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197,310 | 8b605833cf61fbba711fd4490a72b7193cfbb4a7 | Property developers in Dubai are to resume building on a collection of artificial islands that form the shape of the global map. Construction on the cluster of man-made islands began in 2003 but was halted six years later in the wake of the financial crisis. So far only two of the 300 islands have been developed, though work on six dubbed the 'Heart of Europe' will get underway next year. Work is to begin again on the cluster of man-made islands in Dubai after development was halted following the 2008 economic crisis . The first European island to be built will be Germany, according to developers Kleindienst Properties. The project titled The World was unveiled in 2003 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and was marketed as a playground for the rich and famous. Built using sand dredged from Dubai's shallow coastal waters, the islands lie four kilometres off the shore of Jumeirah. Properties vary between private homes, estate homes, 'dream resorts' and community islands. Richard Branson owns the piece of land that represents Great Britain. Though 60 per cent of the islands had already been sold to private developers in 2008, the majority of work came to a grinding halt as the emirate suffered the brunt of the worldwide economic crisis. The region found itself $100billion in debt after enjoying years of excessive and exuberant spending, leaving deep-pocketed investors hesitant to pile money into its many development projects. Only two of the 300 islands have so far been developed, with one playing host to a show home . The project which resembles the world's map was begun in 2003 but had to be suspended following the 2008 economic crisis . Dubai was forced to ask the federal government of the United Arab Emirates for a loan, forcing the closure or suspension of thousands of developments that may never be completed. Progress on construction sites indicate the city's recovery from such crisis however, with The World islands just one of the many examples of its strengthening property market. Apartment prices rose by 42 per cent from the beginning of the year to September 30, with almost 50,000 new flats under construction, the Times reports. Dubai's ruling family is eager to put return the city to its former state of prosperity by hosting the 2020 World Expo, which will bring about an estimated $25billion economic boost. The Virgin tycoon Richard Branson is pictured on the patch of land representing Great Britain in the archipelago of islands . Around $7billion has already been put aside to build new infastructure for the event that will reportedly create 277,000 jobs and attract 25million visitors to the UAE. The emirate's economy expanded by 4.9 per cent in the first half of 2013, with its stock exchange doubling in value and hittting a five-year high this week. | The cluster of man-made islands resemble the world's map from above .
Work was brought to a halt in 2008 as region reeled from economic crisis .
Investors lost confidence in development projects in wake of meltdown .
Construction of The World islands to resume in the New Year .
Germany will be the first to be finished out of the 'Heart of Europe' |
111,236 | 1b6fbb2223ba189dde12b62b397318c638894136 | There are few coaches in world football who can boast a better c.v. than Louis van Gaal but at the moment it looks like he is working from only one half of the coaching manual. As good as Manchester United looked going forward against Leicester, they looked just as bad in defence. There is no balance to their play and they are too easy to exploit. Van Gaal needs to fix these defensive frailties — and quickly. Robin van Persie (left) and Radamel Falcao look dejected during Manchester United's defeat by Leicester . Louis van Gaal wonders where it all went wrong after United threw away a two-goal lead against the Foxes . The weakness in United’s defence was apparent throughout the match. Daley Blind was the only non-defender not bombing forward the whole time. I felt really sorry for him: it was like he was on a boat with holes springing up everywhere and he was trying to empty out the water on his own with a small bucket. United just didn’t have enough players back and Ander Herrera in particular needs to learn to sit deeper. Of the front players, Wayne Rooney was the only one really tracking back, and that is unacceptable. United’s multi-million forward line need to be the first line of defence. I admire the fact Van Gaal is trying to stand by United’s attacking traditions but look at how Manchester City and Chelsea set up — you have to occupy all parts of the pitch, not just charge forward in search of goals. That’s why James Milner played instead of Samir Nasri for Manchester City against Chelsea — he’s less skilful but harder working and was terrific. Manchester United’s back four lack leaders and this image above from Match of the Day 2 is a fine example. Here, five United players are pointing to the two unmarked Leicester players in the penalty area, seemingly asking each other to take responsibility and pick them up. They have no sort of straight defensive line either . This shows United’s dismal attempt at organising their back line. The players marked 1 (Smalling), 2 (Blackett), 3 (Rojo) and 4 (Rafael) are United’s back four in the second half. But rather than standing in a straight line, looking to catch opponents offside, United’s players have formed a diamond. It sums up the lack of shape, communication and organisation. Louis van Gaal has a big job on his hands . Daley Blind (left) was left on his own in defence at times while Ander Herrera needs to learn to sit deep . Wayne Rooney (centre) was furious with his Manchester United defence as they capitulated at Leicester . Manchester United are worse off after Louis van Gaal’s first five league fixtures than they were at the same stage under David Moyes last season. 12th At this point last season, United were eighth and five points off the lead. They are currently 12th, eight points behind table-topping Chelsea. 4 Moyes's United never conceded more than four goals in a league game, and when they did ship four it was against eventual champions Manchester City. It gets worse for Van Gaal when you compare his fixtures to Moyes’s. The Scot faced Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City in his first five games. Only QPR and West Brom (8) have used more defenders than United’s seven this season. And Van Gaal’s defenders have averaged the fewest minutes on the pitch. It is going to take a long time to erase the memory of the Leicester defeat. Teams now know there is a weakness to exploit and that if you get at Manchester United, they will crack. They used to have an aura, they used to find a way to win or get lucky. Now, they are seen as being soft at the back. Just when it looked like United had turned a corner, all the failings have come back to haunt them. Leicester were superb and took advantage brilliantly but things have changed. In the past, one penalty being given against United was a miracle. On Sunday, there were two. Whatever Van Gaal is telling his team it is clearly not sinking in. The Dutchman seems to have all the answers after each bad result, telling us why they lost and what went wrong. Perhaps he should try coming up with solutions before games and equip his players better so they stop losing. He also needs to encourage the players to have a voice of their own, so they take responsibility on the pitch. Players need to cross that white line and think, ‘I’m on the pitch, not you, and I’m going to take charge’. At the moment it seems United’s players are just hearing Van Gaal’s voice as they play and not developing their own. I’m sure he will turn things round because he is such a successful coach but sometimes from the players’ perspective, less is more from your manager. One of Van Gaal’s biggest problems is the group of defenders he has to pick from. It is ludicrous that United allowed Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra — with a total of 1,134 appearances for the club — to all leave in the same summer. On top of that they have failed to bring in a dominant figure to replace these senior men, despite signing two left backs in Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo. Jamie Vardy peels away to celebrate after exposing United's defence to put Leicester in front on Sunday . Leonardo Ulloa fired home Leicester's fifth goal from the penalty spot to rub salt into United's wounds . Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra were all allowed to leave Old Trafford over the summer . An influential defender is vital for any team. From the back you can see the game unfold in front of you. You can cajole, you can demand a performance from your team-mates and you can encourage them. Brian Clough, Jose Mourinho and George Graham are just a few of the managers who built their teams from the back. Instead, United have a naivety in defence. Rafael is particularly guilty. Too often he’s involved in goals United concede and too often he is unreliable. He has played 158 times for United so he’s experienced but he needs to learn fast. Ferdinand and Vidic used to coach him through games. Now he needs to be a senior member of the back four. He’s not developing enough. When I was at Arsenal with all those great players in front of me weaving pretty patterns and scoring great goals, I felt that if I didn’t keep a clean sheet then I was on borrowed time. United’s defence need that attitude. They need to defend their goal like I did, thinking their futures depend on it. Chris Smalling (right) was expected to be a long-term replacement for Ferdinand and Vidic in defence . Luke Shaw (left) has struggled to make an impact while Marcos Rojo's best position is not yet known . The long-term replacements for Ferdinand and Vidic were supposed to be Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. But they were still second choice to the veteran defenders last season and they have not trained on. They perform like bit-part players, which is what they have been for a few years. They need to get a proper run in the team and be trusted because they can still be very good players. Indeed Van Gaal needs to choose his first-choice defence, and give the players time to develop together. Does he rate Luke Shaw? Is Rojo a left back or a centre back for him? These questions need answering. There is a silver lining in the form of Tyler Blackett. Yes, he was sent off and is learning the harsh realities of the Premier League. But he is strong with and without the ball, has a bit of nastiness about him — which I like — and has good pace and technical ability. He just needs to be stronger in the air and show his determination over 90 minutes, not just in flashes. Facing Jamie Vardy, who was a bit like Craig Bellamy — annoying to play against but outstanding — was tough. United are buying big players as they battle to avoid years in the wilderness like Liverpool experienced. But you can’t buy a determination not to be beaten and there isn’t enough of that at United right now. Tyler Blackett (right) has proved himself a valuable asset for United, despite being sent off on Sunday . Like our Manchester United Facebook page here. | Louis van Gaal has answers after the game but needs solutions before .
Manchester United boss needs to teach his gung-ho galacticos to defend .
Van Gaal needs to pick his best back four and stick with it .
It is ludicrous that Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic all left .
Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have not trained on as their replacements .
Van Gaal needs to decide if he rates £31million signing Luke Shaw .
He also must decide which position is best for Marcos Rojo .
Youngster Tyler Blackett has been a silver lining at the back, however . |
61,316 | ae28d65a8b31c1a2510c54a7722b321a71992195 | These pictures prove that it is not only humans that enjoy a rich and varied diet. Hidden cameras captured these remarkable images among the treetops of sea eagles dining on lamb, rabbit, fish and even a gosling. As part of the Forestry Commission project nearly 7,000 covert images were taken of the nest in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland during the 2014 breeding season. Despite their name, the birds of prey feasted on only seven fish during the seven month period, but brought back a total of nine lambs for dinner. Dinner time: A pair of sea eagles enjoy a fish super in their treetop nest . The hidden camera captured the sea eagles eating a tiny baby gosling . During the 2014 breeding season the birds of prey were captured dining on nine lambs . The sea eagles brought 117 prey items back to the nest between January and July. The images were captured by a hidden camera installed among the trees as part of a Forestry Commission project . After looking at thousands of photographs it was confirmed that the sea eagles returned to their nest with 117 prey items between January and July. Analysis confirmed that 67 items were unidentifiable, 21 were mammals, 14 were birds, seven were fish, and up to nine were lambs. The Scottish sea eagles were close to extinction in the late 19th and early 20th century, but following a reintroduction programme in 1975 there are now thought to be more than 80 breeding pairs. The research appears to confirm farmers' concerns about the extent to which sea eagles are preying on lambs. In 2008 farmers on the Gairloch peninsula, in the Scottish Highlands, claimed 200 lambs were taken in just one season. But conservationists have insisted sea eagles preying in lambs in a rare occurrence. The findings were revealed at the first meeting of the sea eagle stakeholder group, which was set up after repeated complaints about the birds from farmers. Lachie Maclean, interim chair of the group, said: 'This is a useful piece of research which will help feed into the wider discussions about managing sea eagles in our area. 'The survey gives us a better idea of when lambs are more likely to be part of sea eagles' diets.' The hidden cameras were disguised under a piece of pre-prepared bark and rubbed with mud. A spokesman for the Forestry Commission Scotland, which led the undercover camera project, said he believed it was the first time images like these have ever been taken in Scotland. | Hidden camera captures 7,000 images of sea eagles in their nest in Argyll .
The covert recording equipment was installed by the Forestry Commission .
There are thought to be 80 breeding pairs of sea eagles in west Scotland .
The birds of prey ate nine lambs during the 2014 breeding season .
They also dined in their nest on rabbits, fish and even a gosling . |
159,975 | 5ac8e39f3c769ea89e25c557641a978e08d5f486 | (CNN) -- An image on the website of Pura Vida Studio, in the picturesque Maine town of Kennebunk, shows 18 smiling women and one man flushed after an arduous dance workout. But that's not the full picture, authorities say. Prosecutors say 29-year-old fitness instructor Alexis Wright was paid to have sex with customers in her Zumba studio. She allegedly got help from her business partner Mark Strong, a 57-year-old insurance salesman and private investigator. Wright is accused of having sex with dozens of men and videotaping many of the encounters. Strong's lawyer, Dan Lilley, tells CNN that prosecutors have given him a list of 150 patrons and a computer hard drive with some videos, with erotic titles, that are part of the investigation. Neither Wright -- whose studio is "now closed," according to its website -- nor her attorney, Sarah Churchill, returned calls from CNN. The local district attorney declined to comment on the case. Both of the accused pleaded not guilty this month to prostitution-related charges: 106 against Wright and 59 counts against Strong. Attorneys act to conceal names in Zumba sex case . According to Kennebunk police, authorities were tipped off in September 2011 to illicit activity at the studio. A subsequent investigation, with help from Maine's State Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency, led to the execution of search warrants on February 14. Police arrested Strong on July 10, making the case public for the first time. That was followed by indictments against him and Wright. And the whole case has fueled debate, in Kennebunk and in the courts, about whether the alleged clients should be publicly shamed. Today, the town -- a stone's throw from the tourist haven and rocky shores of Kennebunkport where, among others, former President George H.W. Bush has a seaside home -- is on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Police have been handing out summonses to those accused of soliciting a prostitute; all who receive one would then have to appear in court to answer the misdemeanor charges. According to Lilley, the Johns include lawyers, accountants and even a local TV personality. The Kennebunk Police Department routinely detail who in their community has been charged, with what crime, on its website. But the names of those accused of paying to have sex with Wright have not been published -- at least not yet. In a notice posted online, the department said Friday it is waiting to release names pending an appeal made to the state Supreme Judicial Court of a lower court ruling denying a temporary restraining order to block the identities from getting out. Kennebunk Police plan to hold off releasing further information until the high court weighs in on the case. Until then, tensions are high in Kennebunk about what might happen if some of its most prominent townsfolk are publicly shamed. Josh Raymond, who works at a bakery in the town of just over 5,000 residents, said customers are talking about the scandal, but in hushed tones. And local radio host Stan Bennett said about half his listeners support outing Wright's alleged clients, while half think it's not worth the pain it might cause their children. Despite public pressure not to, the York County Coast Star has signaled its intention to publish the names -- like they would anyone else charged with a crime -- once police release that information. The newspaper's editor, Laura Dolce, wrote the decision to do so wasn't easy, understanding "many in the community... would prefer we not print the names at all." But she said listing the names was the right thing to do, making it clear who authorities believe was and was not involved. "There are people in this community who have had their names dragged through the mud for months because people believe they are on the list," Dolce said. "We also believe that printing the names of those charged with engaging a prostitute is the fair thing to do... to help set the record straight and put to rest the ugly rumors that continue to circulate throughout town." CNN's Greg Botelho, Kristina Sgueglia and Chris Boyette contributed to this report. | Maine Zumba instructor Alexis Wright, 29, faces 106 prostitution-related charges .
Her business partner, Mark Strong, is charged on 59 counts .
Authorities say clients paid Wright for sex in her dance studio in Kennebunk, Maine .
Some are worried about police naming those accused of soliciting prostitution . |
164,822 | 611f1da503378536ff1898d1dcb0e262f11588e6 | (CNN) -- Petr Cech has told CNN that he wants a swift conclusion to the 'racism' saga surrounding Chelsea and referee Mark Clattenburg. The Metropolitan Police dropped the investigation into alleged comments by Clattenburg towards Chelsea's John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata on Tuesday. Clattenburg has denied allegations that he used "inappropriate language" towards either player and the Football Association will conclude its investigation into the matter on Friday. Police drop probe into referee at center of racism storm . And the Chelsea goalkeeper hopes the whole episode will be brought to an end sooner rather than later. "For me it is difficult to comment on something that I didn't hear or was not even involved or even close," Cech told CNN. "I believe that if you come with something like that, you need to have a really good case to say it because if not it would waste time of everybody and again it wouldn't be good for football. Ferguson backs referee accused in Chelsea racism complaint . "If there was a case it is not because Chelsea want to do something, it is just because and again, I hope that this story will be finished as soon as possible." Away from the investigation, Cech believes referees should be made to explain their decisions in a bid to improve their relationship with both fans and players. "I think there should be better communication from the side of the referee towards the public as well," he added. "I think it would help. You have so many projects of respects for the referees and I think that would help as well. "They are more open because like I said, the players come and say fair enough I made mistake, it was completely wrong, I shouldn't have dived, I shouldn't have done this, and you get the credit for that. "And I think you'll get respect from the people and I think this is what can sometimes happen with the referees. "Their job is very hard anyway and we all know that but I think the communication could be better." | Petr Cech calls for end to the saga between Chelsea and referee Mark Clattenburg.
Chelsea goalkeeper told CNN: "I hope that this story will be finished as soon as possible."
Cech urges better communication between referees, players and fans.
Cech: "There should be better communication from the side of the referee towards the public." |
261,826 | df15060e731a032275e0e4234e47125f0cf44c48 | Police searching Justin Bieber's limo found illegal drugs and paraphernalia Tuesday, a police report said. "Less than an ounce of suspected marijuana and two large glass smoking pipes containing suspected marijuana residue were found inside the vehicle," the investigation report by a Sandy Springs, Georgia, police officer said. Police said they searched his Cadillac Escalade on Tuesday evening after they found a camera inside that a photographer claimed was taken from him by Bieber's bodyguard, the report said. Justin Bieber's security guard and driver arrested . "Due to the small amount, no charges were filed related to the marijuana," a police statement said. A representative for Bieber declined to comment about the police report or the arrest of Bieber's bodyguard, Hugo Hesny, on a felony theft charge. The Atlanta incident interrupted a relative calm three weeks in Georgia for the teen pop idol, who tweeted Tuesday that he was "focused on the music." He also tweeted "i love GA." In contrast, Bieber's January was a whirlwind of controversy that included a DUI arrest in Miami, an assault charge in Toronto and a felony vandalism probe in Los Angeles. The People v. Justin Bieber: The singer's court cases . Jail video: Bieber off balance? Video of Bieber undergoing a sobriety test inside a Miami Beach police station on January 23 was released to the media Wednesday. He appeared unsteady at times as he walked along a white stripe on the floor. Bieber failed a series of sobriety tests, including "horizontal gaze," "Romberg balance," "walk and turn," "finger to nose" and "one-leg stand" tests, the Miami Beach police report said. The preliminary toxicology report on Bieber's urine sample said it tested positive for "metabolite of THC," which indicates marijuana use, and alprazolam, the generic name for the prescription sedative Xanax. Bieber's Southern hideout? The aggressive paparazzi who routinely tail celebrities in Los Angeles have sometimes clashed with Bieber. The singer has been ticketed for speeding, which he blamed on his being chased by photographers. He was investigated but not charged two years ago after a photographer accused him of assault after a confrontation in Calabasas, California, where Bieber owns a mansion. Although a hip-hop recording center, Atlanta lacks the robust hoard of photographers that stakes out all corners of Hollywood. But Jason Winslow, a Miami-based photographer who sells his images through the Splash photo agency, traveled to Atlanta to cover Bieber. Winslow told police he was parked outside the Sandy Springs Funhouse, a north Atlanta "family fun center," waiting for Bieber to emerge Tuesday afternoon when Hesny told him to leave. "He continued to take pictures from further away," Officer K.D. Sawtell wrote. "Eventually, that same person chased him down in a Cadillac Escalade as Winslow fled in his Chevy SUV." Hesny, 32, admitted to police that he opened Winslow's car door and took the camera, but he said had no intentions of keeping it, the arresting officer said. He told police "he just wanted to delete the pictures from the camera." He tossed the camera in the back of another Bieber SUV and then drove away, he told police. Winslow's Nikon camera, which he valued at $10,000, was found when police stopped the other Escalade. It was in that vehicle where the drugs were found, the police report said. The driver, who was arrested but later released without charges, told police that he was just a driver and knew not to ask his client questions, the arrest report said. Winslow did not respond to CNN calls for comment on the case. The arrest of his bodyguard doesn't seem to have dampened Bieber's spirits. He posted on his Instagram account a photo of a panda at Zoo Atlanta with the caption "My bro" early Wednesday. Bieber also noted via Twitter that his 20th birthday is just days away -- Saturday. "I love sleep," the singer tweeted Wednesday afternoon. | "Due to the small amount, no charges were filed," police say .
Police search Bieber's Cadillac Escalade after arresting his bodyguard .
Just-released video shows police testing Bieber's sobriety in Miami .
"I love sleep," the singer tweets Wednesday afternoon. |
156,606 | 567b50114c8acab69820289d23754ff7aadc4135 | The mayhem enveloping Blackpool is continuing apace as a feud between Karl Oyston and former assistant manager Bart De Roover was reignited on Tuesday. De Roover left his post last week after refusing to sign a contract at Bloomfield Road - outspoken in slamming the way in which the underfire chairman runs the club. The breaking of promises regarding the playing budget and dilapidated training ground were central to his discontent. Feud: De Roover (right) has criticised the way Blackpool has been run since leaving the club last week . Oyston opted to bite back a weekly column for the town’s newspaper, poking fun at the ex-coach despite the Seasiders becoming embroiled in a farcical situation whereby manager Jose Riga doesn’t know whether he is to be sacked or not. ‘It was interesting to see the comments made by Bart De Roover on his exit last week,’ Oyston penned. ‘I think sometimes in football when people don't get their own way they tend to make a disproportionate crisis of it and I think that's what Bart's done. ‘He knew exactly what he was coming to when he came and if he didn't, more fool him. The fact he's reacted the way he has after not getting his own way probably says a lot about him.’ De Roover attempted to keep his cool when speaking to Sportsmail and refused to become involved in a slanging match. Fighting back: Oyston responded to his former employee's claims by mocking his coaching abilities . ‘I’ve only just stopped laughing,’ the Belgian said. ‘It’s unbelievable. This is getting ridiculous now. Disrespectful is too nice a word. It’s beyond a joke.’ De Roover turned down a contract offer and wasn’t paid during his time on the Fylde Coast. ‘Karl Oyston doesn’t accept no for an answer,’ he added. ‘He promised everything would be improved but we saw nothing in two months. ‘I don’t know another chairman who reacts like that. You should work with your team and players, not against them. ‘I don’t want to stoop to that level. I respect the gaffer, the players and the fans too much.’ Oyston also asserted that De Roover’s natural coaching level was ‘the lower leagues in Belgium,’ adding that the club ‘back his sensible decision to return’. Poor start: On the field Blackpool are yet to pick up a single point from their five Championship games . That clearly irked the 47-year-old: ‘I’ve trained at the highest level in Belgium. I have got my Pro licence.’ Oyston is likely to sack Riga after Blackpool lost each of their opening six competitive fixtures this season, and had lined up Owen Coyle as his replacement. That, however, looks increasingly problematic after serious disputes arose over a five-figure fee due to the Scot’s agent. Oyston is renowned for not paying intermediaries. Riga took training on Monday and Tuesday before meeting the chairman for talks over his immediate future. Oyston also took aim at the boss in his column, saying: 'I have to say I find myself slightly bemused yet again by the actions of our manager. 'He has said, on many occasions on the record, that he would use the international break to get the players up to fitness and to work with the squad we now have. 'The first thing the manager does is hop on a plane and clear off to Belgium for a week without telling anyone.' Questions: Oyston also criticised his manager Riga (above) for going away during the international break . | De Roover left Blackpool last week and has complained about the club .
Oyston said former assistant manager was making a 'disproportionate crisis' out of events because he had not got his own way .
Chairman also mocks De Roover by saying he has found his level in the Belgian lower leagues .
‘Karl Oyston doesn’t accept no for an answer,’ says De Roover .
Describes the Blackpool chairman as beyond disrespectful and says situation at the club is ridiculous . |
193,768 | 86d44f0753c55a8bf7bca920e9bb915069edd7c4 | Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba will absent for Besiktas' Europa League clash against Tottenham. The 29-year-old swapped west London for Istanbul in the summer and on matchday two converted the penalty which secured the Turkish giants a late 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane. Ba will, though, miss the return fixture at the Ataturk Olimpiyat Stadium on Thursday due to a broken toe, while fellow attacker Mustafa Pektemek is also absent for Slaven Bilic's men. Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba will absent for Besiktas' Europa League clash against Tottenham . The frontman slotted home a penalty during the first game at White Hart Lane earlier in the season . Both sides' progression to the knockout stages has already been secured ahead of this match, but Besiktas know victory would see them usurp Spurs at the top of Group C. 'We've got a good form, we have got good results,' former West Ham and Everton defender Bilic said. 'We have before us a great team and a tough test awaits. 'There are a number of our players that are missing and we have to be careful about injuries and fatigue.' | Demba Ba scored against Tottenham earlier this season .
But Besiktas striker will miss the game in Turkey this week .
Former Chelsea frontman has broken his toe . |
241,617 | c4b808b7451811e35f6a4457bf9c058cc6934c67 | (CNN) -- You'd be forgiven for not knowing, but the end of April marks a very important date in the Swedish calendar. "Walpurgis Eve" celebrates the transition from winter to summer. Every year bonfires are lit, songs are sung and it's not unheard of for parties to go on late into the night. Why such jubilation? Because the Nordic winters are dark, cold, long and cruel. Meanwhile, the summers -- while hardly exotic -- are bright and full of opportunities that are otherwise prohibited by the fearfully inhospitable climate. Nowhere is this truer than in the far north of Sweden, where temperatures range from minus 40 C (minus 40 F) in the winter to plus 30 C (86 F) in the summer. Along with a portion of neighboring Finland, the area is more commonly known as Lapland, and while the region retains an association with flying reindeer and a jolly bearded man, it is in fact home to a flourishing indigenous people called the Sami, as well as a magnificent parade of scenic treats that truly come alive in the summer. If you're not convinced, read on for four reasons to plan your summer vacation in Lapland. The midnight sun . Due to its location north of the Arctic Circle, Lapland is bathed in sunlight around the clock, non-stop for two precious months a year. This geographical quirk means that -- throughout June and July -- visitors can enjoy the rare spectacle of the midnight sun, where notions of day and night are quickly forgotten. The dim pink midnight light lends the landscape an unearthly dimension, and permits the novel experience of midnight forest hikes and even 24-hour golfing sessions. Indeed, the excruciatingly picturesque "Björkliden GC" -- the northernmost golf course in Sweden, is a favorite among midnight golfers, nestled discreetly as it is between Sweden's mountain borders and the icy clear Lake Torneträsk. Here, the fairways and greens are designed to showcase the scenery and, halfway through the course, players can reflect on their performance over a cup of hot coffee inside a traditional Sami tent. Read related: Photographer's Lapland journey highlights global warming . Skiing in your t-shirt . Situated 250 kilometers up from the Arctic Circle, Riksgränsen is the most northerly ski resort in Europe. Unlike most European ski resorts, however, Riksgränsen doesn't really get going until the sun starts hanging around for longer at the beginning of March. By June, it is sometimes warm enough on the slopes to ski in shorts and a t-shirt. Factor in a midnight-sun ski run, and you've a unique proposition by anybody's standards. Novices be warned though -- while Riksgränsen has some world-class facilities and a range of 17 slopes that it says are suitable for all abilities, the resort is principally renowned for it's off-piste action, which is both technically challenging and, with a mountainous climb back up, physically demanding. Summer hikes . With its great forests, wild rivers and ominous mountains, Lapland has acquired the moniker of "Europe's last wilderness." Here, the mountain range drops towards Norway and curves into Finland, forming the backbone of Sweden, and there are around 2,000 mountains and caves that can be explored throughout the region. But while the winter months are dark, treacherous and shrouded in a white uniform of snow, summer brings with it the chance to see this part of the world in all its green grassy goodness. The magnificent "King's Trail" -- one of Sweden's most popular trekking routes -- opens up in June. The 440 kilometer footslog from the botanical wonderland of Abisko National Park in the north, to the pretty backpacker's town of Harnavan in the south, taking in the giant Kebnekaise -- Sweden's highest mountain - is divided into four portions that represent roughly one week of hiking each. Wooden huts are dotted along the trail, spread over distances a walker should expect to cover in the course of day (about nine to 22 kilometers). Those on a tight budget -- or with a penchant for roughing it -- can pitch a tent outside and use the facilities. Summertime "Ice Hotel" Lapland is also home to the world's first and largest "Ice Hotel" -- where guests bunk down on a bed of ice blocks and a reindeer skin-covered mattress. In fact almost everything, from the chandeliers to the tables and chairs, is made from ice and snow. First built in 1989, in the remote village of Jukkasjärvi, when the founders of an ice-sculpting course invited some of their students to stay the night, the Ice Hotel has for years been a winter-only operation. But now, for the first time, the hotel will open its frosty doors in the summer. As every year, the latest incarnation has been crafted from scratch by a team of sculptors using blocks of frozen water from the nearby Torne River. The founders describe it as both boutique accommodation and "ephemeral art project" -- as the fruit of their labor vanishes in the sun as each season comes to an end. | The sub-Arctic region of Lapland is not as unusual a summer destination as it might seem .
Between May and August the otherwise inhospitable terrain opens up with green expanses and midnight sun .
Skiing in shorts and t-shirt, sleeping in an ice hotel and 24-hour golf among reasons to visit . |
244,694 | c8b19222c636feff9e33554eca90fae40ac95d86 | Mrs Speed expressed a 'deep appreciation' for 'heartfelt tributes' from fans . By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 11:19 AM on 7th December 2011 . Friends and family will attend a private funeral for Gary Speed this week with a public memorial service to follow soon, said his widow Louise yesterday. The football world was left in shock when the Wales manager and former player, 42, was found dead in his family home a week and a half ago. Mrs Speed also thanked the public for the flood of tributes paid to her husband. Louise Speed, centre, made her first public appearance since her husband's death at the Leeds v Millwall match on Monday . Tribute: Fans gathered outside Elland Road to pay their respects to Gary Speed before Monday's match . A Leeds fan holds up a shirt with his message of support for Gary Speed's wife Louise who watched the match . She was in the stands with their . son at Elland Road, the home of Gary’s first club, Leeds United, to . witness thousands of football fans pay their respects on Monday. A statement issued on her behalf said: ‘Louise Speed and her family wish to express their deep appreciation for the very generous and clearly heartfelt tributes paid to Gary and his memory by the public and all forms of the media. ‘Mrs Speed is especially grateful for the sympathetic way that the media has respected the family’s privacy in these extremely distressing circumstances. ‘A memorial service to celebrate Gary’s life will take place soon and hopefully this will allow as many people to attend as wish to be there to pay their final respects and tributes.’ The family requested that any donations in the former midfielder’s memory be made to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation or the John Hartson Foundation. The much-respected footballer, whose performance as Wales manager had been widely praised, appears to have taken his own life at his home in Cheshire only hours after appearing on television. Leeds players clap after observing a minute's applause before the match . Former teammates of Gary Speed from left Gary McAllister, Gordon Strachan and David Batty laid a wreath on the pitch . | Mrs Speed expressed a 'deep appreciation' for 'heartfelt tributes' from fans .
Public memorial service will be held 'soon' |
132,786 | 37b55fca3e7108555d7818519d9d465351789687 | By . Rebecca Brett . Old habits die hard for Raymond and Dorothy Bartley who are spending their wedding anniversary in Blackpool for the fiftieth year on the trot. The couple, from North Wales, first visited the seaside resort on their honeymoon in 1964 and have been back every year since. This week their family is joining them as they celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Scroll down for video . Raymond and Dorothy today: The couple will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in Blackpool . Raymond, 75, a grandfather-of-four, said: 'We've been very happy coming here for many years. 'We've fallen in love with the place and we've never missed a single year. 'I can't really explain what it is we love. The town just has this pull which draws us in each year. 'In 50 years, Blackpool has changed tremendously but it always feels new to us. 'It always feels like there's something new to see up there. We also love to spend whole days walking along the promenade. It never grows old' says Raymond . 'We've seen some great shows over the years and they are what make our trips to Blackpool stand out. We've seen Cilla Black, Ken Dodd, Vera Lynn, The Shadows and Cliff Richard.' Raymond, a retired psychiatric nurse, said he and Dorothy, 71, would spend their trip this year visiting nearby Cleveleys, going to Madame Tussauds, taking a tour around Blackpool FC and seeing the Tower Circus. He added: 'That's another thing that's changed - the circus. When we first started coming here they had animals but of course that can't happen now. Honeymooners: Raymond and Dorothy as newlyweds on their very first trip to Blackpool back in 1964 . 'But going to the circus and going up the tower is our favourite thing to do. 'It always feels like there's something new to see up there. We also love to spend whole days walking along the promenade. It never grows old.' Raymond, from Denbigh, insists that Blackpool is returning to its former glory. Snapshot from their holiday in 1979. Raymond says 'In 50 years, Blackpool has changed tremendously but it always feels new to us' He said: 'A few years ago we felt like it started to go downhill a bit and shops started to close down. The place was starting to look a bit empty but it never put us off coming. 'But all that's changed now and it looks fantastic - it is really improving now. The Winter Gardens look great and we really like the shopping centre.' As well as memories of their first holiday as a married couple the Lancashire resort holds other treasured family moments. Blackpool in 1973: Dorothy stands before the Blackpool Tower. Raymond says going up the Tower is 'one of our favourite things to do' This year Raymond and Dorothy's family will be joining them to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary . Raymond said: 'Our son and daughter used to come with us - our son David, who is now 49, took his first steps in Stanley Park. 'Now our grandchildren come out to see us. We always visit in the summer months because they're off school and can join us.' This year the couple's daughter Nia, 45, will join them from her North Wales home with her sons Matthew, 18, and Luke, 13. Dorothy enjoys her very first trip to Blackpool in 1964 for the couple's first anniversary, with a visit to the pier . Raymond and Dorothy, a former dry cleaning company manager, are also grandparents to David's children Jack, 21, and Millie, 17 who live in Birmingham. He added: 'We've met so many lovely people here and for years there was a big group of us who met here every summer. 'Sadly, we don't do that anymore because people are a lot older now and can't travel as much. Raymond by the beach in 1964, he says: 'I can't really explain what it is we love. The town just has this pull which draws us in each year' Dorothy in Blackpool enjoys a sunny, but breezy, day on the front on the couple's annual visit in 1973 . 'But our family always come with us which is really nice. 'We've been very happy coming to Blackpool every year and we plan on doing it for as long as we can. 'We don't go abroad because we prefer Blackpool and we hope we can keep up the tradition.' | The couple have visited the seaside resort every year for 50 years .
This year the rest of the family will join them for golden wedding anniversary .
The couple love visiting Blackpool Tower and going to the circus . |
192,868 | 85b0a652793eaf37af3469621e6d0ee083db178b | (CNN) -- Despite the obvious claims of younger rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, few can really argue with the 96 football journalists who voted Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite as the 2007 World Footballer of the Year. Brazilian genius Kaka fully deserves winning the 2007 World Footballer of the Year award. The prestigious Ballon d'Or award is widely regarded as the most prestigious individual prize in football and Kaka's inclusion on its coveted roll of honor is a testament to the 25-year-old Brazilian's current standing in world football. When AC Milan defeated Liverpool in the Champions League final in Athens, avenging their heartbreaking loss to the same team in Istanbul two years previously, it enabled Kaka to fulfill his dream of holding aloft Europe's premier trophy -- a winner's medal he fully deserved after a sublime 90-minute performance. Kaka's stock for both club and country has risen steadily since his move to the San Siro from Sao Paulo for a fee of just $8.5 million in the summer of 2003. Unlike many a Brazilian sporting genius, Kaka did not hone his skills on the beach or the streets of a favela shanty town. He was born into a comfortable middle class Brasilia family, where football was not the only hope of a bright future. However, it soon became clear that this particular boy had a very special skill and he was signed by Sao Paulo, after his family had moved there, at just eight years of age -- making his first team debut as an 18-year-old. Kaka's progress was soon picked up by his national team coach and Felipe Scolari named the graceful midfielder in his 23-man squad for the 2002 World Cup finals, earning him a winners' medal despite playing only 19 minutes of the tournament in a group match against Costa Rica. A year later, and Kaka was on his way to Milan. Within a month he had made the starting line-up and his 10 goals helped the Rossoneri lift the Scudetto and the European Super Cup. Throughout his career, Kaka has always possessed the innate ability to score goals -- his record for both club and country sees him average roughly a goal every three games. Yet to describe Kaka merely as a goalscoring midfielder would be doing him a massive injustice. Tall, elegant and blessed with astonishing skill, Milan and Brazil utilize Kaka's ability superbly. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti soon recognized Kaka's genius, changing his team's system to a 4-4-1-1, playing the Brazilian behind a main target man. With Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso holding the central midfield area, Kaka has a license to roam in behind the lone striker, be it Filippo Inzaghi, Ronaldo or Alberto Gilardino. And Kaka does this with devastating effect, running at the opposition with pace and power, finding defense-splitting passes or shooting from range with deadly accuracy be it from a dead-ball situation or open play. The fly in the ointment for Milan comes in the shape of their poor form this season. Although they have already reached the last 16 of the Champions League, the club are floundering in Serie A and face the unthinkable prospect of not qualifying for next season's competition unless they win the trophy. Real Madrid have coveted Kaka for the last two years -- expect the world transfer record to be smashed if Milan don't secure a place among Europe's elite. E-mail to a friend . | Kaka deservedly named World Player of the Year for the first time in his career .
The Brazilian beats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the journalists' vote .
The 25-year-old averages one goal in three games for both AC Milan and Brazil . |
256,895 | d881b775170faeede98958334a99361d1a569672 | Want to know what boho babes Poppy Delevnigne, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller will be wearing next season? Look no further than Matthew Williamson's AW15 collection. Taking the crown for best show venue, Matthew unveiled his designs at the decadently designed Criterion restaurant in central London on Sunday. The mystical and bright hued collection was inspired by the signs of the Zodiac and by taking such a point of reference, he maintains that his designs cater to every woman's tastes. Matthew Williamson's beautifully bohemian designs for AW15 were inspired by signs of the Zodiac . Flowing silk dresses came slashed to the hip and were often embellished with bold blue crystals inspired by birth flowers, horoscope signs and stones. Fur is officially in fashion come autumn, if Matthew's catwalk is anything to go by. Shaggy Mongolian lamb and shearling in topaz, teal, and pink sent Instagram into a furry frenzy. Want to know what Poppy Delevingne and Sienna Miller will be wearing next season? Just look to Matthew's upcoming collection for a clue . Flowing silk dresses were given an injection of sex appeal with slashes . Glittering jumpers and dresses were often embellished with bold blue crystals inspired by birth flowers, horoscope signs and stones . Beauty-wise, Benefit's Lisa Potter-Dixon created a look echoing the garments we saw on the runway. 'I wanted to do something that complimented the feminine curves of his clothes and the zodiac signs, which are very structured,' she told FEMAIL backstage ahead of the show. Lisa explained that she wanted Matthew's girl to be a cool Brit - a muse he sticks to season upon season and one that reflects his clientele. After prepping the skin and eyes, Lisa added volume and definition to the models' brows with cult product, Gimme Brow, brushing up the inner corners for an 'undone' look. The brand's Boi-ing concealer was the key product behind the look and Lisa used it to prep eyes before 'layering and layering' cream and metallic shadows six times. Black bad gal waterproof eyeliner was used on the upper lash and water line and Lisa reapplied concealer to fill in gaps and add depth. 'Using concealer is perfect because you can also cover any mistakes without having to use makeup remover,' she said. The brand's best-selling They're Real mascara was used on only the top lashes to keep eyes 'looking wide awake'. The beauty look echoed the designs and Lisa Potter-Dixon explained that she wanted Matthew's girl to be a cool Brit - a muse he sticks to season upon season and one that reflects his clientele . Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow gave a glowing complexion and Hoola bronzer provided the contouring. Rather than using a liquid highlighter, Lisa opted for long wear powder shadow in Gilt-y to highlight. 'I've applied it onto the bridge of the nose and cheekbones and buffed it in to complement the jewel tones of his collection and the beautiful building we're in,' she explained. 'Matthew's girl will literally blend in with the ceiling.' For lips, boi-oing concealer came into play once more, and was mixed with hydra-smooth lip colour in Air Kiss. Lisa shunned lip liner and simply patted the duo into models' lips with a slick of gloss for a 'healthy' finish. Benefit beautified the models, left, while Mark Hampton for Toni & Guy Hair Meet Wardrobe coiffed their locks to perfection, right . Mark Hampton for Toni & Guy Hair Meet Wardrobe coiffed the models' locks to perfection. 'We're going for that cool 70s girl; she's very Matthew,' he told us. He began by prepping the hair with heat protecting mist and hair was given some oomph courtesy of 3d Volumiser. Glamour Sky High Volume Dry Shampoo was used to take off any shine before he created movement, waves and bends using two different size tongs. He did a touch of backcombing at the crown to give it a 'hippy Woodstock' vibe (something we witnessed here last season, too). Two pieces of the models' hair were then clipped back by their ears using invisible elastic bands, which Mark explained stopped it from looking 'too retro' or 'puffy'. 'The girl this season is older and cooler,' he added. 'It's a punky 70s vibe but real, as though the girl had done it herself. 'It's organised chaos.' | Matthew's AW15 show was held at glittering Criterion restaurant .
Mystical and bright hued collection was inspired by the signs of the Zodiac .
He says his designs cater to every woman's tastes . |
222,514 | ac0cc334a63c8fe0d92a4721803d0caef0fc2f80 | By . Mike Dawes . PUBLISHED: . 06:03 EST, 22 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:09 EST, 22 August 2013 . Boston Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster has been dealt a five-game suspension for intentionally hitting New York Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez with the ball. Major League Baseball vice-president Joe Garagiola Jr announced the penalty on Tuesday after the Red Sox’s defeat on Sunday, and also confirmed that Yankees manager Joe Girardi would be fined for rushing onto the field and arguing with plate umpire Brian O’Nora for failing to eject Dempster. Dempster threw his fourth pitch at Rodriguez, who is accused of using performance-enhancing steroids. VIDEO: Scroll down to watch Alex Rodriguez get hit by the pitch and a ball that left Atlanta Braves' Jason Heyward with a shattered jaw . Warning shot: New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez is hit by a pitch from Boston Red Sox's Ryan Dempster . The ball hit his left elbow pad before . ricocheting off his back, sparking fury in the Yankees camp as Girardi . stormed to confront the umpire. When asked about the incident on Wednesday, Rodriguez was keen to move forward. 'The past is the past,' he said. 'Right now, the most important thing, is our first playoff game starts tonight, and every game is important. The playoffs are what we're thinking about right now. That's the reason why I shut everything down.' Rodriguez is playing while he appeals . the 211-game suspension imposed by the MLB as part of the investigation . into the Biogenesis anti-ageing clinic and the use of . performance-enhancing drugs. Fury: Joe Girardi rushed onto the field to confront the plate umpire after his decision . Livid: Rodriguez isn't amused after Dempster catches him with an errant pitch . Meanwhile, Atlanta Braves’ star Jason Heyward suffered a broken jaw in two places when he was struck with the ball. New York Mets’ Jonathan Niese threw the 90mph pitch which swerved, catching Heyward flush in the face in Wednesday’s game. Heyward, 24, dropped his bat and hit the deck before being helped to his feet and making his way off the field. The Braves man is due to undergo surgery on his jaw on Thursday. Ouch: Jason Heyward was struck in the jaw during the Atlanta Braves game against New York Mets . | Ryan Dempster hit Alex Rodriguez with his fourth pitch .
Umpire Brian O'Nora issued Red Sox pitcher with a warning caused Yankees manager Joe Girardi to run onto the field .
Dempster can appeal the suspension and play while it's under review .
Atlanta Braves batter Jason Heyward suffers broken jaw from pitch during game against the New York Mets . |
69,223 | c44a6373583f8cc849b1de1d6524265960b6f88c | By . Simeon Gholam . Follow @@SimGholam . Thierry Henry has told Arsenal that they can’t be satisfied with winning just the FA Cup. The Arsenal legend told the London Evening Standard that he believes the current team possess fantastic talent, and they should be pushing even further. Henry said: ‘I think this team has talent - it goes without saying. When . you see the season that Aaron Ramsey had, you can wonder what could . have happened if he didn’t get injured. Push on: Thierry Henry believes that Arsene Wenger have to do more than FA Cup win . More: Henry believes Arsenal's current crop are capable of going further . Cup winner: Aaron Ramsey was superb for Arsenal this season, scoring the winner in the FA Cup final . 'But you also have to be honest, . Manchester City could say the same thing about Kun Aguero and the list . goes on.’ ‘As an Arsenal fan when you see Santi Cazorla play when you see, in a . different way, Laurent Koscielny play - he is more of a hard worker, . playing hard and when you see guys like Mesut Ozil, you can see Arsenal . has a good future - but you have to back it up with something. ‘We will be here to support to make sure they bring something but I have . no doubts about the quality of the team that they have and hopefully . they can build on winning the the FA Cup and winning the title because . that is what everybody is waiting for. ‘As a competitor and a fan myself you want more. You want that team to go further.’ Henry also believes it will come as a huge relief to his former boss, Arsene Wenger, that he'll no longer have to face questions about their barren trophy run. He said: 'Now Arsene is going to be able to work with his team without having to answer every time “when are you going to bring some silverware back?” so that’s something that he can put on the side.' Signing on: Henry posing with Arsene Wenger after he signed for the club from Juventus in 1999 . Heroes: And he went on to become a legend for Arsenal, winning two Premier League's and scoring 226 goals . | FA Cup triumph last month was Arsenal's first trophy in nine years .
Henry believes that their current team can go even further .
Arsene Wenger recently signed a new three-year contract . |
19,004 | 35cb84cad7dbd68ff886c5815293447a968d0e7a | (CNN) -- Veteran infielder Miguel Tejada -- a former American League MVP -- has run afoul of Major League Baseball over the issue of prohibited drugs. Commissioner Bud Selig's office announced Saturday that the Kansas City Royals player has been suspended 105 games, without pay, for violating the league's drug prevention and treatment program. Tejada tested positive for an amphetamine, the league said in a press release. His suspension takes effect immediately. Fast Facts: Performance Enhancing Drugs in sports . Tejada told ESPNDeportes.com -- according to that website, which is tied to ESPN -- that the positive test stems from his use of Adderall, which he took for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. He claimed Major League Baseball had given him permission to use the drug, but that permission expired April 15. "I admit I committed an error, but I want people to understand one thing: I was not taking any drugs to have an advantage on the field," Tejada said. A native of the Dominican Republic, Tejada broke into the big league with the Oakland A's. He emerged as one of baseball's most dynamic and productive shortstops and hitters, even taking home the American League MVP honors in 2002. But as he's bounced around the big leagues since then -- including stops in Baltimore, Houston and San Francisco, before landing with Kansas City before this season -- Tejada also has been dogged by performance-enhancing drug questions. In 2009, he was charged with making false statements to Congress during testimony four years earlier. Days later, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and was sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation. Saturday's suspension comes in the wake of a large group of suspensions affecting players such as Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun tied to performance-enhancing drugs out of Biogenesis, a now shuttered south Florida clinic. The commissioner's office Saturday gave no indication that Tejada's suspension was related to those cases. A-Rod: 'I'm fighting for my life' CNN's Elwyn Lopez contributed to this report. | NEW: Tejada tells ESPNDeportes.com he took Adderall to treat his ADHD .
Commissioner's office suspends Miguel Tejada, now with Kansas City .
Office says that the infielder violated the league's drug policy .
Tejada pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about performance-enhancing drugs . |
121,861 | 2986d87ac1494a67d15ec050007cd3ac9d5c5b8f | (CNN) -- Hundreds of people filled a college auditorium Wednesday to pay their last respects to an El Reno, Oklahoma, woman slain along with her four children last week. Summer Rust's children -- clockwise from top, Autumn, Kirsten, Evynn and Teagin -- carve pumpkins. About 300 people attended the service at Redlands Community College for Summer Rust, 25; her son, Teagin, 4; and daughters Evynn, 3, and Autumn and Kirsten, both 7, CNN affiliate KOCO reported. Rust's white coffin was placed in front of the podium, flanked by the smaller caskets carrying her children. Each casket had a picture of the victim, surrounded by flowers. A slide show of the family played on an overhead screen throughout the service. "I've preached a lot of funerals, but none like this one," said the Rev. Gerald Van Horn. "This has been on my heart ever since I heard about it. I first learned of it from the news, and I said, 'In El Reno? No way.' ... We don't have to deal with tragedy very often, but it has come, and the reality of it has sunk in. Searching my heart on what to say, I have found it difficult." He told mourners that God is near and feels their pain but acknowledged that Rust and her children "will be greatly missed." The bodies were found January 12 in Rust's apartment in El Reno, about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City. According to the document, each of the victims was suffocated and strangled. Crime scene investigators said each body had ligature marks around the neck. Rust's boyfriend, Joshua Steven Durcho, 25, admitted choking her to death but said the children were not there at the time, according to an affidavit filed last week. He was arrested in Hamilton County, Texas, officials said. A spokeswoman at the Canadian County, Oklahoma, Sheriff's Office said Durcho was being held in the county jail after waiving extradition. Durcho's cousin found Rust's body and called officers, who found the children's bodies in the apartment, says an affidavit written by a special agent with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. An apparent acquaintance of Durcho's told police he came to her apartment Monday afternoon and told her he had "choked" Summer Rust to death and he was leaving Oklahoma, according to the affidavit. The affidavit says Durcho told the woman "that the children were at their grandmother's residence ... while he and Summer worked out their relationship problems." Rust's mother, Susan Rust of Carson City, Nevada, said Durcho was unemployed and had been living with Rust and her children. Authorities in Texas said Durcho was arrested after a state trooper attempted to stop his car because the trooper suspected that the driver was drunk. When the trooper ran the license plate on the car, it matched the tag number of a vehicle sought by Oklahoma police. | NEW: Preacher says he found funeral for mom, four kids "difficult"
300 mourners attended service at Redlands Community College .
Bodies found January 12 in apartment in El Reno, Oklahoma .
Woman's boyfriend, Joshua Steven Durcho, admitted choking her, affidavit says . |
95,694 | 06ff76aecca8ff8ff3439376e8ff3499ee1ca333 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Recall: The Food Standards Agency is warning customers not to eat Tesco¿s own-brand chocolate & nut ice cream cones after painkilling tablets were spotted in two cones . Thousands of ice cream cones are being recalled after painkilling drugs were found in them. The Food Standards Agency is warning customers not to eat Tesco’s own-brand chocolate and nut ice cream cones after tablets were spotted in two cones. The supermarket is taking the four-packs off the shelves with sell-by dates up to and including July 2014. ‘As a precautionary measure, we have issued a product recall,’ said a Tesco spokesman. ‘We are urgently investigating this incident with our supplier and ask customers to return this product to their local store.’ A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency said: ‘If you have bought the product, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store where you bought it for a full refund or contact Tesco customer services on 0800 50 55 55. ‘No other Tesco products are known to be affected.’ The supplier which makes the cones for Tesco is R&R Ice Cream. The frozen treats are the fourth in a series of products to be recalled by the supermarket giant this year. In January it asked customers to return its finest Belgian chocolate salted caramel and hazelnut ice cream because the packs had been incorrectly labelled. They actually contained orange blossom honey and almond ice cream and the error made the product potentially dangerous to nut allergy sufferers. Later in the year the supermarket’s own-brand yeast extracts were recalled because of a risk of high levels of histamine. In August, Tesco’s range of ready meals were taken off the shelves because they contained mouldy rice. Eight products in the Ambient range were affected, including jalfrezi, Szechuan chicken, chilli con carne and tikka masala. Precaution: The supermarket is taking the four-packs of ice cream off the shelves with sell-by dates up to and including July 2014 (file picture) | The Food Standards Agency urges customers to return cones .
Tablets spotted in two Tesco own-brand chocolate and nut ice cream cones .
Supermarket is taking the four-packs off the shelves . |
48,300 | 8856281013aaff58a6541442c1acb0b61e7e970b | By . Associated Press . Legendary basketball coach Don Meyer, 69, is in hospice care in South Dakota after a yearslong battle with cancer, his family said. 'Coach Meyer's health has been drastically declining over the past several months,' Meyer's family said in a statement released Tuesday. 'After a three-day stay in the hospital with a feeding tube, he is now at home under hospice care. Legendary basketball coach Don Meyer, 69, is in hospice care in South Dakota (pictured in 2010) 'Coach Meyer is at peace, loved, enjoying his family and getting exceptional care from Avera St. Luke's. As a family, we are so proud of his perseverance, faith and strength.' Meyer retired from coaching in 2010 with a then-NCAA record 923 victories in 38 seasons at Northern State University in Aberdeen, Lipscomb University in Nashville, and Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. In September 2008, the native of Wayne, Nebraska, was critically injured in a car accident that led to the amputation of his left leg below the knee. Doctors discovered during his treatment that he had an inoperable form of cancer. 'What's great about this is I would not have known about the cancer had I not had the wreck,' Meyer told The Associated Press at the time. Don Meyer pictured at the 2009 ESPY Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles with his award . 'God has blessed with the one thing we all need, which is truth. I can now fight with all of my ability." In August 2012, Meyer had a pacemaker implanted and three heart valves replaced due to the cancer. Meyer launched a leadership teaching tour less than a month after the surgery. ESPN awarded Meyer the Jimmy V. Award for Perseverance at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles in 2009. He received the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 and the Naismith Outstanding Contribution to Basketball Award in 2012. Meyer was named NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1990. He was enshrined in the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1993. | Coach Meyer's health has drastically declined over the past months .
Meyer retired from coaching in 2010 with a then-NCAA record 923 victories in 38 seasons .
His cancer was found by doctors in 2008 when they operated on him following a car accident . |
173,695 | 6cc5b2a18b8cab03690597323bcd3fe301dddef1 | Washington (CNN) -- Indiana Gov. Mike Pence met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, as part of a nine-day trip to the nation that's sure to set tongues wagging about his plans for the 2016 presidential race. Netanyahu's Twitter account sent out a quick clip of the two during their meeting Monday in which Pence expressed support for Israel, and said he believes "the strong and broad and bipartisan support for the state of Israel...will be reflected in the decisions our United States Congress makes in the months ahead." The meeting was part of a busy day in Israel for Pence, which included stops at a Holocaust memorial and a meeting with the Israeli minister of economy. It's the first of three days he'll spend on an "economic development mission to bring jobs and investment to Indiana," his office said — and part of a broader nine-day trip that's included a visit to the Western Wall and time spent with Israeli troops. Pence's office said Pence and his wife's expenses during the cultural visits are being paid for by Christians United for Israel, and the economic development portion of the trip is being covered by the Indiana Economic Development Foundation. The state is paying for his security detail. It's the governor's fifth "international job-hunting mission" as governor, according to his office, and while the trip was ostensibly organized around an economic development agenda, it's also a signal he's contemplating a presidential run. Strong support for Israel will be a litmus test for any GOP presidential contenders hoping to compete in the primary, and a trip to the nation has become a traditional pilgrimage for potential candidates looking to burnish their foreign policy credentials. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, another Republican who has left the door open to 2016, visited Israel this weekend, physician Ben Carson was there last week and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, also contemplating a run, is planning another trip there in February. | Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Monday .
Pence is touring the region on an economic development mission .
Taking a trip to Israel is a common early destination for presidential hopefuls . |
244,275 | c823891320606639ec425a7ab6b435fd4b5087e6 | An electrician accused of murdering his girlfriend by stamping on her head when she refused to give him her Facebook password claimed they would often use each other's accounts to play Candy Crush saga. Kane Boyce, 34, allegedly killed 20 year-old Paula Newman at the home they shared in Croydon in South London, when she stopped him from reading her online messages after becoming obsessed with the idea she was cheating on him. Boyce has denied the murder of his girlfriend, and has previously claimed she fell out of his BMW during a late night drive. Kane Boyce (left) has denied murdering his girlfriend Paula Newman (right) in a row over getting her Facebook password as he told the Old Bailey he had it anyway and regularly used it to play Candy Crush . He admitted pushing her over the evening before she died during an argument in the street, after he claimed she accused him of having an affair. He told the court she fell over and he helped her back into the car. The 34-year-old told a hearing at the Old Bailey that the couple both regularly accessed each other's Facebook accounts to give eachother extra lives to play Candy Crush saga, a mobile phone game. ‘You get four lives an hour or something,’ he added. ‘I went on her phone to send myself a life so I could carry on playing.’ He added: ‘Yes we knew each other’s passwords because we would often send each other lives on that game we used to play.' Boyce said while he was on Facebook he noticed Miss Newman had been sending messages to an ex-boyfriend, in which she referred to Boyce as an a*******. He admitted to the court that he was upset over the message and took a screenshot to post it to his own account, so people would see 'there was another side to her.' He also said they had had used her account to send messages to his girlfriend's former partner. Boyce admitted pushing Miss Newman over during an argument in the street on the evening before she died. He said Miss Newman accused him of sleeping with 'a tart' as they drove around the area off Lodge Lane in New Addington. 'Paula was shouting at me to stop the car. I just carried on,' he said. 'She started lunging at me to grab the wheel. I felt a blow to my face. In order to get her off me I struck out with my hand.' He said the argument continued after he stopped the car near some garages. 'She was still saying I was sleeping with that tart. I said the only reasons she is saying that is because she has been talking to people on Facebook as well.' He said he shouted at her: 'Log on or give me back my phone'. Boyce added: 'She had my phone, she was using it to log into her emails.' However the prosecution claim he shouted: 'If you don't log on we will see what happens.' He said he got out of his car and followed Miss Newman to Parkway and told her to calm down and come home. 'She tried pushing past me. I pushed her quite hard and she stumbled back and she banged herself on the side of the garages. 'It was just like she fainted. She fell over. I wasn't expecting her to fall into the garages. 'I didn't intend for any of it. I helped her up and took her back to the car.' Boyce told the court he would go on his girlfriend's account to give himself more lives to play Candy Crush . Ms Newman was taken to hospital on the morning of 12 November 2013 but died later the same day. A previous hearing was told that a post mortem found she had died of head injuries. The trial was previously told that in the weeks before her death Boyce became obsessed with checking his girlfriend's Facebook account. He was described as manipulative and having a history of violence against women. Boyce admitted he had previous convictions for assault and harassment against a former partner but added: ‘I was quite young and immature.’ After this he married another woman but met Ms Newman after moving out of the marital home into a friend’s house in around March 2013. Boyce said they started a relationship after around six or seven weeks and added: ‘I did love her. It was hard but I loved her and I think she loved me as well.’ He claimed they went out nightfishing and on his superbike together. But he denied keeping her in the house so she could not go out. He was also asked about abusive messages the pair sent each other, and said: ‘We used to watch box sets of Shameless, our language did come from there. It wasn’t always like that.’ The pair had been together just seven months when Miss Newman died. Boyce, from Erith, southeast London, denies murder. The trial continues. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Kane Boyce is accused of murdering his girlfriend Paula Newman in 2013 .
He is accused of stamping on her head in a row over Facebook password .
But Boyce claimed the couple regularly accessed each other's accounts .
He told Old Bailey they would use accounts to give extra Candy Crush lives .
Boyce admitted he went on her Facebook to send himself another 'life' |
109,510 | 1925f7782643faa2d956f4194bf71a3339b29e3f | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 00:03 EST, 6 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:47 EST, 6 August 2012 . Both David and Samantha Cameron were left red-faced when they accidentally left their eight-year-old daughter Nancy in the pub. But the Prime Minister's wife has revealed it was in fact her who was responsible for the mistake after failing to check the female toilets. The couple drove off from The Plough Inn in Cadsden, Buckinghamshire, in separate cars - both believing Nancy was with with the other. Whoops: David Cameron, pictured holding his daughter Nancy at a wedding in 2007, thought Samantha Cameron had all their children but she thought Nancy was with him . The Prime Minister was driven back to Chequers, which is two miles from the pub, with protection officers in one car, while Mrs Cameron drove their other children in another. Mr Cameron presumed that Nancy was in the car with his wife, while she thought that their daughter had jumped in with the Prime Minister. But when they arrived at Chequers, they realised Nancy was no where to be found and Mrs Cameron rushed back to the pub to pick her up. Mrs Cameron said: 'It was my fault. I was doing a sweep of gloves, hats, and I forgot to sweep the loos where she was.' She collected her daughter from the pub 15 minutes later to find her happily helping out the pub staff. Error: The Plough pub, where the Camerons accidentally left their daughter Nancy when they drove off in separate cars . Easy: The Plough is a short drive away from Chequers, pictured . A Downing Street spokesman said at the time: 'Thankfully when they phoned the pub she was there safe and well.' They added the Camerons take full responsibility for looking after their children and were not blaming security officers for failing to ensure that Nancy was with the party before returning to Chequers. 'They are their children and they take responsibility for them,' said the spokeswoman. 'No-one is going to face disciplinary action. This was an error.' The incident has since become a running joke, with the Prime Minister recently quipping that his daughter Nancy wants to be an Olympian so that she can run after the family car next time she's left in the pub. Don't leave your children: The tongue in cheek . message to David Cameron left at The Swan pub near Chequers, the Prime . Minister's country retreat in Buckinghamshire . The couple's local Swan Pub, near his . country retreat at Chequers, now has a poster which says 'Please ensure . you have all your children with you when you leave'. In an interview with Vogue magazine, . Mrs Cameron admitted she relies on lists to help her remember things, . adding: 'After four children, I forget everything.' Mrs Cameron, who works two days a week as as creative consultant at luxury stationers Smythson, has two other children with the prime minister, Elwen, six, and Florence, 23 months. The Camerons’ other son, Ivan, who suffered from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, died aged six in 2009. Mrs Cameron also confessed that she admires the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton's fashion sense and is also a lover of her signature nude high heels. The Duchess is often spotted in a pair of the nude shoes from high street chain LK Bennett but Mrs Cameron added her main fashion icons are her two grandmothers. | David Cameron bore brunt of the blame for leaving Nancy in a pub two-miles away from Chequers .
David and Samantha were travelling in separate cars and both assumed the little girl, 8, was with in the other vehicle .
Mrs Cameron reveals she forgot to check the ladies toilets - where Nancy was - before leaving .
When Mrs Cameron returned to collect her - after 15 minutes - she was found 'happily helping' pub staff . |
109,757 | 19770a2fecad0c87f26b90d91c2ae71dce02206f | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . Parents who continue to cook for children who have grown up or left home have been blamed for fuelling Britain’s food waste crisis. Dubbed ‘hotel parents’, mothers and fathers whose children treat their home ‘like a hotel’ routinely cook dinner for them only for it to end up in the bin, a parliamentary inquiry has been told. It comes as ministers accuse the public of ‘ignorance’ about best before dates and what to do with leftovers. Binned: Many meals end up being thrown away because parents have cooked for children who do not come home for dinner, a council has claimed . Every year families in the UK throw away 7.2million of food, including spending £12billion on food which could have been eaten but ends up in the bin. Households are responsible for half of all the food waste every year, according to official figures. In the past officials have blamed supermarkets for buy-one-get-one-free offers to encourage people to buy too much food, or confusing use by dates which mean perfectly edible food is thrown away. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson told MPs: ‘The fact is it is shocking really in this day and age that good food is thrown away, partly out of ignorance and party out of aesthetics. Appalling: Environment Secretary Owen Paterson blamed public 'ignorance' for the scale of food waste in Britain . 'We throw away an appalling amount of food away, it's 15million tonnes-a-year. 'One of my enthusiasm is to see that it doesn’t go to land fill but is processed in some way.’ Mr Paterson is backing anaerobic digestion, which used food or farm waste to generate heat or electric power. But a House of Lords inquiry into food waste has been told that parents struggling to adjust to their children leaving home, or seeking independence, are also adding to the problem. New figures yesterday showed a sharp rise in the number of homes with more than one . family living as the ‘boomerang . generation’ of young people comes back to live with their parents. Shropshire Council told peers that many too much food is wasted because parents still cook meals for children who have grown up. ‘There are so called “hotel parents”, those with older children who treat their homes like a hotel,' it said. ‘These parents often have to deal with fluctuating household numbers that make planning meals difficult,’ the Lords EU subcommittee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy was told. ‘Empty nesters also have difficulty adjusting to fewer people being at home for meals and still cook the same size portions, as do those who sadly have to adjust to bereavement.’ With house prices rising and the . under-30s unable to afford a home in large parts of the country, many . even with partners and children are forced to move in with the in-laws. There are now 286,000 multi-family households in the UK, up from 193,000 in 2006. Analysts say they are the fastest-growing household type, rising by 40 per cent in a decade. Boom: The number of multi-family households has soared since the recession, with couples forced to move in with the in-laws to afford to buy a home . Shropshire council added that people who do not write a shopping list before leaving the house also buy too much, or the wrong food, while most people routinely cook too much rice or pasta. It said its claims were based on 'thousands of conversations' with local people at public events, radio phone-ins and cookery demonstrations. The warning is echoed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which claimed too few people know how to turn leftovers into an edible meal. In evidence to the committee, Defra said: ‘At household level, the main reasons for food waste are buying, cooking, preparing or serving too much: including not knowing what to do with leftovers and also food not used in time or that has gone past its use by date.’ The government’s Love Food Hate Waste is offering people recipes on how to turn excess food into a meal on the next day. Tesco found that 68 per cent of its bagged salads, 48 per cent of its bakery goods and 24 per cent of its grapes go to waste . The National Farmers’ Union has also pointed to other countries working to teach people about cooking with leftovers. Both the Austrian farmers’ women association and the German farmers’ association have backed campaigns making clear that some food is called ‘too good for the garbage bin’. Last week Tesco admitted up to two thirds of supermarket food ends up in the bin. The retail giant found that 68 per cent of its bagged salads, 48 per cent of its bakery goods and 24 per cent of its grapes go to waste. Much of the food is thrown away by customers – but large amounts are lost because they have been on display too long. Yet more produce has to be ditched before it even reaches shelves. | Mums and dads still buy and cook food thinking they have a house full .
Empty nesters also buy too much, Lords probe into food waste is told .
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson blames 'ignorance' of shoppers .
286,000 multi-family households in 2013, up 20% since before recession .
Parents who thought children had left home see them coming back . |
94,293 | 05337b33050bacb5b3fbd1de77adbb9f921e7625 | (EW.com) -- Now that you've properly celebrated the beginning of 2014, it's likely that you're in need of some downtime to recover from the night's festivities. And even if not, there's no harm in sitting on the couch anyway. Just in case you do plan on joining us sofa-lovers, we've rounded up the television marathons that will help put your new year on the right track — as well as a few that won't. Check out your TV marathon options below: . *Note: Final time is when final episode begins; all listed in ET . Happy Endings (VH1, Starting at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 12 a.m. on January 2) The Walking Dead (AMC, From New Year's Eve until January 2) The Tudors (BBC, 10 a.m. through next day) Watch What Happens: Live (Bravo, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) Rehab Addict (DIY, 7 a.m. through next day) Deadly Women (ID, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.) Dance Moms (Lifetime, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) Best Ink (Oxygen, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Beverly Hills Pawn (Reelz, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) The Twilight Zone (Syfy, 8 a.m. through next day) NCIS (USA, 6 a.m. through next day) Law & Order (WE, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. next day) Burn Notice (ION, 2 p.m. through next day) Home Improvement (Hallmark, 4 p.m. through next day) Duck Dynasty (A&E, 7 p.m. through next day) Tosh.0 (Comedy Central, 6 p.m. through next day) Restaurant: Impossible (Food Network, 4 p.m. through next day) See the original story at EW.com. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | There are a few shows to binge on New Year's day .
Offerings include everything from "Deadly Women" to "The Walking Dead"
Some of the shows will continue through Thursday . |
246,510 | cb0710d89281c7b45eea51b2f8410e49a9202177 | Two Durham VA Medical Center employees have been put on administrative leave because of "inappropriate scheduling practices," the Department of Veteran Affairs said in a Monday statement. The facility in Durham, North Carolina, is at least the fourth hospital accused of manipulating health care appointments. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki has ordered an audit at all VA clinics, following months of CNN exclusive reporting about U.S. veterans who have died while they waited for treatment at VA hospitals. "In preparation for this audit, VHA (Veterans Health Administration) Central Office learned on May 12 that a Durham VA Medical Center employee indicated that some employees at that facility may have engaged in inappropriate scheduling practices at some point between 2009 and 2012," the Monday statement read. "VA takes any allegations about patient care or employee misconduct very seriously. If the allegations are true, the inappropriate behavior is unacceptable and employees will be held accountable." The latest allegation comes as the federal department defends itself against claims of potentially deadly delays at other facilities throughout the nation, including claims of a secret wait list in Phoenix, which was first reported by CNN. A VA scheduler in San Antonio said clerks scheduling medical appointments for veterans were "cooking the books" at their bosses' behest to hide the fact some had to wait weeks, if not months, for appointments. Similarly, a scheduler at the VA clinic in Fort Collins, Colorado, which is managed by a Wyoming clinic, said employees were told to manipulate the system. The VA's official policy is that all patients should be able to see a doctor, dentist or some other medical professional within 14 days of their requested/preferred date. Any wait longer than two weeks is supposed to documented. But many veterans end up waiting longer, and the delays are never reported, veterans and their advocates say. Shinseki has been subpoenaed by the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. CNN has submitted numerous requests for an interview with Shinseki; the secretary has refused them all. Gingrich: Why can't VA be customer-friendly and digitally competent? | VA vows to hold employees accountable if allegations are true .
The federal department is defending itself against claims of potentially deadly delays .
CNN exclusively reported veterans dying while on wait list in Phoenix . |
266,335 | e4f792427a8b0dddb4fa6ffb80582aedc02378d5 | (CNN) -- And then there were two. Sunday's showpiece European Championship final in the Ukrainian capital Kiev pits holders Spain against Italy, between them the winners of the last two World Cups. Spain are on the brink of creating soccer history; never before has a country won three major international football tournaments in a row and the Spanish, who won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, now have the chance to earn a place in the record books. Before the Euros, former Barcelona and England striker Gary Lineker said "La Furia Roja" were just one trophy away from greatness. "If they won three tournaments in a row, something no other team has done, you would have to put them up there among the all-time greatest teams," said Lineker, who helped England reach the World Cup semifinals in 1990. Spain reach Euro 2012 final after shootout victory . Vicente del Bosque's side enjoyed huge good fortune in Wednesday's semifinal against Iberian neighbors Portugal, winning 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw, with Cesc Fabregas scuffing the decisive spot-kick as it hit the inside of the post and rolled along the goalline before creeping into Rui Patricio's net. Fabregas' penalty can perhaps be seen as a symbol of Spain's unconvincing performances at Euro 2012 so far, which have left a large proportion of the watching public unsatisfied as they struggled to break down packed opposition defenses. The end of a love affair? For all their possession (Spain have enjoyed around 67% of the ball in their five matches), there has been frustration that they have neither moved the ball around quickly enough nor created enough goalscoring chances, instead wearing the other team down by making their players chase shadows before waiting for a mistake. Whisper it quietly, but some have even labeled Spain's previously much-feted tiki-taka style of play "boring" and claimed it is currently a more defensive tactic than offensive -- an argument perhaps backed up by the fact that Spain have now not conceded a knockout-stage goal in any tournament since the 2006 World Cup, a run of nine matches and a remarkable 900 minutes of action. Against Italy in the group stage and France in the last eight, Del Bosque even picked a starting XI without a single striker -- a tactic designed to help Spain keep the ball better and lure the opposing defense out so they could get in behind. It hasn't worked flawlessly, but they have churned out results regardless. Beautiful football might be what people demand, but results are what Del Bosque deals in first; since taking over from previous coach Luis Aragones following Euro 2008, the 61-year-old has led the national team to an incredible 50 wins from 59 matches. Midfielder Andres Iniesta, who scored the winner in the 2010 World Cup final, says Spain aren't bothered by the "boring" tag. The 27-year-old instead focuses on the positives of their possession-based game. "When a team wants to attack and comes up against an opponent that sits back and tries to close the space and not try to create its own chances, that's not always the football you want to watch," said Iniesta. "It's easy to forget that only a few years ago this style is what changed the story of Spain." A change in mentality . It is a story that began at Euro 2008 -- and really, truly began with Spain's quarterfinal penalty shootout victory over Italy in Vienna, a match that defender Gerard Pique looks back on as the turning point. "I think it changed the mentality of the national team," said the Barcelona star. "Before, Spain played to avoid losing -- but afterwards they played to win." Italy were the World Cup champions at the time and favorites to go through, but it is perhaps not as well remembered that they were missing the suspended Andrea Pirlo, who has been in such glorious form at this tournament. Pirlo, let's not forget, was also injured at the 2010 World Cup and played only 34 minutes in their final group game game as Italy crashed out at the first hurdle following draws with Paraguay and New Zealand and a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Slovakia. But the 33-year-old midfielder is enjoying a stunning renaissance in his career. A year ago he was discarded by AC Milan after 10 years of service, but signed for Juventus and led "The Old Lady" to the Italian league title before showcasing the full range of his majestic talents for the world to see in Poland and Ukraine. If Italy were besieged by the storm of another match-fixing scandal in their domestic game brewing prior to Euro 2012, Pirlo provided the steady hand on the tiller to sail the ship into calmer waters. With hardly a hair out of place and rarely breaking into a sweat, the masterful Pirlo has dictated the knockout matches against England and Germany with breathtaking class, providing an exhibition in how to create space and pass the ball both of the long and short variety. The master and the maverick . When looking long, Pirlo has often sought out Mario Balotelli, the maverick Manchester City striker who is as well-known for his controversial lifestyle away from football as his performances on the pitch -- something which may change after his monumental two-goal showing against the much-fancied Germans in the semifinal. Balotelli double sends Italy through to Euro 2012 final . Balotelli went into Euro 2012 considered a talented liability, as capable of moments of madness as those of brilliance, but he powered home a header to give Italy the lead and then crashed a stunning second into the top corner from 18 yards. Even Germany keeper Manuel Neuer had to applaud the 21-year-old's chutzpah. "Tonight was the most beautiful of my life -- but I hope that this Sunday is even better," said Balotelli in the aftermath. "Along with Spain, we are the two best teams in the tournament. We are the only side to have scored against Spain so far. We proved that we are equal to them, if not more, and we want to win." Whoever wins on Sunday, it will provide a fairytale finish to a competition that has surpassed all expectations. Scare stories . The buildup to the first major football tournament behind the old Iron Curtain in eastern Europe was dominated by scare stories: the transport infrastructure wasn't ready; there weren't enough (affordable) hotels for supporters to stay in; racism was a widespread problem in both host countries; foreign fans would not be welcomed in many of the host cities, and so on. Yet most of the fears have been unfounded. Yes, there have been issues with supporters that European football's governing body UEFA has had to deal with, and member associations have been fined for specific incidents of failing to keep their fans under control. Some of the magnificent stadia have not been full for every game, but that is probably down to the fact that Europe is going through difficult economic times right now and Poland and Ukraine are further away than most host nations have been, resulting in increased traveling costs. But by and large, Euro 2012 has been an unqualified success. The group stage matches were full of attacking intent and fine goals and the knockout stages have produced two penalty shootouts of unbearable tension, not to mention Italy's awesome destruction of Germany. Referees have let games flow and kept the card count down, and the players have responded by concentrating more on their football and less on feigning injury and trying to artificially gain their team an advantage. Everywhere you looked, there was a story: Andriy Shevchenko gave the Ukraine people a memory they will never forget with two goals to see off Sweden; Greece put their country's vast financial problems aside to qualify from Group A; the much-fancied Netherlands went back home with tails between legs; and then there was Spain and Italy, quietly working their way through the tournament. Sensational scoring . With 30 of the 31 matches played we have seen only three red cards -- two of which came in the opening game as Poland drew with Greece -- and there have been 21 goals scored from headers, which at 29% of the total 72 stands way higher than at any previous Euros. Wonderful goals have crashed in with regularity, from the acrobatics of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Balotelli to the gorgeous flick of Danny Welbeck, the emphatic volleys of Sami Khedira and Marco Reus to the unstoppable rocket shots of Jakub Blaszczykowski and, again, Balotelli. And then there was Pirlo's "Panenka." With England leading Italy 2-1 after the first two penalties in Sunday's quarterfinal shootout, Pirlo produced a moment of genius to change the momentum entirely in Italy's favor. He watched the England keeper buzz around on the line trying to put him off, before coolly chipping the ball -- a la Antonin Panenka in the 1976 European Championship final shootout -- delicately into the net after Joe Hart had dived early and erroneously to his right. England missed their next two penalties and Italy triumphed. "Hart seemed to be very confident in himself. I needed to do something to beat him and it seemed to be a psychological blow," said the unflappable Pirlo. England boss Roy Hodgson added: "The cool, calculated way Pirlo chipped it, that is something you either have or you don't have as a player." The watching football world swooned, and Pirlo produced his second successive man-of-the-match display to help Italy slay Germany in the semis and continue the Azzurri's amazing record of never having lost a competitive game to "Die Mannschaft." On Sunday, Cesare Prandelli's team can keep another record intact: that of a country never winning three major international tournaments in a row. Spain are potentially 90 minutes away from sporting immortality. A captivating conclusion to Euro 2012 lies in wait. | Holders Spain to meet Italy in Sunday's Euro 2012 final in Kiev .
Spain aiming to become first nation to win three successive major tournaments .
Italy looking for first Euros triumph since 1968, but won World Cup in 2006 .
Spain's dominance and style has been labeled "boring" by some critics . |
90,593 | 0086b91a1da14b98510b99118544c82d35aa8243 | By . Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 09:43 EST, 8 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:25 EST, 8 August 2013 . Most people think of the white, glittering suit that he wore on stage when they think of Elvis Presley's clothes. But a US army uniform worn by the rock legend during his extraordinary enlistment in the 1950s has now emerged for sale for £13,000. The three-piece uniform belonged to the King while on draft in Germany, where he spent two years serving as a regular soldier. The three-piece uniform belonged to the King while on draft in Germany, where he spent two years serving as a regular soldier . Experts have described the dress outfit as one of the most collectable Elvis items in the world. Elvis was one of the world's biggest stars when he accepted national conscription to the US army in 1958 aged 21. Incredibly, he turned down the chance to join the Special Services division and perform at bases around the world in favour of becoming a private with no special treatment. Private Presley was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany, and shortly after arriving moved out of barracks into the luxury Hotel Grunewald. Elvis turned down the chance to join the Special Services division and perform at bases around the world in favour of becoming a private with no special treatment . Following Elvis' death in 1977 the uniform was passed on to his cousin Patsy Presley, who has kept in pristine condition . He spent two years overseas before being honourably discharged as a sergeant in 1960. During his time with the army he was introduced to karate, which would famously become part of his stage routines, and also met his future wife Priscilla. He flew back to the US on March 2, stopping to refuel in Scotland, the only time he would set foot on UK soil. Elvis Presley is known for his flamboyant stage costumes . During his conscription Elvis had ten top 40 hits including A Big Hunk o' Love and Hard Headed Woman. Following Elvis' death at his Graceland home in 1977 the uniform was passed on to his cousin Patsy Presley, who has kept in pristine condition. The summer dress greens outfit comprises of a jacket, size 38S, 29ins by 32ins trousers and a size 7 hat with his name and conscription number printed on the inside. The uniform, worn for formal occasions, is expected to sell for upwards of 13,000 pounds. Garry Shrum, from Heritage Auctions, said: 'It was a real shock when Elvis was drafted into the army, especially as he chose to enlist as a regular soldier rather than in Special Services entertaining troops. 'Elvis spent two years serving in Germany, something you can't imagine today's music and film icons doing. 'He was one of the world's biggest stars at the time and he instantly became the US army's most famous soldier. 'This uniform is his summer dress greens which he would have worn for official occasions like assemblies, ceremonies or meeting dignitaries. 'When he died it was passed on to his first cousin Patsy Presley who has kept hold of it up until now. 'His army uniform is a very special piece of rock and roll history, and comes with a full dose of mojo. 'This uniform is definitely in the top ten most desirable Elvis collectors' items in the world. 'It's going to be a very exciting auction.' The sale will take place at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas, on August 10. | Elvis accepted national conscription to the US army in 1958 aged 21 .
Turned down the chance to join the Special Services division .
Private Presley assigned to the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany . |
262,856 | e0765e0233e01da8dcd673372a20512508cb2830 | By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 07:35 EST, 22 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 08:01 EST, 22 February 2014 . A boy of just 10 downed a sickening mixture of Nando's sauce, cream, mayonnaise and vodka as part of the deadly Neknominate online drinking game craze sweeping the world, it emerged today. The primary school-age youngster from Calderdale, West Yorkshire, was reportedly filmed by friends guzzling the nauseating cocktail after he was dared to take part. The disturbing case comes as council chiefs told Twitter and Facebook they should publish prominent warnings of the dangers of the social media trend, which has already claimed three lives in the UK. Nauseating: The 10-year-old boy downed a sickening cocktail of Nando's sauce, cream, mayonnaise and vodka after being dared as part of the Neknominate drinking game. (Stock image, posed by model) Headmasters across the country are also reading out warnings in assembly and displaying them on noticeboards in an effort to discourage children from taking part. The Calderdale boy has learned his lesson the hard way after the revolting concoction reportedly made him violently sick and he had to rushed for medical treatment. An education source told the Daily Mirror: 'The boy's mother was in tears that her son would try such a thing. He was fine in the end, apart from feeling sick as a dog. 'Social media sites are full of this craze. There is such a loss of innocence these days and it is horrifying that kids in junior schools are urging each other to copy lethal games.' Michelle Foster, CEO of The Basement Recovery Project, a Halifax-based organisation that helps adults affected by drug and alcohol addiction, told MailOnline that, although she was not aware of that particular case, she had learned of other youngsters in the area taking part in NekNominate. 'It has gone on in my son's school, so I've been involved in what's going on there,' she said. 'The problem is that teachers themselves are doing it. 'How are you supposed to be telling kids it's wrong if they can see you doing it on Facebook?' The 10-year-old boy's case emerged as councils told Twitter and Facebook they should introduce warnings over the NekNominate drinking game. The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents almost 400 councils in England and Wales, said prominent messages were needed on the websites about the dangers of the craze. The dangerous game has been blamed for the deaths of Bradley Eames, 20, Stephen Brooks, 27, and Isaac Richardson, 20. Neknominate involves people filming themselves downing alcohol, nominating someone to continue the game, and posting the video on social media sites. Councils are now publishing warnings about alcohol through internet safety campaigns that provide links for parents, carers and young people. The LGA said some schools had asked for warning notices about Neknominate to be put on noticeboards and read out at assemblies. Tragedies: The dangerous game, which involves people drinks and nominating a friend to do the same, has been blamed for the deaths of Bradley Eames, 20, Stephen Brooks, 27, and Isaac Richardson, 20 . On Wednesday, the industry-funded charity Drinkaware called on parents to take a tough stance against the game over fears that young teenagers are under pressure to take part. Katie Hall, chair of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: 'This is an utterly reckless and totally irresponsible craze which has tragically claimed lives. More should be done to highlight the dangers and persuade people not to participate. 'We believe social media operators have a responsibility to provide health warnings to user groups and individuals. 'The LGA is looking for these corporations to show leadership -and not ignore what is happening on their sites. 'We are urging Facebook and Twitter executives to sit down with us and discuss a way forward which tackles this issue head-on.' The LGA said Boston Borough Council in Lincolnshire is encouraging those people nominated to continue the drinking game to contact their community safety team. Sevenoaks District Council in Kent is launching an internet safety campaign on Neknominate, while Worcestershire County Council has called for people not to join in. play video . play video . play video . play video . play video . play video . play video . play video . play video . | Child violently sick and seen by doctor after drinking the vile concoction .
Comes as Local Government Association call for warnings on social media .
Three people, all men, have died after taking part in Neknominate in Britain . |
119,103 | 25d38627dd5152d9bce6de93750feacc0a5c49cb | London, England (CNN) -- A British aid worker held hostage in eastern Afghanistan since late last month was killed by her captors during a rescue attempt on Friday night, officials said. The woman was identified as Linda Norgrove, who worked for DAI -- an agency that provides various services to developing nations. Norgrove, who was age 36, spent much of her career managing projects for farmers and rural workers. James Boomgard, DAI president and chief executive officer, called the news "devastating" and said his operation is "saddened beyond words by the death of a wonderful woman whose sole purpose in Afghanistan was to do good.". "Linda loved Afghanistan and cared deeply for its people, and she was deeply committed to her development mission. She was an inspiration to many of us here at DAI and she will be deeply missed." British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement that Norgrove "was doing valuable work for the Afghan people." "Decisions on operations to free hostages are always difficult. But where a British life is in such danger, and where we and our allies can act, I believe it is right to try. I pay tribute to the courage and skill of all those involved in this effort," he said. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a written statement that his forces received information about where she was held and "decided that, given the danger she was facing, her best chance of safe release was to act on that information," "Responsibility for this tragic outcome rests squarely with the hostage takers. From the moment they took her, her life was under grave threat. Given who held her, and the danger she was in, we judged that Linda's best chance lay in attempting to rescue her." Norgrove was being held by two Taliban commanders, Mullah Basir and Mullah Keftan, who were both killed in the raid, an Afghan intelligence official said. An Afghan official said last month that the British woman, two Afghan drivers and a security guard had been kidnapped after an exchange of gunfire September 26 in the Chawkay district of eastern Kunar province. Abdul Marjan Adel, a local provincial official, had said that the four were being held in a "very remote area," and that Afghan and international forces were looking for them. He said they were healthy and located in the Dewcar valley. Provincial officials had created a council of district elders, religious scholars and provincial council members to negotiate with the abductors, he said. The three Afghans kidnapped with Norgrove had been released days ago, according to another Afghan intelligence official and a local provincial government official. Hague expressed his gratitude to NATO allies and Afghan forces "for doing all they could to secure the safe release of the woman." "Hostage taking is never justified and the UK does not make concessions to hostage-takers. But whenever British nationals are kidnapped, we and our allies will do everything in our power to free them," he said. DAI said Norgrove worked in projects around the world, including Afghanistan, Laos, Mexico, Uganda, and Peru, and was involved in projects for the United Nations. She joined DAI in January and has been a senior manager on a program to create jobs, improve local economies and help local leaders "reduce reliance on the opium economy," the group said in a statement. Gen. David H. Petraeus, the ISAF commander passed along his condolences. "Afghan and coalition security forces did everything in their power to rescue Linda," Petraeus said. "Linda was a courageous person with a passion to improve the lives of Afghan people, and sadly she lost her life in their service. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time." Last year, British troops freed New York Times journalist Stephen Farrell from Taliban captivity in a raid but his interpreter, Sultan Munadi, died in the rescue effort. A British commando was also killed, as were a woman and child. Security forces in Afghanistan this week captured a Taliban leader who was "directly involved" in the kidnapping, NATO's International Security Assistance Force said. CNN's Ivan Watson and Joe Sterling contributed to this report . | NEW: PM says Linda Norgrove "was doing valuable work"
Aid agency leader is "devastated" over the news .
The abduction occurred last month in eastern Afghanistan . |
211,606 | 9e08a84d0ef65b4acf7537623ec14c314e8d43ad | President Obama and his family are expected to leave Washington later this week for a 17-day vacation in Hawaii. This will be the First Family's sixth Christmas in Hawaii since he was elected president, and in keeping with tradition they are expected to spend it on the island of Kailua. The White House announced on Friday that the Obamas will depart next week after what is expected to be a light work schedule for the president in Washington. The First Family's are expected to spent their sixth Christmas in a row in Hawaii and will fly there later this week at an estimated cost of $100,000 to taxpayers . The president and his family traditionally spend their Christmas break in a rented private beach front residence with spectacular ocean views. The Obama's covers the cost of the accommodation that typically costs up to $3,500 a day, or $75,000 a month, but local and federal taxpayers help pay their travel and security bill which costs in the region of $1 million. For his first three years in office, the Obamas rented a $24,500-per-week gated Plantation Estate, which offered security and privacy on the white sand beach of Kailua Bay. Since then the Obamas have rented a few different houses on Kailuana Place, which has provoked different opinions from those who live in the area. The Obama's will cover the cost of their accommodation, but local and federal taxpayers help pay their travel and security bill . 'It's exciting. It's really an honor to have him here, and when he's around – actually the place is super safe because we have all this security around,’ Lanette Hayashi, who lives locally, told Hawaii News Now. 'We go through two security points and so the second one, we have to get out of our car. We have to be searched ourselves, plus our car has to be completely searched,' said a woman called Madeline, who has lived on the street for more than four decades. When the President visits, the canal running through the Kailuana Street neighborhood is off limits and is patrolled by Navy seals and a Coast Guard cutter is positioned in the bay. It is one of the many security measures put in place, including military blockades on the beach and security checkpoints along the street where he stays. US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama light 26 candles, honoring the 26 students and teachers killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in the Map Rom of the White House in Washington, DC on December 14 . 'I understand he's the President and so he needs his security, but I'd like for him to pick next year another spot. This would be really nice,' said Madeline. 'At first it was exciting, but now it's no longer exciting. It's maddening.' Last year, Obama was forced to cut short his vacation and fly back to Washington on the day after Christmas to resume negotiations on an emergency budget deal with Congress. This year, Congress is on track to approve a two-year budget deal before the Christmas holiday and so he isn't scheduled to return to Washington D.C. until January 5. | The First Family's are expected to spent their sixth Christmas in a row in Hawaii and will fly there later this week .
The trip will cost taxpayers an estimated $100,000, although the Obamas pay for their own accommodation . |
229,581 | b54999b0c00ca0ce46cbdc63aa0c590a55b6f9a7 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 10:08 PM on 2nd December 2011 . Brooke is 7 years old and weighs just 45 pounds. But over the course of four months, a medical clinic being paid with state dollars prescribed her a cocktail of anti-psychotic drugs that her family doctor says could be dangerous even for an adult. The drugs didn't fix her temper tantrums and bad moods. Instead, they made her problems worse. And when she tried to go off of them, she became almost uncontrollable. Brooke is just one of millions of foster children across the country who have been prescribed unprecedented levels of powerful mind-altering drugs in an often misguided attempt to control the emotional problems these kids experience after watching their families break apart. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . No solution: The heavy doses of dangerous drugs didn't make Brooke's problems better... they made them worse . ABC News reports that foster kids are 13 times more likely to receive 'mind-altering' psychotropic drugs than other children. Taxpayer-funded clinics have even prescribed the drugs, which are often approved only for adult use, to infants. Brooke was already facing an uphill battle to having a healthy childhood. Her mother was a drug dealer and a prostitute. Brooke was placed in a foster home at an early age, removed from her broken family and given to the care of strangers. The freckle-faced redhead counted 10 drugs that she was prescribed to control her temper tantrums and bad moods. But they didn't help, so doctors at the clinic in Florida continued increasing her doses. When foster mom Lisa Ward objected to the heavy medication, she was told that if she didn't follow the instructions of the state-sponsored doctors, Brooke could be taken away from her and placed with another foster family. Happy endings: After Brooke got off the medications, things turned better for her. Her foster mother adopted her and she's learning to deal with her problems . Finally Ms Ward paid to send Brooke to a private doctor. What he saw horrified him: 'The first thing we've got to think about, "Is the medicine causing this?"' asked psychiatrist Dr Luis Quinones. But now, after a painful process of weening herself off the drugs, Brooke is better. Ms Ward and her husband adopted the 7-year-old and she has a new solution her her problems. 'What's another choice over a tantrum? What's a good choice?' Ms Ward recently asked her adopted daughter. 'To hug you,' Brooke replied. The problem has reached the ears of legislators in Washington, who heard testimony from some of foster children affected by this trend. Ke'onte, 12, tells Congress that he was wrongly diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADHD and given four different medications that left him in a 'stupor' A 12-year-old boy bravely told how he was medicated into a near-stupor as he was passed between foster care homes. The seventh grader, known only as Ke'onte, told Congress that being given the mind-altering drugs was 'the worst thing anyone could do to foster kids'. He revealed that he could barely eat while on the medication and was so exhausted 'it felt like I would collapse wherever I was in the house'. 'I think putting me on all these stupid meds was the stupidest thing I’ve ever experienced in foster care,' he said. Medicated: The Government study found children in foster care were 13 times more likely to be on anti-pyschotics and anti-depressants than other children . Ke'onte's plight came to light as a Government Accountability Office report was released that found the federal government had not done enough to oversee the treatment of foster children with powerful drugs. The study found cared-for children were up to 13 times more likely to be prescribed anti-psychotics and anti-depressants than other children. Ke'onte, who was adopted in 2009, said he had tantrums as a foster child and was inaccurately diagnosed as bipolar and having ADHD. 'I’ve been in the mental hospital three times during foster care, and every time I had to get on more meds or new meds to add to the ones I was already taking,' he said. He was on four different types of medication during his four years in six foster care and the drugs made him feel irritable, gave him stomach aches and affected his appetite, reports ABC. 'I remember having a bowl of spaghetti and had three bites and then I was done,' he said. He has since been taken off the medication and given therapy, and is thriving. He plays clarinet in the school band, competes in cross-country and has had roles in the school play. He said: 'In therapy, you talk about the deepest thing and it hurts, but you can deal with it better the next time. 'I’m not only more focused in school… I’m not going to the office anymore for bad behavior and I’m happy.' video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player . | Government report finds foster children are 13 times more likely to be heavily medicated .
Ke'onte, 12, testifies to Congress he was drugged into a stupor as a foster child . |
52,069 | 937ad7cf3da4508c24e42f1514194848d5118023 | Johannesburg, South Africa (CNN) -- Heavy flooding has left at least 50 people dead and hundreds homeless in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province as residents continue to battle adverse weather conditions that have plagued the country since mid-December, authorities said Friday. "We have requested the national government to declare the Eastern Cape a national disaster," said Provincial Minister of Social Services Pemmy Majodina. "We are going to need billions of Rands to help residents reconstruct their homes and repair the damage caused by the floods." Dozens were killed as homes and buildings collapsed around them as a result of the flooding, which washed away bridges and destroyed roads, she said. Authorities continue to search for at least two flood victims, Majodina said. Many rural residents in the Eastern Cape live in mud hits that are unable to withstand heavy flooding. Eighteen others have died during recent electrical storms, Majodina added. In the neighboring province of KwaZulu Natal, at least 13 people have been killed by flooding and storms. | Adverse weather has plagued the country since mid-December .
Dozens were killed as buildings collapsed around them in Eastern Cape Province .
At least 13 people have died in the neighboring province of KwaZulu Natal . |
31,243 | 58cdf17e5beaaf5e293f3340302c360f543dcc52 | A group of Republican governors tore into President Barack Obama on Wednesday over his forthcoming immigration directive and threatened to sue him for breaking the law. 'I would go to the courts,' Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday during an annual retreat for the party's chief executives. 'This is illegal.' Outgoing Texas Gov. Rick Perry accused Obama of 'sticking his finger into the eye of the American people' and said his state may take legal action against the president, too. Scroll down for video . A visibly enraged Rick Perry talks about the costs of illegal immigration in his state during a press conference at the Republican Governors Association conference in Boca Raton, Florida, on Wednesday. The outgoing governor of Texas said its a 'possibility' his state would sue the president over immigration . 'I think that’s probably a very real possibility,' Perry, a probably 2016 presidential candidate, said. The comments came during a panel at the Republican Governors Association conference in Boca Raton, Florida, Wednesday afternoon, hours after the White House announced via a Facebook video that Obama would finally make public his immigration plans during a prime-time address on Thursday evening. The following day he will sign any official paperwork associated with his declaration during a rally at a Las Vegas, Nevada, high school. The president's speech detailing the major policy adjustment will be mostly unseen by Americans when it airs, however, as ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox will not carry it live. According to news reports, the White House put out feelers to the networks about having his remarks broadcast but they seemed unwilling to preempt hit shows that evening. As a result, the president's press shop never put in an official request to have it aired during primetime and regular programming will proceed as usual. The White House will air the speech on its website, though, and interested Americans can watch it there at 8 p.m. EST or on a handful of other networks, including Spanish-language channels Univision and Telemundo, as well as CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. Univision is planning to interrupt it's telecast of the Latin Grammy's to air it, the Washington Post has confirmed. What the president will say is still a mystery. The White House has been tight-lipped in its descriptions of the president's plans during its daily dealings with reporters. Numerous news publications have reported his executive order will include work permits for up to 5 million illegal immigrants, namely those who were brought to the U.S. as children before 2010 and those who have American citizen children. It is also also expected to authorize a half million new work permits for foreigners who graduated from U.S. colleges and obtained degrees in subjects like science and engineering. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday that the planned executive actions would affect immigrants who 'have deep ties in America, are law-abiding and have children or spouses who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.' Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierrez said Tuesday he believed the president would issue two-year work permits to illegal immigrants who have been in the U.S. for at least live years, and possibly 10, as long as they pay for and pass a background check. 'You're going to submit your fingerprints and if they come back clear, he is going to give you a work authorization for two years and a Social Security card. He's going to put you on the books paying taxes,' Gutierrez told Fox News host Bill O'Reilly. He also suggested Obama's directive would provide allow an untold number of agricultural workers to stay in the U.S. legally. President Barack Obama is pictured here signing the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, into law in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday. On Friday he is expected to sign an executive order halting deportations for as many as 5 million illegal immigrants . Whatever action the president takes is likely to be unpopular with Americans, though. An NBC/WSJ poll conducted last weekend found that 48 percent of Americans opposed the president making changes to the immigration system through an executive order, and just 38 percent were for it. Republican governors - many of whom are mulling presidential bids next year - were fuming over the rumored proposals on Wednesday afternoon, saying they would place numerous burdens on their states. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback worried about the logistics of providing driver's licences to illegal immigrants shielded from deportation by Obama. 'That would be very difficult in our state,' he said, according to the New York Times. Meanwhile, Maine Gov. Paul LePage called the idea of expanding work permits in his state to accommodate Obama's order 'unacceptable.' 'I am fighting it, not helping it,' he said. Recalling the difficulty he and his wife experienced while trying to obtain legal documents for a Jamaican teenager they were caring for, LePage explained it took them 'nearly 11 years' to finish the paperwork. 'Why should everybody just get one tomorrow?' he pondered. Meanwhile, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, a former federal lawmaker, endorsed a strategy under consideration by congressional Republicans to 'use the power of the purse to work the will of the American people.' 'Every major change in the life of our nation has been done with the consent of our government,' a visibly upset Pence reportedly said. 'I think it would be a profound mistake' for the president to act unilaterally, he added. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie refused to engage on the subject of illegal immigration at all, saying as he had several times in the past, that he would make his views on federal issues known when and if he runs for president. But he did come out swinging against Republicans in Congress floating a government shut down unless Democrats go along with their plan to bar immigration agencies from using federal funds to support Obama's edict. 'It’s incumbent upon everybody in Washington, D.C., to do their jobs. And running the government is their job,' Christie said. 'All this kind of hysteria about shutdowns to me is just people who can make news.' Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said if the government did shut down during the upcoming spending fight, it would be the president's fault for not signing the GOP's hypothetical legislation that would block his executive order . Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, center, delivers remarks during a press conference in front of the White House on Wednesday. Gutierrez stood alongside immigrant farm, food and commercial workers from across the country to remind Americans of the people behind the Thanksgiving meal and to call on Obama to deliver the most inclusive changes to immigration policy possible through executive action . Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal was also reticent to share his personal views on immigration reform, telling his peers, 'we will deal with people here illegally compassionately and fairly' and calling for enhanced security at America's southern border. Weighing in on the issue before Congress, though, he said if the government did shut down during the upcoming spending fight, it would be the president's fault for not signing the GOP's hypothetical legislation that would block his executive order. 'I don’t think the president should shut down the government simply because he wants to break the law,' Jindal said. Only Ohio Gov. John Kasich indicated a willingness to embrace amnesty for illegal immigrants currently residing in the country, telling his fellow GOP governors, 'We’ve got to think about what’s going to bring about healing.' 'I don’t like the idea of citizenship when people jump the line. We may have to do it.' 'I’m open to it, I will tell you that,' Kasich, a possible dark horse presidential candidate, added. Wisconsin's Walker warned his allies not to be so distracted by Obama's immigration actions that they lose focus on other important issues like the economy, taxes, energy and education, however. The Associated Press said Walker characterized the president's latest move as a 'cynical ploy' to blind Republicans to divert Republicans' attention away from other more pressing issues. 'Come out with me on the road and I’ll tell you there aren’t a whole lot of people talking about immigration reform,' Walker told them. | 'I would go to the courts,' Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday. 'This is illegal'
Texas Gov. Rick Perry accused Obama of 'sticking his finger into the eye of the American people' and said his state may take legal action, too .
Obama will announce his immigration plans tonight at 8 p.m. EST - but the major networks won't carry it live .
He is expected to halt deportations for illegal immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children and parents of American citizen children . |
185,688 | 7c854f21c14fda0fc8284ef9f1afe2b3d1a34566 | By . Lizzie Edmonds . A gang of armed robbers stole more than £1 million of jewellery in a city centre raid, it has been revealed. Three men threatened staff with knives and swords, and smashed open display cases at the Hamilton & Inches store in George Street, Edinburgh at around 11.30am yesterday. They made their escape in a white BMW car, driven by a fourth man, which was seen to drive east along George Street, down Howe Street and along Heriot Row. Theft: Armed robbers threatened staff at Hamilton & Inches in Edinburgh before smashing display cases. They made off with around £1million worth of jewellery, police confirmed today . The car was recovered by police a short time later and is currently being forensically examined. Police initially appeal for any witnesses yesterday but did not put a value on the stolen goods. A force spokesman said today that a full inventory of the stolen items is being carried out and it is estimated that over £1 million of valuables were taken. Detective Inspector Craig Finnie said: 'Staff were left extremely shaken and a major investigation is under way to trace those responsible.' 'While we remain keen to speak with witnesses who were in the George Street area at the time of the robbery, we also wish to trace anyone who remembers seeing both getaway vehicles in the Gloucester Lane area before or after the crime was committed. 'Furthermore, anyone with any further information relevant to this inquiry is also asked to contact police immediately.' Raid: The popular store, location pictured, was raided at 11.30am yesterday . A statement on the Hamilton & Inches website said: 'I am pleased to say that all of our staff are okay. 'We will however be closed for business in order to make our showroom safe. 'Please be assured that all of our customers' jewellery is held safely in our vaults and is untouched.' Robert Kirk Inches and his uncle James Hamilton opened their first premises at 90A Princes Street, under the name Hamilton & Inches on November 10, 1866. | Three men stormed Hamilton & Inches store in Georges Street, Edinburgh .
Threatened staff with knives and swords before smashing display cases .
Gang stole over £1million of jewellery in raid yesterday, police say .
Made off in a white BMW driven by a fourth accomplice, officers added .
No staff at well-known store, opened in 1866, were harmed in raid . |
167,738 | 64f1dc08534cf51bebfee72c828177805aa64094 | Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Hull's home clash with Crystal Palace... Hull City vs Crystal Palace (KC Stadium) Kick-off: Saturday 3pm . Odds (subject to change): . Hull EVENS . Draw 12/5 . Crystal Palace 11/4 . Eliaquim Mangala of Manchester City blocks a shot from Nikica Jelevic at the KC Stadium last weekend . Referee: Mike Dean . Managers: Steve Bruce (Hull), Neil Warnock (Crystal Palace) Head-to-head league record: Hull wins 15, draws 17, Crystal Palace wins 14 . Team news . Hull . Veteran goalkeeper Steve Harper returns to the Hull side for Saturday's visit of Crystal Palace with Allan McGregor out for up to six weeks with a shoulder injury. Manager Steve Bruce must also decide whether Hatem Ben Arfa or Gaston Ramirez are ready to make their first Barclays Premier League starts since arriving on transfer deadline day, while James Chester is in line for a recall if Bruce chooses to return to a 3-5-2 formation. Robert Snodgrass (knee) remains a long-term absentee but David Meyler is set to return to the squad. Provisional squad: Harper, Jakupovic, Davies, Dawson, Rosenior, Robertson, Chester, McShane, Elmohamady, Meyler, Diame, Huddlestone, Livermore, Ince, Brady, Ramirez, Jelavic, Aluko, Quinn, Hernandez, Ben Arfa. Crystal Palace . Marouane Chamakh played 18 minutes against Leicester last weekend and the striker is considered fit enough to start after recovering from a hamstring problem. The Eagles, who are currently ninth in the table, go to the KC Stadium gunning for their third straight league victory after recording back-to-back wins over Leicester and Everton. They also did the double over Hull last season. Provisional Squad: Speroni, Hennessey, Mariappa, Kelly, Fryers, Ward, Delaney, Dann, Hangeland, Jedinak, McArthur, Bannan, Ledley, Williams, Bolasie, Thomas, Puncheon, Gayle, Campbell, Johnson, Doyle, Chamakh, Zaha. Mile Jedinak celebrates his goal during the win over Leicester City at Selhurst Park . Key match stats (supplied by Opta) | Hatem Ben Arfa and Gaston Ramirez may start for the first time for Hull .
Hull without Allan McGregor who is out for six weeks with a shoulder injury .
Steve Harper will play in goal for Steve Bruce's side .
Marouane Chamakh will start up front for Crystal Palace .
Neil Warnock's side looking to make it three straight wins at the KC .
The away side had a player sent off in both Barclays Premier League meetings between these two sides last season which were both won 1-0 by Crystal Palace.
The Eagles are unbeaten in their last eight league matches against the Tigers, winning four and drawing four.
Hull City have won just one of their last 11 Premier League matches since their FA Cup semi-final win in April (W1 D4 L6).
The Tigers have won none of their last five Premier League games at the KC Stadium (W0 D2 L3).
Crystal Palace have lost just one of their last seven Premier League away games (W4 D2 L1).
Crystal Palace have committed 91 fouls so far, more than any other side in the top flight.
Since the start of last season, Ahmed Elmohamady has fired in 275 crosses from open play; 51 more than any other player.
Mile Jedinak has made more tackles (33) and interceptions (23) than any other player this season in the Premier League; two categories that he also led in last term.
Steve Bruce has won 41% of his games in charge of Hull City (all comps), the only club he managed a higher win ratio in charge of was Crystal Palace (61%).
Crystal Palace have the lowest average possession figure in the Premier League so far this season (34.6%). |
231,537 | b7c6a798a74b77a3c0824a5cedabf4dd7e0dc5ae | Matthew Jordan, whose body was found in Windermere in Cumbria after he went missing . The inquest into the death of a student whose body was found in a lake has been halted after it emerged his iPhone was still working despite it apparently being in the water with him for three weeks. Matthew Jordan, 20, a criminology student from Middlesbrough became separated from three friends during a night out in April, sparking a massive search of Lake Windermere in Cumbria, where his body was found. It has also emerged that a mysterious man captured on CCTV walking through the graveyard of a nearby church and then doing a quick u-turn around the time the student went missing has not come forward, despite police appeals. The inquest at Kendal County Hall in Cumbria was stopped after the barrister for Matthew's family, Kieran Rainey, complained of too many 'gaps' in his final hours and said there were 'unanswered questions'. Mr Rainey told a witness giving evidence for Cumbria Police: ' You've got a blank spot on this and you're giving evidence today which is completely divergent to what the family understands.' Coroner Ian Smith said he did not want the family to go away 'unhappy', but warned all the answers may never be known. Matthew's mum Claire, 43, told the inquest her son was good at directions and cannot understand how he ended up on Rayrigg Road, close to Windermere, as it was in the opposite direction to the cottage where he was staying. She said: 'There's still a gap and we are still adamant people have seen him on Rayrigg Road that night and that Matthew would have asked them for help. An unexplained bruise on Mr Jordan's head was also found during a post mortem but a small cut to his eye was 'missed'. Several 'figures' in 'groups' on the streets that night have not been traced, a detective revealed. Mr Jordan a Teesside University student, had travelled from Middlesbrough with three friends on a spontaneous trip to the Lakes. The group ate and drank at pubs including The Stag's Head Hotel where they got split up around midnight. Mr Jordan's family pictured at an earlier press conference around the time he went missing. His mother Clare, centre, told the inquest she cannot understand how he ended up near to the lake . Mr Jordan was told to go to the toilet after being sick but the group got split up and he was last seen trying to get help at the The Hole Int Wall, which was closed. His three friends - Michael Blakey, Jordan Gill and David Russell - estimated he had drunk around six-and-half pints of lager, some shots and half-a-bottle of wine. His post mortem examination showed he was two-and-half times the drink drive limit, which on its own was not sufficient to kill him, the inquest was told. While he was described as 'swaying', witnesses said he was sufficiently 'coherent' to ask for help and speak to people. The last contact his phone had with the network was at 12.31am. Specialist police teams and a marine unit searched Windermere for Mr Jordan after he went missing following a night out with friends . Mr Jordan had not been drinking regularly due to a fitness regime, the hearing was told. His cause of death remains 'unascertained' - partly because of decomposition after he was found in the water at Rayrigg Wyke, just off the A592 on Rayrigg Road near the Windermere Steam Boat museum. CCTV footage from the museum showed the security lights activating around the time of his disappearance but there is no-one or any animals on film - which detectives cannot explain. Consultant pathologist, Dr Nicholas Mapstone, is also unable to explain bruising on Matthew's head. He said: 'There are a number of things I didn't find and it leaves me with a problem . 'Although it's not uncommon in drowning. 'There was no definite evidence of drowning but that doesn't exclude drowning. Two possible causes are drowning and hypothermia.' Detective Sergeant Andy Lamb, of Cumbria Police, said the operation to find Mr Jordan was ‘comprehensive’ Dr Mapstone said the bruise was not serious enough to be fatal but 'was caused when he was alive.' However, he added that the bruise could also have been due to his position in the water. But the Lancaster-based consultant pathologist believes there was 'no evidence' of Matthew being assaulted but said he was not a 'forensic pathologist'. Detective Sergeant Andy Lamb, of Cumbria Police, said the operation to find Mr Jordan was 'comprehensive' with hundreds of statements taken and CCTV footage examined. He said it was the first missing person search in Cumbria on such a scale in years. DS Lamb said: 'Has someone hit Matthew? I've certainly not come across any material or any witness that suggests otherwise. 'I think, having heard all the evidence and reviewed all the statements, the hypothesis which has the most likelihood is that Matthew has been drunk, perhaps fallen over, and ended up in the lake and to do that, he would have had to cross a field.' Floral tributes were left outside the Winderemere steamboat museum near to where Mr Jordan's body was found . Asked how Matthew's body could have ended up at Rayrigg Wyke, DS Lamb said: 'It's fairly common in Windermere - it has a strong current underwater and various vegetation that someone could get caught up on, or then move around.' A mysterious man captured on CCTV walking through the graveyard of St Mark's Church and then doing a quick u-turn around the time Matthew went missing had not come forward despite police appeals, he said. DS Lamb said they had spoken to who they believed the person to be, who had said he was at home on the night. After the inquest Matthew's family said in a statement: 'There is no criticism of anyone in this matter. The issue is that, there is a gap in the evidence for the period between Matthew leaving the 'Hole in the Wall' to the time when he entered the lake. 'We understand that there is further evidence which was not produced at the inquest and our solicitor will be requesting sight of that evidence in the hope that this will provide a clearer picture of events.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Matthew Jordan, 20, disappeared after a night out with friends in Cumbria .
His body was found weeks later in Lake Windermere after a massive search .
An inquest into his death was halted by the coroner at Kendal County Hall .
Emerged his iPhone still worked despite apparently being in water with him .
Police also said a mysterious man spotted on CCTV has failed to come forward . |
59,561 | a926de7bbafaccd1f3bf127cab0962016e63a33d | (CNN) -- It was a case of rock 'n' roll romance as Journey guitarist Neal Schon proposed to one-time White House party crasher and reality TV star Michaele Salahi on stage Sunday night in Baltimore, her manager said. Salahi accepted the proposal with "Open Arms," according to Gina Rodriguez. Their relationship began under a cloud in September 2011 when the "Real Housewives of D.C." star was reported missing by her then-husband of nearly eight years Tareq Salahi. "It is our belief ... Michaele Salahi may have been kidnapped or abducted and is being held under duress and forced to tell persons, including authorities, she is OK," Rodriguez, who managed Tareq Salahi at the time, said. But instead, the reality show personality had traveled to Memphis, where Journey was performing, to be with Schon, a representative with Scoop Marketing, Schon's management company, told CNN. She told a sheriff's deputy that she was "with a good friend and was where she wanted to be," Warren County, Virginia, Sheriff Danny McEathron said in a statement. A short time later, Tareq Salahi filed for divorce. The Salahis first gained notoriety when they were photographed with President Barack Obama at a White House state dinner, to which they were not invited, in November 2009. The "Real Housewives of D.C." TV series was canceled by Bravo in 2011. Schon is a founding member of Journey, which formed in San Francisco in 1973 after he left Santana. Over its nearly 40-year history, the band has sold 47 million albums, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. CNN's Douglas Hyde contributed to this report. | Then-husband Tareq Salahi reported Michaele missing last year .
She ran off with Journey guitarist Neal Schon .
The Salahis first gained notoriety as White House party crashers .
The "Real Housewives of D.C." TV series was canceled by Bravo in 2011 . |
69,262 | c468f4eef633f06aebf25d2d40e639a6cc8f7034 | When new mother Lou Burns arrived at Claridge’s for afternoon tea, she knew the waiters would be on hand to make sure she had everything she could wish for. What she didn’t want, however, was this giant napkin to cover her up as she breastfed her 12-week-old daughter Isadora. Staff at the five-star hotel in Mayfair told Mrs Burns, 35, to use the napkin to avoid ‘causing offence’ to other guests. And although she is smiling in this picture she posted on Twitter, the mother of three said she felt humiliated and burst into tears afterwards. Upset: Lou Burns, 35, was breastfeeding her 12-week-old baby (left) at the luxury Claridge's hotel in Mayfair when waiters told her to cover up with a large napkin (right) to avoid 'causing offence' to fellow guests . Outrage: Prestigious hotel Claridge's has been criticised after staff ordered Ms Burns, 35, to cover herself up . ‘I was really shocked as I had never experienced this before,’ she told the Mail. ‘Through my tears I tried to explain that I was really quite cross. ‘I’m not on some crusade. I just think people shouldn’t be treated like that. It would be nice to have an apology and for them to change their policy to not make any other breast-feeding women feel like second-class citizens. 'Breastfeeding is natural and we’re told it’s best for the baby. It’s a bit silly to say that people would be offended by it.’ Mrs Burns, who is married to comedy actor Nick Burns, took her mother, sister and daughter Isadora to Claridge’s art deco Foyer for afternoon tea on Monday. She said: ‘It was an annual treat that we have at Christmas time. We’ve been there before and we’ve loved it. My mother had travelled all the way down from Birmingham. ‘We sat down and I started to feed her very discreetly, but within moments of us sitting down, the waiter came over. Embarrassed: Mrs Burns, who was dining with her mother, sister and 12-week old daughter Isadora, said she was left so embarrassed by the incident that she would never return to the five star hotel . ‘He had this big napkin in his hand and he said he was sorry but it was company policy for feeding mothers to cover themselves, and could I cover myself with this.’ Seeing that she was visibly upset by their actions, they called their manager – who again confirmed the policy. Mrs Burns said the baby was not comfortable with the napkin over its head and was not able to feed properly. Finally the management said she could continue without it as long as there were no complaints from anyone else. She said the hotel knocked some money off the bill and apologised for upsetting her. But she added: ‘I just told them I was so offended, and so humiliated. I’ve been here quite a few times and I thought it was somewhere you could sit down and breast feed and not be bothered. ‘You couldn’t see anything while I was feeding, because I had a vest underneath my jumper. No-one complained. Family: Mother-of-three Mrs Burns, is married to actor Nicholas Burns, who is known for his Nathan Barley character (right) and has also appeared on Benidorm and The Mighty Boosh . ‘Women are under so much pressure to breastfeed and it’s not easy. I’ve had two other children that I’ve struggled to breast feed and I think women should be more supported, especially when they are trying not to draw attention to themselves. ‘I told them I couldn’t see myself coming back.’ Posting pictures of the incident online, she wrote: ‘Asked to cover up with this ridiculous shroud while #breastfeeding so not to cause offence @ClaridgesHotel today. 'So much more obvious with it than without! Such a shame I can never go back.... @ClaridgesHotel #breastfeeding. ‘Staff were incredibly polite as you would hope. Think they felt bad....’ The comments were retweeted by her husband, 37, who appeared in Nathan Barley, The Mighty Boosh and the IT Crowd. Mrs Burns, who lives in Streatham, south London, and works in finance, has since been inundated with messages of support. One Twitter user wrote: ‘How can the sight of mother feeding her child do anything else than make people feel good! @ClaridgesHotel apologies needed,’ while Lucy Bunting added: ‘Under the 2010 discrimination act, asking a bf’ing mother to cover up is illegal and disgusting behaviour!!! ‘This is clearly their policy not just a rogue member of staff! Even more unacceptable!” On its website, the NHS says: ‘You shouldn’t ever be made to feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public. In fact, the Equality Act 2010 has made it illegal for anyone to ask a breastfeeding woman to leave a public place such as a cafe, shop or public transport. A Claridge's spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are saddened to see what is being discussed and we feel we need to clarify that breastfeeding is of course embraced at Claridge’s. 'All we ask is that mothers are discrete towards other guests.' The row comes after a cafe owner in Surrey was forced to apologise last month for putting a sign in its window telling mothers they should breastfeed in the toilets. Tillings Cafe came under fire after a customer posted a picture of the notice - which informs customers they can use the disabled toilet if they want to breastfeed their babies - on Twitter. But the family-owned coffee shop in Gomshall, Surrey was forced to remove the sign after the National Childbirth Trust, the UK's largest parenting charity, asked for it to be taken down. Owner June Radford said the sign had been a 'huge miscommunication'. She said: 'We have had many happy breastfeeding mums in our cafe in the three years we have been open and we continue to support breastfeeding. In October, Facebook was forced to reinstated a picture of a mother breastfeeding her severely premature baby for the first time after it was removed from the site because it ‘breached nudity rules’ Emma Bond, 24, posted the picture of herself with Carene, who was born 12 weeks early, but soon found it had been removed after it had been deemed 'offensive'. Meanwhile in September, breastfeeding mother Olivia Pozniak claimed she was forced to cover up with a dirty dishcloth while joining friends for breakfast at a Wetherspoon pub in Bexleyheath. In June 27-year-old Carrie Davies says she was left feeling 'embarrassed and ashamed' after staff at Global Buffet in Cardiff suggested she move while feeding her four-month-old son. And in May, Channel 4 journalist and film-maker Jenny Kleeman was ordered to stop breastfeeding her child by a security guard in a London café because customers were ‘not allowed’ to breastfeed at the table. Mothers who staged a mass breastfeeding protest at a Sports Direct store in Nottingham in support for Wioletta Komar, who claims she was asked to leave the premises for breastfeeding her son . According to the Equality Act of 2010, it is discriminatory to treat a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding. However, in September a breastfeeding mother claimed today that she was ordered to cover up with a dirty dishcloth while joining friends for a breakfast. Olivia Pozniak, a single 25-year-old, was feeding her 11-week-old son Louie at the Furze Wren pub owned by J D Wetherspoon in Bexleyheath, Kent, when she was told to cover up. Meanwhile in August Natasha Barnett, 29, from Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, was told by a lifeguard at Middleton Pool that she could not breastfeed her five-month-old daughter Olive because it was 'classed as eating and drinking'. In June, a mother was asked to sit in a corner by a waitress while breastfeeding her son - to keep her away from schoolchildren eating in the same restaurant. Carrie Davies, 27, was left feeling 'embarrassed and ashamed' after staff at Global Buffet in Cardiff suggested she move while feeding her four-month-old son Trystan. Ms Davies, who was lunching with a friend, was offered a spot by the restaurant's toilets, which bosses at the restaurant say was more 'convenient' for her in light of a large school party who had started eating there. It comes after around 70 women descended on Sports Direct in Nottingham city centre in April to show support for 25-year-old Wioletta Komar, who claimed she was kicked out of the premises earlier this year for breastfeeding her three-month-old son. She claims a member of staff suddenly marched over and told her that breastfeeding mothers were not welcome because of 'company policy'. The sales assistant then told her that the store had no facilities for her and suggested she should go to McDonald's which had a baby and mother room. | Lou Burns, 35, asked to cover up while feeding daughter Isadora .
She was told to use napkin so 'not to cause offence' at Mayfair hotel .
Mrs Burns was left so embarrassed that she says she will never go back .
Claridge's says breastfeeding 'embrace' but mothers asked to be discreet . |
162,555 | 5e2bb7e597f537c329d3e09c44b73c4ed0df269c | Las Vegas police have released a shocking surveillance video showing the final moments of Jerad and Amanda Miller as they made their last stand in a Walmart after slaughtering two police officers and a civilian. The video appears to show the couple pointing pistols at each other before Amanda fires a shot at her husband. Jerad Miller collapses and dies, then Amanda turns the handgun on herself. Despite appearances in the video, Las Vegas police said Wednesday that it was actually police officers who killed Jerad. Police say an autopsy has revealed Jerad, 31, was killed by a .223-caliber rifle round - not a handgun - moments before Amanda, 22, shot her husband. Three officers fired their weapons at him after following the couple into the store. Scroll down for video . Shocking: This video shows Amanda Miller (bottom) pointing a pistol at her husband Jerad (top) as he points his weapon at her - moments before he was shot and killed. Police now say SWAT officers fired the fatal bullets . Authorities also revealed that they had contact with Jerad and Amanda Miller three times since they moved to Las Vegas earlier this year - including once just days before their rampage. Assistant Sheriff Kevin McMahill said officers had no reason to believe Jerad was planning a mass shooting in any of the instances. He appeared calm and did not espouse the white supremacist and anti-government views for which he has since become infamous, the Las Vegas Journal-Review reports. The Millers slaughtered two Las Vegas police officers, Alyn Beck, 41, and Igor Soldo, 31, as they ate lunch Sunday afternoon - shooting both a close range. They then ran into a nearby Walmart, where Jerad fired a shot into the ceiling and declared 'this is the revolution' and demanded everyone leave. Joseph Robert Wilcox, 31, a shopper who was carrying a concealed weapon, tried to sneak up on Jerad. However, as he did, he passed by Amanda, not realizing the two were together. Amanda shot Wilcox at close range, killing him. Jerad Miller (top) appears to have died after being shot either by his wife Amanda or by police officers in this image from Walmart surveillance video . Police footage recently released shows the Millers taking cover in the Walmart where their last stand took place. Bradbury claims that he was affiliated with the same group as Jerad and Amanda Miller, the '765 Anarchists' The couple then fled to a back corner of the store, where they prepared to make their last stand as officers armed with assault rifles closed in. The Walmart surveillance video shows both laying on the ground, pointing handguns at each other. Amanda appears to fire her weapon at her husband, a moment later he goes limp. The 22-year-old Indiana woman then turns the gun on herself. The video cuts out a moment before she fires the pistol into her own head. Police originally reported that Amanda had killed her husband, however, autopsy results and further investigation revealed it was police officers who fired the fatal shot. All three officers who shot at Jerad Miller are on paid leave, as per the department policy on firing a weapon on duty. The Millers frequently dressed as comic book villains from Batman. Jerad especially loved the anarchist Joker . Police also revealed that they had interactions with the Millers on three occasions. In February, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles called Las Vegas police and asked them to investigate threats Jerad Miller had made against the office. When reached at his apartment, Miller claim he never threatened anyone and said his comment was that 'that's how people get shot.' 'The interaction was normal; there were no anti-government or anti-police” statements. They did not feel through the interview that the suspects were a potential threat,' McMahill said at a press conference Thursday. Police also visited in April and took a witness statement from the Millers in relation to a domestic violence report filed by their neighbors. Finally, on May 31, the Millers gave a witness statement for a sexual assault that occurred in their apartment complex. Jerad Miller, in particular, was an avowed neo-Nazi who frequently spouted conspiracy theories about the world. After he and his wife murdered the officers, he draped their bodies with a Gadsden flag, the yellow symbol of the Tea Party, and a swastika. | WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT .
Video shows Jerad and Amanda Miller pointing handguns at each other as they hide for cover in a Walmart after killing three people .
Amanda appears to shoot her husband before turning the gun on herself .
Authorities say Jerad died from a .223 rifle round fired by a Las Vegas officer as police closed in .
Officers had contact with the Millers three times in the last five months - including just days before the rampage . |
163,787 | 5fd21088d5075ed868339a3e4ec6fbc123f96323 | Scam: Jamie Winter outside Hull Crown Court, where she pleaded guilty to five charges of fraud after administering botox when lying about her qualifications . A beautician was sentenced to 150 hours’ community work yesterday for lying to Botox clients that she qualified at Harley Street. Customers thought they were getting a bargain price at £90 a session but in reality Jamie Winter was using cheap Botox that she had bought on the internet. To reassure some she showed them a certificate which they believed proved her credentials. Hull Crown Court heard the cosmetic fillers industry is still unregulated and Winter was not breaking the law by giving the injections – her offence was fraud for misleading her clients that she was qualified to do so. She was exposed when one woman, who complained of a bad reaction, went to police. An assault charge relating to this client was dropped as it could not be proved the Botox caused her swelling. Winter, 35, pleaded guilty to five fraud offences relating to treating ten women and two men in the Scarborough area over 18 months, for which she was paid £1,000 in total. Judge Simon Jack said she would have faced prison had she caused her clients damage. Assault charges, relating to the woman who suffered swelling around her eyes after injections, were dropped because the Crown ‘couldn’t prove’ the reaction was caused by the Botox treatment. Outside court she said she got the Botox through a supplier in the US and had done some training ‘online’. ‘It’s not a regulated industry,’ she said. ‘I would never have done the treatment if it was illegal.’ She said she is currently working as a beautician doing eyebrow treatments. Judge Simon Jack told her she would have been facing prison had her work caused damage to her clients, who she visited at their homes in the Scarborough area. He said the potential consequences of her actions were ‘serious’. He added: ‘Having Botox injected into you is something most people would want done by a qualified and experienced practitioner.’ The charges she admitted to involved payments for the anti-wrinkle treatments totalling around £1,000. Her clients ran up bills ranging from £180 to £360 and word spread around the locality about the cut-price service she was offering. Guilty: Judge Simon Jack, sitting at Hull Crown Court, pictured, told Winter that she would have been facing a prison sentence had her work caused damage to her clients . Richard Thompson, defending, told the court the case involved an industry that was ‘not regulated at all’. He said Winter gained experience by carrying out treatments on herself and then on friends. ‘She provided a service at a lower price than one would ordinarily expect to pay but people were not told the truth about her experience,’ he added. Publicity surrounding the case forced her to move away from Scarborough, the court heard. Previously just a celebrity luxury, there has been a surge in the rise in popularity of Botox, with the most recently available statistics showing there were 370,000 Botox injections administered in 2010. But this has also led to a rise in patients suffering from disfiguring side effects. Earlier this year, the EU published a draft guideline advising that injections should be carried out by doctors, dentists and prescribing nurses in designated treatment rooms in a bid to cut down on cowboy practices. | Jamie Winter, 35, bought Botox online and charged £90 a session .
Clients shown a certificate to convince them her credentials were not bogus .
Winter broke law for lying about qualifications, not for giving injections .
Pleaded guilty to 5 fraud offences and sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work . |
104,840 | 13436100c3fc88732da9f42ca46265d2f39da330 | Los Angeles (CNN) -- The Miss Universe organization announced Tuesday it is ending its ban on transgender contestants after coming under scrutiny recently when a Canadian competitor was told she would be disqualified because she was born male. Miss Universe officials insist the change is in spite of, not because of, legal threats from women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred made on behalf of contestant Jenna Talackova. "We made the decision two days before we even heard that (Allred) was involved," pageant owner Donald Trump told CNN Monday. "Had I known she was involved, maybe I wouldn't have made that decision because she's easy to beat." Allred launched a blistering attack on Trump at a news conference a week ago, saying his pageant had no right to question Talackova's sexuality. "She did not ask Mr. Trump to prove that he is a naturally born man or to see photos of his birth to view his anatomy to prove that he was male," Allred said. In a Twitter posting Monday, Trump called Allred a "third rate lawyer" who "actually hurts Jenna." "Is Gloria a man or a woman????---- few men would know the answer to that one," Trump tweeted in a personal retort to Allred. Allred did not immediately respond to CNN's request for a response to Trump's attack. The Miss Universe Pageant announced last week that Talackova, 23, could compete provided "she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions." Allred had criticized that announcement, saying the conditions were "ambigious." Trump later said Talackova could compete without conditions, but stopped short of a permanent rule change. Miss Universe President Paula Shugart, in a statement released Tuesday, said the credit for lifting the ban should go to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), not Allred. "The decision to include transgender women in our beauty competitions is a result of our ongoing discussions with GLAAD and not Jenna's legal representation, which if anything delayed the process," Shugart said. "We have a long history of supporting equality for all women, and this was something we took very seriously." Shugart joined GLAAD in a joint announcement Tuesday that the Miss Universe Organization "is close to finalizing an official policy change that will allow women who are transgender to participate in its beauty competitions." Discussions between the pageant and GLAAD began last month after news reports that Talackova had been disqualified from the Miss Canada Universe competition after winning a regional title, the joint statement said. The resulting change opens this fall's 2013 pageant season to transgender women, it said. "For more than two weeks, the Miss Universe Organization and Mr. Trump made it clear to GLAAD that they were open to making a policy change to include women who are transgender," said GLAAD spokesman Herndon Graddick. "We appreciate that (Trump) and his team responded swiftly and appropriately," Graddick said. Talackova, a 6-foot-1-inch blond Canadian, underwent sexual reassignment surgery four years ago. In a 2010 interview, she said she knew she was a girl at age 4. She said she started hormone therapy at age 14 and underwent sexual reassignment surgery at 19. She won a regional beauty crown qualifying her for Canada's national title, but she was then told the Miss Canada Universe pageant in Toronto on May 19 was only open to "naturally born females." "I am a woman," Talackova said in a prepared statement she read to reporters in Allred's conference room last week. "I was devastated and I felt that excluding me for the reason that they gave was unjust." | The pageant group says the decision came before Gloria Allred made legal threats .
Allred attacked the pageant for disqualifying Jenna Talackova because she was born a man .
The change opens the 2013 pageant season to transgender women . |
37,048 | 690830d138c58c9b760ba59da6047a0ddc937d27 | By . James King . A three-story, professionally built treehouse is impressive even without a cool backstory. But the story of how one came to be at a summer camp in Wisconsin is as heartwarming as it is impressive. Camp Wandawega is about two hours outside of Chicago and was the childhood getaway of David Hernandez. In 2004, Hernandez and wife Tereasa Surratt bought the property, which previously Latvian Church Camp. Fancy: Tereasa Surratt turned a sick tree into a touching memorial to hear father . Touching: Surratt's father hung a rope swing on an elm tree on the camp his daughter bought to christen the previously Christian summer camp . Surratt's father died shortly after she bought the camp - then the tree where he'd hung the swing fell ill . When the couple bought the property, Surratt's father was ill, but he christened his daughter's new camp by installing a rope swing on a giant Elm tree in the middle of the camp. Sadly, Surratt's father died 18 months later. Then the young couple got some more bad news. 'Almost immediately after, we found out the tree had Dutch elm disease,' Surratt tells Chicagomag.com. 'I was devastated. I couldn’t cut that tree down.' Luckily, the trunk of the tree was still strong even as the branches began dying. In an effort to keep the tree - and preserve the memory of Surratt's father - they decided to someday build a treehouse around the remaining trunk. The couple went about cleaning up the rest of the camp, and put the treehouse plan on the back-burner for a while. Not your average tree house: To preserve the tree - and the swing - Surratt decided to turn build a tree house . One day, Surratt and friend Angela Finney-Hoffman were talking about the camp and talked about turning it into an art camp for adults. They also talked about building the treehouse - and decided it was time to make it happen. Surratt recruited Shaun Owens-Agase and Tyler Peterson to help build it. 'Of course they chose a big healthy tree with a gorgeous green canopy,' Surratt told the magazine.. Surratt, however, had other plans, and when she told the designers the story of her father's elm, they agreed that was the tree for the treehouse. The designers wanted to go a bit bigger than Surratt initially had planned, but that was fine with her. 'Everyone had a radically different idea, and everyone was thinking 100 . times bigger and more elaborate than I was,' she says. 'I was . imagining a little kid’s house. The things they were coming up with were . like castles in the sky.' Go big or go home: Designers Shaun Owens-Agase and Tyler Peterson had big plans for the treehouse . The impressive abode is three stories high and includes a wood-burning stove and an upstairs bedroom - and, of course, a swing . The design they went with was a three-level cottage that has more bells and whistles than your average treehouse. Of course, Surratt's father's swing remained on the tree - and she is grateful for the help she received. 'It’s rare to find folks so selfless that they would literally build you a cabin in the sky and ask for nothing in return,' she says. 'And these folks aren’t your average builders, but amazing, visionary designers. It’s humbling beyond words.' | Tereasa Surratt and her husband bought Camp Wandawega in 2004 .
Surratt's father hung a swing on a large elm tree to christen the camp .
He died shortly after hanging the swing .
Shortly after, the elm got sick but, luckily, the trunk was strong enough to survive .
To commemorate her father, Surratt turned the elm into an incredible treehouse . |
281,856 | f91bb51cb2930b5d42704a80c8c664d8ee491a1b | (CNN)After two weeks of failed negotiations, Houthi rebels announced Friday that they will chart Yemen's political future, setting up groups to replace the volatile Arab nation's parliament and form a presidential council. This all follows last month's resignations of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi and other officials after Houthis moved into the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The chaos in Yemen has far-reaching implications for the United States and its allies, which had considered Yemen's previous government a key ally in its fight against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The United Nations-sponsored talks aimed to find a resolution to the satisfaction of all parties, including the Houthis, who are Shiite Muslims who have long felt marginalized in the majority Sunni country. But Friday's news suggests no such accord. Instead, the Houthis -- politically recognized as Ansarullah -- announced that the country's top supervising authority will become the Houthi Revolutionary Committee. That committee will be charged with setting up a 551-member National Transition Council in place of Yemen's parliament. That body, according to the announcement, will then choose members of a five-person Presidential Council, which will lead the country during a two-year transition. There was no immediate response to the announcement from other Yemeni factions or from officials outside the country. CNN's Greg Botelho contributed to this report. | Yemen's President, Prime Minister resigned as Houthi rebels advanced .
U.N.-sponsored talks didn't lead to a resolution agreed to by all parties .
The Houthi Revolutionary Committee will be in charge, with a new parliament coming . |
178,562 | 73286ecb38dcdc3bcf8c664d4816e9a774c44b57 | David Cameron has written to the parents of a 10-year-old girl who died from a brain tumour and shared his own pain at losing a child. Paula and David Holmes, of Penwortham, Lancashire, wrote letters to the Prime Minister and Health Secretary following the death of their daughter Katy, urging the Government to put more money into researching the cause of brain tumours. Today, Mrs Holmes spoke of her delight after not only receiving a letter from the Prime Minister but also a handwritten response in which he talked about the pain of losing his son Ivan, who had severe epilepsy and cerebral palsy and died in 2009 aged six. Shared pain: David and Paula Holmes, from Lancashire, hold the letter from David Cameron, in which he spoke of losing his son Ivan . Loss: Katy, centre, with baby Scarlet and sister Charley, 8, and from left, mother Paula, brother Craig, 19, brother Lee, 24, father David and sister Kelly, 27. She died in January after being diagnosed in October . Mr Cameron wrote: 'I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I miss my Ive every day, but at least I do sometimes now feel happy and not sad when I think of him. The point that you make about causes and medicines is a really powerful one. I will check myself that the research programmes are properly directed.' He adds: 'I know from my own experiences of losing a child how devastating it is and that the pain never truly goes away.' In their letter, the couple urged Mr Cameron to consider their arguments for greater research with his 'Dad head' rather than as PM. The Prime Minister signs off his letter: 'With love and best wishes David Cameron (with my Dad head firmly on!)' Sympathy: David and Samantha Cameron with their son Ivan in 2008 (left) and the day after his death in 2009 . Mrs Holmes, a mother of five, said: 'We are over the moon at getting this reply from David Cameron. We asked him to show us that he cared and by handwriting this letter, he has done exactly that.' Katy died in January at Derian House Children's Hospice, Chorley, after she was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour in October. She had been a healthy and happy child up until a few weeks before her diagnosis, when Mrs Holmes grew worried after her daughter stopped smiling and started complaining of headaches and blurred vision. At the time Mrs Holmes was pregnant with a baby girl, and as the aggressive cancer took hold she began to worry Katy would die before she had a chance to meet her new sister Scarlet. She took the decision to have Scarlet induced three weeks early and, despite the tumour's rapid development, Katy held on long enough to hold her newborn sibling in her arms. | PM's handwritten letter to Paula and David Holmes after they contacted him over loss of daughter Katy, 10 .
They urged Government to put more money into brain tumour research .
Ivan Cameron, who suffered from cerebral palsey, died in 2009 aged just six . |
54,753 | 9b18224a3eb57ed5e316da2014ecc47c0ed09b54 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:48 EST, 7 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:09 EST, 8 October 2013 . We all look forward to a few extra little luxuries at Christmas. But this year, your favourite festive treats could hit your wallet as hard as your waistline, with the cost of chocolate set to soar by up to a third. Crippling rises in the price of cocoa butter could add 21p to the cost of every 100g of milk chocolate by December, experts said. Totting up: Rising prices of cocoa butter will push up your average 100g sweet bite by 21p this December . It would affect everything from truffles to advent calendars and chocolate coins. The cost of producing chocolate has gone up by 33 per cent in the last year thanks to a 70 per cent rise in the price of cocoa butter, a 50 per cent rise in milk powder prices and a 15 per cent increase in whey powder costs. Cocoa powder and sugar have fallen in price, but they account for a much smaller proportion of production costs, according to the report for trade journal The Grocer. So far, chocolate makers have sheltered consumers from some of the costs. There has been a small 7.5 per cent rise in the price of a Cadbury’s Dairy Milk bar, while a box of Quality Street costs 14.3 per cent more. It could have an impact on all chocolatey treats - from brownies to truffles; advent calendars to coins . But with peak season approaching, there may be price hikes to come ahead of the Christmas rush. Cocoa butter makes up around a quarter of the production cost of milk chocolate, said analysts Mintec. Prices are currently at a four-year high of £4,000 a tonne, a 70 per cent increase on this time last year. Bad weather has hit the key growing region of Ivory Coast, leading to a lower supply and a poor forecast for the 2013/14 crop, while demand is unusually high. Mintec analyst Liliana Gonzalez said: ‘Rising cocoa butter prices and inflation on other key ingredients have taken their toll on chocolate manufacturers.’ Upmarket maker Thorntons has put prices up by an average 11.5 per cent in the last 12 months, said The Grocer. But in contrast, the price of a box of Celebrations is currently the same as this time last year, while a box of Roses costs only 1.3 per cent more. | Rising cost of cocoa butter will push every 100g of milk chocolate up 21p .
Other crucial ingredients such as milk powder are also more expensive .
Bad weather has hit key growing region of Ivory Coast, experts explain . |
154,793 | 5408b488c8e8f563885455e1487d5a0e4784125d | By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 07:57 EST, 10 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:25 EST, 10 June 2013 . If you're a Bond villain - or just super-rich - you could be in the market for one of these. Here is a yacht that will give any owner that sinking feeling - because it is also a submarine. Austrian-based yacht design studio Motion Code: Blue developed it as a design study of a six deck, 115 metre long private white yacht, called Migaloo and named after an albino whale. The studio came up with an extraordinary design concept to satisfy the ever raising demands from super-rich yacht owners who want to stand out from the crowd. The yacht that's also a submarine: The Austrian-based yacht design studio Motion Code: Blue developed it . The studio came up with an extraordinary design concept to satisfy the ever raising demands from super rich yacht owners who want to stand out from the crowd . The hull of the 11 metre wide Migaloo is identical to current submarines. Only the tower is custom designed, which means it is longer and wider to host a light flooded main room followed by a wide staircase including a centered , round elevator shaft. The enormous aft deck allows for lounge areas, sun beds, a bar, an 8 metre by 3 metre pool as well as a helicopter pad. When Migaloo is submerged, all furniture is put away in large storage areas underneath the granite decking while the pool's bottom raises up to the main deck level. The foredeck is fully dedicated to the owners' privacy, hosting a full-beam private lounge. More lounge areas, a private bar and access to the two-level-owners' suite are directly underneath the foredeck. A telescopically extendible roof provides shade and follows perfectly the contour lines of the hull when closed. The hull of the 11 meter wide Migaloo is identical to current submarines . The company says it's very likely to travel amongst school of whales heading into the deep while having a cup of tea and a good chat in the main saloon . The hull and tower are equipped with large windows of special pressure-proof glass to offer a breathtaking view especially when Migaloo is submerged . A spacious sun lounge on top of the tower completes the common amenities onboard a super yacht. The lounges are accessible via two wide stairways from the main deck or from all interior deck levels via the lift. The telescopically extendible roof provides shade and will also be closed when the owner prefer to dive with the yacht. For the crew, the design studio has planned an outdoor helm station on the forward top of the tower when the vessel travels above the water line. Otherwise the spacious bridge and all necessary technical rooms hosting the equipment to control the submarine are right underneath the tower in the hull. The hull's design and dimensions are inspired by existing submarines. They are aid to offer extra ordinary space for the owner and his guests, which are accommodated in eight VIP-suites on sub-decks two and three. The design studio has planned an outdoor helm station on the forward top of the tower when the vessel travels above the water line . The spacious bridge and all necessary technical rooms hosting the equipment to control the submarine are right underneath the tower in the hull . The owner has his or hers private-full-beam-quarters over two decks on sub-deck one and sub-deck two. Other luxury appointments include a cinema room, a library, a gym and a gaming room. Four wide side hatches two on each side, can be transformed into enormous beach terraces. A spacious dining area next to the saloon on sub-deck one and the adjoining beach terrace give luxurious access to the water. Lounges and a Jacuzzi enhance this area while a comfortable ladder connects the beach club with the main deck above for easy access to the water on these two decks. Removable sun sails on each deck guarantee pleasant sun protection. All tenders and toys can be stored in the beach club or on the deck below, so the transport of a wide range of additional vehicles is possible. Sub-deck four is entirely reserved for the crew quarters including crew mess, laundry and crew gym while the main galley is positioned on sub deck two underneath the dining room. The hull and tower are equipped with large windows of special pressure-proof glass to offer a breathtaking view especially when Migaloo is submerged. All windows are surrounded with underwater lights to provide stunning views when the yacht goes deeper. Communication and especially navigation is provided by common and well tested technologies and the hull is designed to reach a maximum depth of 240 metres. The company says it's very likely to travel amongst school of whales heading into the deep while having a cup of tea and a good chat in the main saloon. A spokesman for Motion Code:Blue said: 'Migallo was the result of intense research and the firm's excellent knowledge of the current yacht market. 'An increasing number of clients have exactly such special demands on the design as main points in their briefing for their designers, so the studio's intention was to offer a stunning design concept especially for people who are willing to expand the borders of imagination.' Managing directors Christopher Gloning and Christian Gumpold had the original idea which was, to transform the well known and tested shape of current submarine designs into a private yacht. They wanted it to offer state-of-the-art luxury experience of same sized super yachts while having the huge benefit to submerge the whole vessel to travel and/or stay secretly and in total privacy underneath the waterline without any external disorders. The studio has recently completed several projects featuring both production yachts and super yachts currently under construction and has worked for yachts in Asia, Europe and the USA. | The vessel has been named Migaloo after an albino whale .
Designers came up with concept to satisfy demand from super-rich . |
197,870 | 8c1ecac1334754fa8df1c3deac6dc3cef437b1cd | By . Lucy Crossley for MailOnline . An enormous 18th century map of London which charts the rebirth of the city after it was rebuilt in the wake of the 1666 Great Fire has emerged for sale. The 13ft-wide map, which took almost a decade to complete, gives a fascinating insight into London on the cusp of its transformation into the greatest city in the world. It reveals how the city was tiny in comparison to the modern day equivalent, with the map revealing Buckingham Palace as a country estate surrounded by open fields while Hyde Park was on the very outskirts of the city. Fascinating: This huge 18th century map of London which charts the rebirth of the city after it was rebuilt in the wake of the 1666 Great Fire has emerged for sale . Historic: The fascinating map was created by 18th century cartographer John Rocque, and at the time was the most detailed map of London ever made, as well as being the first large-scale map of the city to be made after it was devastated by the fire . It also shows Tyburn, where Marble Arch now stands, the site of public executions in the city for 600 years, and details the Old Palace of Westminster, a medieval complex destroyed by fire in 1834. Unlike today, just two bridges are seen to span the Thames - Old London Bridge and Westminster Bridge. The fascinating map was created by 18th century cartographer John Rocque, and at the time was the most detailed map of London ever made, as well as being the first large-scale map of the city to be made after it was devastated by fire in 1666. Rocque, a Huguenot who had moved to England from France with his parents in 1709, began the painstaking project in 1737 and did not finish it until 1746. River crossings: The map shows how during the Georgian era there were just two bridges across the Thames - Westminster Bridge (left) and Old London Bridge (right) Multiplied: A look at a map from today shows how the two bridges have been joined by a further nine, making it easier for Londoners to cross the river . In detail: Westminster Bridge crosses to the old Palace of Westminster (left), destroyed by fire in 1834 and replaced by the Houses of Parliament we know today (right) It was created to a scale of one mile to 26 inches and made using a ground-level survey with the help of a compass and a chain, before the details were engraved onto 24 separate copper plates which were then coated in ink and pressed onto paper. The 6.5ft tall map provides a snapshot into what London looked like in the Georgian era and is now considered among the most important British maps ever made. 'You really have to stand in front of it to understand the scale of it - it is huge,' said Christie's map expert James Hyslop. 'It's basically the first large-scale map of London made after the Great Fire. Historically it's a really interesting snapshot of how Georgian London looked. The way things were: Buckingham Palace is shown on the map as a country estate surrounded by open fields . Official residence: Other buildings have crept closer to the home of the British monarchy, but the green spaces of Green Park and St James's Park remain . 'It is a wonderful document to study - Oxford Street has open fields to the north of it and there are dozens of boats on the Thames. It's amazing to see how far we have come in just a few hundred years. 'The scale is 26 inches to a mile so the level of detail is incredible. 'John Rocque was a Huguenot who came to London in the early 17th century and was a bit of a jack of all trades when it came to maps - he was a surveyor, publisher and engraver. 'This map was quite an expensive undertaking and took nine years to complete. It was far too big to print in one go and so it was made on 24 separately engraved plates.' Just a few hundred copies of the map were printed and only a handful are known to exist today. How things change: Covent Garden Market, as it appears on the 18th century map. The market had existed at the site since 1654 . Sprawling: The former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, which was reopened as a shopping complex in 1980 after the market's relocation in 1974, is now a popular shopping and tourist site . The map, titled 'A plan of the cities of London and Westminster and borough of Southwark' is tipped to be sold for £40,000 when it goes under the hammer at auction house Christie's after it was put up for sale by a private collector. Mr Hyslop said: 'This is one of the original editions of the print which would have been limited to the low hundreds. The survival rates are very low and there are a handful in institutions. 'When it was first printed it would have been in a gentleman's library and at some point over the years it has found its way to a private collector. Changes: Newly built Grosvenor Square is shown on the western edge of the city, before the open fields and market gardens of Hyde Park, here called Hide Park (left). The fields around the square have long since been replaced with homes and businesses, and the square is now the centre of the exclusive Mayfair district . Infamous: The site of the gallows at Tyburn, where public executions were held for 600 years (left), is now home to Marble Arch (right). The structure was originally built to stand at the entrance to Buckingham Palace, and was completed in 1833, but it was moved to its current location in 1851 . 'It has passed through the hands of many people but it is likely that it has always remained in London. 'The sheer size of this map combined with its incredible condition is what makes it so valuable. It really is impressive. 'This is one for someone who loves London and has a wall big enough to mount the map on. 'Anyone who sees this map is amazed by it. It is a beautiful work of art and a wonderful piece of history that tells the story of London almost 300 years ago.' Dedication: A scroll on the map thanking the Mayor and Aldermen of the city for their help with John Rocque's epic cartographic undertaking . | Huge map of London is expected to be sold for £40,000 when it is sold at London auction house Christie's .
It took ten years to finish, and shows how the Georgian version of city was far smaller than the modern day equivalent .
Work, which measures 13ft by 6.5ft, was the first large-scale map created after the city was destroyed by fire in 1666 .
It shows Tyburn, where public executions were held, and the Old Palace of Westminster, which burned down in 1834 .
Map also reveals how just two bridges, Old London Bridge and Westminster Bridge spanned the Thames . |
280,947 | f7f2270fcec5881f0cd22225646b505677c40c16 | (CNN) -- The remake of the movie "Sparkle" seemed tailor-made for Whitney Houston. After years largely in the shadows, the 48-year-old singer took on a part that seemed to have parallels to real life. The story, a remake of the 1976 film of the same name, is loosely based on The Supremes, and follows three sisters who have to face the difficulties that come along with fame as their singing careers take off. The movie currently is in post-production for release late this summer. "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks portrays the title character, Sparkle, one of three sisters, and Houston plays their mother. "When she (Houston) walked out there and began to perform, we were all just stunned at how well she did, not only with the singing but also with the acting as well," Bishop T.D. Jakes, who produced the movie, told CNN's Soledad O'Brien on Thursday. Jakes -- who will attend Houston's funeral on Saturday, a week after she was found dead at a Beverly Hills, California, hotel -- recalled being drawn to the script. "I saw the original 'Sparkle' and loved it," he said. "It spoke to hope and the resilience of the human spirit in the midst of the decadence of life." He told CNN of the "synergy" between Houston and Sparks on and off the set, with Houston serving as a mentor. In the movie, Houston, who had a daughter of her own, plays a mother who had reached the apex of her career and had settled down to singing in her church, Jakes said. Sparkle is in the choir, poised to make her own move toward the big time. "There is some interesting parallels between the script and the lives of the two women," Jakes said. Houston, who helped produced the film, chose to sing "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," leaving everyone on the set teary-eyed, the pastor said. "Sparkle" is scheduled to hit the big screen on August 17, according to Sony Pictures Entertainment. Industry observers are waiting to see how "Sparkle" fares, perhaps in comparison to "This Is It," the documentary film that showed Michael Jackson preparing for a series of London concerts. The film was released after Jackson died in June 2009. According to the website Box Office Mojo, the 2009 release of "This Is It" performed well at the box office for its genre. It ranked as the fourth highest-grossing Halloween debut on record, and grossed $34.4 million in five and a half days, according to the website. With "Sparkle," Houston posthumously will showcase the talent that made her loved by millions since the 1980s. Her last film was 1996's "The Preacher's Wife." To Jakes and others, the movie was going to help relaunch Houston's career. "We did not know that we would be left with the (film)," Jakes said. "I think it's a responsibility to hold in our hands her last cinematic production." CNN's JD Cargill and Nischelle Turner contributed to this report. | Whitney Houston took her first movie role in 15 years .
The remake of "Sparkle" will be released later this summer .
Producer T.D. Jakes said crew was "stunned" by her performance .
Jakes is attending Houston's funeral in New Jersey on Saturday . |
11,869 | 21ad223f9bd9a9a98300684d260dd35b3b03404d | Britain's economic recovery has put David Cameron on course to remain Prime Minister after the General Election, investment bank Goldman Sachs has told clients. In a note to investors, Goldman analyst Kevin Daly said strong economic growth and an improvement in household incomes would help the Tory cause. But he cautioned that the political situation in the UK was unpredictable, with no party looking like securing an overall majority. Keeping the crown: Goldman Sachs predicts that David Cameron, pictured at the first Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, will win the election thanks to strong economic growth and an improvement in household incomes . ‘It is not an exaggeration to say that the outcome to this election is more uncertain than any in a hundred years,’ he said. ‘The likelihood of any party gaining an overall majority appears low, but we think the Conservative Party is marginally more likely than Labour to win the most seats and lead the next government.’ Mr Daly said the ‘unusually wide gap between the Conservatives and Labour in terms of perceived economic competence’ echoed the situation in 1992, when the Tories defied the polls to claim victory. He went on: ‘Our economic forecasts – relatively strong growth, with a significant improvement in household disposable income – provide a backdrop that is likely to be favourable for the incumbent parties.’ Unsure: Goldman Sachs' analyst told clients that the outcome to the 2015 General Election is 'more uncertain than any in a hundred years' The investment bank prides itself on the accuracy of its predictions, but Tory strategists are taking no chances and are said to be making contingency plans to fight a second general election this year. Danny Alexander, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, will be confirmed tomorrow as the Lib Dems’ main economics spokesman in a major snub to Business Secretary Vince Cable, who filled the role during the last election campaign. Senior figures warn that another coalition with the Liberal Democrats could be torpedoed by backbench MPs and, with polls pointing to a hung parliament, party sources say a unit has secretly begun work on a second election campaign for a vote that could take place within months of the one in May. Even some senior ministers are known to be privately of the view that Mr Cameron should attempt to run a minority government, with a quick second general election, if the Conservatives again miss a majority but end up as the largest party. | Goldman Sachs predicts a Conservative win in 2015 General Election .
Analysts said recent economic growth will help Cameron remain PM .
But added 2015 election is 'more uncertain than any in a hundred years' |
91,570 | 01cd32567ec6bf1ac73bf3eab13f337c396a887f | (CNN) -- There are few criminal events as stunning and frightening as a mass shooting. The suddenness, randomness and unpredictability of episodes like Friday's early morning massacre at an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater cause us all to wonder whether any place is safe. In our search for some pattern or commonality to these tragedies that might help us make sense of what appears so senseless, we invariably seek answers to such questions as: "What would inspire someone to commit such a dreadful act, one that was clearly planned in terms of time and place?" and "Are there measures that would reduce the likelihood of such events or at least reduce the carnage associated with them when they do occur?" News: Gunman kills 12 in Colorado movie theater . Because the shooting suspect was alive at the scene -- many mass killers commit suicide -- we might learn a lot more than usual about a motive for mass murder. Of course, that will do little to help us prevent future events. (The number of mass murders in the U.S. has remained fairly steady, averaging about two dozen cases a year since the mid-1970s.) Even though there is a general profile that typifies these perpetrators, their exact identities become crystal clear only in the aftermath. If one thing is predictable about mass shootings, however, is that they will spark arguments from gun control advocates and gun rights groups alike. Both sides of the gun issue will probably view this tragedy as one more example of why more or less gun control is the answer ... and both sides will be wrong. Tighter restrictions on gun purchasing -- for example, eliminating multiple gun sales and closing the gun-show loophole -- may help reduce America's gun violence problem generally, but mass murder is unlike most other forms of violent conflict. News: Shooting turns theater into surreal horror -- 'This is real' Mass killers are determined, deliberate and dead-set on murder. They plan methodically to execute their victims, finding the means no matter what laws or other impediments the state attempts to place in their way. To them, the will to kill cannot be denied. Mass shootings have been exploited just as effectively by pro-gun groups to promote legislation allowing ordinary citizens to carry concealed weapons in public places. Concealed-carry proponents suggest that an armed citizenry would deter criminals or at least reduce the death toll. iReporter: 'AK-47 a weapon for war' While logical in theory, in the chaos of the moment, few gun owners would be prepared to mount an effective counterattack. And in a crowded setting, such as the movie theater clouded with tear gas and smoke, it would be virtually impossible to distinguish the bad guy with a gun from the good guys with their guns. In the short term, there will probably be security specialists who will recommend ways in which our public spaces could be better protected. Sadly, mass shootings have occurred in shopping malls, schools, restaurants, health clubs, churches, courthouses, post offices, almost any place that people congregate. None of us would wish to turn our public spaces into tightly secured fortresses. News: Shooting victim details emerge . It is also unreasonable to expect that we would begin a campaign to round up all the guns or all the potentially dangerous people who might have access to guns. Mass murder is regrettably one of the painful consequences of the freedoms we enjoy. Postscript: I do support wholeheartedly certain reasonable gun restrictions -- steps designed to reduce our nation's overall rate of firearms violence. Still, murder in its most extreme form, as in the Colorado shooting, is particularly difficult to prevent through gun regulations, or other strategies, for that matter. Of course, that doesn't mean we shouldn't try nonetheless. In light of the shooting, what are your thoughts on gun control and safety in public spaces? Let us know on CNN iReport. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of James Alan Fox. | James Fox: When a mass shooting happens, we search for answers .
He says investigators might be able learn about motivation by talking to the suspect .
Fox says many will advocate either gun control or more use of concealed weapons .
He says it's very unlikely either solution could prevent mass murders . |
45,243 | 7f8a66317a2e11de8f67205f0372a8eec9c332df | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 07:34 EST, 5 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:30 EST, 5 June 2013 . In a move likely to infuriate Senate Republicans, President Barack Obama's national security adviser Tom Donilon is resigning to be replaced by U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, marking a significant shakeup to the White House foreign policy team. A White House official confirmed the personnel changes Wednesday morning ahead of a planned announcement by the president later at 2.30 p.m. in the Rose Garden. Donilon has been a key foreign policy adviser to Obama since he first took office. But the 58-year-old had been expected to depart sometime this year, with Rice seen as the likely candidate to replace him. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice. Rice is to become President Barack Obama's national security adviser, it was reported today . Rice, a close Obama confidante, came under withering criticism from Republicans as part of the investigations into the deadly terror attack on a U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya. Four Americans were killed in the attack, including the U.S. ambassador, Christopher Stevens. She appeared on five Sunday shows . after the September 11th, 2012 attack and claimed the Benghazi consulate . raid was triggered by protests over an anti-Islam film. The . Obama administration later acknowledged there were in fact no protests . at the consulate although they have tried to claim that protests else . that may have excited the situation. Last . month, under massive pressure from the media, the White House released . the infamous 'talking points' that Rice was meant to stick to when . discussing the attack - which led to the death of the U.S. ambassador . Christopher Stevens. The . emails revealed the drafting and radical re-drafting of the . administrations storyline in anticipation of Rice's appearances on . television. The CIA, led at the time by David Petraeus wanted to include references to militant threats from Islamic extremists - but ultimately these were removed after objections from various White House figures. While it is not clear what level of involvement Rice had in the evolution of the 'talking points', officials speaking in her defense said that she was only reiterating the information she was handed. By promoting Rice, President Obama opens himself up to charges of rewarding those associated with the ongoing Benghazi controversy. Outgoing U.N. Ambassador Rice is the second official involved in the incident to receive a promotion. Last month, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland was nominated as assistant secretary of state. National Security Advisor Tom Donilon speaks during the daily news briefing at the White House in May - he is being replaced by Susan Rice in July . Last year following his thumping . election victory over Republican Mitt Romney, President Obama had wanted . to pick Rice as his replacement for Hilary Clinton at the State . Department. However, her nomination was denied by . Republican's who felt her role in the Benghazi attack had not be . sufficiently explained - and even suggested that she had not been honest . in her explanations of the talking points. She withdrew herself from . consideration only when it became clear that Senators John McCain and . Linsdey Graham would block her path and instead the post went to John . Kerry. It what could be seen as a thumb in . the face to some Republicans, her new job is arguably more influential . than it would be at the State Department. She will have the ear of the . president on a daily basis and could potentially advise him on issues . that go beyond a foreign policy remit. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice performing her role - it has been announced today that she will take over as President Obama's National Security Advise . The U.S. Consulate in Benghazi came under terror attack on September 11th 2012 which led to the death of the American ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens . Christopher Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya died along with three embassy staff on September 11, 2012, as they rushed away from a consulate building in Benghazi . Indeed, what could potentially be . more satisfying for Rice is that unlike the Secretary of State role, the . National Security Adviser does not require Senate approval. Senior Republicans reacted in disgust to the appointment of Susan Rice to the position of National Securirty Adviser. Senator Rand Paul said on Wednesday morning that he couldn't begin to contemplate why she was promoted. 'I can’t imagine, one, that we would be keeping Ambassador Rice in any significant position, much less promoting her to an important position,' Paul (R-Ky.) said on Fox’s 'America’s Newsroom.' 'How will the administration ever have the authority for people to believe what they’re saying, when they’re promoting someone who directly and deliberately misled the public over Benghazi?' Obama will also name Samantha Power, a . human rights expert and former White House adviser, to replace Rice as . the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Power is a respected former journalist who started her career as a 22-year-old freelance reporter in Bosnia - where she developed her staunch opinions on U.S. intervention on moral grounds. An armed man holding his rifle as he stands next to buildings set on fire at the US consulate, in Benghazi, Libya, 11 September 2012 . In 2002, Power wrote and published the Pullitzer Prize winning book, 'A Problem from Hell': America and the Age of Genocide' - which led her to be named two years later as one of Time's 110 most influential people in the world. In 2008 she joined then Senator Obama's office as a foreign policy adviser but had to step down after she called Hilary Clinton 'a monster' in reported comments she made to the Scotsman newspaper. From 2009 until this February she was serving on the president's National Security Council as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director running the Office of Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights. Power's husband is Harvard Law School professor Cass Sunstein, who is a widely admired intellectual and a good friend of President Obama. The White House official said Donilon is expected to stay on the job until early July, after Obama wraps up overseas trips to Europe and Africa, as well as an unusual summit in California later this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The official insisted on anonymity in order to discuss the personnel changes before they were publicly announced. Samantha Power, former Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights at the National Security Council and foreign policy adviser to President Barack Obama, emerges from the West Wing of the White House in Washington . Donilon has overseen a foreign policy agenda at the White House that put increased emphasis on the U.S. relationship with Asia. He's also played a key role in the administration's counterterrorism strategy, including the raid that led to the death of Osama bin Laden, and in managing the complex U.S. ties with Russia. Rice, who first started working for Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign, has a close relationship with the president and many of his advisers. She's known for being outspoken on human rights issues and also pushed for a more interventionist strategy in Libya. | President Barack Obama's top national security adviser Tom Donilon is resigning and will be replaced by Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N.
Rice, a close Obama confidante, came under withering criticism from .
Republicans as part of the investigations into the deadly attack on a .
U.S. compound in Benghazi .
Samantha Power, a .
human rights expert and former White House adviser is set to replace Rice at the U.N.
In 2008 Power resigned from then-Senator Obama's team after calling Hilary Clinton 'a monster' |
37,060 | 690ddde115a4c0b26cb72ab1e73fcecae27e3096 | By . Kate Lyons . and Sally Lee . The name of the woman whose vile racist rant on a train in Sydney went viral this week is not Sue Wilkins, as previously thought, but Karen Bailey. Ms Bailey, 55, was stopped by police yesterday when she got off the train in Strathfield and gave them a false name. It has also emerged that Ms Bailey has worked as a legal secretary in some of the country's top law firms and the Crown Solicitors Office. Scroll down for video . Video footage was filmed this week on a Sydney train where a woman hurled racist abuse at an Asian woman by mocking her accent and pulling her eyes back to imitate slant eyes . The racist woman then turned her attention to the man filming the scene, who was next to the Asian woman, saying he 'can't even get a regular girlfriend, it's so sad, he's got to get a gook' Her LinkedIn profile, which has been deleted, said she worked at law firms including Avant Law, Baker & McKenzie, Sparke Helmore, Norton White and Herbert Smith Freehills. Chief Inspector Rod Peet from Wyong police told MailOnline she made up the name 'Sue Wilkins'. Ms Bailey was arrested last night after a member of the public recognised Ms Bailey from the video and contacted police. She was charged with offensive conduct, which carries a maximum penalty of $660 and three months imprisonment. It was revealed this morning that Ms Bailey abused other passengers on the train, swearing in the face of a 10-year-old boy and telling a grandmother to move her 'f***ing bogan children off the seat'. Lake Macquarie mother Jade Marr said that Ms Bailey verbally abused her children, Kendall, 10, and Jackson, 7, who were on an outing to Sydney to see the Lion King stage show before she launched into a racist tirade against an Asian passenger. Ms Marr said Bailey approached her children and mother who were sitting together on a three-seater seat in the packed carriage and told them to move. 'She walked straight on the train, looked at my mum and said “get your f...ing bogan children off the seat." Then she said "there are people here that need to sit down, I want to sit down,"' Ms Marr told the Newcastle Herald. Ms Marr said that when the children didn't move, Bailey began swearing and when Ms Marr asked her to stop swearing, she responded by 'screaming the f-word in my son's face 10 times. She said “you need to learn this word kid,"' reported the Newcastle Herald. Bailey told the children, who later in the journey gave up their seats for two elderly passengers, that she was going to call the police to report them for not moving off the seats to accommodate her. Ms Marr said she had no intention make her children move for a bully like Bailey. Kareem Abdulm, who uploaded the original video on YouTube of Bailey's racist rant said he began filming just after Bailey was aggressive to the children. 'This video begins just after she had started screaming expletives into the face of the upset kids and the mother of the children got up to stand in between the lady and her kids,' he wrote. 'The lady then assaulted the mother and a young dude who gave up his seat for her.' The man filmed the woman complaining to police on the phone about the children who would not offer her their seats. In the footage, Bailey makes racist comments and racist gestures toward a young, Asian, female passenger who refuses to give up her seat to Wilkins. She also targets the man filming the scene, who was next to the Asian woman, saying he 'can't even get a regular girlfriend, it's so sad, he's got to get a gook'. 'He's too lazy to jerk off, he can only get a gook,' the rant continued. 'Gook' is a derogatory term for people of Asian descent which started in the Vietnam War. Ms Bailey apologised to the victim after the video went public and acknowledged there were no excuse for such offensive behaviour. 'It's awful and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, regardless of any race,' she said in an exclusive interview with Ninemsn. 'It's not nice what I did to that lady.' The train was traveling from Newcastle and Central Coast Line as some commuters warned the woman that she would be charged with assault when they arrived at Strathfield station, Sydney's inner west . Bailey, who had recently returned from Holland to live with family in the Central Coast in Sydney's north, said she was having a 'rotten day'. 'I've been chasing work for quite some time now. It's awful what I said to that woman, I do agree,' she said. 'It wasn't nice to say that to her because it's not nice when people say that to me ... call me white trash and fatso. I know how it hurts and I shouldn't be saying it to other people.' Bailey said she has been the victim of a $100,000 scam by a mystery Dutchman, whom she met on dating website RSVP. After she caused a scene inside the carriage, police first spoke to Ms Wilkins on Wednesday when she alighted at Strathfield in Sydney's west. They decided to let her 'go about her journey', NSW Police Transport Command Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell told reporters. Sydney Trains chief executive Howard Collins - the former boss of London Underground - added that he had not seen anything like it in 37 years as a transport executive. The incident occured at about 4pm on Wednesday on a northbound train heading from Sydney's Central station to the NSW central coast. This isn't the first incident of its kind in Australia, where two young women kicked and spat on a vision-impaired elderly man on a Gold Coast bus, Brisbane's south, in September. A Melbourne man was also jailed for 21 days in March after racially abusing a French tourist on a bus in 2012. Another racist attack on public transport involved an ABC newsreader Jeremy Fernandez, where he was subject to a 15-minute rant on a Sydney bus in April last year, was told go back to his country and called a 'black c***'. Fernandez declined to comment on this week's abuse when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. Vic Alhadeff, Chairman of NSW Community Relations Commission, described the recent abuse as a 'despicable act'. '(It) violates everything that we stand for as a proudly multicultural state which embraces diversity and celebrates difference, he said. 'Such outbursts of racism demean us as a society, and we encourage all who witness such offensive behaviour in future to condemn it immediately and unreservedly.' NSW Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said she is 'disgusted by any kind of racism or threatening behaviour towards customers using public transport'. A Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink spokeswoman said they condemn any form of abuse on their services. 'The safety of our customer is our priority and we will continue to work with the Police Transport Command to respond to these incidents,' she said. Witnesses should contact police on Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Did you witness this scene or know this woman? Email: [email protected] . | Karen Bailey, 55, was filmed issuing a racist rant on a train on Wednesday .
She mocked an Asian woman's accent and pulled back her eyes .
Bailey also verbally abused children, screaming obscenities in their faces .
Bailey was arrested over the racial outburst and was being questioned at a Central Coast police station on Thursday night .
Karen Bailey gave a false name, originally saying her name was Sue Wilkins . |
21,697 | 3da9a520a2367a50ad687bd0faf6410721156571 | A webcam has captured the dramatic moment a SWAT team swept in and arrested an online gamer after a hoax call claimed he was armed and dangerous. Jordan Mathewson was streaming a game of Counter-Strike yesterday when dozens of armed officers surrounded his office in Littleton, Colorado, and screamed at him to hit the deck. A prank caller had told police he was a gunman who shot two colleagues and took hostages in the latest case of a worrying trend known as 'swatting'. Scroll down for video . Prank: Jordan Mathewson (inset) was playing a game of Counter-Strike from his office in Littleton, Colorado, when he was descended on by an army of SWAT team officers who believed he was an out-of-control gunman . Put your hands up! The live stream captured the moment the gamer, known as Kootra, was arrested yesterday . It is a phenomenon in which pranksters - many of them online gamers - trigger an armed police raid as a joke and it has already caused sieges in Long Island, Arizona and Michigan. Police warned yesterday the trend may one day result in an innocent person being shot dead. Dozens of people were evacuated from the office building and two nearby schools were closed as a precaution. Mr Mathewson, who goes by the name Kootra and has 220,000 Twitter followers, founded an online gaming group known as The Creatures and broadcasts daily on Youtube. He was midway through one of his streams at 11.30am when he paused, hearing officers bursting into room after room in the office block. 'What in the world?' he said. 'I think we're getting swatted'. Suddenly the officers crashed through the door screaming: 'Put your hands up! Get on the f****** ground! Don't you f****** move, you hear me boy?' Confused: The officers asked the gamer what he was doing. When he said 'streaming', he had to elaborate . Stay on the ground: The team was in the room for several minutes as surrounding schools were locked down . 'What about this is funny to you?' one officer asked, pointing his assault rifle towards the ground. 'What?' Mr Mathewson replied. 'I'm not doing anything that's funny'. His game's audio track then announced with perfect timing: 'Terrorists win'. The officers frisked and questioned their suspect while his online gaming friends continued their armed assault in the virtual world and even killed his character. Shock: A colleague live-tweeted the huge police raid . The SWAT officers then appeared confused about what the gamer was doing and asked him to explain. He replied: 'I'm sitting there playing a game, people are watching it, and I guess a joker thought it would be funny to call you guys in.' Mr Mathewson then had to show the officers in excruciating detail how to switch the camera off. A statement by the City of Littleton said police, firefighters and other agencies responded to the call and searched the building thoroughly twice before questioning several employees. The spokesman added: 'The caller claimed to have shot two co-workers, held others hostage, and threatened to shoot them. He stated that if the officers entered he would shoot them as well. 'Law enforcement in the South Metro Area and throughout the country are all too familiar with active shooter situations. In the wake of these incidents, Littleton Police and other law enforcement agencies train for rapid response to quickly rescue victims and neutralize the situation. 'Fortunately there were no injuries today, but a massive law enforcement response wastes resources and greatly increases the chances of innocent people being injured or killed. 'If the investigation determines that today’s incident was a hoax, those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' In April police warned swatting was becoming a national epidemic after an army of officers stormed a Long Island home under the belief a teen had shot dead his mother and brother and was ready to kill again. Within minutes of arriving, they discovered the hostage call was an act of revenge by a disgruntled 'Call of Duty' gamer who'd just been defeated. Harsh: As Mr Mathewson was frisked, his fellow players continued with their game and killed his character . Aftermath: Officers then realised it was a hoax. A City of Littleton statement said: 'A massive law enforcement response wastes resources and greatly increases the chances of innocent people being injured or killed' And in Tuscon, Arizona, an imposter was said to have claimed a 15-year-old boy would descend on the University of Arizona with an M4 rifle and body armour. The teenager said he believed he was the victim of somebody online 'that doesn't like me... for either me coding, or me playing video games.' In April, last year MailOnline reported how CNN host Wolf Blitzer fell victim to a 'swatting' prank after Montgomery County police got an urgent message saying that someone had been shot at Blitzer's Bethesda home. Officers set up a perimeter and started advancing on the house before a dispatch supervisor confirmed the message was a fraud. Blitzer was not in Bethesda at the time. After he was freed, Mr Mathewson told his 220,000 Twitter followers: 'Dag nabbit that was dern sure an experience. I am all Ok though. Thanks for all the supportive tweets everyone.' | Popular Jordan Mathewson was live-streaming game in Littleton, Colorado .
Suddenly huge armed team burst in yesterday and forced him to the ground .
Hoax forced dozens to be evacuated and two nearby schools were closed .
Caller had claimed he was gunman who shot two people and took hostages .
It is part of growing trend of 'swatting' with pranks reported across the U.S. |
12,351 | 22fc964faa3a60a0526b11fe64123f95c9634c4a | (CNN) -- One of the main opposition videographers in Homs was killed on Tuesday as the Syrian city experienced its heaviest day of bombardment, residents and activists told CNN. "Rami al-Sayed was crucial in getting the truth out through his videos posted on the Internet," said Omar Shaker, a friend and a volunteer at Homs Media Center, a media group set up by activists to share information and videos about the city's Baba Amr neighborhood. "We will really miss him, especially the medical team who relied on him to document all the civilian injuries and deaths on video," he added. Doctors struggle to save wounded children . Al-Sayed's own fatal injuries were also apparently recorded on Tuesday as his brother and a physician mourned his death at a mosque's basement. The video was later uploaded to Al-Sayed's YouTube channel. See Al-Sayed's YouTube channel . In the video, Dr. Mohammed al-Mohammed stands by al-Sayed's dead body and says, "I want to bring you the latest news, the martyrdom of one of the most important cameramen and one of our most important journalists in Baba Amr." "He kept bleeding here in the field hospital for more than three hours; we tried to evacuate him outside the neighborhood but to no avail," al-Mohammed added. Health workers set up underground network . The 27-year-old was hit by rocket shrapnel as he tried to help a family flee bombardment, residents told CNN. "Rami was killed because he was documenting and sending real-life stories from Baba Amr. Rami was killed because he was filming the facts; but we will have 1,000 Ramis. ... Our revolution will prevail," the doctor said as the camera zoomed in on shrapnel wounds on al-Sayed's chest, abdomen and legs. The video-sharing site Bambuser released a statement Tuesday mourning al-Sayed's death, also referring to him as "Syrian pioneer," his nickname on various social media outlets. "Rami Ahmad al-Sayed has been one of the bravest and forefront fighters in getting the world's attention on what's going on in Homs, Syria. This afternoon, cameraman and journalist Rami Ahmad al-Sayed did his last broadcast -- he and his three friends were soon after this killed by the Assad armed forces," the statement said. U.S. calls for international action on Syria . CNN was unable to independently verify the circumstances of al-Sayed's death. His last message to followers on Twitter was: "Baba Amr is facing genocide right now. I do not want people to simply say our hearts are with you! We need actions. We need campaigns everywhere inside Syria and outside Syria. We need all people in front of all embassies all over the world. In a few hours there will be no place called Baba Amr and I expect this to be my last message. No one will forgive you for just talking without any action!" Al-Sayed, who had lost a cousin and a fellow videographer in December, is survived by his wife and an 18-month-old daughter. CNN's Kareem Khadder contributed to this report. | Rami al-Sayed, 27, was hit by shrapnel and killed Tuesday, witnesses say .
He "was crucial in getting the truth out though his videos," a friend says .
A video posted on YouTube shows a doctor and al-Sayed's brother grieving over his body . |
286,466 | ff2d7cea1baf6d307c7b61516c3a0d75ceea30b6 | A friend of classroom murderer Will Cornick has revealed how he is ‘haunted with guilt’ for failing to speak up about the teenager’s threats to kill his teacher. Cornick attacked Spanish teacher Ann Maguire after boasting to classmates at Corpus Christi College in Leeds that he wanted to kill her. Now one of his friends has told how he is riddled with guilt for failing to inform school bosses about the threats. Scroll down for video . A friend of classroom murderer Will Cornick (left) has revealed how he is ‘haunted with guilt’ for failing to speak up about the teenager’s threats to kill his teacher, Ann Maguire (right) The 16-year-old said he did not tell teachers because he did not believe Cornick would act on what he had said. He told the Daily Mirror: 'I don’t think about it as much as I did. I try not to. But I do still feel guilty because If I’d told someone, she would be alive today. I could have stopped it. ‘I didn’t tell the teachers because I really never thought he would do anything. ‘I thought he was just trying to scare us. I thought it was bravado - just a sick, terrible joke. I just thought it was a teenage thing.’ Cornick, 16, knifed Mrs Maguire to death at the school in April this year. He also said he was going to murder other teachers, including a pregnant woman ‘so as to kill her unborn child’. The killing, at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, shocked Britain and is believed to be the first time a teacher has been killed by a student in the classroom in the UK . He later told doctors: ‘I said I was going to do other stuff but I never got the chance, other murders. It was a triple homicide.’ After the murder the teenager told psychiatrists that he ‘couldn't give a s***’ and added: ‘Everything I've done is fine and dandy.’ Cornick was sentenced to life in jail earlier this month and a judge warned him he may never be released. Judge Mr Justice Coulson called the murder a 'monumental act of cowardice and evil' and branded the teenager's pride and lack of remorse over his actions 'truly grotesque'. Cornick was initially taken to Wetherby Young Offender Institution (YOI) in West Yorkshire before being moved for his own safety. | Friend of Will Cornick reveals guilt at not alerting school to killer's threats .
Cornick had boasted to classmates that he wanted to to kill Ann Maguire .
But his friend reveals that he believed comments were 'just a sick joke'
Cornick knifed Mrs Maguire to death at Corpus Christie College in Leeds .
The 16-year-old murderer was sentenced to life in jail in November . |
187,742 | 7f1d24ffeb046a5d0457b1c704021cf1a24ee895 | The terrifying news began to spread before the gun-wielding Islamist militants made it into Chibok last month. Villagers began to receive cell phone calls that the feared extremist group Boko Haram was on the way. No one knew what the attack would entail, that it would mean hundreds of schoolgirls plucked from their beds by a group of extremists who would later threaten to sell them. "It's like they were coming for a shopping trip," a villager who witnessed the attack told CNN. Some lucky girls managed to escape that night when, after they were loaded into cargo trucks, they made a dash for freedom. "We would rather die than go," one of the girls told CNN. "We ran into the bush. We ran and we ran." With fear in her eyes and voice, the young woman, who asked not to be identified, described the experience to a CNN crew that made the long, dangerous trip to her village. She said she and two friends who had also escaped saw something on fire and headed in that direction, presuming it was building in the village that had been set ablaze. Normally, Chibok is pitch black at night. Boko Haram abducted an estimated 276 girls in April from a boarding school in Chibok. Dozens escaped, but more than 200 are still missing. Villagers said they passed along warnings to local police that the terrorists were on their way that night. They said they received phone calls from family and friends from surrounding villages and were told that there was a convoy of cargo trucks, pickups and motorcycles heading their way. One villager said he was told, "They are coming for you. Run!" The villagers said police called for reinforcements, but none came. Everyone, including the police, fled into the bush during the attack. But the girls were asleep in their dorms. The stories appear to confirm an Amnesty International report that the government couldn't put together enough troops to head off the attack. The girl who described her escape to CNN was still shaken up by the events. When asked to describe what her kidnappers wore, she responded: "I feel afraid." Her school is closed, but if it were open, she says, she wouldn't go back. | Villagers say they were warned that attackers were coming, but police did nothing .
"It's like they were coming for a shopping trip," one witness tells CNN .
CNN team describes difficult trip to village where girls were taken .
"We would rather die than go," girl who escaped tells CNN . |
148,963 | 4c9cedd490703c614af814f60c26dc1520cc6726 | By . James Nye . PUBLISHED: . 22:50 EST, 7 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 22:51 EST, 7 September 2012 . A Rockland County . judge today found four suburban New York boys aged 12 and 13 guilty of . raping a 14-year-old girl and trying to rape another 12-year-old girl. Judge . Sheri Eisenpress convicted the boys in the family court after an almost . month-long trial which included testimonies from the girls, two of the . girl's friends and incriminating statements made by the boys to police. 'You . hurt those girls. You violated them, you caused them humiliation in a . very public way. You hurt their family. You hurt your parents,' said . Judge Sherri Eisenpress as she found the one 12 and three 13-year-old . boys guilty. Scroll Down for Video . Two of the four boys aged between 12 and . 13-years-old found guilty of raping a 14-year-old girl arrive at . Rockland Family court today . Although the boys were not tried as . adults, they will be sentenced to imprisonment in youth facilities in . New York on October 11 and will remain under house detention until then. 'These . were violent, heinous offenses that no person, let alone a child, . should have to suffer,' said Ramapo police Lt. Mark Emma. 'There's going to be emotional issues for them for years to come.' The . four boys are all students at Chestnut Ridge Middle School and . conducted the attacks on the two girls from the 11th to 13th of June. The other two boys arrived at court this morning. They will be sentenced on October 11th . The boys all made statements to the . police that they forced their way into the girl's home using a spare key . and that they forced themselves on the girls by holding them down. 'I . don't say, nor do I think that you are bad kids, or that you're going . to grow up to be bad adults. But you made some really, really bad . choices,' said Judge Eisenpress. Yesterday, . the 12-year-old New York boy and his three 13-year-old friends accused . of gang raping a 14-year-old girl over three days and attempting to rape . another 12-year-old claimed in court that the sex was consensual. The . boys, all students of Chestnut Ridge Middle School in Ramapo, told the . Rockland Family Court that they did not illegally enter the girls home . and rape her on two different occasions and sexually attack another . girl. Giving evidence . by closed circuit television to the court, the girl who is now 15, said . that on the second day the boys let themselves into her home uninvited . early on June 12th and took it in turns to rape her - only leaving that . morning to catch a bus to school for an exam they didn't want to miss. One of the four boys who have not been identified accused of gang raping a 14-year-old girl walks away from Rockland Family Court with his parents with a jacket over his head . In late August, the 15-year-old . girl gave evidence from another room in the family court because . prosecution psychologists had deemed it damaging for her to see the four . defendants who are currently free under house supervision. The . teen claimed in evidence that the boys raped her again in the afternoon . on the 12th and and finally returned on the 13th of June to rape her . again but she told them she was menstruating and instead the boys . attempted to attack a 12-year-old girl who was present in the home. The . older girl said that the attacks began on the morning of June 11th, . when the boys entered the home, held her down and stripped her of her . clothes, which she said she tried to resist. 'I was yelling and screaming to leave me alone,' she said, adding she felt 'pain' at being penetrated multiple times. The 15-year-old claimed that in the afternoon of the . 12th after they returned from school, the boys discovered her hiding in her parents . bedroom, overpowered her and held her down by her wrists while they took . it in turns to rape her again. Claiming that the boys knew where a key . to her front door was kept, the 15-year-old girl testified that the . boys came back on the 12th and took it in turns to rape and sodomise her . inside the bathroom. The 15-year-old and 12-year-old girl who is now 13, didn’t tell their parents until a two days . after the alleged attacks. All four boys attend Chestnut Ridge Middle School in Ramapo, New York . In her testimony to the family . court, the younger girl said that she kicked and screamed and bit two of . the four boys as they tried to rape her on June 13th. 'They . pulled me into (the other girl’s) room. I was screaming, ‘Get off of . me!’', the girl told Rockland Family Court Judge Sherri Eisenpress . according to The Journal News. The girl said that she sat herself on the floor and grabbed her knees as the boys tried to pull off her pants. She said that the 12-year-old boy specifically attempted to sexually assault her and that she bit him. 'I bit him very hard and he started bleeding,' said the girl to the court in her testimony in late August. The 13-year-old said that, on June 12, she heard the older girl screaming as the four boys attacked her during the morning. She . told the court that she and another girl who was also in the house but . not apparently attacked tried to break into the parent's bedroom by . ramming in the doors and picking the locks with a kitchen knife. She . added the boys were leaning against the doors on the other side, where . the older girl has testified the boys held her down and took turns . sodomising her. 'I heard her screaming, ‘Stop, get off of me!’ the younger girl testified in late August . 'I banged on the door. I tried even harder to push open the door.' Ramapo is on the border of New Jersey and New York state and is where the boys all lived and attended school . Defense lawyers for the four . boys asked why she didn’t tell or call her parents or the police if she . thought the older girl was being raped on June 12th. She replied she wasn’t sure what was happening to the older girl, but was too scared and embarrassed to call adults. She . also added that she was scared her parents would get into trouble if . police arrived and found the girls unsupervised at home alone. And . today the 12-year-old told the court that he swore on 'everything I . love' that he did not rape the older girl claiming that she consented. The . boy admitted they were not invited into the house but knew where the . family left a spare key and went to look for the older girl on June 12. 'We had sexual contact with her the day before (June 11) and wanted to do it again,' said the boy. He . said that he attempted to have sex with the older girl on June 12th . because he didn't want to be the only boy who had not had sex with her. Rockland Family Court where the controversial and disturbing case is being heard . 'I didn’t want to be a punk,' he said. 'I didn’t want to seem like anyone who didn’t do it. It was consensual. I swear on everything I love. She was even laughing.' However, he admitted it was wrong hold down the younger girl, then aged 12. She bit him while another boy held her wrists and two tried taking off her pants. The . boy also said that boys didn't believe the older girl when she said she . was menstruating and that they argued about this for some time. 'She didn’t want to do something that day,' he said according to the Journal News. Attorneys for the boys say they were invited into the house and, at . one point, on the first day, one boy lay in bed with the older girl and watched television. They also questioned why the . girls made Facebook comments about the boys after the alleged . sexual attacks. The boys are currently held under home detention. If found guilty, the older boys could be held in a juvenile detention center for three years, depending on their behavior. | Four .
boys aged 12-13-years-old are found guilty of gang raping a 14-year-old .
girl inside her home over the course of three days in June .
The boys let themselves into the house in Ramapo, New York and sexually assaulted the girl on June 11th and 12th .
The girl informed authorities that she believed she was raped two days after the final encounter with the boys on June 13th .
A .
12-year-old girl who was present in the same house said the boys .
attempted to sexually assault her after they turned their attention away .
from the 14-year-old . |
223,904 | ade9fdc6e35a844b2ba6c774f16a20493f12dc5c | By . John Hall . PUBLISHED: . 06:55 EST, 6 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 10:11 EST, 6 March 2014 . A collection of more than 2,000 traditional tin plate toys rescued from closing shops and factories is set to fetch thousands of pounds at auction. Arthur Findlater, 57, started the collection as a boy in Cirencester in Gloucestershire, with most coming from the store rooms of failing toy shops, or from the broken stock departments of factories. The stash of tin plate robots, bicycle-riding ducks and vintage boats were made between the 1920s and 1990s, and have filled Mr Findlater’s loft and cupboards for decades. Some of the items, which were gathered from all over the world, have been tippped to sell for as much as £80 each. Among Mr Findlater's colourful collection are original boxed wind-up robots from the 1980s, vintage Batmobile cars and 100-year-old flapping butterflies from Japan. But the retired toy maker has decided to let go of his entire tin plate fleet in one of Gloucestershire-based Cotswold Auctions' biggest ever sales after his worsening multiple sclerosis made holding his cherished collectables impossible. Value: Experts believe the simple toys, which were bought for just a few pounds each, could fetch several thousand pounds when they go under the hammer next month . Kapow: This Japanese tinplate Batmobile is up for sale for an estimated £50-£80, along with a boxed German satellite vehicle and a boxed Luxe car . Original: The Japanese Batmobile toy is based on this version from the 1960s TV series. This Batmobile was a modified version of the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car . Riding: A Chinese-made police officer on a motorcycle. Mr Findlater says he collected the tin plate toys for 30 or 40 years, admitting he 'got a bit obsessive' Protected: These Japanese-built tin racing cars are being sold still inside the plastic bags they originally came in. Mr Findlater said he acquired his toys all over the world . Gained: This 1931 tinplate model gunboat from Paya in Spain is predicted to sell for between £30 and £40 at Cotswold Auctions . New home: These modern Chinese-made table tennis players are being sold along with three clockwork robots for between £20.00 and £40.00. Mr Findlater says the toys would often sit untouched in shops for years until he bought them . Vintage: These cars from the 1990s were build by Maisto. They are just some of the 2,000 tin plate items being put up for auction by Arthur Findlater . Cherished: The collection is one of the biggest ever sold by Gloucestershire-based Cotswold Auctions. It will be held at Bingham Hall in Cirencester on March 7 at 10am . This Japanese Harley Davidson toy is one of three in Arthur Findlater's huge collection. Each one is estimated to sell for £20 to £30 . This Chinese tin plate 'Roxy Robot' (centre) and two smaller 'Goldman' robots are part of a joint lot that is estimated to sell for between £20 and £40 . Boxed: Retired toy maker Arthur Findlater has decided to sell his entire collection after his worsening multiple sclerosis made holding the metal treasures impossible . Mr Findlater said he purchased many of the toys directly from factories. 'I used to buy them by the metre, many at a time that were broken, but they only had very small faults and they could be fixed,' he said . This German wind-up duck riding a bicycle is being sold alongside similar figures: a boxed clockwork ice cream vendor, a Chinese-made wind-up snail, a clockwork ice cream vendor and two wind-up mice. The mini-collection is predicted to sell for £40 . These widely-collected Victor and Sutcliffe tin boats and submarines from the 1930s are expected to fetch £80 each . Auctioneer Lindsey Braune said: 'It's not every day that we're asked to sell a single collection of more than 2,000 pieces, so we're exited and delighted to do it... It's going to look great when it's all set out, it's so colourful' Knowledge: Arthur Findlater - a life-long toy collector - was a big name in the wooden toy making world himself, along with his painter wife Mally, 55 . The stash of tin plate robots, chickens, butterflies and boats were made between the 1920s and 1990s and have filled Mr Findlater's loft and cupboards for decades . Disabled: Mr Findlater was diagnosed with MS in 2000 and has been confined to a wheelchair for ten years. He has struggled to enjoy the toys ever since . Mr Findlater is selling the toys - many of them boxed - because he can no longer pick them up. 'I fling them across the room by mistake and my assistance dog Daxi isn't allowed to pick them up as they are sharp,' he said . Collection: This 1930s Sutcliffe speedboat is predicted to sell for between £60 and £80 at auction in Cirencester tomorrow . This stunning boxed 1927 hydro-plane from Paya in Spain has been predicted to sell for between £40.00 and £60.00 . Arthur Findlater says he struggles to enjoy the toys as a result of his disability. He has already broken several by accidentally running them over with his wheelchair . Replica: This 'Campsa' tanker was built in 2006 in Paya, Spain and is based on a version of the toy from 1925 . | Arthur Findlater, 57, selling huge collection of tin plate models after collecting them for between 30 and 40 years .
Says he can no longer enjoy toys - which were bought all over the world - after becoming confined to a wheelchair . |
281,880 | f9242fde2260d0a3508728f3d5237b33ac83a308 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . A mother who was taunted at school for her love of sports and branded a ‘wimp’ by her bullying ex-boyfriend has fought back by becoming a professional bodybuilder. Heather Crowley, 49, from Baddeley Green, Staffordshire became deeply self-conscious after she got divorced at the age of 30 - and more so after the abusive relationship that followed. But after ditching the man who was making her life misery, she hit the gym daily and last month took part in the internationally acclaimed Miss Galaxy Universe contest. Transformation: Heather Cowley, pictured here, was mocked as a child by pupils when she went to school because of her love of sports but is now a bodybuilder . Crunch time: Last month Heather, 49, pictured here, took part in the Miss Galaxy Universe contest and finished 5th out of 120 contestants from around the world . Before and after: Heather before she became a bodybuilder, left, and during a training session now, right . Heather finished an impressive 5th out of 120 contestants from around the world and is now preparing for the National Amateur Bodybuilder's Association (NABBA) Miss Universe, by which time she will be 50. Heather, who has a son Tom, 23 said: 'At school I was always good at sports and enjoyed it but got picked on for that and because I was a happy bouncy person. 'Later in life I was bullied at work and, in my 30s, I found myself being bullied by a guy that I was in a relationship with. 'He emotionally abused me, threatened me and called me a wimp. He knew how to get at me putting me down. He made me feel so worthless and I hit rock bottom. 'At work my . boss harassed me because I rejected his advances. He made my life hell, . made fun of me and made me look incompetent by laughing at me and . taunting me when no-one was around.' Gym bunny: Heather Cowley, pictured here, was bullied by her controlling boss and branded a 'wimp' by her ex-boyfriend but is now a body builder . Fitness fanatic: Heather, pictured here, has a son Tom, 23. She undertakes a punishing three-and-a-half hour daily gym work which starts at 4.45am . Weights: Heather, pictured here, says: 'I have a passion for getting the body trained. I want to do more and if someone does a challenge then I want to do it too' Strong: 'I have always loved fitness,' says Heather. 'At 30 I got divorced and started weight training but it wasn't until last year that I really started to dedicate myself to it' Heather resigned, with no other job lined up and a young son to take care of. While figuring out her next career move, she started to hit the gym. 'I started training to get me out of the house,' she says. 'I have always loved fitness. 'At 30 I got divorced and started weight training but it wasn’t until last year that I really started to dedicate myself to it. 'I love it, I have a passion for getting the body trained. I want to do more and if someone does a challenge then I want to do it too. 'If I go running then I always want to run faster. Put . me in a spin class and I would be bored to death but put me on high . intensity training where you see fast results and I love it.' Heather undertakes a punishing three-and-a-half hour daily gym work which starts at 4.45am in order to stay in shape. Proud mother: Heather, pictured here, is mother of Tom, 23. She says she loves fitness and bodybuilding has changed her life . Way back when: She's all smiles in this old picture, but before she found fitness and bodybuilding Heather was bullied at work and in a abusive relationship . Impressive: Heather shows off her muscles, right, and laughs with her trainer during a workout, left . Dedicated: 'I have six to eight meals a day that all have to be prepared in advance,' says Heather, pictured here working out . She is also going to star in a TV documentary to air next year. Heather said: 'I start with cardio at 4.45am and then after work I will train at the gym from 6.30pm until 9pm. 'I have six to eight meals a day that all have to be prepared in advance. I normally start with oats, egg whites or blueberries. 'I eat a lot of turkey with fresh vegetables like green beans or asparagus. I only allow myself a cheat meal on a Saturday and my only downfall is chocolate buttons so I have to make sure I don’t eat too many of them. 'I set myself a challenge to find the confidence to get back on stage 18 months ago and joined a proper bodybuilding gym. 'It took some courage to get there as very few women training on weights but it was the best decision I ever made.' Miss Galaxy Universe founder Sarah Donohue said: 'The girls compete in tests that comprise of things like shuttle runs, bench presses, push-ups, squats and long jumps and then there is a bikini section. 'Heather always motivates the other girls, she pushes herself to the maximum and is a brilliant role model.' | Heather Crowley, 49, from Baddeley Green, Staffs. was bullied by her boss .
She was also taunted as a schoolgirl and by an abusive boyfriend .
She's training for National Amateur Bodybuilder's Association contest . |
149,705 | 4d94d134ea4d2284e8c622b9ba4327bfb6170d92 | By . Ryan Gorman . PUBLISHED: . 11:12 EST, 9 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:15 EST, 11 November 2013 . It has now been revealed that Miami Dolphins' Richie Incognito last year faced allegations of molesting a woman at a charity golf tournament and dumping water on her head. The maligned lineman was accused of molesting a female volunteer with a golf club during a team-sponsored charity golf tournament last year, according to reports. The harassment allegation became public after WPLG obtained a copy of the police report filed May 18, 2012 by the 34-year-old woman. Road trip: Richie Incognito has long been labeled one of the NFL's dirtiest players with a reputation for out-of-bounds behavior off the field . Mr Incognito’s lewd behaviour occurred during the annual Fins Weekend Golf Tournament at the Turnberry Resort and Club, the incident report said. The woman accused the footballer of using a golf club to rub her privates and knock her glasses off her head, a copy of the report reviewed by MailOnline alleges. The woman said Mr Incognito had been drinking during the event. ‘After that, he proceeded to lean up against her buttocks with his private parts as if dancing, saying ‘Let it rain, Let it Rain!’ The report said. ‘He finally finished his inappropriate behavior by emptying bottled water in her face,’ said the report.The woman told cops arriving on the scene that several people saw the inappropriate behaviour and did nothing to stop it. More than frenemies: Richie Incognito (center left), seen on the bench with Jonathan Martin (center right) who claims he was the subject of daily harassment . Had Mr Incognito simply apologized, it does not appear she would have filed the report. Instead, ‘she felt like he didn't care and thought the whole incident was in fun and games,’ the report reads. ‘Other people apologized for him, but not him.’ Dolphins team security said they would handle the issue when it was brought to their attention, but the woman told authorities nothing was done. The woman is not allowed to speak publicly about the incident after signing a confidentiality agreement, according to WPLG. The golf outing accusation is the third in a series of shocking stories involving the previously under-the-radar football player. Last month, a series of voicemails left for teammate Jonathan Martin emerged that showed Mr Incognito using racial slurs and threatening physical violence against him. Mr Incognito was suspended indefinitely from the team while an investigation is carried out. Mr Martin has since left the team to seek counseling, and accused unspecified teammates of threatening to rape his sister. Martin says he was harassed daily, and Incognito acknowledged leaving a voicemail for Martin in April in which he used a racist term, threatened to kill his teammate and threatened to slap Martin's mother . In the time since his suspension, Mr Incognito has told those close to him that he feels betrayed by Mr Martin, a rookie that other Dolphins have publicly said the veteran took under his wing. A source told ESPN the allegations 'shocked' Mr Incognito, and that he feels betrayed. 'It's probably a combination of totally blindsided and a bit betrayed,' the source told the network. 'He's shocked. He can't believe this happened and thinks it probably could have been avoided.' To his credit, several teammates have spoken out in favor of Mr Incognito, and also said many of the comments were taken out of context. 'I don't think what happened is necessary,' teammate Tyson Clabo told ESPN. 'I don't know why he's doing this. And the only person who knows why is Jonathan Martin.' Just this past week, a video emerged of an out-of-control, drunk, shirtless Mr Incognito rampaging through a bar shouting the n-word as terrified patrons dove for cover. The team has not publicly commented on the two latest incidents. | A 34-year-old woman accused Richie Incognito of molesting her with a golf club last year during a team-sponsored charity golf tournament .
The charges appear to have been dropped, the woman signed a confidentiality agreement .
The incident's disclosure follows Mr Incognito's suspension for threatening former teammate Jonathan Martin .
Mr Incognito claims he feels betrayed, according to teammates speaking in his favor . |
266,704 | e572f18d5d9f6a651282ce702625d20965d7db3e | By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 07:43 EST, 14 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:41 EST, 14 November 2012 . A blind man was beaten around the face with a brick after he said hello to two men in the street. Michael Chaplin and Darrell Hughes left the 21-year-old with multiple facial fractures after they hit him repeatedly with the brick. The victim fled for his life as the two thugs then turned on his father, who had been walking home with his son. The pair used a 'for sale' sign to beat him to the ground. Chaplin, 21, and Hughes, 19, were jailed yesterday at Hull Crown Court for what the judge called 'an appalling episode'. Appalling: Judge Jeremy Richardson said Darrell Hughes, 19, pictured left, and Michael Chaplin, 21, pictured right, showed 'no mercy' to their victims and deserved little themselves . Chaplin and Hughes started the attack after the visually impaired man said 'alright lads' as he and his father walked him from watching an England football match on television. The victim is partially sighted but registered blind. After he fled he broke down in tears believing his father had been killed in the unprovoked attack near their home in Hull. In a statement read to the court, the man said of the June attack: 'I was just terrified. I feared for my life and my dad’s life. 'My instinct was to flee. I know it’s not a very brave thing to do but I just thought I was going to die. 'I genuinely thought my dad was dead because they had said they were going to kill him.' The court heard the attack began when Hughes spat at the blind man and shouted: 'I’ve just spat at you, what are you going to do about it?' He then told the man’s father: 'I will stab you.' Both Hughes and Chaplin punched the blind man in the face as his father tried to lure them away. Hughes ran after the father and beat him six times with the sign. Hughes and Chaplin kicked him more than 20 times, before stealing his shoes. Chaplin, who knew the son was blind, then picked up a brick and struck him with it three times in the face. The son ran home believing his father had been killed. In his statement, the son said: 'I was running into pitch darkness and I just thought they were going to kill me.' The court heard he managed to find his way home, as the attack happened in nearby Spring Bank. 'They told me to run and I didn’t stop running until I got home,' he said. 'When I got home my dad wasn’t there and I thought he was dead. I cried my eyes out, I was hysterical.' Unprovoked: The blind man and his father were walking home along Spring Bank, in Hull, pictured, when they were set upon by the two thugs . Meanwhile, his father managed to escape and was frantically looking for his son. When he staggered home in bare feet and found his son, he collapsed and an ambulance was called. The father suffered cuts to his eye and swelling to his face. The attack happened as the father and son walked home from the city after an England football match on TV. Chaplin, of Ella Street, west Hull, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm on the son and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the father and has been jailed for five years. Hughes, of Peel Street, west Hull, admitted wounding the son and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the father and has been jailed for three years. Judge Jeremy Richardson QC told them: 'There was no provocation for your conduct. 'Chaplin, you picked up a brick and hit him - a visually impaired young man - three times in the face. 'He fell and was kicked. He was utterly terrified for his life. 'This appalling episode would be appalling for anyone without disabilities but for a young man with a visible impairment, it was much, much worse. 'You both set about his father. 'The injuries to the son were serious but they could have been much worse. He was particularly vulnerable due to his disability and it was a sustained attack upon him. 'This crime was in a public place late at night when individuals and members of the public should be expected to return home without being set upon by violent thugs. 'Both of you deserve to be punished severely for what you did. 'You showed no mercy to your victims and you deserve little mercy yourselves.' Chaplin has a previous conviction for causing actual bodily harm in 2008 when he headbutted a man as his friend filmed it. Hughes has a conviction for battery after he punched his father last year and grabbed his mother by the throat. | Visually impaired son and his father were attacked after he said hello to them in the street .
Son suffered multiple facial fractures and father kicked more than 20 times .
Pair were set upon as they walked home from watching summer football match on TV .
Judge jails Michael Chaplin and Darrell Hughes and tells them they deserve 'little mercy' |
182,654 | 78893ae26202015abfb91a1ccc24e8c10c678a14 | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 03:09 EST, 3 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:10 EST, 3 June 2013 . Labour Cabinet ministers tried to sexually assault female politicians, Shirley Williams claimed today. The former Education Secretary claimed that ‘more than one’ senior government figure launched assaults in the 1970s. She said the attacks were ‘worse than groping’ but she did not speak out because of the view that politics is ‘not a soft business’. Assault: Baroness Williams said that as a Labour minister she was pursued by older men in government in the 1970s . Baroness Williams served in Labour governments from 1974 to 1979, before later quitting the party to set up the SDP and later the Liberal Democrats. The 82-year-old has repeatedly spoken out to defend former Lib Dem chief executive Lord Rennard, who faces a string of sex assault claims against him from party staff and activists. He strenuously denies any wrongdoing. Baroness Williams revealed that as a female politician serving at the top of government in the 1970s she was frequently pursued by older men. Claims: Baroness Williams defended former Lib Dem chief executive Lord Rennard against sexual harassment claims, saying he was 'a very fine man' Allegations of the serious assaults, committed by Cabinet ministers, come at a time when police are also investigating numerous showbusiness stars over claims of sex attacks during the 1970s. But Baroness Williams said she did not speak out at the time, because she would have been dismissed for not accepting it was part of life in Westminster at the time. ‘As a woman MP I spent a great deal of my youth being pursued by senior gentlemen,’ she told The Sun. ‘It was much worse than groping, it was assaulting. ‘If I'd said, “I've been pursued around the filing cabinets by Mr X” — and Mr X did exist and he was a Cabinet Minister — they'd have said, “For God's sake, this isn't what politics is about, it's not a soft business”.’ Asked by the newspaper to name the minister, Baroness Williams replied: ‘No. There was more than one.’ She was Prices and Consumer Protection Secretary under Harold Wilson, and later Paymaster General and Education Secretary in Harold Wilson’s government from 1976 to 1979. She quit the Labour party in 1981,and was part of the famous Gang of Four – with Roy Jenkins, David Owen and Bill Rodgers – who set up the SDP, which later merged with the Liberal Party in 1988 to create the Liberal Democrats. Baroness Williams again defended Lord Rennard, who was the Lib Dem chief executive from 2003 to 2009. She said: ‘Chris has been a rock to the Liberal party, he's been an absolutely critical factor in our success.’ Minister: Baroness Williams was Education Secretary in the Labour government from 1976-79, before quitting the party to set up the SDP . In February Baroness Williams came to the defence of Lord Rennard, after it emerged sexual harassment claims him had been a factor in his early retirement. Nick Clegg promised a party inquiry and in April Scotland Yard began a criminal inquiry, interviewing up to 20 potential victims and witnesses. But Baroness Williams, one of the most senior Lib Dem women, said the situation had been ‘hopelessly exaggerated’ and insisted Lord Rennard was ‘a very fine man’. However, she did say that women in Parliament were ‘not treated very fairly’ and said the Commons was a ‘very bullying place, a very masculine culture’. | Ex-Education Secretary says she was pursued by older men in 1970s .
'Worse than groping' but did not speak out because it was part of politics .
Quit party to set-up SDP and later the Liberal Democrats .
Defended ex-Lib Dem chief Lord Rennard over groping claims . |
181,602 | 771c639264513012190b5b1a3b5758d1d7b3a8ed | A Pakistani former dancing girl left fighting for life by a 'horrific' acid attack has committed suicide a decade after being heavily facially disfigured. Fakhra Younus, 33, leapt to her death from a sixth floor building in Rome 12 years after the acid attack which she said left her looking 'not human'. At the time of her attack in May 2000, her ex-husband Bilal Khar was the man accused of entering her mother's house and pouring acid over Younus's face as she slept. Life-changing: Fakhra Younus, pictured left before the horrific acid attack in May 2000, was left heavily facially disfigured after having acid thrown in her face . The attack, which took place in front of Younus's then five-year-old son, left her unable to breathe and fighting for life. Her nose was almost completely melted and she has since undergone 39 separate surgical procedures to repair her disfigured face over the past decade. The horrific attack also burned off her hair, fused her lips, blinded her in one eye, destroyed her left ear and melted her breasts. After being rushed to hospital she said, 'My face is a prison to me', while her distraught young son said at the time, 'This is not my mother'. Disfigured: Younus, left, pictured with supporter Tehmina Durrani, has undergone 39 separate surgical operations to repair the damage done to her face . The mother-of-one moved to Italy after the incident to live in Rome and continue her treatment. But on March 17 she took her own life, after leaving a message saying she was committing suicide over the silence of law on the atrocities and the insensitivity of Pakistani rulers. Cleared: Younus's ex-husband Bilal Khar, the son of a wealthy Pakistani governor, was cleared in 2003 of charges relating to the attack . Bilal Khar was arrested in 2002 and charged with attempted murder following the attack, only to be released on bail after five months. Khar, an ex-parliamentarian and son of a wealthy Pakistani governor, was eventually cleared of the attack, though many believe he could have used his family connections to escape conviction. After Younus's tragic suicide emerged earlier this month, Khar continued to deny having any part in the attack - claiming in a television interview a different man with the same name had carried out the crime. Khar claimed his ex-wife killed herself because she didn't have enough money, not because of her horrific injuries. More than 8,500 acid attacks, forced marriages and other forms of violence against women were reported in Pakistan in 2011, according to The Aurat Foundation, a women's rights organization. The Pakistani government introduced new laws last year criminalising acid attacks and stating that convicted attacks would serve at least 14 years in jail. Tehmina Durrani, the ex-wife of Bilal Khar's father, had become an advocate for Younus after the attack, and said the acid attack victim had pledged to bring her attacker to justice when she had recovered. Mourning: Fakhra Younus's body is carried through Karachi airport in her native Pakistan after her body was returned to the country from Italy . Grief: Family members of Fakhra Younus cannot hide their anguish at Karachi airport as the acid attack victim's body was returned to Pakistan . Durrani said: 'She said, 'When I come back, I will reopen the case, and I'll fight myself," and she was a fighter.' Durrani said Younus' case should be a reminder that the Pakistani government needs to do much more to prevent acid attacks and other forms of violence against women, and also help the victims. 'I think this whole country should be extremely embarrassed that a foreign country took responsibility for a Pakistani citizen for 13 years because we could give her nothing, not justice, not security,' said Durrani. | Fakhra Younus said 'My face is a prison' after attack which melted her nose .
She had undergone 39 separate surgeries to repair damage .
Leapt to her death from sixth floor Rome building earlier this month .
Her ex-husband was charged with attempted murder in 2002 but has since been acquitted . |
52,376 | 946023a95d427968e2477f9b4a61cde551054a50 | Nick Easter has joined a growing chorus of high-profile stars to raise concerns about professional rugby’s ‘gym-monkey’ culture at academy level amid fears careers will be cut short by increasingly brutal collisions. The 36-year-old Harlequins No 8, who only turned fully professional 11 seasons ago and was not involved in academy rugby, believes the size of youngsters entering the sport now is cause for serious concern. A Mail on Sunday investigation earlier this year found the England Under 18 side that played Wales last season was heavier man-for-man than Will Carling’s 1991 senior England side that reached the World Cup final. Nick Easter charges into the Leinster defence during his side's 14-13 loss at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday . Easter makes the hard yards against Argentina during England's World Cup pool match in Dunedin in 2011 . Easter (left) gets to grips with France No 8 Imanol Harinorduquy during the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal . Easter (right) offloads to Paul Sackey during England's 2011 World Cup final defeat to South Africa in Paris . ‘If I’d been playing high-level club and international rugby at 20 or 21 in an attritional position like No 8 I’m not so sure my body is in the same condition it is now. That is the fear for a lot of the youngsters coming through now. They are two or three stone heavier per man than England Under 18 sides of the past and yet they are running at higher collision speeds now. ‘It might be a good thing that they are doing all their weights and are on the protein shakes building their muscles up but there are other areas of your body that probably aren’t fully developed and are taking a lot of hits. There might be a few repercussions as far as that is concerned in years to come.’ The remarkable increase in the size of schoolboy players has coincided with an unprecedented period of success for the England Under 18 side which has yet to be translated into the senior team. A Mail on Sunday investigation earlier this year found the England Under 18 side that played Wales last season was heavier man-for-man than Will Carling (above) and his 1991 senior England side . Easter is not the first senior professional player to claim the next generation of players are focusing too much on weight training and not enough on skills, with former England lock Simon Shaw first raising concerns back in 2009. But those concerns appear to have fallen on deaf ears. ‘Someone like Billy Vunipola is naturally a big bloke but the guys who naturally aren’t that big are potentially a worry,’ Easter added. ‘You see a lot of the tall and lithe back rows and second rows who are told to bulk up. You see it when they have a shoulder injury or an upper body injury because they completely lose their mass. You think “Oh my God, that’s probably what they are naturally like”. Former England lock Simon Shaw raised concerns about the size of modern rugby players back in 2009 . ‘When they are training they all look pretty much the same but some guys are naturally quite big and can put up with punishment but others find it harder to keep the weight on. Their bodies are not meant for that punishment.’ Last week RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie admitted to serious concerns about the number of positive doping tests returned in junior rugby in recent times while insisting the professional game is too tightly monitored for a doping culture to exist. Another England star who did not go down the academy path, Ben Morgan, agrees the sheer size of young players is a worry. Veteran Wasps fly half Andy Goode believes there is too much of an emphasis on weight training . ‘Not everyone goes the conventional route of academies,’ Morgan told The Mail on Sunday. ‘I’m happy with the way it’s gone. You see a lot of people who have been in the system for a long time and that sort of training routine leaves their bodies getting smashed.’ Wasps fly-half Andy Goode, 34, believes the emphasis on weight training among the next generation of English-qualified players is bound to have a detrimental effect on the national team. ‘We seem to have gone away as a culture from kids playing enough rugby to trying to make them big in the gym,’ Goode said. ‘Now it seems to be about how much you can lift rather than developing kids with skill. ‘That’s the big difference between us and the southern hemisphere.’ England number eight Ben Morgan (centre) agrees the sheer size of young players is a worry . | Mail on Sunday investigation reveals massive increase in size of players .
England Under 18 side that played Wales last season was heavier man-for-man than Will Carling’s 1991 senior England side .
England's Ben Morgan agrees the size of young players is a worry . |
196,159 | 89ddd91df2028cfd3785099ce30a30b7d4403896 | By . Alexandra Klausner . New York officials plan to amp up security at buildings and bridges after recent climbing stunts at Manhattan's supposedly secure sites surfaced on the internet. Artist Judith Supine recorded himself climbing the Ed Koch Queensboro bridge at 4 a.m. last Tuesday to showcase a piece of his new street art. Although his climb was harmless to New Yorker's safety, it showed a major lapse in security that could be potentially dangerous if someone climbed a bridge with malintent. Scroll down for videos . Artist Judith Supine recorded himself climbing the Ed Koch Queensboro bridge at 4 a.m. last Tuesday to showcase a piece of his new street art . This is the view from the top of the Queensboro Bridge as seen by artist Judith Supine . This is the piece of Judith Supine's art that he placed at the top of the bridge . 'It¿s just something I like to do for fun. To be naughty and run around the city and put my art in places I'm not supposed to,' Supine told reporters . 'It’s just something I like to do for . fun. To be naughty and run around the city and put my art in places I’m . not supposed to,' he said. CBS reports that Supine's stunt comes at a time of growing concern about security at New York's landmarks. Earlier this month, a 16-year-old boy named Justin Casquuejo managed to sneak through a hole in a fence past a security guard at The World Trade Center. He took photos of himself on the tower. In another incident, men turned themselves into police just last week after a video of them jumping from 1 World Trade center in September was posted on Youtube.They had sneaked past security via a broken fence. Senator Charles Schumer has ordered the Department of Homeland security to conduct a reveiw of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Safety procedures at The World Trade Center construction site. 'These days you say who else could climb to the top of the Queensboro Bridge for a much more evil purpose? We have to be far more careful with our landmarks, with all of our entryways. Far more careful,' the Schumer said. Senator Charles Schumer has ordered the Department of Homeland security to conduct a reveiw of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Safety procedures at The World Trade Center construction site . Earlier this month, a 16-year-old boy named Justin Casquuejo managed to sneak through a hole in a fence past a security guard at The World Trade Center . This is a photo of the teenage boy who managed to sneak past a hole in the fence at the World trade Center . Security expert Manny Gomez suggested that more security officers get stationed at landmarks and that there be even more camera security . Even though the Brooklyn Bridge has two police officers stationed at each side at all times, security experts are thinking of building more security. 'It’s very difficult to protect bridges because if you don’t have a dedicated force there, how do you stop someone from randomly climbing a structure in the middle of the night when he/she is unseen?' said security expert Manny Gomez to CBS. Gomez suggested that more security officers get stationed at landmarks and that there be even more camera security. Senator Schumer wants to increase security at the Word Trade Center in the wake of the recent security breaches. 'We have to make sure there are no weak links.' The Port Authority also commented on the matter and said, 'The recent security lapses at the World Trade Center construction site are unacceptable, and the Port Authority and the Durst Organization have taken significant steps to address them.'them.' | Artist Judith Supine recorded himself .
climbing the Ed Koch Queensboro bridge at 4 a.m. last Tuesday to .
showcase a piece of his new street art .
Earlier this month, a 16-year-old boy .
named Justin Casquuejo managed to sneak through a hole in a fence past a .
security guard at The World Trade Center . |
22,511 | 3fe31bfa86777b3f4a1bcbb46650f683fa477935 | (CNN) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Friday said he'd accept a medical marijuana bill that would expand options for patients -- including allowing qualified children to consume edible forms -- but only if certain changes are made. Christie told the Legislature that he would sign the bill if it stipulated that edible forms of marijuana would be dispensed only to minors, not to patients of all ages. Another condition: Christie wants to delete a provision that would have let children qualify for the program with only a doctor's approval. Current law requires that children receive approval by at least a pediatrician and a psychiatrist. The bill, S2842, would add edible marijuana to the current dry-leaf and lozenge options for all qualified patients. Christie wants the bill to allow edible marijuana for qualified children only -- a move that would please parents concerned that the other options posed choking and other health concerns. The bill also would eliminate a limit on the number of marijuana strains that the state's dispensaries can cultivate -- ostensibly making it more likely that they would carry versions that certain patients seek. Christie did not ask for changes to this provision. Christie previously worried about going "down the slippery slope of broadening a program and making it easier to get marijuana that wouldn't necessarily go to other people"—and these modifications are perhaps a strategic compromise to not slide down the "slippery slope." "Today, I am making commonsense recommendations to this legislation to ensure sick children receive the treatment their parents prefer, while maintaining appropriate safeguards," Christie said in a statement released Friday. "I am calling on the Legislature to reconvene quickly and address these issues so that children in need can get the treatment they need." "As I have repeatedly noted, I believe that parents, and not government regulators, are best suited to decide how to care for their children," Christie continued. But some of the bill's sponsors preferred the original language, which would open up the number of marijuana strains and ingestible forms to a wider range of patients, as well as an easier application process. "I think it is ironic that Governor Christie believes that parents and government regulators should make the decision. This might be the most regulated law in the state," state Sen. Joseph Vitale, one of the primary sponsors of the bill, told CNN Friday. "The last thing we want is to delay it for the kids, so we want to pass it as soon as possible," Vitale continued. "It still requires too many unnecessary hurdles with physicians, but I don't think we should hold it up anymore." Assemblyman Reed Gusciora said older residents who can't ingest marijuana smoke should have access to an edible form. But he, too, prefers prompt action on the bill. Girl's father pressed for changes . Christie's decision came under pressure from an epileptic girl's father, who contends the bill would make it easier for her to get a version of the drug that might help her. Brian Wilson's 2-year-old daughter, Vivian, suffers a version of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome. Normal epilepsy medications have so far failed to work for Vivian, and her family believes a certain type of medical marijuana -- one with high levels of cannabidiol, or CBD -- may be able to help. High-CBD strains of marijuana have helped other patients with Dravet Syndrome. Vivian is cleared to receive medical marijuana, but the state's sole operating dispensary, currently limited by law to offering only three strains, does not offer the high-CBD marijuana her family seeks. Trying to get an answer on the bill but unable to get a meeting with the governor, Wilson and members of his family on Wednesday crashed a small Christie campaign stop at a local diner in Scotch Plains. "I was wondering what the holdup was; it's been like two months now," Wilson said to Christie. Christie responded that while the decision may be simple for Wilson, it's not as easy for the Republican governor. Christie is thought to be a major contender for his party's 2016 nomination for president. Marijuana stops child's severe seizures . "These are complicated issues," Christie told Wilson. "I know you think it's simple and it's not." Governor has been cautious on the issue . Christie has in the past expressed trepidation about marijuana. "I am not going to turn New Jersey into Colorado and California. I'm not legalizing marijuana in New Jersey," he said in July. As for children, Christie said he was "very reluctant." Of Christie's call to modify the bill, Brian Wilson told CNN's Jake Tapper: "While it is a small victory ... it really just maintains the idea of making (New Jersey) one of the worst medical marijuana programs in the country. So it's a small victory but it's kind of ludicrous in a lot of ways." Christie wants the state to keep the existing requirement of approval by at least a pediatrician and a psychiatrist for a child to be part of the medical marijuana program. "The psychiatrist is just a roadblock," Wilson said. "There's no rhyme or reason to have a psychiatrist be part of this decision. You're talking about sick kids who aren't even mentally necessarily capable of talking. Vivian can't even talk." While pleased that more forms of marijuana would be available under the bill, Wilson said edible forms of the drug should be available to patients of all ages. Regardless of whether Christie the bill is approved, it appears Vivian may soon have access to high-CBD marijuana. A dispensary expected to offer a high-CBD version is scheduled to open in New Jersey later this year, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Vivian's family also supported the bill because they prefer the edible form to lozenges -- which they say is a choking hazard and contains sugar, which is inadvisable for her condition -- and smoking. The Wilson family and their supporters have a website called Letters for Vivian at which they urge people to write Christie and asked him to support the measure. The letter says that the type of medical marijuana they want for Vivian has no "high," with far less tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, than in recreational marijuana. THC is the active ingredient that gets people high. According to the letter, Vivian has been signed up for medical marijuana, but she "has not received any medication due to New Jersey's overreaching and unsafe restrictions" on the medical marijuana program. Opinions on the use of marijuana, particularly for medical purposes, have shifted in the United States in recent years, with a growing chorus that it should be made available by prescription. "Protection of our children remains my utmost concern, and my heart goes out to those children and their families who are suffering with serious illnesses," Christie said. Are American opinions on marijuana reaching tipping point? CNN's Jason Hanna contributed to this report. | Gov. Christie recommends two changes to bill before he signs it .
Bill would eliminate limit on strains that dispensaries can offer in New Jersey .
That could give patients access to useful types that otherwise wouldn't be available .
Bill also would make it simpler for children to qualify . |
181,909 | 778b1b82bfb3aeca2f11e44451624c4bcccdea63 | Eureka, California (CNN) -- Police had a man who is suspected of killing a Catholic priest in his California rectory, but they let him go. It was mere hours before the slaying of the Rev. Eric Freed that an odd-acting Gary Lee Bullock had been in custody for public intoxication. On New Year's Eve, Humboldt County sheriff's deputies had responded to reports that a person was "acting strangely" and arrested Bullock, taking him to jail. But Bullock, police said, was "rejected" from the facility "due to his erratic behavior." Bullock, 43, was then moved to a nearby hospital, "where he became more agitated and had to be physically restrained by deputies," police said. Bullock was eventually booked into a jail shortly after 4:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve, staying there for more than eight hours. He was released at 12:43 a.m. on January 1. Less than two hours later, police got a call about a suspicious person at St. Bernard Church in Eureka, California. Officers found Bullock there, but he was not taken into custody. He wasn't "intoxicated and did not qualify for an emergency psychological hold," explained Eureka Police Chief Andy Mills. Instead, police referred Bullock to a shelter, Mills said. At some point later, a guard at St. Bernard found a person matching Bullock's description on the premises and told him to leave, police said. Then there was a devastating discovery. Church staff found Freed's body, and police were called at 9 a.m. on New Year's Day. Officers and a parishioner, who happened to be a doctor, determined the priest was dead. Mills said there were signs of "forced entry" and a struggle. Police said the reverend suffered "blunt force trauma." An arrest warrant was issued for Bullock, and authorities asked for the public's help in finding him and a 2010 Nissan hybrid belonging to the slain priest. Bullock apparently fled 45 minutes from the parish to a family member's house in Freed's car, police told CNN. One of Bullock's relatives called police. "There's no question in our mind he's responsible for this heinous act," Chief Mills told CNN's Jake Tapper on Thursday, citing evidence recovered at the crime scene and interviews with eyewitnesses allegedly linking Bullock to the priest's death. The county coroner on Thursday ruled the death a homicide. An autopsy is set for Saturday. Mills said Thursday that authorities don't have a motive for the killing. But the police chief speculated it was probably "a crime of opportunity." "To me, 'why' is the biggest thing that we would like to establish -- to bring a sense of ease and comfort to the community," Mills said. "But right now, I'm just glad that this incident is done, it is over with, he's in custody (and) the public can take a deep breath." Killing shakes town, friends, parishioners . Freed's slaying has rattled many in Eureka, including members of Freed's parish and those who knew him from the nearby public university where he taught. Mourning parishioners and community leaders gathered outside the church Thursday. John Chiv said that he and other St. Bernard parishioners are shocked and angry. "It's hard to feel Christian because ... it was brutal," Chiv said, adding that Freed was "very jovial ... very accessible (and) very loving." "We lost a pastor, we lost a friend and, for many of us, he was like a father figure." Freed had been part of the greater Santa Rosa diocese since 1999, establishing himself as a "great preacher" and an engaging teacher from his work in Catholic schools, said Msgr. Daniel Whelton. "He was like an old shoe, just an easy person to be with," said the monsignor, who is the diocese's vicar general. "... He was an upbeat person (who) always saw the glass half full. ... It wasn't about him." The death of the priest was felt beyond the church. Eureka Mayor Frank Jager said Freed was a personal friend and had been a "tremendous person in this community" since his arrival three years ago. While he was relatively new to St. Bernard, Freed had already made an impact there and elsewhere around Eureka -- including with the city's Japanese-American community. Freed lived in Japan for many years, Jager told reporters. "This is an absolutely tremendous loss not only for the St. Bernard's Parish, but for our community generally," the mayor said. "For those of us who believe in prayer, this is the time for that." "Eric knew as well as anybody just how senseless violence could be," said William Herbrechtsmeier, a professor at Humboldt State University, where Freed was a lecturer. "When a fine person like him is brought down -- that's just tragic." Herbrechtsmeier said the priest's life extended beyond his work. He was a diehard University of Southern California Trojans fan and loved to watch sports. He wrote a book about the first atomic bomb and also taught about the New Testament. "He was a really, genuinely warm individual," said professor Stephen Cunha, the chairman of Humboldt State University's religious studies department. "Kind is the word that comes to mind, sensitive." "He was very well respected, very well liked and had a tremendous working knowledge as well as academic knowledge," Cunha said. "To think that he passed in this way, it's just layers of grief and shock." "This was not some stuffy clergyman. He was very much someone that you could sit down and speak with. ... He connected with everybody." Just a few days ago, the priest sent a note to his parishioners, thanking them for their support and prayers and wishing them a merry Christmas and happy New Year. "I cannot tell you how proud and honored I am to be your pastor," Freed wrote in a letter posted on the parish website. "Our parish is alive, joyful and full of faith, hope and charity that define us as Catholic Christians." CNN's Ashley Fantz and Greg Botelho reported and wrote this story from Atlanta, and CNN's Dan Simon reported from Eureka. CNN's Augie Martin, Devon Sayers and Suzanne Presto contributed to this report. | The slain priest was a friend and father figure to many, a parishioner says .
The Rev. Eric Freed was found dead in the rectory of his Eureka, California, church .
Authorities don't have a motive for the killing, Eureka's police chief says .
The suspect, Gary Bullock, had been arrested the previous night for public intoxication . |
278,357 | f49574929c513621d0b3b6b6ad04cc5f2dbc7031 | (CNN) -- Defying threats of arrest or worse, witnesses to protests in Iran are managing to leak reports of violence after the country's disputed presidential elections. Anti-riot police form a barrier against protesters in Iran Tuesday. "Censoring is very bad here and they have reduced Internet speed," two Iranians said to a friend outside the country. The pair wanted to broadcast images of damage and casualties after a reported attack on a dorm at the University of Tehran. "We managed to upload a few pictures and movies ... please give it to news agencies and ask them to air it." The witnesses said riot police and militia attacked the dormitory Sunday night after a student protest the day before. Up to 150 students were arrested, according to the account, and at least one was killed. Students were beaten and shot, and one of the buildings caught fire. Some university professors resigned after the incident, the witnesses said. CNN cannot independently confirm this or other reports. The images showed a heavily damaged building, the charred remains of what appeared to be a dorm room, an injured or dead person, a burned motorcycle and a bloody floor. Many Iranians feel the June 12 election was "a sham," a Tehran man in his 20s told CNN in an interview. "During [the] previous presidential election, we had a 50.9 percent turnout," he said. "This time, we got 82 percent, because people wanted change and [current President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad out. We know that many of Ahmadinejad voters from [the] last election voted for [opposition leader Mir Hossein] Moussavi this time. "This is one of the reasons we were certain that Moussavi would win," he said. "On Saturday morning, when they released the results that Ahmadinejad got 64 percent and Moussavi got 33 percent, we were absolutely shocked. If you looked at the returns coming in, Ahmadinejad's returns never dipped -- but [conservative presidential candidate] Mohsen Rezaie's dropped from 630,000 to 570,000. How is that possible? It's just more proof that the elections were rigged ... people feel like their intelligence has been insulted and that they've been lied to." Watch a report on images coming out of Iran » . Reports of violence came from outside Tehran as well. One video was posted by a person who said he had received it anonymously from a Twitter feed. It showed several people wounded by apparent gunshots, and people attempting to treat them, seemingly without medical supplies. The poster said the video was shot in Esfahan, a city about 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of Tehran. "We need napkins, towels!" one person yells in the video. "Quick, give them to me!" "Sit down, sit down," another person tells one of the injured. "Please relax. You are very hurt." Another image on CNN's iReport site shows the body of a man who has suffered a huge gash to his side. The man was 25, the description said, and was martyred because of his belief in freedom. In yet another video, posted without a description, a screaming crowd surrounds a man's body. CNN is not identifying iReporters who post content from inside Iran. "Iranian TV isn't giving the big picture," the Tehran man said. "They are depicting the protesters as anarchists. They even report that students are finishing finals at the university when the place has been shut down for days." One iReporter noted that Moussavi supporters are still able to organize rallies through person-to-person contact. Many Internet sites are blocked, and cell phones lack service in some areas, the person said. iReport.com: Are you in Iran? Share your story with CNN . The Iranian government has blocked journalists who work for international news organizations. Witness accounts are that plainclothes police were on the streets, shooting rifles into crowds and chasing down those with cameras and cell phones attempting to communicate, fostering "mass fear." One person said the injured were staying out of hospitals, as doctors are handing patients over to police. In Shiraz in southwestern Iran, 28-year-old Najmeh, a hospital nurse, said she had joined protests since Saturday, but decided on Wednesday the risk was too great. "The police are everywhere you look," she said. "They hurt and arrested so many people last night that no one wants to go out." Some Moussavi supporters, however, remained firm -- even as they accused those outside Iran of turning a blind eye to their plight. "We are fighting with our lives and the world is just watching," said Ali, a Tehran University student who asked that his full name not be used. "They see how the government is trying to silence us, how they are beating us -- but they don't come to our help. It's OK. We will succeed, even if we have to fight alone." | Report alleges arrests, beatings, shooting, fire in attack at University of Tehran .
Twitter feed shows people apparently shot in city about 200 miles south of Tehran .
Nurse says police in Shiraz in southwestern Iran have put a damper on protests . |
74,486 | d328d483351c4c4365c92e594ba14482230f6f20 | (EW.com) -- Chuck Norris doesn't endorse presidential candidates -- he anoints political saviors. The actor, an avowed Republican, explains at the outset of an epic editorial on WND that, "As a six-time undefeated middleweight world karate champion, I have a pretty good idea what makes a warrior." In the nearly 1,400 words that follow, the fiery-spirited, flame-haired Golden Boot Award winner lays out the "the trifecta of tyranny" that Newt Gingrich, his new favorite Republican candidate is facing. Namely, foe Mitt Romney's massive funding, the dreaded mainstream media (MSM), and the "elite power mongering" forces within the GOP party itself. As you might expect, Norris's editorial is peppered with phrases that would make you think Gingrich is a ninja assassin under siege of a thousand enemies -- not a doughy former college professor. Check out the top five soundbites below. Honorable mention: "[Nancy Pelosi] chapped my hide [with] her clear audacity, arrogance and vindictiveness when she vehemently retorted like the wicked witch of the west: 'Mark my words: That man will not be elected!'" 5. "Newt spanked (with great audience fanfare) CNN's John King at the South Carolina presidential debate... [and showed his] ability to shut down the power grid of the MSM." 4. "While Romney decries that he is not a Washington insider, it is amazing to me that he gloats over the roughly 72 Washington elite who endorse him compared with Newt's 11. Rather than a badge of honor, that's a thorn of shame." 3. "Personally, I feel the entire future debate system should be derailed from the media's control and played out exclusively on C-SPAN with questions being fed entirely via the Internet from citizens around the country." [In Chuck Norris's world, political debates should be argue-to-the-death cage matches in the style of "The Running Man" or "The Hunger Games."] . 2. "We must send someone in there who will turn over the establishment to resurrect the principles of our founding fathers and restore our republic." 1. "One cannot, in any way, underestimate the grisly enormity of this triple-headed monstrosity. It is a Goliath of ginormous proportions. And let there be no doubt: Only heaven and earth combining their forces will overcome this gargantuan foe." [Bonus points for use of non-word "ginormous." Chuck Norris doesn't follow the rules of grammar -- he rules grammar.] . Considering the colorful language and battle-ready atmosphere permeating the GOP primaries, is there anyone better to throw his hat in the ring than Norris? Then again, given Norris's losing history of endorsements (Mike Huckabee in 2008, Ron Paul just last year), should he throw in the towel as a political kingmaker? Or would the world be a lesser place without his vivid verbal artistry? Also, now that Donald Trump has endorsed Romney, are you ready for the iron-fisted ginger to face off against the big-mouthed duck 'do? See the full article at EW.com. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved. | Chuck Norris on Newt Gingrich: "I have a pretty good idea what makes a warrior"
He lays out the "the trifecta of tyranny" that his new favorite Republican candidate is facing .
Norris's editorial would make you think Gingrich is a ninja assassin . |
197,425 | 8b85895faef81b54e2b6c42a4d6d47b15de4afb1 | Atlanta (CNN) -- Daniel Guadalupe stared at the passport application in front of him, dumbfounded. His problem was not the questions asked, but the language they were written in. "I don't speak Spanish very well," he said as he struggled to fill out the Mexican government form. "I'll have to call my mom." The 18-year-old is one of more than a million people that U.S. officials estimate could benefit from the Obama administration's deferred deportation program aimed at illegal immigrants younger than 30 who came to the United States before the age of 16. Details about how immigrants can apply for the program, which administration officials announced last month, have not been released. But already young people are flooding Mexican consular offices around the United States, trying to get the citizenship documents they'll need from their home country in order to ask for a reprieve from U.S. immigration officials. For immigrants, recent policy changes are personal . This week, Guadalupe waited in a long line at the Mexican consulate in Atlanta before a clerk took his fingerprints, reviewed his documents and helped him fill out the passport form in a language he sometimes struggles to understand. The high school senior was born in Mexico but brought illegally to the United States when he was 8 years old. Most of the people he hangs out with speak English, the teen said, and he only speaks Spanish with his parents. Getting a passport from a country he barely remembers is the first step to get into college, Guadalupe said. He hopes to study music somewhere in Georgia, the state where he's lived since arriving in the United States. "I feel like I need this opportunity to become a U.S. citizen," he said. But first, he must prove he is a Mexican. The process is not always simple for young immigrants in the United States who don't have birth certificates or passports handy, said Abigail Calleja, consul for protection at the Mexican consulate in Atlanta. Some of the hundreds of children who have lined up at the consulate over the past few weeks have no idea where their father is, Calleja said. That's a problem because Mexican law requires kids under 18 to have the signature and fingerprints from both parents. "But let me assure you that nobody will lose (his or her) chance to apply for the program because of a passport. We will do what we need to help these kids," she said. Mexican officials at consulates nationwide are preparing to help those who would qualify for the new U.S. program. "We are asking them to stay alert to our websites and other places where official information is issued," she said. All 50 consular offices in the United States have organized information sessions on the issue, and consular officials are also carefully reviewing documents to avoid fraudulent applications, she said. The Obama administration's shift last month on the politically volatile issue of immigration policy prompted immediate praise from Latino leaders who have criticized Congress and the White House for inaction, while Republicans reacted with outrage, saying the move amounts to amnesty and usurps congressional authority. Under the new policy, people younger than 30 who came to the United States before the age of 16, who pose no criminal or security threat and were successful students or served in the military can get a two-year deferral from deportation, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said last month. It also will allow those meeting the requirements to apply for work permits, Napolitano said, adding that participants must be in the United States now and be able to prove they have been living in the country continuously for at least five years. In Mexico, Central American immigrants under fire . Up to 1.2 million illegal immigrants could benefit from the program, according to U.S. government estimates. More than 58% of the estimated 11.2 million illegal immigrants in the United States are Mexican, the Pew Hispanic Center said last year. Calleja said she did not know how many Mexican citizens would require consular services associated with the new U.S. program. But those who qualify can come to the consulate without an appointment, receive assistance and have their request prioritized, she said. This week, Karina Vasquez and her brother came to the Atlanta consulate to start processing their paperwork so they can apply for the U.S. deferral program. "It will allow me to go to college, to get a job and feel safe here," the 18-year-old said as she waited in line to get her picture taken. Her mother, Rocio Medina, said she brought her children to the United States 10 years ago to give them a better chance to succeed in life and to reunite their family. "Their father was already here, and we didn't want to be apart," she said. Now, Medina said she hopes the U.S. program will not only help her children, but also help lead to a change in her immigration status in the future. When one passport isn't enough . CNN's Tom Cohen contributed to this report. | U.S. officials have announced a deferred deportation program for young illegal immigrants .
Details about how immigrants can apply have not been released .
Youths are flooding consular offices, applying for Mexican passports .
"I feel like I need this opportunity to become a U.S. citizen," one teen says . |
18,675 | 34d9e5c1c38e2b7ba339ecc575a92bd269690a72 | Fevers were running high today for sports power couple Lindsay Vonn and Tiger Woods - but not for the same reasons. Vonn skied into a World Cup victory at Canada's Lake Louise in a triumphant comeback after 22 months of injury. It was not all smiles for the champion skier's boyfriend, however: a profusely-sweating Woods vomited twice on the golf course at Florida's Hero World Challenge where he remains in last place. He summed up the day in a tweet: 'I competed and Linds won'. Tale of two halves: Lindsay Vonn (left) bagged her 15th career win at the Lake Louise World Cup today. Her boyfriend Tiger Woods (right) was not so spritely, vomiting twice and coming last in his Florida tournament . The pair recently endured lengthy spells in rehab for injuries which sidelined them from their respective sports for months - and Vonn credits Woods with inspiring her to push through the grueling physiotherapy. Vonn, 30, has been out of action since tearing her right knee ligament in a high-speed crash in early 2013 which forced her to miss the Sochi Winter Olympic Games. But she reclaimed her champion reputation on Saturday by leading the American team to an historic one-two-three finish at Lake Louise in Canada. 'I risked a lot more and I skied a lot better,' said Vonn. 'I am extremely happy to be on the top of the podium against and also with my two teammates. It couldn't be a better day.' Vonn, who is racing with a brace on her right knee, confessed she was disappointed with her performance in the season-opening slope on Friday, where she finished eighth. Under the weather: Woods, 38, vomited during practice and during play at the Hero's World Challenge . Record: Vonn, 30, screamed as she learned she had led the U.S. team to an historic one-two-three finish . Recovering: Woods, like Vonn, recently endured a lengthy spell in rehab for an injury that set him out of play . Celebrations: Lindsey Vonn, center, celebrates after winning the second women's downhill race with second place Stacey Cook, left, and third place Julia Mancuso, right, during the World Cup at Lake Louise, Canada . She said: 'I made the adjustment today. I tried to sit lower in my tuck and to be more aggressive in some turns. It paid off. I was just faster all the way down. 'Every day has gotten better here. I'm pushing the limits and I want more speed. I haven't had that yet until today.' Her ecstatic demeanor was a far cry from her 38-year-old boyfriend's appearance on the third day of play in Windermere, Florida. Woods has not played since August while he recovered from a back injury. In last place in the 18-player field, he coughed repeatedly into a towel and vomited along the third fairway, but carried on in his return to competition after an absence of some four months due to back pain. The 14-time major winner closed with three consecutive birdies to the delight of the large gallery following him at the layout that was his longtime home course. Working together: Vonn credits Woods with helping her to recover as they went through rehab together . 'I wasn't doing too good. But I thought I could hang in there,' Woods whispered to reporters after the round, explaining he had lost his voice. 'I wasn't in pain. I just was a little bit under the weather,' said Woods, who played on Friday after running a 102-degree fever. Today marked the 15th career win for Vonn in her event dubbed 'Lake Lindsey'. Vonn won her first race in Lake Louise in December 2004. She said her experience at the course helped her in conditions made difficult by poor light. 'There's been some changing terrain here over the last couple days,' she said. 'Every day is a little bit different. I tried to pay a little more attention to that because obviously you couldn't see it today. The light was really bad, but I know this course really well.' | Lindsay Vonn and Tiger Woods have both returned from injury this week .
Vonn, 30, took first place at Lake Louise World Cup, led her teammates into historic one-two-three finish .
Woods, 38, vomited in practice then on golf course at Windermere, Florida . |
54,834 | 9b5046c55e98d40a69cd1c956e26c27942e04b8f | It has been described as one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the last 100 years. And now the hoard of Bronze Age treasure unearthed in a remote area of Dartmoor two years ago has come under the spotlight again as experts think it could have belonged to a prehistoric princess. Intriguing finds including earrings, beads, a studded bracelet and a near perfectly preserved basket and animal pelt will be the subject of a one-off documentary, before going on show to the public later this year. The basket (pictured) is around 4,000 years old and held a collection of ancient beads, wooden earrings and a flink flake, shedding light on a Bronze Age society capable of amazing craftsmanship and international trade . The objects, which were pulled from an ancient cremation burial chamber in south Devon, have fascinated scientists since they were discovered in 2011 and have allowed them one of the best glimpses into life in Bronze Age Southern England that they have ever had. In a BBC 2 documentary scheduled to air in early March called 'Mystery on the Moor,' viewers will be able to witness the moment an intricately coiled bag is opened for the first time in 4,000 years. The basket held a collection of precious beads, wooden earrings and a flint flake, shedding light on an advanced society capable of amazing craftsmanship and international trade. Intriguing finds including prehistoric wooden earrings (pictured right), beads (also pictured), a studded bracelet and a near perfectly animal pelt have just gone on show at a new exhibition . The pelt was found in 2011 in a peat bog on White Horse Hill wrapped around artefacts found in the grave, including a woven basket containing precious amber beads and earrings, as well as the cremated remains of a Bronze Age princes (actor pictured) It is fashioned from two circular disks measuring 4.5 inches (12cm) in diameter to form a flat base and lid, which is joined by a tube made using a coiled basketry technique with cow hair stitching around the edge and was preserved in peat. The wooden earrings inside, which measure up to an inch (2.5cm) in diameter, have side grooves and are made from spindle wood – a hard, fine grained tree that grows in Dartmoor which is traditionally used to make knitting needles. Archaeologists think the yo-yo-shaped studs were worn in the ears or set into leather belts or other clothing. The objects were pulled from a prehistoric cremation burial chamber (pictured) in Devon and have allowed scientists to get one of the best glimpses into life in Bronze Age Southern England . A carefully-prepared animal pelt (pictured) was folded around the cremated remains of the individual as well as what is thought to be a skilfully-made decorative sash or belt, composed of textile and leather with a fringe of outward pointing leather triangles made from thin calf skin . ‘The studs are unique in British prehistory; they also represent the earliest evidence for wood turning in the UK,’ experts at the Dartmoor National Park Authority said. Archaeologists are using the objects to build up a picture of the person who was buried at the site on Whitehorse Hill and it is thought they were of considerable importance in the local community. They speculate that the items, which also include precious jewellery, belonged to a women between the age of 14 and 25-years-old, who was probably a princess. An expert at Dartmoor National Park Authority told MailOnline that archaeologists came to this conclusion as other lesser, comparable items have been founded in prehistoric cairns. The wooden earrings (pictured) measure up to two-and-a-half centimetres in diameter and and are made from spindle wood - a hard, fine grained tree that grows in Dartmoor which is traditionally used to make knitting needles . Here, TV presenter Mike Dilger helps to recreate the earrings in his forthcoming programme. He will examine Dartmoor's place as an area of prehistoric importance and shed more light on the person to whom the preserved possessions once belonged . The princess was of incredibly high social standing, as evidenced by the high position of her final resting place 600 metres above sea level on the northern moors, which would have been visible to nearby settlements and the valuable items that were buried with her. Archaeologists first stumbled across the chamber a decade ago when a stone fell out of the peat hag which had been concealing it – far from other known prehistoric sites. 'The find fills in the blanks of the local map in terms of Bronze Age settlements, as before there was little evidence of inhabitation, so there must be a settlement nearby,' one local expert told MailOnline. 'There's much more to discover in the area,' he said. A delicate woven bracelet with tin studs (pictured) was also unearthed. A total of 35 tin studs were held in place by a band of woven cow hair (although 32 remain). While the metal has oxidized, it would have been shiny in appearance . The ancient burial chamber (pictured) was deliberately positioned high upon a hill to show the princess' high status, experts said. They expect to find a settlement nearby . Bronze Age Britons were skilled at making tin and might have traded it with other far flung communities. They used to create elaborate jewellery, such as the delicate bracelet that was found. Other materials found at the site - including amber beads - show that people traded internationally. A stone flint also discovered, showed that while people used bronze tools, there were also still using earlier tools, which again, would probably have been traded. High status individuals were revered and were buried in elaborate burial chambers with precious possessions. It is not known how many people the princess would have ruled over but Dartmoor was well inhabited 4,000 years ago. The remains of 5,000 hut circles - Bronze Age houses have been discovered so far that had conical thatched roofs. Archaeologists have previously found small clusters of these houses in fenced enclosures that would have protected people from animals. People at the time had advanced cultural and religious beliefs. High status people also took care with their appearance and wore carefully crafted clothes and jewellery from fur pelts to tin beaded bracelets. A carefully-prepared animal pelt was . folded around the cremated remains of the individual as well as what is . thought to be a skilfully-made decorative sash or belt, composed of . textile and leather with a fringe of outward pointing leather triangles . made from thin calf skin, experts said. But the discovery of beads made of tin got archaeologists particularly excited because they are the earliest evidence of tin production found in the South West. Over 200 beads were plucked from and around the basket and some are made from amber. The precious material from the Baltic was associated with supernatural powers and used as an amulet, which therefore suggests a very high status burial as well as demonstrating that Bronze Age Britons traded with people from the continent. A delicate woven bracelet with tin studs was also unearthed. A total of 35 tin studs are held in place by a band of woven cow hair. While the metal has oxidized, it would have been shiny in appearance. ‘The use of tin for decorative objects . is exceptionally rare within prehistoric burial contexts in Britain and . despite tin being a locally available resource on Dartmoor, this is the . first time it has been found within a prehistoric archaeological . context,’ local experts said. In . the forthcoming programme, TV presenter Mike Dilger will examine . Dartmoor’s place as an area of prehistoric importance, shed more light . on the person to whom the preserved possessions once belonged and will . also try and re-create the delicate tin bracelet and ear studs with the . help of craftspeople. The artefacts from Whitehorse Hill will go on display at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery in September. Over 200 beads were plucked from and around the basket and some are made from amber, demonstrating international trade as the precious material comes from the Baltic. The grey beads are made from shale and the centre bead from tin - another precious material showing the wearer was of high social status . Here, a model wears modern replicas of what the prehistoric jewellery is thought to have looked like. The use of tin for decorative objects is exceptionally rare within prehistoric burial contexts in Britain and has not been discovered before . | Hoard of Bronze Age treasure unearthed in Dartmoor two years ago is thought to have belonged to a high status female aged under 25 years old .
Precious jewellery made of amber and tin, plus delicate fur and fabric was preserved in peat and demonstrates craftsmanship and trade links .
BBC 2 documentary is scheduled to air in early March . |
191,351 | 83c6b47189b87b448bccabc3fc9e49cfac1b1e0a | Louis van Gaal could not have wished for a better start at Manchester United. From the 7-0 opening win over LA Galaxy to the victory over Liverpool in Miami, Van Gaal returns home with the Chevrolet Cup, International Champions Cup and, most importantly, an unbeaten record. Here are five things Sportsmail have learned from United’s tour of America... VIDEO Scroll down to watch Wayne Rooney celebrate bizarre ghost goal against Liverpool . Confident: Louis van Gaal (right) seems to have already transformed United back into a winning team . Meeting of minds: Van Gaal speaks to his coaching staff after the pre-season friendly between United and Liverpool . 1. Van Gaal is a winner. It sounds a simple enough quality but one that cannot be underestimated at United after the club’s shocking decline under David Moyes. The Dutchman has taken largely the same group and transformed them into a team which, even at this early stage, will clearly be a very different proposition. Whether it was the faultless penalties in the shootout win over Inter Milan or the character shown to come back and beat Liverpool, United are already playing for their new manager and that is half the battle. Not giving in: United came from behind to defeat Liverpool in their latest pre-season friendly . 2. The Dutchman is not scared to make radical changes. The new 3-4-1-2 formation is quite a departure from United formations under Sir Alex Ferguson and Moyes, but Van Gaal believes that is the best system to get the most out of the players at his disposal. Rather than simply throwing money at new signings, he is prepared to alter the fundamental line-up of the team to suit the players he has. Those who don’t fit into his plans – Fellaini, Nani, Anderson, Hernandez and Kagawa – will not be kept hanging around. They will be shipped out at the first opportunity. On the move? Van Gaal looks set to allow several players to leave the club, including Marouane Fellaini (above) 3. Wayne Rooney is onside with the new regime. Having almost left United in Ferguson’s final season because of the favouritism shown towards Robin van Persie, and then been cajoled back into line by Moyes, there were concerns that Van Gaal’s close relationship with Van Persie would alienate Rooney all over again. Instead, he has scored five goals on tour, won the Most Valuable Player award at the International Champions Cup and impressed the manager to such an extent that he is set to be named captain ahead of Van Persie. You only had to listen to Van Gaal and Rooney speaking about one another in Miami to see that the England striker is happy with the situation. Stick with me: Wayne Rooney (right) looks to be happy playing under the new United boss . In the mood: Rooney (above) has scored five goals during United's impressive pre-season tour . Silverware: Darren Fletcher and Rooney lift the International Champions Cup 2014 Final . 4. Juan Mata is United's first choice No 10. Ignore the fact he wears No.8, Mata’s deployment in that role behind two strikers in Van Gaal’s new formation on tour shows that he has the manager’s faith. He never looked comfortable playing in a wider position under Moyes following hsi £37.1million move from Chelsea, and there were even questions about his future at Old Trafford when Van Gaal came in. But Mata has benefitted from the manager’s willingness to mould the system around the players he likes, and the Spaniard appears much happier in the new system. Kagawa, on the other hand, has been deemed surplus to requirements. In the middle: Juan Mata will be United's first choice No 10 after a good pre-season with Van Gaal's side . In action: Martin Skrtel competes with Mata during the International Champions Cup 2014 final . 5. Ashley Young has a future at United after all. If you had to draw up a list of players likely to leave Old Trafford if Moyes had stayed at the club, Young would have been towards the front of the queue right behind Anderson. Even when Van Gaal took over, his aversion to using out-and-out wingers meant that Young, Nani and Wilfried Zaha were immediately under threat. Young has tried to reinvent himself as a wing-back in the mould of Antonio Valencia, even though his defensive deficiencies were exposed by Raheem Sterling against Liverpool. That is something he needs to work on, but going forward Young was a real threat and looks like he has a new lease of life at United. VIDEO Van Gaal wants reinforcements . New skill: Ashley Young has tried to reinvent himself as a wing-back in the mould of Antonio Valencia . Easy street: Mata scores against Roma during United's unbeaten pre-season tour . Redemption: Ashley Young's United career has been given a new lease of life by Van Gaal . Chance: Wilfried Zaha (left) could see more football under Van Gaal than he did under David Moyes . | Louis van Gaal's Manchester United side remain unbeaten in pre-season tour of the US .
United come from behind to defeat Premier League rivals Liverpool .
Van Gaal's pre-season campaign began with a 7-0 win against LA Galaxy .
Red Devils leave America with Chevrolet Cup and International Champions Cup .
Wayne Rooney seems to be enjoying working under new boss .
Juan Mata looks set to play in his favoured No 10 role for United .
Ashley Young's United career has been rejuvenated . |
213,187 | a015cf535c6b44ff0c113eb6739f984eb3220e8d | By . Lucy Thackray for Daily Mail Australia . The Royal Commission has found that the Rudd Government should have done more to protect the installers that lost their lives due to the botched home insulation scheme, ruling that the deaths were 'avoidable' and the $2.8 billion program was 'poorly planned and poorly implemented'. The reputations of former Labor ministers have been trashed in the report, according to the lawyer of one of the men who lost their lives. Gold Coast lawyer Bill Potts represents the Barnes family, whose 16-year-old son Reuben died just 21 days after starting as an insulation installer, in November 2009. Reuben was the second of four men who died working on the scheme before it was hastily shut down in early 2010. Scroll down for video . Death of a teenager: Rueben Barnes was just 16 years old and was three weeks into his first job with a home insulation company when he was electrocuted laying batts in the ceiling cavity of a house in Stanwell, Queensland . Mr Potts says the royal commission report into the scheme, released on Monday, has trashed the reputations of senior Labor figures. 'It's been trashed for good reasons, because young men died and that should never have happened,' Mr Potts told reporters in Brisbane. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has slammed the pink batts scheme, an initiative from the Rudd Government. 'The report's findings are grave, and its recommendations are detailed. It details a litany of failures arising from a dysfunctional culture,' said Prime Minister Tony Abbott. The report reveals that the scheme prioritised speedy work, which lead to crucial errors. Sufficient planning did not take place, nor were risks to installers identified or managed and training requirements were not met. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd took 'ultimate responsibility' for the disastrous scheme at a Commission hearing in May this year. Mr Potts told the court that (Mr Barnes) was 16 years of age, he had been on the job for three weeks (with) almost no training whatsoever. Reuben Barnes' safety equipment was some sunscreen.' He likened public servants rolling out the program to the crew of the Titanic. 'Too frightened, in essence, to call out "iceberg ahead". The reason for that is that they were told "get this done and get it done quickly",' he said. Lawyer Aaron Anderson said his clients Kevin and Christine Fuller, whose son Matthew died under the scheme, would be pleased the report addressed a number of their key concerns. 'Kevin and Christine will be working closely with the commonwealth government to make sure these recommendations, particularly those that were causative of Matthew Fuller's death, are addressed in a timely manner,' he said. Matthew Fuller, Rueben Barnes, Mitchell Sweeney and Marcus Wilson were the four installers who died during the roll-out, with hundreds of house fires breaking out before it was finally shut down in early 2010 . Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt promised to heed those recommendations. 'We are sorry for the errors that led to these tragedies. Nothing can bring these beautiful young men back but we can and we will learn the lessons,' he told parliament. Mitchell Scott Sweeney, 22, seen here with his mother Wendy, was the fourth person to die in the insulation scheme. He was electrocuted on February 2, 2010 while laying sheeting in a home in Millaa Millaa . When asked if the families deserved compensation, Queensland Premier Newman said it was time to consider it. 'They've got every right to just feel so terribly wronged,' he told reporters in Brisbane. 'I think these sort of things now need to be looked at.' | Royal Commission rules Rudd Government should have done 'more' to protect the installers .
Rule that the $2.8 billion program was 'poorly planned and implemented'
Four men died in the botched home insulation scheme in 2009 and 2010 .
Prime Minister says the report shows Rudd government's 'litany of failures'
Report says the scheme prioritised speed over safety and proper planning . |
74,327 | d2c2c88289461fd8090187811e5f4754bfce97a2 | Vincent Debaty has won a seat on France's bench to face Ireland purely because Philippe Saint-Andre expects the prop to extend his dominance over rival Marty Moore. Ireland sealed the 2014 Six Nations title with a 22-20 victory in Paris, but Leus Bleus replacement Debaty held a clear scrummaging edge on substitute Moore amid the nerve-jangling closing stages. Leinster prop Moore has already admitted he is geared up for Saturday's Dublin rematch, and now France boss Saint-Andre has conceded Debaty's dominance last year sealed his selection. Vincent Debaty (third left) has been included in the France squad for the Ireland match on Saturday . Ireland's Marty Moore (left), in training with Cian Healy last week, was dominated by Debaty last year . Moore is expected to be named on Ireland's bench for the second-round Six Nations clash, teeing up another last-quarter scrum tussle with Debaty, included after injury to Alexandre Menini. 'Debaty gave his Irish opposite number a really hard time in the final 20 minutes of the game last season so it is logical to have him on the bench,' said France coach Saint-Andre. 'Our bench is packed with power players so we can introduce them late on and they will give the impetus to break tackles and gain ground.' France have made just one change to the line-up that saw off Scotland 15-8 in Paris last weekend, Eddy Ben Arous starting in place of Menini. Veteran Debaty has been drafted onto the bench when Thomas Domingo was expected to step up, with Saint Andre not disguising his aims to exploit a perceived upper-hand over Leinster's Moore. Ireland are expected to hand Johnny Sexton an immediate return at fly-half following their 26-3 win in Italy, after the Racing Metro playmaker completed his enforced 12-week concussion lay-off. Head coach Joe Schmidt will name his squad on Thursday afternoon, but France boss Saint Andre has already told his players to heap early pressure on fit-again Sexton this weekend. Former Sale and Toulon boss Saint-Andre also believes Ireland remain favourites to retain the Six Nations title, with Schmidt's men gunning for a ninth consecutive victory this weekend. 'Sexton is a stalwart of this Ireland side, but he hasn't played for 12 weeks and we should really test him early on,' said Saint-Andre. Brian O'Driscoll holds the trophy aloft as Ireland won the 2014 Six Nations in Paris last year . 'Ireland are full of confidence and showed that when they seized the game by the scruff of the neck against the Italians once they were down to 14 men. 'They have won eight in a row and are the favourites for the title.' Fast-developing tighthead Moore might have edged ahead of Mike Ross at Leinster, but is likely to continue to sit behind the 33-year-old at Test level. Ross remains boss Schmidt's only ever-present Test selection, and there is no reason for that to change ahead of France's Aviva Stadium visit. Moore admitted he was hit by a harsh scrummaging lesson from Debaty as Ireland swept to the Six Nations title in Paris last year - and is hell-bent on avoiding a repeat. 'I wasn't happy with my dealings with them last year, so I'm looking forward to getting a chance to right a few things,' said Moore. 'I suppose a year is a long time in pro sport, so as a more experienced player I know what to expect at the set-piece. 'Debaty brings a lot to their front-row: he's a very aggressive player, very aggressive in the set-piece. 'Whatever way it comes, I'm sure I'll be squatting down against him at some stage.' | Vincent Debaty has been given a place on France's bench .
Phillipe Saint-Andre believes he will extend dominance over Marty Moore .
Ireland sealed the 2014 Six Nations with a 22-20 victory in France last year . |
204,338 | 948841350c969b7fc9ad63ee45f792c8b626bd69 | A father who allegedly threw his five-year-old daughter to her death off a 60ft-high Florida bridge is mentally incompetent, according to two doctor evaluations. John Jonchuck is accused of throwing his daughter Phoebe off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg last month. After the doctors' statements were released this morning, court officials have said the competency hearing for Jonchuck will take place on February 17. Scroll down for video . John Jonchuck (left) who allegedly threw his five-year-old daughter Phoebe (right) to her death off a Florida bridge is said to be incompetent to stand trial, according to two doctor evaluations . Police say John Jonchuck pulled over on the Sunshine Skyway bridge in St Petersburg January 8, pulled Phoebe from the back seat and dropped her to her death . Memorials have been set up in honor of the late Phoebe. Twelve hours before her death, a child welfare operator failed to pass along a message from Jonchuck's lawyer about his mental state because she didn't think the child was in danger . During the official hearing, attorneys can debate the meaning of the evaluations given thus far, which have not been made public, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Before the case proceeds, the judge needs to decide whether Jonchuck understands the case against him. If he is ruled incompetent, he will be put into treatment and re-evaluated at a later date in hopes that treatment would make him mentally capable to stand trial. Jonchuck’s history of mental-health issues has been raised as one of several warning signs outlined in a Department of Children and Families (DCF) report, according to Fox Tampa Bay. The department revealed that it had received several calls from Jonchuck’s divorce lawyer regarding his mental state. Just 12 hours before he allegedly threw his daughter to her death, his own lawyer called a state child abuse hotline warning that his client was suffering from mental delusions. But according to documents released by child welfare officials on Monday, the hotline operator failed to pass on the call to investigators because she didn't think the child was in danger. One week prior to the lawyer's call, another worried caller told the Department of Children and Families that Jonchuck's daughter Phoebe had been physically abused in the past . The casket of Phoebe Jonchuck is carried out after memorial services at Lake Magdalene Methodist Church in Tampa last month . One week earlier, another worried caller told the Department of Children and Families that Jonchuck's daughter Phoebe had been physically abused in the past. That call, however, also failed to get to DCF investigators because the operator hung up before she got John Jonchuck's address. Instead of calling back, she simply closed the case, according to the state's investigation. The lapses have cast the already troubled DCF in a harsh spotlight, prompting new Secretary Mike Carroll to change hotline protocol. Going forward, if a caregiver seems to be experiencing a psychotic episode, a child protective investigator will be required to visit within four hours. Police say Phoebe Jonchuck was likely alive when her father sped past a police officer January 8, stopped on the Sunshine Skyway bridge in St Petersburg, pulled the girl from the back seat and dropped her to her death. He was arrested and accused of first-degree murder, but hasn't formally been charged as he is undergoing mental health evaluations. Jonchuck's own divorce lawyer had warned authorities of his mental state January 7, telling the hotline operator that Jonchuck had driven to three different churches in his pajamas with Phoebe in tow and asked his attorney to translate a Swedish Bible into English. Another worried caller told the Department of Children and Families a week before the bridge drama that Jonchuck's daughter Phoebe had been physically abused in the past . Jonchuck was also expressing paranoid fears that Phoebe was not his biological daughter, his lawyer said. 'He's calling the office every five minutes and saying these religious things and saying the child might not be his, it just really concerns me,' the unidentified attorney told an operator, later adding, 'It's all craziness and it doesn't make any sense and he's out of his mind.' But the report noted the relatively inexperienced operator said the caller seemed more worried about Jonchuck's mental state, not the child's safety and labeled the call as 'inadequate supervision' and did not turn it over to investigators. The attorney even noted that DCF had an open investigation on the family, but the operator said she couldn't find the report and did not ask a supervisor, according to the state's investigation. The missing report came from a caller who alleged family violence, inadequate supervision and substance misuse at the Jonchuck home. 'We are reminded yet again that every process within our system should be critically examined at every opportunity to ensure that the role it plays is carried out effectively,' Carroll said in the report. Phoebe's mother Michelle Kerr is helped away from her daughter's funeral last month. Phoebe Jonchuck was in the custody of her father when he threw his child to her death . Ignoring calls has been a problem in the past and the hotline has undergone a multi-million dollar overhaul. Among the other problems uncovered in the investigation of Phoebe's death, Hillsborough County Sheriff's child protective investigators had 25 vacancies and were overwhelmed by the high number of new cases. Although the area has a network of nearby mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence resources, investigators don't routinely seek expert advice before closing cases, using the organizations only for referrals. Investigators also seemed more focused on whether Phoebe and her siblings' basic needs were being met, instead of addressing the histories of domestic violence, mental health, and substance abuse issues in the home, according to the report. DCF investigators have struggled over the years to look at the big picture in several other high-profile child abuse deaths. A call in June of 2013 first brought child investigators to the Jonchuck home where they closed the case, agreeing that family violence threatened Phoebe. Jonchuck was arrested as a result of the call after an altercation with Phoebe's mother. He and Phoebe later moved out of the home, but Monday's report noted that no services or interventions were put in place. | John Jonchuck is accused of the first-degree murder of his daughter Phoebe .
He has yet to be charged as he is going through mental health evaluations .
Doctors' evaluation statements were released to court this morning .
Court will hold official competency hearing on February 17 .
Jonchuck's divorce lawyer called a Florida hotline a day before tragedy to warn about his mental state .
He had driven to three churches in his pajamas with Phoebe and asked his attorney to translate a Swedish Bible into English .
Operator ignored call because she didn't think Phoebe was in danger . |
95,591 | 06dbd564216bb3477cf63110fd2791e8b12280a1 | The family of Eric Garner, who died after a police officer placed him in a chokehold, said Tuesday it was suing New York City and the NYPD for $75million, according to Agence France-Presse. His death brought claims of police brutality after video showed the 43-year-old being choked by an officer while being arrested for selling loose cigarettes in July. Garner, who was severely overweight and asthmatic, suffered a heart attack shortly after losing consciousness and was declared dead after being transferred to a hospital. Scroll down for video . Tragedy: Eric Garner's family addresses a group gathered at the House of Justice . In the notice of claim sent to city comptroller Scott Stringer, the family blamed the death on 'negligence, recklessness and carelessness.' The filing is the first step necessary to sue the city, and it also names eight officers and the NYPD in the claim. In July, officers confronted Garner, who was selling untaxed cigarettes in the northeastern Staten Island neighborhood of Tompkinsville. When Garner resisted attempts to arrest him, NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo put him in a chokehold and along with several other officers, pushed him to the ground. The man began to complain of having trouble breathing and died of a heart attack . Chokeholds were banned by former NYPD chief Ray Kelly in 1993, though a report released Tuesday by the Civilian Complaint Review Board shows their use continues under different names. In August, the city medical examiner ruled Garner's death a homicide, with compression of the neck and chest and the position of Garner's body causing his death. Tears: Esaw Garner, wife of Eric Garner, is held by Rev Herbert Daughtry and Rev Al Sharpton during a rally held for Garner at Sharpton's National Action Network headquarters . Arrest: Officers say Garner resisted arrest before he was placed in a chokehold by officer Daniel Pantaleo (background) Homicide: The city's medical examiner later ruled that Garner was killed by the chokehold, which restricted breathing and led to a heart attack . Prohibition: Former police chief Ray Kelly placed a ban on chokeholds back in 1993, though a review says that their use continues . Two days after Garner was killed, officer Pantaleo, an eight-year member of the NYPD, was stripped of his gun and badge and placed on desk duty pending an internal NYPD investigation. Staten Island residents and critics of NYPD's use of force tactics protested after Garner's death, . A grand jury in Staten Island is currently considering whether to bring charges against the officers. | The notice of claim also named the NYPD and eight officers .
Garner, 43, died shortly after officer Daniel Pantaleo put him in a chokehold and, with the help of four other officers, pushes him to the ground .
The use of chokeholds was banned in 1993 but the Civilian Complaint Review Board released a study Tuesday that found the practice continues . |
269,469 | e90ba8cf02936ecdef06ac565399e001770de63b | A baby bird in California has made history after becoming the world’s first penguin to be conceived using artificial insemination. The unnamed female Magellanic penguin was hatched in May at SeaWorld California after sperm was frozen and then thawed. The 12-week-old penguin was hand-reared at the attraction’s Penguin Encounter nursery, but is now feeding on fish. Scroll down for video . The female Megallanic penguin (pictured) hatched in May. Although she doesn't have an official name, she is referred to as 184. She was conceived using frozen semen that had been thawed, and is now 12 weeks old . Although she doesn't have an official name, she is referred to as 184. She has now joined other Magellanic penguin chicks that were conceived naturally at the attraction. Magellanic penguins are typically found around the Falkland Islands and South America. They are also known as jackass penguins. Their name comes from the Strait of Magellan in South America. They grow to around 27 inches (70cm), and have an average weight of 8.8lbs (4kg). In the wild, adults begin the breeding process in September, by building a nest, before laying an egg in mid October. Incubation takes around 40 days. When the chick is 30 days old, they should have developed their plumage, and are encouraged to leave the nest. There are said to be around 1.8 million breeding pairs of Magellanic penguins around the world. Researchers are hoping to use these artificial insemination techniques to increase the genetic diversity of penguin species, and learn more about their biology. This research could then be used to sustain, or improve, penguin populations around the world. After the bird hatched, she was fed a special formula of ground herring fillets, krill, minerals, vitamins and water five times a day during the first four weeks. The scientific first is the result of a decade of research by Dr. Todd Robeck, SeaWorld’s vice President of Theriogenology, and Dr. Justine O’Brien, the reproductive centre’s Scientific Director. Dr. Justine O’Brien said: ‘The goal of our research centre is to study a species’ reproductive biology, to learn as much as we can about that, and use this to not only monitor the health of not only our zoological populations but wild populations as well. Researchers are hoping to use these artificial insemination techniques (pictured) to increase the genetic diversity of penguin species, and learn more about their biology. This research could then be used to sustain, or improve, penguin populations around the world . ‘We have also use this information to develop system reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination and semen preservation. ‘These technologies are important conservation tools as they allow us to maximise the genetic diversity of these populations and ensure there’s sustainability into the long term.’ For more than 30 years, SeaWorld San Diego has run a successful penguin breeding program. Since 1980, more than 600 penguin chicks have been hatched and raised at the marine park, including the first-ever chinstrap and emperor penguins. After the bird hatched, she was fed a special formula of ground herring fillets, krill, minerals, vitamins and water five times a day during the first four weeks. She has now joined other Magellanic penguins in the park (pictured). Since 1980, more than 600 penguin chicks have been hatched and raised at the attraction . The scientific first is the result of a decade of research by Dr. Todd Robeck, SeaWorld’s vice President of Theriogenology, and Dr. Justine O’Brien, (pictured with Magellanic chicks) the reproductive centre’s Scientific Director . SeaWorld uses both natural breeding and assisted reproductive technologies within this program to maintain genetically diverse and sustainable populations, in cooperation with other zoos. Magellanic penguins are typically found around the Falkland Islands and South America. They grow to around 27 inches (70cm), and have an average weight of 8.8lbs (4kg). In the wild, adults begin the breeding process in September, by building a nest, before laying an egg in mid October. Incubation takes around 40 days. When the chick is 30 days old, they should have developed their plumage, and are encouraged to leave the nest. There are said to be around 1.8million breeding pairs of Magellanic penguins around the world. | The female Magellanic penguin was hatched at SeaWorld California .
She doesn't have a name, and is instead referred to as 184 .
She was conceived using semen that had been frozen then thawed .
The penguin is now 12 weeks old and was hand-reared at the attraction .
Researchers are hoping to use artificial insemination to increase the genetic diversity of penguin species . |
241,078 | c41bc633e97688157fe4a73033fa2e186cfa12c3 | Manchester United's 5-3 capitulation at Leicester in September was, Louis van Gaal confessed on Saturday, his darkest day in charge at Old Trafford. ‘It’s still a mystery,’ wrote the United boss in his programme notes ahead of the rematch with the Premier League’s bottom club. If he was looking for answers, Van Gaal got them all before half time here. VIDEO Scroll down for Sportsmail's Big Match Stats: Manchester United 3-1 Leicester City . Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao slides on his knees after doubling his side's lead in the 32nd minute . Falcao poked home from close range to score his fourth goal for Manchester United since signing on a season-long loan deal . Robin van Persie put his side in the lead by placing the ball past Leicester goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer . The Dutchman celebrates his 27th minute opener after netting his ninth Premier League goal of the season . MANCHESTER UNITED (4-1-2-1-2): De Gea 6; Valencia 7 (Mata 77, 6), Jones 6.5, Rojo 7, Shaw 7; Blind 7.5; Rooney 7, Januzaj 6.5; Di Maria 7; Van Persie 8 (McNair 68, 6), Falcao 7.5 (Wilson 80, 6) Subs not used: Valdes, Smalling, Herrera, Fellaini . Goal: Van Persie 27, Falcao 32, Morgan OG 44 . LEICESTER (4-4-2): Schwarzer 6; Simpson 5, Wasilewski 6.5, Morgan 5; De Laet 6; Vardy 5 (Cambiasso 46, 6), Drinkwater 5, King 6, Schlupp 5; Ulloa 5 (Nugent 62, 6), Kramaric 5 (Albrighton 62, 6.5) Subs not used: Hamer, Konchesky, Upson, Hammond . Goal: Wasilewski 80 . Booked: Drinkwater . Referee: Martin Atkinson . Attendance: 75,329 . Wes Morgan scored an own goal after a Wayne Rooney corner - click HERE to see more of our brillIant MATCH ZONE . Three goals were more than enough on this occasion, United’s 3-1 lead never looking like the prelude to another dramatic collapse, in spite of the way they sleepwalked through the second half at times. Indeed, Van Gaal’s only criticism on Saturday was that they ‘killed the game too much’. ‘We lost the away match and we have taken revenge,’ he said. ‘We have dominated, especially in the first half. ‘In the second half, I want to kill the game but I have to admit my players did too much to kill the game. We have played more balls backwards and wide than forwards. you have to play forward without risk. ‘But I am very pleased. I have seen here a team that is playing more like a team.’ Van Gaal had demanded goals after seeing United score a mere five in their last six games and he could have few complaints at the response. Just as he did at Leicester in September, Robin van Persie was the man to set the ball rolling after an awfully dour opening in which he was guilty of spooning one of precious few chances 10 yards into the air. The Dutch striker made no mistake when opportunity knocked again in the 24th minute courtesy of great work by his international teammate Daley Blind. Falcao, Angel di Maria, Wayne Rooney, Adnan Januzaj and Daley Blind (left to right) congratulate Van Persie (centre) Van Persie thanks fellow countryman Blind, pictured in the background with Rooney and Januzaj, for laying on an assist . United’s summer signing from Ajax picked Andrej Kramaric’s pocket in midfield as he anticipated a pass out of defence and instantly floated a pass over the top of the Leicester defence. Van Persie looked suspiciously offside as he raced to meet it but the first-time finish was outstanding, driving the ball beyond Mark Schwarzer with his weaker right foot. ‘The first goal was offside but they are honest mistakes,’ said Leicester boss Nigel Pearson, perhaps too graciously. ‘Sometimes they go for you, sometimes they don’t. It’s unhelpful to have decisions go against you but that’s how it is. ‘But it would be wrong of me spending too much time pointing out one decision in a game against a team who played exceptionally well.’ Having scored the first, Van Persie set up United’s second five minutes later. Rooney gives Van Persie a hug after the Dutchman put Louis van Gaal's side in the lead against the Foxes . Red Devils captain Rooney congratulates Falcao following his first-half goal at Old Trafford . Leicester’s lack of pace was ruthlessly exposed again as he spotted Angel di Maria’s overlapping run and played the ball into the Argentine’s path as he accelerated away from Wes Morgan. Di Maria’s low shot was saved by Mark Schwarzer but Radamel Falcao was ahead of Ritchie de Laet and Marcin Wasilewski to bundle the ball home from close range and claim his fourth goal for United. Van Gaal said: ‘I am more happy that Falcao was scoring because Robin has already scored enough goals. Falcao needs that goal more than Robin. It is fantastic that they scored and beautiful goals also.’ United made it 3-0 a minute before half-time when Adnan Januzaj —making his first league start since early November — forced a corner from the left. Blind met Wayne Rooney’s cross with a glancing header and Morgan couldn’t get out of the way fast enough as the ball ricocheted off his head and into the net. Even the Leicester fans who sang ‘we’re going to win 5-3’ knew lightning would not strike twice. ‘The pure maths of it,’ said Pearson. ‘Three down and people can smell a heavy defeat.’ However, the second half developed into something of a procession for United and it was only when they switched off that Leicester got even a glimpse of goal. Marcos Rojo shares a word with goalscorer Falcao as the home side celebrate in front of their supporters . Falcao looked delighted after adding to his Manchester United tally against the Premier League strugglers . Van Persie and Januzaj congratulate Falcao after the Colombia international scored United's second goal of the match . Wes Morgan scored an own goal shortly before the interval to give Manchester United a 3-0 lead . Manchester United's first team stars celebrate Morgan's own goal with Blind taking the majority of the praise . Former Manchester United midfielder Danny Drinkwater was unable to stop Morgan's header from landing in the net . Leicester captain Morgan looks dejected after scoring past team-mate Schwarzer in the 44th minute . Leicester defender Marcin Wasilewski scored a late consolation goal for his side by scoring past David de Gea . Drinkwater keeps a close eye on Blind as the Manchester United utility man attempts to get the ball under control . Di Maria shoots at goal while Leicester right back Danny Simpson attempts to block the Argentina international's shot . Leonardo Ulloa threatened to race clear of Marcos Rojo just after the hour mark as he broke from halfway and then slipped in the box, with referee Martin Atkinson unimpressed by his claims for a penalty. Then substitute David Nugent was presented with half a chance by Phil Jones’s lackadaisical backpass to David de Gea, and the goalkeeper had to be alert to block Nugent’s effort from a tight angle. Leicester did claim a consolation goal in the 80th minute, however, after United failed to clear. Blind was unfortunate to be hit in the face by the ball at close quarters and was still clearing his head when Esteban Cambiasso flicked the ball into the path of Marc Albrighton. His cross to the back post found Wasilewski whose downward header was too powerful for De Gea. A 3-1 lead over Leicester could have evoked bad memories for United, but there were certainly no dramas this time. Jeffrey Schlupp is challenged by Manchester United's Antonio Valencia during the Premier League encounter . Experienced midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, pictured with Rooney, replaced Jamie Vardy at the interval . Manchester United summer signing Di Maria holds his legs during his side's 3-1 win against Leicester . Leicester goalkeeper Schwarzer was unable to keep the likes of Falcao and Van Persie at bay . Ander Herrera looks frustrated after being named on Manchester United's substitutes' bench . Rooney and his Manchester United team-mates wore black armbands to pay tribute to the Busby Babes . United boss Van Gaal will have been delighted with his side's performance against Leicester . Nigel Pearson looks frustrated at seeing his side fall to a 3-1 defeat against Manchester United . United fans in the Stretford End pay their respects to the Busby Babes during the match . | Red Devils striker Robin van Persie opened the scoring at Old Trafford with 27th minute opener .
Radamel Falcao doubled his side's lead by scoring his fourth Manchester United goal .
Leicester City captain Wes Morgan scored an own goal just before the interval .
Marcin Wasilewski netted a consolation goal for his side with 10 minutes left on the clock .
Man United fell to surprise 5-3 defeat against Nigel Pearson's Leicester in September . |
55,115 | 9c1bc6b1a49a0ceb45c6e3eefc382a27b997efb8 | (CNN) -- As the Democratic National Convention gets underway in Charlotte, North Carolina, here's some trivia on memorable Democratic convention moments, as well as some fun facts about the oldest and youngest headliners and African American candidates. Memorable Democratic convention speeches . • In her keynote 1988 speech, Texas state treasurer and future governor Ann Richards declared that George H.W. Bush was "born with a silver foot in his mouth." • In his speech to the 1980 Democratic convention, Sen. Ted Kennedy said, "For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." Political 'Power:' A gallery . • In 1940, Eleanor Roosevelt became the first first Lady to address a national political convention. With war looming, she said, "We cannot tell from day to day what may come. This is no ordinary time, no time for thinking about anything except what we can best do for the country as a whole." African American convention firsts . • In 1976, Rep. Barbara Jordan of Texas was the first African American to give the keynote address at a Democratic convention (She also keynoted the 1992 convention). In 1884, Former Mississippi Rep. John Lynch became the first African American keynote speaker at a Republican convention. - Channing Phillips, a minister from Washington, D.C., became the first African American to receive a vote at a Democratic convention in 1968, with 67.5 delegate votes. Frederick Douglass, in 1888, became the first African American to receive a vote at a Republican convention with one delegate vote. Democrats to highlight Obama's tough decisions . • Barack Obama was the last African American to deliver a keynote address (2004). Republicans have not featured an African American keynoter since Lynch in 1884. Oldest and youngest convention facts . • Lewis Cass, 65 years, 226 days, was the oldest person to win presidential nomination for the Democratic Party at the 1848 Democratic convention. Ronald Reagan, at 73 years, 196 days, was the oldest Republican to do so, at the 1984 convention. • For the Democrats, former West Virginia Sen. Henry G. Davis was the oldest person to accept the vice presidential nomination. He was 80 years, 233 days old. On the Republican side, Charles Curtis was the oldest to do so. He was 72 years, 141 days old when he accepted the nomination at the 1932 Republican convention. • The youngest person to win presidential nomination for the Democrats was William Jennings Bryan at 36 years, 110 days old during the 1896 convention. For the Republicans, Thomas E. Dewey was the youngest at 42 years, 94 days during the 1944 convention. Obama expecting to get 'misty' during first lady's speech . • John C. Breckinridge was the youngest Democrat to win vice presidential nomination at 35 years, 138 days old during the 1856 convention. In 1952, Richard Nixon became the youngest Republican to take the VP nomination at 39. Convention Bounce . • After the 2008 Democratic convention, then-candidate Barack Obama experienced a two-point bounce in the polls, going from 47% before the event to 49% after the convention in Denver. Data comes from an average of surveys by CNN, USA Today and Gallup. Sen. John McCain, meanwhile, remained steady in the polls at 48% after the GOP gathering in Minneapolis-St. Paul. • In 1992, then-candidate Bill Clinton received a whopping boost of 16 points after the Democratic convention in New York City, going from 40% to 56%. His opponent, Republican incumbent President George H. W. Bush, saw a modest gain of five points, increasing from 37% to 42%. The GOP event was held in Houston in mid August, more than a month after the Democratic gathering. CNN's Keating Holland, Alan Silverleib and Robert Yoon contributed to this report. | Memorable moment: future Texas governor Ann Richards said Bush '41' was born with a "silver foot in his mouth"
DNC: Barack Obama was the last African American to deliver a keynote address in 2004 .
RNC: John Lynch was the last African American to keynote a Republican convention in 1884 .
In 1992, then-candidate Bill Clinton got a boost of 16 points after the DNC, going from 40% to 56% . |
33,225 | 5e7382ece8212bd489ca38b187550324ab7979b6 | By . Ellie Zolfagharifard . If the summer heat is getting too much for you then ‘cooling’ space vests may be the answer. Previously the reserve of astronauts and Formula 1 drivers, the Japanese Space Agency now wants to make the technology available to the public. Jaxa recently announced it is selling a limited run of its vest for the price of £350 ($590). Jaxa recently announced that it is selling a limited run of its vest for the price of £350 ($590). One litre (33.8 oz) of water can cool the vest for around 30 minutes, according to the space agency . The 'coat' uses a network of tubing and pumps to circulate coolant liquid around the body at a temperature of 4°C (39.2°F). One litre (33.8 oz) of water can cool the vest for around 30 minutes, according to the space agency. The vests can also absorb and evaporate sweat immediately, and are completely machine-washable. The vest uses a network of tubing and pump units to circulate coolant around the body at a temperature of 4°C (39.2°F). Pictured are the results of temperature results with (right) and without (left) the vest . The underwear was developed following a collaboration with Teikoku Sen-I Co, originally a manufacturer of linen, and now of disaster-prevention products. The vest uses a network of tubing and pump units to circulate coolant liquid around the body at a temperature of 4°C (39.2°F). One litre (33.8 oz) of water can cool the vest for around 30 minutes, according to the space agency. The vests can also absorb and evaporate sweat immediately and are completely machine-washable. While the garmet may help holiday goers keep cool, it also has some serious medical applications. Similar Nasa vests have previously helped children with sweat gland disorders go outside without fear of heatstroke. Nasa’s liquid-cooled garment was originally developed to protect the Apollo astronauts from the high temperatures on the moon. But children with problems such as HED (hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia), who were unable to regulate body temperature, were able to use it to play outside during the day. Jaxa said it will create a limited run of 1,000 vests which it plans to produce later this year. | Jaxa said it will create a run of 1,000 cooling vests for £350 ($590) each .
Underwear circulates coolant liquid around body at a temperature of 4°C .
One litre (33.8 oz) of water can cool the space vest for around 30 minutes .
Similar Nasa vests have helped children with sweat gland disorders go outside without fear of heat stroke . |
253,394 | d3fef4b8bc9569d4018f751beabbf86509b5885e | LONDON, England (CNN) -- For Europe's biggest leagues the football season has ended, the boring business of kicking a ball about is over, and now the real fun can begin as the transfer window opens. Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United to join Real Madrid for a world record fee of $130 million. What is the transfer window? The transfer window is a set period of time when football clubs are allowed to buy new players. Although players can't be bought outside the transfer window it doesn't stop clubs negotiating transfers before the window opens, with players signing on the dotted line once it does. There are two transfer windows per year, one pre-season, and one mid- season, which is open throughout January. The English Premier League pre-season transfer window opened at midnight on the last day of the season (May 24) and will close on August 31, while in the other big European football nations (including France, Germany Italy and Spain) the transfer window opens on July 1 and closes at the end of August. Other countries operate pre-season transfer windows to fit the calendar of their own football seasons. See our choice of the top 20 transfer targets ». Why does it matter? The transfer window can see some of football's biggest stars switch club and it is a period that can determine how a team will fare during the season ahead. It is a chance for coaches to rebuild and reinforce their squads, and a time when clubs can see their key players depart for greener pastures and bigger wage packets. When a club is active in the transfer window, making big name buys, it can be taken as a statement of intent for the following season. Just watch Spanish club Real Madrid bring in star players in an attempt to make up the distance between them and arch-rivals Barcelona. The global economic downturn means many clubs may not spend as much money this summer as they have in recent years, or that they may be more willing to trade or part exchange players if they are unable to meet a player's price tag. The final day of the transfer window, known as deadline day, often brings a frenzy of activity as teams try to finalize deals before the window slams shut, drawing the curtains until January 1, when the transfer fun begins again. Keep up with the latest transfer gossip with our transfer blog. Movers and shakers . This summer's transfer window is likely to be dominated by one club -- Real Madrid. Their newly elected club president, billionaire construction magnate Florentino Perez, previously headed the club between 2000 and 2006, when his policy was to bring football's biggest names to Real Madrid. The "Galacticos" brought to Real by Perez included the likes of Luís Figo, Zinedine Zidane, the Brazilian Ronaldo and David Beckham. Now Perez is back in charge and seems intent on reviving his "Galacticos" policy, rsigning former World Player of the Year Kaka before smashing the world transfer record to spay $130 million for Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo. Madrid have also been linked with Bayern Munich's French winger Frank Ribery, Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso and Valencia winger David Silva . But Real won't have it all their own way, facing competition from the likes of Chelsea. New manager Carlo Ancelotti is bound to have brought a shopping list with him and the club's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich will want to show that he still has the financial muscle to compete on the transfer money-go-round. Then there is Manchester City, funded by the vast oil wealth of the Abu Dhabi United Group. The owners have so far struggled to attract big names to the club and will be keen to show that City are genuine Champions League material. At the other end of the spectrum Spanish club Valencia are in all kinds of financial difficulty and may be forced to sell their biggest assets, with David Silva and striker David Villa the most prized of all. | The transfer window is the only time football teams can buy new players .
Real Madrid and Chelsea are likely to be the biggest-spending clubs .
Valencia and Newcastle United will be looking to offload some of their stars . |
233,466 | ba39adbfc2490bf535c15ea071bc8cbc797d4d53 | By . Kit Holden . Toni Kroos has today continued to rule out a move away from Bayern Munich, despite being urged by his former mentor Jupp Heynckes to stay at the club. Kroos, who has recent months been heavily linked with Manchester United in both England and Germany, is still yet to put pen to paper for a new deal with the reigning European Champions. Former Bayern coach Heynckes publicly advised Kroos to stay at the club this week. Not only was Heynckes the brains behind Bayern’s treble winning side last season, he was also the man who established Kroos as a star during his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen several years ago. VIDEO Scroll down to watch some of Toni Kroos's best goals and see him appear in advert . Hands off: Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos has refused to rule out leaving the German giants . Contract talks: The German's deal runs out next summer and he has been linked with Man Utd and Arsenal . In an interview in today’s Bild, Kroos was full of praise for his former coach, saying that 'he is the most important coach I have ever worked with. His is one of a few opinions who I value very highly. It was great to hear what he thinks.' Nonetheless, the midfielder refused to rule out a move, insisting that 'it is my future, and my decision.' With Kroos’ contract expiring at the end of next season, Bayern are desperate to extend the deal, as they currently risk losing him on a free. The negotiations reportedly continue to stall over wages, however, and Bayern’s insistence on playing hard ball over details has evoked a great deal of interest from a number of clubs. Not only United, but also Arsenal and the top clubs in Spain have now been linked to the player. Most in Germany are still confident that Kroos will stay at Bayern, with TZ writing today that 'he would have no reason to leave'. But as Bayern move no closer to extending the deal, and both Arsenal and United likely to be raiding the transfer market in the coming months, the prospect seems increasingly realistic. Respected: Former Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes has urged the midfielder to sign a new deal at Bayern Munich . Kroos’ relationship with Guardiola has also been called into question this season, with public disagreements filling the sports pages. The player, though, praised his current coach’s preparation for tonight’s crunch Champions League tie with Real Madrid. 'He knows Madrid perfectly, and has advised us well. No one should have any doubts that we will be on our game'. Tension: Despite Kroos' praise of coach Pep Guardiola, rumours are rife the two don't get on very well . Talent: The 24-year-old midfielder is regarded as one of the top talents across Europe and is in demand . | Toni Kroos has refused to rule out leaving Bayern Munich .
The German midfielder's contract expires next summer .
He has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, while Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all said to be interested .
Former mentor Jupp Heynckes has urged him to sign a new deal at Bayern .
Kroos said he respects Heynckes' opinion but will decide his own future .
Negotiations over a contract have reportedly stalled over wage demands . |
135,782 | 3ba9585f3e364a30387e4ce1d93d3f9938b7136e | Singer Miley Cyrus has been named as the new face of MAC Cosmetics' Viva Glam campaign. The 21-year-old joins the likes of Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj who have all previously lent their support to the charitable beauty campaign. Miley took to Twitter earlier today to confirm the news and revealed that make-up lovers can look forward to the official launch of her Viva Glam lip product duo - a bright pink lipstick and shimmery lip gloss - early in the New Year. Scroll down for video . Going glam: Miley joins the likes of Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga, all of whom have worked on the Vivia Glam campaign . Pretty in (fluro) pink: The bold and bright lip products are due to hit shelves early next year . 'Look out for my lipstick': Miley took to Twitter to confirm that she is the new face of MAC's campaign . Alongside a picture from her new campaign, the Wrecking Ball singer tweeted: 'Going #VIVAGLAM with @MACcosmetics. Look for my lipstick in early 2015.' Renowned for her love of bold and bright colours, costumes and make-up, Miley has clearly taken inspiration from her own sense of style in order to create her lip products. Both of the hot pink products - an 'amplified' formula lipstick, which will be on sale for $16, and the shimmery lip glass, $15 - bear her seal of approval, her signature, which features clearly on the limited edition packaging. As part of MAC's ongoing Viva Glam charity campaign, all profits from the sale of Miley's products will be donated to the MAC AIDS Fund, a charity started by MAC founders Frank Angelo and Frank Toskan in 1994. The charity, which celebrated its tenth anniversary earlier this year, is dedicated to 'helping men, women and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS'. The brand called upon the services of world-famous drag queen RuPaul to front the first ever campaign and - in addition to Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Miley - have since collaborated with a number of famous faces such as Elton John, Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera. Bright and bold: Miley is renowned for her love of colour and quirky costumes . Sharing the success: Miley follows in the footsteps of Rihanna, who released her latest Viva Glam products in September . 'The idea of Viva Glam was to celebrate life and the outspoken attitude of the company,' a spokesperson for the brand wrote on its website. 'It was a connective tissue that encompassed the diversity of MAC and its mantra... all ages, all races, all sexes. It was, and continues to be, the signature and the heart and soul of the company. 'Viva Glam spokespeople are provocative, alternative and influential and reflect diverse communities. They are heroes we look up to for their personal triumphs; people who have invented themselves and people who created movements.' | The singer, 21, follows in the footsteps of Lady Gaga and Rihanna .
The new Miley-inspired lip products will hit the shelves in early 2015 .
All profits from the product will benefit the brand's own HIV/AIDS fund . |
31,954 | 5ae8f5c327cf09cd52661895e15c88ea2da024a9 | He has all the riches he could ever dream for in this life. But to avoid any risk of missing out in the afterlife, wealthy entrepreneur 'Count Scarpa' is burying his greatest treasure - his new £310,000 Bentley convertible. In a bizarre announcement on his Facebook page the 62-year-old declared that he plans to do as the Pharaohs of Egypt did and take his riches with him when he dies by burying them. So tomorrow, he will entomb his brand new Bentley Continental worth over £310,000 to make sure he has a comfortable journey into the ‘other side’. The funeral ceremony, he promises, will be at 11am. His Bentley is his prized possession, so he's burying it, inspired by the Egyptian Pharaohs, in the hope of having it in his afterlife . In a photo on his social network site Count Scarpa stands beside his black Flying Spur, the latest model on the market, with a cockatoo on his arm and writes: 'I decided to do as the Pharaohs: this week I will bury my favourite car, the Bentley here in the home garden! Bury my treasure in my palace rssss !!!' He says he’s digging the grave in the back garden of his mansion in Jardins, one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Sao Paulo. On Tuesday, in another photo, sporting a pink tie, with his foot on a shovel, he stands in front of a deep hole with his shining Bentley parked behind him and warns: 'For those who doubt me, yesterday I already started making the hole in the garden to bury my Bentley! By the end of the week I will bury it' The self-made businessman, who has a degree in economics and is a black belt instructor and owner of the Institute Maruyama Aikido, a Japanese martial arts academy, explains that his decision to start storing up his treasures for the life beyond came after watching a programme on Ancient Egypt on Sunday. 'I was watching a documentary about the pharaohs of Egypt, very interesting. They buried his entire fortune to have a comfortable life "the other side"!' he says. Will he bury his parrot? After watching a documentary on Egypt on Sunday, he says he is completely serious and is going ahead with his car's funeral tomorrow. There was no mention of whether he wants his pet bird in the afterlife too . By Tuesday his decision to bury his Bentley had received over 5680 likes and more than 6000 shares. On Wednesday, a new photo appeared updating his plans and shows just how serious he is. He’s pictured operating an excavator, in a cream coloured suit and lime green tie. It looks like he’s spent quite a few hours digging the grave. In front of him is very deep hole with a huge pile of dirt beside it. On the same day he reveals that he’s appearing on a satirical talk show on Bandeirantes television, hosted by Danilo Gentili – photographed with him, to talk about the funeral of his beloved Bentley. In the TV interview he explains to viewers that he was travelling back from his farm after celebrating his birthday on Sunday and started thinking about how the pharaohs were buried with the most precious items in their life. “I watched the film of the pharaohs and after seeing how they were buried with their treasures I decided that I wanted to copy them and bury my most precious item, which is my car,” he says. In between his explanation, viewers tweet their comments. One says wryly: 'Chiquinho, is it true you want to bury your imported car because you don’t want to pay your taxes?' 'No,' he answers straight-faced. 'I’ve already shown all my documents to the authorities before doing the funeral.' Another asks if he wants to adopt a family from Brasilia. He says he’s currently single and doesn’t want a family. A lot of the comments are however, very critical and accuse him of wasting money. Instead of burying his car he should donate the proceeds to help Brazilian people. ‘Maria Lucia’ sends a message begging Scarpa to send the car to her as she needs the cash. Scarpa has had a brush with death a few times, having been in a coma with a superbug, so he's hyper-alert to preparing for what comes after life . Others are sarcastic: 'This is nothing new. Chiquinho may be burying his car but the Brazilian government has buried the Brazilian people,' says one referring to corruption and the wealth of the nation being 'buried' in the pockets of bent politicians. Scarpa says he is not one of these corrupt individuals and has paid all his taxes, never been in debt or been bankrupt. ‘Alex’ on the other hand agrees with the crazy decision and tweets: 'I think you should do what you want to do, because it shows that you cannot take anything with you from this life and you might as well enjoy the idea of doing so. However, if you would like to help me with the social project I’m running, I would be very grateful.' Scarpa is not new to the idea of facing death. In 2009 he was in a coma for over two months after a superbug nearly killed him following a stomach reduction operation. He ‘died’ twice during the ordeal and was given the last rites on both occasions by a priest. In an interview with celebrity magazine, Caras, in January this year he said: 'When I had the surgery, I got a very strong bacteria that killed several people. Count Scarpa says he was inspired to bury his most treasured possession after watching a documentary on Sunday about the Egyptian Pharaohs . The treasures buried with King Tutankhamun, pictured left in the Valley of Kings, and right, his exhibited gold mask, were believed to travel with the dead to their next life . 'I was in a coma for 63 days; the doctor told me he had 'opened' me eight times. I came close to death twice. The priest gave me two anointings. This was all because of bacteria. I took it and got away with it. Unfortunately this was not the case with my mother. She had an operation on her femur, got the bacterium and died in February 2012. I am strong,' he adds. Scarpa lives in one of the most expensive areas in Sao Paulo in a property spanning more than 14000m2. He inherited his title from his Italian-born father Count Francisco Scarpa who was given the honour by Pope Pius XII in 1949, for his charitable contributions to society. The eccentric businessman benefitted from his father’s wealth and made his fortune from the brewery and mining industry. He now runs an investment company and has been married twice. His first wife died and he is divorced from the second. He has even met Chelsea Football Club owner, Russian businessman, Roman Abramovich who invited him to visit his yacht in Capri, Italy, for dinner two years ago. With no children to carry on the family name Scarpa says his cockatoo, which is perched on his arm in the facebook picture showing him standing beside his Bentley, is his offspring. 'This here is my "daughter",' he said in the interview with Caras. 'She is called Filomena Leopoldina Sofia Scarpa. She is six-months-old and is endangered,' he said. The white cockatoo – which even has her own business card - is one of the most expensive birds in the world costing around £14,000. The Pharaohs were known for burying their beloved pets with them so they could enjoy their company in the afterlife. So far Scarpa hasn’t said whether he plans to do the same with Filomena. | 'Count Scarpa' loves his new convertible Bentley so much he's burying it .
He's copying the Egyptian Pharaohs so he can have his riches in the afterlife .
He says he was inspired by a documentary he saw on Egypt - on Sunday . |
42,722 | 7875aedaf14e9c67d6bb40ea978a589793fa9db3 | By . James Chapman . Lord Mandelson, a former Business Secretary, suggests Mr Miliband needs to abandon his 'crowd-pleasing' promises on the cost of living . Labour grandee Lord Mandelson today warns Ed Miliband he needs to get his ‘act together’ if he wants to counter the rise of Ukip and hope to lead more than a ‘minority government’. The former Business Secretary, one of the founders of New Labour, suggests Mr Miliband needs to abandon his ‘crowd-pleasing’ promises on the cost of living and come up with ‘counter-intuitive policies’ instead. His intervention, in the Spectator magazine, reflects growing concern in Labour ranks about the party’s economic policy, which has been mocked as ‘the politics of pointing at things and saying how expensive they are’. Senior figures are also urging Mr Miliband to shift his position on issues such as immigration and an EU referendum – something he has so far refused to do. There is concern across the party at last week’s local and European election results, which do not suggest it is on course for a majority at next year’s general election. In town hall elections, Labour made progress in London and some other areas, but finished seven points behind what Neil Kinnock achieved before he lost the 1992 election. In the European Parliament elections, the party ended up only just over one point ahead of the Conservatives and was soundly beaten by Ukip – the first time for 30 years that an opposition has not come out on top. Peter Kellner, the head of pollster YouGov, yesterday told a conference organised by Blairite campaign group Progress: ‘On a Government versus opposition basis, I think these figures really are bad for Labour ... Labour should be terrified by these results. ‘I have been on the pessimists’ end of analysts of Labour’s standing and I have to say I thought the vote last week justified the pessimists and did nothing to justify the Labour optimists.’ In his article, Lord Mandelson said it was clear Ukip had had ‘a good week’. ‘The challenge for them is to build a genuine movement beyond a charismatic leader, a band of fruitcake candidates and a clutch of reactionary ideas,’ he added. ‘I doubt they will succeed. In my political career we’ve seen two similar "breakthrough" moments, both in the 1980s: the SDP’s rise and fall, then the Greens coming and going. ‘Those parties’ success was only due to Labour’s weakness. When Labour got its act together, their appeal faded. The same has to happen now, if Labour wants to become more than a minority administration in 2015. 'Douglas Alexander, the party’s election chief, said: "Labour can win the general election if we take the right steps between now and a year’s time." 'The “if” has to include fewer crowd-pleasing cost-of-living promises and more counter-intuitive policies.’ Lord Mandelson's intervention reflects growing concern in Labour ranks about the party's economic policy, which has been mocked as 'the politics of pointing at things and saying how expensive they are' Mr Miliband’s allies dismiss the suggestion that he has been complacent about the rise of Ukip in working class Labour areas – insisting Tony Blair and his ministers are to blame. One shadow cabinet ally told the left-wing New Statesman magazine: ‘The idea that, suddenly, because of the magic abilities of Farage, Ukip have come out of nowhere to do what they did in the Europeans and the locals is wrong; it’s absurd and incorrect. ‘We’re reaping what we sowed back in ’97 through to 2005, when we gave the impression to our working-class heartlands that they were communities that we took for granted.’ Mr Miliband’s allies dismiss the suggestion that he has been complacent about the rise of Ukip, led by Nigel Farage, left, in working class Labour areas – insisting Tony Blair, right, and his ministers are to blame . Senior Conservative ministers yesterday held a strategy meeting at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence, to discuss last week’s election results and the Queen’s Speech and the Newark by-election, both due next week. Though its election results were better than expected, they suggested the party will also struggle to assemble a majority, raising the prospect of another coalition. The Tories are ‘throwing everything’ at fending off the Ukip threat in the Newark poll, which has been triggered by the resignation of disgraced MP Patrick Mercer. Mr Cameron has invested great personal capital in the contest, having already made two campaign visits to the constituency himself. | Intervention reflects growing concern over Labour's economic policy .
Senior figures urging Miliband to shift stance on immigration and EU .
There is concern about the party's showing in European and local elections . |
146,868 | 49eced6064e3cbe3bcb6c52e3e5a54a8ce37baf4 | A GoFundMe page for Darren Wilson - the police officer who reportedly killed teenager Michael Brown - has received almost $235,000 in donations. In five days, 5,901 people gave $234,910, according to publicly viewable data for the 'Support Officer Darren Wilson' page. Administrators for the donation page said in a post they are now partnering with charity Shield of Hope. Scroll down for video . Crowdsourced: Over $234,000 dollars were raised on the first GoFundMe page for Officer Darren Wilson . Mysterious: Officer Darren Wilson, pictured earlier this year, has not been see following the shooting of teenager Michael Brown . 'Unfortunately, to do so requires us to end collection on the current page that you are viewing now,' the post said. 'GoFundMe does not allow transfer of existing campaigns, even to charities. Please know that all funds received from our events, this GoFundMe site and our TeeSpring campaign will be donated to Officer Darren Wilson, and in the future, donations will still be donated to Officer Wilson, but will be tax deductible for donors as well.' Early Tuesday morning, GoFundMe announced on Twitter 'In regard to the "Officer Darren Wilson" campaign, donors' comments posted in violation of GoFundMe's terms have been removed.' Multiple comments left by people who donated money had been criticized on social media as racist. Several of those comments were compiled and published by Jon Hedren on Twitter. 'Waste of good ammo. It's my privilege to buy you a replacement box,' one of those tweets read. Another Tweet compiled by Hedren said 'I support officer Wilson he did great job removing an unnecessary thing from the public!' Some Twitter users have criticized the page's existence, saying it violates GoFundMe's terms of service, which bans 'items that promote hate, violence, racial intolerance, or the financial exploitation of a crime.' Expenses: A page set up on behalf of Michael Brown's parents has raised slightly over $201,000 . The new page, 'Support Officer Wilson,' says that 1,688 people collectively donated $71,307 in two days. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page on behalf of Michael Brown's family, 'Michael Brown Memorial Fund,' has raised $201,789. That page says there have been 7,074 contributors in nine days. That money 'will be used by the Brown family to cover funeral and burial expenses, travel and living expenses of the parents as they seek justice for their son, Michael Brown, Jr.,' according to the page, which is reportedly managed by lawyers for Brown's parents. GoFundMe said in a statement sent to MailOnline late Friday afternoon "GoFundMe is a neutral platform, home to nationally referenced fundraising campaigns that include both the 'Michael Brown Memorial Fund' and the 'Support Officer Darren Wilson' campaign." In its statement, GoFundMe also said 'The content of the campaign itself is not in violation of GoFundMe's terms of service. However, some donors' comments have contained content that is in violation of GoFundMe's terms and have been removed accordingly.' | A GoFundMe page called 'Support Officer Darren Wilson' raised over $234,000 in just four days .
People have already raised $71,000 on a second page for the police officer .
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page on behalf of Michael Brown's family has raised over $201,000 . |
80,685 | e4b0bdad38fd896c304dcae2937be5d48170b9ca | A leading Labour MP has claimed that 2,000 Britons have travelled to Iraq and Syria to fight for ISIS and other jihadist organisations. Khalid Mahmood, MP for the Birmingham Perry Barr constituency, claimed that official figures on the numbers of British jihadis is grossly underestimating the size of the problem. UK security officials believe in the region of 500 men have travelled to Iraq and Syria, but Mr Mahmood claims this figure is widely inaccurate. Scroll down for video . Labour MP Khalid Mahmood believes British jihadists are being able to enter the country due to lax security . Abu Abdullah al-Habashi, left, and Abu Dharda, right, are believed to have been killed in Kobane, Syria . He said: 'The authorities say there are 500 British jihadists but the likely figure is at least three to four times that. I think 2,000 is a better estimate. My experience in Birmingham is it is a huge, huge problem.' Mr Mahmood told the Sunday Telegraph: 'The Government does not have significant people at border control. The fact is these jihadists are coming in and going out without almost ever being arrested. We have had hardly any arrests. We have had people coming back in after six months in Syria and they are not being picked up.' Mr Mahmood's warning follows reports that British jihadis Abu Dharda, 20 and Abu Abdullah al Habashi, 21. The two men from London are believed to have been killed in heavy fighting in the Syrian border town of Kobane, which has been the subject of a major counter-offensive by Kurdish fighters, supported by US Air Force bombers. Al-Habashi grew up in north London in a British-Eritrean family and converted to Islam at the age of 16. The US Air Force has been using the fearsome B1-b bomber to attack ISIS targets in Kobane, Syria . He told the BBC back in August that he was one of the few British jihadists who fought with ISIS in Syria and Iraq. During the interview, he admitted that he was never going to return to Britain despite the pleas of his family. Dhardra grew up in west London and is from a British-Somali background. He entered Syria in December 2013 after crossing the Turkish border. Almost 30 Britons are believed to have been killed fighting for jihadist organisations although the Foreign Office confirmed that determining exact figures is incredibly difficult. A spokesman said: 'We are aware of reports of the death of two British nationals in Syria. 'The UK has advised for some time against all travel to Syria, where all UK consular services are suspended. 'As we do not have any representation in Syria, it is extremely difficult to get any confirmation of deaths or injuries and our options for supporting British nationals there are extremely limited.' | Khalid Mahmood claimed officials have underestimated Jihadi numbers .
The Labour MP believes at least 2,000 Britons have gone to Iraq and Syria .
He blasted the Border Agency for failing to intercept jihadists at the airport .
Two more Britons are believed to have been killed fighting for ISIS in Syria . |
75,665 | d697d16f1f6ee3daf956eb307d51ab6bc9a5155e | Google Australia has joined an international campaign to honour Phillip Hughes, who died after being knocked out by a bouncer in a game in Sydney on Tuesday. The search engine has decorated its home page with a simple image of a bat leaning against a wall, a nod towards the '#putoutyourbats' social media campaign in honour of the cricketer. The touching tribute comes as cricket fans all over the world have come together to remember Phillip Hughes by placing out their bat and cricket cap out the front of their homes as a sign of respect. Mourners from as far as the US, Europe and the Middle East have united in posting pictures of their tributes to social media with the hashtag #putoutyourbats. Around Australia, families, cricket legends, celebrities, universities, companies and media organisations have set up touching tributes to the 25-year-old batsman, who died in a Sydney hospital on Thursday surrounded by families, friends and team-mates. Scroll down for video . Google Australia's has joined into the #putoutyourbats campaign by decorating its home page with an image of a bat . The tweet that started it all: Australian IT worker Paul Taylor started the trend by posting this image, captioned: '#putyourbatsout' #putoutyourbats: Australian Test legend Dean Jones placed his 1989 Ashes bat and baggy green cap out the front of his home. His dog, Norman, kept guard . This lone bat was placed out the front of the Sydney Cricket Ground member's entrance. An inscription read: 'RIP P. Hughes 63 not out forever' The simple tribute was thought up by dad and IT worker Paul Taylor, who posted a poignant image of his bat out the front of his home on social media. '#putoutyourbats isn't about me,' Taylor said, after the tribute took off. 'It's just a way for all cricketers to show their respects to Phillip Hughes. 'We've all played cricket in one way or another. Backyard or beach cricket, no matter what level, we've all grown up with a bat and ball. 'This is our way to connect and show our sadness. Thoughts also must go to Sean Abbott. Thank you.' Among the most poignant tributes included a lone bat, which was placed out the front of Sydney Cricket Ground, featuring the simple inscription: 'RIP P. Hughes 63 not out forever'. Cricket Australia has lined 63 bats in the windows of its headquarters - the number of runs Hughes had on the board when he tragically collapsed to the ground on Thursday. Fans overseas joined in, including in Massachusetts in the US (pictured), Europe and the Middle East . Big and little: These cricket bats of an Australian father and son are pictured here sitting out the front of a family home as a mark of resp . This is Macksville Public School - the local school in Phillip Hughes' home town, on the north coast of New South Wales. 'It's pretty special,' a local resident said . Pictures have been posted to Twitter and Instagram from all over Australia. Others placed their bats out in the snow in Massachusetts and Illinois in the US, or made do with Cricket Australia stubbie holders if they were lacking a cricket bat overseas. Legends of the cricketing world, including Ian Chappell, Sachin Tendulkar, Ian Botham, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist have paid tribute to the opener whose guts and determination defined his all-too-brief, yet spectacular, career. 'Just an absolute tragedy that Hughesy is no longer with us. He was such an awesome young man, RIP buddy, shattered...' came the tweet from spin-king Shane Warne. Fast bowler and long-time team-mate Brett Lee said: 'No words can describe the loss'. A devastated David Warner posted a photograph of himself embracing Hughes with the words: 'RIP my little man. You will always be with me when I walk out onto the field. Not just a mate but a loved one to us all big man. Forever in my heart brother for life. Miss you buddy.' #putoutyoursbats: In a mark of respect for Phillip Hughes (right), cricket fans across the world have placed their bats out the front of their homes (left) 'RIP Phillip Hughes, 63 not out forever': MailOnline columnist Piers Morgan left this tribute . There has been a huge emotional outpouring following the death of 25-year-old Phillip Hughes . | Google Australia has decorating its home page with an image of a bat .
The image is a nod towards the '#putoutyourbats' social media campaign .
Fans all over the world have come together to remember Phillip Hughes .
Mourners are placing out their bat and cricket cap as a sign of respect .
Hughes, 25, died on Thursday surrounded by family and friends . |
236,150 | bdb2657aa2978817028d8635709507b0a98a8528 | Vivica A. Fox has defended Bill Cosby in light of his mounting rape allegations, saying: 'The man I met was nothing like the man they are describing.' The actress joined a growing number of Cosby Show alumni who have come to the embattled comedian's defense as she appeared on The Meredith Vieira Show, which will air on Thursday. Fox, 50, recalled how she worked with the actor - who has been accused of drugging and sexually assaulting more than two dozen women - on 'Cosby' for an episode in 1999. 'I worked on the Cosby show and was honored to do the show, and... the man I met was nothing like the man they are describing,' she said. Scroll down for videos . Defense: Actress Vivica A. Fox told Meredith Vieira that she stands by Bill Cosby, whom she called 'kind' Support: She said when she worked with Cosby in the 90s, she witnessed nothing inappropriate . 'He was nice, kind. There was no sexual overtones or anything so I defend him and I stand by him as well, too.' Vieira asked her about Cosby after her fellow Celebrity Apprentice teammate, Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played Rudy on the Cosby Show, was quizzed about the scandal this week. 'I wasn't there,' Pulliam told the Today show on Monday. 'No one was there expect for the two people to know exactly what happened. All I can speak to is the man that I know and I love.' Also in recent days, Phylicia Rashad, who played his on-screen wife, Clair Huxtable, came to his defense. She was initially reported to have said to 'forget these women', but later explained that she does not think the discussion should be about the women, it should be about Cosby's damaged legacy. Back to work: On Wednesday night, Cosby was met with empty seats and hecklers as he returned to the stage for the first time in 2015 (pictured). He performed a stand up show in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada . 'It's difficult for me to watch this legacy be erased, as if [it] never happened,' she told ABC. She said she never saw anything inappropriate while they worked together and that Cosby's wife, Camille, would often visit the set, so when she heard the first allegations against him, she was suspicious. 'My initial reaction to the allegations was, "Hmm someone has a vested interest in preventing Cosby's return to network television",' she said. Although she has not spoken to him recently, she said that no doubt the accusations have 'not been easy' for Cosby. 'I did talk to him towards the beginning of all of this and his comment was the internet has given some anonymous people a very loud voice,' she said. On-screen family: Earlier this week, Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played Rudy on the Cosby Show, defended Cosby, saying she was unable to pass judgment on the accusations because she was not there . Suspicious: His on-screen wife Phylicia Rashad, pictured on Nightline, also spoke out in his defense and said she believes the accusations are an orchestrated plan to keep him off network television . Cosby's career unraveled after his accusers came forward, with a TV project halted and at least 10 stand-up comedy tour performances canceled or indefinitely postponed. The 77-year-old, who has been accused of drugging or sexual abuse by more than 20 women, including models Janice Dickinson and Beverly Johnson, has denied the allegations. On Wednesday, he returned to the stage in Ontario for his first show since November - and was met with empty seats and a sea of protesters brandishing signs reading: 'Rape is no joke.' The three performances in Canada come after Cosby saw at least 10 performances get canceled on his North American tour. He next appears at the Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario, on Thursday and at the Hamilton Place Theatre in Hamilton, Ontario, on Friday. Determined: Fox is now a contestant on the latest series of Celebrity Apprentice. She is pictured center with Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, left, and entertainment reporter Leeza Gibbons, right . | The actress, who is a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice, gave her support to the embattled comedian during an interview on the Meredith Vieira Show .
She joins a growing number of Cosby Show alumni who have given him their support following multiple rape allegations .
His on-screen daughter, played by Keshia Knight Pulliam, and wife, played by Phylicia Rashad, both expressed their support for him this week .
More than two dozen women have accused Cosby of drugging and/or sexually assaulting them but he has denied the allegations . |
153,740 | 52afa6f8ed06c33ffd321dee09da1e3c7b645bb2 | Doctor Who star David Tennant has vowed to remain silent on the Scottish independence debate, claiming he has ‘no right’ to share his opinion because he no longer lives there. It comes after fellow Scottish-born actor Sir Sean Connery, who now lives in the Bahamas, came out strongly in favour of independence ahead of next month’s referendum. Earlier this year, the 83-year-old said ending the union with England was an opportunity ‘too good to miss’ – but Tennant has now declared that ‘there is nothing more odious than actors foisting their opinions around.’ Scroll down for video . David Tennant (left) has vowed to remain silent on the Scottish independence debate, claiming he has no right to share opinion because he no longer lives there. It comes after Sir Sean Connery (right) came out in favour . In March, Sir Sean said: ‘As a Scot and as someone with a lifelong love for both Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss. Simply put - there is no more creative an act than creating a new nation.’ However, Tennant, 43, who starred in the BBC1 show for three series, has now responded by claiming opinion-sharing on the debate is better left to politicians. The actor, who was born in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland, but who now lives in London, told The Sunday Times: ‘As I chose to leave Scotland many years ago now I forfeited my right to tell Scottish residents how to run the country. ‘And anyway, there is nothing more odious than actors foisting their opinions around. I’m very happy to leave that to the politicians who are – hopefully – so much better placed and informed.’ It comes after a lengthy debate in which hundreds of high-profile celebrities have come out either in favour of the Yes Scotland campaign - spearheaded by Alex Salmond - or the Better Together campaign, launched by Alistair Darling. Hundreds of high-profile celebrities have come out either in favour of the Yes Scotland campaign - spearheaded by Alex Salmond (left) - or the Better Together campaign, launched by Alistair Darling (right) Earlier this month, more than 200 public figures – including Sir Mick Jagger and Dame Judi Dench - signed an open letter in support of Scotland staying in the union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, those who have come out in favour of separating as a new country include Sir Sean, Kevin Bridges, Russell Brand and Brian Cox. The referendum on whether to end the 307-year union with England will be held on September 18. Latest opinion polls by TNS show the 'no' vote's lead has reached a record low, but is still ahead with around 46 per cent. Those who are intending to vote 'yes' is at around 38 per cent, while those who are undecided is at 16 per cent. | David Tennant has vowed to remain silent on Scottish independence debate .
Actor, 43, said he has 'no right' to comment because he no longer lives there .
Comes after Sean Connery, who now lives in Bahamas, favoured independence . |
139,966 | 40f7db74df215019a7947030e90b356c99e6309b | (CNN) -- The biological father of a Native American child was arrested Monday after defying a court order to return the girl to her adoptive parents, the latest development in a four-year case that has spanned state lines and tested an unusual federal law. Matt and Melanie Capobianco, a white couple from South Carolina, legally adopted Veronica at birth in September 2009. When Veronica's father, Cherokee Nation member Dusten Brown, learned of her adoption a few months later, he asserted his custody rights under the Indian Child Welfare Act, setting off a lengthy legal fight. A family court judge ruled in Brown's favor in late 2011, and he took his daughter back. The Capobiancos have fought ever since to have Veronica returned. Timeline of 'Baby Veronica' adoption case . The case has bounced from family court to the U.S. Supreme Court and back again. After South Carolina's Supreme Court ruled last month to allow the Capobiancos' adoption to be finalized, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene, thus giving the ultimate go-ahead for the Charleston couple to regain custody of Veronica. The girl's transition back to the Capobiancos was supposed to begin last week. Brown, however, never showed up with his daughter. A family court judge in South Carolina ordered the girl to be handed over immediately, saying she was being "unlawfully withheld from her lawful parents." The Charleston County Sheriff's Office issued a warrant for Brown on Friday for interfering with custody. Brown was arrested Monday in his home state of Oklahoma after turning himself in. He posted a $10,000 bond, according to the Charleston County Sheriff's Office and Amanda Clinton, spokeswoman for the Cherokee Nation District Court. Justices refuse again to intervene in adoption dispute . It wasn't clear Monday evening, however, where Brown or his daughter were. Melanie Capobianco told reporters that Veronica is being "illegally held against the wishes of her parents and the courts," and she pleaded for her daughter's return. "With every passing hour, we fear more and more for her safety and well-being," she said. "If anything should happen to our daughter while she's being left in the hands of those who hold her captive from us, the responsibility will be shared by many." She added, "We pray that those who are holding Veronica will do the right thing and send Veronica home to us, please." Charleston County authorities said they are in touch with Oklahoma officials about extraditing Brown "as well as pursuing all available options in locating Baby Veronica." Brown told CNN's Randi Kaye over the weekend that he is willing to go to jail for his daughter. "I'm going to fight till I have no fight left in me and till they say you can't fight no more," Brown said. "This is my daughter. It's not a yo-yo that I can just say, hey, I borrowed it for two years and here's it back." Brown claims the Indian Child Welfare Act allows him to have parental custody of Veronica over the Capobiancos. The Supreme Court, however, ruled that Brown could not rely on the act for relief because he did not have legal or physical custody of Veronica at the time of the adoption proceedings, which the birth mother initiated without his knowledge. Brown, who was not married to Veronica's non-Indian mother when she was conceived, signed a legal document agreeing to put the girl up for adoption and relinquishing his parental rights in exchange for not paying child support. His attorneys say Brown did not understand the extent of the waiver and that the mother never indicated she intended unilaterally to give Veronica up for adoption. CNN's Marlena Baldacci, Christine Theodoru, Mayra Cuevas, Joe Sutton, Randi Kaye and Bill Mears contributed to this report. | Dusten Brown says the adoption of his daughter should not have been allowed .
A South Carolina couple had the girl for two years before he took her back .
The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which OK'd the adoption .
Brown never showed up to return his daughter to the couple . |
106,716 | 15a919c761366454c019a30443c38f8b4339b1c6 | As crowd-funding continues to grow in popularity, young people across the world are now using it to fund missionary trips to Australia to answer 'God's calling'. Asking for amounts up to $15,000, these Christians are travelling Down Under on evangelical missions and are requesting people pledge money on their GoFundMe pages to help them 'spread their message. This comes just a week after a 20-year-old tried to raise money to throw her milestone 21st birthday, but her plight was met with fierce backlash on social media with people suggesting there were much more worth causes. And while charities themselves are embracing crowd-funding as a new way to fundraise, organisations are warning people to be careful where they put their money. Scroll down for video . Increasing numbers of people are using crowd-funding site GoFundMe to raise money so they can embark on evangelical missions . Asking for amounts of up to $15,000 these women say they have been 'called by God' and it's their mission to spread his word . Among a number of GoFundMe pages discovered by Daily Mail Australia, almost half of the owners have aspirations to attend the Hillsong Church in Sydney, where the widely-known establishment was founded. 'Sydney, Australia is home to the world-wide known Hillsong Church. Within the campus of such a powerful movement stands a highly recognized college,' one woman, Illiana Nunez wrote on her fundraising page. 'Hillsong International Leadership College will be my new home come July of this year ... Every dollar counts, and each one will be a blessing. So pray for me, if you will, and see if God may tug on your heart to be a part of this with me,' she also wrote on her page. From Clermont, Florida, the woman raised $3225 of her $5000 target. Many users write on their pages they want to embark on evangelical missions or study at bible colleges . Illiana Nuñez raised $3225 of her $5000 before she travelled to Australia . But charity organisations have reminded people to take note of where their money is going . Another woman with an ambition to travel to the Hillsong College is Remington Mealey, who has asked for $10,000 to help cover the cost of living in Australia with the church for a year. 'I want to not only be able to learn how to study Gods word, how to apply it to my life but also learn how to lead others in living an encouraging and impactful life based on the word of God. 'Out of all the bible colleges, my heart pounds for Australia,' Remington wrote. She asked for $10,000 to towards the trip, with $3178 of that already donated. However Hillsong told Daily Mail Australia they could not comment on specific cases and do not dictate the way students choose to raise money to attend their college. 'Students come from around the world to attend Hillsong International Leadership College,' Hillsong said in a statement. 'We do not provide advice to students on how to fund their education and have never suggested that students use external websites.' Others who had created fundraising pages online it was their calling to travel to Australia and spread the word of God, saying they had been chosen for evangelical missions. 'I never thought I would be heading into Ministry. It was unfathomable to me that God would want to use me until he made me realize that he IS preparing me ...God, now, is leaving it up to me to choose whether or not I want to take his tutelage or not,' Rayanna Tomlinson posted. Jasmin Melisa Miranda's aim was to travel to Melbourne on a missionary trip . Asking for $15,000 on her page Rayanna has raised $3015 and recently had her visa to travel to Australia approved . Asking for $15,000 on her page Rayanna has raised $3015 and recently had her visa to travel to Australia approved. 'God has inspired me to reach out and help others and this has been a dream of mine for a very long time, anything helps', Megan Machen wrote on her page. While some of the pages date back a little way, it shows what seems to be an increasing trend where people can ask for funds to support any endeavor they may choose - and people will donate money. Just last month 20-year-old Sydney woman Celestina Ramljak launched a crowd-funding project to keep her dreams of having a 21st birthday party alive. After getting a rude shock when she put a deposit down at a venue, she launched the campaign when she realised she couldn't afford to fund it. But the young woman faced serious backlash on social media as a result of the campaign. Crowd-funding sites like GoFundMe, Indiegogo, Pozible and Kickstarter are just some of many that allow people to raise money in a new way. Despite the pages outlining what each person intends to put the profits towards, there is little more information available after the fact when it comes to using the funds. Ultimately, crowd-funding pages like GoFundMe rely on the honesty and trust of strangers willing to pledge money to unknown people and causes. Despite the pages outlining that each woman will be taking part in mission programs, studies and services, there is little more information available about the individual's intentions when it comes to using the funds . Fundraising Institute Australia's CEO, Rob Edwards said while crowd-funding provided unique opportunities for money to be raised, he asked people to consider where their money was going. 'As with any fundraising channel, we encourage people to think carefully about their donation and where they feel it will have the most impact, Mr Edwards told Daily Mail Australia. 'Do your research - look for information about the crowd-funding organisation's mission, programs and goals. Do these match your donation preferences? Review what the crowd funding organisation has done (its output), what has it achieved (its outcomes) and what difference has it made (its impact),' he advised. Mr Edwards also urged people not to be deterred and reminded them of the good they're doing by donating to causes. 'Charities rely on the trust of the Australian community to be able to operate and would cease to exist without it, so you can feel confident your donation is going to do good.' he said. | People are using crowd-funding sites to raise money for missions .
GoFund me pages have been set up by women hoping to travel to Australia .
Users are asking for amounts up to $15,000 from donors .
Many want to study at the Hillsong Church College in Sydney .
Last month a 21-year-old tried to raise money for her 21st birthday party .
Charities have warned people to take note of where their money is going . |
137,780 | 3e2eba89a0bfb08318b706dd4b663e7bb9804194 | Christian Eriksen has revealed Mauricio Pochettino’s brutal pre-season training regime is responsible for the second wind that has lifted Tottenham Hotspur up the table. Late goals are becoming a blessing for a side that has so far been distinctly underwhelming, with Eriksen rescuing his side with a last-minute strike in the 2-1 win at Swansea City on Sunday. It was an almost identical scenario when he sank Hull City in late November, with Tottenham so far benefiting from four goals in the last five minutes of Premier League fixtures this season. Only Arsenal have snatched more. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen celebrates scoring a late winner against Swansea City . Tottenham's Harry Kane (left), Eriksen (centre) and Jan Vertonghen celebrate their 89th-minute winner . The impact on Tottenham’s league position has been enormous, with nine points coming directly from their late shows, not to mention Wednesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final against Newcastle United, which follows a two-goal salvo at the end of their third-round win over Nottingham Forest. Pochettino was quick to praise his side’s character after the Liberty Stadium win, but Eriksen is convinced the fast finishes are derived from a hard summer following the Argentine's arrival. ‘Pre-season was the toughest I’ve experienced,’ he said. ‘The gaffer worked the players really hard. ‘But I think it is paying off now. Of course we are tired after games, that is normal, but as you see with us in the last few weeks we are able to go 100 per cent again and again at the end of the games. Before we wouldn't have been fit enough to go the whole game. Eriksen (left) scored a late winner for Tottenham as they took all three points away from the Liberty Stadium . ‘Obviously there will be periods when the other team have the ball and you have to play differently. But in the end we have the confidence and power to keep going for 90 minutes. ‘We always seem to get that feeling late in a game when we can really go for it. We seemed to get more confident late in the game.’ Eriksen added: ‘It doesn’t matter how or when you win but I think everybody would rather win a bit earlier - although it wouldn’t be as exciting. ‘But the win at Swansea proves we have a lot of belief in the squad. Once again we showed our character and got over the line.’ Eriksen fire home the winner for Spurs as they left the Liberty Stadium with all three points . Tottenham were again far from impressive in beating Swansea, with Eriksen concerned that they are not performing consistently in a campaign that has already seen them beaten six times in the league. ‘We are where we are,’ he said. ‘It’s so close in the league at the moment. You get a win and you are right up there where you want to be. And if you lose you are down where you don’t want to be. At the moment we are in between. ‘We certainly need to be more consistent but we are going the right way.’ Eriksen points to the sky as he runs off in celebration having netted an 89th-minute winner . Vertonghen celebrates with Eriksen after the Dane secured the points for his side . | Christian Eriksen scored an 89-minute winner against Swansea City .
Tottenham Hotspur have made a habit of scoring late goals recently .
Eriksen believes their improved fitness levels have improved them .
Midfielder says fitness is the reason they have scored late goals . |
166,677 | 6384f0cc8588699ab80040e3ed16ad39b08ba373 | (CNN)It's been one of the most memorable labels in British horse racing history but to the undoubted dismay of traditionalists, Glorious Goodwood is no more. The five days of racing will instead be known as the Qatar Goodwood Festival from 2015. Not content with staging the 2022 World Cup, or the 2019 World Athletics Championships, the Gulf State has now added its name to one of horse racing's most prestigious festivals. A 10-year deal has been signed with Goodwood Racecourse which is being described as the 'single biggest sponsorship deal ever done for the benefit of British racing.' "Commencing in 2015, this makes the Qatar Goodwood Festival one of the most significant and valuable meetings in the world," read a statement. In excess of $3m will now be invested in eight key races during the festival, taking the total prize money on offer at the festival to $7m. The Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes now has a total prize fund of just over $1.5m, to strengthen its status as one of the world's most valuable mile-long races. "I am delighted that Qatar have decided to play a significant part in Goodwood's position as one of the finest racing experiences in the world," said Lord March, Goodwood's owner. "Goodwood has, for more than 200 years, been about the best racing in the most English of settings, accessible to everyone. Our partnership with Qatar will make an enormous contribution to horse racing in the UK." Qatar already plays a significant financial role in the UK in a number of areas, owning Harrods, the iconic department store, the Shard, the UK's tallest building, and a percentage of the London Stock Exchange. And the sponsorship of Goodwood adds to other existing sports-related deals, with Qatar already heavily involved with European football giants Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain among others. "Thanks to the wise guidance of His Highness The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar supports sport all over the world," said Hamad Al Attiyah, President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation. "Goodwood is already one of the most iconic sporting festivals of the British summer season and we are delighted to be the title sponsor over the five days. "The sponsorship demonstrates Qatar's further commitment to British racing and, with such huge prize money on offer, we hope it will help to attract international runners from all over the world as well as continuing to see the best in Britain, France and Ireland. "We look forward to working with Lord March and the team at Goodwood and taking the racing festival to a world class racing platform." The first Qatar Goodwood Festival will start on July 28 2015. | Glorious Goodwood to be renamed Qatar Goodwood Festival .
Move comes after Gulf State invest over $3m into horse racing meet .
Investment labeled 'the single biggest sponsorship deal' in British racing . |
81,263 | e6433c81695570b36ab7b546c4a58087c0ef971c | Being substituted before the hour and having a whole stadium boo you as you go off does not usually bring a smile to a player’s face but Fernando Torres could not stop himself from grinning on Thursday night. It was the same smile he wore when he spoke after the game about the moment he was hooked after 57 minutes and 80,000 Real Madrid fans let their feelings towards him known. They had taunted him for years because he had only ever scored one goal against them now they were upset because he had just dumped them out of the Copa del Rey. ‘It was the smile of satisfaction at having done my job,’ he said as he left the Santiago Bernabeu feeling better about his career than he has since his Liverpool days. Torres is back finding the net after struggling to do so at Stamford Bridge and the San Siro and he is not the first striker to benefit from a spell at the Vicente Calderon. Fernando Torres celebrates opening the scoring for Atletico Madrid after just 49 seconds at the Bernabeu . Torres (left) is congratulated by team-mates after scoring in the first minute against Real Madrid . Arda Turan posted a picture oof Torres and his Atletico team-mates celebrating in the visitors' dressing room . Another who rose from the ashes in Spain after suffering in the Premier League was Diego Forlan. After only scoring 10 goals at Manchester United in 63 games he moved to Villarreal and won the Golden Shoe twice. The second of those European top scorer awards was won while at Atletico Madrid where Forlan also won the Europa League in 2010 and went off to the World Cup in such good form that he came back with the Golden Ball awarded the tournament’s best player. If the Vicente Calderon is not resuscitating failing careers it’s serving to maximise the potential of others that have just begun. Sergio Aguero was only 17 when club director Miguel Angel Gil flew with then Sporting Director Toni Munoz to Buenos Aires to sign the boy they believed would be the next big thing for 23m euros (£17.5m). Five years later they were selling him for 45m euros (£34.3m) to Manchester City. Torres enjoyed a slice of good fortune as keeper Keylor Navas deflected the ball into the net . Sergio Aguero was signed by Atletico for £17m and later sold to Manchester City for double that price . Like Torres, Diego Forlan struggled to score in the Premier League, but found his form at Atletico . And no sooner was Kun gone from Atletico Madrid than Radamel Falcao stepped in. He in turn was replaced by Diego Costa who this season has been replaced by Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann with the latter looking like he will fulfil his potential just as Aguero and Falcao did and the former putting his career back on track after a tumultuous last season at Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola. Atletico Madrid is where good young strikers go to become great and to save a dying career there really is no place like the Vicente Calderon. For Torres, there really is no place like home. He has now scored two goals against Real Madrid in a week. That is two more than he scored against them in six years in his previous spell. Little wonder despite having been taken off early on Thursday night, he couldn’t stop smiling. After Forlan and Aguero, Radamel Falcao became the club's main striker, helping them win the Europa League . Diego Costa blossomed last season, helping them win La Liga and reach the Champions League final . Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic joined the club from Bayern Munich in the summer . | Fernando Torres made his name at Atletico Madrid as a youngster .
And now he has returned to the club after a difficult period in his career .
The club have a good record of getting the best out of strikers .
Sergio Aguero, Radamel Falcao, Diego Costa and Diego Forlan prove that . |
71,959 | cbfdf7a19d8a3b048f21c0061ccfaa4c6515682d | By . Chris Pleasance . Neighbours of Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney spoke of their fury yesterday over his plans to strip thousands of trees from his Scottish estate. The trees will be uprooted from the singer's 600-acre High Park Farm near Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute as part of a forestry maintenance programme. McCartney's management company is understood to have proposed to move 300 lorry loads of timber a year using a single track road. Neighbours say plans to remove 300 lorry-loads of timber a year from Sir Paul McCartney's Scottish farm down a single-track road are unsafe (McCartney pictured on the farm in 1970 with first wife Linda, left) But nearby residents already endure heavy vehicles using surrounding roads to service a quarry, and have said adding more vehicles is dangerous to pedestrians and other drivers. Colin Chrystie, of Upper Ballywilline Farm, said: 'We are already at saturation point. This wood could easily be taken out another road on McCartney's estate which joins the A83 at his Craig's Farm. 'My son and his partner have just built a house opposite me and they have a four-week-old daughter and there is no way you would want to push a pram on that road. 'It is a dangerous, single-track road with blind corners, potholes and limited passing places.' Colin lives at the foot of a steep hill which is particularly difficult for both cars and lorries to climb. He said: 'I'm not sure McCartney is even aware of this proposal. I think if he knew, he would see sense, he's a family man. Sir Paul purchased the farm in 1966 and moved there with first wife Linda and his children in 1970 after The Beatles split up . 'I've met him lots of times and think he would listen. He's always respected this area and his neighbours always protected his privacy when the media came sniffing around. 'We have been very loyal to him.' Sir Paul, 72, shocked his fans around the world when he purchased the farm in 1966. He later moved there with his wife Linda and their children for peace and quiet after the band's infamous break-up in 1970. His family used the farm to grow their own food and keep horses for riding around the local countryside. Neighbours were known to frequently send reporters looking to find High Park on wild goose chases to places as remote as the Mull of Kintyre. McCartney said the beauty of the peaceful and rugged area saved him from a nervous breakdown caused by the pressures of his stardom. Since Linda's death at the age of 56 from breast cancer in 1998 he began severing ties to the area, but there is a memorial garden in Campbeltown named in her memory. William Taverner, who also lives close to the farm, said: 'I have three young children and I am concerned about road safety. 'It is busy enough with quarry lorries. Timber lorries would be too much. 'Mr McCartney is perfectly entitled to take out his timber, I just hope he looks at this differently.' Local councillor John Semple said: 'There have already been concerns about the safety of those using Gobagrennan Road. 'It is also part of the Kintyre Way and well used by cyclists and walkers.' A spokesman for McCartney's management team, MPL, said: 'Plans for felling have been underway for some time in the interest of good forestry management. 'No decision have been made on how the wood will exit the estate. All available options are being explored taking into account a whole range of factors including impact on residents.' | McCartney bought farm in 1966 with first wife Linda and lived there in 70s .
There are plans to remove 300 lorry-loads of timber per year from estate .
Neighbours say trucks driving down single-track road will be dangerous . |
5,506 | 0fa6327fd669f534430a9a65bfbaa2b89f92fdc9 | By . Rob Cooper . Last updated at 4:11 PM on 16th January 2012 . Sales of Charles Dickens' novels have soared because of the popularity of television adaptations, booksellers revealed yesterday. The BBC versions of Great Expectations and the Mystery of Edwin Drood have created a resurgence of interest in the Victorian writer. It means Dickens could find himself back among the bestsellers' list alongside modern authors JK Rowling, Stig Larsson and Stephen King. Great Expectations: Popularity of the BBC version, which starred Douglas Booth as Pip, right, and Estella, Vanessa Kirby, has led to increased interest in the books . BBC hit: Great Expectations attracted a quarter of the audience share when it screened on December 27. Here Douglas Booth plays Pip and Gillian Anderson is Miss Havisham . An audience of more than six million watched Great Expectations on the BBC over Christmas. In the TV adaptation Douglas Booth, 19, starred as teenage Pip, alongside actors Ray Winstone and Gillian Anderson. It was followed by The Mystery of Edwin Drood which was watched by three million people when the first part of it was screened last week. Dickens died before the novel was finished so television scriptwriter Gwyneth Hughes wrote her own ending. Popular: Miss Havisham with a young Pip played by Oscar Kennedy in the TV adaptation of Great Expectations . Publishers' payday: Royalties don't have to be paid on Charles Dickens' novels because the copyright has expired . Melanie Harris, of Waterstones, said there had been new interest in the Victorian author because of the success of the television shows. 'The feast of Dickens themed TV over Christmas and the New Year has got people talking about Dickens again,' she said. 'A lot of readers watched Great Expectations and realised they have never read the book. 'We have definitely seen a resurgence of interest in Dickens and a number of fabulous new editions of his classic tales are now on the shelves.' Amazon and WH Smith also say Dickens is back in fashion thanks to the TV adaptation of Great Expectations. It means a big payday for publishers as there are no royalties to be paid because Dickens died so long ago. Dickens . is top of the charts for the best-selling single volume of all time . with A Tale of Two Cities which has sold more than 200 million copies. Dickens interest: Rosa Bud, played by Tamzin Merchant, and Edwin Drood, played by Freddie Fox, in the BBC version of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The novel was never finished by Dickens . The Mystery of Edwin Drood: Matthew Rhys, Tamzin Merchant and Freddie Fox star in the BBC version which attracted three million viewers . | Great Expectations was watched by six million people and The Mystery of Edwin Drood attracts TV audience of three million . |
14,973 | 2a8507c81249f9096a74944aa58be9ea16f74590 | As budget airlines get more and more stingy, charging for everything from printing boarding passes to on-board snacks, plenty of 'whatever next?' quips have been made. Previously joked about but scarcely believed travel horrors such as standing-only flights and extra fees for obese passengers may soon become a reality though, according to reports. While flying first class is only getting more luxurious with on-board showers, nannies for children and private suites, the whole plane experience is gradually becoming a lot worse for those who can't afford to fly luxe class. Scroll down for video . The future is not bright: Airlines will be going to even more extreme lengths to cut costs . Airlines will be going to even more extreme lengths to cut costs and cram in more passengers on every flight, according to a report compiled by Breadwise. Standing cabins . Among some of the more bizarre and worrying innovations in travellers' future are the vertical passenger seats. The idea of the 'standing cabin' made headlines in 2010 when Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary suggested that the airline would be introducing it, but spokespeople for the airline have since rejected the idea, . Nevertheless, the 'Skyrider' seat has been created by AvioInteriors, and aerospace engineering professor at the Universiti Putra Malaysia Fairuz Romli predicts that the 'standing cabin' will be in planes within five years. That looks uncomfortable: The vertical passenger seat has been discussed for some time, but one expert predicts they will be a reality within five years . 'I'm a frequent flier and most of the times during domestic flights, it feels like the flying time is very short that the aircraft is already descending for landing before you can unfasten your seatbelt after takeoff,' he told CNN. 'Hence the big question came to my mind: in such a short duration of flight time, do we really need to sit down?' Romli's research predicts that standing cabins could increase passenger capacity by 21 per cent, and cut the cost of a ticket by up to 44 per cent. The 'fat tax' With soaring fuel costs, every kilogram counts. While some airlines insist on overweight passengers purchasing an extra seat, a new pricing structure could see those over a certain weight threshold facing a surcharge. A Norwegian economics scholar, Dr. Bharat P. Bhatta, published a paper outlining three possible ways of charging passengers for excess weight, including a per-kilo fee and charge for total weight of the passenger and their luggage combined. Pay per kilo: While some airlines currently charge overweight passengers for two seats, potential new pricing structures could see travellers facing per-kilo surcharges . No life jackets - hang on to your seat cushion instead! By the same token, Air Canada's regional airline Jazz removed all life jackets from its aircraft in 2008, saving 25 kilograms per flight. The airline was allowed to do this as regulations state that flotation devices rather than safety jackets may be used if the plane stays within 50 miles of shore. Passengers are now instructed to hold on to their seat cushions in case of an emergency. Will other domestic airlines offload their life jackets too? All-female flight crew . In yet another bizarre fuel and therefore money-saving measure, at least one airline has proposed hiring only female crew, who are on average 15-20 kilograms lighter than male flight attendants. Indian budget airline GoAir last year announced plans to hire 2,000 new crew members over the next seven years as its expands - all female. Current male employees will be unaffected. Female only: At least one airline is going to extreme lengths to cut costs, hiring only female crew members, who are on average 15-20 kilograms lighter than males . And they're not stopping there. 'We are reducing the weight on board our aircraft. The size of in-flight magazines has been reduced. The potable water tanks are no longer being filled to capacity as only 35% to 40% of that water is actually used. Now the water tanks are filled 60%, GoAir CEO Giorgio De Roni told The Times of India. With huge savings predicted, it may not be long before other airlines follow suit. Pay to pee . Like many public restrooms, coughing up to use the WC on board may soon be a reality. Serial offender of the stingiest airlines, Ryanair, is just one to announce plans to introduce coin-operated toilets. The idea is to encourage passengers to use the bathroom before their flight,so that airlines can remove at least toilets from each plane and replace them with extra seats. Removing the loos: Some airlines will introduce coin-operated WCs, hoping to discourage passengers from using them - so toilets can be removed to make room for more seats . DIY everything . First passengers were checking themselves in, now some airlines require them to print their baggage tags as well. Before long, travellers will be scanning fingerprints to board the plane and grabbing food and drink on board themselves, according to forecasters. Last year, British Airways began trials of a reusable digital bag tag that syncs with the BA smartphone app. Each time the passenger flies, the electronic barcode on the bag tag updates to a new unique code. In 2008, Air New Zealand introduced total self check-in on domestic flights, which saw passengers check in, tag and deposit their luggage on a conveyor belt to be processed behind the scenes. 'It’s very unusual for us to see any queues forming anywhere at the airport,' Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe said at the time. 'For the passenger, it means less hassle, a shorter journey and an improved experience, and for us it means a competitive advantage.' Chat at 30,000 feet: The FCC may be reversing its ban on in-flight cellular communications . In-flight phone calls . Most passengers have welcomed airlines softening stance on the use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing. And the introduction of wifi on board. But do they really want to listen to their seat neighbour chatting away at 30,000 feet on a long-haul flight, with nowhere to run? In January the Federal Communication Commission proposed a reversal of its 1991 ruling that cellular communications on aircraft be banned. The use of phones in-flight is no longer unsafe because of changes in mobile technology, according to InformationWeek. | Standing cabins, coin-operated loos and all-female crew could be reality .
Airlines will go to even more extreme lengths to cut costs .
Passengers will be able to make calls from mobiles if FCC ban is reversed . |
2,882 | 086d5b814692d9f6f9cd8fada44d0274153ef464 | UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against CSKA Moscow after Manchester City's Yaya Toure claimed he was abused by monkey chants from the stands in Wednesday's European Champions League encounter with the Russian club. The Ivorian made his concerns known to the referee and said he was "furious" after the Group D game at the Arena Khimki, which City won 2-1. But CSKA released a statement on its website denying there was any racist chanting and told CNN that UEFA's match delegate wasn't aware of any either. European football's governing body UEFA told CNN it had no official comment to make on CSKA's claim. It added that the match delegate or the referee had made reference to the racist chants in their reports in order for proceedings to have been opened. "Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against PFC CSKA Moskva for racist behavior of their fans and for setting off of fireworks," UEFA said in a statement on its website. "The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body on October 30." Toure told Manchester City's in-house TV channel that he was abused after missing a chance during the game, and he called on UEFA to take a tough stance on CSKA. "I hope they will change it, I hope they will get big sanctions," said the midfielder, who played for Ukrainian club Metalurh Donetsk from 2003-05. "They have to ban them at some stage, they have to ban a club for a couple of years. They don't know. "They have to do something about it or they will always continue with it. I don't know why we just have this in football -- in volleyball or rugby, we don't have it." But Toure's version of events was challenged by CSKA, which said its fans were trying to put pressure on City's players with a "disapproving drone and whistle irrespective of their race." The statement added: "Having carefully studied the video recording of the match, we have not found any insults of a racist nature by the CSKA fans towards the visitors, which the match delegate also confirmed after the end of the game." CSKA also quoted Toure's compatriot Seydou Doumbia as saying: "I never heard anything of the kind from our fans. Yes, they noisily support the team and try to put maximum pressure on the opponent, but they don't take the liberty of racist cries/shouts. "So my fellow Ivory Coast teammate clearly got worked up." However, a report on Russian news agency RIA Novosti noted that racist chanting is "commonplace at top-flight Russian league games." It added: "But prosecutions are rare and clubs whose fans shout racist insults are usually punished with small fines." High-profile stars such as Brazilian Roberto Carlos have complained about being taunted with bananas while playing in Russia -- as has another former Anzhi Makhachkala player, Christopher Samba. Last year a group of fans supporting Zenit St. Petersburg launched a "manifesto" urging the leading Russian club to not sign black players. Russia has also come under scrutiny ahead of next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi due to new legislation that many see as discriminating against gay people. Its successful bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup came with the promise that it would seek to stamp out racism in domestic football, and the organizing committee has reacted to Toure's suggestion that players might boycott the prestigious tournament. "The 2018 World Cup in Russia, in particular, can act as a catalyst to positively change the mindsets and behavior across all involved in Russian football over the next four years," the 2018 organizers said in a statement to Novosti on Thursday. "Whilst the alleged incidents are still under investigation by the relevant authorities, it is clear that all over the world a small minority try to ruin the wonderful experience of watching live world-class football for real fans. "It is worth restating that all stakeholders in Russian football have made it clear that there is absolutely no place for any type of racial discrimination or abuse in our game." European football has been hit by several incidents of racism this year, beginning in January when Kevin-Prince Boateng walked off the pitch during a friendly match between his then club AC Milan and a lower-league Italian side. A Serie A match involving Milan in May was suspended due to abuse of Boateng's former teammate Mario Balotelli. This month the Ukraine national side had to play a World Cup qualifying match with Poland in an empty home stadium due to racist behavior by its supporters during a previous game against San Marino. | CSKA Moscow faces charges over behavior of its fans in match against Manchester City .
European soccer's ruling body to hear case against Russian club on October 30 .
CSKA fans accused of racist behavior and setting off fireworks in Wednesday's match .
City's Yaya Toure complained of being racially abused during Champions League tie . |
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