Oklahoma: Before and after tragic tornado strikes
A monstrous tornado at least half a mile wide roared through the suburbs of Oklahoma City leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Eyewitness account of arriving at tornado-hit school
Photographer Sue Ogrocki was among the first to arrive at Plaza Towers school after it was destroyed by the tornado. This is her account.
Why was Oklahoma's tornado so destructive?
How do tornadoes form? Why is Tornado Alley such a hotspot? What made Monday's twister so destructive? Answers to all this and more.
Live updates
Moore residents search rubble for belongings
Residents of Moore, Oklahoma, continue to salvage belongings from damaged properties in the town.
Deadliest tornadoes in US history
Latest information from the Oklahoma medical examiner's office indicates that 24 people, including nine children, have so far been confirmed dead after yesterday's tornado in Oklahoma.
These are the 10 deadliest tornadoes in US recorded history:
- (1) March 18, 1925 - Missouri/Illinois/Indiana - 695 dead
- (2) May 6, 1840 - Natchez, Mississippi - 317 dead
- (3) May 27, 1896 - St. Louis - 255 dead
- (4) April 5, 1936 - Tupelo, Mississippi - 216 dead
- (5) April 6, 1936 - Gainesville, Georgia - 203 dead
- (6) April 9, 1947 - Woodward, Oklahoma - 181 dead
- (7) May 22, 2011 - Joplin, Missouri - 158 dead
- (8) April 24, 1908 - Amite, Louisiana/Purvis, Mississippi - 143 dead
- (9) June 12, 1899 - New Richmond, Wisconsin - 117 dead
- (10) June 3, 1953 - Flint, Michigan - 115 dead
These figures do not include a series of tornadoes in the southeastern United States in April 2011 that killed at least 346 people in seven states.
Data from Storm Prediction Center: The 25 Deadliest Tornadoes
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Man dead at Notre Dame was former far-right activist
A man who is understood to have committed suicide by shooting himself at the altar of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has been named by a police source as a well-known former far-right activist.
Dominique Venner, 78, was a historian known in France for his far-right political essays. He carried a letter on him but made no declaration before shooting himself dead, the source said.The cathedral has been evacuated.
Samaritans is available for anyone in any type of distress on 08457 90 90 90 in the UK or visit their website www.samaritans.org
Police detail 24 deaths after Oklahoma tornado
Sergeant Jeremy Lewis of Moore Police Department has updated reporters on the current death toll following the tornado:
- 19 people, including eight children, are dead, in the city of Moore
- Five more people are dead in South Oklahoma City
- The total confirmed dead is 24 people but the final fatality number is likely to be higher
Russia claims foul play in Eurovision 'vote theft'
Russia's foreign minister said it was "outrageous" that the votes given by neighbour Azerbijan to the entry from Russia's performer Dina Garipova at the Eurovision Song Contest were apparently not counted and promised the country would "respond" to the incident.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijan counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Moscow, he said:
"That 10 points were stolen from our contestant during the Eurovision 2013 contest does not make us happy regarding the organization of the event. [...]The outrageous action at Eurovision regarding the Russian contestant will not go unanswered."
Azerbaijan's decision to give Russia "nul points" in Malmo on Saturday caused a mixed reaction in Russia, and shocked many watching across the world. Votes are based on text messages sent in by viewers.
Read: Bonnie Tyler totally eclipsed by favourite Denmark
Denmark's Emmelie de Forest won the contest with 281 points, well ahead of second place Azerbaijan. Garipova finished fifth overall on Saturday and 10 points would not have made a difference in the ranking. Russia last won in 2008.
The last year the UK won was back in 1997.
Letter found near man's body in Notre Dame Cathedral
The newspaper Le Parisien reports a man was shot in the head behind the first altar of Notre Dame Cathedral. They say the man was a 78-year-old "writer and essayist" and a sealed letter was found near his body. The cathedral remains closed.
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Report: Notre Dame Cathedral evacuated after suicide
Paris police say Notre Dame Cathedral has been evacuated after a suicide inside the famed church, reports Associated Press.
Residents search for possessions amid Moore wreckage
The day after a devastating tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma, residents there have begun searching through the remains of their properties in the hope of recovering possessions.
Britain asks EU to put Hezbollah on terrorist group list
Britain has formally asked the European Union to put the military wing of Islamist group Hezbollah on its list of terrorist organisations, an EU diplomat has said.
Britain'smove comes after Bulgaria accused the Lebanese militant movement on February 5 ofcarrying out a bomb attack on a bus in the Black Sea city of Burgas that killedfive Israelis and their Bulgarian driver in July last year.
Obama: Nation will support Moore's recovery
US President Barack Obama has given a statement on the tornado that has largely destroyed the town of Moore in Oklahoma:
President Obama: "Our gratitude is with the teachers who gave their all to shield their children." #PrayForOklahoma
From @whitehouse on Twitter:“As a nation, our full focus is on the urgent work of rescue and the hard work of recovery and rebuilding that lies ahead.” —President Obama
From @whitehouse on Twitter:Obama to the people of Moore: "You face a long road ahead, but you will not travel it alone. Your country will travel it with you."
From @whitehouse on Twitter: