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Keywords: <keyword>HUMPBACK WHALE</keyword>, <keyword>AFRICA WAVING</keyword>, <keyword>BOAT SHOCKED</keyword>, <keyword>JAW DROPPING</keyword>, <keyword>DISPLAY SOARING</keyword>, <keyword>BENJAMIN CAPE</keyword>, <keyword>FIN ONLOOKERS</keyword>, <keyword>CAPTURED STEVEN</keyword>, <keyword>TAKING PICTURES</keyword>, <keyword>DOCUMENTING MIGRATION</keyword>
These jaw-dropping images show the moment a humpback whale leapt majestically from the ocean, 'waving' to a tourist boat before crashing back down with an almighty splash. The photos, taken off the coast of South Africa by marine tour guide Steven Benjamin, captured a sight rarely seen at such close proximity. The 40 ton humpback put on an incredible aerial display, soaring through the air just yards from a boat as shocked onlookers screamed. Scroll down for video . Hello there: A humpback whale threw itself out of the water off the eastern coast of South Africa, waving to amazed onlookers in a tour guide's boat . Having a whale of a time: The humpback had been swimming along the surface of the water, but disappeared for 20 minutes before suddenly leaping from the ocean . Flying fish: The jaw-dropping images were captured by Steven Benjamin, a marine tour guide who just happened to have his camera with him at the crucial moment . The 31-year-old, who was documenting the migration of more than 1,000 whales from the coast of South Africa to the warmer waters of Mozambique and Madagascar, watched as the whale flopped around in the ocean. Mr Benjamin thought the humpback's show was over after 20 minutes hiding deep under water, but it suddenly lifted ts entire body out of the water, extending a fin to onlookers before slamming back down, creating a huge splash. The giant creature was clearly having a whale of a time as the marine tour guide watched from the safety of a boat off Port St John, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The spectacular display of strength and agility 'blew away' Mr Benjamin, who had never before managed to get so close to a humpback. Mr Benjamin said: 'Huge whale breaches like this are common to see quickly from a distance, but it is exceptionally rare to have it occur close to the boat and have the camera ready. 'I got this shot out of sheer luck. We were focused on this whale whilst it was doing normal tail slapping and half head flops. 'It took a rest for 20 mins and then without notice or warning, it did a single massive breach.' The 31-year-old amateur photographer was documenting the migration of more than 1,000 whales from the coast of South Africa to the warmer waters of Mozambique and Madagascar when the humpback appeared . Splashdown: The whole boat 'erupted in screams' as the whale came crashing down, creating a huge splash, a stunned Mr Benjamin said . Close encounter: Humpback whales are known for their acrobatics, but do not usually put on such displays when they are so near to boats . He added: 'I was stunned. I've never seen such a huge, front on and high breach like that. The whole boat erupted in screams as it landed.' Mr Benjamin, from Cape Town, only started taking pictures of marine life six years ago. The amateur snapper won his camera in a local photography competition, allowing him to capture bigger and better shots. He added: 'People can't believe its a real image, everyone always looks twice and are blown away by it.' The acrobatic animals can grow up to 50ft long, and have a reputation for throwing themselves out of the water despite weighing up to 40 tons. Humpback whales were almost hunted to extinction during the 1960s, but a ban has allowed their global population to reach approximately 80,000. | Marine tour guide Steven Benjamin captured the spectacular sight while whale-spotting off the coast of South Africa .
The 31-year-old was 'blown away' by the humpback, which disappeared for 20 minutes before leaping from the water .
The majestic animal even 'waved' his fin at the stunned onlookers in a rare close encounter with the huge creatures . |
Keywords: <keyword>BATTERY LIFE</keyword>, <keyword>APPS POWER</keyword>, <keyword>LIFE IPHONE</keyword>, <keyword>FEATURES IOS</keyword>, <keyword>IMPROVED PHONE</keyword>, <keyword>DEVICES RUNNING</keyword>, <keyword>INFORMATION COMPLAINTS</keyword>, <keyword>APPARENT GLITCH</keyword>, <keyword>WORLD 4S</keyword>, <keyword>GROW WEEKS</keyword>
(CNN) -- Apple has acknowledged a problem with battery life on the iPhone 4S and other devices running its new operating system. The company says a software update coming "in a few weeks" will address the problem. The company previously had not publicly acknowledged complaints about battery life on the phone, which surfaced soon after it was released October 14 and continued to grow in the weeks since. "A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices," Apple said in a statement to AllThingsD, a part of the Wall Street Journal network. "We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks." Comments on a thread started October 15 in Apple's support forums to complain about battery life had grown to 217 pages by Thursday morning. Apple has declined to comment beyond its basic statement. Messages from CNN requesting information about the complaints were not returned. The poorer-than-expected battery life has largely been attributed to location-based apps and other power-draining features of the iOS 5 system. Some users have reported improvements when they disable time-zone and GPS features, while others have said the improvements were minimal. The apparent glitch is the second time in a row that a popular iPhone has experienced a highly publicized problem in its early days. And the responses, so far, have been similar. The iPhone 4 suffered from what some called the death grip, causing users who held the phone in a certain way to lose phone calls. Apple denied that there was a problem before eventually saying that it did, in fact, affect a small number of customers. The company eventually offered free cases, which improved the phone's reception. Neither time has the problem affected sales in a major way. The iPhone 4 is the most popular smartphone in the world, and the 4S is on track to perform just as well, starting with a reported 4 million sales in its first three days on the market. | Apple admits iPhone 4S battery-drain problems .
Company says "a small number of customers" reported poor battery life .
A software fix is coming "in a few weeks," Apple says . |
Keywords: <keyword>WAR FUNDING</keyword>, <keyword>BILLS APPROVED</keyword>, <keyword>DEMOCRATS UNEMPLOYMENT</keyword>, <keyword>AFGHANISTAN PAY</keyword>, <keyword>BUSH CONGRESSIONAL</keyword>, <keyword>IRAQ 165</keyword>, <keyword>COMPROMISE PLAN</keyword>, <keyword>SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM</keyword>, <keyword>WEEKS ASSISTANCE</keyword>, <keyword>EARLY 2009</keyword>
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan would be funded into early 2009 under a compromise plan approved Thursday by the U.S. House. The bill includes $165 billion to fund the wars in Afghanistan, above, and Iraq. The $165 billion measure puts no restrictions on money the Bush administration had requested to continue bankrolling the wars but includes money for key domestic priorities for House Democrats, namely more unemployment assistance for people who lose their jobs and an expansion of the G.I. Bill. The plan also includes more than $2 billion for disaster assistance for areas in the Midwest dealing with massive flooding. A first vote, on the war funding, was approved 268-155. A second vote on the domestic money passed 416-12. President Bush and many congressional Republicans had resisted extending unemployment benefits, but the compromise bill includes another 13 weeks of assistance. Democrats had been pushing for extending benefits to laid-off workers as unemployment rates continue to rise. Democrats also got Republican support for a college scholarships program for U.S. troops, known as a "new G.I. bill." This program expands educational benefits for veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan to pay for full four-year scholarships. House Democratic and Republican leaders reached an agreement on the plan Wednesday, and Bush administration officials said they were satisfied with the compromise. Anti-war protesters in the House gallery shouted and chanted briefly during the vote, tossing what appeared to be slips of paper onto the House floor. They were removed from the gallery without incident. The two bills approved Thursday will be combined and sent to the Senate for approval as one measure. | $165 billion measure puts no restrictions on war-money Bush requested .
Measure pays for wars in Iraq, Afghanistan through early next year .
Also attached are unemployment assistance and expanded GI Bill .
Measure includes more than $2 billion to help flood-stricken Midwest . |
Keywords: <keyword>PEOPLE FUKUSHIMA</keyword>, <keyword>JAPAN RESCUE</keyword>, <keyword>EXPENSIVE DISASTER</keyword>, <keyword>TSUNAMI 676</keyword>, <keyword>DISASTERS RECORD</keyword>, <keyword>QUAKE WEDNESDAY</keyword>, <keyword>POSSIBILITY MELTDOWN</keyword>, <keyword>DAMAGED FACILITY</keyword>, <keyword>SENDAI CAPITAL</keyword>, <keyword>MISSING 990</keyword>
Sendai, Japan (CNN) -- Wednesday broke in Japan with news of a new blaze at the damaged nuclear plant that crews have struggled to control since last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami, adding to radiation fears in a country racing to avoid a full-on nuclear crisis. The fire was discovered Wednesday morning in the northwestern corner of the No. 4 reactor building at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, an official with Tokyo Electric Power Company told reporters. It was the latest setback for a country struggling to dig its way out of the wreckage wrought by last week's earthquake and tsunami. At least 3,676 people have died, the National Police Agency said Wednesday morning. Another 7,558 people are missing and 1,990 were injured, it said. Shell-shocked survivors huddled in cramped shelters, grieved over lost loved ones and worried about relatives who are missing across villages and towns inundated by the tsunami waves spawned by Friday's 9.0-magnitude quake off the east coast of Honshu. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has called the disaster the country's worst crisis since World War II, and one firm says that the earthquake and tsunami are likely to surpass Hurricane Katrina as the most expensive disaster in history. Stocks in Japan opened higher Wednesday morning, one day after the nation's main market index suffered one of its biggest drops on record. Tuesday, the Asian economic powerhouse reeled as stocks plummeted, sending shock waves through global markets. "The scale of this event has taken everyone by surprise," said Patrick Fuller, a Red Cross spokesman. "It's stretched resources to the max." The latest fire at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in northeastern Japan comes one day after another fire there and an explosion at the plant's No. 2 reactor. Radiation level readings spiked at the building gate during the first fire but went down after the blaze was extinguished. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said amounts returned to a level that would not cause "harm to human health." Radiation levels in Tokyo were twice the usual level Tuesday, but they were too negligible to pose a health threat, officials said. But Japanese authorities could not rule out the possibility of a meltdown at the troubled reactors. While sea water was being pumped into the reactors in an effort to prevent further damage, "it cannot necessarily be called a stable situation," Edano had said Tuesday. A meltdown occurs when nuclear fuel rods cannot be cooled, thus melting the reactor core and causing a release of radioactivity. In the worst-case scenario, the fuel can spill out of the containment unit and spread toxic radioactivity through the air and water. That, public health officials say, can cause both immediate and long-term health problems, including radiation poisoning and cancer. The plant's owners have taken precautions to protect the people in Fukushima Prefecture, where the reactors sit. The plant is about 138 miles (225 kilometers) from Tokyo. They evacuated all but about 50 workers from the facility and urged people within 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) of the plant to remain indoors. The government imposed a no-fly zone over the 30-kilometer radius "because of detected radiation after explosions" there, the country's transportation ministry said. Edano said analysts also have their eyes on reactors No. 5 and 6 at the plant, where cooling systems weren't functioning well, though the temperature had dropped slightly Tuesday. Concerns about hot radioactive fuel boiling off cooling water and catching on fire continued into Wednesday, with plant operators and government officials considering a plan to use helicopters to drop water into the cooling pond through the damaged roof of the reactor building, according to a Kyodo News report. For many across Japan, calming jittery nerves is becoming increasingly difficult as the situation at the damaged facility looks increasingly dire. "I think, from a sanity standpoint, I'm trying to side with the cool-headed point of view because I don't want to think about the possibly of a full-blown meltdown," said Osaki resident Tyler Martin. "So far, the winds are blowing north-northeast, so if a lot of radiation leaks, Tokyo shouldn't get a lot of the exposure," said Robert F. Mendel, who lives in suburban Tokyo. "Of course, if the winds change, that's a different story. We've been advised to wear long sleeves, a cap, a surgical mask to reduce the amount of exposure -- that is, cover as much skin as possible." Across the country, emergency workers from Japan, foreign governments and international aid groups continued to scour tangled and displaced piles of debris, searching for survivors. Ninety-one countries and regions and six international organizations have offered assistance, according to the Japanese foreign affairs ministry. Public broadcaster NHK reported that 450,000 people were living in shelters, and many schools had turned into emergency shelters. In the area of Sendai, the capital of Miyagi Prefecture, several tractor-trailers with cars on top had flipped over. Personal belongings -- a child's doll, an empty shoe, wedding photos covered in mud -- lay in heaps where houses once stood. Cold weather has increased the hardship for disaster victims and rescuers. Rescuers report that some victims have been exposed to cold weather and water, in some cases for days. Conditions are expected to worsen, with temperatures forecast to drop below freezing by Wednesday across portions of the earthquake zone, accompanied by snow, heavy rain and the threat of mudslides. Already in Sendai, cold rain and sleet fell on the decimated city Tuesday, and snow fell in parts of northeastern Japan. Rescue work is also being complicated by the hundreds of aftershocks that have rocked Japan since Friday's quake. The U.S. Geological Survey reported Tuesday at least three quakes with magnitudes of 6.0 or greater, and more than a dozen others greater than 5.0 or greater. Experts predict that the earthquake and tsunami will rank among the costliest natural disasters on record. Jayanta Guin, senior vice president of research and modeling for AIR Worldwide, said it is clear that the total losses will "be far greater than we experienced in Katrina." That 2005 hurricane, which devastated New Orleans and the U.S. Gulf Coast, had estimated losses of $125 billion, according to the Insurance Information Institute. While agencies are working to raise money, donations have been slow to come. The Chronicle of Philanthropy, a newspaper covering nonprofit organizations, says donations to nonprofit organizations have reached about $25 million so far. The total is far below the first four-day totals of other recent natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and the crisis in Haiti, it said. Wide-scale economic problems also loom. Japanese stocks closed down 10.55% Tuesday, the third steepest percentage fall in the Nikkei's history. That was on top of a 6.2% drop Monday, the first full trading day after the quake. Wednesday, the Nikkei 225 index, the most prominent measure of Tokyo market stocks, rose 520 points, or 6%, shortly after the market opened. All three of the major U.S. stock indexes closed down about 1.2% Tuesday, after plunging much deeper earlier in the day on fears of the Japanese economic downturn. Friday's quake was the strongest in recorded history to hit Japan, according to USGS records that date to 1900. The USGS revised the magnitude of the quake from 8.9 to 9.0 on Monday. CNN's Gary Tuchman, Anna Coren, Jill Dougherty, Kyung Lah, Anderson Cooper, Paula Hancocks, Dean Irvine, Stan Grant, Kevin Voigt, Jaime FlorCruz, Sean Morris, Holly Yan and Alanne Orjoux contributed to this report. | NEW: More than 11,000 are dead or missing in the wake of the disaster .
A new fire is discovered at the Fukushima Daiichi plant .
A fire and explosion Tuesday at the nuclear plant led to temporary radiation spike .
One company says the disaster could be the most expensive in history . |
Keywords: <keyword>RUNS JAKARTA</keyword>, <keyword>INDONESIA KNOTT</keyword>, <keyword>INDONESIA CNN</keyword>, <keyword>POLUAN FILM</keyword>, <keyword>BUILDINGS RONNY</keyword>, <keyword>KNOTT GAME</keyword>, <keyword>HIDDEN TOURS</keyword>, <keyword>CONFRONTING PASCHKE</keyword>, <keyword>HANG LOCALS</keyword>, <keyword>FACES WIRE</keyword>
JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- Hidden in the alleyways behind Jakarta's fancy malls and in between the high-rise apartment buildings is what Ronny Poluan, a former film maker, calls the "real Jakarta." Ronny Poluan (in cap), who runs "Jakarta Hidden Tours," takes a group through a Jakarta slum. It is not far from the glitz and glam that dominates the capital's skyline, yet it is a side of the city that few foreigners ever see. "I want them to (have an) authentic view," Poluan, who runs "Jakarta Hidden Tours," said as he took a group of Australians through the winding maze of a central Jakarta slum. "I'm running out of rice," an old lady mumbles in the doorway of her tiny dark home as the group passes by. Further along, little girls push their faces into wire fencing, while another group of children draw 36-year-old Daniel Knott into a game of cards. Knott, a volunteer for various NGOs, and his wife, who works for AUSAID, live in Jakarta and have been to the slums before. But it is the first time their friends, Kerri Bell and her husband Phil Paschke, have been to Indonesia. Knott said he felt it was important to bring the visiting couple here. "I think Jakarta is a city of contrasts," he said. "There's a lot of shopping malls and kitschy stuff, but it's also a lot of normal people. And, it's fun to come and hang out with the locals, actually." "It's fantastic," Kerri Bell said. "I've been in Asia once before and we didn't want to just gloss over the surface and see all the things you can see in a western country. It feels to me much more like the real Jakarta, to see what drives it. To see that is so much more valuable than coming and lying on the beach." The tour first took them into a couple of cramped and sweltering soy bean cake and tofu factories --- both staples in the Indonesian diet. Watch Arwa Damon tour through the slum » . The group remarked that there were few other cities where foreigners can wander around the slums, and not just feel safe but welcomed -- and that is what Poluan said these tours were all about. "I want to see people meet people," he said. "The other culture meet the other culture." "It's a pretty big eye opener," Paschke said. "It's the first time I have left Australia, so yes, it's completely different." Poluan ushered the group into a covered market where you can find just about anything. For the group, it was a bombardment of the senses. "I love seeing them," fish seller Rokayah said, laughing. "They are handsome and they are rich. It is rare for me to see foreigners here at the traditional market, and I like talking to them, but I don't understand English." The tour costs around $34 per person. Poluan keeps about half of the money for himself and his NGO, INTERKULTUR. The other half goes to the community. Critics, however, said that this type of direct cash aid was counter-productive. They said the tours were demeaning, exploited the poor, and taught them to be dependent on the handouts of others. "These poor people, we have to educate them," said Wardah Hafidz, coordinator of the Urban Poor Consortium. "We have to tell them that it's not God's will that they are poor, that they also have to fight for themselves. They can't depend on other people forever." This type of criticism angers and frustrates Poluan, who said his tours were about raising awareness on both sides. In the last month, he has also started a microfinance scheme. More importantly though, he said, were the initiatives that he hoped his tours would jumpstart. "They (the foreigners) usually think about how to help, to educate," he said. "They come back again, bring books. I try to make a pushcart library for the children." He said his tours were also about educating foreigners on real issues facing the country. The group weaved its way to the city's train tracks, only barely visible amid the garbage and squalor. It is the site of a constant battle between the track dwellers and the government, which says that living there is illegal and dangerous. Government evictions and the destruction of the feeble structures, usually just bits of plastic tarp and wood, are fairly commonplace. "I am used to it," shrugged 80-year-old Indarjo. He has lived like this for five decades, making his living as a scavenger. He said he has been forced to move over 200 times. He invited the group into his home, and explained that when it rains, he just pulls the flap over. "I feel that I am equal to them. I treat them as my guests," he said. "I believe that they would do the same for me." The visitors were dumbstruck, the impact of what they were seeing, they say, was hard to put into words. It was a sobering but educational look at Indonesia, where some 40 million people live below the poverty line. "It's pretty confronting," Paschke said. "The things you complain about at home don't seem too significant." "It's hard to see something like this and just go home to normal life," his wife, Bell, added as the couple stood in the middle of the tracks. "It makes me motivated to look at the local community and things that we can help out with at home." | Ronny Poluan leads tours of a Jakarta slum to show visitors the 'real' capital .
Tours cost about $34 -- half of that goes to Poluan, the other half to the locals .
Some critics say the tours exploit the poor and teach them to rely on handouts .
Tour covers a market, soy bean cake and tofu factories, meeting residents . |
Keywords: <keyword>SALINGER MYSTERIOUS</keyword>, <keyword>CATCHER RYE</keyword>, <keyword>OCEAN BOWLING</keyword>, <keyword>BALLS WRITTEN</keyword>, <keyword>PRINCETON STORIES</keyword>, <keyword>RECLUSIVE AUTHOR</keyword>, <keyword>HARDCOVER BOOK</keyword>, <keyword>LEAKED BIRTHDAY</keyword>, <keyword>BROTHER ALLIE</keyword>, <keyword>PLOT THICKENS</keyword>
Mysterious: Someone uploaded a PDF version of this book of three previously unpublished and largely unseen J.D. Salinger stories . After years of remaining unseen by nearly all his fans, three stories by reclusive author J.D. Salinger leaked online Wednesday. The unpublished stories were once only available for academics to read while under guard in libraries at the University of Texas and at Princeton. One of the stories—titled The Ocean Full of Bowling Balls—is a precursor to the Salinger classic The Catcher in the Rye. Also leaked were Birthday Boy, about a . young man in rehab for alcoholism, and Paula, which recounts the tale . of a woman whose pregnancy drives her to insanity then ruins her . marriage. As per Salinger’s will, the stories weren’t to be published until 2051. None . of them have ever been published, but The Ocean Full of Bowling Balls . was written for publication in Harper’s Bazaar before the author . withdrew it. The story details the death of Kenneth Caulfield, the character Salinger would later turn into Holden Caulfield’s brother Allie. Princeton’s was once the only manuscript of The Ocean Full of Bowling Balls available to be read. The reclusive author specified in his will that the stories not be published until 2060. One of the stories The Ocean Full of Bowling Balls, details lives of characters who are also in his classic The Catcher in the Rye . Plot thickens: Though the stories were never published, the eBay auction where the PDF version available online reportedly originates sold a hardcover book that appears to have been printed for publication. It has an ISBN number that does not work . Buzzfeed spoke to a gentleman named PJ Vogt who’s read both the Princeton copy and the online version. He verified the story’s authenticity. ‘I . definitely remember that first line,’ Vogt said. ‘”His shoes turned . up.” And I remember the detail about the India ink on the catcher’s . mitt. And that Holden has a cameo from camp.’ But Vogt's revelation also further deepened the mystery. 'My . memory is that Princeton’s copy looked like a submission — typed out . pages, maybe even double-spaced. These seem too laid out to be from that . collection,' he said. The author of J.D. Salinger: A Life confirmed the authenticity of all three manuscripts. ‘While . I do quibble with the ethics (or lack of ethics) in posting the . Salinger stories,’ Kenneth Slawenski told Buzzfeed, ‘they look to be . true transcripts of the originals and match my own copies.’ The PDF first sprung up on the invite-only bit torrent site what.CD. The source was allegedly an eBay auction of a book, complete with cover, titled Three Stories. A . Reddit contributor then told the whole world about the find and the . rest will go down into the history annals of Salinger’s mysterious life. The PDF of Salinger's lost stories can be read here. | The reclusive author's three rarely seen stories were previously only available for academic study at UT Austin and Princeton .
Now they can be read by anyone online .
One of the stories, titled The Ocean Full of Bowling Balls, deals with characters from the writer's classic The Catcher in the Rye . |
Keywords: <keyword>PENSIONERS LIVE</keyword>, <keyword>MANSION TAX</keyword>, <keyword>HOMES PAY</keyword>, <keyword>PAYING COUNCIL</keyword>, <keyword>ESTATE LOT</keyword>, <keyword>EXTRA NHS</keyword>, <keyword>MONEY DISINGENUOUS</keyword>, <keyword>FAIR TAX</keyword>, <keyword>CONSERVATIVES SAYING</keyword>, <keyword>CLEGG SPEAKING</keyword>
Pensioners who live in expensive homes but don’t have enough money to pay a new ‘mansion tax’ will have their estates raised for the money after they die, Nick Clegg said today. The Deputy Prime Minister said he had ‘a lot of sympathy’ with people who did not have very much money but had seen the value of their homes soar after buying it years ago. But he said they would still have to stump up the cash owed under a new system to tax home worth more than £2million a year. Mr Clegg wants to introduce extra council tax bands to force families in expensive homes to pay more money every year to help pay down the deficit. The Labour Party has adopted the same policy – but has vowed to use the £1.5billion a year to hire tens of thousands of extra NHS staff. But David Cameron has blocked the proposal over concerns it will hit ‘asset rich, cash poor’ pensioners if large homes. Mr Clegg, speaking this morning in Glasgow at the Lib Dem conference, insisted that pensioners living in expensive homes did not need to worry. He said: ‘They don’t need to pay it up front. They can pay it as part of their estate. ‘I have a lot of sympathy for someone who says, “Hang on a minute I bought my house 30 years ago I don’t have a big income but I’m now a multi-millionaire in terms of my property”. ‘All we’re saying is the council tax due in the council tax bands that we will introduce will be due, that’s normal. Everyone accepts you have to pay the council tax.’ Mr Clegg said the Tories were not prepared to tax the wealthy at all to reduce the deficit. He said: ‘We’re saying that if you live in a property worth two million quid or more you should be paying council tax bands just as much as anyone on lower price properties. ‘I am sold on the idea that if you have council tax applied to people on bands to people on lower price properties why on earth don’t we have the same approach to higher price properties? We think it will raise around £1.5billion. ‘At the moment you’ve got this astonishing situation where a family home in Lewisham would pay the same in council tax as Russian oligarchs in a £10million mansion.’ Thousands of London pensioners face mansion tax bills from next year because the value of their homes have soared above the proposed £2million threshold . Mr Clegg added: ‘What I think you have to answer for people who don’t want to do this and this is another extraordinary example by the way – the Conservatives have said to me they don’t want to ask Russian oligarchs in 10 million quid houses to pay an extra single penny in contributions towards dealing with the deficit. ‘They don’t want to ask people like Alan Sugar – very wealthy retired pensioners to give up their TV licenses ort their winter fuel payments to help younger people who are trying to get a job – but they will ask the working age poor to cough up more money. ‘That is what is disingenuous about their position because we’ve always funded our fair tax cuts – by raising the point at which you start paying income tax - by asking the wealthiest in society to make a contribution. The Conservatives are now saying that if they were in government they would give with one hand and take with the other.’ | Lib Dems want extra council tax bands on homes worth more than £2million .
But there are concerns over OAPs in expensive homes without high income .
Mr Clegg said those who cannot afford levy can defer until after they die .
Deputy PM said he had 'sympathy' with 'asset rich but cash poor' pensioners . |
Keywords: <keyword>BRONCOS SUPER</keyword>, <keyword>NFL CHAMPIONSHIP</keyword>, <keyword>MANNING PLAY</keyword>, <keyword>SEAHAWKS MEET</keyword>, <keyword>BRADY NEW</keyword>, <keyword>BOWL TITLE</keyword>, <keyword>WIN TOM</keyword>, <keyword>MOMENT REALIZE</keyword>, <keyword>SPECIAL CERTAINLY</keyword>, <keyword>15 YEARS</keyword>
(CNN) -- Peyton Manning will play in a third Super Bowl after guiding the Denver Broncos to a 26-16 win over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey will be the Broncos' first appearance in the NFL's championship game in 15 years. The Seattle Seahawks stand between Manning and the Vince Lombardi trophy. Manning will be looking to win a second championship ring, having previously led the Indianapolis Colts to a title in 2006. "Well, it's an exciting feeling," said the 37-year-old veteran and four-time NFL MVP, who will be looking to lead the Broncos to a third Super Bowl title. "You do take a moment to realize that we've done something special here and you certainly want to win one more. "You have to take time to savor the moment. Being in my 16th season and going to my third Super Bowl I know how hard it is to get there. It is extremely difficult." The Seahawks will meet the Broncos at MetLife Stadium on February 2 after coming from 10-0 down to beat the San Francisco 49ers 23-17 in the NFC Championship game Sunday. "We knew we weren't in the lead but that didn't matter," said Seattle coach Pete Carroll. "They were going to go out and get it done no matter what it took." While the Broncos look forward to a seventh Super Bowl appearance, the Seahawks' only previous appearance in the season finale came in 2005 -- a 25-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. | Denver Broncos beat New England Patriots 26-16 to reach Super Bowl XLVIII .
Broncos quaterback Peyton Manning set to play in his third championship game .
Denver will play the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on February 2 . |
Keywords: <keyword>FINGER SITHONIA</keyword>, <keyword>ANTHEMUS SEA</keyword>, <keyword>ORTHODOX SHRINES</keyword>, <keyword>LOCATION HALKIDIKI</keyword>, <keyword>PENINSULA SITTING</keyword>, <keyword>ATHOS HOLDS</keyword>, <keyword>GREECE BENEFITS</keyword>, <keyword>WOMAN SECOND</keyword>, <keyword>THIRTY DEGREES</keyword>, <keyword>BREAK COUPLES</keyword>
In Halkidiki, they have a saying – about how the three peninsulas which stretch out below the northern Greek mainland accord with the different stages of a man’s life. The first finger, Kassandra, is bright and bustling, with a busy nightlife. It is said that this is for the man who wants to find himself a woman. The second finger, Sithonia, is best for the man who has won his beloved’s heart and wants a romantic break (or for couples with children). A special sort of haven: The Anthemus Sea Resort is the perfect place for a family holiday . The third finger, dominated by Mount Athos, holds 2,500 Orthodox monks. Women – even female animals - have been banned for nearly 1,000 years. This is for the man whose woman has left him; who is seeking sanctuary, and comfort, in God. Or so they say. That makes my choice fairly straightforward. My son Arthur, nearly two, does not like nightclubs and his mother would be disappointed if we left her at home. That rules out the first two. So Sithonia it is. Our destination is Anthemus Sea, a luxurious resort on the east side of the peninsula, sitting on an idyllic spot of coastline. Despite it being situated on the ‘middle finger’, our greeting is as warm and welcoming as you could hope for, in one of the best locations for a holiday you could imagine. Quiet appeal: According to lore, the Sithonia peninsula caters to the man who has already found domestic bliss . The long, shallow, golden sand beach stretches out into the cool, blue Aegean. The water is immaculately clear, and the only thing on the still horizon is a wooden fishing boat sitting motionless on the sea. Walk 30 metres out from the shore, and the shallows still barely come up to your knees. It is further still until the water creeps above your waist. This little slice of paradise is our home for nearly a week, and ends up being the venue for the most relaxing and enjoyable break we’ve had as a family. It has been a decade since I was in Greece, as a spotty teenager with a backpack and an inter-rail pass hopping around the islands in the south – a much more ‘first finger’ location by the Halkidiki rule. But this landscape is more lush and green than the bare and rocky islands I remember. The hills around the resort are thick with olive trees. We land late on a Monday morning. As we arrive, a stream of cars is coming the other way – locals making their leisurely way back from their holiday homes to the city to start the week. It is barely an hour’s gentle drive from Thessaloniki airport out to the resort. I remember island hopping being a mild chore – with its seemingly constant ferry hops. As well as being more convenient, this part of Greece also benefits from being less crammed with tourists than elsewhere. Developments appear to have been, wisely, limited. One step at a time: Jack and Arthur test the waters on a peninsula where life rarely moves at any great speed . I am told you can spend your time touring ancient orthodox shrines, boating out to deserted beaches or playing golf nearby. But I can claim no credit for intrepidness or adventure. If, like me, you are travelling with young children – in our case, a danger-seeking two-year-old – what you really want is to have everything in the same place, and to move about as little as possible. In this regard, Anthemus Sea is perfectly set up – and, for that matter, extremely good value. Owned and designed by a group of architects, the clever layout makes it feel much smaller than its 200 rooms. The designers clearly thought very carefully about how visitors move around – and it never feels busy or over-booked. Both the paved walkways and grass borders – full of colourful flowers – are immaculately maintained. There are two large pools, one by the beach, another in an inner courtyard set back from the sea. We find ourselves by the beach most mornings. Arthur does not want to go in too far, but paddles happily in the shallows. It helps that there is barely a rock on the sea bed – and that you can see where you are putting your feet on the soft sand. He is far from alone in the water. There are dozens of children enjoying the sea at what is a truly family-friendly site. Anthemus attracts a largely continental European crowd, and we come across only a handful of Brits during our stay. Guests seem to be mostly Germans and Russians. Raising a sail: For those prepared to leave the resort, Neos Marmaras is imbued with small-scale charm . Despite this, the staff speak excellent English, and all the menus and guidance is in English too. After a few days, we start to adjust to the continental timetable, taking a long and leisurely nap in the afternoon while the sun bakes everything in sight. The weather is delightful. Thirty degrees or thereabouts every day, apart from the last, which is slightly cloudy. With so much sun and swimming, Arthur is exhausted half the time, and rewards us by lying in on several days, until half eight – something like manna from heaven for two knackered parents. Our room is large, luxurious and extremely comfortable, and Arthur is particularly taken by the television on the wall above the whirlpool bath. Sliding French doors separate the bedroom from the living room, where Arthur sleeps in the supplied cot bed. If you can stretch to it, go for one of the bigger rooms, which come with their own pool attached – a real treat for the kids. Arthur begins the week on the top step of the flight of steps leading down into the water, refusing to go much further than waist deep. But by the end, with the help of some Peppa Pig armbands, he is adventuring into the middle of the pool and happily hurling in rocks for daddy to retrieve. Meanwhile, mummy enjoys herself on a lounger with a book. If you want more activity than that, you can try organised boules on the sand in the morning, volleyball in the sea in the afternoon, and evening entertainment, including live music, at the beach side bar. There is an excellent kids’ club inside the resort, well attended during the day and evening, and a small playground with swings and a slide. Younger children will not struggle for things to do, although there is less on offer for older children and teenagers. One afternoon, while I am entertaining Arthur, my other half enjoys an excellent massage session in the resort spa, which boasts a sauna and indoor pool. Indeed, in terms of its facilities, Anthemus Sea ticks most boxes. We eat very well, not least at the resort’s Horizon restaurant. And we go for lunch every day at the taverna by the beach, gorging ourselves on grilled octopus, calamari, huge prawns and the rest of the daily catch. One day, we’re handed a glass of Ouzo on the way in, staff offering the only explanation that 'it's Wednesday'. That is the kind of attitude I could get used to. Indeed Anthemus Sea is a place I could get used to on a permanent basis. Double rooms at the Anthemus Sea Beach Hotel & Spa (www.anthemussea.gr) cost from €184 (£146) in September. | Sithonia is the middle of the three' fingers' which jut from north-east Greece .
A sleepy peninsula, it is less known to British tourists than the Greek islands .
It's calm and tranquility make it an excellent haven for a family holiday . |
Keywords: <keyword>BUS CRASH</keyword>, <keyword>TEXAS INJURED</keyword>, <keyword>TRAUMA CENTERS</keyword>, <keyword>AMERICANOS TOUR</keyword>, <keyword>HEALTH BROOKE</keyword>, <keyword>ARMY MEDICAL</keyword>, <keyword>TRANSPORTED SAN</keyword>, <keyword>INTERSTATE 37</keyword>, <keyword>SAFETY SAID</keyword>, <keyword>40 PEOPLE</keyword>
(CNN) -- A tour bus carrying about 40 people rolled over Tuesday near Campbellton, Texas, killing two people and injuring more than a dozen, an official said. Tommy Cavazos, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said that 18 people were injured in the Americanos tour bus crash on Interstate 37, about 50 miles south of San Antonio in southern Texas. Most of the injured are being transported to San Antonio's Brooke Army Medical Center and University Hospital, Cavazos said. The bus, which was headed to Matamoros, Mexico, flipped and landed on its right side, he said. A spokesman for Brooke Army Medical Center, Dewey Mitchell, said four patients were taken to the hospital's trauma unit. He did not provide further information. University Health System spokeswoman Julie Wiley said five adults -- four men and one woman -- were transported to the medical facility. She could not describe their conditions but characterized the people as all between the age of 40 and 60. Although it was not immediately clear whether others were taken elsewhere, Wiley said that University Health System and Brooke Army Medical Center are the two trauma centers in San Antonio and would receive patients in situations such as Tuesday's crash. The names of those killed were not released. Americanos is a subsidiary of Greyhound. Maureen Richmond, a spokeswoman for Greyhound, said that 40 people were on board the bus, which left San Antonio shortly before 9 a.m. for Matamoros, Mexico. It was a regularly scheduled trip, she said. She said the cause of the crash was not immediately known. KSAT: 2 dead, dozens injured in charter bus crash . Video from the scene showed the bus lying on its side in the highway's grassy median, with clothing and other items scattered on the ground nearby. Emergency personnel, including fire trucks and ambulances, were on the scene. Mark Baldon, who came upon the crash shortly after it happened Tuesday morning, said he saw the bus "smoldering," CNN affiliate KSAT reported. CNN's Divina Mims and Jamie Morrison contributed to this report. | Bus flipped and landed on its side on I-37 median, official says .
Bus was headed to Matamoros, Mexico, carrying 40 people .
Names of victims not released; injured taken to hospital in San Antonio . |
Keywords: <keyword>COLOUR DOOR</keyword>, <keyword>COMPLAINED PINK</keyword>, <keyword>BURKE DRESSED</keyword>, <keyword>LOTHIAN UNIQUE</keyword>, <keyword>CASTELLAU HOUSE</keyword>, <keyword>BUILDING DUNBAR</keyword>, <keyword>CHANGE LOVELY</keyword>, <keyword>DESIGNER MS</keyword>, <keyword>PAINT PEELING</keyword>, <keyword>HOPEFULLY</keyword>
A designer has won a dispute with angry neighbours who complained about the pink door on her new fashion school. Jacqui Burke, 50, wanted to give the building in Dunbar, East Lothian, a unique touch by painting the front door in an eye-catching colour after she moved in last September. She chose a bright fuchsia pink to highlight her new working space - but it was a move that attracted a fierce backlash from locals who branded the new front as ‘absolutely vile’. Scroll down for video . Pretty in pink? Jacqui Burke (left), 50, wanted to give her fashion school in Dunbar, East Lothian, a unique touch by painting the front door (right) in an eye-catching colour after she moved in last September . And the complainers told council chiefs that Ms Burke - who has dressed singers Cher and Gloria Estefan - had ‘spoiled’ the historic B-listed Castellau House, which is in a conservation area. But, after a lengthy dispute, East Lothian Council has now told her she will not have to change the colour of her door on the building, which is the former home of the town's library. One resident said: ‘I didn't complain to the council personally as I am all for new businesses coming into the town, but I feel they have just spoiled what was once a stunning building. The local, who who wished to remain anonymous, added: ‘Any colour would have done apart from that disgusting bright pink - it is really an eyesore and not a good advert for the town.’ But Ms Burke said: ‘The reason we painted the door pink was because that colour is our brand identity. You can keep it: East Lothian Council has now told her she will not have to change the colour of her door . ‘When we moved in last year the front door was really needing done up as the paint was peeling off - but I did not expect any of this bad feeling for simply painting the entrance in a bright colour.’ Ms Burke added that a volunteer was approached by a ‘pompous’ man while she was painting the door, who was ‘very rude to her, saying that it was an absolutely vile colour’. But she insisted there had also been a lot of support in the local community. Ms Burke said: ‘I have had overwhelming public support from our community and beyond, and it was trending on our community website Heart of Dunbar. ‘There were over 300 positive comments ranging from how it made them smile when they passed it, it brightened up the town and how it is a lovely creative space where students of all ages can come and express their creativity.’ Darker colour: The door of Castellau House, which is in a conservation area, before it was painted pink . After speaking to the council, with planners even threatening to paint the door dark brown themselves, Ms Burke was pleased they decided to allow her to keep the colour. She said: ‘I am so happy that we have the support of our council, and they are moving with the times, listening to what the people actually want. ‘The complaint about the pink door has actually shown me what love and support we have in our community and how people want change. ‘It is a lovely building with a history, but it deserves some new life in it so that future artists and designers can make their own history, rather than letting yet another old building stay empty and deteriorate. ‘The building is council-owned and the fashion school is on a six-month pilot, but hopefully these complaints will not affect the final decision to allow us to stay here.’ Stars: Fashion designer Ms Burke has dressed singers Cher (left) and Gloria Estefan (right) An East Lothian Council spokeswoman said: ‘East Lothian Council received a complaint about the colour of a door on a building in Dunbar which was formerly the town's library. Jacqui Burke is from Dunbar and showcashed her designs at fashion weeks in Munich, Japan, Paris and London in the 1990s. The mother-of-three was in a charge of a 12-man design and production company and ran her own retail outlet in Kensington, London. She has designed clothes for singers Cher and Gloria Estefan, as well as for Scottish electronic dance band The Shamen. ‘We have advised the business owner of this complaint but will not be asking for the colour to be changed.’ Her establishment, which is called ‘Fashion School’, offers 30-week courses in fashion design, teaching students design, pattern cutting and tailoring. It is a social enterprise, run with volunteers and accepts people of all ages, including those struggling to find work. Ms Burke worked as a fashion designer for a number of years, with her collections appearing on catwalks and in shops around the world, including Selfridges. | Jacqui Burke, 50, wanted to give unique touch to the building in Dunbar .
Designer chose bright fuchsia pink to highlight her new working space .
But locals branded new front 'absolutely vile' and complained to council .
East Lothian Council tells her she won't have to change colour of door . |
Keywords: <keyword>LOSING LEGS</keyword>, <keyword>RUNNER CYCLIST</keyword>, <keyword>BIKE ULTRA</keyword>, <keyword>MAENZA COMPLETED</keyword>, <keyword>DISABILITIES COMPETE</keyword>, <keyword>BEN RECOVER</keyword>, <keyword>FRACTURES TECHNICALLY</keyword>, <keyword>MONTH REHABILITATION</keyword>, <keyword>USING HAND</keyword>, <keyword>2012 MARINE</keyword>
By . James Nye . PUBLISHED: . 11:29 EST, 9 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:39 EST, 9 October 2012 . A U.S. Marine who lost both his legs in Afghanistan just three weeks after being deployed and suffered from crippling depression as a result has managed to heroically complete the Chicago marathon this weekend . Using a hand bike, ultra-competitive Ben Maenza, 24, finished the 26.2 mile race only two years after he lost both limbs and credits his recovery to a religious experience during which he came to know that he could not give up despite wanting to end it all. 'People think you can’t do stuff like that without your legs, so being out there and proving that you can and making it happen, it’s really gratifying,' said Maenza before he completed the 26.2 mile race in one-hour 48 minutes. Scroll Down for Video . Lance Cpl. Ben Maenza rides his specially designed bike that has allowed him to compete in two marathons and cross the country since an accident two-years ago robbed him of his legs . Lance Cpl. Maenza, from Nashville, Tennessee, had not yet completed a full month of his deployment working as a combat engineer in the Marine Corps, when he lost his legs in a horrific accident. 'We were walking through a cornfield and came to a river we needed to cross,' said Maenza to ABC News. 'I felt it was a bad idea, but we did it anyway. It was my job to clear the trail. 'I was standing on the riverbed, and the guy behind me stepped off my trail and hit a pressure plate that was offset from an improvised explosive device (IED) that I was standing on top of. 'The bomb detonated underneath me.' Marine Ben Maenza, who lost both legs when he was injured in Afghanistan in 2010, bicycles through the Florida as he makes his way across the country in June of 2012 . Runners leave the starting line during the 2012 Chicago Marathon on Sunday . The explosion caused Maenza to instantly lose both his legs and to suffer deep gashes, burns and nerve damage to his arms in addition to nasal and skull fractures. Technically dying in the field, the quick actions of a medic ensured that Maenza was resuscitated, after which he was rushed to a military hospital in Germany where he began an 18-month rehabilitation process. However, despite surviving the explosion, Maenza entered into a deep depression. 'You don’t know where you’re going to go – you just know you lost your legs and emotionally, mentally, life’s over,' said Maenza to Fox News. 'There’s nothing to live for.' The 24-year-old Lance Cpl. spent 18-months in recovery after his October 2010 accident and has since taken part in two marathons . Lance Cpl. Maenza, from Nashville, Tennessee, had not yet completed a full month of his deployment working as a combat engineer in the Marine Corps, when he lost his legs in a horrific accident . Stuck in a terrible rut for six-months, Maenza started to pull through after he had a religious experience. 'I had a divine intervention with God,' said Maenza. 'This wasn’t what my life was going to be like. Losing my legs was not going to determine who I was going to be. 'I died – they had to bring me back to life – I got this second chance, and I wasn’t going to settle for mediocrity.' It was while hospitalised at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Maenza was introduced to representatives from Achilles International, an organisation which helps people with extreme disabilities compete in mainstream athletics. 'Achilles came in and said, 'Hey, we don't feel sorry for you because we know you can do better than this, you are not just a patient in this hospital, you are an athlete; you are a competitor,' said Maenza. Achilles International, an organisation which helps people with extreme disabilities compete in mainstream athletics. has helped Ben to recover his drive to live life and to compete . The non-profit organisation was founded in 1983 and funds the Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans - and encouraged Maenza to compete in two marathons and to cycle across the nation from Florida to California. 'It was exactly what I needed at that point in my recovery,' said the injured veteran to WKRN. 'I was at a crossroads. They came in and gave me a way to get a sense of accomplishment. 'It gives you something to work towards, the knowledge that you are capable and you can do it.' 'I never really was a runner or a cyclist before, but when Achilles approached me and asked me to do it, it kind of lit a fire in me and, quite frankly, I’m pretty good at it.' Ben Maenza still keeps in contact with his U.S. Marine Corp friends - and is pictured here with two in the gym . Despite finishing the race in under two hours, Maenza was not totally happy with his performance. 'Obviously, I was a little slower than I intended, but I’ve got a good excuse, my wheel was broken,' said Maenza. 'Now I’m going to continue to train harder and push to the limit. I can use it as motivation for my next race.' Now studying for a college degree, Maenza takes inspiration from his progress over the past two years. 'The message is, with the right attitude and determination, you can succeed anything that’s put in your way,' said Maenza. 'Life’s not over if you lost your legs, or you have diabetes, or you’re overweight, whatever. 'No matter what you’re faced with, you can do great things. I just want people to know if we can do it, they can do it.' | Lance Cpl. Ben Maenza lost both his legs in October 2010 after less than a month through his first tour .
Recovered to compete in marathons and completed the Chicago marathon on Sunday . |
Keywords: <keyword>DROWNING MIGRANTS</keyword>, <keyword>GAZA VOYAGE</keyword>, <keyword>BOAT EGYPT</keyword>, <keyword>RESCUED MEDITERRANEAN</keyword>, <keyword>SAID SMUGGLERS</keyword>, <keyword>BOARD SURVIVORS</keyword>, <keyword>SICILY SAID</keyword>, <keyword>REFUSED LEAVE</keyword>, <keyword>TRAFFICKERS ENRAGED</keyword>, <keyword>THOUSANDS PEOPLE</keyword>
Witnesses say as many as 500 migrants died in the Mediterranean Sea when human traffickers intentionally sunk their boat, the International Organization for Migration said Tuesday. The survivors -- both Palestinian men from Gaza who were rescued separately after days in the water clinging to flotation aids -- said they had packed into a boat in Egypt's port of Damietta in Egypt and left on September 6. They estimated at least 400 men and women, in addition to as many as 100 children, were on board. Two survivors interviewed by the IOM and Italian police in Sicily said the traffickers became enraged after the migrants -- who had already switched to small boats three times during their four days at sea -- refused to move to a smaller vessel. The migrants said they'd rather go back to Egypt than continue on in an even smaller vessel that they believed was not seaworthy. The Palestinians' account was corroborated by several other survivors who were interviewed on the Greek island of Crete, the IOM said. They said the smugglers, who they said were Palestinians and Egyptians, had begun yelling and throwing sticks at the migrants after they refused to leave the boat before then ramming the vessel. Some migrants managed to jump into the smaller boat, while one passenger "killed himself in despair by hanging," a survivor said. "After they hit our boat, they waited to make sure that it had sunk completely before leaving. They were laughing," he added. IOM: Many children among dead . By Tuesday morning, authorities in Italy, Malta and Greece confirmed the rescue of 10 migrants from the lost vessel, the IOM said. Three bodies have also been found. Those on the boat included Syrians, Palestinians, Egyptians and Sudanese, the witnesses said. The two Palestinian survivors explained that they'd paid $2,000 -- money they'd gotten after receiving grants to rebuild their homes -- at what they called a "travel" office in Gaza for their voyage to Italy, according to the IOM. Four buses took them to the Egyptian port near Alexandria, where about 200 people got on the ship's first deck and the other 300 people on the bottom deck. Survivors surmised that those below deck were unable to escape the sinking boat and drowned almost immediately. Some people managed to stay afloat for three days, only to be done in by strong winds and waves that moved through the area. '"If survivors' reports are confirmed, this will be the worst shipwreck of migrants in years, not an accidental tragedy, but the apparent deliberate drowning of migrants by criminal gangs who extort money for their desperate journeys," said IOM spokesman Leonard Doyle. "Their actions are as callous as they are evil." Italian navy finds dozens of bodies in migrant boat . 'Shocking and unacceptable' According to the IOM, the latest reported sinking would take the death toll off Europe's shores this year to nearly 3,000. In 2013, the organization's Missing Migrants Project estimated the total for the year to be 700 deaths. "The numbers dying off Europe's coasts are shocking and unacceptable," said IOM director general William Lacy Swing. "These are women, children and men who only hope for a more dignified life. The risks they take reflect their desperation and we cannot keep abandoning them to their fate." Authorities are also investigating reports that 200 more people are missing off Libya and that another 15 drowned off the coast of Egypt, the IOM said. Each year, tens of thousands of people are rescued from the Mediterranean, according to the European Union border agency, Frontex. The United Nations has expressed dismay over the rising number of migrants dying at sea. | Two survivors say they'd paid $2,000 at a "travel" office in Gaza for their voyage to Italy .
Migrant shipwreck survivors: Human smugglers deliberately sank the vessel .
Survivors: Traffickers became enraged and rammed the boat after they disobeyed them .
The IOM believes as many as 100 children may have been on board the boat . |
Keywords: <keyword>CHARLES PRICE</keyword>, <keyword>PRICE ACCUSED</keyword>, <keyword>PRICE STABBED</keyword>, <keyword>BLOOD ALLEGEDLY</keyword>, <keyword>STABBING GRANDMOTHER</keyword>, <keyword>POLICE MARY</keyword>, <keyword>CHARGED KILLING</keyword>, <keyword>SCENE BROKEN</keyword>, <keyword>WSBTV REPORTED</keyword>, <keyword>JESSICA JERREAT</keyword>
By . Jessica Jerreat . A 14-year-old boy accused of stabbing his grandmother more than 50 times went to school afterwards covered in blood, an Atlanta court heard yesterday. Charles Price is being charged as an adult over the murder of his grandmother, Mary, who was found inside her home on Friday last week. Police believe the teenager stabbed the 76-year-old in an argument over the television's DVR. Crime scene: Charles Price is accused of stabbing his grandmother, Mary, to death in this Atlanta home . Horrific: Police found Mary Price covered in blood and two broken knives in the kitchen and living room of this house . When Price arrived at Therrell High School, a teacher and a police officer who spotted him in a corridor initially thought he had stabbed another student. He was described as being covered in blood, and allegedly said: 'I killed it,' and liked it, school officials said in their testimony. Teachers contacted the police, who went to the family's southwest Atlanta home, where they found Mrs Price and a trail of blood from the kitchen to the living room. Mrs Price had been stabbed at least 57 times, in what officers described as a gruesome scene. A broken knife was found in the kitchen, and another broken knife was in the living room, WSBTV reported. Alarmed: Teachers called police after Price arrived at school in bloody clothes . Investigation: Forensic science teams search the home where Mary Price was found on April 18 . One of the teenager's uncles told the court he believed the attack had been triggered by a dispute over the TV. Mrs Price, whose son is a police officer, died at the scene. The officer is not the father of Charles Price, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Price is being held without bond and is due to return to court later this month. He is charged with killing his grandmother, alongside at least four other charges. | Charles Price is being charged as an adult over 'gruesome' attack .
Mary Price was found covered in blood with two broken knives nearby . |
Keywords: <keyword>KATHMANDU TREATMENT</keyword>, <keyword>BUDHATHOKI DAUGHTER</keyword>, <keyword>LASER HAIR</keyword>, <keyword>WEREWOLF SYNDROME</keyword>, <keyword>CHILDREN MANJURA</keyword>, <keyword>HYPERTRICHOSIS LANUGINOSA</keyword>, <keyword>FACE TEENAGER</keyword>, <keyword>DEVI AGED</keyword>, <keyword>NIRAJ SEEN</keyword>, <keyword>AFFECTING MOTHER</keyword>
By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 14:10 EST, 6 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:54 EST, 6 November 2013 . Devi Budhathoki and her children Manjura, 14, Niraj, 12, and Mandira, aged seven all suffer from 'werewolf syndrome', a rare condition which causes excessive hair growth. Devi, aged 38, and the children were all born with Congenital Hypertrichosis Lanuginosa, and as a result have thick, black hair covering their foreheads and other parts of their body where it does not normally grow. In the hope of relief, the Budhathoki family travelled from their remote village in the mountainous Dolkha District in north Nepal to undergo laser treatment near the capital of Kathmandu. Fresh faces: Devi Budhathoki, 38, her daughter Manjura, left, 14, and son Niraj, 12, smile and laugh after undergoing hair removal treatment at Dhulikhel Hospital in Kavre, on the outskirts of Kathmandu . Big change: 12-year-old Niraj seen before and after undergoing laser hair removal treatment . Important treatment: For Manjura, 14, the treatment means entering her tumultous teenage years looking just like her classmates . New look: Their mother Devi poses for a photograph before undergoing laser hair removal treatment, left, and then after, right . Devi and her two oldest children all . went through the non-invasive procedure to their faces in an attempt to . lessen the symptoms and, in the case of the two children, make their . social lives a little bit easier as they enter their teens. The . three can be seen smiling and laughing after undergoing laser treatment . at Dhulikhel Hospital in Kavre, on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Before the treatment Ms Budhathoki said: 'More than myself, I'm worried about my children. They are mocked by their classmates. 'My children have talked about the new life ever since we received the word that the hospital is going to treat us. 'My son has told his friends that he will be back with a new face and they can no longer tease him.' Mother: Devi Budhathoki, 38, dries her clothes outside her house in Kharay, Dolkha District in north Nepal . Standing out: The youngest Budhathoki daughter, Mandira, aged seven, plays with other children from the village . Ready for a new day: Devi's son Niraj, 12, looks towards the sky in Kharay ahead of the family's journey to have laser treatment . The head of the family: Nara Bahadur Budhathoki, who does not suffer from the 'werewolf syndrome' speaks to his son Niraj, 12, and daughter Mandira, 7, as they look out of the window of their mountainside home . Solitude: Niraj and his siblings all suffer from Congenital Hypertrichosis Lanuginosa, a very rare disease that causes excessive body hair growth . Education first: The Budhathoki sisters and their classmates walk to the local school in Kharay . Same difference: Seven-year-old Mandira stands next to her friend outside a classroom at their school in Kharay . Big-eyed beauty: Mandira, too young to undergo treatment, looks up at a visiting photographer from underneath her furry brow . 'Werewolf curse': Manjura, pictured in class at the village school, and her siblings have all suffered from bullying as a result of their condition . Average day: The Budhathoki family live a simple life in the mountainous Dolkha district of Nepal, where mother Devi cooks over an open fire in the sparse kitchen . Tea time: Manjura watches over her sister Mandira as she eats lunch in the kitchen of their home . Daily chores: Niraj does his homework at the kitchen table as his younger sister Mandira watches . A normal life: Devi and her youngest daughter care for their goats outside their cattle shed . Furry friends: Mandira plays with goats in the cattle shed at outside the family home in Kharay . The Budhathoki family all suffer from Hypertrichosis Lanuginosa which is visible from birth and sees all or large parts of the body covered in hair . Werewolf boy: Niraj drinks water from a stream near the Budhathoki family home in Kharay village . Easier life: Niraj, 12 is only affected on his face and back, with the condition not affecting him as much as his mother and sisters . Family ties: Nara Bahadur Budhathoki, 65, and his wife Devi pose for a photograph near their village in Dolkha District, 118 miles northeast of Kathmandu . Hypertrichosis means an abnormal amount of hair growth on the body. There . are two distinct types of the condition - generalised, which occurs . over the entire body, and localised hypertrichosis, which is restricted . to one area. It can be both congenital (present at birth), such as in the case of the Budhathoki family, or acquired later in life. Although there is no cure for congenital forms of hypertrichosis, it can be reduced through hair removal. Treatment may have adverse effects, however, causing scarring, dermatitis, or hypersensitivity. Several circus sideshow performers in the 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Julia Pastrana, had hypertrichosis. Many worked as 'freaks', including as 'bearded ladies' or as characters with animal traits such as 'Wolfman'. In . 2011, Supatra Sasuphan an 11-year old girl from Thailand with . hypertrichosis was named the world's hairiest girl by the Guinness Book . of World Records. Ready for a life changer: Devi has her blood pressure checked at the health clinic ahead of their impending laser treatment . New light: Devi looks at her daughter Manjura's face after the teenager has been prepared for the non-invasive procedure . Awakening: Devi studies her new face in the mirror as her eldest daughter receives her treatment at the hospital . The children's mother has told of how they suffered bullying from their classmates - something which they hope will be no more . Preparing for a new look: Manjura, 14, has her hair shaved before laser hair removal treatment at Dhulikhel Hospital . Facing the future: The young boy's face has been shaven and his skin prepared with a protective gel ahead of the treatment . New lease of life: Niraj lies on a hospital bed as a nurse prepares him for laser hair removal treatment . | The Budhathoki family suffer from Congenital Hypertrichosis Lanuginosa, also known as 'werewolf syndrome'
Mother Devi, 38, and three of her children, Manjura, 14, Niraj, 12, and Mandira, seven all have excessive hair growth .
The family travelled from their remote village in the mountains of Nepal for laser treatment to their faces . |
Keywords: <keyword>APARTHEID NELSON</keyword>, <keyword>MANDELA ADVOCATED</keyword>, <keyword>MANDELA ARRESTED</keyword>, <keyword>MASSACRE 1960</keyword>, <keyword>BAN AFRICAN</keyword>, <keyword>LIBERATION MOVEMENT</keyword>, <keyword>PRISON FACILITATE</keyword>, <keyword>SAID CIA</keyword>, <keyword>SHARPEVILLE</keyword>, <keyword>BOY PLAYING</keyword>
(CNN) -- He founded modern South Africa. The boy who grew up herding cattle in the hills of the rural Transkei area and attended a Methodist missionary school where he was given the name "Nelson" has dedicated his adult life to opposing the racist and segregationist policy of apartheid. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela at first advocated peaceful opposition to white rule in early work with the African National Congress, a liberation movement. But the stubbornness of the apartheid regime increasingly frustrated him, until he turned to armed struggle shortly after the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960 in which police killed some 69 black protesters, shooting many of them in the back. Shortly after the protest the regime banned the African National Congress and another liberation movement, the Pan Africanist Congress. In 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment for carrying out acts of sabotage. In prison he became an international symbol of opposition to apartheid. Over the decades that followed, as the movement against white rule in South Africa began to grow and unrest inside the country became increasingly violent, it became clear to the white government that they could no longer continue to govern without consulting the African National Congress and, in particular, Nelson Mandela. In the 1980s, Mandela worked from prison to facilitate talks between the apartheid government and the ANC. He was unconditionally released from prison in 1990, just days after the ban on the African National Congress and the Pan Africanist Congress was lifted. After spending 27 years in prison, on his release Mandela pursued a policy of reconciliation between black and white in South Africa. Many of the apartheid laws were repealed in the early '90s, but a few of the apartheid era laws are controversially still on the books. Mandela became president of South Africa in 1994, but he stood for only one term before stepping down and continuing to foster national reconciliation. Some have criticized Mandela for placing too much emphasis on reconciliation and not transforming the country enough, but the vast majority of South Africans revere his legacy and its meaning in the society they inhabit today. Visitors to the stunning nation at the tip of the continent can retrace many of Mandela's most significant moments, among them his release from prison 23 years ago, on February 11, 1990. CAPE TOWN AND SURROUNDS . Robben Island . Robben Island is one of South Africa's premier tourist destinations The ferry ride from the Cape Town waterfront alone is worth doing for the beautiful view of the city and Table Mountain from the sea. But "the Island," as it was known during the days of apartheid, gives the visitor an eerie sense of desolation. To really understand Nelson Mandela's struggle and the sacrifices he made for the freedom of his people, you need to take a tour of the prison where he was held. Walking through the now silent empty jail cells, you bear witness to the loneliness and suffering he overcame to become a world icon of reconciliation. Groot Drakenstein Prison (Victor Verster Prison) Set incongruously in beautiful vineyards near Paarl, the Drakenstein Prison is where Mandela spent the last 14 months of his imprisonment. Here he was treated with greater respect by the authorities and eventually was moved into the warden's rather comfortable suburban house. Shortly after his release, Mandela built a house at Qunu, his birthplace in the Transkei, based on the layout of his prison lodgings. It has been said that the one thing he missed from his prison experience was the solitude and the chance to reflect, and the house reminds him of that feeling. Mandela was released from Drakenstein on February 11, 1990, and images were broadcast around the world of him and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela walking hand-in-hand toward the crowds, their fists clenched. Today, outside the main gate, there is a dramatic bronze statue of Mandela that commemorates that event. Stand on the road on the way to the prison gates and stop to imagine the excitement that erupted among the crowd in 1990 as Mandela finally emerged after 27 years. JOHANNESBURG AREA . Soweto . Now a fascinating small museum, Mandela's old house in Vilakazi Street in Orlando West in Soweto shows just how black people lived under apartheid. Even relatively well-to-do people like the young Nelson Mandela, who was a lawyer, lived with their families in small four-room brick "matchbox" houses. Mandela returned to this house a few days after he was released from prison, and many journalists interviewed him in the tiny garden, but after his release he never really lived there again. Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived here, too, just down the road, so it is the only street in the world where two Nobel Prize winners have lived in separate houses. Up the hill from Mandela's house is the Hector Pieterson memorial and museum. This is the point where the famous Soweto Riots began on June 16, 1976, and where the iconic picture was taken of a dying Hector Pieterson being carried while his sister ran crying alongside. The museum is excellent and well worth a visit. Apartheid Museum . While not only about Nelson Mandela, this fascinating museum recreates what life was like for both black and white South Africans under apartheid. It gives an excellent idea of what Mandela and other activists were fighting against and of their ideals for the future. Walking into the museum is an eerie experience as the entranceway is divided -- a gateway for blacks and a gateway for whites. It seems hard today to believe that such a system existed, but this museum lays it all out. Constitution Hill . Constitution Hill is the site today of South Africa's Constitutional Court, which is regarded as a post-modernist architectural icon. If you're lucky, you might be able to listen in briefly on a constitutional hearing in the main chamber, and the court has a celebrated art collection. The older buildings have a more ominous history. Built in 1892 under the old Boer Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, many of South Africa's most famous political prisoners, including Boer war leaders, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, spent time in the Old Fort Prison Complex. A tour through the old prison gives you a sense of South Africa's layered and complex past. Liliesleaf Farm . Out in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg is the famous Liliesleaf Farm. It was some 12 miles outside the city in the 1960s and was purchased by the South African Communist Party with secret funds smuggled in from the Soviet Union. Arthur Goldreich, a white communist, fronted as the owner of the farm while Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and other prominent ANC activists hid from the police in the outbuildings. Many political discussions were held in the main house and by 1963, it was becoming clear to the ANC that they were putting themselves under too much risk. It was too late, on July 11 of that year, the police swooped in and arrested a number of top ANC leaders. Mandela was already on Robben Island for a previous conviction when the raid happened, but many still say today that his gun was buried on the farm and lies somewhere hidden in the earth. NATAL AREA . HowickIf you are driving down to Durban from Johannesburg, you might want to make a short visit to the site at Howick where Nelson Mandela was arrested. Set in the beautiful Natal Midlands, the spot is only a few minutes off the main highway, the N3. Though there's not a great deal to see, a sculpture recently has been erected to mark the spot. An ongoing mystery is tied to the place, though, as some activists have said the CIA tipped off the South African security forces, pinpointing Mandela at this spot. No one has proved the claim, and it remains uncertain. EASTERN CAPE . Qunu . Qunu, on the Eastern Cape, is Nelson Mandela's hometown. His house -- which you cannot visit -- is right on the N2 between Durban and East London. If you're on the highway, the small museum at Qunu is certainly worth a stop. If you find the right people at the museum, they will grab a small piece of plastic chair and you can slide down the vast curved rock that Nelson Mandela slid down when he was a young boy playing hooky from his duties as a cattle herder. If you're lucky and have the time, you may be able to sit with a group of elders and sip the local sorghum beer known as Umqombothi. There is a tiny, reasonably priced bed and breakfast called Lili's where you can sleep in a typical Xhosa hut and try Xhosa food. The surrounding area is extremely poor but there are interesting things to see and do. Nelson Mandela's life and legacy are layered into the life and landscape of South Africa, and as the years go by, his stature grows. | Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years on February 11, 1990 .
His struggle against apartheid in South Africa is marked by many historic sites .
Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned, is one of South Africa's top tourist destinations . |
Keywords: <keyword>CEO MANCHESTER</keyword>, <keyword>CHAIRMAN BARCELONA</keyword>, <keyword>UEFA FINANCIAL</keyword>, <keyword>FERRAN PREFERRED</keyword>, <keyword>HAPPENS SORIANO</keyword>, <keyword>COOK REPLACEMENT</keyword>, <keyword>EARN CITY</keyword>, <keyword>378 MILLION</keyword>, <keyword>2008 REPLACES</keyword>, <keyword>SEASON IMPLEMENTATION</keyword>
(CNN) -- English Premier League champions, Manchester City have appointed Ferran Soriano as their new chief executive officer, the club announced Friday. The Spaniard, who was CEO and vice-chairman at Barcelona FC from 2003 to 2008, replaces outgoing CEO Garry Cook. In a statement published on the club's official website, Soriano said: "I am delighted to take up the position of CEO at Manchester City Football Club. The vision of the owner together with his commitment, and that of the Chairman and the Board, make this opportunity absolutely compelling. "The Club has incredible potential to be fulfilled both on and off the field. I very much look forward to playing my part to ensure that happens." Soriano was credited with turning around the fortunes of the Catalan club during his tenure, more than doubling revenues from €123 million ($150 million) to €308 million ($378 million) and turning a €78 million ($95 million) loss into cumulative profits of 88 million ($108 million) within five years, according to Manchester City's official website. City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the search for Cook's replacement had been a "far-reaching and exhaustive" one. "In Ferran we have our preferred candidate. His experience in football and in the wider commercial world make him exceptionally well equipped to lead Manchester City through its continued evolution," Al Mubarak said in a statement. The Abu Dhabi United Group have invested heavily since buying the club in 2008, spending close to $785 million on transfers and reporting a loss of £197 million ($310 million) for the 2010-11 season. With the implementation of UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules -- which can impose penalties on clubs which spend more than they earn -- City will look to Soriano to help balance the books. Blog: Will big football clubs beat Financial Fair Play rules? UEFA started auditing football clubs' financial statements last season, with a two-year lead in for the start of the 2013-14 season when FFP kicks in. Soriano will officially take over on September 1, while City kick-off their season on Sunday against Southampton at the Etihad Stadium. Title and city rivals, Manchester United -- who confirmed the signing of former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie on Friday -- take on Everton at Goodison Park on Monday. | Former Barcelona CEO credited with turning around Catalan club's financial fortunes joins Man City .
Ferran Soriano appointed CEO and vice-chairman replacing outgoing Garry Cook .
Man City has "incredible potential to be fulfilled both on and off the field," Soriano says . |
Keywords: <keyword>SNOWKITER JUMPED</keyword>, <keyword>SNOWBOARDING WAKEBOARDING</keyword>, <keyword>KITEBOARDING MUSE</keyword>, <keyword>DROPPING STUNTS</keyword>, <keyword>EXTREME SPORTS</keyword>, <keyword>TRIP DANGEROUS</keyword>, <keyword>2011 HITCHHIKING</keyword>, <keyword>MOUNTAINS SAID</keyword>, <keyword>VIDEO AMAZING</keyword>, <keyword>MET FELLOW</keyword>
This is the amazing moment one enthusiastic snowkiter jumped so high he risked his life to feel like he was flying. Andrew Muse, a 26-year-old extreme sports enthusiast from Utah, documented his heart-dropping stunts, jumps, dips and spins on a recent trip. Snowkiting, also known as kiteboarding, is a mash-up of snowboarding, wakeboarding and parasailing and uses kite power to glide on winter snow or ice. Scroll down for video . This is the amazing moment one enthusiastic snowkiter jumped so high he risked his life to feel like he was flying in Park City, Utah . Andrew Muse, a 26-year-old extreme sports enthusiast from Utah, recorded a video with his heart-dropping stunts, jumps, dips and spins . Muse said this last snowkiting trip was 'the most dangerous thing I've ever done'. 'At some points, I was over 300 feet off the ground' Muse said this last snowkiting trip was 'the most dangerous thing I've ever done'. 'At some points, I was over 300 feet off the ground and kites are only just capable of flying like that. 'Kites aren't really designed for that kind of height so if one part of the system failed I could have died. Muse first got into snowkiting in 2011 when, rather than driving or catching the bus, he decided to hitchhike his way to the canyons in his native Utah. He said: 'I was just looking for an adventure when this kid from Maui picked me up as he was headed to the same mountain. 'We ended up riding together for the day. Later in the afternoon he asked if I wanted to go try kiteboarding. 'At some points, I was over 300 feet off the ground and kites are only just capable of flying like that,' said Muse. 'Kites aren't really designed for that kind of height so if one part of the system failed I could have died' Muse first got into snowkiting in 2011 when, while hitchhiking his way to the canyons in his native Utah, he met a fellow boarder from Maui. 'We ended up riding together for the day,' Muse said. 'Later in the afternoon he asked if I wanted to go try kiteboarding' Muse said from that day on he knew kiteboarding was 'something I was going to pursue with a passion' 'At that point I had only seen kiteboarding on the internet but it looked like something I would absolutely love! 'From that day on I knew it was something I was going to pursue with passion.' And Muse has continued to do just that . He said: 'I'm relentlessly positive. 'This was an amazing trip and the video tells the story really well. It was like I was flying. The snowkiter said his video 'tells the story really well' and said there were times in the air he felt like he was flying . Muse has always loved the mountains and said his passion has not only fueled a thrilling drive for extreme sports, it's also repaired family ties . 'The ability to go up hills or mountains and snowboard down or just legitimately fly off them is the most amazing feeling. 'I have had an incredible amount of adventures and small world experiences. I am 26 and doing my best to live the happiest more adventurous life possible.' Muse has always loved the mountains. But he said his passion has not only fueled a thrilling drive for extreme sports, it's also repaired family ties. 'I knew I loved the mountains so I took a Ski Patrol course. Muse introduced his mom, a former drug addict and alcoholic, to rock climbing one summer. He said the experience showed her 'she could experience happiness without being high'. She has since been sober for three years . After seeing his family life turn around, Muse is now focusing on pursuing his snowkiting career and hopes to compete professionally . 'That summer I took my Mom, a former drug addict and alcoholic, rock climbing. 'This showed her she could experience happiness without being high. She got sober and I went to New Hampshire to ski patrol. She has been completely sober for three years.' After seeing his family life turn around, Muse is now focusing on pursuing his snowkiting career and hopes to compete professionally. 'It's what I love. I'd really like to compete and take my snowkiting career to the next level. It's just a matter of getting to a competition and having the funding to do so.' 'It's what I love,' he said. 'I'd really like to compete and take my snowkiting career to the next level. It's just a matter of getting to a competition and having the funding to do so' Muse said he is 'relentlessly positive' and does his best to live 'the happiest most adventurous life possible' 'The ability to go up hills or mountains and snowboard down or just legitimately fly off them is the most amazing feeling,' he said. 'I have had an incredible amount of adventures and small world experiences' | Snowkiting is mash-up of snowboarding, wakeboarding and parasailing and uses kite power to glide on snow or ice .
Extreme sports enthusiast Andrew Muse, 26, documented his heart-dropping stunts, jumps, dips and spins .
Muse said this trip was 'most dangerous thing I've ever done'
'Kites aren't really designed for that kind of height so if one part of the system failed I could have died' |
Keywords: <keyword>CARMAGEDDON GAME</keyword>, <keyword>CONTROVERSIAL VIDEOGAME</keyword>, <keyword>KILLING PEDESTRIANS</keyword>, <keyword>GAME REFUSED</keyword>, <keyword>SOURCED KICKSTARTER</keyword>, <keyword>WHEEL SUPERCAR</keyword>, <keyword>HERO ORIGINAL</keyword>, <keyword>CONTROVERSY UK</keyword>, <keyword>CERTIFICATE BBFC</keyword>, <keyword>MILLION</keyword>
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:52 EST, 10 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:47 EST, 11 May 2012 . The 'hero' is a grinning maniac behind the wheel of a supercar - and 'winning' means killing as many pedestrians as possible - but ultra-controversial videogame Carmageddon might be unleashed on another generation of teenagers. A Kickstarter 'crowd sourced' funding page has launched, seeking funds for a sequel to the game, which was the first game ever to be refused a certificate by the BBFC in 1997. The game sparked huge controversy in the UK, with vehicles reducing pedestrians to gory slush, and players awarded points for killing as many as possible. At the time, now-defunct game maker SCi said, 'It is violence that sells.' The original Carmageddon was the first game ever to be refused a certificate by the BBFC - but went on to sell two million copies . Pedestrians meet a grisly end in the game, billed as 'the nastiest ever' The game focused on causing car crashes - and gamers could score bonus points for running over pedestrians . An increasing number of games are now funded via the 'crowd sourced' Kickstarter websites, where fans of games or films can pledge money to have a sequel made. The Carmageddon project has already secured $160,000 in funding. 'Max Damage is back,' says the new maker - referring to the game's psychotic anti-hero. The original game deliberately courted controversy with 'bonuses' including one entitled 'Drugs', which turned the screen psychedelic colours. 'Carmageddon: Reincarnation is going to reintroduce the gaming world to the original freeform driving sensation, where pedestrians (and cows) equal points and your opponents are a bunch of crazies in a twisted mix of automotive killing machines. It’s the racing game where racing is for wimps.' Despite the controversy, the game sold two million copies. The original team behind the controversial game are seeking funding for a new sequel . The developer, Stainless Games, was forced to 'recut' the game with zombies instead of pedestrians - although 'patches' were widely available online, which restored the original bloodshed. ;After years of negotiation, the original founders of Stainless recently bought back ALL the rights to Carmageddon,' says Stainless Games today. 'So now it’s back in its rightful home, we’ve embarked on the journey that will reboot the brand, and we want YOU to join us on that journey.' | Game where drivers were rewarded for killing innocent pedestrians .
First game to be refused a certificate by BBFC in 1997 .
Billed as 'nastiest driving game in the world'
Sold two million copies .
Sequel has now secured funding via Kickstarter 'crowd funding' website . |
Keywords: <keyword>ST HELENA</keyword>, <keyword>REMOTE ISLANDS</keyword>, <keyword>ATOLL ARRIVING</keyword>, <keyword>RETURN SAILING</keyword>, <keyword>ANGOLA NEAREST</keyword>, <keyword>NIGHTS CAPE</keyword>, <keyword>TOURISTS CHANCE</keyword>, <keyword>COMMENCE SOUTH</keyword>, <keyword>JUST MILES</keyword>, <keyword>JAMESTOWN CLIMATE</keyword>
Over 1,200 miles from Angola, its nearest landmass, St Helena is one of the world's most remote islands. Currently, the only way to get to the South Atlantic British Overseas Territory is a five-night voyage aboard the RMS St Helena, a 155-berth passenger ship and cargo carrier, and one of the last ocean-going vessels still to carry the title. But all this will change next February, when an airport is scheduled to open, and flights will commence from South Africa and the UK. Scroll down for video . A travel company is offering tourists the chance to set sail on the St Helena before she is retired, and visitors to the island will arrive by air . So a travel company is offering those with an adventurous spirit - and sturdy sea legs - the chance to set sail on the St Helena before she is retired. The return sailing from Cape Town, a journey of 1,200 miles, takes five nights each way, with the voyage being as much a part of the St Helena experience as exploration of the island. As it is likely that some St Helenians will be on board, tourists will have the chance to learn about the fascinating atoll before arriving. St Helena - which is just ten miles long - is home to remote and unspoilt wilderness and enjoys mild temperatures between 20-27°C. Britain's second oldest remaining of the British Overseas Territories, after Bermuda, it has a population of just 4,255. Red-roofed houses in upper Jamestown. The climate of the island is mild with temperatures staying between 20 and 27C throughout the year . Discovered in 1502, the island was stopover for ships sailing to Europe from Asia and South Africa, and Napoleon was imprisoned there by the British. Longwood House was Napoleon's home during the last years of his life and is now a museum. The 20-day tour offered by Discover the World also includes a unique hosted farm stay in a former East India Company plantation owner's home and offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy the island's scenery and historic sites by car. Also included is a 4WD guided tour of the island's less accessible areas and a wildlife cruise. Managing Director, Clive Stacey, said: 'There are so few places left on the planet that enjoy the veneers of modern civilization but yet are so unaffected by the stresses these can produce.' 'Although this is fascinating to observe it is not in itself a reason to undertake the long sea journey but combine this with the spectacular vistas and unique and friendly society, soon to be thrust into the modern world with the airport opening, then a trip to St Helena should be at the top of any bucket list,' added Stacey. Island life: Saint Helena is Britain's second oldest remaining of the British Overseas Territories, after Bermuda . The 20-night holiday on set departure dates is available from now through to March 2016 from £3,619pp (two sharing) including 10 nights on the RMS St Helena (full board), two nights in Cape Town, eight nights' hotel accommodation on St Helena with breakfast, six days car rental, half-day wildlife cruise and a 4WD excursion. www.discover-the-world.co.uk . Discover the World's 20-day itinerary offers a hosted farm stay and taking in the island's unique wildlife, scenery and historic sites . High Knoll fort, just south of historic lower Jamestown. The island's first airport is scheduled to open in February 2016 . The colourful houses of Jamestown. Discovered in 1502, St Helena was a stopover for ships sailing to Europe from Asia and South Africa . The island is soon to be thrust into the modern world with the airport opening, so a trip to St Helena should be at the top of any bucket list . The St Helena is a 155-berth passenger liner and cargo carrier and one of the last ocean-going vessels to carry the RMS title . Adventurous travellers can take the return sailing from Cape Town, a journey of 1,200 miles, takes five nights each way . The once-in-a-lifetime trip includes a guided tour of the island's less accessible areas and a wildlife cruise . Authentic: Visitors can stay in a former plantation owner's home as part of the fascinating trip . Longwood House, Napoleon Bonaparte's former home is now open to the public as a museum . | Tropical British Territory, St Helena, is situated 1,200 miles away from Angola, in middle of the South Atlantic sea .
For decades, the only way to reach the fascinating island has been a five-night journey onboard the RMS St Helena .
With a new airport scheduled to open in February 2016, this year is the last chance tourists can take the iconic trip . |
Keywords: <keyword>MASTERCHEF COURTNEY</keyword>, <keyword>STRIPPER PHILADELPHIA</keyword>, <keyword>CONTESTANTS</keyword>, <keyword>ENTERTAINER YEAR</keyword>, <keyword>TRADED DANCING</keyword>, <keyword>LAPRESI PERFORMED</keyword>, <keyword>ELLIOT MEAL</keyword>, <keyword>JUDGES GORDON</keyword>, <keyword>BREAST CHERRY</keyword>, <keyword>DELILAH TWICE</keyword>
A former stripper from Philadelphia who traded dancing for dicing shocked everyone last night when she was named the latest winner of the FOX reality competition cooking program MasterChef. Courtney Lapresi, who originally hails from from Geneva, New York, walked away with $250,000 and a book deal after wowing judges Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot with her meal of crispy pig's ear, sumac duck breast, and cherry meringue. Most of the talk this season had less to do with the 25-year-old's talent however, and more to do with her exotic former job. Scroll down for video . Winner: Courtney Lapresi (above) was named the newest winner of Masterchef last night,taking home $250,000 and scoring a cook book deal . Wild past: Courtney was foemerly a stripper at Philadelphia gentlemen's club Delilah's, where she went by the name 'Winter' While getting her degree in dance at Philadelphia's University of the Arts, Lapresi worked at Delilah's, a popular gentlemen's club. In fact, Lapresi also performed well in competition there, winning the club's Entertainer of the Year contest twice according to Philly.com. When performing, she went by the name 'Winter.' And now, the girl who never went to culinary school has won big again, beating out fellow contestants Leslie Gilliams and Elizabeth Cauvel to take the top prize during last night's finale. Constant winner: In addition to winning MasterChef, lapresi was also named Entertainer of the Year at stip club Delilah's twice . Lapresi called her time on the show a 'once-in-a-lifetime experience and a life-changing one.' Her cookbook will be released next year. | Courtney Lapresi was named the newest winner of MasterChef last night .
The 25-year-old formerly worked as a stripper in Philadelphia .
With her win she will get $250,000 and a deal for a cookbook to be released next year . |
Keywords: <keyword>STRIKER ROQUE</keyword>, <keyword>KNOWS BLACKBURN</keyword>, <keyword>FOLLOWED ROVERS</keyword>, <keyword>CRUZ SCORED</keyword>, <keyword>SIGNINGS JANUARY</keyword>, <keyword>GOALS SEASONS</keyword>, <keyword>TEVEZ</keyword>, <keyword>BELIEVES SANTA</keyword>, <keyword>MANCINI WEEK</keyword>, <keyword>LOAN REST</keyword>
(CNN) -- Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz hopes to revive his stalled career after securing a return to his old stomping ground at English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers. The 29-year-old has left high-flying Manchester City on loan for the rest of this season, having failed to make an impact following his $28 million move from Blackburn in mid-2009. "I feel like I am coming home. This has been the easiest decision of my career," he told the Blackburn website on Friday. "I want to get playing and scoring goals again, and this is a real chance for me to prove myself after a frustrating period. Everyone knows what Blackburn Rovers means to me." Santa Cruz scored 29 goals in two seasons at Ewood Park after joining on a free transfer from German club Bayern Munich, and he followed former Rovers manager Mark Hughes to City. Who will be the bargain signings of the January sales? But he initially struggled with injury and failed to impress Hughes' successor Roberto Mancini as Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Mario Balotelli and recent signing Edin Dzeko have taken precedence. Mancini has this week also allowed former England defender Wayne Bridge to join the Premier League's bottom club West Ham on loan for the rest of this season. Blackburn have missed out with ambitious bids for Ronaldinho and David Beckham since Venky's took over the club, but manager Steve Kean believes the move for Santa Cruz is proof of the Indian owners' commitment to success. "That is something that shows the fans we can now go and compete, and we can see off other teams -- not only in this country but abroad," he said. Italian club Genoa have signed Argentina international striker Mauro Boselli on loan until the end of this season from struggling English club Wigan. The 25-year-old has struggled to make an impact since joining from Estudiantes, where he was top scorer in last season's Primera Clasura. "At the moment he is not in a position where he can help the club, and I am confident he will come back a better and stronger player after his stay in Italy," Wigan's Spanish manager Roberto Martinez told the club's website. South Africa's World Cup midfielder Steven Pienaar is expected to leave English club Everton after manager David Moyes revealed on Friday that a bid had been accepted for the player. The 28-year-old, who has been linked with Tottenham and Inter Milan, is out of contract at the end of this season, and has turned down a new deal. "We have had two offers -- one of which has been accepted -- and we have given permission for his representatives to speak to the club involved," Moyes told the Everton website. | Blackburn bring Roque Santa Cruz back to Ewood Park from Manchester City .
Paraguayan signs on loan until the end of this season, having left in mid-2009 .
Argentina international Mauro Boselli moves to Italy on loan with Genoa .
South Africa World Cup star Steven Pienaar expected to leave English club Everton . |
Keywords: <keyword>MEDWAY FOUNDATION</keyword>, <keyword>NHS BOSS</keyword>, <keyword>LANGLEY EMPLOYED</keyword>, <keyword>PAID RATE</keyword>, <keyword>CONSULTING DIRECTOR</keyword>, <keyword>COVER EXPENSES</keyword>, <keyword>MARITIME HOSPITAL</keyword>, <keyword>ISSUES TRUST</keyword>, <keyword>DUTIES AVERAGE</keyword>, <keyword>CONTRACT REVEAL</keyword>
By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . An NHS boss is on a pay deal worth £190,000-a-year to work as little as one day a week. Christopher Langley was appointed chairman of Medway Foundation Trust after it was put into special measures. Details of his contract reveal he is paid more than £170,000, plus another £17,000 in expenses, for working ‘an average of one or two days a week’. Chris Langley has been employed on a deal worth almost £200,000 in pay and expenses to be chairman of Medway Foundation Trust which runs Medway Maritime Hospital in Kent . Health groups have condemned the huge deal, worth enough to pay for more than eight nurses. The health watchdog Monitor appointed Mr Langley in February after the hospital trusts was found to have higher-than-expected death rates and failing on patient safety. The one-year initial contract sets out how he is paid through a company, Trust and West Easton Consulting Ltd, of which he is a director. He receives £14,400 in pay each month, plus expenses worth 10 per cent of his salary, at £1,440. Over a year it is worth £190,080. By comparison, Mr Langley’s predecessor received just £40,000 to £45,000. Mr Langley’s contract states: ‘Remuneration will be paid at the rate of £12,000 plus VAT per month, invoiced monthly in advance to the Trust by WECL. ‘A fixed monthly amount of 10 per cent of the fee plus VAT will be charged to the Trust to cover expenses. ‘Under these terms, there is no entitlement to compensation for loss of office.’ The contract adds that he must devote ‘sufficient time to ensure satisfactory discharge’ of his duties. ‘This should be an average of one or two days a week (including time spent attending meetings and preparing for meetings of the Board or the Council of Governors either at Trust premises or elsewhere).’ Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, condemned the 'astonishing' pay deal . In addition to being a director and shareholder of West Eaton Consulting Ltd, Mr Langley is also a business partner at 38 Devonshire Street, a private dental practice in London. He is a director of OM Interactive Ltd, which sells multi-sensory equipment, Asteral Ltd, which sells medical equipment to the NHS, and seminars@thirtyeight limited, which hosts public speakers at the dental practice. Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, told the Telegraph: ‘It is alarming that such vast sums of money are being spent in this way. ‘At a time when the NHS is under such huge financial pressures, this type of waste is unacceptable. ’She added it was ‘shocking that such vast sums of money can be claimed without having to produce receipts.’ Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing said: “It’s astonishing to see how liberally the NHS is still prepared to dish out pay packages like this. ‘At a time when nurses are struggling to make ends meet, these are eye-watering sums of money.’ A spokesman for Monitor said: ‘When we took action in February, Medway was one of the most challenged foundation trusts in the country and faced a range of serious issues. ‘The trust needed the right people in place to make the urgent improvements needed for its patients, which is why the interim chair and chief executive were appointed.’ | Christopher Langley appointed chairman of Medway Foundation Trust .
Troubled hospital put into special measures after concerns on patient care .
Paid £12,000+VAT each month, plus another 10% in expenses .
He must devote 'sufficient time' to role, average of 'one or two days a week' |
Keywords: <keyword>ROYAL ASCOT</keyword>, <keyword>HATS WORN</keyword>, <keyword>DRESS CODE</keyword>, <keyword>PEERAGE EVENTS</keyword>, <keyword>SPORTING EVENTS</keyword>, <keyword>ENGLISH WEATHER</keyword>, <keyword>UNLESS CENTRE</keyword>, <keyword>BEWARE WASHOUTS</keyword>, <keyword>GOODWOOD STARTS</keyword>, <keyword>STRICT DEFINITION</keyword>
(CNN) -- Two World Wars have been fought, Empires lost, the atom split, the worldwide web invented and social media proliferated, but all the while a unique set of quintessential English sporting events have remained in their own self-regulated time warp, with only minor concessions to modernity. Glorious Goodwood and Royal Ascot, Henley Royal Regatta and Wimbledon, Cowes Week and Polo at the Guard's Club at Windsor are an integral part of the "English Season" where royal patronage and tradition are the key ingredients and woe betide any attempt to change them. "These events are set in aspic," leading social commentator Peter York told CNN. So that means a strict dress code, certainly if you want to be allowed into the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot or its equivalent at Glorious Goodwood, which starts on Tuesday. Top hat and tails at the former, Panama hats de rigeur at the latter. Jeans or shorts? Don't bother to try, you will be ever so politely turned away. Dress code . For ladies, hats should be worn and dresses and skirts "should be of a modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer," according to the official Royal Ascot website. It's no different at Henley, but entry to the Stewards' Enclosure is restricted to members only and invites to the Royal Box at Wimbledon to watch Andy Murray strut his stuff are limited to the great and the good. With all those barriers to overcome just to be seen in the right place, it's even more surprising that in York's opinion the majority of the people at these iconic sporting events, could not care a jot about the sport itself. "That's the thing about the English social season, it's just a pretext to have a good time, a lot of people spending a lot of time not watching but eating and drinking and having a generally good time," he said. So while top jockeys wrestle with the cream of thoroughbred racehorses, Olympic and world rowing champions strain every sinew down the Straight Course at Henley and Roger Federer plays a sublime cross court winner at Wimbledon, the cry will come up "more Pimms please." According to official figures, 45,000 pints of Pimms -- a quintessential British summer drink -- were consumed at Royal Ascot alone, not to mention 51,000 bottles of champagne. Social events . York, renowned for his wry and sometimes acerbic observations of the upper classes, could be accused of exaggeration, but he is only repeating a famous observation of former monarch King Edward VII, who described horse racing at Goodwood as "a garden party with some racing tacked on!" Edward was renowned for his flamboyant lifestyle, but like his great grand daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, he had a genuine interest and love of racing and horses, so perhaps he did bother to watch, particularly as he owned some of the contenders. For others said York, "it's the chance to wear splendid clothes and do some social climbing." Having the right connections as well as sticking to the rules, the other key requirement is a stoicism and stiff upper lip in the face of the inclement and unpredictable English weather. So beware washouts at Wimbledon (unless you are at Centre Court where there is a roof), high heels stuck in the mud on the Polo field at the Guard's Club, boaters blown off in the wind at Henley, or choppy waters for the spectator flotilla at Cowes. For the dedicated "sports fans" who battle the elements, it's all worth it to rub shoulders with the right type of person and soak up the very Englishness of it all -- not to mention have a very good lunch. Glorious Goodwood . The sporting part of the "season" comes to an end with Glorious Goodwood and Cowes, but with Britain's rare heatwave proving an exception to the rule, attendances are booming. 120,000 people plus are expected at Goodwood this week and York believes the festival's success is deserved because of the work of Lord March, the heir apparent to the Duke of Richmond, who owns the race course and the vast estate. "It is especially interesting, it isn't just a race course, it belongs to a real live person with a real live family influence," added York. "There's just so much to do, it's a wonderful place and you will never be bored, it's loved by the discriminating." March, who took the reins from his father in 1994 has diversified to run the Goodwood Festival of Speed and a vintage car revival event, both incredibly popular. While not by strict definition part of the "English Season," as defined by Debrett's Peerage, the events have become an unofficial part of the social season and a must for those hoping to catch the eye for any number of reasons. Debutantes delight . By repute, the "English Season" was apparently designed to allow Members of Parliament and the House of Lords, the ruling class, the chance to amuse themselves while stuck in London rather than on their country estates. But its real purpose became to introduce their daughters, debutantes, into the social scene after being officially presented to the reigning monarch at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth II ended the tradition, curtseys and all, in 1958, fearing it had become outdated in a period of rapid social change. But young women, still encouraged by their parents to meet an appropriate member of the opposite sex and preferably of the same class, continued to flock to Ascot and the others events in their droves. And a new breed of "debuntante" emerged, the "Sloane Ranger," young women who mainly frequented the exclusive south west area of London around Chelsea and South Kensington. They were epitomized by Lady Diana Spencer, who was to marry Prince Charles in 1981 and become an iconic global figure. York and his co-author Ann Barr captured the mood of the times perfectly in their 1982 best seller "The Official Sloane Ranger Guide" which sold over a million copies and acquired cult status. Sloane Rangers . By repute, "Sloane Rangers" loved equestrian events, so Badminton Horse Trials, the Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, all part of the English Season, were very much in vogue. Ironically, despite sporting the traditional tweed and green welly look, Princess Diana did not enjoy country pursuits of her followers, but did attend Wimbledon to present the trophy at the 1995 men's singles championship, won by Pete Sampras. Her tragic death in 1997 left a nation in morning, but the "Sloane Ranger" style and their male equivalents, cruelly named "Hooray Henrys" persisted. York updated the earlier offering with "Cooler, Faster, More Expensive" in 2007, co-written with Olivia Stewart-Liberty, and current British Prime Minister David Cameron was in his sights. "He's the classic male Sloane Ranger," York said. Not surprising then to see Cameron frequenting the Royal Box at Wimbledon to cheer on Murray to victory this year, although to be fair his arch political rivals Scottish Nationalist leader Alex Salmond and Ed Miliband, the leader of the Labour Party opposition in the UK parliament, were also watching. Global super-rich . With the global super rich now buying up large chunks of London property, "Knightsbridge is a branch of Dubai or Bahrain, Mayfair is for the Russians," observed York, the clientele at some of England's sporting jewels in the crown has also changed. Overseas visitors are also a growing feature. "These events are steeped and tradition and history and cannot be replicated anywhere in the world," said Rebecca Holloway, head of PR at VisitEngland. "To experience one of these events, is to experience a true insight into English culture, pomp and ceremony and all," she added. As Holloway says, impossible to recreate, with heritage dating back to the 19th century, one suspects that even in 100 years time the essential elements that make up the England's sporting summer will remain largely untouched and perhaps the better for it. | Sporting events integral to English social "season"
Glorious Goodwood, Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and Henley Regatta are main events .
All quintessential English events with unique heritage and tradition .
Royal patronage a key ingredient . |
Keywords: <keyword>FISH FROG</keyword>, <keyword>FISHERMAN GOT</keyword>, <keyword>JAMES CAUGHT</keyword>, <keyword>ANGLER ANGUS</keyword>, <keyword>GREEN TREE</keyword>, <keyword>SIGHTING WEEKEND</keyword>, <keyword>GRASS BLINKED</keyword>, <keyword>FACE CROAKY</keyword>, <keyword>GUINEA INTRODUCED</keyword>, <keyword>TOWNSVILLE FAR</keyword>
By . Sarah Dean . He'd already scooped a prize catch and then he got a real surprise. Opening the mouth of a glistening jungle perch to pull out his lure, angler Angus James discovered a bright green tree frog inside the fish's mouth. And the Australian amphibian looked more than happy just where he was - with what looked like a smug smile on his face. Croaky throat: Angler Angus James found a green tree frog inside the mouth of a jungle perch while fishing at the weekend in Townsville, Queensland . 'I was shocked. I thought it might have been green grass at first, then it blinked,' the professional field fisherman told News Limited. Mr James caught the fish - together with the frog - in waters about an hour's north of Townsville, far north Queensland. But once the exotic amphibian had been disturbed he made his great escape - jumping straight over Mr James' head. Of course, that was not before Mr James had manged to take a swift picture of the incredible occurrence. The fishing enthusiast said: 'I always carry a camera so I took the pic and then he jumped out.' What a catch: The professional fisherman got more than he bargained for when he caught this jungle perch . The green tree fog is a species native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in New Zealand and the United States. Larger than most Australian frogs, it can reach 4 inches in length. There's no telling how long it had been nestled inside the jungle perch's mouth but the average lifespan of the frog in captivity is about 16 years. It is known to scream when it is in danger to scare off its foe, and squeaks when it is touched, but Mr Angus reported no such noises so presumably the frog was not too frightened by being discovered in its unlikely home. After his special sighting at the weekend, Mr James sent the photo to Reptiles magazine, which posted it on Facebook, earning 40,000 likes and 2000 comments. One impressed angler commented: 'He [the frog] looks like he's smiling. I guess I would be too if I were him.' | Angler Angus James found a green tree frog inside a jungle perch's mouth .
Fisherman got a surprise as he went to unhook the fish from his lure .
Quickly snapped a photo before the frog jumped out over his head .
The amphibian looked like it had a smug smile on its face . |
Keywords: <keyword>SELF DRIVING</keyword>, <keyword>NEVADA REGULATIONS</keyword>, <keyword>STATUS VEHICLES</keyword>, <keyword>VIEW DRIVERLESS</keyword>, <keyword>GOOGLE LICENCE</keyword>, <keyword>PUBLIC STREETS</keyword>, <keyword>CREATE VIRTUAL</keyword>, <keyword>SAFE SAFER</keyword>, <keyword>LASER RADAR</keyword>, <keyword>MODIFIED PRIUS</keyword>
Nevada drivers could soon be sharing the road with vehicles that don't need them. Department of Motor Vehicles officials said Monday they've issued Google the nation's first license to test self-driving cars on public streets, after conducting demonstrations on the Las Vegas Strip and in Carson City that show the car is as safe - or perhaps safer - than a human. For one thing, the engineers programed the car to create a ‘virtual buffer zone’ around obstacles, making it more aware than some drivers to boot. Scroll down for video . All the (road) rage: Nevada's DMV issued Google a licence allowing the world's first driverless car to drive on public streets . Motorised view: This is what a driverless car sees now that Google's Prius is allowed to roam the streets . 'It gets honked at more often because it's being safe,' Nevada DMV Director Bruce Breslow told the AP. Self-driving vehicle technology works like auto-pilot to guide a car - in this case a modified Prius - with little or no intervention from a human operator. Laser radar mounted on the roof and in the grill detects pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles, creating a virtual buffer zone around the obstacles that the car then avoids. While some envision the robotic car dropping off its operator at the front of the mall and hunting for a parking spot on its own, Mr Breslow said not so fast. Nevada's regulations require two people in the test cars at all times. A user, who is legally blind, sat behind the wheel during a recent test drive and showed off to the passengers that no hands were needed To date, Google's cars have gone about 700,000 miles (1.1 million km) in self-driving mode . One person is behind the wheel, while the other person monitors a computer screen that shows the car's planned route and keeps tabs on roadway hazards and traffic lights. If there's a glitch, the human driver can override the autonomous auto with a tap on the brake or a hand on the steering wheel. Last summer, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval took the car for a spin in and around the state's quiet capital city. But Las Vegas Boulevard, where costumed superheroes routinely take the crosswalks and massive billboards angle for the attention of starry-eyed tourists, was perhaps best suited to test the car's main purpose. Food run: Steve programmed the car to drive in for a quick bite to eat at a drive-thru . 'They're designed to avoid distracted driving,' Mr Breslow said. 'When you're on the Strip and there's a huge truck with a three scantily clad women on the side, the car only sees a box.' So far, Google's applied to license three test vehicles. Mr Breslow said the cars will display red plates and an infinity symbol to represent their status as vehicles of the future. Once they're ready for the market - something Mr Breslow guesses could come in three to five years - the plates will be green. | DMV gives Google first license to test self-driving Prius on public streets .
Car could be ready for market in as little as 3-5 years . |
Keywords: <keyword>CAPTIVES JORDANIAN</keyword>, <keyword>RISHAWI ISIS</keyword>, <keyword>RECORDING ISIS</keyword>, <keyword>KASSASBEH SAID</keyword>, <keyword>PRIORITY JORDAN</keyword>, <keyword>GOTO AL</keyword>, <keyword>PROOF LIFE</keyword>, <keyword>REPORTEDLY KILLED</keyword>, <keyword>PURPORTED DEADLINE</keyword>, <keyword>RELEASED RORY</keyword>
(CNN)As the sun set Thursday in the Middle East, did two ISIS captives -- one a Jordanian pilot, the other a Japanese journalist -- fall with it? That was the question following a new message, purportedly from the terrorist group, that pushed Jordan to bring convicted terrorist Sajida al-Rishawi to the Turkish border by 5:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. ET). If they didn't, according to the message, Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kassasbeh would be killed, followed soon thereafter by Kenji Goto of Japan. For days, Jordanian officials have said they're willing to swap al-Rishawi for al-Kassasbeh. Government spokesman Mohammed al-Momani reiterated as much late Thursday afternoon, about an hour before the purported deadline. He said Jordan is not about to pull off a deal yet, having received no proof that its pilot is still alive. "We need a proof of life so we can proceed," the government spokesman said. If Jordan gets such proof and releases al-Rishawi, it is not clear whether that would mean Goto also goes free. Or al-Kassasbeh, for that matter. So the drama continues, with so much unsettled and so much on the line. Early Friday, Japan's foreign minister described the situation as "still fluid and changing." "We need to continue to deal with this in a state of alert," Fumio Kishida told reporters. ISIS has shown its willingness to kill hostages before, the first being American journalist James Foley last summer and the latest being Haruna Yukawa, an aspiring security contractor from Japan reportedly killed last week. But is it willing to negotiate with governments that are fighting to stop its brutal, expansive campaign to expand what it calls the Islamic State? The drama is coming after the latest message posted by ISIS supporters, purportedly featuring Goto's voice. CNN could not independently confirm the authenticity of the latest message, which was read by a person claiming to be Goto and posted online by ISIS supporters. Al-Momani said that "the competent authorities (in his government) are still checking on the authenticity of the recent recording," state TV reported about two hours before the possible deadline. It follows another recording in which ISIS at first demanded $200 million to free Goto and Yukawa. A few days later, there was a new message -- this one with a man's voice claiming to be Goto, saying that the terror group was dropping its ransom request and instead demanding a swap of the Japanese journalist for al-Rishawi. In the third recording in this string, Goto purportedly gives Jordan 24 hours to release the convicted terrorist in "exchange for my life." Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh had said his country would release al-Rishawi if ISIS released al-Kassasbeh. Judeh has said that the Japanese journalist has not been forgotten. "Of course," Goto's release would be part of a prisoner exchange, Judeh said. But the priority for Jordan, he made clear, is al-Kassasbeh's freedom. Who are those involved in this complicated crisis involving several countries? • Al-Rishawi is an Iraqi prisoner on death row in Jordan for her role in 2005 bombings. • Goto, an experienced war journalist, has been at the center of several threats by ISIS since his capture. Last week, the group demanded $200 million from Japan in exchange for Goto and fellow Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa, an aspiring security contractor. Since then, ISIS has claimed Yukawa is dead, but Goto is still alive. • Al-Kassasbeh was captured by ISIS last month after the fighter jet he was flying crashed in Syria. ISIS says he's still alive, but Jordan's foreign minister told CNN his government has asked for a proof of life, but hasn't received it. They are not just captives, but people with loved ones desperately seeking their release. The 47-year-old Goto left Japan last fall, when his youngest of two daughters was a mere 3 weeks old. Now his family -- including his wife, Rinko, who heard from his captors first on December 2 and most recently in a Wednesday email with their "final demand" -- wants him back. "My husband is a good and honest man who went to Syria to show the plight of those who suffer," she said in a statement released through the Rory Peck Trust, a nonprofit focused on freelance journalists. "... "I beg the Jordanian and Japanese government to understand that the fates of both (Goto and al-Kassasbeh) are in their hands." Relatives of the Jordanian pilot -- captured after he ejected from his F-16 jet last month near Raqqa, the extremist group's de facto capital in Syria -- have also been outspoken, pressing officials in Amman to do all they can to secure his release. "I firmly ask whomever has sent Moaz to fight outside the borders of Jordan, on a mission unrelated to us, to make strong efforts to bring back Moaz," the captive's father, Safi al-Kassasbeh, said Tuesday, adding that he believes his son's situation and Goto's shouldn't be mixed up. Safi al-Kassasbeh made his case again Thursday evening, after the sunset deadline had passed. "I ask you in the name of God and his Prophet and all the believers and the names of tens of millions in Jordan and Palestine, in kindness, to release my son and the son of all Jordanians, who is your brother in the Islam religion and because forgiveness is a message of the Prophet," he told reporters. CNN's Hamdi Alkhshali, Jomana Karadsheh, Kareem Khadder, Caroline Faraj, Yoko Wakatsuki, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Will Ripley, Junko Ogura, Ben Brumfield and Karen Smith contributed to this report. Journalist Hadeel Ghanboun also contributed to this report. | Captive Jordanian pilot's father pleads for his release .
The sun sets Thursday in the Middle East, but the fates of 2 ISIS hostages are unclear .
Japanese hostage's wife pleads to Japanese and Jordanian governments . |
Keywords: <keyword>SELL NBA</keyword>, <keyword>NETS INVESTOR</keyword>, <keyword>OWNS BROOKLYN</keyword>, <keyword>BUSINESSMAN WORTH</keyword>, <keyword>BALLMER SPENT</keyword>, <keyword>NETS PERFORMANCE</keyword>, <keyword>RETAINED INVESTMENT</keyword>, <keyword>EVERCORE PARTNERS</keyword>, <keyword>FOUNDER GALATIOTO</keyword>, <keyword>SAID PROKHOROV</keyword>
The Russian billionaire who owns the Brooklyn Nets has decided to sell the NBA team amid concerns about its financial losses and performance on court, according to reports. Mikhail Prokhorov, 49, has apparently retained investment adviser Evercore Partners to sell his share of the basketball franchise, which he bought for a staggering $223million in May 2010. The businessman, who is worth an estimated $11.1billion, currently holds 80 per cent of the Nets, as well as 45 per cent of the Barclays Center, the club's two-and-a-half-year-old arena in New York. Of these, only the team is for sale, two sources close to the matter told Bloomberg News. Looking to sell? Mikhail Prokhorov (pictured) has retained investment adviser Evercore Partners to sell his share of the basketball franchise, which he bought for a staggering $223million in May 2010, it is claimed . 'It’s a unique asset which is going to garner national and international interest,' Sal Galatioto, founder of Galatioto Sports Partners, which has sold several NBA teams, told the broadcaster. According to valuations expert Peter Schwartz, the Nets is believed to be worth around $1.3billion. But its sale price could exceed $2billion - surpassing the amount that Microsoft's Steve Ballmer spent on the LA Clippers last year - because of its home in the No 1 US media market, Mr Schwartz said. The sale would also involve the buyer gaining control of the team. According to ESPN, sources have said Prokhorov's decision to sell up comes amid worries about the team's $144million loss in basketball-related business in the financial year 2013-14. This loss was a whopping $131million more than the next highest team, Grantland.com reported. Team: The businessman, who is worth an estimated $11.1billion, currently holds 80 per cent of the Nets (pictured: Brook Lopex, left), as well as 45 per cent of the Barclays Center, the club's arena in New York . Owner: Of these, only the team is for sale, two sources close to the matter said. Above, Prokhorov is pictured drinking champagne with American rapper and Nets investor Jay-Z, after he purchased the team in 2010 . Prokhorov, one of the world's richest men, is also said to be concerned about the Nets' performance on court. The team is currently in last place in the NBA Eastern Conference, with a record of 16-22. Despite the reports - all of which have stemmed from sources who have insisted on anonymity - Prokhorov's spokesman, Ellen Pinchuk, has denied that he the tycoon selling the Nets. 'As we have been saying for many months, team ownership is open to listening to offers,' she said. 'That’s part of the business. There is nothing imminent in terms of the sale of any stake in the team.' The rumors come seven months after Prokhorov was said to be listening to offers for the Nets, who have the highest payroll in the league at $91million. At the time, he denied any interest in selling. But in October, the Nets and Dodgers were reported to be discussing a merger of sorts that some believed would have been a straight sale. However, it later emerged that talks had broken down. In November, Prokhorov was noncommital about selling the Nets, telling the Washington Post: 'My position is that I will not give up control of the team. 'But you know, I am quite happy when somebody sending me a nice offer without taking my control of team. I think, for the time being, nothing is imminent, but still I think it’s not bad just to listen.' Denial: Prokhorov, who ran against Vladimir Putin (pictured) for president two years ago, denies the reports . Prokhorov, who ran against Vladimir Putin for Russian president two years ago, has lost more than $1billion since November, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This is due to the dramatic weakening of Russia's currency, the ruble, against the dollar last month after an interest rate hike led to panic among investors. If the reports are true, the Nets are the second NBA team to go on the market after the Atlanta Hawks, who were put up for sale on January 8. | Mikhail Prokhorov, 49, bought Brooklyn Nets for $223million in May 2010 .
He currently owns 80 per cent of club and 40 per cent of Barclay Center .
Has reportedly retained Evercore Partners to sell his share in franchise .
Comes amid concerns over team's performance and finances, it is said .
Nets' home in No 1 US media market 'could see it sell for over $2billion'
Prokhorov, who once ran for Russian President, has denied the reports . |
Keywords: <keyword>LOCATIONS EXPLOSIVES</keyword>, <keyword>PARIS AFP</keyword>, <keyword>REPORT FRENCH</keyword>, <keyword>STORES WARNING</keyword>, <keyword>REPORTED DYNAMITE</keyword>, <keyword>PRANK LETTER</keyword>, <keyword>POLICE DID</keyword>, <keyword>AGENCY ALERTED</keyword>, <keyword>PRINTEMPS DEPARTMENT</keyword>, <keyword>OBTAINED CNN</keyword>
PARIS, France (CNN) -- Police evacuated a major department store in central Paris Tuesday after finding five sticks of dynamite inside, French police told CNN. Paris's Printemps department store, which has been hit by a security alert, pictured last month. CNN affiliate BFM-TV reported the dynamite was not rigged to explode, but police did not immediately confirm the report. French news agency AFP said it received a letter in the mail Tuesday morning, claiming to be from an Afghan revolutionary group and saying that a bomb was at the renowned Printemps department store. The news agency alerted the police, who evacuated the store, AFP told CNN. The letter specified three locations where explosives had been placed, and urged the news agency to contact the police "quickly or you will have blood on your hands," according to a copy of the letter obtained by CNN which AFP confirmed was accurate. "I assure you that this is not a prank," the letter said. The bomb squad found the dynamite around 11 a.m. (5 a.m. ET), police said. It is not clear if the explosives were found where the letter said they would be. See where Printemps is located in Paris » . AFP said the letter was signed by a group called "Front Revolutionaires Afghan," or Afghan Revolutionary Front. BFM-TV reported the group is calling for the withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan by the end of February 2009. "Make sure the message is relayed to your president of the republic that he withdraw his troops from our country (Afghanistan) before the end of February 2009 or we will strike again your capitalist department stores but without warning," the letter said. It is the second time in a week that AFP has received a warning about the store. The agency said it received a phone call from a similar Afghan group a few days ago regarding the store, but at the time, police chose not to evacuate. Printemps, one of France's most renowned stores, is popular with tourists and locals alike and located on the Boulevard Haussman. Most of the store reopened later in the day, although the area where the dynamite was found remained closed. Jim Bittermann, CNN's senior European correspondent based in Paris, said: "These kind of stores at this time of year are absolutely packed with shoppers." He added that France has a considerable number of troops in Afghanistan. In August, 10 French soldiers were killed in fighting near the Afghan capital Kabul. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said earlier this year that his government was willing to commit more troops to the war in Afghanistan. "We cannot afford to see the Taliban and al Qaeda returning to Kabul," Sarkozy said during a state visit to the UK in March. "Whatever the cost, however difficult the victory, we cannot afford it. We must win." Paula Newton, CNN's international security correspondent, said that the group involved was previously unheard of. "This may be termed a hoax attack but it will cause real anxiety on the ground." CNN's Jim Bittermann and Niki Cook contributed to this report . | Bomb squad found the suspicious package around 11 a.m. (5 a.m. ET)
Police: Could not confirm French TV reports that package contained dynamite .
Printemps is an upscale department store on the Boulevard Haussman .
Alert came after letter from group claiming Afghan links, criticizes Sarkozy . |
Keywords: <keyword>CASINO IMPLOSION</keyword>, <keyword>DEMOLITION EXTENDED</keyword>, <keyword>DEMOLISH LAS</keyword>, <keyword>HOTEL TOWER</keyword>, <keyword>VEGAS PROPERTIES</keyword>, <keyword>DROPPED STORIES</keyword>, <keyword>ATTACHED CRANE</keyword>, <keyword>WEST METHOD</keyword>, <keyword>SAFETY HAZARD</keyword>, <keyword>STAYED CLARION</keyword>
In the end, it took an Old West method for demolition workers to topple the final tower left standing after a Las Vegas casino implosion. The 13-hour saga came to a close after the building was lassoed with steel cables attached to a crane that then pulled and pulled until the elevator shaft of the Clarion hotel-casino came tumbling down. 'The building is finally down,' site owner Lorenzo Doumani announced late yesterday afternoon. More than 4,000 pounds of explosives were used to demolish the Clarion before sunrise Tuesday. Demolition workers toppled the final tower left standing in the Las Vegas Clarion hotel-casino implosion by using a 'lasso trick' with a crane that was reminiscent of the Old West . After the first explosion, the concrete block structure (pictured here after finally getting pulled down) had dropped four stories and was left standing at a height of 100 feet . The building was lassoed with steel cables attached to a crane that then pulled and pulled until the elevator shaft came tumbling down . Crews had to use cables and a crane because no wrecking balls were immediately available and the the remainder of the building, which was leaning, was considered a safety hazard . After the dust cleared, the concrete block structure had dropped four stories and was left standing at a height of 100 feet. There were no wrecking balls immediately available and the the remainder of the building, which was leaning, was considered a safety hazard. So crews went to their Plan B - cables and a crane, as seen on a video posted to YouTube. The 12-story Clarion casino-hotel, which opened its doors in 1970 and was briefly owned by actress Debbie Reynolds, became the 13th hotel to gain implosion infamy in Sin City. Ready to rumble: With the sound of slot machines blurring out the noise, more than 4,000 pounds of explosives were used to demolish a Las Vegas hotel early Tuesday . Steeped in history: The 200-room casino-hotel first opened as the Royal Inn and was called the Debbie Reynolds - for its one-time owner . Behind-the-scenes: The implosion required several months of planning and 4,400 pounds of explosives, said Anthony O. Schlecht, safety coordinator for Las Vegas-based Burke Construction . Dust everywhere: Preparation for the demolition extended to covering nearby pools, including at the neighboring Marriott hotel . Doumani, a developer who purchased the property in October for $22.5 million in cash, plans to build a 60-story hotel tower that could be the tallest occupied building on the Strip. There would be no condos or casino. 'Instead of trying to compete with everybody, you have to have something unique,' he said. And that uniqueness could involve catering to convention-goers, including incorporating untraditional office-space to appeal to companies that frequent Las Vegas for conventions. He said he hopes to have a plan in place by the end of the year and doesn't expect any kind of opening before 2018. Doumani said he'll be posting updates to 305CCD.com including video of Tuesday's implosion. He watched the demolition - which lasted around ten seconds - with his family. After listening to a pre-implosion soundtrack of Frank Sinatra the group, flanked by two showgirls, did a countdown to the Clarion's final seconds at nearly 3am, . The 200-room casino-hotel first opened as the Royal Inn and was called the Debbie Reynolds - for its one-time owner - as well as the Greek Isles and the Paddle Wheel. Bright future: Lorenzo Doumani, a developer who purchased the property in October for $22.5 million in cash, plans to build a 60-story hotel tower that could be the tallest occupied building on The Strip . Amanda Dickerson had never stayed at the Clarion or any of its incarnations, but she reveled in its demise early Tuesday morning after traveling from Ripon, Wisconsin, to check an unlikely item off her life's bucket list: witness a building implosion in person. 'We don't do this in Wisconsin,' she said after the dust had almost settled. 'It was truly amazing.' Dickerson, 35, her boyfriend Pete Kuhn, 38, and Las Vegas local Cherie DeWilde, who first alerted her friend to the impending implosion, had been scoping out the casino-hotel earlier Monday when they got to talking with the construction crew. After telling their tale, the trio earned an exclusive invite to watch the building crumble from across the street alongside the developer, his family, friends and members of the press. 'It was one of the best experiences of my life,' Dickerson said. Pointing to the leftover rubble, Kuhn joked that it resembled something else. 'That also looks like our wallet this week,' he said. What took seconds to destroy required several months of planning and 4,400 pounds of explosives, said Anthony O. Schlecht, safety coordinator for Las Vegas-based Burke Construction who said the preparation extended to covering nearby pools, including at the neighboring Marriott hotel. It's been a while since a casino-hotel was felled by controlled explosives. Between 2004 and 2007, six Vegas properties were brought down, but in the eight years since, the only Strip-side implosions were the segment of the Tropicana and a parking structure. Flashback: The casino-hotel (seen here in 2007) was also known as the Greek Isles and the Paddle Wheel during its time . The Clarion was no marquee property on the scale of a Stardust, which was imploded eight years ago, or a Dunes, which made way for the Bellagio. 'It's a little harder to gin up the same degree of interest,' said University of Nevada, Las Vegas history professor Michael Green of the Clarion's less noteworthy impending implosion. Doumani said he knows this isn't a landmark property. Perhaps appropriately, Doumani watched the implosion of the casino-hotel he bought last year from a parking lot that paved over the spot where the Landmark casino-hotel once stood, before it was demolished in 1995. Instead the Clarion, off the Strip across from the area's convention center, has had several names and had fallen into bankruptcy nearly as many times, he said. 'It is not a storied site,' he said. He said it was the building itself, and rooms that resembled cubicles, that didn't work, not the location. Its proximity both to the Strip and to the convention center appealed to Doumani. He will now work on financing the rebuild as he waits for nearby development to come to fruition. | Demolition workers 'lassoed' the building with steel cables they attached to a crane, and then pulled until the elevator shaft came toppling down .
First explosion brought it down four stories but still standing at 100 feet .
The 12-story casino-hotel opened its doors in 1970 and was briefly owned by actress Debbie Reynolds .
Developer Lorenzo Doumani plans to build a 60-story hotel tower that could be tallest occupied building on the Strip in its place . |
Keywords: <keyword>NHS PAY</keyword>, <keyword>NHS MANAGERS</keyword>, <keyword>SALARIES HEALTH</keyword>, <keyword>HEALTH SECRETARY</keyword>, <keyword>SALARY HIKES</keyword>, <keyword>ENGLAND CHIEF</keyword>, <keyword>PAID ROLES</keyword>, <keyword>BLAME MINISTERS</keyword>, <keyword>NICHOLSON SAID</keyword>, <keyword>MANAGERS REDUNDANT</keyword>
By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 07:59 EST, 5 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:35 EST, 5 November 2013 . Defence: NHS England chief Sir David Nicholson said six-figure salaries were needed to attract 'top drawer' managers . Hospital bosses deserve their six-figure salaries because their jobs are some of the most complex in the world, the head of the NHS claimed today. Sir David Nicholson warned it was wrong to ‘denigrate’ trust chief executives who can earn more than £200,000 –a-year. And he sought to blame ministers for the rising pay bill putting pressure on the health service, claiming endless reorganisations by successive governments created even more highly-paid roles. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has vowed to veto pay rises for senior staff at health quangos under his control, including NHS England, to set an example to the rest of the health service. But he does not have the power to intervene in pay deals offered by individual health trusts. Latest figures show that hospital chief executives saw their pay soar by 121 per cent between 1997 and 2010, almost twice the rate of increase enjoyed by nurses. Earlier today Sir Bruce Keogh, the medical director of NHS England, said managers deserve their the huge salaries needed to attract ‘the right calibre’ of job applicants. Appearing before the health select committee today, Sir David was warned the remarks risked angering frontline doctors and nurses because it sounded like they did not deserve pay rises in the same way. Challenged over the remarks, Sir David said the NHS is going through ‘some of the biggest, most significant transformational change in the NHS and really do need top-drawer people to do that’. The chief executive of NHS England, dubbed the ‘man with no shame’ for his defiance in the face of criticism, called for an end to complaints about six-figure salaries in the health service. ‘If you constantly denigrate and criticise them, it’s hardly surprising that they respond to that,’ he said. ‘We all have a responsibility to support those people in incredibly difficult jobs. They absolutely are highly paid jobs. ‘They are amongst the most complex and difficult jobs in the world. ‘Those chief executive jobs - the complexity of those are on a scale managerially that most of us would have difficulty to understand.’ Warning: Labour MP Barbara Keeley said the spectacle of NHS bosses defending huge salaries because managers 'deserve' them would leave doctors and nurses facing pay freezes to think they do not . He claimed the latest reorganisation ordered by the coalition – scrapping primary care trusts and replacing them with GP-led clinical commissioning groups – were in part to blame for the pay levels. ‘I have been in the NHS for 35 years. I have only applied for a job once that was not associated with a reorganisation. ‘If people would stop constant reorganisation the NHS would have less turbulence’ With major increases in NHS spending unlikely over the coming years, the total pay bill will have to be controlled, he said. ‘There was a system set up by the government - not by me - signed off by ministers which appraised every job through an external evaluation and put a salary against and that’s what people have got. ‘We should not surprise by the salaries that people have got. People deserve the pay that the system that was set up identifies they should get. Labour MP Barbara Keeley repeatedly challenged him about the remarks, warning it sounds like ‘people at the very top on very significant salaries think they deserve it as if other people don’t’. Jobs: Frontline health staff will have be cut to fund pay rises for managers, the Department of Health has warned . The government has warned that doctors and nurses will have to be axed to fund further pay rises for NHS managers. The . quality of patient care would suffer as a result, the Department of . Health claimed as ministers prepare to block salary hikes for senior . officials. In a submission to a pay review body, the DoH said: ‘Any increase in pay costs above this level will risk unfeasible reductions in clinical staff which may harm the ability to maintain access to and quality of NHS services to the public.’ Warning: Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt says the NHS could lose public confidence if it does not curb pay rises . The average salary of a hospital chief executive now £164,000 a year, compared to the Prime Minister’s pay packet of £142,500. Even without a freeze in pay, salaries are still expected to ‘drift’ upwards because managers are given automatic increase rises linked to length of service. Mr Hunt has warned the NHS risks losing public trust if it does not curb a BBC-style ‘culture of excessive pay and pay-offs’. He added: ‘In this tough financial climate, I am determined to see real restraint on executive pay so that every penny possible can go on patient care. ‘Sadly, the last government got their priorities completely wrong on NHS pay – giving managers far bigger rises than nurses.’ It comes after it emerged a husband and wife who worked as NHS managers were paid nearly £1million in redundancy money – only to be rehired by the health service within weeks. Karen Straughair, 50, pocketed more than £605,000 when NHS South of Tyne and Wear, where she was chief executive, was wound up at the end of March. Her husband Chris Reed, chief executive of NHS North of Tyne, was paid more than £345,000 when his organisation was abolished. By June both had board-level jobs at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – Mr Reed as interim chief executive, Miss Straughair as recovery director. Jamie Reed, Labour's shadow health minister, said: 'Under David Cameron, many NHS managers have seen their salaries soar. Meanwhile, nurses have had theirs frozen and six thousands nursing jobs have been axed. 'David Cameron's NHS re-organisation siphoned £3 billion from patient care budgets. He ignored the warnings and wasted millions on redundancy payments for managers, many still in the NHS. 'Ministers have placed the NHS on the brink of its worst winter in a decade and posturing like this does nothing to help.' Golden goodbye: Karen Straughair pocketed £605,000 and Chris Reed was given £345,000 redundancy . Analysis of Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities’ final accounts, published last week, suggests payouts in excess of £100,000 were made to more than 50 staff. More than a dozen of these well-paid chiefs have since found work in the public sector. The National Audit Office estimated in the summer that 10,000 people had lost their jobs at a total cost of £430million. At the time, the NAO said that 44 very senior managers were made redundant at an average cost of £277,273 . Labour has accused the Government of wasting hundreds of millions of pounds by replacing the statutory bodies with 211 new Clinical Commissioning Groups. But the Government blamed lax contracts drawn up under Labour, saying their ‘hands were tied’. | Sir David Nicholson blames ministers for endless reorganisations .
Department of Health warns that nurses will be sacked to fund pay rises .
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt says big salaries put public trust at risk .
Pay for chief executives rose by 121% 1997-2000, double rate for nurses . |
Keywords: <keyword>PROTEST BARRICADES</keyword>, <keyword>PROTESTS CHINESE</keyword>, <keyword>POLICE REMOVE</keyword>, <keyword>YELLING TRIADS</keyword>, <keyword>MASKS SEEN</keyword>, <keyword>ROWDY SCENES</keyword>, <keyword>PORTRAY HONG</keyword>, <keyword>WEEKEND TRAFFIC</keyword>, <keyword>ACCUSED MEDDLING</keyword>, <keyword>INDUSTRY WORKERS</keyword>
Rowdy scenes erupted at the main Occupy Central protest site in Hong Kong on Monday after hundreds of people opposing the pro-democracy occupation tried to tear down protest barricades. Police formed a human chain to separate the protesters and people intent on breaking up their three-week long occupation of the Admiralty district, near the city's financial center. Dozens of men, some wearing surgical masks, were seen jostling with protesters and demanding that police remove the barricades and clear the roads, according to live images from local television station iCable. They were heard screaming at protesters, accusing them of damaging their livelihoods. The television commentator identified them as taxi drivers, transport industry workers and other people who said they weren't affiliated with any groups. However, protesters could be heard yelling, "there are triads here," a reference to criminal gangs in the city known for controlling smuggling, prostitution and illegal gambling rings. Police on loudspeakers called for calm, and eventually convinced protesters to form a corridor to allow their opponents to leave. Earlier, police started to remove barricades from protest sites in Admiralty and Mong Kok, but issued a statement saying they were moving "obstacles" to relieve traffic "not to clear the scene." Police "pushed back a couple of barricades, dismantling them," said CNN's Ivan Watson, from the Admiralty protest site. He said the protesters had responded by moving their tents closer to the barrier but the streets had remained peaceful. Protest disruption . At the peak of the protests, which started in late September, tens of thousands of demonstrators crowded onto the streets demanding a greater say in how the city is run. Protesters have been guarding barricades erected at the protest sites, and for many nights slept in the open air on bitumen before the arrival of reinforcements with tents on the weekend. Traffic in the other parts of the city has been clogged due to road closures, bus and tram cancellations and the need for cars to drive around the protest sites. Taxi drivers say their takings are down, and businesses have claimed the protests have cost them income. While protest numbers dwindled towards the end of last week, they started building again over the weekend when protest leaders called for reinforcements after the government called off talks planned for Friday. First live address . Over the weekend, Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung made his first live address since protesters blocked key routes through the city. Speaking on local free-to-air station TVB, Leung said the protests were not a "revolution," but a "mass movement that has spun out of control." He said student leaders had "almost zero chance" of pushing Beijing to chance its stance on how Hong Kong's leader is elected. He added he would not accede to the protesters' demands that he resign, because his resignation "will not solve the problem." "It is because the students and other occupation protesters demand more than that. They want the Standing Committee to withdraw its August 31 decision. That is impossible," he said. Beijing white paper . He was referring to the white paper issued by the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress stating that Hongkongers would be able to vote on their leader in 2017, but only from an approved shortlist of candidates. In response to Leung's comments, the three main groups leading the occupy campaign said it was the government that was out of control -- "a government that fires tear-gas at unarmed citizens and unilaterally terminated dialogue with the students (sic)." On September 28, police fired 87 tear gas rounds into the crowd after protesters failed to disperse. The move was seen as a miscalculation and only served to garner support for the protesters who accused the government of heavy handedness and of stifling free speech. Open letter to China . Over the weekend, student leaders from protest group Scholarism and the Hong Kong Federation of Students wrote an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging him to closely consider their cause. "There will only be more citizens, disillusioned with our corrupted institutions, marching and protesting, as long as no genuine democracy is practiced in this place," they wrote. The letter said the occupation was "definitely not a colour revolution or its alike, but rather a movement for democracy," referring to the term "umbrella revolution" which was coined after protesters used umbrellas to shield themselves from pepper spray and tear gas. View from China . Xi has not commented on the protests, but Chinese censors have been busy blocking reports of the movement, including access to the photo-sharing site Instagram. A commentary published in China's state-controlled People's Daily on Monday, entitled "Why is the U.S. so keen on Color Revolutions?", accused the U.S. of meddling in Hong Kong affairs. "It is hardly likely that the U.S. will admit to manipulating the "Occupy Central" movement, just as it will not admit to manipulating other anti-China forces. It sees such activities as justified by "democracy," "freedom," "human rights" and other values," it said. It said the mainstream U.S. media had shown "exceptional interest" in "Occupy Central" and had tried to portray it as Hong Kong's version of a "Color Revolution," referring to pro-democracy movements around the world including the "Arab Spring" and Ukraine's "Orange Revolution." "The U.S. may enjoy the sweet taste of interfering in other countries' internal affairs, but on the issue of Hong Kong it stands little chance of overcoming the determination of the Chinese government to maintain stability and prosperity," it added. | Scuffles as people opposing occuption try to remove protest barricades .
Democracy campaigners have been blocking key routes through the city .
C.Y. Leung: Protests a "mass movement that has spun out of control"
Students write open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping . |
Keywords: <keyword>VIRGINIA CRASH</keyword>, <keyword>CNN EVENTS</keyword>, <keyword>VIEWING ACCIDENT</keyword>, <keyword>STUNT PILOT</keyword>, <keyword>AIR CANCELED</keyword>, <keyword>CLARK TOOK</keyword>, <keyword>MARTINSBURG SUNDAY</keyword>, <keyword>ORGANIZERS SAID</keyword>, <keyword>NTSB INVESTIGATOR</keyword>, <keyword>PLUMES SMOKE</keyword>
(CNN) -- Events at a West Virginia air show were canceled for a second day Sunday after a crash a day earlier that killed a stunt pilot, show organizers said. No one on the ground was injured in the crash Saturday. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board arrived in Martinsburg on Sunday to begin piecing together what went wrong. The crash occurred about five minutes into a planned 15-minute flight, said NTSB investigator Tim Monville. Some victims of Nevada air race crash identified . "During one of the planned aerobatic maneuvers ... two opposing airplanes were to pass each other laterally," then pull up and perform a roll, Monville said. The plane that crashed "did not complete the maneuver." Monville declined to identify the pilot. CNN iReporter Jennifer Clark took pictures of the 2:30 p.m. ET crash, showing flames and black plumes of smoke rising from the ground. "We saw a flash of light ... and heard the explosion sound," she told CNN's Don Lemon on Saturday. "It was scary." "You just heard the whole crowd gasp simultaneously and everybody just kind of went silent and was just watching what was going on," she said. Event organizers on Sunday urged those who witnessed the crash "to seek out support if they feel that viewing the accident traumatically affected them." The West Virginia crash came one day after another deadly air crash. A pilot lost control of his vintage plane during an air race in Reno, Nevada, on Friday, plummeting toward thousands of spectators before narrowly missing a grandstand and slamming into box seats. Nine people, including the pilot, died in that accident, according to local police. | A pilot was killed in a crash Saturday .
No one on the ground was injured .
NTSB investigators are on the scene to probe the crash . |
Keywords: <keyword>NEIGHBOURS STEVE</keyword>, <keyword>BOOTS MOVED</keyword>, <keyword>FRIENDSHIPS FORGED</keyword>, <keyword>BEGAN FAMILIES</keyword>, <keyword>HOUSES NEW</keyword>, <keyword>NEWPORT COMBINED</keyword>, <keyword>RIGHT REUNITED</keyword>, <keyword>CENTRE CLARE</keyword>, <keyword>HELPING PERFECT</keyword>, <keyword>PARKERS LOOK</keyword>
By . Kerry Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 09:27 EST, 30 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:47 EST, 31 July 2013 . They shared countless cups of tea, dinner parties and Christmases over decades spent living in the same street. So when John and Clare Boots decided to move to a new estate two miles away from their house in Newport, Wales - breaking up the three families' close-knit circle - their neighbours followed right behind. Now the Boots, their friends Steve and Mary Parker, and Jane Jones and her partner Mark Watkins say they feel like they've 'won the lottery' after they all moved into neighbouring houses on the new development. Everybody needs good neighbours: Steve and Mary Parker (left), their sons Gareth and Owain (behind), Jane Jones (centre), and Clare and John Boots (right) are all neighbours once again on a new street . There to lend a hand: When Mr and Mrs Boots decided to move to a new development less than two miles away in Newport, their neighbours followed right behind them . When the Boots moved into a house in the Bryn 20 years ago, they became fast friends with Steve and Mary, who have two sons, Gareth and Owain, and had been living in the property two doors down for 28 years. The close-knit group expanded to include Jane Jones, who had been living in the Bryn for 22 years, and her partner Mark Watkins when he moved in 10 years ago. 'We all just gelled,' Mr Boots said. 'We were never in each others' pockets, just always there for each other. 'There . have been tears and laughter. My father recently passed away and Mark . has had heart problems and we'd all been a support system. 'We . all loved that old-fashioned neighbourhood set-up. It was an open-door . policy - we'd pop over for a glass of wine or have dinner at each . other's houses. Christmases were especially fun,' Mr Boots said. Love thy neighbour: This aerial shot of the families' old cul-de-sac in Newport shows their neighbouring properties . Where it all began: The three families had been living at The Bryn in Newport for a combined total of 70 years . Fresh start: The friendships they forged over the years look set to continue after they all moved to the new development at Westfield Rise . But after many happy years at the Bryn, Mr Boots handed his wife his credit card and told her to 'buy something nice'. Mrs Boots set her heart on a new home at the nearby development in Westfield Rise, and the couple set about breaking the news to their friends. 'We were ready to move, it was the next step,' Mr Boot said. 'It's such a beautiful house, the price was right and the move was so smooth - we'd do it all again.' Mark and Jane put an offer in on a house three doors down to the Boots' new property within a week, and within six months the Parkers snapped up the house next door. Close-knit: The others couldn't bear to have their circle broken up when Mr and Mrs Boots decided to move house . Among friends: The Boots' old house in the Bryn is seen on the left, with their neighbours the Parkers' old home on the right . Reunited: The three families are now neighbours once again, living in a row of houses on Westfield Rise . The three couples are now neighbours once again in the cul-de-sac, recreating the sense of community they enjoyed in their old road. Mr Boots said: 'I've been back and forth mowing the lawn for them in preparation and we're planning a big house-warming. It's made us even closer - we all finish each other's sentences. 'The Parkers and us look after each others' gardens and if I'm outside cutting the grass it can take me hours because we're all chatting.' Despite living in such close quarters for so many years, Mr Boots insists their has never been a quarrel between the families. 'We've never fallen out, and I honestly don't think we ever will,' he said. 'We're friends for life. When the others told us they wanted to live here too, it was like we'd won the lottery.' Denise Swift, sales manager for Bellway Homes, said: 'It's fantastic that the three sets of families have all decided to relocate together at Westfield Rise. It's been lovely seeing them all moving in and helping each other out. 'They're a perfect example of good neighbours and we hope they go on to live at Westfield Rise for another 20 years.' | Three families lived in the same street in Newport, Wales for years .
When John and Clare Boots decided to move, their neighbours followed .
The friends have all been reunited on a new estate around two miles away . |
Keywords: <keyword>STEVEN MURDERED</keyword>, <keyword>MURDERED NATALIE</keyword>, <keyword>STEVEN PAYNTER</keyword>, <keyword>NATALIE GRIFFITHS</keyword>, <keyword>SEARCHING FATHER</keyword>, <keyword>PAYNTER SPENT</keyword>, <keyword>24 SAW</keyword>, <keyword>KNOWN TAFFY</keyword>, <keyword>OLD MOVED</keyword>, <keyword>HEARTBROKEN KNOW</keyword>
By . Lizzie Edmonds . PUBLISHED: . 06:41 EST, 12 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:24 EST, 12 September 2013 . Heartbreak: Natalie Griffiths, pictured with a photograph of murdered Steven Paynter, spent 10 years searching for her father . A daughter who spent ten years looking for her long-lost father finally found him - just four days after he was murdered. Natalie Griffiths, 24, last saw her father Steven Paynter, 46, when she was four years old following the breakdown of her parents' marriage. For years, the shopworker from Bridgend, South Wales, trawled through online databases for any information about her father - and she was thrilled when a member of her family finally managed to locate him. But tragically Natalie discovered he had been murdered just four days before. Natalie said: 'Finding out where he was should have been a happy moment - I’d dreamed about how it would be. 'I’d wanted to know for so long but the reality was a bitter shock. 'I was heartbroken to know he was murdered.' Steven, known as Taffy to friends, left the family home in 1993. Natalie said: 'I was only little but I remember him playing outside with me and carrying me on his shoulders. He was a good dad. 'I was so desperate for answers. Why didn’t he visit? How could he just leave? 'As a teenager I saw all my friends with their dads and knew I was missing out on something. 'I tried everything I could to find dad, starting on Facebook and with family. I just wasn’t getting anywhere. Family: Steven, left, moved out of the family home in 1993 when Natalie, pictured as a newborn with her mother and father right, was just four years old. He moved 60 miles away following his marriage breakdown . Natalie asked all her relatives if they had any ideas or clues where her father - who was also known as Wayne - had moved. And she was excited when her aunt Joanne Griffiths asked to see her with information about her father. Her aunt told her that Steven had moved 60 miles away to Hereford - but had tragically been found dead and police were trying to track down his next of kin. On August 7 police confirmed that jobless Steven had been murdered at an address in Hereford on August 3. Natalie, who was forced out of work because of the ordeal, said: 'I just couldn’t believe it. It felt I had been kicked in the stomach.'Grieving Natalie was then faced with organising a funeral for the father she had barely known as an adult. Grief: Natalie was forced to leave her job after she was told about her father's murder . Natalie said: 'I wanted to do it for him as a goodbye. 'I met friends of his at the funeral who told me I’d never been far from his thoughts - they reassured me that he talked about me all the time. 'That was nice but I’d have rather heard it from him. I will never know the answers now.' Police were called to reports of an attack at a house in Hereford on August 3. Three people have been remanded in custody charged with the murder of the former factory worker. Stacy Hales, 35, Stephen Munn, 20, and Mark Edwards, 22, of Hereford, are due to appear at Worcester Crown Court in November for a plea hearing. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Natalie Griffiths, 24, last saw her father Steven Paynter, 46, in 1993 .
Shopworker from Bridgend, South Wales, spent 10 years searching for him .
Discovered he had moved 60 miles away on August 7 .
Tragically, he had been killed in his home just four days earlier .
Three people have been remanded in custody for the murder on August 3 . |
Keywords: <keyword>MIXED SCHOOL</keyword>, <keyword>SEX SCHOOLING</keyword>, <keyword>CLASSROOMS SINGLE</keyword>, <keyword>ACADEMY HACKNEY</keyword>, <keyword>PERFORMANCE PUPILS</keyword>, <keyword>BOYS SINGLE</keyword>, <keyword>REPORT OFSTED</keyword>, <keyword>CHILDREN BEST</keyword>, <keyword>BENEFITS SINGLE</keyword>, <keyword>WILSHAW SAID</keyword>
Children learn better when taught in mixed classrooms rather than single-sex schools, the head of Ofsted has said. Sir Michael Wilshaw said a mixed school was more 'congenial' and that putting working-class boys in single-sex schools to try and improve their performance would be a 'nightmare'. This is despite the fact single-sex schools tend to perform better in academic league tables and exams. Scroll down for video . Children learn better when taught in mixed classrooms, the head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, has said . Sir Michael was head of St Bonaventure's School, a single-sex comprehensive in Newham, east London, before moving to the mixed Mossbourne Community Academy in Hackney. He told the Sunday Times: 'I was head of an all-boys school. We did all right, but I much preferred being head of a mixed school. Girls and boys mix socially in the workplace. They should be educated together, too. 'Boys and girls do better in a mixed-school setting, as long as it is a well-run school. A mixed-school setting is by far more congenial.' And his comments were supported by Fiona Boulton, the head of leading girls' school Guildford High, who said single-sex classes were 'hyped up a lot'. Fiona Boulton, the head of girls' school Guildford High, said single-sex classes were 'hyped up a lot' She told the Sunday Telegraph: 'I think if you create a really great environment then pupils do well. I don’t sell a school on it being single-sex… I sell it on the fact that we set out to be excellent in all that we do and that’s why you should choose us – not because it is an all-girls school.' Asked if the benefits of single-sex schooling were overblown, Mrs Boulton said: 'Personally, I do, yes.' Mrs Boulton, who previously worked at the co-educational Marlborough College, said working in an single-sex school 'was a complete non-issue' when it came to improving the performance of pupils. 'The girls that I had in my house there did brilliantly," she said. "The girls I have here do brilliantly.' She added: 'I think there are lots of divides in this country. We talk about independent v state, boys v girls – they are all children. We just need to work out how to teach children and how to get the best out of each child rather than which school they are in.' Just 250 fee-paying schools were wholly catering for either boys or girls in the last academic year, down from 460 in the early 90s. Of those, around 150 are all-girl. On a separate issue, Sir Michael also advised parents to stop their children having a mobile phone until they were 13 and removing televisions and computers from their bedrooms. He suggested that pupils should also be banned from bringing their phones to school. He said: 'Mobile phone technology is part of the issue of low-level disruption in classrooms. Social media is part of the problem...it seems sensible to ban mobile phones from schools, then you don't get kids texting each other in class.' His comments come after a report by Ofsted, the schools watchdog, last week which found children were losing up to an hour of lesson time each day because of disruption. He was also keen to play down his public spat with former Education Secretary Michael Gove, which led to the chief inspector hinting at a 'dirty tricks' campaign against him by officials at the Department for Education. He said: 'That issue is well and truly over. The thing about Gove was that he was a reformer who believed passionately in what he was doing. 'He will go down as one of the great secretaries of state.' | Sir Michael Wilshaw says children learn better when taught in mixed schools .
He has been a headmaster at both a single-sex and mixed school .
Says it would be a 'nightmare' to put working class boys in all boys school .
Fiona Boulton, head of Guildford High, says single-sex education over hyped .
Sir Michael also suggests pupils be banned from bringing phones to school . |
Keywords: <keyword>DAVIS LITTLE</keyword>, <keyword>LITTLE LEAGUER</keyword>, <keyword>FEMALE PITCHER</keyword>, <keyword>PHILADELPHIA STAR</keyword>, <keyword>LEAGUE PHENOM</keyword>, <keyword>COVER SPORTS</keyword>, <keyword>WORLD HITTER</keyword>, <keyword>COACHED AGE</keyword>, <keyword>STRIKEOUT DIDN</keyword>, <keyword>ISSUE CAPTIVATING</keyword>
By . Josh Gardner for MailOnline . and Ap Reporter . If female Little League phenom Mo'Ne Davis needed any further proof she's captivated the sports world, she has it: the 13-year-old Philadelphia girl has scored a Sports Illustrated cover. Davis, whose 70mph pitch helped clench a no-hitter for her team Friday, will be the first Little League of either gender to have the honor. She appears on the SI cover, with the headline 'Remember her name,' on the August 25 issue. Captivating: The Little League World series standout pitcher Mo'ne Davis will become the first Little Leaguer to ever grace the cover of Sports Illustrated . Phenom: Davis captivated the sports world with her no-hitter--a first for a girl in the series--on Friday and her 70mph fastball . Not that fans, who have lined the grassy hills beyond the playing field at the Little World Series to see Davis play, really need to be told of her prodigious skills. The concession stands have sold out of the powder-blue T-shirts of her Mid-Atlantic team. With her long braids dangling over her shoulders on every pitch, the Philadelphia star is a captivating presence and has been in a league of her own on the baseball diamond — the first female to win a game, let alone a two-hit shutout, in series history. Davis, one of two girls at the Little League World Series, threw a two-hitter to help Philadelphia beat Nashville 4-0 on Friday in the opener for both teams. The first girl to appear for a U.S. team in South Williamsport since 2004, Davis received rousing cheers during pregame introductions, every time she stepped to the plate and after she struck out the final batter. Davis had eight strikeout and didn't walk a batter. She retired the first six batters and needed only 70 pitches to complete the game. She was hitless in three at-bats. And yet, in spite of her 70 mph fastball, baseball isn't Davis' best game. Her basketball coach said she is even better on the hardwood. 'Coaching boys and girls in this age group for two decades, Mo'ne is just a special talent,' said Debra Brady, Davis's basketball coach at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia. 'She's a phenomenal pitcher, but I think her best sport is basketball. In a year or so, she will be doing the same unbelievable things in basketball. The first couple of games I coached her, she was head and shoulders above any kid I've ever coached at that age level.' Davis, who is expected to pitch Wednesday night against Las Vegas, has not shied from using her riveting success in a positive way. Many gifts: Davis' prodigious gifts extend to other sports. According to her coaches, the 13-year-old also excels at basketball and soccer . She sacrificed time with teammates to do a national television interview late Sunday night, and of course there's the Sports Illustrated cover. While Davis and her teammates have been inundated by the media, their next opponent has toiled in virtual anonymity. Las Vegas, the first Nevada team to make the Little League World Series, kind of likes it that way. 'It allows us to play our game,' said manager Ashton Cave, whose team has scored 25 runs in winning its first two games against Rapid City, South Dakota, and the all-black Jackie Robinson West team from Chicago. 'We like to be the underdog.' And facing a girl won't be something new because there's an all-star female pitcher in their league back home. Leading the way to victory: Davis, right, celebrates with coach Leland Lott, center, as she returns to the dugout at the end of the fifth inning during a baseball game against Tennessee in United States pool play at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania . | Philadelphia teen captivated the sports world when she pitched a no-hitter Friday -- a first for a girl at the Little League World Series .
Davis' formidable pitch has been clocked at 70MPH . |
Keywords: <keyword>FEMALE PILOTS</keyword>, <keyword>JOIN RAF</keyword>, <keyword>CAROL</keyword>, <keyword>VORDERMAN INSISTED</keyword>, <keyword>AIRWAYS GRADUATING</keyword>, <keyword>PROGRAMME TRAINING</keyword>, <keyword>HOST QUALIFIED</keyword>, <keyword>BRITISH PIONEER</keyword>, <keyword>HOPING EXPERIENCE</keyword>, <keyword>GREW 60S</keyword>
Carol Vorderman has insisted there should be more female pilots. The TV presenter is backing a campaign by British Airways called the Future Pilot Programme which is a training scheme aimed at recruiting new pilots. However, the 53-year-old former Countdown host, who qualified to become a pilot in 2013, said that there are currently too few women training to enter the industry. Carol Vorderman has insisted there should be more female pilots and is backing a campaign by British Airways called the Future Pilot Programme aimed at recruiting new pilots . She is also hoping that her own experience can inspire more women to begin training. Ms Vorderman, who is planning to fly solo around-the-world next year following in the flight path of British pioneer aviator Mildred Bruce, said: ‘I always wanted to be a pilot. 'It was the reason I read Engineering at Cambridge, and ideally would have joined British Airways after graduating, but sadly their training school wasn’t open at that time.’ She added: ‘I’ve always wanted to be a pilot, ever since I was very young. ‘I grew up in the 60s and 70s and in those days girls weren’t allowed to join the RAF as pilots. It was something I’d always wanted to do, but the opportunities back then, as they were in many other industries, they just weren’t there for girls. The 53-year-old former Countdown host, who qualified to become a pilot in 2013, said that there are currently too few women training to enter the industry . ‘I think it’s wonderful that the future pilots programme is trying to attract women as well as men. My girl is 22 and she may well be applying. The opportunities open to her are very different to those open to me and I just think we should celebrate that. ‘Last December, I got my PPL, which is baby pilot’s licence. ‘I’m involved in a very glamorous industry and have been for decades, but it’s never quite satisfied every part of my head to be honest, whereas flying does. ‘Certainly to be fast with numbers and to understand numbers is an important part of flying.’ British Airways runs its own cadet training scheme called the British Airways Future Pilot Programme – open to anyone from 18 to 55. The next application process will begin in February. The airline’s cadet programme has around 4,500 application each year, with the airline saying there has been a gradual increase in the number of female applicants over the past three years. Carol Vorderman was announced as the new Ambassador for the RAF Air Cadets in November this year . A far cry from Countdown! Carol Vorderman . posed in her new uniform to celebrate becoming the first women ever to become the ambassador to the RAF Air Cadets . The company currently have around 200 female pilots – more than any other airline. British Airways’ First Officer Emily Lester, said: ‘The British Airways Future Pilot Programme has allowed me to realise my dream of becoming an airline pilot. ‘After an intensive training programme I am now flying to destinations throughout Europe and would encourage anyone thinking of a career as a pilot to apply. ‘It’s an ideal route into an incredibly rewarding career for both men and women.’ It was in November this year that Ms Vorderman, became the first woman to be named an honorary ambassador for the Air Cadets. She has long been associated with RAF-linked charities including the Royal Air Forces Association, the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Bomber Command Memorial committee. She even led the Salute Area in Green Park in London when the Queen unveiled the RAF Bomber Command memorial in June 2012. Her two children were both members of the Combined Cadet Force at school, and Carol’s daughter Katie holds an Officer Cadet rank within the Cambridge University Air Squadron. | TV presenter is backing British Airways' Future Pilot Programme .
The 53-year-old former Countdown star qualified as a pilot in December .
She said she now hopes to inspire a new generation of female pilots .
British Airways have the most female pilots of any airline, with around 200 . |
Keywords: <keyword>EXAMINING OBAMA</keyword>, <keyword>DEAL IRAN</keyword>, <keyword>PRESIDENT BOAST</keyword>, <keyword>PREDICTED BIPARTISAN</keyword>, <keyword>IRAQ WINDING</keyword>, <keyword>LADEN UNLIKE</keyword>, <keyword>NETANYAHU CALLING</keyword>, <keyword>RISK CNN</keyword>, <keyword>ORC POLL</keyword>, <keyword>ROLLOUT HEALTHCARE</keyword>
Washington (CNN) -- President Obama's record on foreign policy has changed dramatically since taking office -- he now has one. What was arguably candidate Barack Obama's biggest weakness in 2008 may become President Obama's biggest strength with the announcement of an interim deal with Iran to slow that country's nuclear program. Since taking office in 2009, the President can boast successes including ending the war in Iraq, winding down the war in Afghanistan and killing al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. But unlike the other events, the Iran deal brings a tremendous amount of risk that could yield high reward or total catastrophe: It could end in either a more peaceful world or a nuclear Iran. State of play . The President has had a rough go of it in the past two months, largely due to the disastrous rollout of HealthCare.gov. The latest CNN/ORC poll, which was released last week, has his approval rating at 41% -- the lowest of his presidency. However, the same poll found that 56% of Americans said they would favor the kind of interim deal with Iran that was reached Saturday. 20 questions about the Iran nuclear deal: What it says, what's at stake, what's next . Republican strategist Alex Castellanos said on CNN's State of the Union Sunday that the deal could help the President's public perception. "Any time you see the President on the world stage, captain of the ship of state, you see him as the father figure for the country," Castellanos said. "That's a good thing for the President politically." Domestic impact . But that picture could get clouded if he doesn't have the support of Congress. Lawmakers from both parties urge caution on Iran deal . The deal between Iran and the six negotiating nations -- the United Kingdom, the United States, France, China, Russia and Germany -- has been met with staunch opposition, even from members of Obama's own party. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, an important Democratic voice on Iran, said the deal disproportionately favors the Islamic republic, and he predicted bipartisan support in Congress for new sanctions. "This disproportionality of this agreement makes it more likely that Democrats and Republicans will join together and pass additional sanctions when we return in December. I intend to discuss that possibility with my colleagues," the senator from New York said. And on State of the Union, Rep. Eliot Engel, D-New York, said the deal makes it "very difficult" to continue sanctions that are considered effective at hobbling Iran's nuclear capabilities. Congress could choose to try to circumvent the deal and impose new sanctions on Iran, starting another battle between the President and the Congress. Such an action would be a huge embarrassment for Obama internationally if Congress successfully undermines him. "Weakness invites the wolves," Castellanos said. "When you are in a weak position politically as leader of the United States ... you're a little more open to things you shouldn't be open to." With trust between the executive and legislative branches extremely low, the Iran deal could drive a bigger wedge between the two sides. International impact . Also at stake is the United States' relationship with its allies in the Middle East. On Sunday, Israel and Saudi Arabia slammed the deal, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a "historic mistake." Iran nuclear deal: One agreement, wildly different reactions . "They're afraid this deal is the start between the United States and Iran that will take us off Saudi Arabia's side and put us on Iran's side," Ken Pollack of the Brookings Institution said on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS. While allies worry that the deal might weaken their relationship with the United States or put their security at risk, CNN's Zakaria said the alternative could be worse. "Had the Geneva talks broken down this week, Iran would have continued to expand its nuclear program," he said, adding that Iran has increased the number of centrifuges from 160 to 19,000 in the past decade. Russia and China, two countries that have tenuous relationships with the United States and have closer ties to Iran, support the deal. Retreat or redefine? While he has received bipartisan praise for some of his foreign policy initiatives, Obama has been criticized by opponents for acquiescing American leadership. Castellanos said some might look at this deal as another example of the President "retreating from the world." "It's our presence and strength that keeps the world peaceful," he said. "As we approach a more global kind of perspective, we're just one of many countries that is working to make the world a better place, the world is more uncertain." His supporters, however, have praised his foreign policy philosophy. Bill Burton, a former adviser and deputy press secretary for Obama, said the deal shows "a significant shift in American foreign policy" that includes consensus-building and diplomatic engagement. While the interim deal is only the first stage of multistep negotiations that could unravel at any time, only time will tell how it will be remembered by future historians examining Obama's legacy. Breaking down the Iran nuclear deal . | President Barack Obama has struggled politically recently .
On interim Iran deal, the public could be on his side .
Congress, however, has indicated that it is skeptical .
His foreign policy legacy could be defined by deal's outcome . |
Keywords: <keyword>ISLAND GIGLIO</keyword>, <keyword>SINKING ITALIAN</keyword>, <keyword>MANSLAUGHTER SHIPWRECK</keyword>, <keyword>AGROUND STOP</keyword>, <keyword>COLLIDING ROCKS</keyword>, <keyword>CAPTAIN REPORTED</keyword>, <keyword>SCHETTINO CONTINUED</keyword>, <keyword>PEOPLE CRUISE</keyword>, <keyword>COSTA CONDUCT</keyword>, <keyword>OCCURRED DOCUMENTED</keyword>
Giglio, Italy (CNN) -- In his answers to prosecutors, defense attorneys and a judge, the captain of the ill-fated cruise ship Costa Concordia admitted he made a "mistake" in colliding with rocks off the Italian island of Giglio. However, in statements made during a phone conversation with a friend earlier this month, Capt. Francesco Schettino said managers pressured him to steer the ship to the area where the collision occurred, two Italian newspapers reported Wednesday. Both Costa Cruises and authorities have criticized Schettino's behavior. He is under house arrest and faces possible charges of manslaughter, shipwreck and abandoning ship when the vessel struck rocks and rolled over onto its side in the waters off the island on January 13. A 16th body was found Tuesday on the ship. Sixteen others are missing from the roughly 4,200 people aboard the cruise liner -- 3,200 passengers and 1,000 crew members -- at the time of the collision. "I hit this projection of rock, that seems almost stuck into the ship, but this was my mistake," Schettino said in the 126-page transcript. "... There isn't anything I can say, as I was convinced that passing within .28 of a mile there wouldn't be any problem. The captain also brushed aside suggestions that at 15 knots, he was going too fast, as alleged by prosecutors. "There isn't a speed limit," he said. "... We had more or less the speed needed to reach Savona on time." According to the transcript, Schettino maintained he ran the ship aground to keep it from sinking. "This is what allowed me to limit the tilting," he said. Maritime lawyer Jim Allsworth told CNN the maneuver is "fairly standard" in the case of a ship taking on water and in danger of sinking or capsizing. "The best thing to do is to put it aground to stop it sinking." Italian newspapers La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera on Wednesday published excerpts from a telephone conversation Schettino had with a friend after his January 14 arrest. The captain called his friend from the prosecutor's office, and authorities tapped the phone, the newspapers said. Schettino attorney Alessandro Antichi confirmed the wiretap but would not comment on the conversation. The information should not have been published, he said, as it is part of the investigation. "In my place, someone else wouldn't have been so benevolent to have gone right under there, because they have pissed me off, go, go there," Schettino said, in an apparent reference to getting close to the island, according to the newspapers. "The shallows were there but it wasn't signaled by the instruments that I had and I went through ... in order to follow what the managers wanted." The man behind the steering wheel, Jacob Rusli Bin, told investigators that after the ship struck the rocks, Schettino cursed and said he had not seen them, La Repubblica reported. Speaking Wednesday before the Italian Senate, Costa CEO Pier Luigi Foschi gave an account of what occurred as documented by Roberto Ferrarini, the company's director of marine operations. The first contact between Schettino and Ferrarini took place about 15 minutes after the collision, at 9:57 p.m. In the call, Schettino told Ferrarini of the crash and said the ship had lost power but assured him the ship could still navigate and the situation was being investigated. In subsequent calls, Foschi said, Schettino updated Ferrarini about the ship taking on water but insisted it could still navigate. Foschi told lawmakers that Ferrarini reported Schettino was calm during the calls. The last call in which the captain reported the situation was under control came in at 10:33 p.m., he said. Two minutes later, Schettino called to tell Ferrarini the ship was being evacuated, Foschi said, adding that Ferrarini was surprised at the sudden change. Ferrarini and Schettino continued to talk during the evacuation, Foschi said, but did not provide further details. Costa cannot conduct an independent investigation because prosecutors seized the ship's data recorder, or "black box." The recorder had some connection problems but is working, Foschi said. It contains conversation recordings and navigation system data, he said. Schettino's defense attorney, Bruno Leporatti, filed an appeal Wednesday of a judge's decision to place the captain on house arrest, Leporatti's office said in a statement. Both the prosecution and the defense are appealing the decision -- prosecutors because they believe Schettino should be in custody, and the defense because it believes he should have been released with no restrictions on his movements. In his deposition, Schettino defended his decision not to evacuate the ship immediately. "It's not like I can have a black out and immediately say, 'Let's all get out of here,' " he said. "Where do I send these people? I need to have the certainty and reach my decision on the fact that the ship is like that (no longer capable of floating). I am not going to put at risk the lives of 4,000 people." Cruise ship passengers described a scene of panic and confusion as they rushed for lifeboats. Some said the crew seemed overwhelmed and did not have accurate information on what was taking place. In the transcript, Schettino also described the chaos, saying he helped passengers onto lifeboats and that some became stuck because of the angle of the listing ship. He said he was trying to launch a lifeboat when he realized he was no longer on board. "I was then on the lifeboat. It isn't as if I had boarded it," he said. "Look, I fell on its roof." However, in the wiretapped conversation, Schettino tells the friend, "When I understood that the ship was tilting, I decided to leave, and left," according to Corriere della Sera. A captain's leaving the ship with passengers still aboard is difficult to defend, said Italian criminal defense attorney Ugo Meucci, who does not represent Schettino. "This is a very difficult position because our law is very strong, and the risk is very high for the captain," who could face a 15-year jail sentence, Meucci said. Schettino has resolutely defended his actions after the ship hit the rocks, insisting he kept his bosses at Costa fully informed of the accident's severity. "The gash (in the ship) was immense," the captain said in the wiretapped conversation. "There was this projection of rock, and then all what I did afterwards, I did it with my most professionalism, and this can help me alleviate or at least give me the illusion to be at peace with my conscience." He tells the friend. "I'm proud of the fact that we saved almost all (the passengers). ... I went around picking up people at sea and I'm at peace." Schettino also tells the friend, "I don't ever want to go back on ship." CNN's Hada Messia in Rome contributed to this report. | Captain told a friend managers pressured him to steer toward the island, newspapers say .
He told court officials he was helping with lifeboats and realized he was off the ship .
But in a taped conversation, he tells the friend he left after the ship began listing, paper says .
Sixteen people are dead and 16 others missing after Costa Concordia hit rocks January 13 . |
Keywords: <keyword>GULF RECOVERY</keyword>, <keyword>AGENCIES OIL</keyword>, <keyword>DRILLING SAFER</keyword>, <keyword>MAKE DEEPWATER</keyword>, <keyword>LOUISIANA CNN</keyword>, <keyword>DISASTERS ENSURE</keyword>, <keyword>FISHING INDUSTRY</keyword>, <keyword>ONGOING ENVIRONMENTAL</keyword>, <keyword>BP SPILL</keyword>, <keyword>REGULATIONS MAKE</keyword>
New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) -- Last week, the Obama administration announced that the deep waters of the Gulf are again open for drilling. That the BP oil disaster is continuing and will have lasting effects is unacknowledged. The BP disaster was the largest oil catastrophe the country has ever seen, and the Gulf of Mexico and our communities have a long road to recovery. Our friends in the fishing industry are still out of work, the effects of the spill on wildlife have not been fully assessed, the safety of our seafood is still in question and entire cultures are barely hanging on. The administration says new rules and regulations will make deepwater oil drilling safer. Although we welcome the new rules, we believe that they do not go far enough. There is little assurance that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, charged with enforcement, has the resources to hold the industry accountable. Gulf Restoration Network believes further steps must be taken immediately to ensure the safety of oil drilling in deep off-shore waters. The government and the public need to stay focused on the disaster and environmental impacts that are just beginning to play out, continue to hold BP accountable and act to make sure this never happens again. We hope the Obama administration approaches continued cleanup, regulatory reform and damage mitigation, none of which is even close to being accomplished, with the same urgency it has shown in efforts to reopen the Gulf to deepwater drilling. BP's spill is only the latest and most visible evidence of the oil and gas industry's ongoing environmental destruction in the Gulf. Louisiana loses the equivalent of a football field worth of wetlands every hour, and 40 to 60 percent of that loss is attributed to oil and gas activity, including exploration and dredging of pipeline canals. The oil and gas industry must pay its fair share for coastal restoration, and a large portion of the fines levied against BP should be dedicated to ongoing restoration efforts. Despite what the rest of the oil industry claims, BP is not a rogue player when it comes to taking big risks at the expense of the Gulf. Other oil and gas companies have violated safety and environmental regulations. Regulatory reforms and policy changes are urgently needed to prevent drilling disasters, ensure oil-rig safety in the Gulf and elsewhere and guarantee rapid response and cleanup when accidents happen. Industry in the Gulf still lacks the necessary assets to effectively respond to a catastrophic blowout. In light of the abysmal response, containment and cleanup we have observed and continue to observe in the aftermath of the BP disaster, it's clear that we need new rules that require real, credible blowout response plans before any new deepwater drilling is permitted. There is only one way to make sure the federal agencies and the oil and gas industry remain vigilant and operate as safely as possible -- local communities must have a voice in decisions regarding oil and gas development. Because we are the ones who pay the price for the industry's bad decisions, we deserve a seat at the table. An opposing view on reopening the Gulf to deepwater drilling . A Gulf of Mexico Regional Citizens' Advisory Council is essential to formalizing the public's role in overseeing what the industry does in our Gulf. It worked in Alaska after the Exxon Valdez spill, and it will work in the Gulf. Congress should pass legislation to create and require the oil industry to fund a Gulf of Mexico Regional Citizens' Advisory Council. Congress must also do its part to aid restoration of the Gulf. The White House's "America's Gulf Coast: A Plan for Long-Term Recovery in the Aftermath of the BP Oil Spill," assembled by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, lays out a vision for community recovery, improving public health, coastal restoration and marine resiliency that can begin to restore the Gulf. We strongly urge Congress to support the plan and ensure BP fines go toward restoring the Gulf. Early this month, 46 community, local, regional, national and international environmental, social justice and fishermen's groups met in Weeks Bay, Alabama. We drafted a set of goals and principles that we believe must guide the recovery and restoration of the Gulf of Mexico, our coast and our communities in the wake of the BP drilling disaster. It's called The Weeks Bay Principles for Gulf Recovery. Together, we want the nation to know that the oil is still here, and so are we. The Gulf's people and places need lasting and continued support to get back on their feet. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Cynthia Sarthou. | Cynthia Sarthou: Gulf waters open for drilling before BP spill even assessed or cleaned .
New rules don't go far enough, she says; federal agency lacks resources to enforce .
Sarthou: Gulf fishing industry and people just hanging on; seafood safety in question .
Local communities must have voice in oil, gas development decisions, Sarthou writes . |
Keywords: <keyword>PODMORE JAILED</keyword>, <keyword>FEMALE THIEF</keyword>, <keyword>JAILED TRICKED</keyword>, <keyword>PROSECUTOR HEATHER</keyword>, <keyword>CONWOMAN GERALDINE</keyword>, <keyword>CONVICTIONS</keyword>, <keyword>TAXI DISTRACTED</keyword>, <keyword>WAY ELDERLY</keyword>, <keyword>DISCOVERED BEDROOM</keyword>, <keyword>PROBLEMS LONGTON</keyword>
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:18 EST, 14 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 17:46 EST, 14 January 2014 . A grinning serial female thief has been jailed for five years for repeatedly tricking her way into elderly people’s homes to steal their valuables. Geraldine Podmore, 31, asked her victims to call a taxi for her and then distracted them while she helped herself to cash, mobile phones and women’s handbags. A court heard drug addict Podmore targeted two residents at sheltered housing complex in Longton, Staffs., on November 22. Smirk: Conwoman Geraldine Podmore has been jailed after she tricked her way into elderly people's homes to steal their valuables . The first was an 83-year-old man who answered the door to the defendant at 7.20pm. At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court prosecutor Heather Chamberlin said: 'She asked if he could call her a taxi to Hanley, and if she could step inside the flat to wait. 'She made small talk. The gentleman wasn’t comfortable with it and managed to usher her out, but then noticed his mobile phone, watch and wallet had gone from his bureau.' The serial offender, who has 24 convictions for 73 offences, then went to another flat - the home of a 78-year-old woman. Miss Chamberlin told the court: 'She said she was looking for her uncle who lived in another flat. They chatted for 10 minutes and the victim offered to help her find him. 'After going to another flat they returned and the defendant used the victim’s phone to call a taxi. They both went outside to wait for it. 'It was not until the next morning that the victim noticed her handbag had been stolen.' Thieving Podmore was arrested after a police officer recognised her on CCTV footage from the property. The court heard she also targeted the home of an 89-year-old woman in Bentilee, Staffs., on September 17, again asking the victim to call a taxi for her. Podmore, who has 24 convictions for 73 offences, pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary, three thefts and possessing a bladed article at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court . Podmore was invited in and asked for a glass of water and the victim then discovered her in a bedroom and asked her to leave. She also burgled the bungalow of a 67-year-old man with mobility problems in Longton, Staffs., after looking through his window and spotting him asleep in an arm chair. The victim woke at 4am to find his wallet and mobile phone had been stolen. The court heard she also stole a basket of shopping from Asda on August 29, and threatened to stab a staff member with a syringe when he challenged her. Podmore, of Normacot, Staffs., pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary, three thefts and possessing a bladed article - all of which were committed while she was on bail. The court heard she had a ‘considerable’ criminal record, with 24 convictions for 73 offences involving drugs, dishonesty and prostitution. Robert Smith, defending, said: 'She committed the offences to fund her alcohol and drug addiction.'She is utterly and thoroughly ashamed of herself.' Jailing her for five years, Judge Paul Glenn told her: 'This would have been a traumatic experience for all your victims. 'Elderly people are often left feeling unsafe in their own homes as a result of offences like these. 'It’s quite plain the only person you think about is yourself.' | Geraldine Podmore, 31, would ask her victims to call a taxi for her .
She distracted them and helped herself to cash, phones and handbags .
A serial offender, she has 24 previous convictions for 73 offences .
Pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, theft and possessing a bladed article .
All the offences were committed while she was on bail . |
Keywords: <keyword>MOURN POEM</keyword>, <keyword>FAMILIES KILLED</keyword>, <keyword>PUBLISHED 1916</keyword>, <keyword>HUMAN SUFFERING</keyword>, <keyword>WRITTEN WIVES</keyword>, <keyword>GREAT WAR</keyword>, <keyword>BRING HOME</keyword>, <keyword>BLESSED ANCESTRY</keyword>, <keyword>CHILDREN EXPRESS</keyword>, <keyword>TOUCHING</keyword>
By . Amanda Williams . PUBLISHED: . 01:33 EST, 2 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:46 EST, 2 December 2013 . Touching poems written by the families of those killed in the First World War and published alongside their death notices have been discovered. The heartfelt prose was published in local newspapers at the time, as a way for families to express their grief for their loved ones when there was no body to mourn over. Now an ancestry website has published a series of the poems - written by wives, parents, brothers, sisters and orphaned children - to 'bring home' the sorrow of the families and highlight the human suffering behind the Great War's 16 million deaths. A series of touching poems written by the families of those killed in the First World War has been published to highlight the human suffering behind the Great War's 16 million deaths . The heartfelt prose, published in local newspapers at the time, was a way for wives, parents, brothers, sisters and orphaned children to express their grief when there was no body to mourn over . A poem published in a 1916 edition of the Dover Express shows how the family of 29-year-old Alfred Priest, from the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, tried to deal with their loss. 'Oh! How our hearts do ache,' the poem read. 'When we think of how you died. To think we could not say good-bye, when you closed your eyes.' Other families spoke of the pain of not knowing where their loved one was buried, their reliance on religion to get them through the ordeal or the fear of carrying on life without them. Private Harry Randall's family wrote in the Grantham Journal in 1917: 'His work is done, his toil is passed and he is fully blessed. An ancestry website has published a series of the poems, to 'bring home' the sorrow of the families of those who died in battle . 'He fought the fight, the victory won and entered into rest. 'But the hardest part is yet to come, when our heroes all return. 'And we miss, among the cheering crowds, the face of our own dear one.' Myko Clelland, of the website behind the research Genes Reunited, said the site wants to look at the lives of those left behind during World War I. 'Too often we read of the 16 million who tragically lost their lives during the Great War without really understanding the grief that families went through,' Mr Clelland said. 'These "In Memoriam" poems bring home the pain and sorrow they experienced.' | Prose published in local papers as way to grieve when no body was found .
Ancestry website publishes poems, to 'bring home' families' sorrow .
Genes Reunited wants to look at lives of those left behind during Great War . |
Keywords: <keyword>UNITED DEFENDER</keyword>, <keyword>FOULS 15</keyword>, <keyword>RYAN MASON</keyword>, <keyword>FIXTURES INTRIGUING</keyword>, <keyword>POSITION SEASON</keyword>, <keyword>VILLA INFLUENCE</keyword>, <keyword>GOALS DID</keyword>, <keyword>SPORTSMAIL TAKES</keyword>, <keyword>ENGLAND AGE</keyword>, <keyword>CITY AREN</keyword>
Sportsmail takes a look at 10 things we have learned from an entertaining weekend of Premier League fixtures, as well as intriguing statistics from the Football League. 1. Manchester City aren’t afraid to leave a foot in during big games – no side this weekend committed more fouls than the 15 that City were penalised for in the Manchester derby. This season Manuel Pellegrini’s team have given away 16 fouls against Chelsea and 15 at Arsenal – but only six each in the matches when they were cruising to victory against Aston Villa and Hull. Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany puts in a crunching challenge on James Wilson . 2. Local lad Ryan Mason is emerging as Tottenham’s key midfield man ahead of players who cost the club millions. The 23-year-old, who made his Spurs debut six years ago but then seemed to spend his life on loan, has started the last five Premier League games and was a big influence in the win at Aston Villa. His part in Christian Benteke’s dismissal grabbed the headlines, but on the ball he was excellent – across the Premier League weekend only Yaya Toure, Cesc Fabregas and Ross Barkley played more accurate attacking passes than his 45. Ryan Mason has been given a new lease of life by Maurico Pochettino at Tottenham . 3. West Ham’s work rate, so terrific beating Manchester City, dropped as they went two goals down at Stoke before a Stewart Downing inspired recovery earned a point. Sam Allardyce had talked about the need to maintain the competitive attitude, but the message obviously didn’t entirely get through. When Big Sam checks his stats he’ll find his team ran a collective two miles less at the Britannia Stadium than they managed at Upton Park a week earlier – and the number of sprints dropped by 6.4 per cent from 533 to 499. Stewart Downing has been one of West Ham's star performers this season . Sam Alladyce's West Ham came back from 2-0 to salvage a point on Saturday against Stoke . 4. Ronald Koeman is making a nonsense of the modern theory that players can’t perform at high intensity in two games a week. The Southampton boss made just two changes at Hull from the side that had won 3-2 at Stoke in the Capital One Cup. He also kept nine of his starting line-up to beat QPR after winning at Arsenal in the last round of the competition, and picked eight of the players who knocked Millwall out in round one for the 3-1 win at West Ham a few days later. Ronald Koeman has had a brilliant start to life as manager of Southampton . 5. Dejan Lovren was supposed to be the hard man who would beef up Liverpool’s defence but so far has failed to make the big difference Brendan Rodgers was hoping for. After losing at Newcastle the Reds have conceded two more goals than they did in the first ten games last season. Match of the Day highlighted how 25-year-old Croatian international Lovren pulled out of a crucial 50-50 challenge late in the game. He won only two tackles in the 90 minutes, and this season has come out on top in just 72 per cent of his tackles, compared to 82.6 per cent when he was at Southampton last season. Dejan Lovren has flattered to deceive since signing for Liverpool from Southampton for £20million . 6. Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton played for England at every age group from Under 16 to Under 21 during his days as a Manchester United player. Now aged 28, playing behind a team that’s getting battered in the Premier League is giving him a chance to remind everybody of the potential he once showed. Heaton made eight saves at Arsenal – more than any other keeper during Saturday’s games – although he still found himself picking the ball out of the net three times. Tom Heaton was in inspired form for struggling Burnley at Arsenal on Saturday . 7. Blackburn’s Corry Evans, the younger brother of Manchester United defender Jonny, is starting to have a severe problem with his discipline. The 24-year-old Northern Ireland international midfielder picked up his SEVENTH booking of the season in the 3-1 win over Reading. That’s already three more yellow cards than he was shown in the whole of last season. 8. Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray needs to do something to stop his team throwing away points in games they have been leading. The Owls dominated at Charlton with former Everton star Royston Drenthe starring but conceded an equaliser with 20 minutes left. It’s the fourth time they’ve failed to see out a game from a winning position this season – and the eight points lost would have been enough to put Gray’s side second in the table. Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray looks on frustrated during the Owls defeat to Charlton . 9. Most managers like to pick one goalkeeper and stick with him, but Yeovil’s Gary Johnson turned to his FOURTH of the season to fight for the 0-0 draw at Chesterfield which gave him hope of getting out of the League One relegation zone. Jed Steer’s arrival on loan from Aston Villa – together with the influence of 20-year-old Fulham defender Stephen Arthurworrey – kept the division’s top scorer Eoin Doyle at bay. Johnson, 59 and a legend at Huish after leading the club into the Football League in his first spell in charge, and then to the Championship in his second, had previously used and discarded Chris Weale, Jake Kean and Artur Krysiak. Gary Johnson has tinkered around with the No 1 goalkeeper slot at Yeovil this season . 10. Portsmouth manager Andy Awford could do with bottling some of the spirit his side show at Fratton Park and taking it with him on the road. The 3-0 romp over Carlisle in front of more than 15,000 fans put his side two points off the play-off places and means they have lost only once in front of their home crowd this season. But that’s in stark contrast to the away record – since winning at Oxford at the end of August they have picked up just two points on their travels from six matches. Andy Awford's Portsmouth side have impressed at home but not so much on the road this season . | Ronald Koeman has proved with the success he has achieved at Southampton that players can play at high intensity twice a week .
Liverpool's £20m man Dejan Lovren continues to flatter to deceive .
Ryan Mason could become a key player for Tottenham . |
Keywords: <keyword>TERAN DIED</keyword>, <keyword>SUICIDE SAMUEL</keyword>, <keyword>SUSPECT MURDER</keyword>, <keyword>SUICIDE BURGER</keyword>, <keyword>STEPDAUGHTER DISMEMBERED</keyword>, <keyword>MISSING SUITCASE</keyword>, <keyword>NEVADA REPORTED</keyword>, <keyword>SUSANA COUSIN</keyword>, <keyword>EYEWITNESSES SAY</keyword>, <keyword>VILLALVALZO SEEN</keyword>
A man who had been reported missing turned up at a Burger King drive-through on Friday and shot himself in the head. Samuel Teran, of Las Vegas, Nevada, who had been reported missing since Wednesday, shot himself after employees at the Burger King called authorities to report they had seen the car that Teran and his stepdaughter, Susana Villalvalzo, had last been seen in when they went missing. Teran died when his family took him off life support, and at the same time became a suspect in the murder of his stepdaughter. Scroll down for video . Murder-suicide?: After Samuel Teran (left) committed suicide in a Burger King drive-through, he became a suspect in the death of his stepdaughter, Susana Villalvalzo (left) Police discovered blood at Teran's house and a missing suitcase, and now suspect he may have killed his stepdaughter, dismembered her, and put her in the suitcase. Eyewitnesses also say they saw Teran put a suitcase in the truck of his car earlier in the week. Family members are saying that while the two did not get along, they did not believe Teran would ever kill Villalvalzo. 'We know that they never got along but not to a point where it would get physical,' Juan Villasenor, Susana's cousin, told KTNV. 'There was some verbal altercations but that was it.' Now, Villavalzo's mother has submitted DNA to see if ti matches the blood in Teran's hosue and may be that of her daughter. | Samuel Teran of Las Vegas, Nevada, was reported missing on Wednesday, but turned up Friday at a Burger King drive-through .
Shortly after he was spotted he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head .
Now, authorities believe he may be responsible for the death of his stepdaughter, Susana Villalvalzo . |
Keywords: <keyword>HEART BYPASS</keyword>, <keyword>ROGERS WORKED</keyword>, <keyword>HOSPITAL QUADRUPLE</keyword>, <keyword>FATHER LEFT</keyword>, <keyword>MOMENTS DEATH</keyword>, <keyword>PHONE COLIN</keyword>, <keyword>SURGERY SPOKESMAN</keyword>, <keyword>LOSE BENEFITS</keyword>, <keyword>RECOVERY OBVIOUSLY</keyword>, <keyword>MONITORS RECEIVED</keyword>
A father who was left 'moments from death' by a major heart attack was told he had to return to work or lose his benefits while he lay in hospital waiting for quadruple bypass surgery. Colin Rogers, 58, was hooked up to heart monitors when he received a phone call telling him he was expected to continue a government work programme. The father, from the Wirral, Merseyside, said concerned nurses noticed his heart rate beginning to accelerate after the call to his mobile phone. Colin Rogers, 58, was waiting in hospital for quadruple bypass surgery after a heart attack when he received a phone call telling him he had to return to a government work programme . Mr Rogers, pictured with his wife Carol, was lying in bed, hooked up to heart monitors, when he received the call to his mobile phone from contractors A4e . Mr Rogers was admitted to Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool, after suffering severe chest pain. His wife, Carol, was later told the former factory worker was 'moments from death' as his heart failed on September 27. Specialists said he had to undergo quadruple heart bypass surgery, but while he was waiting for the operation, on October 6, Mr Rogers received a phone call from A4e - a company contracted to provide the government work programme. A manager at the company told Mr Rogers he had signed up to the scheme and would have to continue with it. Mr Rogers, who is now recovering at home, told the Liverpool Echo: 'I couldn't believe that they were ringing me because I had given my wife a list of people who needed to be told and she had contacted the Job Centre and told them A4e needed to be informed what had happened to me. 'So I was completely shocked and I said to the guy I couldn't believe he was phoning me, that he was supposed to have been told that I had a heart attack. 'This guy was persisting about wanting to discuss the next plan of action but I said I was ending the conversation and put the phone down.' Mr Rogers, who worked for Champion Spark Plugs until the factory closed down, said a nurse noticed his heart rate monitor and asked if the 58-year-old was all right, but he was too 'embarrassed' to tell her what had happened. Back at home: Mr Rogers, who is now at home recovering, said he was shocked at the call and hung up on the A4e manager . Mr Rogers, from the Wirral, Merseyside, was given quadruple heart bypass surgery at Broadgreen Hospital, in Liverpool . He added: 'I was disgusted with what had happened. I want to work, but all I seem to be doing is fighting these people.' Mrs Rogers said: 'He was not supposed to be stressed. It's been horrendous, Even though my doctor said he may never work again, they are saying to us he has to finish the back to work programme.' Their son, Craig, told MailOnline: 'He's at home and is trying to recover from a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery.' A spokesman for A4e said: 'The telephone call that was made to Mr Rogers had been pre-arranged two months earlier, and when we rang him, we were unaware that he had been taken seriously ill. 'A4e had not been directly informed that Mr Rogers was seriously ill before we made the call to him, and we could not have known he was in hospital. 'The conversation was very brief and as soon as we realised Mr Rogers was in hospital, we ended the call. All the correct procedures were followed, and no further contact has been made. 'Our adviser apologised profusely at the time. We wish Mr Rogers a full recovery and are obviously sorry that this has caused him distress.' A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said correct procedures had been followed. | Colin Rogers, 58, was left 'moments from death' by a major heart attack .
As he waited for quadruple bypass surgery he was told to get back to work .
Government work programme contractor A4e phoned his mobile to tell him .
Mr Rogers' wife had already explained that her husband was in hospital .
But an A4e manager insisted he would have to continue with the scheme .
Concerned nurses noticed his heart rate increase after the phone call .
Recovering father says he is 'disgusted' with the way he has been treated . |
Keywords: <keyword>KATHERINE RUSSELL</keyword>, <keyword>DAUGHTER TERRORIST</keyword>, <keyword>TSARNAEVA MARRIED</keyword>, <keyword>MUSLIM HEADSCARF</keyword>, <keyword>WIDOW TAMERLAN</keyword>, <keyword>GIVING ADOPTED</keyword>, <keyword>DRESS</keyword>, <keyword>DZHOKHAR BELIEVED</keyword>, <keyword>TOLD INVESTIGATORS</keyword>, <keyword>26 DIED</keyword>
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:02 EST, 6 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:40 EST, 6 July 2013 . The widow of Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev left her parents home wearing a traditional Muslim headscarf today - countering reports that she has turned her back on her adopted religion. Katherine Russell, or Karima Tsarnaeva by her married name, is living at her . parents' home in Rhode Island with her daughter by the terrorist. According to reports, her Christian parents have been encouraging her to turn her back on the religion she adopted when she married Tsarnaev, a Chechen who encouraged his wife to join him in a strict interpretation of his faith. Traditional dress: Katherine Russell was photographed this morning wearing a Muslim headscarf . Moving on? Katherine Russell (left), the widow of suspected Boston bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev (right), was yesterday said to be rejecting the Muslim faith she adopted when she married him . However, the 24-year-old countered any suggestion they had won her over today - leaving their suburban home fully covered and wearing a headscarf. A report by the National Enquirer earlier this week said she had been been turned away from the religion since her husband's death in the bombings he allegedly perpetuated alongside younger brother Dzhokhar. 'Katherine is slowly starting to change,' a source told the National Enquirer, adding that she is already wearing fingernail polish and eating at fast food restaurants. She also changed her name back to Katherine Russell, according to the report. However, if she is converting back to Christianity it is indeed happening slowly, according to her appearance this morning. The young mom was seen getting into a car with her 2-year-old daughter. Daughter: Katherine Russell's little girl, also the daughter of Tamerlan Tsarnaev watched as her grandmother prepared her car seat . Grandmother: Judith Russell, Katherine Russell's mother was pictured loading her granddaughter in the car . Covered up: Reports previously claimed the widow of Tamerlan Tsarnaev was giving up her adopted religion in the wake of her death and terror attack on Boston . Her mother Judith loaded the vehicle with a child seat wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Katherine then emerged wearing sunglasses, carrying her keys and a can of soda cutting a stark contrast to her mother's summery look with her body fully covered in a floor length purple skirt and black long sleeve jumper. It had previously been reported that she drastically changed after meeting Tsarnaev while at a club during her college years. 'Katherine was completely subservient to him,' a source told the Enquirer. 'She cowered around him.' She is cooperating with officials in . the investigation, but claims she had no idea her husband was plotting . to bomb the Boston marathon as she was working 80 hours a week as a . health care aide. She has not been accused of any . wrongdoing, but the FBI have questioned her to find out if . she had any clue as to her husband's plans. Widow: Katherine Russell is pictured three days after her husband was killed following a police shootout . Innocence: Katherine's family are trying to get her to convert back to Christianity, as in her school days, according to reports . The bombing at the marathon's finish line on April 15 killed three people and injured more than 260. Tsarnaev . and his brother Dzhokhar are believed to . have carried out the attacks due to their radical jihadist beliefs. Her lawyer Joshue Dratel, from New York, said that he joined Russell's legal team . to help her navigate the criminal justice system and to protect her . interests. He said she had spoken with investigators and planned to keep co-operating. 'I . don't see that changing in the foreseeable future,' he said. 'There's . no inconsistency between that and her interests at this point.' She was widowed when Tamerlan was killed in a police shootout on April 19 – four days after he and his younger brother Dzhokhar allegedly set off bombs during the Boston Marathon. Three people were killed in the cowardly attack and 264 more were wounded, several of whom lost limbs. Atrocity: The bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon last month killed three people and injured 260 . Dzhokhar, 19, is in a prison hospital . facing charges that could bring the death penalty. Tamerlan, 26, died . on April 19 after a shootout with police. Russell, . 24, had been living in Cambridge, Massachusetts with her husband and . two-year-old daughter, but has been staying with her parents in North . Kingstown, Rhode Island, since the day her husband was killed. Among the questions about Russell is what she knew or saw in the weeks leading up to the bombing, and in the days after it. Two U.S. officials have said that Dzhokhar told investigators the bombs were assembled in the small apartment Russell shared with her husband. One of her lawyers has previously said she was working long hours and was frequently away from the apartment. | Tamerlan Tsarnaev's widow left her home with her head covered in a scarf this morning .
Her appearance comes a day after sources claimed she was turning her back on Muslim faith .
Katherine Russell is living with her parents in Rhode Island and they have reportedly encouraged her to convert back to Christianity . |
Keywords: <keyword>BARCELONA GAME</keyword>, <keyword>REAL MADRID</keyword>, <keyword>BREAK ATLETICO</keyword>, <keyword>MALLORCA CONTINUED</keyword>, <keyword>RAYO VALLECANO</keyword>, <keyword>CASADESUS FIRED</keyword>, <keyword>CABLES CUT</keyword>, <keyword>WIN REAL</keyword>, <keyword>POINTS PACE</keyword>, <keyword>LIGHTS WENT</keyword>
(CNN) -- The lights went out on Real Madrid's hopes of closing the gap on Barcelona after its game at Rayo Vallecano was postponed amid reports of electrical cables being cut. Real had hoped to make up some ground on league leaders Barca having made its worst start to a league season in 11 years. Jose Mourinho's team is eight points off the pace after just one win in its first four games. Real Madrid slump to defeat at Sevilla . But Rayo's president Raul Martin Presa revealed that cables had been cut and that play would not be possible. "Vandals have cut cables, we have tried to solve the problem as quickly as possible but told the stewards not to open the doors of the stadium. "We will leave it to the police to find out who is responsible." Club officials are hoping to play the game on Monday. Real Mallorca continued its stunning to the season with a 2-0 win over Valencia. Victor Casadesus fired the home side ahead before Javier Arizmendi sealed the points ten minutes after the break. Atletico Madrid made it five straight wins following a 2-1 victory over Real Valladolid at Vicente Calderon. Diego Godin put Atletico ahead on the half-hour with Radamel Falcao's 44th minute penalty giving the hosts a two-goal cushion. Valladolid got a goal back when Alberto Bueno's weak effort was fumbled into the net by Atletico keeper Thibaut Courtois. Former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins scored a late winner as Levante snatched a 2-1 win against Real Sociedad. David Zurutuza had given Sociedad the lead but Jose Barkero leveled things up for Levante. And with the game seemingly heading for a draw, Martins capped his substitute appearance with the winning goal. Malaga's malady: When foreign ownership goes wrong . Malaga remain unbeaten after being held to a goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao. In the German Bundesliga, Andre Schurrle missed from the penalty spot as Bayer Leverkusen was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Monchengladbach. Patrick Hermann's early strike gave the visitors the lead but Michal Kadlec leveled soon after. Schurrle had a golden opportunity to win it from 12-yards but failed to find net as Bayer were left thinking of what might have been. Hoffeinheim claimed its first win of the league season and climbed off the foot of the table following a 3-1 win against previously unbeaten Hannover. After falling behind to an own-goal from Mathieu Delpierre, Hoffenheim hit back thanks to goals from Fabian Johnson, Sejad Salihovic and Daniel Williams. Werder Bremen was held to a 2-2 draw by Stuttgart with both teams finishing the contest with 10-men. Kevin de Bruyne and Zlatko Junuzovic gave Bremen a two-goal lead before Martin Harnik and Cacau brought the visitors level. Harnik was shown a yellow card late on with Assani Lukimya seeing red for Bremen. In France, Marseille continued its 100% start to the Ligue 1 season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Evian at the Stade Velodrome. Barton's English ban to apply in France . Morgan Amalfitano netted the game's only goal 12 minutes from time to extend OM's winning run to six matches. Lisandro Lopez netted an 80th minute equalizer as Lyon stretched its unbeaten run to six league games with a 1-1 draw at Lille. Chahir Belghazouani grabbed a late leveler as Ajaccio recorded a 2-2 draw at Bordeaux. Henrique had given Ajaccio the lead before Yoan Gouffran and Ricardo Faty put the hosts 2-1 ahead. But Belghazouani's late strike meant the shares were spoiled. | Real Madrid's game at Rayo postponed .
Teams hope to reschedule for Monday night .
Mallorca continue hot-streak with Valenica victory .
Marseille maintain perfect record with Evian win . |
Keywords: <keyword>EASTON GAMOKE</keyword>, <keyword>LAUNCHING BASKETBALL</keyword>, <keyword>GAME WISCONSIN</keyword>, <keyword>NETTING HOOP</keyword>, <keyword>WINONA YMCA</keyword>, <keyword>BREAK TIE</keyword>, <keyword>DRIBBLES HEAVED</keyword>, <keyword>REBELS WON</keyword>, <keyword>AMAZING SHOT</keyword>, <keyword>KID HITS</keyword>
By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 05:52 EST, 16 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 07:23 EST, 16 January 2014 . A 13-year-old boy made a spectacular shot during a game at the weekend launching the basketball across the court and netting it into the hoop. But his run of luck did not stop there - he then managed to do exactly the same two days later for a television camera crew. Easton Gamoke, a member of the Winona YMCA Runnin' Rebels, won a big tournament game in Wisconsin Sunday to break a tie score. Scroll down for video . Easton Gamoke, made a spectacular shot during a game at the weekend launching the basketball across the court and netting it into the hoop . The opposing team had just tied it . with seconds to go, but Gamoke calmly took a few dribbles and then . heaved a one-arm move that swished in. His team won 47-44. 'It didn't look like it was going in at first, but then it started curving,' he said. Easton Gamoke, a member of the Winona YMCA Runnin' Rebels, won a big tournament game in Wisconsin Sunday to break a tie score. Seen left with the ball . The opposing team had just tied it with seconds to go, but Gamoke calmly took a few dribbles and then heaved a one-arm move that swished in . Then KMSP-TV in Minnesota showed up once word got out of his unbelievable shot . And the star player managed to do it again in front of an excited crowd. The video of Gamoke's amazing shot has now gone viral after it was posted on the internet. The student seems delighted with his new found fame. 'Everybody knows who we are and everything,' he said. Easton Gamoke gets ready to make the incredbile full-court shot again . Nothing but net: When KMSP turned up to report on the miracle shot, he managed to do it again . VIDEO: Kid hits full court buzzer beater...then does it again for TV cameras . | Easton Gamoke is a member of the Winona YMCA Runnin' Rebels .
Won a big tournament game in Wisconsin on Sunday to break a tie score .
He then managed to recreate the shot again two days later . |
Keywords: <keyword>STINNEY MURDERS</keyword>, <keyword>BOY EXECUTED</keyword>, <keyword>SENTENCING 14</keyword>, <keyword>WHITE JURY</keyword>, <keyword>CONVICTED FLASH</keyword>, <keyword>CAROLINA JUDGMENT</keyword>, <keyword>TEEN JIM</keyword>, <keyword>GIRLS AGES</keyword>, <keyword>CONSTITUTES CRUEL</keyword>, <keyword>MULLEN DECISION</keyword>
(CNN)A judge has vacated the conviction of a 14-year-old boy who was executed for allegedly killing two girls some 70 years ago in South Carolina. The judgment against George Stinney, the youngest person to be executed by an American state since the 1800s, effectively exonerates the boy, said family attorney Matt Burgess. A black teen in the Jim Crow South, Stinney was accused of murdering two white girls, ages 7 and 11, as they hunted for wildflowers in Alcolu, about 50 miles southeast of Columbia. Stinney, according to police, confessed to the crime. No witness or evidence that might vindicate him was presented during a trial that was over in fewer than three hours. An all-white jury convicted him in a flash, 10 minutes. "Given the particularized circumstances of Stinney's case, I find by a preponderance of the evidence standard, that a violation of the Defendant's procedural due process rights tainted his prosecution," wrote Circuit Judge Carmen Tevis Mullen in her decision, dated Tuesday. She said that sentencing a 14-year-old to the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Earlier this year, attorneys for Stinney's family had asked for a new trial, saying the boy's confession was coerced and that Stinney had an alibi, his sister, Amie Ruffner, who claims she was with Stinney when the murders occurred. Ruffner, Stinney's sister, told CNN affiliate WLTX that she and Stinney saw Betty June Binnicker, 11, and Mary Emma Thames, 7, the day they died. Stinney and Ruffner were tending to their family's cow near some railroad tracks close to their home. "They said, 'Could you tell us where we could find some maypops?' " Ruffner recalled. "We said, 'No,' and they went on about their business." The girls were found the next day in a water-logged ditch with injuries to their head. Mary had a 2-inch laceration above her right eyebrow and a vertical laceration over her left, according to a 1944 medical examiners' report. Ruffner told WLTX, police took Stinney and another of her brothers away in handcuffs while their parents were not at home. One brother was released, she said, while Stinney faced police questioning without his parents or a lawyer. The police "were looking for someone to blame it on, so they used my brother as a scapegoat," Ruffner said. CNN's David Mattingly contributed to this report. | Stinney was executed for killing two girls some 70 years ago in South Carolina .
A judge rules a violation of his due process rights "tainted his prosecution"
She says sentencing a 14-year-old to death constitutes cruel and unusual punishment . |
Keywords: <keyword>DOG BREEDS</keyword>, <keyword>KEANE RARELY</keyword>, <keyword>FIERY FOOTBALLER</keyword>, <keyword>PET PSYCHOLOGIST</keyword>, <keyword>CHOOSING AGGRESSIVE</keyword>, <keyword>ASSESSED PERSONALITY</keyword>, <keyword>BOXER STAFFORDSHIRE</keyword>, <keyword>HALLIWELL FAVOURS</keyword>, <keyword>RETRIEVERS COINCIDENCE</keyword>, <keyword>SEEN SIZEABLE</keyword>
By . Rob Waugh . PUBLISHED: . 09:29 EST, 28 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 18:46 EST, 28 May 2012 . Argumentative people tend to go for aggressive dogs whilst those who are more easygoing choose friendly pets like retrievers. It's not a coincidence that fiery former footballer Roy Keane is rarely to be seen without a sizeable dog or two - or that former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell favours much smaller, fluffier dogs. Researchers from the University of Leicester asked 235 adults which were their favourite dog breeds and asked them to fill out a test which assessed their personality. Fiery former footballer Roy Keane pictured with two of his dogs . Geri Halliwell and dog Harry: The study concluded that your dog is actually an extension of who you are . The study concluded that your dog is actually an extension of who you are - and that your choice of dog can reflect your personality in rather surprising ways. The dogs were the 10 most popular breeds in the UK including Labrador retriever, English cocker spaniel, West Highland white terrier, border terrier, German shepherd, boxer and Staffordshire bull terrier. The canines were then rated according to how aggressive they are with terriers the most aggressive and cocker spaniels the least. The results showed that those people who are less likely to be concerned with the welfare of others, were more competitive and less friendly tended to like aggressive dogs. Younger people tended to go for more aggressive dogs too. In a surprising twist, conscientious people were also more likely to go for more fearsome pet. Psychologist Vincent Egan, the lead author of the study, told LiveScience: ‘I think that given a choice, people select things they like. Choosing to have an aggressive dog is due to the person making the choice; the dog is not foisted on you. ‘If a dog is selected as a symbol of intimidation and a possible weapon, it is not being selected as a companion, or a playmate.’ He added: ‘This type of study is important, as it shows assumptions are not the whole picture. ‘It is assumed owners of aggressive dogs, or dogs perceived as aggressive, are antisocial show-offs.’ A previous study from the University of Bath showed that people really do look like their dogs - because we are drawn to pets with similar physical attributes. | Argumentative people go for aggressive dogs .
Conscientious people tend to choose more fearsome breeds too .
Survey of 235 UK adults . |
Keywords: <keyword>RAPHAELITE ARTWORK</keyword>, <keyword>RECEIVING PAINTING</keyword>, <keyword>WEBBE PAINTED</keyword>, <keyword>PICTURE 1856</keyword>, <keyword>AUCTIONED CHRISTIE</keyword>, <keyword>PRICEY PRE</keyword>, <keyword>JANE CORDERY</keyword>, <keyword>OWL ATTIC</keyword>, <keyword>WORK VALUED</keyword>, <keyword>SUGGESTED ESTIMATE</keyword>
By . Dalya Alberge . PUBLISHED: . 17:40 EST, 15 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 17:40 EST, 15 December 2012 . Pricey: This Pre-Raphaelite artwork which was unearthed among household junk was auctioned by Christie's for a staggering £589,250 . When schoolteacher Jane Cordery was told that a dusty painting of an owl she had found in her attic could sell for about £70,000, she was naturally astonished. But last week the estimate turned out to be wrong – by rather a large margin. The Pre-Raphaelite artwork she unearthed among her household junk was auctioned by Christie’s for a staggering £589,250. The price has broken the world auction record for the Victorian artist William James Webbe, who painted the picture in 1856. His works rarely appear on the market and the highest price paid for one until last week was just £72,000. Ms Cordery, 66, said of the sale price: ‘It was such a shock. We were not imagining that in our wildest dreams.’ She stumbled across the picture during a long-overdue clear-out at her home in Basingstoke, Hampshire, helped by her 69-year-old partner, James Ravenscroft, and their three grown-up children. The battered painting emerged from mounds of clothes, books and toys as the family made space around some pipes for a plumber. It turned out to be a picture that had been exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1856 when renowned critic of the time John Ruskin admired the softness of the bird’s feathers as ‘perhaps inimitable’. Mr Ravenscroft, who runs a rubber-recycling company, had long ago forgotten receiving the painting as a gift from his mother. Ms Cordery, an art teacher, emailed a photograph of the owl to Christie’s, where expert Brandon Lindberg immediately saw its potential and the work was valued at £70,000 – as The Mail on Sunday reported last month. He said: ‘I thought the picture had magic but there wasn’t anything to support a price stronger than we’d suggested in the estimate. Everyone seemed to fall under its spell.’ It was bought by an anonymous British dealer – and now Ms Cordery and her family may treat themselves to a holiday in Africa or Australia. And if they hadn’t bothered having that clear-out? ‘It doesn’t bear thinking about,’ she said. | The price has broken the world auction record for the Victorian artist William James Webbe - who painted the picture in 1856 . |
Keywords: <keyword>KOREA NUCLEAR</keyword>, <keyword>PYONGYANG PREPARING</keyword>, <keyword>NUCLEAR TESTS</keyword>, <keyword>SEOUL SAYS</keyword>, <keyword>CNN ANNOUNCEMENT</keyword>, <keyword>CAPABILITY STATE</keyword>, <keyword>UPDATED CONSTITUTION</keyword>, <keyword>TESTS 2006</keyword>, <keyword>PUBLICATION IHS</keyword>, <keyword>NAENARA WEBSITE</keyword>
Seoul (CNN) -- North Korea proclaimed itself a "nuclear state" this week following a revision of its constitution earlier this year. Kim Jong-Il has "transferred the country into an undefeated country with strong political ideology, a nuclear power state, and invincible military power," according to the updated constitution posted on its portal website Naenara. The website posted the revised constitution on Wednesday, according to Yonhap, the South Korean state affiliated news agency. North Korea ready to carry out nuclear test at any moment, Seoul says . The statement looks all too familiar. North Korea previously announced its nuclear capability through its state-run broadcaster and newspapers, "but no expression can be stronger than including it in their constitution," Professor Choi Jong Kun of Yonsei University told CNN. "It is an announcement of confirmation," he added, "and it appears to be directed to the U.S. and other relevant nations." The communist state carried out nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. Signs of new activity at North Korea's nuclear test site . Pyongyang recently announced that it will press on with its nuclear program in response to what it calls "hostility from the United States." A defense publication, IHS Janes, also said it detected signs of activities ramping up at North Korea's nuclear test site, raising speculation Pyongyang may be preparing for a third nuclear test. | North Korea proclaimed itself a "nuclear state" in a revised constitution this week .
Analyst: Appears to be directed at the U.S. as the rhetoric from Pyongyang rises .
Comes as signs are growing of activity at North Korea's nuclear test site . |
Keywords: <keyword>JOHNNY HALLYDAY</keyword>, <keyword>YEUX EYES</keyword>, <keyword>FRENCH ROCKER</keyword>, <keyword>LATER PIAF</keyword>, <keyword>TRIED SEDUCE</keyword>, <keyword>WOMAN DANS</keyword>, <keyword>SINGING NIGHT</keyword>, <keyword>RIEN DIED</keyword>, <keyword>TERRIFIED RAN</keyword>, <keyword>THIGH RECALLED</keyword>
By . Emma Reynolds . PUBLISHED: . 03:32 EST, 8 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:14 EST, 8 February 2013 . Edith Piaf tried to seduce French rocker Johnny Hallyday when he was a teenage star and she was in her forties, he has revealed. Hallyday, 69, was terrified and 'ran away' from the legendary singer, he said in a book of interviews published yesterday. 'I was sitting beside her and, in the . middle of the meal, I felt her hand climbing up my thigh,' recalled Hallyday, who was just 16 or 17 to her 44 years. Stroking his thigh: The legendary French singer tried to seduce the young rock star over dinner . 'I hesitated. Then I left and ran away from there. I ran away from Piaf. 'I was almost a virgin at the time. I couldn’t see myself in bed with her. As far as I was concerned, she was an old woman.' Dans Mes Yeux (In My Eyes) - a book of interviews with novelist Amanda Sthers - does not say when the encounter happened. However, it appears to have been 1960, the year Hallyday released his debut record after bursting on to the scene as the first successful French rock ’n’ roll performer. His 17th birthday was in June, while Piaf would have been 44. 'Piaf used to come and see me singing every night,' he added, according to The Independent. 'I was flattered but never at ease with her.' Toyboys: Piaf, left with her husband Theo Sarapo, was known for liking younger men, but her encounter with Hallyday, right aged 66, has never before been revealed . Hallyday is now a French icon, but at the time, he was being attacked in the national media as a corrupter of youth. At the start of 1960, Piaf was the undisputed queen of 'la chanson française' but down on her luck after car crashes, drug abuse and failed love affairs. She made an impressive comeback that year with Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, but died just two years later. Piaf is known for preferring younger men but this is the first time that her attempt to seduce teenage Hallyday has been revealed. In an interview with Le Parisien newspaper, Hallyday described the moment differently, calling it 'tender' and putting his reticence down to shyness. 'I was a minor at the time,' he said. 'I have never spoken about it before but it was rather a tender moment. I was sick with shyness and she overawed me. That’s why I ran away.' | He claims she stroked his thigh over dinner, around 50 years ago .
The rock star, now 69, says he was 'almost a virgin' at the time .
Said the down-on-her-luck singer seemed like 'an old woman' to him .
Piaf, who died two years later, released Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien that year .
Hallyday brought out his first record and was branded a corrupter of youth . |
Keywords: <keyword>CHRISTMAS RELEASE</keyword>, <keyword>MIDNIGHT SCREENINGS</keyword>, <keyword>SONY MASSIVE</keyword>, <keyword>MOVIE APPEARED</keyword>, <keyword>RELEASING INTERVIEW</keyword>, <keyword>DIRECTORS SETH</keyword>, <keyword>MEDIA VIEWERS</keyword>, <keyword>STUDIO CANCEL</keyword>, <keyword>EMPLOYEES THREATENED</keyword>, <keyword>JONG ASSASSINATION</keyword>
December was a rough month for Sony, as the movie studio was forced to sit back and watch as hackers released private emails from top executives, the personal information of thousands of company employees, and then threatened a terrorist attack on American movie theaters, all in an attempt to get the studio to cancel the long planned Christmas release of their Kim Jong-un assassination comedy The Interview. Things finally turned around on Wednesday however, when Christmas came exactly one day early for Sony and the studio was able to declare victory over their hackers by releasing The Interview online. Making the release even sweeter for Sony was the massive outpouring of public support for the film, with thousands turning out for Christmas Eve midnight screenings across the country and tens of thousands of Americans streaming the film online. Guests at the Cinefamily theater's midnight showing in Los Angeles even got their own little holiday surprise when the film's writers and directors, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, showed up to introduce the film and answer questions. Scroll down for videos . Surprise: Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen (above) surprised some fans in Los Angeles at the midnight showing of the film in the early morning hours of Thursday . Big business: This just hours after the film was officially released - online . Meanwhile, the film has taken over social media, with viewers eager to share their near uniform praise of the comedy, a development that no doubt restored a little holiday cheer in everyone involved in the production after critics found little to love about the movie. 'Hey North Korea... I just watched the Interview and I laughed my butt off!!! Thanks YouTube!!' said one happy customer, while another said paying $5.99 to watch the film was 'totally worth it.' This in contrast to Variety critic Scott Foundas who said in his review of the film that 'North Korea is right to object,' before then going on to warn readers eager to see the film that 'an evening of cinematic waterboarding awaits.' Also expressing their excitement over the comedy's release on social media were stars Seth Rogen and James Franco, who have frequently taken to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook over the past two days to remind everyone how happy they are to see the film released, and, in Rogen's case, suggest that fans check it out on the big screen. 'I need to say that a comedy is best viewed in a theater full of people, so if you can, I'd watch it like that. Or call some friends over,' he said just hours before his surprise appearance Wednesday night. Franco decided to take a much different approach, as the actor continued his current social media strategy of really utilizing his keyboard's caps lock and punctuation keys, writing on Instagram; 'Merry X-mas MERICA!!!!!!THE INTERVIEW IS LIVE!!!!!! !!!Watch it here!!!Thank you SONY!!!!!!!!' There were also a few American flag emojis to really make the post pop. And as an added bonus for Sony, the studio will now go down in the history books for becoming the first studio to release a major motion picture online, as well as being the first studio to simultaneously allow for the viewing of a film across three different platforms - theaters, online and video on demand. 'It has always been Sony's intention to have a national platform on which to release this film,' Sony Pictures chair and CEO Michael Lynton said in a statement. 'We chose the path of digital distribution first so as to reach as many people as possible on opening day, and we continue to seek other partners and platforms to further expand the release.' Even more impressive however is how quickly the studio managed to pull this all together after initially deciding to hold off on distributing the film last week. Sony only announced on Tuesday that the film would play in selected theaters and be released to video on demand on Thursday. As for the big online announcement, that was confirmed less than an hour before the movie appeared on Google Play, YouTube, Microsoft Xbox Video and a Sony website created for the film, with the option of renting the film for $5.99 or downloading it for $16.99. Laughing and laughing: James Franco and Rogen (above in a still from the film) have also be using their social media accounts to share how happy they are to see the film be released . And while many are not doubt eager to learn how many views, and how much dough, Sony will make off of online streaming, the studio has said at this time there is no plan to release the numbers, a move very similar to that practiced by Netflix. Sony also quickly learned the biggest downfall of an online release, as less than an hour after it was released, pirates had already copied and shared the film. | Thousands packed movie theaters across the country last night for the first screening of The Interview, which happened at midnight on Christmas Eve .
This as tens of thousands streamed the film online in just its first day of release .
Early audiences seem to be responding well to the film, sharing how much they enjoyed the comedy on social media .
This news is not doubt a relief to everyone involved in the production and many at the studio after the film was panned by many critics .
Sony also made history on Wednesday when The Interview became to first studio film to have its release online .
They then made history again Thursday, when The Interview became the first film to simultaneously play across three different viewing platforms . |
Keywords: <keyword>RETURN BARCELONA</keyword>, <keyword>REPORTING JUVENTUS</keyword>, <keyword>MUNDO DEPORTIVO</keyword>, <keyword>MESSI EXPECTED</keyword>, <keyword>CRISTIANO RONALDO</keyword>, <keyword>CLUB DIRECTOR</keyword>, <keyword>JOGO CLAIM</keyword>, <keyword>NANI REJECTED</keyword>, <keyword>ERIC ABIDAL</keyword>, <keyword>SCHOOLS RETIRES</keyword>
Every morning Sportsmail brings you the biggest gossip and headlines on the continent, giving you your early morning fix from the biggest leagues across Europe. Nani has rejected the opportunity to return to parent club Manchester United because he is enjoying resurrecting his career at Sporting Lisbon, claim Portuguese newspaper O Jogo. Having recently been voted the best player in Portugal in a fans' poll, Nani is finding his form and his footballing feet again in Iberia and does not want to head back to the North West of England. Portuguese paper O Jogo claim Nani has turned down the opportunity to return to Manchester United . Mundo Deportivo claims Eric Abidal will return to Barcelona as director of football for schools after retiring . In Spain, Mundo Deportivo lead with the headline: 'Abidal returns to Barca'. This refers to former Barcelona full back Eric Abidal, whom the paper reports has agreed to return to the club as director of football for schools once he retires from playing with Greek side Olympiacos. Mundo also reveal that ex-Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen will make his Barcelona debut in the cup against Huesca on December 3. Meanwhile, AS believe Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is 'Super favourite for the Ballon d'Or' ahead of Barca's Lionel Messi. FIFA will announce the three finalists for the award on December 1, with Ronaldo and Messi both expected to head-up the shortlist. Cristiano Ronaldo is the 'super-favourite' to lift the Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi, say AS . Luis Suarez's autobiography is being serialised in Sport and he says he 'was taken out of Guantanamo (Bay)' Sport lead on extracts from Luis Suarez's autobiography, with the headline 'My clandestine move to Barca'. Revealing his move from Liverpool to Spain had to be done in secret, he explains: 'Everything had to be in hiding, it was a sting operation. Luis Enrique (the manager) told the team that they had taken me out of Guantanamo (Bay) - I was a released prisoner. I was treated worse than a criminal.' Also, Real centre back Raphael Varane has pledged his future to the club in Marca, declaring: 'I'm only thinking about Madrid.' Raphael Varane has told Marca that he 'is only thinking about Real (Madrid)' despite interest from Chelsea . The Frenchman, who has been courted by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho in the past, believes Real can get even better and that they 'have the quality to keep the ball or play on the counter attack.' In Italy, Corriere dello Sport's headline is 'Tevez for life'. They claim Juventus are ready to offer former Manchester United, Manchester City and West Ham United striker Carlos Tevez a new long-term contract if he is willing to commit to the club. In Italy, Corriere dello Sport are reporting that Juventus are ready to offer Carlos Tevez a new long-term deal . VIDEO Allegri delighted with Tevez impact . While in France, L'Equipe lead on the fact that the Africa Cup of Nations has 'fallen victim' to the Ebola virus outbreak on the continent. Morocco were stripped of the tournament having refused to host it and now the competition's future for next year remains up in the air. In France, L'Equipe focus on how the Africa Cup of Nations has fallen 'victim' to the continent's Ebola crisis . | Portuguese paper O Jogo claim Nani has rejected the chance to return to parent club Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon .
Mundo Deportivo is reporting Eric Abidal will return to Barcelona .
Spanish paper says he will come back as director of football for schools .
AS believe Cristiano Ronaldo is 'super favourite' for Ballon d'Or .
Luis Suarez's autobiography is serialised in Spanish paper Sport . |
Keywords: <keyword>MADELEINE DISAPPEARANCE</keyword>, <keyword>MCCANN KIDNAPPED</keyword>, <keyword>INVESTIGATION BURGLARS</keyword>, <keyword>ARREST PORTUGAL</keyword>, <keyword>SUSPECT MET</keyword>, <keyword>INTRUDERS FLED</keyword>, <keyword>PHONE DATA</keyword>, <keyword>RAIDED HOLIDAY</keyword>, <keyword>SITES BELIEVED</keyword>, <keyword>LUZ DISTURBING</keyword>
Analysis of mobile phone data suggests Madeleine McCann could have been kidnapped by a gang of burglars who panicked when she woke up as they raided her holiday apartment . Three prime suspects for the abduction of Madeleine McCann have been identified by Scotland Yard officers. Analysis of mobile phone data suggests a burglary gang was operating very near to where she vanished in Portugal in May 2007. The three men made an unusually high number of calls to each other in the hours after Madeleine was reported missing from her holiday flat in the Algarve. Police believe the thieves, including at least one Portuguese man, had already carried out one raid in the resort of Praia da Luz, disturbing a child. That child’s parents, who had been drinking outside the property, rushed inside to find the intruders had fled. During their bungled investigation Portuguese police attached no significance to the break-in, which came a few days before Madeleine disappeared. British detectives said this oversight was a ‘disgrace’. Following the Yard phone breakthrough, informal discussions have taken place about arresting the three burglars and searching their homes and other sites. It is believed background checks have taken place into their criminal history, their circle of friends and relatives and the vehicles they have used. British detectives believe the burglars may have panicked after they woke Madeleine up by mistake and decided to take her away with them. Kate and Gerry McCann pose with an artist's impression of how their daughter might look at the age of nine last year . An informed source said: ‘After all the . far-fetched theories about what may have happened to Madeleine, there . may be a far more simple explanation: that a burglary went horribly . wrong. 'It is the main line of inquiry for British police.’ But Scotland Yard’s hopes of early . arrests have been thwarted by the reluctance of the Portuguese . authorities to agree to a formal joint investigation. Because . none of the burglars is British, the Met cannot arrest them in Portugal . and will need the full cooperation of local police to pursue the . inquiry. Behind the scenes, highly sensitive diplomatic discussions are taking place to resolve the issue so that British detectives can be based in Portugal. Home Secretary Theresa May is being briefed regularly. 'After all the far-fetched theories about . what may have happened to Madeleine, there may be a far more simple . explanation: that a burglary went horribly wrong.' Yard detectives have dismissed the idea that a local man who died in a tractor accident four years ago was responsible for Madeleine’s disappearance. Portuguese police regard the 40-year-old, a former employee at the Ocean Club holiday complex the McCanns stayed at, as their prime suspect. Met officers disagree with their reasoning and are concentrating on the burglars. The compelling mobile phone ‘cell site analysis’ – which has helped solve a number of major crimes – has strengthened suspicions about the gang. A major appeal based on ‘substantive’ new information – including descriptions of possible suspects – was broadcast on the BBC1’s Crimewatch in October. Days before the appeal, senior detectives revealed mobile phone records may hold the key to solving the case. Detective Chief Inspector Andy . Redwood, who is leading the inquiry, said officers were examining data . from thousands of mobiles thought to belong to people who were in Praia . da Luz around the time of Madeleine’s disappearance. The data suggests the men were involved in a burglary a few days before Madeleine's disappearance during which they woke a another child . Madeleine McCann went missing from her apartment in The Ocean Club in Praia Da Luz in 2007 . Police are trying to identify the owner of each phone to build up a picture of exactly who was in the area. More than 3,000 people live in Praia da Luz, while holidaymakers and seasonal workers visit from around the world. ‘This is not just a general trawl,’ said Mr Redwood. ‘It’s a targeted attack on that data to see if it assists us to find out what happened to Madeleine at that time.’ Mr Redwood said officers had been unable to identify, six years on, a large number of mobile phones, especially those bought on a pay-as-you-go basis. The records also contain information on which numbers were dialled and when. It is thought some numbers might appear on police intelligence systems, or be linked to criminals. According to Scotland Yard, the phone records were looked at by the Portuguese police investigation but in no detail. Scotland Yard announced it was launching an investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance in July – after spending two years reviewing the case under the codename Operation Grange. Madeleine, whose parents Gerry and Kate live in Rothley, Leicestershire, was days away from her fourth birthday when she was abducted. Earlier this week it emerged that the bill for the Yard’s probe has topped £6million. The total is now likely to exceed £10million, with £88,000 having gone on travel costs so far. | Data suggests a burglary gang was operating near time of disappearance .
Suspects made an 'unusually high' number of calls hours after Maddie was reported missing .
Police believe thieves carried out one raid in resort, disturbing a child .
Portuguese police attached no significance to the break-in days before .
British detectives described oversight as a 'disgrace'
'Main line of inquiry' suggests burglars panicked and kidnapped Maddie . |
Keywords: <keyword>CRUELTY CHICKENS</keyword>, <keyword>FOSTER FARMS</keyword>, <keyword>MUTILATED BIRDS</keyword>, <keyword>CLUB BURGLARS</keyword>, <keyword>HITTING BIRDIE</keyword>, <keyword>DEATH GOLF</keyword>, <keyword>SICK BEHAVIOR</keyword>, <keyword>HORRIFIED MESS</keyword>, <keyword>FRESNO COUNTY</keyword>, <keyword>POLICY FOSTER</keyword>
'Psychopath' burglars brutally clubbed nearly 1,000 chickens to death with golf clubs after breaking into an industrial farm in California's Central Valley, police have revealed. Workers showed up at Foster Farms near Fresno on September 20 to find 920 chickens bludgeoned to death. Detectives discovered a piece of a golf club that the burglars had left behind. 'Psychopathic behavior, it’s sick behavior. And people who will do this, it can definitely lead to other things,' Fresno County sheriff's deputy Chris Curtice told KPIX-TV. Scroll down for video . Massacre: Sick burglars practiced their golf swing at Foster Farms last month, hitting a birdie and bludgeoning some 920 chickens to death . Foster Farms said the birds were worth about $5,000. The company said it was furious about the cruelty to the chickens and have offered a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the suspects. 'This appears to be a random act of violence. It is the express policy of Foster Farms to treat its birds humanely and with compassion. Any intentional act to the contrary is unacceptable,' the company said in a statement. Workers say they were horrified by the mess left from the mutilated birds. 'It’s crazy that someone would break into the chicken shed to kill them. It’s just crazy,' employee Antonio Puentes told KPIX. | 920 chickens were bludgeoned to death by burglars who broke into Foster Farms outside Fresno, California, last month .
The chickens were worth $5,000 and the company decried their 'inhumane' deaths at the hands of the vandals . |
Keywords: <keyword>MOVING MCCAIN</keyword>, <keyword>TAKEPART LIVE</keyword>, <keyword>PUNDIT MEGHAN</keyword>, <keyword>DAUGHTER REPUBLICAN</keyword>, <keyword>PIVOT NIGHTLY</keyword>, <keyword>LOS</keyword>, <keyword>PRESENTERS APPEARING</keyword>, <keyword>MEDIA CAREER</keyword>, <keyword>RESPECT VIEW</keyword>, <keyword>ENJOYING NEW</keyword>
By . David Mccormack . Conservative pundit Meghan McCain, 29, only moved to L.A. in April after growing up in New York and says she has no plans to move back east just yet . The daughter of former Republican presidential nominee John McCain is adamant she isn’t about to join daytime chat show The View and instead is too busy enjoying the new life she has made for herself in Los Angeles, including a new job and settling into a fabulous new apartment that she has just had decorated. Conservative pundit Meghan McCain, 29, impressed producers on the New York-based chat show that is currently down a couple of presenters after appearing as a guest co-host last month. However McCain, who only moved to L.A. in April after growing up in New York says she has no plans to move back east just yet. Particularly since McCain has landed herself a job as the cohost of Pivot's nightly show TakePart Live. ‘I . have the most utmost respect for everyone at The View. The show was . amazing for my career for a long time. But, right now, I really love my . job at TakePart Live,’ she told Refinery 29. Takepart . Live is a nightly, interactive news show aimed at millennials and . McCain says she much prefers it to working on the cable news channels. 'I don’t want to be part of making America more sided. It’s just not my personality; it’s not who I am and what I believe in,' she said. Another good reason to stay in L.A. for the time being is the amazing apartment which McCain has had specially decorated for her by a friend . 'I don’t want to think that just because you’re on the left you can’t find something in common with the right. Our country is still so divided in so many ways.' Despite initial fears that she might feel out of place as a Republican in L.A., McCain has no regrets about her move cross country. Another good reason to stay in L.A. for the time being is the amazing apartment which she has had specially decorated for her by a friend. ‘My best friend from high school is an interior designer, and I literally said, “I want my apartment to be a little Graceland and a little Scarface and a little Goldie Hawn in the ’70s, and you do whatever you want."' McCain's best friend from high school is an interior designer and so she told her: 'I want my apartment to be a little Graceland and a little Scarface and a little Goldie Hawn in the '70s, and you do whatever you want' McCain says she absolutely loves it. 'I feel like I have a big-girl apartment now,’ she said. Since moving to L.A., McCain has also been appointed to GLAAD's national board of directors, a posting which she describes as an honor. ‘I’m . a straight Republican and to be a member of the board and to show my . people the fight for marriage equality and LGBT rights is universal and . it goes beyond politics,' she said. Politically, McCain describes herself as a ‘socially liberal Republican’ She defines that as someone who doesn't want to focus as much on social issues and what people do in their bedrooms and with their bodies. ‘I’m much more interested in what we’re doing fiscally as a country and national defense and how our government is run,' said the senator's daughter who has turned the blog she penned documenting her father’s 2008 presidential bid into a blossoming media career, which includes the campaign memoir Dirty Sexy Politics. Since moving to L.A., McCain has also been appointed to GLAAD's national board of directors, a posting which she describes as an honor . | Conservative pundit Meghan McCain, 29, is very happy with her new life in Los Angeles .
The daughter of former Republican presidential nominee John McCain has said she has no desire to join The View .
Instead, she is enjoying new job in L.A. as a co-host on Pivot's nightly show TakePart Live, which is aimed at millennials .
She has also settled into a fabulous new home in LA which was decorated by an old school friend . |
Keywords: <keyword>OBAMA SCULPTED</keyword>, <keyword>BARCELONA ARTIST</keyword>, <keyword>BUILDING FACE</keyword>, <keyword>OUTDO CANDIDATE</keyword>, <keyword>42 CUBAN</keyword>, <keyword>CREATE LARGER</keyword>, <keyword>GERADA WORK</keyword>, <keyword>ABROAD SPAIN</keyword>, <keyword>SAND POSSIBLY</keyword>, <keyword>COSTS RAKES</keyword>
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- Barack Obama sometimes gets ribbed for his outsized ideas, like the massive stage built in Denver, Colorado, to accept the Democratic presidential nomination. But an artist in Barcelona, Spain, may be about to outdo the candidate himself. Large-format sketches have long been a focus of artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada's work. The artist plans to create a gigantic face of Obama sculpted from gravel and sand, which will cover nearly 2.5 acres (1 hectare) of Barcelona beachfront before the U.S. elections. "The size of the piece is intrinsic to its value," the artist, Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada, said Saturday. He hopes it will be big enough to be seen on Google Earth. "Obama's personality -- his youth, personal history and message of a new politics -- has fused with the historical moment to create someone larger than life," says the artist's dossier about the work, titled "Expectation." The huge size also alludes "to the global impact of this election," the dossier adds. iReport.com: What do you want to ask Sen. Obama? Rodriguez-Gerada, 42, is a Cuban-born American who grew up in North Plainfield, New Jersey, near New York, and now lives in Barcelona. The artist, who has long focused on large-format sketches and other designs, said he had been planning to put an anonymous face on Barcelona's Mediterranean beachfront but shelved the idea. Then, six weeks ago, he decided it should be Obama's face. "Everybody's doing work about Obama," he said. "I was talking to my wife about the importance of this election internationally. It all came together." The idea, that is. The execution of the project is still a work in progress, but with a lot of help pouring in. The artist has created what he calls a "vectored image" from different photos of Obama, showing the candidate's face looking left over his shoulder. He will use 500 tons of material -- mainly gravel but also sand and possibly some soil in black, brown and white tones -- to create the image on a flat piece of land slightly raised and overlooking the Mediterranean, near downtown Barcelona. The artist and a Barcelona newspaper say the city has temporarily ceded use of the land for the project. The portrait of Obama's face will be 445 feet long by 264 feet wide (139.28 by 82.67 meters) and the artist hopes to have it done by late next week or no later than November 3, the day before the U.S. elections. The materials have been donated, along with bulldozers and their drivers. The crews will initially spread the materials along white lines, and other markers that will be laid out according to the sketch. Then, the artist's technical team will direct volunteers with garden rakes to put the final touches on the materials, making sure the various colors are spread properly on the ground in order to depict Obama's eyes, hair, cheeks and collar, according to the plans. Rodriguez-Gerada said he'll need to raise about $18,700 (15,000 euros) for other costs, such as rakes and gloves for volunteers, documentation, even portable toilets for the crew. He said it's his "biggest work ever, in scale and complexity." He's a self-described political independent until recently, when he joined Democrats Abroad in Spain. But he added that the art project is his alone, without help from any political organization or campaign, and he won't be paid for it. Rodriguez-Gerada said this project also aims to address the issue of "trying to find heroes with empathy for the problems of the world. We really need empathy from Barack Obama. There's a need to do positive things for the future." Obama's giant face would be environmentally friendly, with all natural colors, so the materials could be recycled, the artist said. Rodriguez-Gerada's not sure how long the face would remain in place in Barcelona, because the site is slated to be used for a new municipal building. But even if the face isn't permanent, it might be the start of outsized artistic images of Obama. Barcelona journalist Matt Elmore contributed to this report. | Cuban-American artist plans to finish work before U.S. elections .
500 tons of material will cover 2.5 acres of beachfront .
Democratic presidential candidate is "larger than life," artist says .
Project also aims to address issue of "trying to find heroes" |
Keywords: <keyword>RIO FERDINAND</keyword>, <keyword>HAM COACH</keyword>, <keyword>LEAVING MANCHESTER</keyword>, <keyword>ENGLAND PAID</keyword>, <keyword>SAYS YOUNG</keyword>, <keyword>NEW SIGNING</keyword>, <keyword>JOINING QPR</keyword>, <keyword>BELIEVES GAME</keyword>, <keyword>CLUB MAKING</keyword>, <keyword>TRANSFER FEES</keyword>
Rio Ferdinand says young players in England are being paid too much too soon and believes the game needs to change. Ferdinand has enjoyed a successful career since breaking through from the West Ham academy in 1996. The former England captain joined QPR on a free transfer this summer but has commanded transfer fees of over £47million over his career and won six Premier League titles. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Rio Ferdinand on his debut and his feelings on joining QPR . New start: Rio Ferdinand was presented as QPR's new signing this week after leaving Manchester United . But he fears players are coming through these days are being giving too much too young and reaping financial rewards before they have achieved anything on the pitch. He said: 'Kids are coming into money so quickly, before they have even proved themselves. It happens within six months of being at a club. Making his way in the game: Ferdinand, with West Ham coach Peter Brabrook, broke through as a teenager . Winner: Ferdinand had a successful period at United winning six Premier League titles . 'I sympathise a bit because I know what it is like. All things are bright and wonderful are there for you and it is hard to turn down. 'It took me time to realise my responsibilities. So it is hard in that sense, but it is easy in terms of financial reward. The balance just isn’t there anymore.' | Rio Ferdinand says balance between what young players do on the pitch and financial rewards are not there any more .
Ferdinand came through the youth ranks at West Ham and made his debut as a teenager .
Centre back won six Premier League titles with Manchester United . |
Keywords: <keyword>INDIANA LAWS</keyword>, <keyword>ONLINE LAW</keyword>, <keyword>PROTECTED SPEECH</keyword>, <keyword>COMMUNICATIONS MINORS</keyword>, <keyword>SEX OFFENDERS</keyword>, <keyword>BAN INTERNET</keyword>, <keyword>FACEBOOK FEDERAL</keyword>, <keyword>PROBATION COVERED</keyword>, <keyword>APPEALS CONCLUDED</keyword>, <keyword>DOE RELEASED</keyword>
(CNN) -- Indiana can't kick all registered sex offenders off instant messaging services, chat rooms or social networking sites like Facebook, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The state passed a law in 2008 that was aimed at keeping predators from trolling the Internet for new victims. But that law "broadly prohibits substantial protected speech rather than specifically targeting the evil of improper communications to minors," a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals concluded. State courts can impose limits on social media as a condition of a sex offender's probation or parole, but a "blanket ban" on Internet use violates the First Amendment's guarantee of free expression, the judges found. A district judge in Indianapolis had upheld the law in June, but federal courts in at least two other states -- Nebraska and Louisiana -- struck down similar state laws in 2012. The Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union challenged the statute on behalf of an offender identified only as "John Doe," who had served 21 months in prison for child exploitation. "Doe" was released in 2003 and isn't on parole or probation, but was covered by the state ban. Ken Falk, the group's legal director, said Indiana already has laws on the books barring the solicitiation of children, with enhanced penalties for inappropriate communications online. The law overturned Wednesday barred the "completely innocent" use of social media, he said. "If you wanted to participate in a chat room to work around a candidate, you can't do that," he said. "If you want to follow the pope on Twitter, you can't do that." News websites increasingly require commenters to log in via a social network, and Falk said "Doe" couldn't supervise his own child's use of social media under the law. Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said his office has not decided whether to appeal the ruling. "The Indiana Legislature made a policy decision in 2008 that the state's reasonable interests in protecting children from predators outweighed the interest of allowing convicted sex offenders to troll social media for information," Zoeller said in a statement issued by his office. "We have worked with county sheriffs and prosecutors in our defense of the legal challenges to these protections of our children, and we will need to review this 7th Circuit ruling to determine the state's next steps." Facebook, the largest social media platform, already bars sex offenders from using the site under its Statement of Rights and Responsibilities states. It also prohibits children under 13 and multiple accounts on the site. In the past, Facebook has worked with various states on legislation to help law enforcement find, prosecute and convict sexual predators who attempt to use the site. Defense battles social media blizzard in Ohio rape case . | NEW: The Indiana law banned "completely innocent" conduct, the ACLU argued .
NEW: The state's attorney general said the law protected "reasonable interests"
Indiana can't slap a "blanket ban" on social media for sex offenders, court finds .
Federal judges have struck down similar bans in Nebraska and Louisiana . |
Keywords: <keyword>MOSQUITOES BEWARE</keyword>, <keyword>TREATING BITES</keyword>, <keyword>UK FLEA</keyword>, <keyword>VARIETIES STINGS</keyword>, <keyword>SUMMER NHS</keyword>, <keyword>BALMY WEATHER</keyword>, <keyword>CREAMS SEEN</keyword>, <keyword>BRITONS PREPARE</keyword>, <keyword>SUPERFLEA EVOLVING</keyword>, <keyword>POPULATION DRAMATICALLY</keyword>
By . Inderdeep Bains and Kerry Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 07:57 EST, 24 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 16:32 EST, 24 August 2012 . Thriving: Britain's soggy summer has provided perfect breeding conditions for pesky mosquitoes . Beware this Bank Holiday weekend. If the rain doesn’t get you, a mosquito might. Sun-starved Britons who had their hopes of a glorious summer dashed by persistent rain are now dealing with another unpleasant side effect of the bizarre weather - an explosion in the mosquito and flea populations. The . current wet and humid conditions have created a perfect breeding ground . for midges and mozzies and huge numbers of people have already reported . bites. There are even fears of a new 'superflea' evolving - one that is resistant to existing sprays and creams used to tackle the problem. In the past week alone Tesco has seen sales of the creams shoot up by 150 per cent at its pharmacies across the UK, while the number of people calling NHS Direct for advice on treating bites is at its highest level in three years. 'The recent balmy weather has led to the most concentrated demand for insect bite and sting creams we have ever seen,' said Tesco spokeswoman Joy Wickham. 'Demand has been rising through the summer and during the very muggy weather we had last weekend we saw the highest sales so far this year.' The insects won’t be the only hazard, however. As around 1.8million Britons prepare to head abroad for the break, the Met Office is warning of heavy downpours across the country. Some areas could see as much as two inches of rain today. Forecasters issued a 24-hour severe weather alert, predicting torrential storms and gusts of winds of up to 50mph along the south coast. Things could start looking up tomorrow, however. Most of the country is expected to see a drier day with the exception of northern England where there could be some lingering showers. Temperatures are not expected to reach much higher than 20C (68F) over the weekend. Gareth Harvey, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: ‘It won’t be the best of Bank Holiday weekends. There’s an Atlantic depression heading in towards the UK, bringing spells of quite heavy rain.’ He added: ‘Monday may start off sunny in some areas, particularly in the East, which will hold on to it for a good part of the day.’ NHS Direct confirmed that this summer has seen the highest number of calls about insect bites and stings for three years. People coping with the humid weather by sleeping with their windows open and spending more time outside are finding themselves plagued by parasites. As people prepare to descend on parks and beer gardens over the bank holiday weekend chemists are ordering in extra supplies of bite remedies to combat the impact of increased numbers of insects eager to sink their 'teeth' into unwitting humans. Entomologist Steven Falk, from the conservation charity Buglife, said the mosquito population had dramatically increased on account of the wet spring and summer - which has created perfect breeding conditions for the pesky flies. 'The wet and humid weather has resulted in an increased breeding habitat for mosquitoes, such as pools and water-filled ditches, which has led to more people being bitten than during a normal year,' he said. Population explosion: Fleas like this one pictured in a dog's fur are also on the increase thanks to the wet and warm weather . And its not just insect remedies for humans that are flying off the shelves - there has also been a 'dramatic' increase in demand for flea treatments for household pets. The UK's flea population has also been thriving in the damp weather conditions, and sales of flea treatments are up 25 per cent year on year, according to BBC Radio 4's consumer programme You and Yours. Ouch: Tesco has reported a 150 per cent increase in demand for insect bite creams in the past week alone at its pharmacies across the UK . Lucy Chadwick, head vet for retailer Pet Drugs Online, said: 'The [sales] numbers do fluctuate a bit from time to time but this is quite dramatic.' Dr Tim Nuttall, veterinary dermatologist at the University of Liverpool, said the flea population has been rising for the past five years but that it has spiked more dramatically in the past two. He explained that the increase in numbers is almost all down to the cat flea, which - despite its title - will live off dogs, ferrets and humans as well as felines. The boom is bad news for those of us susceptible to bites, as experts say that even when fleas appear to be beaten, they can make an unexpected return. Richard Mosely, of the British Pest Control Association, said: 'They have an ability to go into a sort of suspended animation. 'Even if you go into a flat which has been unoccupied for a year, their cocoons can be set off again by the carbon dioxide in people's breath.' Midges and other insects are also on the rise thanks to the washout summer, and NHS Direct has reported an overall rise in the number of calls about all varieties of stings and bites since early May. Calls to the service have doubled since the beginning of July, with the number of queries continuing to rise throughout the month of August. In the period since May, NHS Direct has dealt with 8,953 calls about bites and stings, compared to 8,641 this time last year, and 7,450 for the same period in 2010. Washout: Festivities marking the Queen's Diamond Jubilee were among the events marred by lashing rain this summer. Fans gathered to watch the river pageant are pictured sheltering from the showers . Despite recent warm temperatures, the summer of 2012 is likely to be remembered as one marred by persistent bouts of heavy rain. The pattern is set to continue with forecasters predicting a wet and windy bank holiday this weekend. Intermittent sunny spells are expected to be accompanied by stormy weather conditions that will sweep across the country - threatening to turn the bank holiday weekend into yet another washout. Familiar sight: Cricket fans are pictured sheltering under umbrellas before England took on Australia at Old Trafford in July . | A wet spring followed by the recent muggy spell has led to an explosion in the numbers of mosquitoes and fleas .
Demand for bite and sting creams is up 150 per cent, say pharmacists .
NHS Direct is being inundated with calls from people suffering the effects of insect bites . |
Keywords: <keyword>TACKLE COLE</keyword>, <keyword>GARNIER QUIT</keyword>, <keyword>ENGLAND CAPS</keyword>, <keyword>FAMOUS FREESTYLERS</keyword>, <keyword>LEFT ASHLEY</keyword>, <keyword>JOINING CHELSEA</keyword>, <keyword>FRANCE INJURIES</keyword>, <keyword>ROMA DIFFERENT</keyword>, <keyword>RED BULL</keyword>, <keyword>EYES FIRMLY</keyword>
Former Chelsea and Arsenal left back Ashley Cole took some time off from playing for Roma to take on a different challenge as he faced up to the silky skills of freestyler Sean Garnier. Garnier had to quit professional football in his native France due to injuries but has since become one of the most famous freestylers in the world and in 2008 he won the inaugural Red Bull Street Style World Finals. With his feet moving so quickly they were almost a blur, Cole had to keep his eyes firmly on the ball as Garnier strutted his stuff when the two met this weekend. Ashley Cole waits for his moment and then pounces to nick the ball from freestyler Sean Garnier . Cole (right) has enjoyed a solid start to life at Roma but played in the 7-1 defeat against Bayern Munich . The 33-year-old, who has 107 England caps, showed he's lost none of his defensive nous as he let his French opponent perform his mesmerising tricks before nipping in to dispossess him when the opportunity arose. Shortly before making the tackle, Cole joked, 'I don't want to hurt you' while he watched Garnier flick the ball right and left. The ex-England international took the applause as he ended up with the ball, but he may be relieved at getting back to his day job and facing up to more conventional opponents when he next lines up for Roma. The left back has made seven appearances for the Italian side since joining from Chelsea this summer . | Ashley Cole faced up to famous freestyler Sean Garnier this weekend .
The Roma left back defended while Garnier produced silky skills .
The former Chelsea and Arsenal left back nipped in to win the ball .
Garnier won the 2008 Red Bull Street Style World Finals .
Cole was on the bench for Roma's 0-0 draw with Sampdoria on Saturday . |
Keywords: <keyword>SVEN GORAN</keyword>, <keyword>ERIKSSON DROPPED</keyword>, <keyword>GOALKEEPER SHUAIB</keyword>, <keyword>IVORY</keyword>, <keyword>STRIKERS ATTACKING</keyword>, <keyword>GUATEMALA MIDFIELDERS</keyword>, <keyword>DROGBA EXPLODE</keyword>, <keyword>KOUEMAHA CAMEROON</keyword>, <keyword>KONE PLAYED</keyword>, <keyword>PLAYERS YAKUBU</keyword>
(CNN) -- Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has selected six strikers in an attacking 23-man squad for the World Cup finals. Chelsea pair Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, Aruna Dindane, who recently moved to Qatar League side Lekhwiya, CSKA Moscow's Seydou Doumbia, Lille's Gervinho and Emmanuel Kone, of Romanian club CFR Cluj, have all made the cut. Eriksson has dropped seven players from his original squad, they are goalkeeper Vincent Angban, defender Abdoulaye Meite, midfielders Gilles Yapi Yapo and Emerse Fae, and strikers Bakari Kone, Kanga Akale and Lassina. Yapi Yapo, Fae and Kone all played at the World Cup in Germany in 2006. The Swedish coach informed his players at their base of Gstaad, Switzerland, on Tuesday morning. Blog: "Dynamite" Drogba will explode at World Cup . The Elephants have been drawn in the so-called group of death along with Brazil, Portugal and North Korea. They begin their campaign against Portugal on June 15. Much will be expected of Drogba, who finished as the leading scorer in the English Premier League after netting 29 goals for Chelsea. Notable names in the squad include defenders Emmanuel Eboue, of Arsenal, and Manchester City's Kolo Toure, as well midfield duo Didier Zokora, of Sevilla, and Barcelona's Yaya Toure. South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has dropped the World Cup hosts' all-time record scorer Benni McCarthy for the tournament starting on June 11. The 32-year-old has struggled for form and fitness this season, having moved English clubs from Blackburn to West Ham, but was recalled by Parreira after the Brazilian returned for his second stint in charge. However, McCarthy -- who played at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups -- featured in only one of the team's four warm-up friendlies and was an unused substitute as Bafana Bafana romped to a national record 5-0 win over Guatemala on Monday night. Uncapped goalkeeper Shuaib Walters of mid-table South African club Maritzburg was picked ahead of Rowen Fernandez, who plays for German club Arminia Bielefeld, in the 23-man squad named on Tuesday. Bryce Moon, who plays in Greece, also missed out along with fellow defender Innocent Mdledle and midfielder Franklin Cale, both of SA Premier Soccer League runners-up Mamelodi Sundowns. Blog: The World Cup's missing men . "It was a very difficult and sad decision to make, some of these boys who have been left out have been with me since the Durban training camp in January," Parreira told the South African Football Association Web site. "But at the end of the day we have to follow the rules and regulations because FIFA wants only 23 players. My decision of leaving out these players was based on certain principles: physical condition, technical level, tactical knowledge, discipline as well as adjusting to the shape of the team. "But I would like to say to them, 'Thank you very much for your efforts, don't lose hope, just keep your heads high and remember that you are not failures.' This is also a sad time for everyone in the team." The squad includes seven overseas-based players, including captain Aaron Mokoena -- who became the first South African to win 100 caps against Guatemala -- and midfielders Steven Pienaar, Kagisho Dikgacoi and Macbeth Sibaya. Bernard Parker of Dutch champions Twente was one of only three strikers named along with Katlego Mphela and Siyabonga Nomvete. Blog: Who will be the World Cup's best player? Everton striker Victor Anichebe and fellow forward Ike Uche were dropped from Nigeria's final 23-man squad. The duo lost out to a pool of forwards featuring three of Anichebe's fellow Premier League players: Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka. Wolfsburg frontman Obafemi Martins, Osaze Odemwingie of Lokomotiv Moscow and Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi will also compete for starting berths in attack. Midfielder Jon Obi Mikel was included despite missing the end of Chelsea's season due to minor knee surgery. New coach Lars Lagerback also dropped his only two Nigeria-based players, goalkeeper Bassey Akpan and Peter Suswan, as well as Peter Utaka, Onyekachi Apam and Brown Ideye. The Super Eagles open their campaign against Argentina in Johannesburg on June 12, and will also play Greece and South Korea in Group B. Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen gave Rigobert Song the chance to appear at his fourth World Cup, along with his nephew Alex Song of English club Arsenal. Tottenham defenders Benoit Assou-Akotto and Sebastien Bassong also made the 23-man cut, despite missing the Africa Cup of Nations. Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o will continue as captain, having replaced Song when Paul Le Guen took charge last year. While striker Jacques Zoua was already out through injury, the French coach also left out Jean Patrick Abouna Ndzana, Amour Patrick Tignyemb, Makadji Boukar, Jean Patrick Abouna Ndzana, Marcel Ndjeng, Patrick Mevoungou and Dorge Kouemaha. Cameroon are in Group E, along with the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan. Ghana captain Michael Essien has been ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, dealing a major blow to the Black Stars' hopes of success in the first tournament to be held in Africa. The midfielder has not played for his English club Chelsea since December, but Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac picked the 27-year-old in his preliminary 29-man squad in the hope that he would be fit to play in the tournament. But the Ghana Football Association announced that Essien, who has won more than 50 caps and is known affectionately by fans as "The Bison," will not be ready before the month-long tournament finishes in mid-July. "An evaluation by a combined team of medical experts from the Ghana Football Association and Chelsea Football Club revealed that Essien will not make full recovery until the end of July," it said in a statement on its Web site. Essien's latest problems began six months ago when he suffered a hamstring injury in a European Champions League match, but he returned to fitness in time for Ghana's second match at the African Nations Cup in January. But he then injured his knee in training, partially tearing medial ligament, and he needed to have several operations to repair the damage. The former Lyon player also suffered a serious knee injury in 2008 which sidelined him for six months. Earlier this month, Rajevac also named John Mensah in his preliminary squad despite the defender's injury problems. Mensah, who also plays in England on loan with Sunderland, has been sidelined with a calf injury arising from a physical complication which has plagued him in recent years. Midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who also plays in England, was named by the Serbian coach after deciding to switch nationality. The Portsmouth player was born in Germany, who he has represented at under-21 level, but has a Ghanaian father and his uncle has played for the Black Stars. Rajevac also recalled Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari, who was dropped for the Africa Cup of Nations in January after deciding not to play in a friendly against Angola. Algeria coach Rabah Saadane added five players to his initial 25-man squad to cover for injuries. Lazhar Hadj Aissa, Hocine Metref and Khaled Lemmouchia of Algerian club ES Setif have joined the Desert Foxes' Swiss training camp along with Mohamed Meftah of JS Kabylie and Germany-based striker Chadli Amri. Defender Nadir Belhadj and goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi were selected despite being banned for the opening Group C match against Slovenia due to red cards received in the Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against Egypt. While Portsmouth's Belhadj can play in the second game against Hameur Bouazza, Chaouchi is suspended until the final pool clash with the United States. Key midfielder Mourad Meghni, who plays for Italian club Lazio, has been ruled out of the finals with a knee problem that requires surgery. | Sven Goran Eriksson names an attack-minded Ivory Coast squad .
Eriksson names six strikers, including Chelsea pair Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou .
Swedish coach omits three players who were involved at 2006 World Cup .
South Africa's all-time record scorer Benni McCarthy to miss out on World Cup . |
Keywords: <keyword>DENTAL DRILL</keyword>, <keyword>GUSTIANA CREATED</keyword>, <keyword>SURGEON JAVA</keyword>, <keyword>TREATMENT MUSICAL</keyword>, <keyword>MODIFY INSTRUMENT</keyword>, <keyword>MOUTHS COMPARED</keyword>, <keyword>HOPES SMILE</keyword>, <keyword>TELL TOY</keyword>, <keyword>CHANGING BUZZING</keyword>, <keyword>CHILDREN AFRAID</keyword>
By . Claire Bates . PUBLISHED: . 10:02 EST, 3 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:14 EST, 3 October 2012 . Nearly all of us have experienced the familiar butterflies when it's time for the dreaded trip to the dentist. Now one enterprising dental surgeon from Java, Indonesia, has created a new tool he hopes will put a smile instead of a grimace on his patients' faces. Dr Dhanni Gustiana has created a musical drill to drown out the ominous high-pitch whine of the tool. He hopes it will especially soothe his nervous younger patients. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Dr Gustiana (pictured) modified a conventional dental drill, changing the buzzing sound to the music from a MP3 player . Dr Gustiana, 37, from Purworejo, Central Java province, decided to create the new appliance after finding out the drill was what children feared most. He said: 'The children are not afraid of doctor, many of them are afraid of drill. I modified this by putting a toy on the head of the drill and tell them that the toy will clean their teeth.' In 2006, after a year of research, Dr Gustiana created a musical dental drill. He modified a conventional dental drill, changing the buzzing sound to the music from a MP3 player. It also features colourful flashing lights. 'The patient will hear the music louder when they open their mouths compared to when they close their mouths,' said Dr Gustiana. The dental surgeon spent about six million rupiah (£372) to modify the instrument. His patients can even request songs loaded onto the MP3 player. Bringing fun into the dreaded dentist's room? The drill also features flashing lights and toys to distract children . Gustiana also has various figurines made from silicon which can be placed on the drill head. He treats more than 15 patients a day, of whom about half are children. He says some adults also ask him to use the singing drill on them. One young patient, Anavaya Siddartta, appeared to enjoy her dental treatment with the musical mouth implement at Gustiana's surgery. Her mother, Christine Ratnawati, said: 'Very interesting, the children listening to the music and they forget about the drill in their mouth. This is a good idea to overcome fear of dental drill.' Dr Gustiana said with the musical drill, most of his children's patients are not even aware of what he is doing. He presented his creation at the International Dental Congress in Greece in March this year. | Indonesian dental surgeon came up with unusual musical tool after realising children feared the drill .
The drill is plugged into an MP3 player and patients hear louder music when they open their mouths . |
Keywords: <keyword>ACCUSED RAPING</keyword>, <keyword>LONDON ACCUSED</keyword>, <keyword>VICTIM SPOTTED</keyword>, <keyword>LYNDON PLUMMER</keyword>, <keyword>KNEW CONSENTED</keyword>, <keyword>DENIES RELATIVES</keyword>, <keyword>1983 SOUTHWARK</keyword>, <keyword>WOMAN SAW</keyword>, <keyword>30 YEARS</keyword>, <keyword>DESCRIBING CHANCE</keyword>
By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 02:52 EST, 31 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:54 EST, 31 July 2013 . An alleged rape victim spotted her attacker in a pub during a wake 30 years after she says she was attacked. The woman, who was 20 at the time of the alleged attack, spotted Lyndon Plummer, now 67, at the pub in Harrow Road, Wembley, north London. He is accused of raping her twice at a house in west London between January and August 1983, Southwark Crown Court was told. Scroll down for video . Lyndon Plummer, 67, is accused of forcing himself on the then 20-year-old woman - an accusation he denies . Relatives noticed Plummer 'staring' at the mother-of-two, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, before 'tempers frayed', jurors heard. Prosecutor Alisdair Smith told the court about the alleged rape attack: 'The complainant was minding her own business when the defendant made sexual advances' he told the jury. 'She begged him to leave her alone but the prosecution say he just ignored that and raped her.' 'It's perfectly plain, the prosecution say, that the defendant knew she would not have consented.' Describing the chance meeting at the pub, Mr Smith added: 'The complainant's daughter became aware of a man staring at her mother. 'When the woman saw the man, it seems she was visibly shaken by this. It led to an allegation being made against Mr Plummer there and then in the pub. 'He was confronted and inevitably, you may think, tempers became frayed. There was a fight and police were called. That did lead to the complainant making the allegation (of rape) to police.' Plummer was arrested in September 2011, when he denied that he had ever raped the woman. He said the rape claims had been invented to cover up an assault on him at the pub. But Mr Smith added: 'The prosecution say this would not explain why the fight had taken place in the first place.' Plummer, of Maida Vale, London, denies two counts of rape. The trial continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Lyndon Plummer arrested on rape charges 28 years after alleged attack .
Bumped into 'victim', now in her fifties, at wake in a pub .
Pensioner, 67, from Maida Vale, denies two counts of rape . |
Keywords: <keyword>CNN SYRIA</keyword>, <keyword>PHOTOGRAPHS DAMASCUS</keyword>, <keyword>IMAGES VICTIMS</keyword>, <keyword>MASSACRE LATEST</keyword>, <keyword>OPPOSITION MEDIA</keyword>, <keyword>SHAAM NEWS</keyword>, <keyword>BLAMES TERRORIST</keyword>, <keyword>DISTURBING NETWORK</keyword>, <keyword>HOULA PRESIDENT</keyword>, <keyword>BURIAL HELP</keyword>
(CNN) -- With Syria limiting access to foreign journalists, Western media outlets are largely relying on amateur photos and videos to tell the story of violence on the ground. CNN, which is working to vet a wealth of material coming out of Syria, has obtained numerous graphic images of victims. Many of these cannot be aired or published because they depict scenes that could be too disturbing for the network's audience. The above gallery is a small collection of photographs, mostly from the Damascus-based Shaam News Network, an opposition media outlet. While the images contain disturbing scenes -- including slain children and a mass burial -- they help paint a portrait of the situation in Syria, which grew dramatically more violent Friday when dozens were massacred in the city of Houla. President Bashar al-Assad's regime insists it was not behind the massacre and blames terrorist groups. Opposition leaders say the massacre is the latest in Syria's crackdown against protesters. | Images from news outlets show bodies of slain children .
Syria limiting access of foreign journalists as violence continues .
Many images from Houla are too disturbing for CNN's audience . |
Keywords: <keyword>MAKEUP SELFIE</keyword>, <keyword>AWARENESS BREAST</keyword>, <keyword>GLAMOUR MODEL</keyword>, <keyword>CAMPAIGN MOTHER</keyword>, <keyword>MARIA FOWLER</keyword>, <keyword>CANCER SURVIVORS</keyword>, <keyword>INSPIRED ELLEN</keyword>, <keyword>DEGENERES OSCARS</keyword>, <keyword>WOMEN POST</keyword>, <keyword>FACEBOOK DONATE</keyword>
By . Mia De Graaf . and Deni Kirkova . Selfies usually seem like an exercise in narcissism. But today thousands of women shared striking shots of themselves at their most vulnerable, make-up free. And . joining the campaign, the mother of former Towie star Maria Fowler took . it a step further - by baring her reconstructed breasts. Brave: Joining thousands of women, Maria Fowler's mother took a shot of her post-surgery scars in support . Joined in: Maria Fowler tweeted her own version, fake tanned but without make up . Sharing the photos on Twitter, Miss Fowler wrote: 'My brave mums (sic) no makeup pic for cancer awareness. Showing her reconstruction scars.' The reality TV star and glamour model, 27, also shared her own, saying: 'Ok so if my mum can bare her scars. Here is my no makeup selfie nothing but my tan #FightCancer'. She later tweeted: 'My mum said she hopes her picture gives hope to anyone fighting against cancer who may be feeling desolate'. The campaign was created as a bid to raise awareness and money for . breast cancer. The . campaign, inspired by Ellen DeGeneres' Oscars selfie, encouraged women . around the world to get sponsored to go to work or on a night out make . up free. Everyone from cancer survivors to men in full drag have been posting pictures in on Twitter and Facebook. She later added that her mother hoped to inspire cancer sufferers who feel desolte . Dancer Felixy Splits says it's not only important to raise awareness but to donate anything you can . Lisa Shepherd, left, posted her no make-up selfie to Facebook, as did Laura Peters on the right . Celebrities . including The Apprentice star Luisa Zissman also took part as people tweeted . their images on Twitter followed by '#NoMakeUpSelfie'. Cancer Research UK, while not affiliated with the #nomakeupselfie hashtag, are supporting it . However, . to begin with the well meaning campaign seemed to have missed a big . point because nobody appeared to be donating any money in support of . those that had gone au natural. Though . nobody seems to know where the idea came from, the rule seemed to be . that women post their picture and then nominate other female friends to . do the same with all posting that the photos were to 'raise awareness of . cancer' yet with no mention of donating any money. It didn't take long for people to become a little bemused by the campaign - with many Facebook and Twitter users wondering what the point was if nobody was actually donating cold hard cash. Luckily Cancer Research UK have now . cottoned on to the campaign and those posting the selfies or nominating . others to do so can now text the word BEAT to 70099 TO DONATE £3. Carolan . Davidge, director of communications at Cancer Research UK said: 'The . #nomakeupselfie Twitter trend isn’t something Cancer Research UK started . – but it’s great to see so many people getting involved to help raise . awareness of cancer amongst their friends and family. 'If people would like to choose to support our work to beat cancer sooner, they can visit www.cruk.org.' Deborah Ferguson (left) and Penny Stretton (right) posted no makeup selfies to raise awareness . Claire Louise Stanleick encourages friends on Facebook to donate with her makeup-free selfie . It's not known where or how the trend . for using a no make-up selfie started this time around although last . week author Laura Lippman caused an online storm with a similar campaign . in support of actress Kim Novak and her appearance at the Oscars. Now, following this new viral selfie campaign the Facebook group No Make Up Selfie For Cancer Awareness has more than 153,690 likes and hundreds of photo uploads. Cancer . survivor Deborah Ferguson from Liverpool submitted her photo to the . Facebook group and agreed to have it published on MailOnline. She . said: 'Can I campaign on behalf of all neglected boobies please? Give . them a check, I did that's why I have such a big smile as am a survivor.' Another participant, Abigail Spillman . said: 'I think it is a fantastic way to raise awareness. Its only been . going on since yesterday and already it is trending worldwide. Sisters Natalie Kirby, left and Joanne Kirby, far right, posed make-up free. Joanne's daughter Charlotte also put in her support. 'Along with a #nomakeupselfie and a small donation (if you wish) is a massive help. Well done on using Facebook and Twitter for putting it to good use!' Sophie Williams, who works for a PR firm, told MailOnline she posted her #nomakeupselfie and promises to donate 50p for each like she receives to Cancer Research UK. Dancer Felixy Splits posted a fresh . faced pic, and told MailOnline: 'Everyone knows someone who has suffered . from this awful disease. 'It's not only important to raise awareness but to donate anything you can. Make a difference and do something positive today.' Katie Weir of Freya Lingerie also joined in. Katie Weirwas nominated by her friend and by doing so she donated £5 to the charity . She told MailOnline: 'Through the recent nomination trend on Facebook it is easy to see the power of social media and how quickly posts can go viral. 'It is fantastic to see young women embracing their make-up free faces to raise awareness of breast cancer. 'I was nominated by my friend and by doing so I donated £5 to the charity which I wouldn't have done if I hadn't seen the status!' And it's not just women who are . getting in on the action. In solidarity, men too have com up with their . own way of raising awareness - but they're slapping on the make-up. Rachel Horkan submitted a photo of her 12-year-old little brother Zach in full make-up. She . wrote: '[He] decided to put the make-up on as us girls are taking it of . all to help cancer awareness, so proud of him to do this at such a young . age! Bless him lots of likes for this young man people xxx' Sophie Williams promises to donate 50p for each like she receives to Cancer Research UK . Social media users have taken the internet by storm posting no-makeup selfies . It has undoubtedly divided opinion, with some saying no makeup selfies are pointless . Rachel Horkan submitted a photo of her . 12-year-old brother Zach, while . Martin Helliwell, 29, from Lancashire, piled on the slap to raise . awareness. | Women post selfies with no make-up to raise cancer awareness .
Mother of Maria Fowler bared all in a bid to give hope to sufferers .
Cancer Research UK have no idea where idea came from but are in support .
Participants can now text BEAT to 70099 to donate . |
Keywords: <keyword>MOSCOW BOY</keyword>, <keyword>BOGDANOV RIDES</keyword>, <keyword>ADVENTUROUS LEON</keyword>, <keyword>RESCUE CHILD</keyword>, <keyword>RIDES LUGGAGE</keyword>, <keyword>STUNNED CCTV</keyword>, <keyword>SUSPICIOUS ABSOLUTELY</keyword>, <keyword>SECURITY GUARDS</keyword>, <keyword>PLUCKED CONVEYOR</keyword>, <keyword>CONTRAPTION AVOID</keyword>
An adventurous six-year-old boy gave his mother and staff at a Russian airport quite a scare when he climbed onto a baggage carousel and went for a spin. CCTV footage shows Leon Bogdanov ducking underneath a metal contraption to avoid hitting his head and later attempting to stop himself with his feet as the conveyor belt took him on a behind-the-scenes tour of Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow. Security guards and other employees scrambled to rescue the child after stunned CCTV operators spotted him riding around inside the airport’s restricted main cargo area. Watch your head: Adventurous Leon Bogdanov rides a luggage conveyor belt at an airport in Moscow . The boy puts his feet up in an apparent attempt to stop himself from going any further . Staff scrambled to rescue the boy after stunned CCTV operators spotted him riding inside the main cargo area . CCTV operator Sophia Izmailova, 45, said: ‘We saw this lone item coming along the conveyor belt and were immediately suspicious. ‘We were absolutely shocked when we realised that it was a young boy. He was just sitting there as if he was on holiday still. It was a very bizarre sight.’ Leon and his 28-year-old mother Elina had just returned from a holiday when he gave her the slip and evaded security to get to the baggage belt taking luggage to and from aircraft. But staff eventually caught up with him and plucked him off the conveyor belt before he suffered an injury. Police spokesman Valentine Shchekina said: ‘When officers tried to get hold of him he struggled saying he wanted to finish his ride.’ End of the road: A staff member pulls the boy off the conveyor belt, bringing an end to his fun . The boy was eventually handed over to his mother who had already reported him missing . Security breach: Airport officials say they are investigating the incident . The boy was handed over to his mother who had already reported him missing. Flabbergasted mum Elina said: ‘He has always been independent and is always looking for adventure. ‘But this is just beyond even his usual antics. I am hoping there was no X-ray machines there - I have asked his doctor to check him over even though the airport staff say he was not at any risk.’ Airport officials say they are investigating how the boy was able to breach security. | Staff scrambled to rescue Leon Bogdanov after spotting him on CCTV .
Conveyor belt took him into restricted areas at Sheremetyevo Airport .
Police spokesman says the boy told staff he wanted to finish his ride .
Airport officials are investigating how the boy was able to breach security . |
Keywords: <keyword>ARCTIC ICE</keyword>, <keyword>UNCOVERED CLIMATE</keyword>, <keyword>NSIDC DISCOVERED</keyword>, <keyword>MILLION SQ</keyword>, <keyword>EUROPE STRETCHES</keyword>, <keyword>COVER RECOVERED</keyword>, <keyword>TEMPERATURE RISE</keyword>, <keyword>STOPPED NASA</keyword>, <keyword>MENTIONING SEPTEMBER</keyword>, <keyword>PROJECTIONS UNDERESTIMATE</keyword>
A chilly Arctic summer has left 533,000 more square miles of ocean covered with ice than at the same time last year – an increase of 29 per cent. The rebound from 2012’s record low comes six years after the BBC reported that global warming would leave the Arctic ice-free in summer by 2013. Instead, days before the annual autumn re-freeze is due to begin, an unbroken ice sheet more than half the size of Europe already stretches from the Canadian islands to Russia’s northern shores. Scroll down for video . Since publication of the original version of this article, the US source of the figures – the NASA-funded National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) - was discovered to have made a huge error and then quietly corrected the figure without mentioning it. On September 4, NSIDC, based at the University of Colorado, stated on its website that in August 2013 the Arctic ice cover recovered by a record 2.38 million sq km – 919,000 sq miles – from its 2012 low. News of this figure was widely reported – including by Mailonline - on September 8. But on September 10, the NSIDC quietly changed it to 1.38 million sq km (533,000 sq miles) – and replaced the original document so the old figure no longer shows up on a main Google search. It can now only be found on an old ‘cached’ page. The figures in this article have now been corrected. Prompted by an inquiry from ‘green’ blogger Bob Ward, the NSIDC’s spokeswoman Natasha Vizcarra said the mistake was a ‘typographical error’, telling him: ‘There are no plans to make a statement on the change because it was not an error in the data.’ The Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific has remained blocked by pack-ice all year. More than 20 yachts that had planned to sail it have been left ice-bound and a cruise ship attempting the route was forced to turn back. Some eminent scientists now believe the world is heading for a period of cooling that will not end until the middle of this century – a process that would expose computer forecasts of imminent catastrophic warming as dangerously misleading. The disclosure comes 11 months after The Mail on Sunday triggered intense political and scientific debate by revealing that global warming has ‘paused’ since the beginning of 1997 – an event that the computer models used by climate experts failed to predict. In March, this newspaper further revealed that temperatures are about to drop below the level that the models forecast with ‘90 per cent certainty’. The pause – which has now been accepted as real by every major climate research centre – is important, because the models’ predictions of ever-increasing global temperatures have made many of the world’s economies divert billions of pounds into ‘green’ measures to counter climate change. Those predictions now appear gravely flawed. The continuing furore caused by The . Mail on Sunday’s revelations – which will now be amplified by the return . of the Arctic ice sheet – has forced the UN’s climate change body to . reconsider its position. The . UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was due in October . to start publishing its Fifth Assessment Report – a huge three-volume . study issued every six or seven years. It will hold a pre-summit in . Stockholm later this month. Only six years ago, the BBC reported that the Arctic would be ice-free in summer by 2013, citing a scientist in the US who claimed this was a ‘conservative’ forecast. Perhaps it was their confidence that led more than 20 yachts to try to sail the Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific this summer. As of last week, all these vessels were stuck in the ice, some at the eastern end of the passage in Prince Regent Inlet, others further west at Cape Bathurst. Shipping experts said the only way these vessels were likely to be freed was by the icebreakers of the Canadian coastguard. According to the official Canadian government website, the Northwest Passage has remained ice-bound and impassable all summer. The BBC’s 2007 report quoted scientist Professor Wieslaw Maslowski, who based his views on super-computer models and the fact that ‘we use a high-resolution regional model for the Arctic Ocean and sea ice’. He was confident his results were ‘much more realistic’ than other projections, which ‘underestimate the amount of heat delivered to the sea ice’. Also quoted was Cambridge University expert . Professor Peter Wadhams. He backed Professor Maslowski, saying his model was ‘more efficient’ than others because it ‘takes account of processes that happen internally in the ice’. He added: ‘This is not a cycle; not just a fluctuation. In the end, it will all just melt away quite suddenly.’ Leaked documents show that governments which support and finance the IPCC are demanding more than 1,500 changes to the report’s ‘summary for policymakers’. They say its current draft does not properly explain the pause. At the heart of the row lie two questions: the extent to which temperatures will rise with carbon dioxide levels, as well as how much of the warming over the past 150 years – so far, just 0.8C – is down to human greenhouse gas emissions and how much is due to natural variability. In its draft report, the IPCC says it is ‘95 per cent confident’ that global warming has been caused by humans – up from 90 per cent in 2007. This claim is already hotly disputed. US climate expert Professor Judith Curry said last night: ‘In fact, the uncertainty is getting bigger. It’s now clear the models are way too sensitive to carbon dioxide. I cannot see any basis for the IPCC increasing its confidence level.’ She pointed . to long-term cycles in ocean temperature, which have a huge influence . on climate and suggest the world may be approaching a period similar to . that from 1965 to 1975, when there was a clear cooling trend. This led . some scientists at the time to forecast an imminent ice age. Professor . Anastasios Tsonis, of the University of Wisconsin, was one of the first . to investigate the ocean cycles. He said: ‘We are already in a cooling . trend, which I think will continue for the next 15 years at least. There . is no doubt the warming of the 1980s and 1990s has stopped. Then... NASA satellite images showing the spread of Arctic sea ice 27th August 2012 . ...And now, much bigger: The same Nasa image taken in 2013 . ‘The IPCC claims its models show a pause of 15 years can be expected. But that means that after only a very few years more, they will have to admit they are wrong.’ Others are more cautious. Dr Ed Hawkins, of Reading University, drew the graph published by The Mail on Sunday in March showing how far world temperatures have diverged from computer predictions. He admitted the cycles may have caused some of the recorded warming, but insisted that natural variability alone could not explain all of the temperature rise over the past 150 years. Nonetheless, the belief that summer Arctic ice is about to disappear remains an IPCC tenet, frequently flung in the face of critics who point to the pause. Yet there is mounting evidence that Arctic ice levels are cyclical. Data uncovered by climate historians show that there was a massive melt in the 1920s and 1930s, followed by intense re-freezes that ended only in 1979 – the year the IPCC says that shrinking began. Professor Curry said the ice’s behaviour over the next five years would be crucial, both for understanding the climate and for future policy. ‘Arctic sea ice is the indicator to watch,’ she said. | 533,000 more square miles of ocean covered with ice than in 2012 .
BBC reported in 2007 global warming would leave Arctic ice-free in summer by 2013 .
Publication of UN climate change report suggesting global warming caused by humans pushed back to later this month . |
Keywords: <keyword>GADGETS</keyword>, <keyword>SCREEN FEATURES</keyword>, <keyword>NEW ANDROID</keyword>, <keyword>LAPTOP TOUCH</keyword>, <keyword>TABLETS WEREN</keyword>, <keyword>REALITY ACER</keyword>, <keyword>DISPLAYS REPLACES</keyword>, <keyword>FIRSTHAND TESTING</keyword>, <keyword>STANDALONE CALENDAR</keyword>, <keyword>DISTRACT AUDIENCES</keyword>
Las Vegas, Nevada (CNN) -- A laptop with two touch-screens in lieu of a keyboard, tablets running an unfinished version of Google's Android, 3-D TV sets that don't require glasses. These are some of the most buzzed-about gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show, but many of them aren't fully developed yet or primed for firsthand testing. And electronics makers are going to great lengths with smoke and mirrors to hopefully distract audiences from noticing the unknowns -- like how a product actually works when not under carefully controlled conditions. CNN spotted this trend early with tablets we weren't allowed to touch. On Motorola's popular Xoom units, only videos of the new Android system are shown, not usable software. Research in Motion finally let people get their hands on its BlackBerry PlayBook, but some online blogged their disappointments when they discovered that things like standalone calendar and e-mail clients are seemingly missing from these versions. Getting sneak peeks at unpolished work is part of the fun of CES. But enthusiasm should be tempered because many of the concept products shown in years past have never materialized. Perhaps gadget enthusiasts prefer captivating concepts rather than actual products that may not end up being executed perfectly. The winner of the Last Gadget Standing contest on Saturday was the product that seemed to be the furthest from reality. Acer's Iconia, a touch-screen laptop with two displays where one replaces a keyboard, won the top honors. Winners are determined through a largely unscientific measurement of crowd enthusiasm. The Iconia would let users type on a touch-screen keyboard similar to the iPad, or draw, flick and zoom with their fingers. Acer didn't announce details regarding pricing or availability. The device was demonstrated onstage using concept videos. Acer presented a corn-ball act, with pretty girls dressed in "Star Trek" garb and two men posing as the characters Spock and Captain Kirk. (Because all nerds love "Star Trek," right?). After a first video ran showing the Iconia, the two actors said they would demonstrate the device onstage. As they moved their hands around the laptop set on the podium, the video behind them showed the Spock actor's fingers manipulating Iconia software. That was until a cameraman for the event began shooting from behind the actors to reveal that they were waving their hands in front of a regular, old laptop with a keyboard. "You've got to show our video, guys!" the fellow dressed as Kirk shouted to the event organizers. "Iconia is way ahead of its time, Spock." An actual version of the computer was on display and open for testing at Microsoft's CES booth. Typing on it is difficult and somewhat uncomfortable. Visually, the software looks like a version of Windows with touch-screen features, like a button to activate the keyboard, duct taped on top. Despite that, Acer still won the Last Gadget Standing competition. The audience was unimpressed with Fujifilm's FinePix 3-D camera or Samsung's Nexus S Google phone, both of which are already available on the market. Samsung brought out a guy dressed as a gingerbread man (a costume that looked more like a spastic beaver) to promote the smartphone, which is the only one that comes with the Gingerbread version of Android. Then Samsung spokesman Kim Titus made a series of nauseating puns. "No biting questions," he said. Maybe Samsung should have invested in some Stormtrooper costumes instead. | Acer's Iconia laptop, with a touch-screen instead of a keyboard, was well received .
A working prototype of the Iconia was not ready to be shown .
Despite that, the audience cheered for Acer, making the contest winner Iconia . |
Keywords: <keyword>GEORGIAN WINEMAKING</keyword>, <keyword>RKATSITELI GRAPES</keyword>, <keyword>VITICULTURE WINE</keyword>, <keyword>TBLVINO QUEVRIS</keyword>, <keyword>JUICE SEEDS</keyword>, <keyword>TRADITION FERMENTED</keyword>, <keyword>KNOWN VARIETIES</keyword>, <keyword>UNIQUE COLOUR</keyword>, <keyword>OLDEST KNOWN</keyword>, <keyword>CHILDREN MEDICINES</keyword>
By . Sean Poulter . PUBLISHED: . 17:07 EST, 15 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:31 EST, 15 November 2013 . Colours have long been used as a simple cue to help identification. Children’s medicines are a sickly pink, Ferraris are red, apple juice comes in green cartons and wine is red and white – or rose. However, a new orange or amber wine has arrived on shelves from Georgia, an eastern European country not universally known as a producer of fine vintages. No ordinary plonk: The new wine called Tblvino Quevris is from Kakheti in Georgia . In fact the Tblvino Quevris wine, which comes from Kakheti, Georgia, has a long and intriguing history. Georgia lays claim to being the birth place of viticulture and this wine is made from Rkatsiteli grapes, which are one of the oldest known varieties in the world. The evidence comes from the fact the seeds have been found in Georgian clay vessels that date back to 3000BC. The production method involves leaving the skins in contact with the juice for longer than usual period during fermentation, which results in the unique colour and complex taste. Following the 8,000 year old Georgian winemaking tradition, it is fermented and aged in traditional clay amphora, or ‘Qvevri’. Mid-range: The 'complex' wine is being sold for £8.99 per bottle at the retailer . Importantly, this is no cheap plonk, for the wine is being sold by Marks & Spencer at £8.99 a bottle. Wine expert from M&S, Jeneve Williams, said: ‘Most ‘normal’ white wines are produced by quickly separating the juice from the seeds and skins, keeping a pale colour. ‘Orange wines, or amber wines as they are often called are actually white wines produced more like reds – with prolonged contact with the crushed grape skins and seeds, resulting in a deeper colour from the pigments found in grape skins. ‘When visiting Georgia earlier this year to blend new wines, we were excited to try the style – and were impressed with the complexity of the wines. ‘Rather than being orange, they are actually more a deep amber or tawny colour and on the palate possess the texture, body and tannins of red wines with the fruit and minerality of white wines. ‘Increasingly our customers are becoming more adventurous and on the search for something a bit different. I think people will need to be open minded, but they will be rewarded with something unique.’ | The wine called Tblvino Quevris has come from Kakheti in Georgia, .
Follows an 8,000 year tradition where it is aged in traditional clay amphora .
Specialists said they were impressed with the 'complexity' of the wines . |
Keywords: <keyword>PIRATES DIED</keyword>, <keyword>HOSTAGES DANISH</keyword>, <keyword>DANISH NAVY</keyword>, <keyword>SHIP FAILED</keyword>, <keyword>WARSHIP ABSALON</keyword>, <keyword>CREW MOTHER</keyword>, <keyword>RESCUE EFFORT</keyword>, <keyword>SOMALI COAST</keyword>, <keyword>PERSONNEL BOARDED</keyword>, <keyword>17 SUSPECTED</keyword>
(CNN) -- Two hostages of suspected Somali pirates died after a rescue effort by the Danish navy, an operation that freed 16 other hostages, the Danish military said Tuesday. A Danish warship, the Absalon, tasked with patrolling waters near the Somali coast to ward off piracy, fired warning shots against what the navy described as a pirate "mother ship" that failed to stop, the military said. Military personnel then boarded the vessel and found 17 suspected pirates and 18 hostages, two of whom were critically wounded. Despite medical treatment, navy doctors were unable save their lives, the military said. An investigation into the deaths is under way. The hostages had been the original crew of what became the mother ship. | Danish navy launches operation to free hostages held by alleged Somali pirates .
Two hostages die after the operation; an investigation into the deaths is under way . |
Keywords: <keyword>MURDER FAULKNER</keyword>, <keyword>JAMAL COMMENCEMENT</keyword>, <keyword>INCARCERATION ABU</keyword>, <keyword>MERIT MUMIA</keyword>, <keyword>ARTS COLLEGE</keyword>, <keyword>LIFE SENTENCE</keyword>, <keyword>OFFICER DANIEL</keyword>, <keyword>SILENCE HONORING</keyword>, <keyword>GODDARD REAWAKENED</keyword>, <keyword>PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER</keyword>
Life: Mumia Abu-Jamal is serving a life sentence for the murder of officer Daniel Faulkner . A convicted cop killer has sparked outrage after giving a speech to a graduating class in which he urged students to strive to make the world 'better. Mumia Abu-Jamal spoke by video to 20 students receiving bachelor degrees from Goddard College in Plainfield. In 1981 he was found guilty of killing Daniel Faulkner by shooting him dead in Center City, Philadelphia. In his speech from prison today Abu-Jamal credited Goddard with his reigning love for education - Abu-Jamal received a degree from the accredited, private liberal arts college in 1996 while in prison. 'Goddard reawakened in me my love of learning,' he said. 'In my mind, I left death row.' 'Think about the myriad of problems that beset this land and strive to make it better,' Abu-Jamal said in the audio message, reports 6ABC. Philadelphia police held a silent vigil Sunday in protest of a Vermont college's selection. Members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5 and community members gathered in Center City in memory of Faulkner who was murdered at that exact intersection nearly 33 years ago. The Fraternal Order and a state law maker who organized the silent protest are among those who want convicted cop-killers like Abu-Jamal stripped of their right to freedom of speech, My Fox Philly reports. The Goddard speech is not Abu-Jamal's first commencement address. In 1999, Abu-Jamal gave the commencement address to graduates of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash,. and in 2000 he was the commencement speaker at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Silence: Philadelphia police and community members held a 30 minute silence honoring officer Daniel Faulkner who was gunned down 32 years ago . Family: Faulkner's wife recently spoke out in outrage of the Goddard College student's selection of Abu-Jamal as their commencement speaker . Both of those speeches caused protests and sparked outrage from Faulkner's family and police officers, Philly.com reports. Abu-Jamal was convicted and sentenced to death after the December 9, 1981 murder of Faulkner. He was resentenced to life in 2012. However, the case has been riddled with appeals for more than two decades, Philly.com reports. Abu-Jamal supporters include celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, and many hail him as a revolutionary. The case was a famous one and has resulted in Abu-Jamal's long-standing fame. Fame: Abu-Jamal has written several books, hosted his own radio show, and even has a street named after him in France . Speech: Abu-Jamal has given three commencement speeches in total since his incarceration . Abu-Jamal has written several books, hosted his own radio show and even has a street named after him in France. However, the city of Philadelphia has not fall victim to the Hollywood picture of Abu-Jamal, Philly.com reports. Michael Smerconish, a Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist, reported that Abu-Jamal has failed to cultivate support in the city of brotherly love. 'People at home know what happened and don't buy into the Hollywood lore,' Smerconish wrote. Goddard College reportedly holds 20 commencement ceremonies annually so graduates in each degree program will receive a personalized experience, according to a Goddard official. The graduates selected Abu-Jamal to give their commencement speech and the school has received some backlash since the decision. Infamous: Abu-Jamal is held by many as a revolutionary, however, he has failed to cultivate support in Philadelphia . The College released the following message about the student's selection: . 'Many diverse commencement speakers have been chosen to represent perspectives not normally in our discourse. 'Even if it is unpopular, we need to listen to and engage in difficult discussions. This is what free speech is all about. Our students understand there is great merit in what Mumia Abu-Jamal has to say. 'It is important that we at Goddard College support this complicated inquiry and the freedom of speech.' Goddard College: Goddard College reportedly holds 20 commencement ceremonies annually so graduates in each degree program will receive a personalized experience . | Mumia Abu-Jamal spoke by video to 20 students receiving bachelor degrees from Goddard College in Plainfield .
Daniel Faulkner who was murdered 32 years ago by Abu-Jamal .
Philadelphia police officers held 'silent and orderly' protest .
He is serving a life sentence for Faulkner's murder .
Abu-Jamal has given three commencement addresses in total since his incarceration . |
Keywords: <keyword>DEWANI ACCUSED</keyword>, <keyword>CASE SHRIEN</keyword>, <keyword>LEGAL EXPERTS</keyword>, <keyword>WIFE EVIDENCE</keyword>, <keyword>SOUTH AFRICAN</keyword>, <keyword>HONEYMOON MURDER</keyword>, <keyword>APPROACHED TONGO</keyword>, <keyword>REASONABLE CHANCE</keyword>, <keyword>DRIVER ZOLA</keyword>, <keyword>INCONSISTENCIES OVERALL</keyword>
Shrien Dewani could be cleared of the honeymoon murder of his new bride and be on his way back to Britain within days, according to one of South Africa's top legal experts. The state's case against the wealthy businessman is 'riddled with inconsistencies' and could collapse before Dewani, 34, even has to face tough questions in the witness box. Leading defence attorney William Booth said the two 'star' state witnesses against the accused had been particularly 'poor' and his legal team had a 'more than reasonable' chance of having all charges against him dropped. Scroll down for video . A South African legal expert says the state's case against Shrien Dewani (left) is 'riddled with inconsistencies' and could collapse. Dewani is accused of arranging the murder of his wife Dewani (right) four years ago . Dewani denies five charges relating to the death of his new bride, Anni, almost four years ago during their honeymoon to South Africa. The state alleges he plotted her murder by recruiting a taxi driver to organise two hitmen to kill and rob her in a fake carjacking worth £850 (R15,000). The driver, Zola Tongo – who spent his sixth day on the stand – is the only state witness whose evidence directly implicates Bristol-based Dewani in his Swedish wife's death in November 2010. But during gruelling cross-examination, Dewani's defence team managed to blast a number of holes in Tongo's story, highlighting discrepancies between his evidence from the witness box and his statement to police a week after Mrs Dewani suffered a fatal gun shot wound to the neck. Francois van Zyl, who heads the defence team, also highlighted that the taxi driver received a substantially lower jail term for his role in the killing in exchange for implicating Dewani in the murder. Mr van Zyl also poked holes in the evidence of hitman Mziwamadoda Qwabe, hired by Tongo via a middle-man, who was the state's second witness and also received reduced prison time in exchange for giving evidence against Dewani. The state alleges Dewani plotted his new wife's murder by recruiting a taxi driver to organise two hitmen to kill and rob her in a fake carjacking worth £850 (R15,000) Mr Booth said: 'The two key witnesses - Tongo and Qwabe - have brought really the only testimony that counts in this trial and the quality of their evidence has been poor and riddled with inconsistencies. 'The overall quality of the prosecution case we have heard so far has not been high. There is nothing for the defence team to lose by bringing the application to have the case against their client discharged and I think they would have a strong reasons for doing so. 'If Dewani were my client, I would certainly go down that route.' Even though the state is not duty bound to prove Dewani had a motive for killing his wife, evidence of the businessman's secret gay life was a cornerstone of the prosecution's case to demonstrate he had a compelling reason to want out of his new marriage. However, much of that evidence went unheard when Judge Jeanette Traverso ruled in favour of Dewani to exclude much of the testimony of three key witnesses - including the gay escort paid by Dewani and known as the German Master and the first cousin in whom Anni Dewani had confided intimate details about their unhappy relationship. Mr Booth said he rated the defence team's chance of any discharge application as 'more than reasonable', which would see Dewani going home to Bristol and cleared of all charges without ever having to give his version of what happened on the night his wife was murdered. 'Discharging a case is not something that judges do lightly, but Judge Jeanette Traverso is a bold judge and she does not tend to be cautious. 'The high-profile nature of the case would not influence her decision. I think if they brought a discharge application, the chance of success is more than reasonable, ' Mr Booth added. If no discharge application is brought - or the judge rules that Dewani does have a case to answer - the defence team will have to decide whether or not to call the businessman to the witness box to talk about the mysterious events surrounding his wife's killing, and to be cross-examined by the state. This poses a further dilemma to Dewani's lawyers. 'Bringing an application to discharge the case is a much easier decision to make than the one about whether or not to call your client to give evidence,' Mr Booth added. 'Although it is not down to him to prove his innocence, a judge can choose to draw conclusions from the fact that an accused chooses not to give evidence in his own defence.' The driver, Zola Tongo – who spent his sixth day on the stand – is the only state witness whose evidence directly implicates Bristol-based Dewani in his Swedish wife's death in November 2010 . Mr van Zyl said he had 'not yet decided' if he would make a discharge application, under section 174 of South Africa's Criminal Procedure Act. The prosecution is expected to call just two or three more witnesses, two of them police officers. Middleman Monde Mbolombo, who was approached by Tongo to recruit killers to carry out the contract hit, is expected to be called next by the state. Mbolombo was given immunity from prosecution in return for giving evidence against Tongo and hit men Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni, who died two weeks ago while serving 18 years for his part in the killing. However, last week it emerged in court that Mbolombo had recently made a fresh statement to police about the events of 13 November 2010 – it is not known if this new version helps or hinders Dewani's defence. Anni was found shot dead in an abandoned minibus . But since Mbolombo never met and spoke to Dewani directly, it is likely his team will try to have his testimony entirely excluded as heresay or severely restricted. Certainly, the body language of Dewani and his family, who have been in court every day, has lightened since the trial began a month ago. On the first day, Dewani's lawyer read out an 'explanation of plea' to the court in which Dewani claimed to be bi-sexual and admitted using the services of gay prostitutes, including festish specialist Leopold Leisser, surfing gay porn sites and frequenting gay clubs. The admission, which followed previous Dewani denials of being gay and threats to sue Mr Leisser for giving an interview about their sex sessions, undermined the prosecution's case that his parallel life and fear of being found out prompted him to take extreme measures to be free of his wife. It also enabled the defence team to argue that Dewani's sexuality - no longer in dispute - should have no bearing on the case against him. As a consequence, Mr Leisser was flown from Britain to give just a few minutes' uncontested testimony, and a bundle of 53 sexually-charged emails sent to Dewani from an unidentified older male lover were also excluded as evidence. A source close to the case observed, 'Dewani was unable to be extradited from Britain for three years due to his high levels of trauma and depression, but within four months of arriving in South Africa, he was cleared by the doctors as fit to stand trial. 'Does this mean that doctors in South Africa can work miracles, or is it because he was sufficiently reassured by his legal team that the case against him was weak and they advised him just to get the trial over and done with?' Meanwhile, with the fourth anniversary of the Swedish engineer's brutal murder a little over a week ago, the question about why Anni Dewani was killed appears no closer to being answered - a terrible blow to her parents Nilam and Vinod, and brother, Anish, who have sat through every minute of the case so far. The trial continues. | Leading defence attorney says state's case is 'riddled with inconsistencies'
William Booth said two 'star' state witnesses were particularly 'poor'
Dewani denies five charges relating to death of his new bride, Anni .
Booth believes the defence team could even have the case discharged . |
Keywords: <keyword>YACHT SANK</keyword>, <keyword>LAKE MEAD</keyword>, <keyword>RENDEZVOUS SWAMPED</keyword>, <keyword>VEGAS ENTERTAINER</keyword>, <keyword>SKIPPERLINER NAMED</keyword>, <keyword>FAILURE HOSES</keyword>, <keyword>NEW FOOTAGE</keyword>, <keyword>STERN 45</keyword>, <keyword>REPORT SAID</keyword>, <keyword>NEWTON LIVED</keyword>
By . Daily Mail Reporter . A dramatic video has emerged showing the moment Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton's 65-foot yacht sunk. The National Park Service footage shows the luxury vessel quickly disappear underwater last fall. In February, investigators concluded that the sinking of the Lake Mead yacht owned by Mr Las Vegas was an accident. The October 18 sinking of the 65-foot . vessel was traced to the failure of two hoses to drain water from a rear . storage compartment, National Park Service spokeswoman Christie Vanover . said. Scroll down for video . Going: A dramatic video has emerged showing the moment Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton's 65-foot yacht, pictured, sunk . One hose was disabled by a kink, and the other wasn't properly connected, she said. The new footage was obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal through a Freedom of Information Act request. No one was on the boat and no one was injured when the 1996 Skipperliner, named Rendezvous, became swamped and sank stern-first in 49 feet of water in a slip at the Temple Bar marina on the Arizona side of the Colorado River reservoir. The vessel and items in it were a complete loss, the park service report said. Going: The National Park Service footage, obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows the luxury vessel quickly disappear underwater . Gone: The October 18 sinking of the 65-foot vessel was traced to the failure of two hoses to drain water from a rear storage compartment, National Park Service spokeswoman Christie Vanover said . McCrone had said that Newton and his wife, Kathleen McCrone, were vacationing out of the country when the boat sank. The vessel was one of the largest on the vast reservoir behind Hoover Dam. A photo provided by the Park Service at the time showed the boat's bow sticking straight up from the water. The loss of Newton's yacht came several weeks after the 71-year-old 'Danke Schoen' crooner lost a three-year ownership battle for his 40-acre 'Casa de Shenandoah' estate. Newton had lived at the spread several miles southeast of the Las Vegas Strip since 1968. Newton had creditors at the door when he sold the property in 2010 for $19.5 million to CSD LLC, headed by investors Lacy and Dorothy Harber. Newton, his family and their menagerie of exotic animals moved in June to a downsized nearby property with several homes on about 20 acres. His former estate was put up for sale in September for $70 million. Abroad not aboard: Wayne Newton and his wife Kathleen were overseas at the time their yacht sank . In deep: The 65-foot vessel sank stern-first in 45 feet of water at the marina on the Arizona side of the Colorado River reservoir . Newton's sister-in-law, Tricia McCrone, . confirmed at the time that the 1996 Skipperliner named Rendezvous . belonged to Newton. She said Newton and his wife Kathleen were . vacationing out of the country when the boat sank. According to the Las Vegas Sun, some kind of equipment failure caused the yacht to take on water and sink within minutes. Lake Havasu City Vessel Assist salvaged the boat later. A photo provided at the time by the Park Service shows the boat's bow sticking straight up from the water. Wayne Newton is one of the best-known entertainers in Las Vegas and is known variously as Mr Las Vegas, The Midnight Idol and Mr Entertainment. He's best-known for his signature tune, Danke Schoen, which was released in 1963. | The National Park Service footage shows the luxury vessel quickly disappear underwater last fall .
In February, investigators concluded that the sinking of a Lake Mead yacht owned by Mr Las Vegas was an accident .
The October 18 sinking of the 65-foot vessel was traced to the failure of two hoses to drain water from a rear storage compartment . |
Keywords: <keyword>ELAPATHA PATIENT</keyword>, <keyword>MEDICAL RECORD</keyword>, <keyword>DR NIHAL</keyword>, <keyword>GP SUSPENDED</keyword>, <keyword>PATIENTS DID</keyword>, <keyword>TRIBUNAL PERFORMANCE</keyword>, <keyword>SURGERY TERMINATED</keyword>, <keyword>PRACTICE FAILED</keyword>, <keyword>DETERMINATION IMPAIRMENT</keyword>, <keyword>TOUCH TYPING</keyword>
A patient group has defended its 'excellent' GP after he was suspended from practice because he failed to manage 'endless' reams of paperwork. Dr Nihal Elapatha had his contract at his GP surgery terminated after a hearing found his performance was 'unacceptable'. The 65-year-old had worked at the Rochester Healthy Living Centre for 13 years before he was suspended last March. But a tribunal found his record keeping was 'inadequate' and that he did not arrange the appropriate treatment or tests for patients. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service also heard that Dr Elapatha was unable to touch-type and was not able to record everything that happened during an appointment. Dr Nihal Elapatha had his contract at his GP surgery in Rochester, Kent, suspended for a year after a medical tribunal found his performance was 'unacceptable'. But patients have rallied in support of their 'excellent' GP, with more than 650 people signing a petition in his favour . The fitness to practise panel noted: 'He could not type onto the medical record everything that took place during a single 10-minute consultation.' It adds: 'He had no touch typing ability and used his index fingers of both hands and one thumb on the space bar to make medical notes.' Dr Elapatha's practice was described as 'high demand, high volume where one has to work as though on a conveyor belt'. The panel suspended him for a year despite hearing that none of his patients were harmed in any way due to medical negligence or malpractice. However the hearing was also told all Dr Elapatha's patient satisfaction surveys were above the Medway and national average. Since the hearing, more than 650 people have signed a petition supporting Dr Elapatha. Patient Mandy Richardson-Mills, 42, said Dr Elapatha 'saved her life' and that he should not have been suspended because of 'endless admin'. She said: 'The whole situation is just disgusting and they were just trying to find a way to get rid of him. The fitness to practise panel heard Dr Elapatha, who is 60 years old, could not touch type and struggled to take down all the relevant notes during a 10-minute consultation (file picture posed by models) 'He literally saved my life and saved my ex-partner's life too. He was always there to support me and still is. 'He has got a whole lot of support. He is a good doctor and that should be the priority over endless admin. 'He was always there to treat his patients and he did a wonderful job. I can't praise him highly enough. 'There is a ridiculous amount of pressure on GPs. He is in his 60s and can't type, bless him. That doesn't make him a bad doctor.' Since Dr Elapatha left the surgery last March, services for around 2,000 patients at the surgery in Rochester, Kent, have been covered by locums. He has since taken remedial action by investing in new software, technical training and learning how to touch type. The panel, which concluded on January 30, found that a permanent ban would not be appropriate. Chairman Linda Buchanan said: 'The panel found that Dr Elapatha had limited insight into his failings. 'It notes that initially, Dr Elapatha did appear to acknowledge that his record-keeping was inadequate and this was noted in the panel's determination on impairment. 'However, he appears to minimise his failings and therefore there is little reassurance that he will not act similarly in the future. 'The panel has determined that, given the serious nature of the findings and potential risk to patient safety, it is necessary for the protection of members of the public for Dr Elapatha's registration to be suspended immediately.' | Hearing found Dr Nihal Elalpatha's performance was 'unacceptable'
Record keeping was 'inadequate' and he couldn't touch type .
He was suspended for a year despite fact no patients were harmed at all .
More than 650 patients have signed a petition supporting Dr Elapatha .
Patient Mandy Richardson-Mills said he saved her life and just because he couldn't touch type didn't make him a 'bad doctor' |
Keywords: <keyword>FOOTBALLER WASHINGTON</keyword>, <keyword>ATHLETE ALLEGEDLY</keyword>, <keyword>ACCUSED CHAD</keyword>, <keyword>ASSAULTING STUDENT</keyword>, <keyword>HARASSMENT HATE</keyword>, <keyword>RACIST TWEETS</keyword>, <keyword>COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY</keyword>, <keyword>DEFENSIVE</keyword>, <keyword>OFFICIALS SAID</keyword>, <keyword>GRABBED COLLAR</keyword>
By . Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 10:05 EST, 9 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:36 EST, 9 May 2013 . A Columbia University football player has been charged with a hate crime for allegedly assaulting another student and using racial slurs. Chad Washington was charged with misdemeanor aggravated harassment as a hate crime. Police say the 19-year-old defensive lineman followed the victim from his dorm room, grabbed him by the collar, yelled racial slurs and threatened to beat him up. Defence: Footballer Washington is a defensive linesman for the University's Columbia Lions team . Washington was arraigned on Wednesday and released without bail. His attorney, Daniel Fetterman, said that the allegations did not accurately reflect the events. The victim is of Asian descent. Washington is black. The 6ft 4in athlete allegedly heckled two women his victim was with. When the 19-year-old victim came to their defence, Washington grabbed him, law enforcement officials said. Washington also reportedly sent racist tweets from his account which has now been deleted, according to his college newspaper, Columbia Spectator. Accused: Chad Washington, 19, appeared in court on Wednesday . The message, which was sent on March 7, last year, was revealed amid a host of racist and homophobic slurs allegedly sent by the college football team. The Columbia Spectator also reported that Washington recently wrote an op-ed piece for the newspaper in which he said student athletes deserved more respect than they're given on campus. School officials said that they were not able to comment on the case. Washington is due back in court on July 8. His attorney, Daniel Fetterman, said: 'The allegations do not accurately portray the events that occurred.' He added: 'When all the facts come out, it will be clear that Mr. Washington did not commit a hate crime, and he will be vindicated.' The alleged attack and accusations . of the football team sending racist and homophobic tweets has led . student leaders at Columbia to draft a statement, Columbia Spectator . said. The university's . Student Wellness Project founder Wilfred Chan said on Facebook that it . will condemn 'racism, sexism, and associated acts of violence'. Young minds: Columbia University in Manhattan has been a leading university for 250 years . | Chad Washington, 19, grabbed victim by collar and threatened to beat him . |
Keywords: <keyword>HITLER EVA</keyword>, <keyword>BRAUN MARRIED</keyword>, <keyword>HOPE ANNA</keyword>, <keyword>SCHNEIDER DIED</keyword>, <keyword>LETTERS PUBLISHED</keyword>, <keyword>LATER 33</keyword>, <keyword>PREPARING DIE</keyword>, <keyword>DAYS VAGUE</keyword>, <keyword>SIGMUND EXPLAINED</keyword>, <keyword>RECOVERED LOG</keyword>
Discovery: Eva Braun who married Adolf Hitler just days before they committed suicide . As the Red Army smashed into the suburbs of Berlin in April 1945, the mood of Hitler’s bride-to-be Eva Braun turned from fragile hope to black despair. Letters she is said to have written from the bunker hideout she shared with the Fuhrer and his henchmen reveal her growing sense of doom. In one, dated April 19, she writes that, despite the thud of artillery and falling bombs, she is ‘happy to be close’ to Hitler and remains ‘convinced that everything will turn out all right’. But three days later, as Soviet troops overwhelm the German capital’s exhausted defence force – many of them old men and boys – her mood has changed. She says: ‘We are fighting here until the last but I’m afraid the end is threatening closer and closer.’ She also writes of preparing to die and her bewilderment at how God could let such things happen. Eight days later, 33-year-old Braun was dead, killing herself alongside her husband of only a few hours, Adolf Hitler. The letters are published this week in a book called The Women of the Nazis, by Third Reich expert Anna Maria Sigmund. The writer, whose books have been translated into more than 30 languages, insists the letters are genuine and were written by Braun to her friend Herta Schneider. ‘I have no doubt that the letters are genuine and Eva Braun has typed them, correcting her faults by hand,’ she said. She claims the descendants of Schneider, who died nearly 20 years ago, showed her the letters. She said she copied them down before they were sold on to a collector. In the second letter Braun says: ‘Greetings to all my friends, I’m dying how I’ve lived. It’s not difficult for me. You know that.’ Claims: A book published in Germany this week claims to have discovered the farewell letters of Hitler's bride Eva Braun which she wrote to her friend days before committing suicide . Final days: The bunker where Hitler spent his final days with his new wife Eva Braun . Demise: Eva Braun's sentiments change from positive to morbid in the letters . Anna Maria Sigmund explained: ‘Eva . Braun reflects the change of mood in the Fuhrerbunker over four days – . the vague hope on the 19th and the despair of April 22.’ Thirty . years ago the news magazine Stern in Germany became a laughing stock . when it published diaries which it claimed were Hitler’s. They were exposed within days as the work of a master forger. Mrs . Sigmund said she is, however, convinced of the authenticity of the . letters – and of the ‘normality’ of the relationship between Hitler and . Eva. ‘I think they had a pretty normal love and sex life,’ she added. Enlarge . Adolf Hitler with guests at his birthday party at his residence, the Berghof, on April 20, 1943. On the far left is Eva Braun. Behind her is her close friend Herta Schneider . Revealing: Adolf Hitler asleep, next to Eva Braun - this photo was banned during Hitlers lifetime . Denied: Hitler kept Eva's existence secret from the German people during his rule, believing that the myth that he was 'married' to the nation would serve him better . Braun . married Hitler just 40 hours before the pair died by taking cyanide. Hitler also shot himself in the head. She had been his partner for . several years despite him being more than 20 years older than her. They . met when Braun was just 17. Hitler . kept Eva’s existence secret from the German people during his rule, . believing that the myth that he was ‘married to the nation’ would serve . him better. She was introduced only to his inner circle at his Alpine retreat in Berchtesgaden and in his Berlin apartment. Losing hope: Anna Maria Sigmund explained: 'Eva Braun reflects the change of mood in the Führerbunker over four days - the vague hope on the 19th and the despair of April 22.' Last day: Adolf Hitler and his wife Eva Braun pose with their pets. The dictator is holding his favourite dog Blondi on a leash. He was to have her poisoned with cyanide . He . met her when she worked as an assistant to Heinrich Hoffmann, the . Munich photographer who went on to become the Fuhrer’s personal . cameraman. A diary of Hitler’s close confidant and ideologue, Alfred Rosenberg, has been recovered. The . log could offer an insight into meetings Rosenberg had with the Nazi . leader and his henchmen, including Heinrich Himmler and Herman Goering. His . diary was held by US prosecutors at the Nuremberg war crime trials of . late 1945 and has now been recovered by the US government. He was convicted at Nuremberg of crimes against humanity and hanged in 1946. Traces of the dictator: War correspondents examining the arm of sofa stained with blood while one of them uses a candle to search the floor for evidence of suicide in Adolf Hitler's underground shelter . Abandoned furniture and debris: Photographer William Vandivert was the first Western photographer to gain access to Hitler's Führerbunker after the fall of Berlin . | Third Reich expert Anna Maria Sigmund believes the letters are genuine .
Insists they were written as Red Army of Soviet Russia closed in on the city .
Eva is thought to have typed the letters for her friend Herta Schneider .
Author claims heirs of Herta Schneider showed her the letters . |
Keywords: <keyword>VEHICLE GAS</keyword>, <keyword>EXPLODED FILLING</keyword>, <keyword>TANK BLOWS</keyword>, <keyword>STANDING PUMP</keyword>, <keyword>HAPLESS DRIVER</keyword>, <keyword>OPEN DEBRIS</keyword>, <keyword>FORECOURT INCIDENT</keyword>, <keyword>MAN STAGGERS</keyword>, <keyword>POWERED PICK</keyword>, <keyword>ESCAPE NATURAL</keyword>
By . Daniel Miller . PUBLISHED: . 05:28 EST, 29 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:46 EST, 29 January 2013 . This hapless driver had an incredible . escape when his natural gas-powered pick-up truck exploded as he was . filling up at a petrol station. Moments . before the blast, the man is seen standing next to the pump and appears . to realise something is wrong as he reaches out to pull the hose from . his vehicle. But just as he grabs hold of the black plastic tube the vehicle's gas tank, which is under enormous pressure, blows up. Scroll down for video . Filling up: The driver stands by a pump as he fill his pick-up truck with natural gas . Panic: Moments before the blast the man appears to realise something is wrong as he rips the hose away from his vehicle . The driver is caught by the full . force of the blast but manages to twist his face away and narrowly . misses being hit by the passenger door as it flies open. A . slow motion replay shows debris from the vehicle, including the heavy . metal gas tank itself, flying across the petrol station forecourt as the . man staggers away. Mercifully . the gas does not ignite, had it done so it is likely the entire petrol . station would have gone up in flames and the man would have almost . certainly been killed . Boom: The vehicle's high-pressure gas tank explodes just a few yards from where the driver is standing . Flashpoint: The gas tank blows up releasing a cloud of natural gas . The vehicle's door is sent flying open as debris is scattered over the forecourt . Clapped out: The vehicle is left a battered wreck as the man staggers across the forecourt . The incident happened at a petrol station in Southern Iran earlier this month. Despite . having the third largest amount of oil reserves in the world, Iran has . invested heavily in natural gas which is cheaper and cleaner burning. | Incredible video captured at filling station in southern Iran .
Force of the blast sends parts of the vehicle flying across forecourt .
Mercifully high-pressure gas does not ignite . |
Keywords: <keyword>GEORGIA HIKER</keyword>, <keyword>BACKPACK SUSPECT</keyword>, <keyword>HIKERS PRECAUTIONS</keyword>, <keyword>ASSAULT GATLINBURG</keyword>, <keyword>NATION TRAIL</keyword>, <keyword>ASSAULTED STABBED</keyword>, <keyword>TENNESSEE MEDICAL</keyword>, <keyword>PARK OFFICIALS</keyword>, <keyword>FLAGGED MOTORIST</keyword>, <keyword>REWARD INFORMATION</keyword>
(CNN) -- Authorities searched Tuesday for a man they say sexually assaulted and stabbed a lone hiker at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. The National Park Service released a sketch and offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator in Friday afternoon's assault on Gatlinburg Trail near the city of the same name. The 44-year-old victim, who officials said did not know her attacker, managed to make her way afterward to Gatlinburg Bypass, where she flagged down a motorist, officials said. Rangers and National Park Service special agents were working more than 50 leads received on a tip line, said Molly Schroer, spokeswoman for the park, the most visited in the nation. What's in a trail hiker's backpack? The suspect was described as a white male in his 40s, of thin build, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a dirty blond crew cut and a thin mustache. He was wearing glasses, black dress pants and a gray T-shirt. Multiple tattoos include an unknown word across his abdomen. The hiker suffered multiple stab wounds on her neck, shoulder and hand. She was airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, where she was released Sunday. Schroer said the woman's permanent residency is in Kentucky, but she had been "temporarily" residing in the Gatlinburg area. Georgia hiker's mom says showing grisly photos adds to grief . "We stand committed to bringing this assailant to justice," Chief Ranger Clay Jordan said in a statement released Monday. "Working together with the assistance of the public, I am optimistic that we can solve this case." Officials said anyone with information can call the tip line at 865-436-1580. Schroer said nothing like this has happened recently in the park, and officials "believe that this is an isolated incident." Ranger patrols in the area have been increased. According to the park service, Gatlinburg Trail is frequently used by joggers, walkers and bicyclists. It travels 1.9 miles one-way from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the outskirts of Gatlinburg. It is relatively flat and runs through a forest. The park has 800 miles of trails, and hikers should take precautions, Schroer said. "Don't hike alone, make sure someone knows what trail you are on and always be aware of your surroundings." Missing cavers found alive . | Woman sexually assaulted, stabbed in park outside Gatlinburg .
$5,000 reward offered; suspect described as white male in his 40s .
Agents, rangers pore over leads in Friday's incident . |
Keywords: <keyword>KILLED SWINGING</keyword>, <keyword>KYLE STOCKING</keyword>, <keyword>JORDAN DIED</keyword>, <keyword>USING ROCK</keyword>, <keyword>ARCH GROWING</keyword>, <keyword>UTAH CANYON</keyword>, <keyword>BASE JUMPING</keyword>, <keyword>ROPE HARNESS</keyword>, <keyword>RESCUERS SAY</keyword>, <keyword>MISCALCULATED LENGTH</keyword>
The 22-year-old Utah man killed while attempting to swing from a large rock arch made popular by YouTube has been pictured. Kyle Lee Stocking, of West Jordan, died about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, after hitting the ground below the 140-foot-tall Corona Arch near Moab according to Grand County sheriff's officials. Sheriff's Lt. Kim Neal told The Salt Lake Tribune the length of rope from the arch was miscalculated and sent Stocking swinging into the ground as he went under the red sandstone formation. Scroll down for video . Tragedy: Kyle Stocking, 22, was killed after he and five friends miscalculated the length of a giant rope swing on Corona Arch in Utah and he instantly hit the ground . Deadly: Stocking was killed while swinging from this natural rock formation in a stunt made popular by YouTube (file photo) Grieving: In a statement Stocking's parents say their grief is only amplified by knowing his death could have been easily prevented . Rescuers say he was dead at the scene. He was with five friends at the time of his death. ‘It is the most tragic experience to receive the phone call . from the sheriff letting you know that your son has been killed in a terrible . accident that could have been avoided. It is the most awful experience a parent . could go through,’ Stocking's parents, Mike and Linda Stocking, said in a statement obtained by the Deseret News. ‘We hope and pray that there will be no more parents experiencing . what we are going through. There is a huge hole in our hearts.’ Viral videos have bolstered the activity of swinging under the arch, which involves using rock climbing ropes and jumping from near the top of the arch. One video titled 'World's Largest Rope . Swing' has racked up more than 17 million views on YouTube since it was . posted in February. Tragedy: A 22-year-old Utah man (not pictured) was killed while swinging from a rock arch in a stunt made popular by YouTube . Victim: Kyle Lee Stocking, of West Jordan, died about 3:30 p.m. Sunday, after hitting the ground below the 140-foot-tall Corona Arch (pictured) near Moab . 'Pendulum' swinging is a relatively new form of recreation in Utah's canyon lands, which see plenty of injuries and deaths from rock climbing and BASE jumping, which involves leaping from a fixed object with a parachute. On March 13, another man, Zachery Taylor, was killed rappelling at Tear Drop Arch in Utah's Monument Valley. It's part of the recreational 'craziness' sweeping the Moab area, where the annual Jeep Safari week got started Saturday, another potentially dangerous activity that involves rock crawling in modified vehicles, said John Weisheit, of Living Rivers, a local environmental group. 'People aren't accepting nature for what it is. They have to put an element of excitement into it,' said Weisheit, a longtime rafting guide. 'People see it on YouTube and then say, "That looks like fun."' Stocking was with a group of five friends authorities didn't identify. His family in the Salt Lake City suburb of West Jordan couldn't be reached Monday. It wasn't immediately clear how Stocking or his friends miscalculated the distance for a wild swing through Corona Arch. Sheriff's Lt. Kim Neal said Stocking left too much rope loose when he clipped into his waist harness. Fatal mistake: Sheriff's Lt. Kim Neal said Stocking left too much rope loose when he clipped into his waist harness, a mistake police say they are unsure how he made . Popular stunt: Viral videos have bolstered the activity of swinging under the arch, which involves using rock climbing ropes and jumping from near the top of the arch . 'A lot of people are doing it around . here,' said Sean Hazell at Moab outfitter Western Spirit Cycling, who . was planning to make his own jump from the top of Corona Arch. 'I'm . definitely going to think twice about it now.' Corona Arch is on Utah state trust lands but is set to be turned over to a federal land-management agency as part of a larger trade of state and federal lands. Because of the accident, the Bureau of Land Management is 'taking a closer look at appropriate ways to balance and manage these activities on public lands,' BLM spokeswoman Megan Crandall said Monday. The Utah Trust Lands Administration tried to curb Corona Arch's growing appeal by banning commercial outfitters from taking . paying clients to the arch for for the rope swing activity as it . rapidly gained popularity online. But the agency said it can't prevent private parties from using its lands. The agency posted a trailhead warning about the potential for 'severe injury or death even if your equipment works.' Stocking's rope and harness didn't fail. His mistake was miscalculating the length of slack rope for the swing, Neal said. 'These people involved in extreme outdoor sports, I admire their courage, but I'm not going to do it,' Neal said. | Kyle Lee Stocking fell 140-feet after mistakenly giving his rope too much slack while attempting to swing under red sandstone arch . |
Keywords: <keyword>PETTY ISLAND</keyword>, <keyword>JERSEY GOVERNOR</keyword>, <keyword>EARTH DAY</keyword>, <keyword>OWNED CITGO</keyword>, <keyword>DELAWARE RIVER</keyword>, <keyword>BALD EAGLES</keyword>, <keyword>TRANSFER WEDNESDAY</keyword>, <keyword>LAND PRESERVATION</keyword>, <keyword>CHAVEZ ANNOUNCED</keyword>, <keyword>USE FUEL</keyword>
(CNN) -- Venezuela will give a 300-acre island in the Delaware River to the state of New Jersey, the governor's office announced. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez used the Earth Day celebration to announce the transfer of Petty's Island. The Venezuelan-owned Citgo Petroleum Corp. had bought Petty's Island -- between Camden, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- to use as a fuel storage facility. The island is home to a pair of American bald eagles as well as several great blue herons and state-endangered black-crowned night herons, New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine said in a news release Wednesday. Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez announced the island's transfer as part of Wednesday's Earth Day celebrations. Plans are being finalized for the transition, which will not occur before 2020, Corzine's office said. "Earth Day is a fitting time to consummate the donation of this special place," Corzine said in the news release. "Petty's Island has become an important home to bald eagles, kestrels and a wide variety of waterfowl. We are opening a new chapter in the island's long history by restoring it and giving it back to nature and the people of New Jersey." The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection must certify that Citgo's cleanup of the island has met state standards before the title can be transferred, the news release said. Citgo has agreed to create a $2 million fund to allow the Natural Lands Trust, a state land-preservation board, to manage the island, the release said. The company is setting up another $1 million fund to help establish a cultural and education center. Activities on the island will be limited to hiking and bicycle riding, the governor's office said. The island is part of Pennsauken Township, New Jersey. | Petty's Island, a 300-acre island in Delaware River, will be given to New Jersey .
Venezuelan-owned Citgo Petroleum Corp. bought island for fuel storage facility .
Activities on island will be limited to hiking and bike riding, governor's office says .
Venezuela announces gift as part of Earth Day celebration . |
Keywords: <keyword>INTUITION KNOWING</keyword>, <keyword>ATTENTION OPRAH</keyword>, <keyword>COUNSELING</keyword>, <keyword>DREAMS SEEING</keyword>, <keyword>WONDER ANXIETY</keyword>, <keyword>INSIGHT UNCANNY</keyword>, <keyword>FELT SAW</keyword>, <keyword>TOLD SUSAN</keyword>, <keyword>CAR BLINDFOLDED</keyword>, <keyword>RUNNING STOPPING</keyword>
(Oprah.com) -- In 1986 Susan King hit her head -- hard -- in a car accident. The result was more than a concussion. Afterward, when King looked at people, she saw images of events occurring in their lives and had flashes of insight about them. With uncanny knowledge of their situations, she has been able to advise clients on everything from job searches to divorce proceedings. King refers to her work as intuitive counseling, and though her vocation may seem rarefied, she believes that intuitive power is available to everyone. "To me it's our body's radar, helping us make all sorts of decisions -- if only we're willing to pay attention." Oprah.com: 10 questions that have no right to go away . My intuition has gone through a metamorphosis from the time I was a young child to where I am now. I used to just get feelings. I went from getting feelings to having dreams, to seeing symbols that meant things, to seeing things actually happening to other people, to feeling that what's happening to other people is happening to me. Intuition is knowing without knowing. It's instinctively knowing something that you don't know how you know. You meet people and you have a subconscious feeling: You like them or not. You trust them or you don't. And sometimes you stop and think, Where does that come from? What is that? Oprah.com: When to trust your gut . I believe that just as we hear and see and smell and taste, this is another sense we have, but it's one we don't recognize. I think it's almost an animal sense that we've forgotten. We were better at intuition in the past. With modern technology and the frantic pace of life, most people today spend their lives running. Never stopping to listen. There's no time for the mind to be quiet to listen to anything. And then when a problem comes: trauma. Because people are not in touch with themselves at all. You have to incorporate in your day some quiet time to listen to that voice. If you don't, you won't hear it. But it's there. It's meant to guide us. Oprah.com: Are you listening to your life? If you were to go out and meet somebody, spend an hour with them, and there was an attraction, and you came back home and wrote down the first thing you felt when you saw them, when they spoke to you, when they touched your shoulder -- you may not realize it, but you'd find that you'd already built a subconscious profile of the person. We all have that capability, but we don't use it. I'll tell you a group who uses intuition: people who do martial arts. They have to anticipate what their opponent's going to do. Remember Bruce Lee? Even people coming from behind, he could see. It's like he had eyes in the back of his head. There are times when you get a feeling about something -- say, I don't want to get on this flight -- and you wonder: Is it my anxiety, or is it real? It's difficult to know what's fact or fiction. You can only judge over a period of time. You have to gain confidence in your ability to listen. Number one, you can build up to 15 minutes a day of sitting and focusing on your breathing. So that you have quiet time to connect with your inner self. Oprah.com: 7 ways to reduce your stress from Dr. Oz . Number two, every day, live the day and enjoy the day. Don't be anxious about, Is this gonna happen or is that gonna happen? Walk through your day -- don't run. Get a little notebook, a tiny thing that fits in your pocket. When you have a feeling about something, write it down. That way, when your feeling later turns out to have been correct, you can go back and see that your instincts were working. And that builds your confidence. Intuition is like a muscle. You develop it the more you use it. One of the worst things in life is indecision and confusion. It plagues everybody. But confusion is sometimes a blessing when it stops you from making a move, because sometimes you're not supposed to make a move. I say to people, "You don't walk down stairs blindfolded, you don't drive a car blindfolded -- why would you want to make massive life-changing decisions when you can't see what you're doing? You have to wait for clarity." So to me, confusion can be a kind of intuition: your body's way of saying, don't do anything right now -- just go with the flow and the answer will come. I've given lots of talks, to all kinds of groups, and sometimes you'll get people -- usually men -- who will say, "I think it's a load of old rubbish." And I'll say, "Well, that's your belief. I'm not here to change your belief." The most important thing is just to trust it. Trust in your gut. Trust that first feeling you feel about something. Because that very first feeling is usually the right one. Oprah.com: The gut whisperer: 3 exercises to help you tune in . --As told to Susan Casey . Subscribe to O, The Oprah Magazine for up to 75% off the newsstand price. That's like getting 18 issues FREE. Subscribe now! TM & © 2011 Harpo Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | After hitting her head in a car accident, Susan King suddenly had a sense of intuitive power .
Intuition is knowing without knowing .
People had a better sense of intuition before technology, King says . |
Keywords: <keyword>CONDEMNED RSPCA</keyword>, <keyword>CAT CLAUDE</keyword>, <keyword>CHILDREN PET</keyword>, <keyword>ANIMAL PLEA</keyword>, <keyword>CRUELTY COUPLE</keyword>, <keyword>PROSECUTE RICHARD</keyword>, <keyword>YEARS TRAUMA</keyword>, <keyword>MRS BYRNES</keyword>, <keyword>HERTFORDSHIRE ADOPTED</keyword>, <keyword>IGNORED ACCOUNTANT</keyword>
The RSPCA have today issued a grovelling apology for killing an elderly cat against its family's wishes and then making a bungled attempt to prosecute them. Richard Byrnes and his wife Samantha suffered two years of trauma after an RSPCA inspector seized their cat, 16-year-old Claude, in May 2013, claiming that he was too thin and had matted fur. After 24 hours of agonising negotiations Claude was put to sleep by a local vet against the wishes of Mr and Mrs Byrnes - who were threatened with prison and fines if they refused to sign the release form. Traumatic: Samantha and Richard Byrnes and their two teenage children, Dominic, 15, and Eloise, 13, had their pet cat Claude taken away and put down by the RSPCA in May 2013 . The RSPCA put the animal to sleep before the distraught family could even say goodbye. The couple were then individually charged with cruelty and taken to court and the case hung over them for 15 months. The charges were eventually overruled by the Crown Prosecution Service in August 2014 - but only after the family had been wrongly condemned by the RSPCA for ill-treating their beloved cat. Claude, who they adopted as a six-month-old kitten, always had extremely thick hair and spent his life trying to avoid being groomed. He hated it so much that a vet would have to place him under anaesthetic before attempting a trim. Hated grooming: Claude had a lifelong aversion to being combed or trimmed meaning his coat frequently became matted. The RSPCA saw this as a sign of animal cruelty . The couple's daughter Eloise Byrnes (pictured with Claude) was not allowed to say her final goodbyes to the cat . The vet, who advised the RSPCA, said she had no concrete evidence Claude was suffering and claimed his matted hair and thin frame were not valid reasons for putting him down. However, an RSPCA inspector insisted Claude should be put to sleep immediately. A postr-mortem examination later revealed Claude was in relatively good health. The RSPCA publicly apologised to Mr and Mrs Byrnes today over the 'upset and deep distress caused both to them and their children'. It said: 'The RSPCA acknowledges that the way in which it intervened in taking Claude from his home and the subsequent treatment of Mr and Mrs Byrnes at that time was disproportionate and insensitive and fell short of the standards of compassion the public are entitled to expect of the RSPCA. Distressing: The couple were individually charged with cruelty and taken to court and the case hung over them for 15 months until it was overruled by the Crown Prosecution Service in August 2014 . 'Specifically, the RSPCA accepts that its decision not to defer euthanasia so that Mr and Mrs Byrnes' children could say goodbye to the pet cat they had known their entire lives caused great and unnecessary distress to the whole family.' The RSPCA also admitted making a number of public responses which presented Mr and Mrs Byrnes 'in an unfavourable light to the public'. Mr and Mrs Byrnes, from Tring, Hertfordshire, adopted Claude from a friend as a six-month-old kitten when they moved to the rural town in the late nineties. They have two children, Dominic, 15, and Eloise, 13, who were devastated at losing Claude, who was regarded as 'the original member of the family'. Angry: Accountant Richard Byrnes said: 'I'll never forget having to stand in a dock and plead not guilty on my birthday' The family had accepted that Claude was nearing the end of his life when the incident took place and he would probably be put to sleep within months. However, they wanted to have one last summer with their beloved animal. A plea to allow the children to see their pet one last time was ignored. Accountant Mr Byrnes, 53, today condemned the RSPCA for treating his family like criminals and called on the Attorney General to look at its role. He said: 'I am glad they have made the apology public but it has taken a long time to get it out there. 'It doesn't get Claude back and we are not happy, but we do feel vindicated. Every contact with them has been damaging. 'I haven't considered any financial action, but that is something to discuss with my lawyer. 'Our children haven't been involved in this since Claude was put down as we have tried to keep them away from everything. 'But I don't think my daughter will ever get over not saying goodbye to Claude and not seeing him again.' He added: 'The RSPCA has been shocking from start to finish, treating us like criminals when all we've done is care for our cat. 'I will not forget having to stand in a dock and plead not guilty on my birthday. 'They released statements which were full of lies and I have nothing but contempt for them. 'The Attorney General should look at the RSPCA and see if it is fit to conduct these private prosecutions. From our view they are not fit for purpose.' | Richard and Samantha Byrnes, of Hertfordshire, were 'treated like criminals'
Their cat Claude, 16, was put down by the RSPCA for having matted fur .
But couple say he hated being groomed and was actually well-treated .
RSPCA also wrongly took them both to court on animal cruelty charges .
They've now issued grovelling apology for causing the family such distress . |
Keywords: <keyword>MIDWIFE CAMERON</keyword>, <keyword>UNNAMED BABY</keyword>, <keyword>BIRTH PETROL</keyword>, <keyword>HELP NICOLA</keyword>, <keyword>MS MCDOWALL</keyword>, <keyword>LOOKING SONS</keyword>, <keyword>SKINNER DECIDED</keyword>, <keyword>STATION LUCKY</keyword>, <keyword>FORWARD CHRISTMAS</keyword>, <keyword>TRIAGE HOSPITAL</keyword>
By . Hayley O'keeffe . PUBLISHED: . 07:48 EST, 25 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:25 EST, 25 December 2013 . A mother who faced giving birth a petrol station had a lucky break when a midwife who was filling up her car stepped in to help. Nicola McDowall gave birth to a baby boy at the Sainbury's petrol station at Edinburgh's Cameron Toll shopping centre after going into labour on Monday night. And in a 'one in a million' chance, a community midwife was filling up her car at the same time and stepped up to help. Nicola McDowall and Julian Skinner have not yet decided on a name for their baby boy. But say that his middle name will be Cameron after the place of his birth. Ms McDowall and her partner Julian Skinner are now looking forward to Christmas with their newborn son but want to track down the mystery midwife to say thank you. Mother-of-three Ms McDowall was at home looking after sons Fraser, seven, and Arran, three, when she went into labour shortly before 9pm. She phoned Mr Skinner, who was at a Christmas meal with friends, and he rushed back to their Newington home. The couple are desperate to track down the midwife who they say was an 'angel of mercy' The pair jumped in their car and were on the way to the city's Royal Infirmary when they were forced to pull over as the baby refused to wait. Ms McDowall, 34, said: 'We were on the way to hospital and in the back of the car I felt I had to push. 'I called the triage at the hospital and told them, and they basically said to stop the car wherever we were and get an ambulance.' Mr Skinner, 44, said: 'We were just starting to drive along and she was shouting out that she thought the baby was coming. 'She was on the phone to the hospital while we were on the way and the next thing I knew she was telling me to stop the car. 'I decided to stop at the Cameron Toll shopping centre as I thought there would be more chance of getting someone there to help. 'I just jumped out of the car and flew into the petrol station and told the guy to get some help. 'I was pretty scared. The next thing I knew a guy came up to me and said he had someone who could help. 'A woman stepped forward and said she was a midwife, she was just getting some petrol, the chances are probably about one in a million.' Ms McDowall said: "The next thing I knew a lady put her head in the car and said 'I'm a community midwife'. The Cameron Toll petrol station in Edinburgh where Nicola McDowall gave birth . 'She helped me to lie down in the back of the car and by this time the baby's head was there. 'She helped deliver him and she really was an angel of mercy. I was pretty scared. I was not sure if the ambulance would get there in time.' The healthy baby boy, who was due last Wednesday, was born at about 9.17pm, around two minutes before an ambulance arrived at the scene. Mother and baby were taken to hospital for checks and were able to return home today. Although the new addition does not yet have a name, the couple say that his middle name will be Cameron after the location of his birth. The as yet unnamed baby, who had an unusual start in life. He was born on a petrol station forecourt . But a big priority is to track down the midwife who helped deliver the baby. Ms McDowall said: 'I did ask her name but with everything else that was going on I've no idea now.' Mr Skinner added: 'We would like to find out who she is to say thank you. We did thank her at the time but she was off pretty quickly. 'It was just really lucky her being there.' | Nicola McDowall gave birth to baby son at Edinburgh petrol station .
Luckily a community midwife was passing and helped deliver the baby .
Couple now want to track her down to say thank you for saving the day . |
Keywords: <keyword>UEFA SPENDING</keyword>, <keyword>PARISIEN CFCB</keyword>, <keyword>SANCTIONS RESTRICTION</keyword>, <keyword>CLUB CHAIRMAN</keyword>, <keyword>FINANCIAL LIMIT</keyword>, <keyword>PLAYERS PERMITTED</keyword>, <keyword>RULES CITY</keyword>, <keyword>BREACHED FFP</keyword>, <keyword>VALUE QATARI</keyword>, <keyword>ZABALETA LEFT</keyword>
By . Martyn Ziegler, Press Association . Manchester City and Paris St Germain are expected to have financial restrictions imposed on their squads for next season's Champions League after breaching UEFA's spending rules. The expenditure restrictions for breaking the financial fair play (FFP) rules would see both clubs effectively given a limit on the salary bill of their European A squad. The clubs are also expected to be ordered to make a cut in the number of players permitted in the A squad, which is normally 25-strong, and to be handed large fines when UEFA's club financial control board (CFCB) meets on Thursday and Friday, when a number of other European clubs will also be dealt with. Sanctions: Man City owner Sheikh Mansour (left) has ploughed millions in to the club. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak (second right) and chief executive Ferran Soriano (right) are involved in the day-to-day running . Seeing red: Pablo Zabaleta (left) is sent off during the Champions League final defeat by Barcelona in March . The sanctions packages are understood to be part of a settlement offer to the clubs, which they can accept, reject or try to negotiate ahead of the meeting. Both UEFA and City have refused to comment but it is understood the relevant sanction in the FFP rules set to be applied is: 'Restriction on the number of players that a club may register for participation in UEFA competitions, including a financial limit on the overall aggregate cost of the employee benefits expenses of players registered on the A-list for the purposes of UEFA club competitions.' The idea of the sanctions is that a restriction in the expenditure on players by both clubs who have breached the rules will help them in their efforts to comply with the limits on losses in future seasons. Clubs can lose up to 45 million euros (£37million) over the last two years under UEFA's rules. City made losses of £97.9million in 2012 and £51.6million last year, but were able to write off some sums spent on facilities, youth development and a number of other items. Hot water: PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates a goal against Bayer Leverkusen in February . Both Abu Dhabi-owned City and PSG have a number of sponsorship deals related to their owners which the CFCB had to determine were of fair market value. Qatari-owned PSG effectively wiped out its annual losses of 130 million euros (£107.4million) by announcing a back-dated sponsorship deal with the Qatar Tourism Authority worth up to 200 million euros a year. According to French newspaper La Parisien, the CFCB determined that PSG's sponsorship deal with the tourism authority should have a fair market value of half its current price. No other English club has been deemed to have breached the FFP rules, and UEFA president Michel Platini said last week he did not think any of the clubs - understood to number fewer than 20 - who breached rules will be banned from European competition next season. All sanctions are expected to be confirmed by UEFA's FFP adjudicatory body next week. | Man City and Paris Saint-Germain found to have breached Financial Fair Play .
UEFA's club financial control board meet on Thursday and Friday to rule .
Sanctions on Champions League squads include a salary cap, a cut in the number of players allowed and a 'large fine' |
Keywords: <keyword>MADELEINE MCCANN</keyword>, <keyword>MCCANN CIRCUS</keyword>, <keyword>PORTUGUESE POLICE</keyword>, <keyword>CIRCUS ARGUIDOS</keyword>, <keyword>HARM TOURIST</keyword>, <keyword>STOP SIGNS</keyword>, <keyword>SEARCH ABANDONED</keyword>, <keyword>DETECTION MYSTERY</keyword>, <keyword>LUZ VENTED</keyword>, <keyword>MONTHS</keyword>
By . Ted Thornhill . and Andrew Young In Praia Da Luz, Portugal . Locals in Praia da Luz have vented their anger at Scotland Yard’s re-investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann by spraying road signs in the resort with graffiti. The words ‘McCann circus’ have been stenciled onto dozens of Stop signs in the Portuguese resort where Madeleine disappeared in May 2007, so they read 'Stop McCann Circus'. Four arguidos - or 'persons of interest' - were quizzed in Portugal last Tuesday as part of the latest stage of the Metropolitan Police’s multi-million-pound probe. Backlash: Locals in the Portuguese resort where Madeleine disappeared in May 2007 have sprayed graffiti onto road signs so that they read 'Stop McCann circus' Four arguidos - or 'persons of interest' - were quizzed in Portugal last Tuesday as part of the latest stage of the Metropolitan Police’s multi-million-pound probe . One resident told the Daily Mirror: ‘We know these people, they are innocent. It is crazy. When will it end? We want to be left alone.' The mayor, Victor Mata, has expressed concern at the timing of the searches, as he fears it’ll put tourists off visiting. He said: ‘The next three months are when the entire village earns its keep.' Anger: Some locals are fearful that the police investigation will harm the tourist trade . In June, Portuguese and British police searched three sites in Praia da Luz for clues but found no evidence relating to the case. A former Scotland Yard commander, meanwhile, has urged British police to search an abandoned well just 875 yards from the apartment where Madeleine vanished. The Mail on Sunday has established that the uncovered shaft is on scrubland used as a campsite by Roma gipsies – and has been overlooked by Portuguese police. In June, Portuguese and British police searched three sites in Praia da Luz for clues but found no evidence relating to the case . Hidden from the nearby road, the well drops 30ft down to 12ft-deep water. ‘It is clearly known to locals and possibly to local criminals as a place to discard evidence from petty crime, such as handbags and other unwanted stolen items,’ said Roy Ramm, who served 27 years with the Metropolitan Police force and, as Commander of Specialist Operations, dealt with serious crime, from murder to rape and human trafficking. He added: ‘Whoever abducted Madeleine knew the local streets, alleyways and scrubland and used that knowledge to avoid detection.’ Mystery: Madeleine disappeared in May 2007 . | Road signs in Praia da Luz have been altered to read 'Stop McCann circus'
The graffiti has appeared in the Portuguese resort where Madeleine vanished .
Some locals are worried that the British police probe will affect tourism . |
Keywords: <keyword>SARKOZY WIFE</keyword>, <keyword>HUSBAND NICOLAS</keyword>, <keyword>FRANCE LEFT</keyword>, <keyword>HOLLANDE VALERIE</keyword>, <keyword>OLD PRESIDENT</keyword>, <keyword>2012 CARLA</keyword>, <keyword>PALACE TUESDAY</keyword>, <keyword>MULTIMILLIONAIRE HEIRESS</keyword>, <keyword>AVOWED SOCIALIST</keyword>, <keyword>ACCUSING REPORTERS</keyword>
By . Peter Allen . PUBLISHED: . 10:42 EST, 16 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:46 EST, 17 May 2012 . Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has launched a furious attack on her country’s national broadcaster, saying: ‘It’s not France Television anymore, it’s left-wing television!’ The 44-year-old multimillionaire heiress is still reeling from her husband Nicolas Sarkozy losing the presidential election ten days ago. Mr Sarkozy, a right-wing conservative, was widely considered to be the most unpopular head of state in French history before he was rejected after just one term in office. Au revoir: Carla waves as she leaves the Elysee Palace in a car with her husband... but today she lashed out at France's 'left wing television' Out with the old: President Francois Hollande and Valerie Trierweiler watch as President Nicolas Sarkozy and former First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy leave the Elysee Palace . He was replaced by Francois Hollande, France’s first Socialist president in 17 years – prompting Ms Bruni-Sarkozy to suggest a conspiracy theory. She told Le Point political weekly that Mr Sarkozy had been victimised by a ‘relentless’ group of left wing journalists working for France Television, the state owned company which incorporates channels including France 2 and France 3,saying all made up 'left wing television'. Ms Bruni-Sarkozy spent much of the election campaign defending ‘my man’ against what she saw as character attacks, and said she had also been victimised. ‘There’s this girl called Carla Bruni who does things that I do not do, who says things I do not say,’ she said, accusing reporters of creating an unpopular ‘clone’ of her. There's a new First Lady in town: Carla greets her successor Valerie Trierweiler, who been nicknamed The Rottweiler, due to her steely manner . Ms Bruni-Sarkozy, a former supermodel and self-styled pop ‘artist’, used to be an avowed Socialist, leading a flamboyantly liberal lifestyle on Paris’s Left Bank. Her numerous former lovers included English rock stars Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton, and she admitted that ‘monogamy bores me’. But she gave up such views when she became Mr Sarkozy’s third wife following a whirlwind romance of just 80 days in 2008. Now she styles herself as a loyal conservative wife and mother to the couple’s seven-month-old daughter, Giulia. Mr Sarkozy, who lived at the Elysee Palace until Tuesday, has now moved full time into his wife’s Paris mansion, and they are expected to go on a long sunshine holiday within the next few days. | Former supermodel and multimillionaire heiress said to be still reeling from her husband Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential election loss . |
Keywords: <keyword>HAZELWOOD COAL</keyword>, <keyword>FIRES EMERGENCY</keyword>, <keyword>VICTORIA ENVIRONMENT</keyword>, <keyword>MONOXIDE POISONING</keyword>, <keyword>CLAIMS FILED</keyword>, <keyword>CUT BROWN</keyword>, <keyword>RESIDENTS TOLD</keyword>, <keyword>LED FALSE</keyword>, <keyword>45 DAYS</keyword>, <keyword>MONITORING LABS</keyword>
By . Louise Cheer . Victoria's Environment Protection Agency had no previous cases to base its response to maintain air-quality as a six-week fire ravaged the Hazelwood underground brown coal mine in a world-first. The inquiry into the devastating coal mine fire is into its second week. Morwell - the town near the mine - was covered in smoke and ash for 45 days as the fire burned, with residents reporting headaches, nose bleeds and ash blanketing their homes like snow. The Hazelwood coal mine fire started on February 9 and burned for six weeks . The fire burned for six weeks, with residents reporting ill-health from the fumes . The flames created a seemingly flowing wave of fire . Some residents were told to evacuate their homes. On Monday, the inquiry heard Victoria's Environment Protection Agency was ill-informed about how to respond to the mine fire, AAP reported. The agency was called two days after the fire started in the open-cut brown coal mine on February 11. Chief executive at the time of the fire John Merritt said the agency had never been called to mine fires and was not an emergency air-monitoring agency. Smoke and ash from the fire hung over the town of Morwell for 45 days, and residents reported headaches and nosebleeds . Victoria's Environment Protection Agency said it did not have anything to base its response to the air quality because the situation was a world first . 'It was simply without precedent that we would have this sort of event of this sort of duration ... that would warrant the emergency readiness of mobile air-monitoring equipment,' he said. Mr Merritt went on to tell the inquiry that the EPA started transmitting data from a 24-hour reading on February 14. But counsel assisting the inquiry Melinda Richards said there was a week-long gap between air quality data recorded at East Morwell on February 12 and data recorded at Morwell South - where conditions were reported to be more severe. The agency was called two days after the fire started in the open-cut brown coal mine on February 11 . The inquiry into the Hazelwood fire is into its second week and the final report will be handed down at the end of August . Mr Merritt indicated the brown coal mine fire burning for so long was a world first and the EPA had nowhere to draw experience from after the Victorian Government's lawyer Josh Wilson asked him if this was the case. 'For all the wrong reasons this particular mine fire was a world's first in terms of prolonged adverse air quality," Mr Wilson said. Mr Merritt agreed and said 'Previous fires had led us into a false sense of the impact of a mine fire on the town.' He said there was no historical basis before February 9 to indicate it would have been useful to have air-monitoring labs on hand. Country Fire Authority firefighters have told the inquiry that when they arrived they were locked out of the site . Mr Merritt also added the agency responded as quickly as it could. 'I don't believe we could have acted any faster than we did,' he said. The inquiry has also heard efforts to stop the fire were marred with communication issues. On Thursday, volunteer firefighter Doug Steley told the inquiry Country Fire Authority (CFA) crews had trouble getting into the Hazelwood mine when they first arrived because the gate was locked, and weren't told where to go and weren't given proper information on how to operate carbon monoxide monitors. 7,000 people were looked at for carbon monoxide poisoning in relation to the fire, with 23 WorkCover claims filed . During the fire, some residents in the town of Morwell - that has about 125,000 people - were evacuated . The Herald Sun reported the inquiry heard the fire's health monitoring was the largest of its kind in the world - with 7,000 people looked at for carbon monoxide poisoning and 23 WorkCover claims were filed. There were 14 firefighters who were taken to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning while they battled the fire. It also heard the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from mine fires was known after an incident in 2006, but the Country Fire Authority had not yet put into place a 2010 draft operating procedure when the Hazelwood fire started. The inquiry into the coal mine fire started on May 26 and will focus on its origin and the response effort. The final report will be submitted to the Victorian Government at the end of August. | EPA had no previous cases for reference to protect town's air quality .
Residents reported headaches and nose bleeds after Hazelwood mine fire .
Smoke and ash hung over the town in Victoria's east for 45 days .
Inquiry is into its second week and report will be handed down in August . |
Keywords: <keyword>STUDY EARTHQUAKE</keyword>, <keyword>HAITI VULNERABLE</keyword>, <keyword>DESTROYED APARTMENT</keyword>, <keyword>RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS</keyword>, <keyword>BUILT ENVIRONMENT</keyword>, <keyword>LAYER SAFETY</keyword>, <keyword>COMMUNITIES FLOUTING</keyword>, <keyword>APPROACH STRONG</keyword>, <keyword>PROVIDE VITAL</keyword>, <keyword>1771 1842</keyword>
Buffalo, New York (CNN) -- The rubble that blankets much of Port-au-Prince delivers the deadly verdict on decades of inadequate construction in my home nation. My siblings were spared; their house was not destroyed, but my apartment back home collapsed. The destruction is of stupefying proportion. My heart cries out to my Haitian brothers and sisters who are enduring so much. I had long known that Haiti was vulnerable -- it had been hit before, in 1751, 1771 and 1842. I anticipated that if it happened again, damages and loss of life would be substantial, due to the poor quality of the built environment. Some local and foreign scientists were talking about the eventuality of a major quake, but not enough attention was paid to their warnings, and eventually many saw it as only a remote possibility. I decided to study earthquake engineering, hoping that I would have time to get the education in designing against earthquakes, would get hands-on experience, share the knowledge with engineers back home, and advocate for the adoption of building codes and the integration of sound design criteria against such occurrences. Sadly, I ran out of time. I know that it is critical that my country now examine what steps ought to be taken to prevent such massive loss of life in the future. This is my humble contribution to this process. Much has been written about why the earthquake flattened whole communities. There was the flouting, or just ignorance, of international building codes developed by engineers to provide a framework in construction engineering and design, especially important in a country so susceptible to what we call "multiple hazards" -- earthquakes, hurricanes, storm surges, tsunami. No such building code exists in Haiti. There was the low-cost unreinforced masonry, or barely reinforced concrete structures that have dominated Haiti's landscape; the anarchic construction that flourished in tightly-packed Port-au-Prince, suffocating the city and further deteriorating its already degraded environment as builders frantically mined and extracted construction materials from its mountainsides. There was construction in obviously unsuitable areas, such as wetlands and unstable and eroded mountain flanks -- structures there could not possibly sustain the large deformation imposed by the earthquake. They collapsed without warning. Very few buildings were designed by architects and engineers; most were built with no construction standards -- by wealthy and poor alike. Enforcement of construction permits and site inspections has been lax. Hardly any structure met the minimum requirements to resist the type of horizontal force generated by an earthquake of that magnitude. The ones still standing may just be lucky. As tragic as this event is, it is also an opportunity to start from scratch and rebuild the country in a planned and orderly fashion. This calls for a comprehensive urban-development plan. There must be an emphasis on the development of model cities in Haiti, which may intelligently, yet safely, integrate architectural local features -- such as building façades mimicking the fretted wood and intricate latticework that ornamented traditional "gingerbread" houses favored by tourists in the 1950s -- to lure visitors and stoke an economic rebirth. The government also must adopt and enforce a comprehensive set of construction codes and regulations with a multi-hazard focus. Engineers must think globally while designing and building structures that protect life in such an array of hazards. Multi-hazard engineering is emerging as a cost-effective solution to engineering design and construction issues in countries like Haiti, where several natural or man-made hazards are involved. And while it is a new concept that hasn't been widely applied yet (it's an approach championed at my university, and by the federally funded Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, or MCEER), this multi-hazard focus is imperative in our case. Haiti's building codes must be based on existing, well-tested research and emphasize the necessity for peer-reviewed design as an embedded layer of safety in the design process. For reasons of proximity and the role that the United States is playing in the earthquake's aftermath, it would be reasonable for Haiti to base building codes on those used in the U.S. and in American territories like Puerto Rico, which share similar exposure and vulnerability, for example, to annual tropical storms or earthquakes. Beyond this, the Haitian authorities must provide the local and international private sectors with incentives to invest in the development of affordable housing for the survivors, through tax cuts or tax payment deferments and by making public lands available during the reconstruction efforts. These housing projects would put people back to work and support the housing market, as realtors and financial institutions will be needed. They would also provide hands-on experience to local engineers, who will need help from the international community as they learn skills required for designing multi-hazard structures to code, while providing a basis to hold them accountable in case of gross malpractice. This financial and intellectual collaboration can extend to developing a curriculum in multi-hazard engineering that can be required in engineering schools both in private and state institutions in Haiti, and sanctioned by standardized mandatory certification tests for graduating engineers and in educational sessions for practicing engineers. Of course, a wider reconstruction project must include the new development of lifelines that provide vital emergency response and recovery: health care facilities, communication, electric power, liquid fuel, natural gas, transportation (airports, highways, ports, rail and transit), water, and wastewater. This is critical, considering that the rescue efforts on the ground right now are hindered by the damage sustained by many of those systems. In the wake of such destruction, the construction sector can be the main driver for sustainable economic development in Haiti. While it shouldn't have taken such a horrific event to get there, this can be a way to pay tribute to the Haitian people who have demonstrated such resilience in adversity, and to give hope to the families of the countless loved ones who have lost their lives or are injured. Reversing the course of this catastrophe is going to be a Herculean task, requiring intense resources and a multidisciplinary approach with a strong multi-hazard focus. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Pierre Fouche. | Haitian Pierre Fouche says he studied earthquake engineering in anticipation of such a disaster .
He says Haiti's buildings are terribly designed to resist quake damage .
Haiti needs comprehensive urban-planning approach in reconstruction, he says .
Fouche: To rebuild, need multi-hazard engineering, strict codes, education and money . |
Keywords: <keyword>PALIN RUNNING</keyword>, <keyword>ZAKARIA SAYS</keyword>, <keyword>BEST REPUBLICAN</keyword>, <keyword>CAMPAIGN ADVISERS</keyword>, <keyword>EXPECTED VICE</keyword>, <keyword>CHOOSE SARAH</keyword>, <keyword>MCCAIN AGE</keyword>, <keyword>THINK QUALIFIED</keyword>, <keyword>SPEECH CONVENTION</keyword>, <keyword>CNN COLUMN</keyword>
NEW YORK (CNN) -- In a column appearing in Newsweek, world affairs expert and author Fareed Zakaria said he thinks it would be best for Republican presidential hopeful John McCain if Gov. Sarah Palin bowed out as his vice presidential running mate. "For him to choose Sarah Palin to be his running mate is fundamentally irresponsible," says Zakaria. Zakaria says McCain did not put the country first in making his V.P. choice, and he says Palin is not qualified to lead the United States. CNN spoke to him about his commentary titled, "Palin is ready? Please." CNN: What did you initially think when Sarah Palin was announced as the Republican vice presidential nominee? Zakaria: I was a bit surprised -- as I think most people were. But I was willing to give her a chance. And I thought her speech at the convention was clever and funny. But once she began answering questions about economics and foreign policy, it became clear that she has simply never thought about these subjects before and is dangerously ignorant and unprepared for the job of vice president, let alone president. Watch Zakaria slam Sarah Palin » . CNN: You don't think she is qualified? Zakaria: No. Gov. Palin has been given a set of talking points by campaign advisers, simple ideological mantras that she repeats and repeats as long as she can. But if forced off those rehearsed lines, what she has to say is often, quite frankly -- nonsense. Just listen to her response to Katie Couric's question about the bailout. It's gibberish -- an emptying out of catchphrases about economics that have nothing to do with the question or the topic. It's scary to think that this person could be running the country. Here is their exchange: . Katie Couric: Why isn't it better, Gov. Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families who are struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries; allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess? Gov. Sarah Palin: That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, we're ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the -- it's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing. But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today, we've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that. CNN: But Dan Quayle wasn't very qualified and that didn't seem to matter, did it? Zakaria: This is way beyond Dan Quayle. Quayle was a lightweight who was prone to scramble his words, or say things that sounded weird, but you almost always knew what he meant. One of his most famous miscues was to the United Negro College Fund when he said, "What a terrible thing to have lost one's mind. Or not to have a mind at all." Now he was trying to play off a famous ad that the group used to run, "A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste." And he screwed it up in a funny way. But read Gov. Palin's answers and it does appear that she doesn't have any understanding about the topic under discussion. CNN: But she has a lot of supporters. Zakaria: Look, I'm not saying that she is not a feisty, charismatic politician who has done some good things in Alaska. It is just we are talking about a person who should be ready to lead the United States at a moment's notice. She has never spent a day thinking about any important national or international issue, and this is a hell of a time to start. CNN: Does it make you concerned about Sen. McCain as a president? Zakaria: Yes, and I say this with sadness because I greatly admire John McCain, a man of intelligence, honor and enormous personal and political courage. However, for him to choose Sara Palin to be his running mate is fundamentally irresponsible. He did not put the country first with this decision. Whether it is appropriate or not, considering Sen. McCain's age most people expected to have a vice presidential candidate who would be ready to step in at a moment's notice. The actuarial odds of that happening are significant, something like a one-in-five chance. | Fareed Zakaria says John McCain did not put country first with his choice .
Palin should bow out saying she wants "to spend more time with her family," he says .
Zakaria: This is "hell of a time" for Palin to start thinking about national, global issues . |
Keywords: <keyword>ARJEN ROBBEN</keyword>, <keyword>NIGERIA MIDFIELDER</keyword>, <keyword>ROUT GHANA</keyword>, <keyword>GOAL SUBSTITUTE</keyword>, <keyword>MIKEL MISSED</keyword>, <keyword>FERDINAND DENIED</keyword>, <keyword>RESTING INJURY</keyword>, <keyword>END CHELSEA</keyword>, <keyword>STANKOVIC LEVELED</keyword>, <keyword>AFRICA NOTCHED</keyword>
(CNN) -- Injuries continue to strike down the planet's top football players ahead of this month's World Cup in South Africa, with Dutch star Arjen Robben's participation in doubt and key Nigeria midfielder Jon Obi Mikel forced to withdraw. Robben, whose inspired form this season took German club Bayern Munich to the final of the Champions League, has not joined his teammates in flying to Africa after suffering a hamstring injury on Saturday. He scored two goals after coming on as a second-half substitute in a 6-1 friendly romp over Hungary in Amsterdam, but needs a scan on Sunday after hurting himself trying to execute a fancy backheel pass. "I would rather lose this match and have Arjen stay fit," Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said on Dutch Web site www.vi.nl. "He felt a sharp pain. That does not bode well. But I do not lose hope." Robben had returned to action after missing Tuesday's 4-1 international friendly rout over Ghana in Rotterdam on Tuesday. Earlier on Saturday, Nigeria officials reported that Mikel has decided he has not recovered sufficiently from knee surgery, meaning he joins teammates Michael Ballack (Germany), Michael Essien (Ghana) and Jose Bosingwa (Portugal) from his English club Chelsea in missing the tournament. The 23-year-old Mikel missed the end of Chelsea's season, which culminated in a league and cup double. "We have dropped Mikel from the World Cup squad after he told the team he did not want to put his career at risk as his knee injury has yet to fully heal after a recent surgery," Nigeria team official Emmanuel Attah said in quotes carried by the Chelsea Web site. Another Chelsea player, Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, may also be sidelined for the month-long event after suffering an elbow injury against Japan on Friday. He had a "successful" operation in Switzerland on Saturday, according to Ivory Coast officials, but they could not yet say if he would be fit to take part. Mikel followed England captain Rio Ferdinand in being denied a chance to play on soccer's biggest stage, with the defender suffering a knee injury on Friday. He has been replaced in the 23-man squad by Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, with Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard taking over as skipper and Chelsea's Frank Lampard named as his deputy by coach Fabio Capello. World champions Italy also have an injury problem, with key midfielder Andrea Pirlo suffering a calf injury against Mexico on Thursday. The 31-year-old has been ruled out of Saturday night's final friendly against Switzerland, and is battling to be fit for the Azzurri's Group F opener game against Paraguay on June 14. Marcello Lippi's team came from behind to draw 1-1, with striker Fabio Quagliarella's 15th-minute goal canceling out Gokhan Inler's opener. Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel also suffered an injury blow on Saturday when he had to go off in the 16th minute of the 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica after damaging his ankle. The center-back, who plays for English club Liverpool, had previously played only once since breaking a bone in his foot in February. He is expected to be fit for the World Cup after resting his injury. In Saturday's other friendlies, the United States beat fellow qualifiers Australia 3-1 with two goals from Edson Buddle and another from fellow forward Herculez Gomez, who came on as a substitute. The 29-year-old Buddle, starting in place of the injured Jozi Altidore, netted his first goals for his country as he continued the form that has him at the top of the Major League Soccer goalscoring charts this season. Midfielder Tim Cahill leveled for Australia in the 19th minute. Hosts South Africa notched another morale-boosting win by beating fellow qualifiers Denmark 1-0 in Atteridgeville, as striker Katlego Mphela netted his fourth goal in three matches in the 76th minute. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's team will kick off the tournament against Mexico in Johannesburg's new Soccer City stadium on Friday. Ghana won 1-0 against Latvia in England with a late goal from substitute striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. Ghana gave a full debut to Germany under-21 international midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose half-brother Jerome is joining English club Manchester City from Hamburg on a five-year contract from July 1. The duo, who have a Ghanaian father, could play against each other in South Africa when Germany face the Black Stars in their final Group D match on June 23. Serbia beat fellow finalists Cameroon 4-3, with six goals coming in the first half. Striker Pierre Webo put the Africans 2-1 up after 20 minutes before Dejan Stankovic leveled five minutes later. Nenad Milijas scored a penalty and Marko Pantelic scored in successive minutes just before halftime, while Eric Choupo-Moting reduced the deficit on 67. Algeria beat the United Arab Emirates 1-0 with a second-half penalty from Karim Ziani, ending a run of four successive defeats. Honduras slumped to a 3-0 defeat by Romania, who did not qualify for the finals. | Dutch star Arjen Robben in doubt for World Cup after suffering hamstring injury .
Key midfielder Jon Obi Mikel withdraws from Nigeria squad due to knee problem .
Ivory Coast still waiting to find out if injured star striker Didier Drogba can take part .
Chelsea player has "successful" operation on fractured elbow on Saturday . |
Keywords: <keyword>FOOTBALL STURRIDGE</keyword>, <keyword>GOING ACTING</keyword>, <keyword>ENGLAND TALKS</keyword>, <keyword>EXPECTATION SPORT</keyword>, <keyword>STAND IAN</keyword>, <keyword>ERIC FEATURES</keyword>, <keyword>ADMITTED FANCIES</keyword>, <keyword>ESQUIRE MAGAZINE</keyword>, <keyword>EVENTUALLY RETIRES</keyword>, <keyword>VINNIE JONES</keyword>
Eric Cantona and Vinnie Jones cracked it, but will Daniel Sturridge? The Liverpool striker has admitted he fancies dabbling in the movie business once his football career comes to an end. The England forward has been enjoying the company of supermodels and designers at London Fashion Week, while also recently appearing in his first professional shoot for Esquire magazine. The former Manchester City and Chelsea forward's poses are a start but Sturridge recognises he has a long way to go if he is to fit into Hollywood. VIDEO Scroll down for Brendan Rodgers on amicable England talks over Sturridge . Daniel Sturridge has admitted going into acting is something he'd give serious consideration to when he eventually retires from football . Sturridge, who recently took part in a shoot with Esquire, has revealed he loved drama class at school . The Liverpool striker features in November's edition of Esquire magazine . Sturridge scores against Southampton in the opening game of this season's Premier League campaign . 'There is an expectation that if you do a sport, any sport, you should never have a life outside of that, he said. 'People expect you to just train, play, train. But that's not me. David Beckham - Golden balls has appeared in all three Goal movies. Pele - The Brazilian legend has featured in the likes of Escape to Victory and A Minor Miracle. Eric Cantona - The former Manchester United and Leeds striker has featured in the likes of Elizabeth and Looking for Eric. He also features in new release You and the Night. Vinnie Jones - Football's hard man has featured in the likes of 'Mean Machine' and 'X-Men: The Last Stand'. Ian Wright - The former Arsenal legend featured in Sun of the Black Gun in 2011. 'I loved drama class at school. I never took it seriously as I was playing football. But maybe when I retire, I'll have a dabble.' As controversy surrounds his imminent return from a thigh injury and subsequent absence from Roy Hodgson's latest England squad, the 25-year-old will be seen modelling jackets in the magazine's November issue. While many may disagree, Sturridge insisted that not all footballer's are badly dressed as he praised some of his teammate's style credentials. 'Hendo (Jordan Henderson) dresses quite well. (Mamadou) Sakho is very dressy, he'll show up for training in a smart shirt and shoes, though I think that's a Parisian thing. Brad Jones has a go. Loves a blazer, Brad Jones...' he said. As the national team prepare for Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia without their first choice centre forward, Sturridge reflected on England's ill-fated World Cup campaign in Brazil. 'Obviously, it was disappointing. But I lived one of my dreams: I scored a goal at the World Cup. I feel that I gave a good account of myself.' Sturridge has missed Liverpool's last six games after picking up a thigh injury on international duty . Daniel Sturridge realised his dream of scoring at the World Cup after netting against Italy . The Liverpool forward has already tasted the limelight in front of the screens featuring in Subway adverts prior to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The England striker is all smiles after featuring in Subway adverts prior to the 2014 World Cup . The November issue of Esquire magazine will be on sale from Friday October 3 - CLICK HERE to read the full Daniel Sturridge interview . | Daniel Sturridge was taking part in a fashion shoot for Esquire magazine and the Liverpool striker admits he is tempted to take up acting .
'I loved drama class at school. I never took it seriously as I was playing football. But maybe when I retire, I'll have a dabble,' says Sturridge .
England striker names Jordan Henderson, Mamadou Sakho and Brad Jones as Liverpool's best-dressed players . |
Keywords: <keyword>DEFENDERS DRAGOVIC</keyword>, <keyword>WEST HAM</keyword>, <keyword>CHELSEA MONITORED</keyword>, <keyword>REID CONTRACT</keyword>, <keyword>PROMISING SEASON</keyword>, <keyword>HINTEREGGER CHASES</keyword>, <keyword>SCOUTS WATCH</keyword>, <keyword>ALLARDYCE KEEN</keyword>, <keyword>MANAGER SAM</keyword>, <keyword>BASLE COST</keyword>
West Ham are sending scouts to watch Austria vs Russia on Saturday with Aleksandar Dragovic and Martin Hinteregger on their radar. Manager Sam Allardyce is weighing up defensive reinforcements, particularly with the future of Winston Reid unresolved. Reid, who is out of contract in the summer, has yet to agree to new terms at Upton Park and is the subject of interest from several Premier League clubs. Austrian defender Martin Hinteregger chases Uruguay forward Luis Suarez during their clash earlier this year . Russian defender Aleksander Dragovic caught the eye while playing at Basle but then moved to Dynamo Kiev . However, West Ham are reluctant to sell even in January so as not to disrupt their promising season. Defenders Dragovic and Hinteregger have earned rave reviews at their respective clubs Dynamo Kiev and Red Bull Salzburg. Dragovic caught the eye while at FC Basle and would cost around £6million. Arsenal and Chelsea have also monitored his progress. Hinteregger was watched by Manchester United last year as well as Liverpool and Arsenal. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is keen to bolster his defence with Winston Reid's future still in doubt . Reid's contract expires at the end of the season and it is unclear if he will sign an extension . | West Ham are sending scouts to watch Austria vs Russia on Saturday .
Aleksandar Dragovic and Martin Hinteregger will be watched by the scouts .
Sam Allardyce is keen to bolster his defensive options .
Winston Reid's future is still unresolved and causing concern at the club . |
Keywords: <keyword>COP SMASHED</keyword>, <keyword>HASSAM KHAN</keyword>, <keyword>CAR ACCUSED</keyword>, <keyword>FACE ROOF</keyword>, <keyword>ADVISED LAWYER</keyword>, <keyword>TEETH STUCK</keyword>, <keyword>FILED BROOKLYN</keyword>, <keyword>CONTRABAND ITEMS</keyword>, <keyword>24 YEAR</keyword>, <keyword>ACTIONS SUBSTANTIATED</keyword>
Hassam Khan, 24, had his front teeth broken after an NYPD cop smashed his face into the roof of a car during a traffic stop last year in Staten Island . A 24-year-old is suing the New York Police Department after a cop allegedly smashed his face into a car roof leaving pieces of his front teeth stuck in the metal. Hassam Khan was driving home in his cousin's new Mercedes on December 26 last year, when the pair were pulled over by an unmarked police car in Staten Island. The cops pulled the men over because they may have been speeding, Mr Khan's lawyer told MailOnline on Wednesday. The officers then illegally searched the car but didn't find any drugs or contraband items that they appeared to be looking for, lawyer Harvey Greenberg said. It was then, according to Mr Greenberg, that the cops became 'upset' and slammed his client's face into the roof of the car. The violence of the move caused portions of the 24-year-old's front teeth to snap off and become embedded in the metal. The alleged assault occurred in front of Mr Khan's family home in Graniteville. He was left in 'excruciating pain' following the incident and had to have the broken parts of his front teeth pulled out and replaced with implants. The procedure cost Mr Khan, who does not have insurance, $1,500. Mr Khan, a graduate student who is working for his father's business, was charged with reckless driving, resisting arrest and obstructing government administration. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after being advised by a lawyer who is a friend of the family. Parts of the 24-year-old graduate's front teeth were left embedded in the metal on the car roof. He is now suing the NYPD in a civil lawsuit filed on Monday . The teeth marks left by Mr Khan on the car after he claims he was slammed into the roof by an NYPD cop . Mr Greenberg said that a civil lawsuit had been filed in Brooklyn Federal Court on Monday. The suit alleges that Officer Mark Scarlatelli was the cop who used excessive force and slammed Mr Khan's head into the car and accused him of being drunk. According to the Daily News, the three cops involved could be facing disciplinary action. The Civilian Complaint Review Board examined the officers' actions and substantiated Khan’s allegations against Scarlatelli along with agreeing that an improper search of the car had taken place by Detective Steven Marshall. Officer John Ryan was cited for not telling NYPD Internal Affairs about the injuries suffered by the suspect, Mr Greenberg said. A city official confirmed to MailOnline on Wednesday that the Civilian Complaint Review Board looked into Mr Khan's claims . | Hassam Khan, 24, was driving home in his cousin's new Mercedes on December 26 last year when he was pulled over by an unmarked car .
His lawsuit claims that cops illegally searched the car in Staten Island and then smashed his face into the roof .
Mr Khan had to have the remaining fragments of his front teeth pulled out and replaced with implants, leaving him in 'excruciating pain' |
Keywords: <keyword>MUD CRASHED</keyword>, <keyword>EARLS VIDEO</keyword>, <keyword>SHOWS TRUCK</keyword>, <keyword>DRIVER IMMEDIATELY</keyword>, <keyword>HEARD AXLE</keyword>, <keyword>LANDED SPECTATORS</keyword>, <keyword>CONTROL MONSTER</keyword>, <keyword>ONLOOKER DUSTIN</keyword>, <keyword>SAFETY SCREAMS</keyword>, <keyword>PIT SEATING</keyword>
(CNN) -- An out-of-control monster truck crashed into the stands at a show in Oregon, injuring three spectators seated in the front row, authorities said. Onlooker Dustin Earls captured video of the scene Saturday at the "Monster Air 2012" show in Harrisburg. Earls told CNN he was watching the third drag race of the event when one of the drivers started heading for a mud pit in front of the seating area. "The truck got a little wild and he hit the mud pit," Earls said. "I thought, 'This guy's just messing around; he'll hit his brakes right here.'" But the oversized truck didn't stop. Video shot by Earls on his mobile phone shows the truck making a hard right turn and driving straight into the panicked crowd. "I heard his axle snap as soon as he hit the mud," Earls said. "As soon as he hit that line, he lost control of his steering and his brakes." Earls' video becomes jumbled as he runs to safety, but the screams of frightened spectators can be heard in the background. A Linn County Sheriff's sergeant told CNN affiliate KVAL three people in the crowd were hurt. Earls said the driver immediately got out of the truck to see if anyone was injured. "He wanted to know if everything was okay," Earls said, "He was so concerned. He said, 'Oh my God, I can't believe what happened.'" KVAL reported the driver told authorities the rear wheels on his 1970 Ford spun out in the mud, and he crashed into a barricade. The truck cleared the barricade and its 48-inch tires landed on three spectators, KVAL reported. The sheriff's sergeant told KVAL the victims' injuries were not life-threatening. | Video shot by a spectator shows the truck driving straight into the panicked crowd .
The driver immediately got out of the truck to see if anyone was injured, a spectator says .
The driver says the rear wheels on his 1970 Ford spun out in the mud .
The injuries are not life-threatening, an affiliate reports . |
Keywords: <keyword>WICKS HOUSTON</keyword>, <keyword>PLAYS NEWCASTLE</keyword>, <keyword>OFFENCE CHRIS</keyword>, <keyword>PLAYER CHARGED</keyword>, <keyword>NRL ADVERTISEMENTS</keyword>, <keyword>MONTHS TEAMMATE</keyword>, <keyword>2007 CAUGHT</keyword>, <keyword>CONTRACTED KNIGHTS</keyword>, <keyword>APPEAR COURT</keyword>, <keyword>DRUGS COUNTS</keyword>
(CNN) -- An Australian rugby league player has been charged with dealing drugs just three months after his teammate was served a court notice for the same offence. Chris Houston, who plays for Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League competition, has been charged with supplying ecstasy and cocaine according to reports in Australian newspapers on Monday. The 25-year-old second-row forward will appear in court next month, and has been suspended by his club. "Newcastle Knights player Chris Houston has been stood down immediately and indefinitely following reports he was charged this afternoon on drug-related allegations," a Knights statement said on Monday. Houston's teammate Danny Wicks was charged with six counts of supplying prohibited drugs and two counts of drug possession in December. Wicks' younger brother and his sister-in-law have also been charged as part of a police investigation into drugs suppliers, along with soccer player Steven Stefanovski. Wicks and Houston both moved to Newcastle from Sydney club St George Illawarra at the end of 2007. Wicks agreed to cancel his $180,000-a-year contract in December, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, while Houston is contracted to the Knights until 2012. It is the second year in a row that the sport has been hit by controversy ahead of a new season, which begins in two weeks. Last year, Manly and Australia fullback Brett Stewart had to be removed from NRL advertisements following allegations of sexual assault. Former Newcastle and Australia star Andrew Johns also made headlines after his retirement in 2007 when he was caught in possession of ecstasy in Britain, and later admitted he had been a regular user of the drug during his career. | Australian rugby league player Chris Houston charged with dealing drugs .
He will appear in court next month, accused of supplying cocaine and ecstasy .
His Newcastle clubmate Danny Wicks was also charged with dealing in December .
Newcastle and Australia star Andrew Johns admitted using ecstasy in 2007 . |
Keywords: <keyword>UNIDENTIFIED CORPSES</keyword>, <keyword>EXHUMED CEMETERY</keyword>, <keyword>WALES EXHUMED</keyword>, <keyword>BODY RETRIEVE</keyword>, <keyword>SEAMAN EVIDENCE</keyword>, <keyword>BURIED ANGLESEY</keyword>, <keyword>BEACHES UNRECOGNISABLE</keyword>, <keyword>PHOTOGRAPH ARM</keyword>, <keyword>FAMILY MISSING</keyword>, <keyword>MENAI BRIDGE</keyword>
By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 11:23 EST, 5 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:18 EST, 5 January 2013 . A body recovered from the sea off north Wales 30 years ago will be exhumed this month in the hope it can be identified and returned to his family. The exhumation, from an unmarked grave on Anglesey near Menai Bridge, is part of an attempt by police forces around Britain to put names to more than 1,100 bodies found since the 1950s. It follows the launch of a website that posts pictures of unidentified dead bodies for the first time - allowing the families of missing people to search for their loves ones. A body found in the sea off north Wales is to be exhumed from a cemetery near the Menai Bridge (pictured) Found: The family of Michael Sutherland were able to hold a memorial service for him late last year, 23 years after his body washed up on a north Norfolk beach . In November, the Missing Persons Bureau revealed it was launching a new website dedicated to finding the identity of mystery individuals. It features pictures of bodies, but any images deemed to be distressing are marked with a warning and require confirmation before viewing. They include a photograph of the arm . of one body found collapsed in Islington, north London in 2007, easily . recognisable by the distinctive tattoos of panther and red Indian on his . right forearm. Another case is that of an infant known as the . Burythorpe baby, a boy of around 34 weeks' gestation who was found . wrapped in plastic bags at Burythorpe Bridge in North Yorkshire in . January 2001. Forensic tests established he had died two years earlier, but despite extensive inquiries his parents have not been traced. Many of the bodies have washed up on beaches, unrecognisable as a . result of being exposed to the elements, or have been discovered on . railway lines. Unidentified: The man on the left died after he . was hit by a train in Hertfordshire in 1995. This man, right, was found . lying in a makeshift tent adjacent to the A1 in Bedfordshire in 1997. Both have never been identified . Tragic: Pictures of unidentified dead bodies will be posted online for the first time - allowing the families of missing people to search for their loves ones. This picture shows the tattoos on the arm of a man found collapsed in a north London street in 2007 . Unidentified: This computer-generated image is of a man found floating in the River Lea, near Newham, while the man on the left was found washed up on a riverbank on the River Avon . Some . 250 people die on the UK's railways every year, most as a result of . suicide, according to British Transport police, and a significant number . of these bodies are never identified. There are hopes that in the coming weeks the man buried in Anglesey . will join that list after contact was made with the family of a missing . Norwegian seaman. The evidence was strong enough for the . north-west Wales coroner to sign an exhumation certificate, and later . this month the operation, involving police and forensic experts, will . take place. Detective constable Don Kenyon, who is running the . investigation, said it was a 'rare and sometimes sensitive process'. 'The . circumstances surrounding this man's death are not suspicious – we are . merely attempting to identify him for his family's sake,' he said. 'That . process will involve carefully obtaining DNA samples and comparing them . against the DNA from individuals we have identified as possible family . members.' Search: The bureau has launched a new website which is dedicated to finding the identity of mystery individuals. This shoe belonged to a man who was found in 2003 in the sea, near St. Margaret's Island, Wales . The site: The bureau has now launched a new website which is dedicated to finding the identity of mystery individuals . Help needed: This clothing belonged to an oriental man found in the River Thames near HMS Belfast in 1989 . Trying to find matches for the corpses against the list of the . missing is also very time-consuming. By law, local councils must cremate or bury unidentified corpses, to . avoid the risk of disease. This makes identification far more . difficult: cremation destroys DNA, while to exhume a buried body, . police must seek the approval of a coroner before any further . investigation can be carried out. The graves . are often marked with wooden plaques stating 'unknown male' or 'unknown . female'. The Missing Persons Bureau published a . report on the number of missing persons and unidentified bodies in . Britain based on figures provided by forces across the country on the . number of missing person incidents reported in 2010/11. In Norfolk, the family of Michael Sutherland were able . to hold a memorial service for him late last year, 23 years after his . body washed up on a north Norfolk beach. When an investigation failed to . identify him, villagers in Weybourne held a funeral service and buried . him in the churchyard. But detectives took a fresh look at the . case as part of their review of unidentified bodies in Norfolk and . Suffolk, and exhumed the body to retrieve a DNA profile. Crosschecked . against the missing persons database, the profile matched that of . Michael Sutherland. His sister Ann Stockton, from Cleethorpes, . travelled to Norfolk last November with other members of the family for a . long-delayed dedication. The bureau are a total of 1,029 cases of men and women who remain unidentified and 105 babies. Just six per cent of those involve . living people, most of whom have been found without identification and . suffer from a form of memory loss or dementia. The vast majority of cases - 83 per . cent - the bureau is desperate to solve involve dead bodies while there . are still more than 100 unidentified body parts (11 per cent) sitting in . police morgues across Britain waiting to be identified. with a small . number of body parts (11 per cent) and unidentified alive people (6 per cent) also still . awaiting identification. Joe Apps, from the Bureau, told The . Guardian: 'For us it is about asking how we can be in such a developed . society and yet have such a large collection of unidentified people, . when it is actually quite difficult to disappear nowadays. 'So how is it we haven't been able to . recognise these people? There will be a family that is missing someone . and it is right they know where their loved ones are.' Members of the public are now able to search the cases and provide information online. Any relevant details will then be passed to the police or the coroner in charge of the case. The bureau was unable to give any details of individual cases - other that the ones highlighted here - but a spokesperson said the website had already been significantly slowed due to the amount of traffic it has already received. The UK Missing Persons Bureau continually work with police forces and the public to try to put a name to these individuals, to enable them to be put at rest and to provide closure for their family and friends. The Bureau is also running a special project, called Operation Kharon, providing resources to assist police forces to identify their outstanding unidentified people, bodies and body part cases. Similar websites have been set up in certain states in the U.S, and by police in Belgium and Switzerland. The Missing Persons Bureau is part of the Serious Organised Crime Agency. To visit the website click here. | Exhumation from unmarked grave near .
Menai Bridge on Anglesey .
It is thought body could be a Norwegian seaman who went missing .
Evidence strong enough for coroner to sign exhumation certificate .
Part of a nationwide attempt to put names to more than 1,100 bodies . |
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