth, after the man's body was pulled from the sea on Saturday morning.

Eyewitnesses described how the man's arm was missing and there was no sign of life when he was dragged to shore.

Officers from the Department of Fisheries have issued an "imminent threat danger" and have been sent to the area to attempt to catch the shark.

The attack happened at an area known as the Lefthanders surf break.

Surfer Tom Jones told the ABC he was at nearby Big Rock beach at the time of the attack and knows of the victim.

"Cop cars rolled up at Lefties and we thought (it was) definitely another shark attack," he said.

The attack happened near Gracetown in southwest Australia

He added: "I know of him and he was pretty young to die."

The man's body was airlifted from the beach. It is reported he was surfing alone at the time.

Gracetown has now been the site of three fatal shark attacks in the past 10 years. It is the tenth fatal attack in western Australia in nine years.

Surfer Bradley Smith was taken by a great white at a beach near the town in 2004 and another surfer, Nicholas Edwards, was killed by a shark at nearby South Point.

More recently, diver Greg Pickering was bitten on the face and body by a five-metre great white shark while diving off the coast of Esperance, also in western Australia.

Saturday's attack came as some of the world's finest chefs, including Heston Blumenthal, gather in the region for a gourmet tourism extravaganza.

The Australian Associated Press reported that Mr Blumenthal was surfing in waters near the site of the attack on Friday.

The dead surfer has not yet been identified.

Australia is now the world's deadliest country in terms of shark attacks.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

China Claims Airspace Over Disputed Islands

China has laid claim to a block of airspace over islands in the East China Sea which are at the heart of a dispute with Japan.

The Xinhua news agency published a map and co-ordinates of the area it called "the East China Sea Air Defence Zone", as well as rules for aircraft in the area, which covers most of the sea.

It reported that China has threatened "defensive emergency measures" against aircraft which do not comply with new identification rules.

Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said the establishment of the zone was aimed at "safeguarding state sovereignty, territorial land and air security, and maintaining flight order".

Japan says it owns the islands and the Foreign Ministry has lodged a strong protest against the new zone, Kyodo news agency reported. 

Ties between the Asian powers have been strained for months by the row over the islands, called the Diaoyu in China and the Senkaku in Japan, which are believed to be surrounded by energy-rich waters.

Patrol ships from both countries have been shadowing each other near the islets, raising fears that a confrontation could develop into a clash.

There have also been several incidents involving military aircraft flying close to each other.

In October, Chinese military aircraft flew near Japan for three days in a row.

Japan scrambled fighter jets each time in response.

The Chinese rules mean aircraft have to report flight plans to China's Foreign Ministry or civil aviation administration, maintain radio contact and reply promptly to identification inquiries, keep radar transponders turned on and bear clear markings of their nationality and registration.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Iran Nuclear Talks: Hague Arrives In Geneva

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague has arrived for talks in Geneva amid hopes an historic deal may be signed on Iran's nuclear programme.

Mr Hague joined counterparts including US Secretary of State John Kerry and foreign ministers from Russia, France and Germany, and the presence of senior ministers has raised expectations that an agreement could be close.

He told reporters: "They remain very difficult negotiations, I think it's important to stress that. We're not here because things are necessarily finished, we're here because they're difficult and they remain difficult.

John Kerry arrives in Geneva earlier

"There are narrow gaps but they are important gaps. It's very important that any agreement is thorough, that it is detailed, that it is comprehensive, and that it is a deal in which we can all - the whole world - have confidence that it can work and it will be observed."

Iran warned it would not bow to "excessive demands" as talks aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions entered a fourth day.

The arrival of Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov had heightened speculation that Mr Kerry would also attend.

Mr Kerry's goal is to "help narrow differences and move closer to an agreement," a State Department spokeswoman said.

Mr Lavrov joined the talks as negotiators said there had been some progress on the third day of meetings and the White House said the US remained "hopeful" that agreement could be reached.

This third meeting since President Hassan Rouhani's election in June is seen as the biggest hope in years to resolve the decade-old stand-off over Iran's nuclear programme.

Failure might mean Iran resuming the expansion of its atomic activities, while Washington and others could toughen already painful sanctions and the possibility of Israeli military action would draw nearer.

At the last gathering, foreign ministers including Mr Kerry flew to Geneva but three days of talks failed and they went home empty-handed.

Iran's Foreign Minister said talks were 'progressing well' on Friday

Sky's Foreign Affairs Editor Tim Marshall, in Geneva, said: "They've spent the last 12 days talking to each other via the phone at political director level and I think they've got so close.

"They're burning political capital here, the foreign ministers. If they come in again and leave empty handed again, they've burned a lot of capital and the voices that say 'what is the point of this' will grow ever louder.

"And I think if they don't get a deal, you might see extra sanctions coming from the US Congress next week and that will scupper the whole deal."

According to a draft proposal hammered out on November 9, the US, Britain, China, France, Russia, and Germany - the so-called P5+1 nations - want Iran to freeze key parts of its nuclear programme for six months.

In return Iran would get minor and, Western officials insist, "reversible" sanctions relief, including unlocking several billion dollars in oil revenues and easing trade restrictions on precious metals and aircraft parts.

This hoped-for "first phase" deal would build trust and ease tensions while negotiators push on for a final accord that ends once and for all fears that Tehran will get an atomic bomb.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Latvia Supermarket Collapse 'Was Murder'

Rescuers are still searching for 10 people who may have been killed in the collapse of a supermarket which Latvia's president has described as "murder".

Fifty-two deaths have been confirmed after the roof of the Maxima store caved in in the capital Riga on Thursday.

President Andris Berzins said: "This case must be treated as the murder of many unprotected people."

He called for the disaster to be "investigated at maximum speed", adding: "This is a case where we need to say clearly that an enormous number of defenceless people were killed, and that's how we should proceed."

The rescue operation has been dangerous for firefighters

Some 40 people were wounded, including 13 firefighters, and 23 people remained in hospital as of Saturday afternoon.

It was the worst accident in the Baltic country since it regained independence in 1991. The government has declared three days of mourning and thousands of floral tributes and candles have been placed at the scene.

Laila Rieksta-Riekstina, head of the state's child welfare department, told Latvia Radio that 16 children lost parents in the accident. Three of them lost both parents.

Antons Ryakhin said "about 100 people" had been inside the building with him.

The 19-year-old said: "I was queuing at the cash desk when the roof suddenly caved in. It all happened within a few seconds.

At least 52 people were killed

"It was dark but still light enough to see the exit. I ran out. The doors were open, but a lot of rubble fell in front of them - I think that's why some people couldn't get through."

The rescue operation has been hampered by the risk of further collapses.

Preliminary reports indicate the roof caved in due to either faulty construction or building activities on the roof, where workers were creating a garden area and children's playground for a new high-rise residential building adjacent to the supermarket.

Pictures show that a large amount of building materials, including bags of soil, were left in areas of the roof that, according to Riga city officials, could have been vulnerable to heavy loads.

The police investigation could take several weeks to complete.

The central government, Riga's city council and the Maxima retailer have promised compensation to victims, while charities are also raising cash.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Harry Lands For Trek To 'Rock-Bottom Morale'

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

Prince Harry has arrived in Antarctica joking that the extreme cold has made everyone's morale drop to "rock bottom".

Having been delayed for 48 hours in sunny Cape Town, the three Walking With The Wounded teams touched down at the Novolazarevskaya Station in temperatures of -10C.

"It's amazing how, in just six hours, your morale can go from pretty high, almost pouring over the edge, to rock bottom," the fourth in line to the throne told Sky News.

"The weather forecast was supposed to be alright, but it seems to be getting worse," added the Apache helicopter pilot.

Actor Dominic West is joining Harry in the race

The three teams representing Great Britain, the USA and the Commonwealth and made up of largely wounded ex-servicemen and women, will race over a 200-mile course to the South Pole.

But before they reach the start line on Monday on a plateau more than 3,000 metres above sea level, the teams will spend three days acclimatising to the hostile conditions.

Adventurer Inge Solheim, who is helping the US team, said: "The air gets thinner when you get up to the start and so we'll need a few days there to get used to conditions to make sure everyone's coping."

As the 29-year-old Prince stepped off the plane in his Antarctic clothing, he remarked that the wind and cold had brought back "a lot of bad memories" from his last experience in the North Pole in 2011.

Harry kills some time before the gruelling trek gets under way

One of the British team members, Kate Philp, who suffered injuries while on operational duties with the Army, said: "You just start to see little details of the landscape as you come in to land.

"How they managed to identify where the runway was ... you just can't believe how the pilot managed to make such a controlled landing."

On Friday night the teams met together for their first dinner in Antarctica ahead of a full day skiing on Saturday in preparation for the challenge ahead.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More