Unnamed: 0
int64 0
287k
| id
stringlengths 40
40
| article
stringlengths 117
14.7k
| highlights
stringlengths 37
3.97k
|
|---|---|---|---|
257,078 | d8be14104c3ceff5a6e434b16d2e4ed884c15a7b | Signed prints, car parts and umbrellas were among the items up for auction from former Formula One team Marussia on Tuesday. The Banbury-based firm went out of business on November 7 with the loss of over 200 jobs and were forced to miss the final three races of this year's championship. A two-day live webcast auction started at 10am, with one of the highest prices being £15,000 for a nose section of racing driver Max Chilton's car. Various items that belonged to the Marussia Formula One team went up for auction on Tuesday . Some of the items that went up for auction in the two-day live webcast which started on Tuesday . Timo Glock's driver's suit and boots on a display mannequin sold for £700 in the auction . Other items to sell so far included a 2010 steering wheel, which fetched £2,200, and a Timo Glock driver's suit and boots on a display mannequin, which raised £700. Four umbrellas sold for £100, although door signs for race bays failed to attract any bids. Two sales, on Thursday and January 21, will feature furniture, computer equipment and this year's F1 cars, minus their engines which have been retained by Ferrari. A Marussia Formula One car which will go up for auction at a later date . Former Marussia driver Max Chilton pictured during mid-season testing at Silverstone in October . The webcast takes the form of a traditional auction with an auctioneer accepting bids. There was no reserve price on any of the items. Marussia became the second F1 team to be placed in administration this autumn after the Caterham team also folded in October. | Car parts and clothing from former Formula One team Marussia went up for auction on Tuesday .
Marussia went out of business last month with the loss of over 200 jobs .
The nose section from Max Chilton's car sold for £15,000 . |
104,105 | 125138b2c693064f05c5ce9e7826fe91efa74c0f | By . Pa Reporter . Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard is to take a break from international football for the next year but is not ready to call time on his career with the United States yet. The 35-year-old attained hero status in his homeland during the World Cup, making a tournament record 15 saves as the United States took Belgium to extra-time before losing 2-1 in the knockout stages. In a statement released Thursday via his Facebook page and US Soccer, Howard said he was keen to spend more time with his family but does not want to retire yet - something United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann is willing to accept. Break time: Howard said on Facebook that he needed to make a commitment to his family . 'Having played overseas for the last 12 years and missing out on spending time with my family, making this commitment to my family is very important at this time,' said Howard. 'I am grateful for the willingness of both Jurgen Klinsmann and Everton manager Roberto Martinez to afford me the opportunity to spend time with my kids. It's the right decision at the right time. 'Jurgen has always been up front with all the players in saying you have to earn your place, which is something I agree with, so I look forward to coming back next fall and competing for a spot.' Klinsmann said: 'We had a very good and productive conversation. I totally understand Tim's situation. He was very straightforward and honest in his approach, and I admire him for that. Admiration: Klinsmann said he admired Howard's honesty and that the keeper will be welcomed back . Working hard: The break from international football will allow Howard to focus on his family and Everton . 'He has a wish to take a step back to take care of his family, and we came to the conclusion that it's absolutely fine that he takes time off from international soccer until after next summer's Gold Cup, and then we reevaluate. 'I told him as long as he is the same Tim Howard we always see performing well, he will be welcome back with open arms and right back competing for a spot. 'He knows he has to prove that he deserves to be back.' Howard's appearances in Brazil this summer took him to 104 caps, the most all-time by an American goalkeeper. Old favourite: Howard has been a key member of the USMNT for a dozen years, winning over 100 caps . Number one: Howard played 37 times in the league for The Toffees last season and was a key performer . Taking a year out will cost him the chance to feature in eight friendlies as well as the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and once he returns he will likely face a fight to regain a spot which Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan will be the favourite to inherit. Real Salt Lake's 35-year-old goalkeeper Nick Rimando was the third goalkeeper taken to Brazil. 'This gives us a huge opportunity to see Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando going forward and fighting for the No. 1 spot,' Klinsmann added. 'We have young talented goalkeepers with Sean Johnson and Bill Hamid, who have been brought along the last couple years, so this may give them a chance here and there to get some game time. 'Always when somebody steps aside for a moment, it gives an opportunity for the next ones in line.' | USMNT goalkeeper will take a break until after next summer's Gold Cup .
Howard was a crucial part in USA's successful World Cup campaign .
Everton goalkeeper agreed the move with coach Jurgen Klinsmann .
Aston Villas stopper Brad Guzan likely to fill Howard's position . |
144,822 | 4752ac6542cc45d4e8f07b3deb9e5bae83cee634 | (CNN) -- The 2012 London Olympic Games fostered a generation of hope. I witnessed women participating for the very first time, representing every nation. Congratulations to 800 meter runner Sara Attar and judoka Wokdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani. Shahrkhani represented Saudi Arabia in judo and was among a number of other pioneer women who were part of the very first Olympics in which every country sending a team to London included at least one female athlete. Read more: Arab sportswomen finally in the picture . Their participation and that of athletes from Libya, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Yemen, Qatar and other nations exemplifies how far we've come, on a global level. The celebration of 40 years of title IX -- legislation that guaranteed equal opportunities in women's college athletics -- what a year to celebrate! The performances of USA women's basketball (five consecutive gold medals), USA women's soccer (bouncing back from the World Cup loss to capture the gold against Japan), Kerri Walsh-Jennings and Misty May-Treanor, after motherhood showed they are still the "Queens of the Beach" with an historic three-peat, and let's not forget double-gold for the Williams family in tennis and the stunning performance of Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter breaking a 27-year-old world record in the 4x100m relay, and Jamaican Frazier-Price winning back-to-back gold in the women's 100 meters and Ethiopian Tiunesh Dibaba making history in the women's 10,000 meters. Sanya Richards-Ross (400m), Felix (200m), Australia's Sally Pearson 100m hurdles, Brittany Reese (long jump) and Jenn Suhr (pole vault), as well as teenagers like Missy Franklin (swimming), Gabby Douglas (gymnastics), Claressa Shields (boxing), all claimed their very first individual gold medals. Jessica Ennis of Great Britain, the face of the games, lived up to the pressure and became an Olympic champion by winning the most demanding event (in my opinion) for a female athlete; the hepthalon. Opinion: Why we need Gabby . Dawn Harper, Jeter, Dee Dee Trotter, Brigetta Barrett, LaShinda Demus, Veronica Campbell, Lia Neal (second African American in swimming to bring home a medal) and the U.S. indoor volleyball team also all came away with medals. To each of those remarkable athletes, and all of the women (and men) from around the world who came to London and put forth their very best efforts I extend a heartfelt congratulations. It was an honor for me to watch you, providing a wonderful trip down memory lane. As exciting as these games were for women, it saddened me to know that women's softball wasn't a part of these Olympic Games and we still must not forget our female athletes come from grass roots programs and lack of funding is always an issue. We live in a world where sports have the potential to bridge the gap between racism, sexism and discrimination. The 2012 Olympic Games was a great start but hopefully what these games taught us is that if women are given an opportunity on an equal playing field the possibilities for women are endless. Read more: Was London 2012 the women's Olympics? The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jackie Joyner-Kersee. | Jackie Joyner-Kersee: The Games fostered a generation of hope .
Participation of female athletes from around the world showed how far we've come, she says .
But she says it was saddening that women's softball weren't a part of these Olympics games .
Joyner-Kersee: We must not forget that lack of funding can be an issue for female athletes . |
84,768 | f080abbbdb72f3ec55803a5141bc85ecf573c62d | Los Angeles (CNN) -- Singer Bobby Brown pleaded no contest Wednesday to driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher and was sentenced to 36 months of probation, his attorney said. The charge to which he pleaded no contest is a violation of the California vehicle code, the attorney said. In Los Angeles County Superior Court, prosecutors dismissed two other counts against him -- a drunk driving charge and a suspended driver's license charge -- said Brown lawyer Tiffany Feder. Brown was also sentenced to one day in jail -- which he already served -- and must undergo a 90-day alcohol treatment program, Feder said. Brown didn't appear in court, Feder said. Brown, 43, showed signs of intoxication and failed a field sobriety test during the traffic stop last month in the Reseda area of Los Angeles County, California, Highway Patrol spokeswoman Tiana Reed said. Brown is the ex-husband of the late singer Whitney Houston. | Singer pleads no contest to driving with blood alcohol content .08% or higher .
Prosecutors dismiss two other charges against him .
He must undergo a 90-day alcohol treatment program .
He failed a field sobriety test during a California traffic stop last month . |
277,614 | f3a3e1d8de4f519d24193b22c85bde3e54819295 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 00:22 EST, 23 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 00:50 EST, 23 March 2012 . A machine purrs as it delivers electrical pulses deep into the saggy skin on Barbara Penha's jawline, a high-tech treatment used first to tighten her jowls and then to sculpt her tummy. The technique is all the rage at the chic dermatology clinics that cater to legions of wealthy women here who invest serious time and big bucks into looking their bikini best. But Penha isn't a socialite, nor did she fork out the $450 that a single radio-frequency session typically runs in Rio de Janeiro. The struggling housewife got the treatment free of charge at a clinic that provides the poor access to the kinds of pricey cosmetic treatments that have become almost de rigueur among Brazil's moneyed elite. Fair: Nilcea Furtado receives a free of charge radio-frequency treatment by Dr. Ana Paula, right, at the Brazilian Society of Aesthetic Medicine clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil . Free Botox and laser hair removal, free chemical peels and anti-cellulite treatments may at first seem shockingly frivolous in a country like Brazil — which, despite phenomenal economic growth in recent years that has lifted millions out of extreme poverty, still battles with diseases like tuberculosis and dengue. But the philosophy behind the more than 220 clinics across Brazil that treat people like Penha and thousands of maids, receptionists, waitresses and others is simple: Beauty is a right, and the poor deserve to be ravishing, too. The Brazilian Society of Aesthetic Medicine's Rio clinic has performed free procedures on more than 14,000 patients since its founding in 1997, said Dr. Nelson Rosas, who heads the Rio branch. Good looks, doctors argue, are more than skin deep, and by treating what patients view as physical flaws doctors are often also healing their psyches. 'What's a wrinkle? Something minor, right? Something with precious little importance,' Rosas said. 'But when we treat the wrinkle, that unimportant little thing, we're actually treating something very important: The patient's self esteem.' The notion that beauty treatments can act in much the same way as psychoanalysis, helping free patients from crippling neuroses, was pioneered over the past decades by celebrated Brazilian plastic surgeon Ivo Pitanguy. Free of charge: Doctors perform an abdominoplasty surgery at the Santa Casa de Misericordia hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on March 21. The hospital focuses on reconstructive operations for burn victims and people with serious deformations, but it also provides discounted cosmetic procedures . Nicknamed the 'philosopher of plastic surgery' for his intellectual and psychoanalytical take on the vocation, 85-year-old Pitanguy is largely responsible for Brazil's reputation as a world leader in the field and a top destination for cosmetic surgery tourism. His skill with the scalpel catapulted him to international fame — the surgeon is arguably Brazil's second most famous person after soccer legend Pele. It's made him the go-to man for A-list celebrities, international statesmen and royalty seeking a quick fix to their aesthetic woes. Pitanguy's long and illustrious patient roster is said to include such luminaries as Zsa Zsa Gabor, Francois Mitterrand and Brigitte Bardot, although the discreet doctor has rarely named names. Pitanguy's handicraft on the world's rich and famous allowed him to join their ranks — he commutes to Rio by helicopter from his own private island. But he has remained attentive to the less privileged. More than half a century ago, he founded a surgical wing to help treat the poor. While the wing at the Santa Casa de Misericordia hospital in Rio focuses on reconstructive operations for burn victims and people with serious deformations, it also provides discounted cosmetic procedures. Other hospitals have since followed suit. Now, at least two dozen mostly public hospitals in Rio alone offer discounted or sometimes free cosmetic surgeries to low income people, according to a website aimed at informing potential patients. Reconstructive: A doctor navigates a gurney with a breast implant patient through a door after surgery at the Santa Casa de Misericordia hospital. At least two dozen, mostly public hospitals in Rio alone offer discounted or sometimes free cosmetic surgeries to low income people . With more than 11.5 million operations a year, Brazil is the world's second biggest consumer of plastic surgery after the United States, but here there's none of the kind of stigma that still clings to the practice in the U.S. Local celebrities appear on the cover of glossy magazines with titles like 'Plastica e Beleza,' or 'Plastic (Surgery) and Beauty,' and wax poetic about their latest face-lift, breast implant, or round of Botox. Actors on the prime time soap operas that captivate the public here regularly get surgical makeovers, as do the characters they play as part of the soaps' high-drama story lines. Silicone, on prominent display at the beach all year round, takes center stage during Carnival, when samba queens wearing only a sprinkling of sequins and feathers flaunt their pumped-up bustlines and gravity-defying rear ends at Rio's extravagant Sambadrome parade. (Breast and buttock implants are among the most popular plastic surgeries here, along with liposuction, facelifts and procedures to flatten prominent ears). The senate is currently debating whether the government's national health service should fully cover breast reconstruction for cancer patients. The state-funded health service already pays for gastroplasties for the morbidly obese and some surgeries to repair serious deformities or injuries, including correcting cleft palates in children. 'In Brazil, plastic surgery is now seen as something of the norm,' said Alexander Edmonds, an anthropology professor at the University of Amsterdam and author of Pretty Modern: Beauty, Sex and Plastic Surgery in Brazil. 'In a way, surgery is becoming the standard of care among middle class and wealthy women, and so it's not surprising that lower class people aspire to it, too.' Surgery: Barbara Penha receives a free of charge radio-frequency treatment on her abdomen by Doctor Nelson Rosas, at the Brazilian Society of Aesthetic Medicine clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil . While he acknowledges the potent psychological benefits that sometimes result from plastic surgery, Edmonds warns that Brazil's overwhelmingly pro-plastica attitude can be dangerous. 'The word beauty in Brazil kind of obscures the fact that you're talking about real surgery,' he said. 'The problems and risks of surgery are often minimized, and these operations tend to be seen like a 'beautification' like any other, which of course they're not.' Still, worries about risk don't appear to be holding many here back. On the few days a year when low-income people can apply for free or cut-rate cosmetic surgeries, the lines snake out and around the hospitals. Once their case has been approved, patients often spend months or even years on the waiting list ahead of the actual surgery. The free surgeries are widely seen to benefit the hospitals, too, as they allow young doctors to hone their skills. Nilcea Furtado said she waited three years for her first free laser treatment there. Though the clinic, which is also a private training institute for doctors, doesn't perform surgical procedures that require anything more than local anesthetic, Furtado says she's experienced the kinds of psychological benefits described by superstar surgeon Pitanguy. 'Since I was a teenager, I had lots of horrible hairs on my chin and I tried everything to get rid of them but nothing worked,' said Furtado, a 48-year-old secretary whose entire monthly salary is less than a single laser hair removal treatment session. 'I had heard that lasers were effective but they're so expensive, they seemed like an impossible dream for me.' Six free laser hair removal sessions later, Furtado's chin is silky smooth and she says she's a new woman. 'I never knew what it was to look into the mirror and like what I saw,' she said. 'It's an amazing feeling.' | A Rio clinic has performed free procedures on more than 14,000 .
patients since 1997 .
Brazil is the world's second biggest consumer of plastic surgery after the United States . |
140,477 | 41aa1fb8ba2e0f1a6b8f1963943f60eeff1deb57 | These seals look to be enjoying a bubble bath as they frolic on the beach. Lying at the water's edge the grey seals allow waves to break over them for around an hour as they take a well-earned rest from hunting for fish. Amidst the foaming water they seem to be lapping up a luxurious soak. These seals look to be enjoying a bubble bath as they frolic on the beach on the Island of Heligoland, 30 miles off the German coast . Lying at the water's edge the grey seals allow waves to break over them as they take a well-earned rest from hunting for fish . The seals live on the Island of Heligoland, 30 miles off the German coast in the North Sea. It is famed for its wildlife and grey seals gather there to mate, give birth and bring up their young. Keen wildlife photographerEimar Weiss, 44, travelled from his home in Hamburg and spent an entire day photographing the seals in the breakwater. One of the seals enjoy the wash; the group were photographed enjoying some down time for around an hour . Heligoland is famed for its wildlife and grey seals gather there to mate, give birth and bring up their young . Mr Weiss, a dental technician, said: 'Enjoying the bubble bath lasted up to one hour. 'Mating, giving birth, feeding their young and hunting for fish is exhausting for the seals. Some grey seals rested on the beach and some in the breakwater - it certainly seemed they were enjoying this. 'It was very windy with wind speeds of around 40mph. 'I focused on the seals in the surf because of the crazy splashes. Foam does not behaves like pure water, it's just fascinating. 'You can't see this effect with your own eyes, but you can freeze it in a photo. Keen wildlife photographer Eimar Weiss, 44, travelled from his home in Hamburg and spent an entire day photographing the seals . This seal might find it difficult to navigate to the next stop-off as it has its face completely covered by foam . 'It's not easy to get such shots, you have to be very patient. Not every wave is strong enough, not every wave produced enough bubbles sometimes the sun disappears behind clouds, the seal turns away from the camera and so on. 'I love that it's looks like a bubble bath and the seals seem to enjoy it. 'I like the foam splashes and the warm colours from the sunlight and the sharpness and details of the pictures.' Mr Weiss says Heligoland is a 'must-visit' location for a keen wildlife photographer such as himself. Not every wave produces bubbles, but thankfully these seals were in luck as they enjoyed a good old soak . He added: 'From mid-November until mid-January the grey seals are giving birth. It's amazing to see the baby seals, they are so cute. 'Most of the photos shows a female grey seal, they are a lot smaller than the males and also more colourful. 'After giving birth, the female has to lactate the baby for one month. In this time, the baby seal is not able to swim because its fur is not yet water resistant. 'The female often stays near her baby on the beach or in the dunes, sometimes she is going in the sea to hunt for her own. 'Gestation period for a grey seal is 11 and a half months and after giving birth they are mating again. 'The mating male protected the female against other males and is always nearby.' | Seals live on the Island of Heligoland, 30 miles off the German coast in the North Sea .
Their bath-time was caught by photographer Eimar Weiss, 44, who had travelled from his home in Hamburg .
Heligoland is famed for its wildlife and grey seals gather there to mate, give birth and bring up their young . |
260,599 | dd73a07ffb1d6ef830d9ead0482c03d5b3a6a5fc | By . Sam Greenhill . A Bond girl told a London court how she kicked Max Clifford, pictured, 'really hard' between the legs after he allegedly sexually assaulted her . A Bond girl told a court today how she kicked Max Clifford between the legs ‘really hard’ after he sexually assaulted her. The woman, an extra in the James Bond film Octopussy, said the celebrity publicist had shoved her on to a sofa and thrown himself on top of her. She said: 'He lunged towards me. He pushed me down. He was on top of me. His hands were all over the place and he was trying to kiss me. I just remember his smelly breath. 'Then I got very frightened and I kicked him between the legs really hard. He held himself. I jumped up, grabbed my things and ran.’ The woman, now 52, said the assault came in Clifford's New Bond Street offices after he had persuaded her to wear stockings and suspenders for a photo shoot. It was 1981 or 1982 and Clifford was offering to become her agent, she said. She had ready been given a role in the Roger Moore movie. He promised to make her famous and said she could get her a part in a new film by legendary Hollywood actor and director Charles Bronson, but needed some photographs of her in lingerie first, Southwark Crown Court in London heard. She told jurors she had just landed the role in Octopussy and was aged about 20. ‘Max Clifford contacted me or I was given his number and I went to his office. He congratulated me on being in Octopussy,’ she said. ‘He had a script for a new Charles Bronson film and he thought I would be perfect [for that too].' After their meeting, she said she received a bizarre phone call at home from a man named 'Terry Denton' who claimed he worked for Clifford and told her the publicist was 'in love’ with her. Then, at their next meeting, again in Clifford's office, she said the PR man pretended to be on the phone to Charles Bronson. 'He said he was speaking to Charles Bronson and that he needed photographic evidence from me,' she said. Trial: The publicist stopped to pose for photographers as he arrived at Southwark Crown Court today . An extra from the James Bond Octopussy film told the Clifford trial that the publicist sexually assaulted her . Defendant: Clifford, 70, faces 11 counts of indecent assault on seven teenagers but denies the charges . She claimed Clifford gave her money and sent her to a nearby Dorothy Perkins shop to buy lingerie, and she came back with a bra, a pair of knickers, a suspender belt and stockings. She thought he would take professional photographs but instead of using a studio, he made her pose in an office while he snapped away with an 'Instamatic' camera with 'no film in it', she told the court. 'He asked me to do the "James Bond gun pose" and asked me to sit on the sofa and put my legs apart. 'I realised things weren't right at all.' She got dressed to leave but claimed Clifford then molested her. Asked by Richard Horwell QC, defending, if she was making her claims up, the woman said: ‘What I'm saying is, to my best knowledge, the absolute truth and anything that deviates from that as such - it's such a long time ago. And it did happen.’ Barbara Broccoli, daughter of film producer Cubby Broccoli, said that her father did not even know Clifford . The jury in the PR guru's trial is now 11-strong after one juror dropped out because she knew a witness . The court later heard from James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, the daughter of Bond movie franchise owner Cubby Broccoli. The court previously heard that Clifford claimed he represented Cubby Broccoli, and told one alleged victim she would have to sleep with the producer so she could be in one of his films. But Miss Broccoli said she did not think her father knew Clifford, telling the jury: 'As far as I know he did not know him.' Wearing a navy blazer, white shirt and jeans, Clifford listened from the dock. The 70-year-old, from Hersham in Surrey, is accused of 11 counts of indecent assault against seven women and girls. He denies all the charges. The jury trying him is now 11 strong after one woman juror was discharged because she said she knew one of the supporting witnesses. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Bond girl told Southwark Crown Court that Clifford sexually assaulted her .
Woman, now 52, said he talked her into wearing stockings for photo shoot .
She said she had just landed role in Octopussy when she visited Clifford .
Said he asked her to sit on sofa with legs apart in James Bond gun pose .
She told jury: 'He was trying to kiss me. I just remember his smelly breath'
Clifford denies all 11 charges of indecent assault against seven females . |
30,886 | 57c4a6c6ec1277ceccc6448d1a1dc2896c87eadc | It seems there are more uses for Vegemite than spreading it on toast. Julie Gould, from Sunshine Coast in Queensland, prefers her classic Aussie spread on canvas. The 48-year-old artist has been using the popular breakfast spread to paint life-like portraits of celebrities since 1985 when she was an art student. Scroll down for video . Julie Gould is one clever Vegemite and prefers her yeasty spread on canvas . 'I was completing my commercial arts certificate and we had to use any medium other than painting materials to work with,' Ms Gould told Daily Mail Australia. 'We had to find something organic to work with so it could be blueberries, make up, licorice and even chocolate but I went with Vegemite.' The busy mother spends between three to four days to paint a complete portrait of someone. 'I'm a perfectionist,' she said. 'I put a lot of time and solid effort into it and I can't stop myself from looking at it because I'm changing it all the time.' Gould has painted almost 30 portraits and her collection includes Dame Edna (pictured) Some of Ms Gould's collection include Ellen Degeneres (left) and Oprah Winfrey (right) It takes three to four days to paint a complete portrait of Nelson Mandela (left) and Crocodile Dundee (right) She has painted almost 30 portraits and her collection includes Dame Edna, Crocodile Dundee, Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry and Vegemite founder Fred Walker. 'I have a lot more in progress like Hugh Jackman and Mel Gibson but I won't show them until they're completely finished. The secret to Ms Gould's technique is to add hot boiling water. 'There are other secrets but I keep them to myself,' she said. Gould has painted almost 30 portraits and her collection includes Kate Middleton and Prince Harry . Ms Gould has taken her obsession with a classic Aussie spread to the . extreme creating amazing artworks . 'I use roughly one tube for each portrait and I always use hot water to turn it into a paste. 'You can't use cold water because it clots up and won't give you that air brush effect. 'I also paint layers for light and dark shades. You can't get black from Vegemite so I have to paint layers and let it dry so I can build it up to get it dark.' Ms Gould said her artworks last a lifetime - saying it 'darkens with age'. 'Vegemite is high in salt so it doesn't rot and I spray on sealant as well so it lasts a really long time. 'You can tell when they're freshly made because they have that gingery looking effect.' Her masterpieces will feature at the Aussie Icons and Inventions exhibition in Yamba, northern New South Wales starting from December 6 . The Sunshine Coast mother said her secret is hot water . She added: 'It looks like an old sepia photograph when it's finished.' 'I love it and I love that people like my artworks because I'm really critical with my artworks and I wouldn't show them if they didn't look like someone. Ms Gould's masterpieces will feature at the Aussie Icons and Inventions exhibition in Yamba, northern New South Wales starting from December 6. For more information, contact Julie Gould at [email protected] . Ms Gould made a special appearance on the Today Show, joining Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson on Wednesday morning . Karl Stefanovic posing with the artwork that Ms Gould made specially for the Today Showj . Lisa Wilkinson smiling with her artwork after Ms Gould made it specially for the Today Show . | Julie Gould uses Vegemite to paint life-like celebrity portraits .
The 48-year-old artist has been using the technique since 1985 .
It takes three to four days to paint a complete portrait .
The Sunshine Coast resident said her secret is hot water .
Her masterpieces will feature at the Aussie Icons and Inventions exhibition in Yamba, northern New South Wales starting from December 6 .
Vegemite is similar to the British spread Marmite . |
188,754 | 80775fa49b75eec6b6733b81cd23236e7f8e51c3 | It was a mission that captivated audiences across the world - and now images have revealed the dramatic moment Orion was safely recovered into the huge well deck of the USS Anchorage. A combined US Navy and Nasa team successfully towed the spacecraft out of the water after a flawless launch and landing. And Orion - which will one day take astronauts to an asteroid and ultimately Mars - will be brought triumphantly back to shore later today. Scroll down for videos . A combined US Navy and Nasa team recovered Orion on 5 December safely onto the USS Anchorage, shown. This was the first at-sea testing of the Orion Crew Module using a Navy well deck recovery method. Orion will make its return to shore later today . ‘This mission exemplifies the US Navy commitment to the research and development of technologies and techniques to ensure the safety of human space flight support,’ said Anchorage Commanding Officer, Captain Michael McKenna. ‘I could not be more proud of my crew.’ The successful retrieval of Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) was part of a US government inter-agency effort to test recovery techniques for future space flights. But although this was Orion’s first trip to space, it is actually the fifth at-sea testing of a module using the Navy well deck recovery method - although the others had used mock-ups. Four tests were conducted prior to the flight to prepare the recovery team and make sure everything went smoothly. The first test was conducted at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia in August 2013. The others were conducted earlier in 2014, known as Underway Recovery Tests (URTs). NASA's Orion spacecraft is off loaded from the back of the USS Anchorage at Naval Base San Deigo, California . Navy personnel work as NASA's Orion space capsule is prepared to be unloaded from the USS Anchorage at Naval Base San Diego . Sailors from the amphibious transport dock, USS Anchorage, and Navy Divers, assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 (EODMU11), Mobile Dive and Salvage Company 11-7, attach a line to the Orion Crew Module . Navy divers are seen here attaching a towing bridle to the Orion Crew Module. The successful retrieval of Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) was part of a US government interagency effort to test recovery techniques for future flights . Here the air bags are seen inflated, which were used to keep the capsule in an upright position - known as Stable 1 . Divers surround the capsule (in green helmets) as the operation begins to recover Orion . The USS Anchorage was ultimately chosen for EFT-1 as it has a combination of capabilities suited to assist Nasa with the Orion recovery. Called a landing platform dock (LPD) ship, it has a well-deck, advanced medical facilities, helicopters, three dimensional air-search radar and small boats that could all be used in the recovery operation. A specially-trained bridge team were also used throughout the duration of the recovery. And once the capsule had landed in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Baja California, the ship manoeuvred close to it along with small boats in order to safely retrieve it. Navy divers guide the Orion Crew Module alongside the amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage during the EFT-1 recovery . Recovery team members in a Zodiac boat help guide Nasa's Orion spacecraft into the well deck of the USS Anchorage following its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean . Here the Orion spacecraft is seen after it had been pulled safely into the well deck of the US Navy’s USS Anchorage. It's now being transported back to shore on board the Anchorage, and is expected to be off loaded at Naval Base San Diego later today . Divers attached lines from the small boats to guide the capsule toward Anchorage, where a Nasa-designed winch hauled the capsule into the well deck. ‘Orion is meant to be reused, which is why we tailored this recovery to accommodate keeping the capsule safe,’ said Navy Diver 1st Class Matthew Demyers of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11. And Chief Boatswain’s Mate Jason B. Roberts, deck department leading chief petty officer, added: 'We practiced this recovery many times with safety as the number one priority. The sailors were focused and completed the mission at hand successfully. 'I couldn't be more proud of our sailors and the work they accomplished here today.’ The spacecraft, which could someday take humans to Mars, made a fiery 20,000 mph (32,000 kph) re-entry into the planet enduring temperatures of 2,200°C (4,000°F), artist's illustration shown . In 11 minutes, Orion slowed from to 20 mph (32kph) at splashdown - its final descent aided by eight parachutes deployed in sequence . Nasa Administrator Charles Bolden, left, Nasa Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate William Gerstenmaier, and others in Building AE at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, react as they watch the Orion spacecraft splash down . On target: Orion splashed down at its target point 275 miles (442 km) west of Baja, California while travelling at around 20mph (32km/h) On Friday Nasa's new Orion spacecraft made the 'bull's-eye' splashdown in the Pacific following its dramatic test flight that took it twice around Earth in 4.5 hours. The spacecraft, which could someday take humans to Mars, made a fiery 20,000 mph (32,000 kph) re-entry into the planet enduring temperatures of 2,200°C (4,000°F). Cameras fitted to the rocket and capsule captured the entire mission - giving an unprecedented 'Orion's-eye' view from inside the capsule that could on day take man to Mars. Looking home: Cameras onboard the Orion capsule took this stunning snap of the Earth during re-entry. Flames show the incredible heat the capsule was subjected to, as it hit speeds of 20,000 mph and weathered temperatures approaching 2,200°C (4,000°F) Cameras onboard Orion captured its entire mission, from blast off (left) to its climb into orbit (right) An astronaut's eye view: A camera mounted insde the capsule looking out a windows captured this stunning image of Earth . During the uncrewed test, Orion traveled twice through the Van Allen belt, where it experienced periods of intense radiation, and reached an altitude of 3,600 miles above Earth. The spacecraft hit speeds of 20,000 mph (32,000 kph) and weathered temperatures approaching 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit as it entered Earth's atmosphere. If astronauts had been onboard Orion, they would have experienced a g-force of 8.2 - nearly twice that generated when Soyuz capsules return from the International Space Station. Orion hit its target point 275 miles (442 km) west of Baja, California, and achieved at least one record: flying farther and faster than any capsule built for humans since the Apollo moon program. 'There's your new spacecraft, America,' Mission Control commentator Rob Navias said as the Orion capsule neared the water. He called the journey 'the most perfect flight you could ever imagine.' The capsule reached a peak altitude more than 14 times farther from Earth than the International Space Station. No spacecraft designed for astronauts had gone so far since Apollo 17, 42 years ago. Nasa needed to send Orion that high in order to set the crew module up for a rapid and fiery entry. That was considered the most critical part of the entire flight - testing the largest of its kind heat shield for survival before humans climb aboard. In 11 minutes, Orion slowed from to 20 mph (32km/h) at splashdown - its final descent aided by eight parachutes deployed in sequence. Earth shrank from view through Orion's capsule window during its trip out to space, and stunning images were relayed back home. Its return was recorded by an unmanned drone flying over the recovery zone, providing more spectacular views. Helicopters then relayed images of the crew module bobbing in the water. Three of the five air bags deployed properly, enough to keep the capsule floating upright. 'Today's flight test of Orion is a huge step for NASA and a really critical part of our work to pioneer deep space on our Journey to Mars,' said Nasa Administrator Charles Bolden on Friday. 'The teams did a tremendous job putting Orion through its paces in the real environment it will endure as we push the boundary of human exploration in the coming years.' After being offloaded at shore the capsule will make the journey back to Kennedy from San Diego on the back of a truck - and officials said they hoped it would arrive by Christmas. Orion is being developed alongside the world's most powerful rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), which is due to make its maiden launch in 2018 or 2019. Together, SLS and Orion will allow Nasa to send humans into deep space to destinations such as Mars. There were a number of key moments throughout the flight (shown in diagram), designed to test the capability of Orion, all of which it passed without a hitch. In total the flight lasted about four and a half hours . First step towards Mars: Orion's Delta IV Heavy rocket clears the service tower that sits alongside the launchpad at Cape Canaveral. The high-stakes test flight is meant to usher in a new era of human exploration leading ultimately to Mars . Test flight: Orion made two big laps around Earth before re-entering the atmosphere at 20,000 mph (32,200 km/h). Pictured is an artist's impression of the Orion craft with its dummy service module in orbit . Ambition: The earliest Orion might carry passengers is 2021; a mission to an asteroid is on the space agency's radar sometime in the 2020s and Mars, the grand prize, in the 2030s . | A series of images have revealed how a combined US Navy and Nasa team recovered the Orion spacecraft .
The future Mars-bound vehicle splashed down at a target point 275 miles (442km) west of Baja California .
Divers and a fleet of boats were used to tow Orion back to the well deck of the USS Anchorage .
The ship is now making its way to shore and will offload Orion in San Diego later today .
Orion launched at 12.05 GMT (07.05 ET) on 5 Dec, making a 4.5 hour-journey that saw it orbit Earth twice .
It then re-entered the atmosphere at 20,000 mph (32,000 kph) enduring temperatures of 2,200°C (4,000°F)
Nasa's Orion spacecraft is designed to carry astronauts to an asteroid and eventually to Mars in the 2030s . |
96,591 | 0849a5edfed753ac0542caee36f3b477c2af44b9 | The boxing gloves worn by Muhammad Ali when he claimed his first Heavyweight Championship title have emerged for sale for $500,000 (£300,000). The gloves were used by the boxing hero, then known as Cassius Clay, when he took to the ring against Sonny Liston Miami Beach, Florida, in February 1964. Liston was the most intimidating fighter at the time and the match was one of the most anticipated in the sport's history. 'Part of his first step to sports immortality': These boxing gloves which were used by Muhammad Ali in his first heavyweight title victory over Sonny Liston in 1964 . Up for grabs: The gloves were cut off Ali's wrists after the match by his trainer, Angelo Dundee, and they remained in his private collection until his death in February 2012 . Clay, weighing in at 210lbs and Liston at 218lbs, fought for seven rounds before the former heavyweight retired and Clay was declared the winner by technical knockout. The next day he changed his name to Cassius X but was called Muhammad Ali a week later for religious reasons. The gloves were cut off his wrists after the match by his trainer, Angelo Dundee, and they remained in his private collection until his death in February 2012. The leather accessories, that are in good condition but show signs of discolouration where the tape was, were then purchased by a private collector. Underdog: Ali in action in his title-winning fight in February 1964 against Sonny Liston who at the time was the most intimidating boxer in the world . On path to greatness: Muhammad Ali celebrates his victory with his personal trainer Angelo Dundee (right) who kept the title-winning gloves in his personal collection until his death in 2012 . They are now going under the hammer with an estimate of £302,000 at Heritage Auctions in New York. Chris Ivy, director of sports collectibles at Heritage, said: 'These are the very gloves that Ali wore when he claimed his first Heavyweight Championship. 'After the fight, Angelo Dundee used scissors to cut his hands free, and must have known they would be something cool and historical to have because he kept them. Rematch: Ali looms over Sonny Liston after knocking him down after only one minute in their fight a year later . The Greatest: Ali pictured with his late personal trainer Angelo Dundee at a fundraiser in January 2012 . 'They remained in his private collection until he died and then they were purchased by another collector, who has decided to sell them as it's the 50th anniversary. 'It's hard to imagine a more important or evocative piece of boxing memorabilia. 'Ali is the greatest of all time, no doubt, and these gloves were part and parcel of his first step to sports immortality. 'Only Jackie Robinson could compete with Ali for the title of most influential figure in American sports history. 'But not even Robinson can compete with Ali in terms of being beloved internationally. 'Ali is a figure that transcends boxing or America, he belongs to the entire world.' The auction is on February 25, three days after the 50th anniversary of the fight. | Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, defeated Sonny Liston in Miami in 1964 .
Gloves remained in his trainer's private collection until his death in 2012 .
They are now being sold by a private collection at an auction in New York . |
160,202 | 5b12e48d4db8ddf4bce1f14d5520d61cd6a678ee | By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 12:11 EST, 17 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:12 EST, 17 October 2013 . The after-effects of the recession could lead to the pilfering of post-it notes and other office supplies, according to a study . The after-effects of the recession could lead to the pilfering of post-it notes and stealing of staplers, according to a new study. While people like to think they will stick to their ethical principles no matter what, when they feel financially deprived, they are more likely to relax their moral standards and commit minor transgressions, scientists claim. Canadian researchers found that faced with financial losses suffered as a result of the last recession, some people resorted to workplace sabotage and stole supplies and equipment. Scientists from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, said people are more likely to judge other deprived moral offenders who do the same more leniently. Nina Mažar, an associate professor of marketing at the university and one of the lead researchers of the study, said: 'We found that most respondents did not think financial deprivation would lead them to behave immorally. 'Yet, once they actually experienced financial deprivation, they were more likely to loosen their ethical principles.' The study, to be published in the journal Organisational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes, found public policies that entrench financial inequalities, such as regressive taxation plans or tax cuts for the wealthy, could also lead to more cheating inside and outside the office. Last resort: Canadian researchers found that faced with financial losses suffered as a result of the last recession, some people resorted to workplace sabotage and stole supplies and equipment . And those who interpret or enforce policies or regulations as part of their work - in corporations, law enforcement, or the judicial system - need to be mindful of the deprivation effect too, the study said. Temporary upsets in a person's own financial position could lead them to go easier on others demonstrating unethical behaviour while under financial stress, according to the paper. There are many ways people assess their financial health, but research has found one of the strongest influences is comparing oneself to other people. A sense of financial deprivation can happen when people simply feel financially inferior to their peers. The findings are based on a series of experiments that studied people's views about dishonest behaviour and how they behaved once they were induced to feel financially-deprived themselves. Workplace theft is common: Employees may see their own and other colleagues' financial positions as inferior and unfair, relative to the companies and executives they work for, leading to workplace stealing . The effects were observed both in experiments where people actually experienced financial loss and in those where they were merely made to feel financially-deprived, relative to others. The effects were lessened however, when people saw that acting unethically would be unfair, would not improve their financial situation, or when they accepted that their financial position was deserved. Perceptions of fairness were key to participants' decisions to act honestly or dishonestly, said Professor Mažar. The research suggests that one reason why workplace theft is so common, is because employees may see their own,and other colleagues' financial positions as inferior and unfair, relative to the companies and executives they work for. | Scientists from the University of Toronto said that when people feel financially deprived, they are more likely to relax their moral standards .
This is despite the fact that people predicted that financial hardship would not lead them to act immorally .
The research suggests employees may see their .
own financial positions as unfair, .
relative to the companies they work for, leading to workplace thievery . |
179,066 | 73dca27ac58321d69f6eaa293311f049d3ea357d | (CNN) -- BP and plaintiffs involved in the legal battle over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill -- the largest in U.S. history -- have reached an agreement, both sides said late Friday. BP estimated that it would have to pay about $7.8 billion in the Deepwater Horizon disaster settlement. "The proposed settlement represents significant progress toward resolving issues from the Deepwater Horizon accident and contributing further to economic and environmental restoration efforts along the Gulf Coast," said Bob Dudley, the CEO of BP. A group representing the plaintiffs in the case said the settlement "will fully compensate hundreds of thousands of victims of the tragedy." "The settlement is to be fully funded by BP, with no cap on the amount BP will pay," the group added. U.S. District Court Judge Carl Barbier wrote in an order that the two sides have "reached an agreement on the terms of a proposed class settlement which will be submitted to the court for approval." A civil trial on the issue was scheduled to take place in Louisiana federal court. Among the defendants were BP, the well operator and majority shareholder in the venture, rig-owner Transocean, construction contractor Halliburton and other firms associated with the project. Among the thousands of plaintiffs are fishermen, hotel owners and other Gulf Coast residents. The three-month-long spill, the largest oil spill in U.S. history, was triggered after an explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 20, 2010. Eleven people were killed in the blast. CNN's John King contributed to this report . | "The settlement is to be fully funded by BP," CEO says .
The plaintiffs say there is no cap on what BP will pay them .
The deal will "fully compensate hundreds of thousands of victims of the tragedy," plaintiffs say . |
201,995 | 9181eb28d86ccf43d517636eec96d5c71d9f56e3 | BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (CNN) -- If Russell Jackson has his way, any child who needs medical care but lacks the transportation to get there will have a safe and reliable alternative. Russell Jackson started Kid One, which has ferried thousands of children to medical appointments. "We found that there were 80,000-plus children in Alabama living in a home with no car," Jackson says. "And in the rural areas, there are no cabs, there are no buses, there are no trains. ... Millions of children in our country every day have no access to medical care when they need to reach it." Jackson is so determined that in 1997 he gave up his career as an Alabama firefighter, moved in with friends and dug into his retirement account to start Kid One Transport, a nonprofit organization that provides rides for needy children in his home state. In 11 years, Kid One's fleet of vans has ferried more than 16,000 kids to and from scheduled medical-related appointments all over Alabama. Watch Jackson describe the need for medical transportation in rural Alabama » . Jackson never anticipated he would leave the fire department to head up a nonprofit organization. After all, firefighting was the culmination of a lifelong dream. "What little boy doesn't want to be a firefighter?" Jackson says, laughing. But an emergency call to his department in March 1992 changed everything. Jackson was dispatched to help an unresponsive 2-year-old who had accidentally hanged himself in the family car while trying to retrieve a toy. "We did everything that we could to try to revive that young child," he says. The 2-year-old died despite their efforts. "I took it pretty tough," Jackson remembers. "It's not that I had not been exposed to tragedies before, but this one hit me differently." At the advice of a counselor, Jackson started volunteer work to help him process his grief. A friend suggested Jackson volunteer in the small rural town of Sayre, Alabama. Jackson was stunned by what he saw just 25 minutes from his home. "When I drove into the community, it was a world of its own. It was a lot of homes that were deplorable. And that's really the only way I can explain them," he says. Jackson says he was instantly ashamed by his own comfortable lifestyle. Watch Jackson describe the "turning point" that led to Kids One Transport » . "All it took was the one visit," he recalls, "and I knew I really wanted to come out and work with these folks, hand in hand, and do whatever I could to help make life a little bit easier for them." When social workers told him about the neighborhood children who had no way to travel to and from appointments for chemotherapy, physical therapy and even for regular checkups, Jackson started driving them there himself. Before long this one-man operation grew into a 13-van team covering 30 counties. Though Jackson recently stepped down from a daily role in the organization he founded, he says the best part of his work has been meeting the families and witnessing firsthand so many medical transformations. There were some who learned to speak, another who learned to walk, and others who recovered from life-threatening illnesses -- even when doctors were less than hopeful. Watch a child who relies on Kid One to get to medical appointments » . "I saw so many lives changed, so many determined children and parents who wanted to beat the odds that were against them," Jackson says. He says he believes that getting them to the care they needed made the difference. "We're that missing part of the puzzle that is preventing so many people from reaching what we'd consider as world-class medicine. ... To know that they beat it all because of a simple ride," he adds. "That has definitely been worth every bit of founding Kid One Transport." | More than 80,000 children in Alabama reportedly live in homes without a car .
Fireman Russell Jackson quit his job to start a nonprofit to help fill that gap .
Kid One has ferried 16,000 children to and from medical-related appointments . |
161,022 | 5c2a64f16142ee975932ad95093149a08cbd4a1d | By . Hamish Mackay . Alberto Contador has ruled himself out of the Vuelta a Espana after suffering a setback in his recovery from the injury that ended his Tour de France bid. The two-time Tour winner broke his shin in a crash on stage 10 of this year's race, but had hoped to make his home Grand Tour after avoiding surgery on the injury. However, this morning the Tinkoff-Saxo rider wrote on Twitter: 'Bad day, the wound healing gets complicated, I've no date to take the bike. Goodbye to the Vuelta.' Support: Alberto Contador takes a drink shortly before abandoning the Tour de France . Crash: Contador cycled on for 20km after breaking his shin bone before finally pulling out of the race . The 2014 Tour de France has seen a number of high-profile withdrawals through injury. Green jersey hopeful Mark Cavendish was forced to retire on the first day of the Tour and he was followed by 2013 champion Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Andrew Talansky, Andy Schleck and others. Fans had been hoping for a renewal of Contador's rivalry with Team Sky's Chris Froome, who has targeted the Vuelta for his own comeback after pulling out of the Tour on stage five with a fractured wrist. Missile: Cavendish was forced to abandon after crashing on the first day of the Tour . Champion: Froome crashed three times ad eventually fractured his wrist before quitting the Tour de France . Stitch-up: Support team attempt to patch up Chris Froome, the English rider says he will ride in the Vuelta . | Alberto Contador's broken shin will keep him out of Vuelta a Espana .
Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish and Andrew Talansky also abandoned Tour .
Fans had hoped Contador and Froome would race each other in the Vuelta . |
116,701 | 22aaf2f5901007d95b93e96a3d6fe091ebeedfa7 | Republicans will unveil a rebranding effort Thursday aimed at changing its image as a political party focused solely on obstructing President Barack Obama's agenda to instead a champion of ideas and action. It is being spearheaded by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who will deliver a speech at a local university outlining the GOP's legislative efforts across 11 topic areas ranging from jobs and national security to values and immigration. "If you asked the country, most people would say they know our party opposes many of those policies," Priebus is expected to say about the GOP's view of Obama's legislative goals, according to an early draft of his remarks obtained by CNN. "We oppose them because we know there's a better way. "So before November, I wanted to take a moment, cut through the noise, and talk about what's driving the Republican Party. People know what we're against. I want to talk about the things we're for." Obama spotlights economy in midterm message . The plan is to arm surrogates and candidates with detailed information to emphasize in cable television and talk radio appearances and on the campaign trail about what the GOP has accomplished in Congress as well as discuss the party's vision. Some of the subjects include legislation by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul to address unemployment, efforts by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Utah Sen. Mike Lee to eliminate the marriage penalty and an immigration plan that emphasizes stricter security along the borders. This new push by Republicans to change their image comes one month before the midterm elections in which the GOP is expected to easily hold its majority in the House and perhaps take control of the Senate. CNN Poll: Big swing for Democrats but not where they need it . Despite the predictions by nonpartisan political handicappers of GOP electoral success in November, there is an acknowledgment within the party that it needs to do a better job convincing voters that its objective is greater than just derailing Obama's agenda. It was just one year ago when Republican opposition to the new health care law -- otherwise known as Obamacare -- forced the federal government to shut down for several weeks. Many Republicans acknowledge the shutdown hurt the GOP's image with voters frustrated by Washington inaction and dysfunction. The ability to demonstrate it can govern effectively is essential for both political parties over the next two years, as it will set the stage for what is discussed, attacked and promoted in the 2016 presidential campaign. It is no secret that the conservative grassroots have been hypercritical of the GOP establishment in recent years over the direction of the party, execution of ideas and decision to protect incumbent Republican lawmakers who do not meet the grassroots definition of a full-blooded conservative. An RNC official said that this plan was drafted after soliciting extensive input from political and grassroots activists, campaign operatives and elected officials over the past several months about what messages needed to be highlighted. | Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is spearheading the plan .
Priebus: I want voters to know what Republicans are for, not just what they're against .
This new push comes one month before the midterm elections; polls favor the GOP . |
74,610 | d381822cf72019e989d4b8d7ba143ca202af3030 | Teenagers are usually renowned for spending their parents' money but one 13-year-old from Perth, Scotland, is on a penny-pinching mission to save her family cash. C'Jai Hamilton, 13, describes herself as an 'extreme couponer' as she loves nothing better than bargain hunting to save her friends and family money. The schoolgirl spends two hours a day on her endeavours, trawling websites for the best deals and checking every page of magazines and newspapers for discount coupons. Scroll for video . C'Jai Hamilton, 13, pictured on today's This Morning, describes herself as an 'extreme couponer' The teenager, pictured on the ITV show with her mother, Gail, has saved her parents £1,000 so far . Explaining how money-saving became a hobby, C'Jai said on today's This Morning: 'I kept seeing offers online and I kept looking into it and found it really interested me. I was able to get extra things for me and others which gave me a buzz and I liked helping people.' Thanks to her efforts, C'Jai has saved her parents £1,000 so far as their weekly shopping bills have fallen by a quarter. C'Jai's father suffers from severe arthritis and her mother, Gail, 37, is his full-time carer so the teenager wanted to do something to help them as money was tight. Appearing on the ITV show with her daughter, Gail said: 'Some months we live from week to week. If we can get a bit extra by saving money on the shopping then we can have a treat or a day trip. 'Every week C'Jai isn't just getting coupons for food products but cosmetics and pet products.' C'Jai told Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford that bargain hunting is time consuming but worth it . C'Jai, who gives most of the products she gets at a discount to family and friends, said the trick to saving money is all in the research and avoiding impulse buying. She said: 'You have to go on internet, that's big part of it, do online research. Make sure before you buy, it's for you - don't go for an offer if you don't need it as then you could save 20p for something else.' She added: 'Look through every page of a magazine or a newspaper for coupons - don't buy a magazine if it doesn't have any coupons.' The teenager trawls through magazines and websites every day to find money-saving offers . The schoolgirl said the only downside of her bargain hunting is she gets a lot of spam after signing up for discount deals with websites - so she has created an separate email address to the one she uses for social purposes. C'Jai said her hobby - always done after her homework - is time consuming but is is worth it for the rewards. Speaking about her love of couponing on her blog, C'Jai writes: 'If you're American you might think "this isn't much of a big thing because we do it all the time here", whereas in the UK it's really not, it's sadly not popular and we don't really get coupons a lot here in magazines or newspapers. 'If you're confused, it's also known as vouchers or money off, I really enjoy doing it and saving my family money, it helps money stretch a wee bit further and sometimes gets you that extra wee treat! 'It's well worth it, it's sometimes easy and hard, I wouldn't say it's a run in the park though... but it's something I really enjoy!' Her mother compared her coupon hunting to a part-time job but said she's happy to encourage it because 'she's gaining skills that she can take into a job in the future.' She added that her daughter is an asset when they go supermarket shopping as she's always looking for the best deals. Gail said: 'Before I buy something she always makes me check if there's a better deal first and always questions if we need it. She says if we don't then it's not worth spending money on it.' To be a savvy shopper, C'Jai recommends looking for the best deals in supermarkets and avoid impulse buys . | C'Jai Hamilton, 13, from Perth, describes herself as an 'extreme couponer'
Loves bargain hunting to save her friends and family money .
Trawls websites and magazines for two hours a day searching for deals .
Her coupons and savvy shopping have saved her parents £1,000 .
She said she gets a buzz from saving money . |
71,094 | c991b05527688086d17275b0c13ebe98fd508eda | Clutching a walking stick for support, Andrew Marr returned to front his BBC politics show today- nine months after a massive stroke almost ended his life. His return today was welcomed with the support of viewers and guests including Chancellor George Osborne, shadow defence secretary Douglas Alexander and Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu. Marr was left with seriously impaired mobility down his left side after suffering a serious stroke overnight in January. Andrew Marr returned to his BBC television programme today to the delight of guests and viewers . The broadcaster received a touching gesture of support from one of his guests, . Dr Sentamu who grasped his impaired left arm, and he . would pray for his recovery. The tender moment came at the end of . their interview when Marr, 53, referred to the Archbishop’s own recent . battle with prostate cancer and said: ‘You’ve also been ill so it’s very . wonderful to see you back as well, may I say?’ The . Archbishop replied: ‘I just want to say what happened to me when I had . this terrible illness, friends prayed for me, prayers encouraged me and I . just hope the same thing will happen to you.' Dr Sentamu then . held Marr’s left arm and in a reference to the biblical story of a man . with a ‘withered’ hand who was healed by Jesus on the Sabbath. Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York touches Andrew Marr's weakened hand in a gesture of support. The Archbishop said he would pray for Mr Marr's recovery . Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne appeared on The Andrew Marr Show today to review the parliamentary vote on Syria . He said: . ‘Like in Luke Chapter 6, we had the man with a hand like yours. Jesus . you know raises it up. And I’m going to... and I’m going to work hard, . I’m going to work there that your hand begins to work. And nice to see . you back.' Mr Marr replied: ‘Needs some work on it, needs some work on it. Thank you so much, Archbishop.’ The day before suffering the near fatal stroke, Mr Marr said he had been struck by a ‘blinding headache and flashes of light’ as he finished a vigorous workout on a rowing machine at home in East Sheen, south-west London. Doctors later discovered he had torn the carotid artery. Mercifully, the area of the brain that controls speech and memory was unaffected. The presenter spent two months in hospital and has undergone intense physiotherapy to regain movement in his left arm and leg, the latter of which has recovered more quickly. The Chancellor of the Exchequer appeared on the show as well as shadow defence secretary, Douglas Alexander . Marr, a father-of-three, had planned to return full-time to his show this month so as to coincide with the ‘natural beginning of the political year’. Today's comeback followed a brief appearance on the show in early July, when he pre-recorded a ten-minute interview with David Milliband, the former Labour Foreign Secretary. Guest presenters such as Jeremy Vine, Sophie Raworth and Eddie Mair had been standing in for the former BBC political editor and newspaper editor. Wearing a blue suit, white shirt and gold tie, Marr stood with the walking stick in his right hand to introduce the show today. He told viewers: ‘Well, here we are again. I have to start this morning with a few ‘thank yous’, to all my excellent colleagues who have been keeping the show on the road. Daily Mail columnist Amanda Platell and historian Simon Schama reviewed the sunday newspapers with Andrew Marr on today's programme . ‘Thanks also to all the many viewers who’ve sent so many kind and wise messages. And thanks, last but not least, to all of you who were frankly pleased to see the back of me but never quite got round to writing to say so. Thank you for that as well.’ In a newspaper interview published ahead of his return on Friday, the veteran journalist said he was ‘slightly nervous’ about returning to the politics, current affairs and culture show, but added: ‘I’m physically fine - my left arm is still quite weak, I walk with a bit of a hobble - but mentally I am fine and that’s hopefully all that matters.’ Other guests on the hour-long programme included Chancellor George Osborne and shadow defence secretary Douglas Alexander. In an interview with the Daily Mail in June, Mr Marr said he had been told by doctors that he almost died twice, and that his wife, Guardian columnist Jackie Ashley, had been told to expect the worst. He said he had been working too hard in the run-up to the stroke. Viewers hailed the broadcaster’s comeback on social networking site Twitter today. Dan McGrady from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, said: ‘Good to see a very healthy-looking Andrew #Marr where he belongs. #MarrShow.' A BBC spokesman today said the broadcaster would continue to present the show each week, and would also return to Radio 4’s Start the Week ‘in due course’. | Presenter thanked guests and viewers for their well wishes and support following ordeal .
Archbishop of York said he 'would pray for his recovery' in touching gesture of support .
Other guests included Chancellor George Osborne and shadow defence secretary Douglas Alexander . |
9,644 | 1b4e9ddded223cc8a57448f932b7ea76ad4b7974 | (CNN) -- The University of Kansas men's basketball team squeaked by Ohio State late Saturday night, setting up an an NCAA tournament championship showdown with top-seeded Kentucky. Hours earlier, Kentucky defeated Louisville in its own semifinal. The Wildcats and the Jayhawks will play Monday night for the title at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Both teams squared off earlier in the year with Kentucky pulling off a 75-65 win. Under coach John Calipari, Kentucky posted a 32-2 record over the course of this season -- with its only losses coming at the hands of Indiana and Vanderbilt, the latter coming in the Southeastern Conference tourney. It entered the 68-team NCAA tournament as the No. 1 seed in the South bracket, and the favorite to win it all in the eyes of many pundits. The team was led by Anthony Davis, a freshman who was recently named the Associated Press college basketball player of the year. But a win in Saturday's contest against Kentucky's in-state rival, Louisville, was hardly a given. The Cardinals, for one, had a head coach with a national title to his credits -- Rick Pitino, who ironically won that distinction in 1996 as head coach at Kentucky. Louisville entered the NCAAs with momentum after winning the Big East Tournament. The Cardinals battled the Wildcats tough throughout Saturday's game, tying the score, 49-49, at one point early in the second half. But the Wildcats eventually pulled away, winning by a 69-61 margin. Ohio State and Kansas entered the night's second tilt as No. 2 seeds, having both defeated the top seeds in their brackets -- Syracuse and North Carolina, respectively -- in the Elite Eight. The Jayhawks were paced by forward Thomas Robinson, this season's lone unanimous AP All-American pick. On the other side of the court was the Buckeyes' Jared Sullinger, who himself earned first-team honors for the second straight year. On Saturday night, Ohio State jumped ahead early, carrying a 34-25 advantage into the half. But Kansas stormed back after the intermission, notching the game up at 38-38 with 14 minutes left in the game. The rest of the game was nip-and-tuck, with rarely more than a few points separating the two teams and several lead changes in the final minutes. Kansas edged ahead with just over a minute to go and held on, thanks to some pivotal free throws and an Ohio State lane violation call, for a 64-62 victory. | Kansas narrowly defeats Ohio State, 64-62, to advance to the NCAA finals .
They will face Kentucky, which beat Louisville 69-61 earlier in the night .
The Wildcats defeated the Jayhawks 75-65 earlier this season . |
107,515 | 16aa627f5e84c0e30ffbaa675d49d505fbf302e2 | By . Richard Spillett . Sarah Ross admitted harassing her ex-boyfriend Christopher Wood and his wife Nicola, who won a lifetime restraining order against her . A postman and his wife have won a lifetime restraining order against his jealous ex-girlfriend who spent a month bombarding them with 800 menacing phone calls. Christopher Wood, 35, was subjected to a hate campaign by Sarah Ross, 25, after she discovered he had married another former pupil from her primary school. She sent text and Facebook messages repeatedly calling Mr Wood's bride Nicola a 'slag' and adding, 'I wish you would die'. When Mrs Wood, 33, suffered a miscarriage, Ross allegedly called them 'baby killers', a court heard. In January and February this year, mother-of-one Ross made repeated phone calls to the couple's home in Macclesfield, Cheshire, where they live with children aged five and ten, which were either silent or contained threats. She was also suspected of putting a brick through the couple's front window. In a later message, she then bragged: 'You are not going to win. As for me smashing your window, nothing will happen to me.' When Ross was arrested and charged she claimed she had rekindled her relationship with Mr Wood - and even became pregnant by him but lost the baby. At Macclesfield Magistrates Court, the brunette, who gave her name as Sarah Martin, clutched a pink teddy bear as she was spared jail due to 'complex family issues'. She was handed a six-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service and was banned from having any contact with the couple indefinitely. Hours after the case she posted a creepy smiling 'selfie' on Facebook. At his home yesterday, Mr Wood branded Ross a 'fantasist' and added: 'She had my wife frightened, she sent her death threats - she's a loose cannon. 'We lost our baby and she still didn't . stop. She breached her original bail and put our window through. I have . been off work two months with the stress. She should have gone to prison . for what she did.' Christopher Wood and his wife Nicola were bombarded with phone calls and messages after Ross found out they were married . The court . heard that Ross, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, had been in a brief . relationship with Mr Wood from August 2012 until February 2013, during . which time she relocated from her home town of Edinburgh to be closer to . him. In . the same time period, she became 'best friends' with Nicola as their . children were in the same class at school, the court heard. But just . two months after splitting up with Mr Wood, Ross became aware he and . Nicola were in a relationship. The couple then married in June of last . year. Prosecutor . Simon Pover said of the Wood family: 'They are together as a family . with two young school-age children and also expected a child of their . own. Sadly she lost that baby on Christmas Eve and that appears to have . been something referred to in the harassment. 'Following the loss of their child the . defendant continued with the abuse which caused them and the two . children some distress and alarm. Ross posted a pictured of herself grinning on Facebook just hours after she avoided jail for the campaign of abuse . 'There were a significant number of silent phone calls - up to 800. There were also text messages sent and Mr Wood had concerns at work. There were approaches made to employees but this was dealt with sympathetically.' On January . 22 Ross was served with a harassment notice to try and halt her . behaviour, but just five days later her campaign began again. Mr . Pover said: 'There were a number of messages on Facebook which said, . 'hate you slag, wish you would die slag. Nice try slag but you are not . going to win. As for me smashing your window, nothing will happen to . me.' 'Once . proceedings began there have been instances of her bail being breached. She now accepts that she pursued a course of harassment of Christopher . and Nicola Wood. 'She accepts making approximately 800 telephone calls to the complainants, the majority of which were silent. Ross made silent and threatening phone calls to Mr and Mrs Wood and sent them abusive messages on Facebook . 'She denies instances when she is alleged to have called the complainants baby killers but she accepts sending various Facebook messages calling Mrs Wood a slag.' Ross admitted harassment was sentenced on the basis the words 'baby killers' were not used. She said she had stopped taking medication for bi-polar disorder. The court heard her five-year-old daughter was born with a number of conditions including Asperger's and poor sight and hearing. Her lawyer Anthony Derbyshire said: 'She accepts making nuisance calls and accepts the numbers of calls. She accepts her behaviour was unnacceptable but she denies calling them baby killers.' Sentencing Ross, magistrate Denise Rankin said: 'The courts take harassment very seriously indeed. It is not anything the courts condone nor should anybody do this in the community to effect anybody else. 'It is aggravated by the number of telephone calls and texts and it was over a short period of time. It was intentional and there was harm and distress caused to the complainants and their wider family. 'I acknowledge the complex family issues but do not condone this type of action.' | Sarah Ross repeatedly made silent phone calls to ex Christopher Wood .
She also called his new wife, Nicola, a 'slag' in messages on Facebook .
The hate campaign continued even when Mrs Wood suffered a miscarriage .
Ross was given a lifetime restraining order after admitting harassment .
But she avoided jail after the court heard she has a disabled daughter .
Mr Wood says she should have been jailed for what she put him through . |
29,202 | 52f592231dc658781ef624564eb943dc82caefd2 | By . Joel Christie . and Associated Press Reporter . The mother of a 12-year-old Florida girl who authorities say jumped to her death because she was excessively bullied is now suing the Polk County School Board, a construction materials company and a teenager accused of stalking her daughter. The lawsuit was filed on Monday in Polk County. Rebecca Sedwick leaped to her death from the roof of an abandoned concrete plant in Lakeland in September 2013. A month later, the sheriff's office controversially arrested two of her classmates, Guadalupe Shaw, 14 and Katelyn Roman, 13, on charges of aggravated stalking. Suing: Tricia Norman has filed a lawsuit against three defendants - including the local school board and another student - that she claims had a hand in the suicide death of her daughter, Rebecca Sedwick (right), in September 2013 . Too young: 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick committed suicide on September 10 last year by jumping off an abandoned concrete factory in Lakeland, Florida . The pair were named and shamed over the alleged incident. They were accused of harassing Rebecca while they were students at Crystal Lake Middle School, as well as cyberbulling, allegedly sending her messages such as 'go kill yourself'. However the charges were later dropped because police could not find any evidence of the alleged online data. Sedwick's mother, Tricia Norman, is now seeking more than $15,000 from each of the defendants over the death of her daughter. The defendants are listed as School Board of Polk County, Cemex Construction Materials of Florida and a 'former classmate' of Rebecca's. Norman, who said in the aftermath of her daughter's suicide that her 'happiness no longer exists', believes the School Board didn't properly supervise the girl accused of stalking her daughter, even though they were allegedly aware of the situation. She also claims Cemex Construction Material in Lakeland, owners of the building Rebecca leaped to her death from, did not properly care for the perimeter fence at the abandoned facility, allowing the 12-year-old to easily scale it. The former student listed in the lawsuit is identified only as G.S. Accused: Katelyn Roman, 12, (left) and . Guadalupe Shaw, 14, (right) were arrested . for allegedly stalking Rebecca Sedwick until she committed . suicide, however the charges were dropped on lack of evidence . The alleged physical and emotional abuse caused Rebecca to 'suffer serious mental and psychological injuries during the school year', which directly led to her death by suicide, the suit claims, according to News 13. The actions are described as 'exceeding all bounds of decency and utterly intolerable in a civilized community'. Attorneys allege the online attacks continued after the girl's death. After Rebecca's suicide, Guadalupe Shaw - of the two girl's arrested - allegedly posted a Tweet saying the pre-teen's death did not bother her. 'Yes IK [I know] I bullied REBECCA nd [sic] she killed her self but IDGAF [I don't give a f***],' Guadalupe allegedly posted. At the time, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the Tweet was the reason for Ms Guadalupe's arrest. 'We decided that we can't leave her out there. Who else is she going to torment, who else is she going to harass?' Sheriff Judd said at the time. The charges were eventually dropped. Devastated: Tricia Norman, seen here at a press conference in November, has now filed a lawsuit against three defendants she believes are partly responsible for her daughter's death . Tragic loss: Rebecca Sedwick pictured with her older sister, Amy . It was alleged the bullying started when Guadalupe started dating Rebecca's ex-boyfriend. Witnesses told investigators Ms Shaw sent messages to Rebecca calling her ugly, telling her to 'drink bleach and die', and encouraging her to kill herself. Shaw's attorney's denied the allegations. Her parents also gave an interview saying they regularly checked her Facebook. Right before taking her own life, Rebecca changed one of her online user names to 'That Dead Girl'. She also messaged a male friend saying: 'I'm jumping.' Polk County Sheriff Judd said Rebecca had been 'absolutely terrorized' by the other girls. 'We can see from what we've been investigating so far that Rebecca wasn't attacking back,' Judd said. Disturbed: A police report earlier this year on the death of Rebecca Sedwick found a variety of factors contributed to her suicide . 'She appeared to be beat down. She appeared to have a defeatist attitude. And quite frankly, the entire investigation is exceptionally disturbing.' Following a major investigation, a 300-page police report, released in April this year, found numerous factors may have contributed to Rebecca's death. The file said Rebecca was concerned about her mother and stepfather's fighting, had been involuntarily committed and wrote in her diary that she cut herself to ‘ease the pain.’ She had also broken up with an online boyfriend before her suicide. In a diary entry dated two weeks before she leaped to her death in September 2013, the girl notes that on one particular day, she had been called ‘pretty, nice beautiful, funny, awesome.’ Yet she also had been called ‘ugly, stupid, slut, fat, not good enough.’ At the bottom of the page she wrote one word: ‘suicidal.’ The file contained scant evidence of cyberbullying, even though officials publicly described cruel text and social media messages as reasons for Rebecca's suicide. ‘Rebecca was a very fragile child,’ Sheriff Judd said in a recent interview after the report was released. ‘Rebecca's wagon was already pretty heavily burdened with bricks. And we never said that bullying was the only reason Rebecca committed suicide. But what the bullies did, is that they continued to stack bricks on an already overloaded wagon, 'til finally it broke.’ All the facts of the case will now be argued in court as part of the new lawsuit. | Tricia Norman listed three defendants in the lawsuit she filed Monday in Polk County, Florida .
School Board of Polk County, Cemex Construction Materials of Florida and a former classmate all had a hand in the death of daughter Rebecca Sedwick, she claims .
Rebecca leaped to her death from the abandoned Cemex Construction Materials complex in September .
Two of her classmates were arrested in the aftermath for aggravated stalking .
The charges were dropped due to lack of evidence . |
20,746 | 3add74d9a679979b30c6860eaa4117a3a0996504 | The earliest copy of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, Mona Lisa, has been found in the vaults of a Spanish museum, looking younger and more ravishing than the original. Art historians have hailed the discovery, made during conservation work at the Prado Museum, as one of the most remarkable in recent times. Museum officials said it was almost certainly painted by one of Leonardo da Vinci's apprentices alongside the master himself as he did the original. Replica: Painted alongside the original (left), historians say the copy (right) gives another insight into what the model for one of the world's most famous paintings actually looked like . Rare discovery: Employees of Madrid's Prado Museum stand next to the authenticated contemporary copy of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa . It is not the Mona Lisa, but you might think of her as Mona Lisa's sister, who - after more than five centuries - is finally having her debutante party. Painted alongside the original, historians say it gives another insight into what the model for one of the world's most famous paintings actually looked like. The copy has been part of the Prado collection for years but officials said they did not realise its significance until a recent restoration revealed hidden layers. The artwork features the same female figure, but had been covered over with black paint and varnish. Two years ago, to get the copy ready for a da Vinci exhibition to be held in Paris this year, tests were done and restorers discovered something hidden under the black coat. When the black covering was removed, a Tuscan landscape very similar to the one in the original emerged. Unveiled: The copy has been part of the Prado collection for years but officials said they did not realise its significance until a recent restoration revealed hidden layers . The Prado painting was long thought to be one of dozens surviving replicas of the masterpiece made after Leonardo's death but it is now believed to have been painted by one of his key pupils, Francesco Melzi, working alongside the master. Prado's technical specialist, Ana González Mozo, said: 'It is quite possible that Leonardo's assistant met Lisa and may even have been present when she sat for the master. 'She may also have come to the studio when finishing touches were being applied to the face in the painting.' Different perspective: The copy gives art lovers and experts a chance 'to admire the Mona Lisa with totally different eyes' Ms Mozo said the underdrawing of the Madrid replica was similar to that of the original, which suggests both were begun at the same time and painted next to each other, as the work evolved. The Louvre original, displayed behind glass, is obscured by cracked darkened varnish, making the woman appear middle aged. Because of its fragility, cleaning and restoration is thought to be too risky. But art historians believe the Prado's Mona Lisa which is in the process of being painstakingly stripped of a dark over-paint reveals her as she would have looked at the time- as a radiant young woman in her early 20s. Miguel Falomir, the Prado's director for Italian painting, said the copy gives art lovers and experts a chance 'to admire the Mona Lisa with totally different eyes.' Besides the black background, one other difference from the original is the woman in the copy has eyebrows and the Mona Lisa in the real masterpiece does not. There are dozens of the surviving replicas of the masterpiece from the 16th and 17th centuries. The sitter is generally believed to represent Lisa Gherardini, the wife of the Florentine cloth merchant Francesco del Giocondo and is thought to have been painted between 1503 and 1506. After five hundred years, the two versions will be reunited again later this year. The Prado plans to put it on display later this month before it travels to the Louvre for the da Vinci show, giving specialists and visitors the first chance to compare the two works. | New painting also reveals model had sculpted eyebrows .
Madrid museum discovers the replica in its vaults .
Officials say it was painted by Da Vinci's apprentice - alongside the artist as he did the original . |
204,188 | 945730a644102c0e6e39a7ed9501e3b71e01a407 | By . Emma Soames . There is no doubt that older women are now living dramatically different and more exciting lives. And perhaps no one illustrates this point better than Joanna Trollope, who earlier this week opened up about the inner workings of her relationship with a man 23 years younger than her. She has been with Jason Kouchak, 47, for more than a decade, and seems to suggest that this success is partly due to the fact they are in an open relationship. For 70-year-old Miss T confesses that she's not that fussed about fidelity. 'At my age, loyalty and trust are more important than monogamy. While women are fertile, I think sexual loyalty is crucial. But as time goes on you shrug a bit.' Joanna Trollope, 70, with 47-year-old lover Jason Kouchak . Well, I didn't shrug when I read this. I don't see many of my friends shrugging either, when they're unfortunate enough to find incriminating evidence of 'playing away' in their partner's phone or pockets. I say this as a single woman in her 60s, who has been thus since my partner, architect Christopher Bowerbank, died more than a decade ago. I admit I've no idea if I shall have a relationship again, but one thing is certain: I most certainly wouldn't settle for a relationship which was deceitful and uncommitted. For even though Christopher and I never got as far as living together, we were partners on and off for about 10 years. We split up twice and I loathed seeing him with other women, even when I was dating someone else. Happily, very happily, in the last few years it became a monogamous relationship and we finally reached a plateau of understanding and trust. For the brutal fact of the matter is that infidelity and open relationships never work if you are emotionally attached to someone, no matter how old you are. The laid-back attitude to fidelity shown by Trollope, and also by 60-year-old Monica Porter, who has written a new confessional book about a wild year spent sleeping around with 15 much younger men, shows a strange lack of self-esteem and principle. It is not a sign of emancipation to accept your partner having other girlfriends, but a Faustian pact of the flesh. Joanna Trollope with her estranged husband television dramatist Ian Curteis . I admit when you hear it discussed by Miss Trollope, it sounds like a clever and thoroughly pragmatic way of keeping a man interested. And also a way of keeping the tap flowing for lots of enthusiastic sex at an age when many women are happily resigned to celibacy. There must be an immense price to pay, however, for these cougars. Open relationships are emotionally draining and painful - not for nothing are they one of the great theatrical themes of all time. Any woman with children would surely find such an arrangement too painful as she and their father have so much shared experience invested in their partnership. And even with no children, the experience of an 'open relationship' would be utterly brutal. It takes a supremely confident woman not to have her esteem battered by the inevitable imaginings of where you fall in your lover's pecking order and your body being compared to other, younger bodies. It can only end in tears. Perhaps it really is Miss Trollope who is setting the ground rules. Maybe her pragmatism in allowing him freedom - they do not live together - works very well for her, an independent woman reported to be worth £15 million. She has two marriages and two children under her belt. She looks like she 'has it all'.But what if Joanna wanted more? What if she wanted Jason to move in? Where would the power balance shift then? Not in Joanna's favour, I would guess. The novelist suggests that the secret to a long and happy relationship could be infidelity . As we age, intimacy and companionship become even more vital than in our youth. I can see why many women - and men - of a certain age would consider tolerating countless humiliations just in order to have someone in their lives. When I asked a friend of mine, who is around my age, what she thought of Miss Trollope's arrangement she said: 'Does she wrap his Christmas presents?' - code in 'Aga Sagas' for a proper relationship. Women like Joanna Trollope and Monica Porter may have lost sight of such minor but telling acts of love. They are so busy being sexy and independent I wonder what they do on Sunday nights. For it is on this night of the week that I miss my deceased partner most. It wasn't so much the nights we were out at parties - I can manage those on my own perfectly well, thank you - but the companionable evenings in, when we would cook supper and watch an undemanding TV programme together. It was very cosy and comforting. Companionship is the name of the game as we age and all my friends who have lost partners tell me that it is this they miss most. Could I enjoy such intimacy with someone if I knew he had other options the following night? I don't think so. There have been such dramatic changes in the lives of older women recently. A decade ago, women in their 60s and 70s spent their time at the bridge table and on the golf course. Now a great number of us continue to work. Attitudes to sex have also changed beyond all recognition: the bedroom is not just a place to sleep, but just as much of a playground as it was before children came along. But equally we lose sight of the important things in life at our peril. What baby boomers like Porter and Trollope have not worked out is how they want to spend their fourth age. When they become frail, will they still be content with no-strings relationships? The final leg of our journey still needs to be travelled. But who with? The young man from the gym or the contemporary who shares the same jokes, the same language and who will pick you up when you fall? | Joanna Trollope has been with toy boy Jason Kouchak for over a decade .
The novelist implies that this is down to an open relationship .
She says loyalty and trust are more important than monogamy . |
237,891 | bfe6e689418d873d471dfe657bb25f2e46c50275 | By . Snejana Farberov . and Associated Press Reporter . A 27-year-old Pennsylvania woman's viral Facebook quest to find her birth mother who had abandoned her as a baby in a Burger King bathroom has finally paid off. Katheryn Deprill announced Tuesday that she was reunited with her biological mother for the first time Monday . in an attorney's office, with the meeting leaving her in a state of 'pure joy.' 'She . is better than anything I could've ever imagined. She is so sweet and . amazing. I'm so happy,' said Deprill, who became known as the Burger . King Baby after she was found wrapped in a shirt and crying on the bathroom floor of the fast food eatery in Allentown. Happy reunion: Katheryn Deprill, pictured in her viral Facebook photo, finally met her . biological mother who had abandoned her in a Burger King bathroom for the first time Monday in an . attorney's office . Deprill began her quest March 2 by . posting on her Facebook page a photo in which she held up a sign that . said: 'Looking for my birth mother. ... She abandoned me in the Burger . King bathroom only hours old, Allentown PA. Please help me find her by . sharing my post.' The photo . was shared more than 30,000 times by Facebook users around the world, . and Deprill's story landed in numerous media outlets. That caught the . attention of the woman claiming to have abandoned her, and she came . forward to attorney John Waldron, who arranged for them to meet. Deprill said she bears a very strong resemblance to the woman, whose name she wouldn't disclose. 'It looked like I was looking in a mirror,' she said. Deprill, . an EMT and married mother of three who lives outside Allentown in South . Whitehall Township, said she embraced her mother. 'I . got the hug that I had wanted for the last 27 years, and that broke the . ice,' she said. 'I asked if I could have it, and she said, "absolutely," and just held her arms open, and the rest is history.' The pair met for about four hours and exchanged contact information. Deprill said they plan to meet again. 'We are definitely going to have a relationship,' she said. Found: An image taken by Deprill's adopted family shows her as a baby in 1986 after she was found . Scene: When she was found in this Burger King in Allentown, she was believed to be just hours old . Discovery: A worker indicates the place where the baby was found wrapped in a shirt and crying . Waldron . told WFMZ-TV that the woman said that, as a 16-year-old girl, she was raped by a stranger . while traveling abroad with her family and became pregnant. The woman said she hid the . pregnancy from her parents because she was ashamed and, when she gave birth at home, felt she could not . take her newborn to the hospital. ‘She left me somewhere she knew I'd be found,’ Deprill said. ‘She did not want to throw me away.’ Waldron said the woman, who is married, recently had launched her own search for the daughter she gave up. Deprill said her mother expressed regret during their meeting. Deprill said she forgave her '110 per cent, absolutely.' Speaking to WFMZ Tuesday, Mrs Deprill described her long-lost parent as a 'normal person,' ‘sweet’ and 'very loving.' Attorney John Waldron, who organized the reunion in his Allentown officer just before 2pm Monday, told the station that Deprill's headline-making Facebook plea has made the search easier, but it also 'scared Mom a bit' because she wanted to stay out of the limelight. After the 'emotional’ get-together, Deprill said her birth mother was very upset that she had to leave her as a newborn, and that it was not what she wanted. The 27-year-old woman added that her mother quickly caught wind of her social media campaign, but decided to seek legal advice first instead of reaching out to her right away. Hitting headlines: The story made headlines as authorities tried to track down the mother - but could not . Home: An image in Deprill's baby scrapbook shows her with her adopted mother, Brenda Hollia . The Monday meeting was also attended by Deprill's seven-month old son and her adoptive mother. One of the reunion's objectives was for Deprill to learn about her medical history, and she said that her mother provided her with all the information she needed. The unnamed woman said that she hopes to be involved in the lives of Deprill and her family going forward. Deprill, who was about three hours old when she was found, was adopted by a local foster family and she has since gone on to marry, work as an emergency medical technician and have three children of her own. She told WFMZ earlier this month that she wanted to find her birth mother to ask questions she had always had about that day - and because she had always wondering if she had any siblings. 'I really want to see her and just . ask her why and see if I have any brothers and sisters and anyone that . looks like me,' Deprill said. Support: Hollis said she was excited by the thought of her daughter finding her birth mother . Deprill's adoptive mother Brenda Hollis said she fully supported her daughter's plan. 'I think it's just kind of fun, like . there's so many questions to be asked and it's just, I am so excited . about it,' she told WFMZ. A . massive search was launched to find Deprill's mother after she was . dumped in the Burger King, which is still standing in Allentown. A worker told . police he could remember seeing just one person who might fit the . profile: a woman in her early 20s, with collar-length, frizzy sandy . brown hair, the Morning Call reported. He added that she was driving a blue 1970s car and that she'd headed south after leaving. At the hospital, a nurse guessed that . the baby was probably about three hours old. From how the umbilical cord . was tied, investigators guessed that whoever delivered the baby had . done so before. Investigators dusted for fingerprints, . searched trash cans, interviewed witnesses and followed up on seemingly . promising tips - but nothing led them to the mother. New life: She was adopted and now has a family of her own - her husband Mike and their three sons, Mason, 8, Gavin, 3 and Jackson, 7 months. But she said she would love to find out if she had any siblings . | Katheryn Deprill was just a few hours old when she was found on the floor of a Pennsylvania Burger King by a customer in 1986 .
Authorities never found her mother and she was placed in foster care .
On Monday, Deprill, who now has 3 children of her own, met her biological mother for the first time in an Allentown law office .
Reunion came three weeks after Deprill posted a photo on Facebook asking for help to track down her parent .
Unidentified birth mother revealed that she was raped at age 16 while traveling abroad and was too ashamed to tell her parents .
Katheryn was delivered in her mother's home and was then taken to a crowded fast food eatery instead of a hospital .
The 27-year-old daughter said she has forgiven her 'sweet' and 'loving' mother '110 per cent' |
206,687 | 979b33b1913386b85569c13bd812b369454d4bd3 | Valtteri Bottas has been hailed as a potentially exceptional driver of the future if he continues on his upward path in Formula One. That is the verdict of Williams' head of vehicle performance Rob Smedley in the wake of the Finn's recent performances. In scoring the first podiums of his F1 career in the last two races - third in Austria and second at Silverstone - Bottas became the first Williams driver to claim back-to-back top-three finishes since Nick Heidfeld in 2005. Two in a row: Valtteri Bottas celebrates grabbing his second podium in a row at Silverstone . In good company: Bottas (left) celebrates his second place at Silverstone along with Mercedes designer director John Owens, race winner Lewis Hamilton and third placed Daniel Ricciardo . You have to go back a further two years and to Juan Pablo Montoya for a run of three or more successive podiums, a feat Bottas could achieve in this weekend's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. Regardless of whether Bottas manages such a feat, Smedley cannot help but be impressed with what he has seen so far from the 24-year-old. 'He's a great driver, someone who could become an exceptional driver, so we're lucky to have him.' said Smedley. 'His racecraft is phenomenal, he's super-quick, but the good thing about Valtteri is he's a young lad with his feet absolutely on the ground. He's not spoiled in any way shape or form, which is great. 'He's also able to accept advice very readily, not only about the very basics, but also about his racecraft and how he communicates with us. 'At Silverstone, the communication between him and the pit wall - the messages we sent him and those that came back - were exceptional. 'That's what you need, to have that level of synergy between driver and pit wall, that cohesion between what we're all trying to achieve so that it's all going in the right direction. Carving through: Bottas made his way through the field to grab second at Silverstone as he leads the way in front of McLaren's Jenson Button and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso . All a blur: Bottas has now grabbed successive podiums in Formula 1, the first for a Williams driver in nine years . 'At Silverstone it came off as well as it could do, to be honest. You couldn't really have hoped for anything more than that. My opinion is growing of him week-by-week.' With 33 points from the last two races, Bottas has rocketed up to fifth in the drivers' standings.In the constructors', Williams are up to fourth, just three points behind third-placed Ferrari, yet Smedley is eager to put the brakes on any rising expectations. 'It would be quite remiss for me to say Williams has the second fastest car and it will remain like that' added Smedley. All smiles: Williams Head of Vehicle Performance, Rob Smedley, has lavished praise on Bottas . On the right track: Bottas drives on the start/finish straight during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone . It's so tight in the midfield it can swing either way and you can go from having the second fastest car to the fifth fastest very easily. 'You need to keep the pressure on in every single area, That's how you end up with a car able to win races, and eventually comfortably win races. 'You have to keep your feet on the ground and be respectful of your competitors and respectful of every single circuit you go to, and we absolutely are. 'That's my philosophy, the philosophy of (chief technical officer) Pat Symonds , and it's a philosophy I pass on to the team.' | Valtteri Bottas became first Williams drive since Nick Heidfeld in 2005 to claim back-to-back podiums .
Finn targeting third successive podium at German grand prix - a feat last achieved at Williams by Juan Pablo Montoya 11 years ago .
The 24-year-old now fifth in drivers' standings following 33 points in last two races .
Williams' head of vehicle performance Rob Smedley believes Bottas can become exceptional and Grove outfit are lucky to have him . |
263,257 | e0fb48ba7aa43129216e32b83ddeee3eccc2e466 | Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- The United States is involved in peace talks with the Taliban, Afghan President Hamid Karzai told a youth group in Kabul on Saturday. "Peace negotiations with the Taliban and with other countrymen have been started," Karzai told reporters after his earlier announcement on state TV. "Those who accept the constitution, freedom, democracy and development of Afghanistan can take part in this negotiation." Representatives of the government and insurgents have been in touch, but there have been no high-level meetings, Karzai said. He added there was no specific agenda. A senior U.S. source said there were contacts but nothing serious or substantial enough to be considered negotiations. U.S. statements are typically restrained, the source said, plus, "This is Karzai being Karzai." The source could not be named because of the sensitivity of the subject. The U.S. State Department indicated it would support reconciliation talks in Afghanistan. "We must help create conditions necessary to enable political settlement among the Afghan people," department spokeswoman Megan Mattson said. "This includes reconciling those insurgents who are willing to renounce al Qaeda, forsake violence and adhere to the Afghan constitution." The U.N. Security Council split a key sanctions list on al Qaeda and the Taliban on Friday with an eye toward reconciliation in Afghanistan. The move makes it easier to add and remove people and entities from the sanctions lists. The council also established specific criteria for having an individual delisted. The vote was unanimous. "It sends a clear signal that now is the time for the Taliban to come forward and join the political process," Mark Lyall Grant, the British ambassador to the United Nations, told the council. At a news conference with Karzai earlier this month, outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates talked about making changes in Afghanistan. "I believe that if we can hold on to the territory that has been recaptured from the Taliban between ourselves and the Afghan forces and perhaps expand that security, that we will be in a position toward the end of this year to perhaps have a successful opening with respect to reconciliation, or at least be in a position where we can say we've turned a corner here in Afghanistan," Gates said, referring to political reconciliation talks. Gates made the statement during his last visit to Afghanistan as defense secretary. Karzai awarded Gates the Wazir Akbar Khan medal, the highest governmental award. CNN's Elise Labott contributed to this report. | NEW: "This is Karzai being Karzai," U.S. source says .
State Department says it supports reconciliation .
Afghan President Hamid Karzai tells a youth group about the talks .
U.S. Defense Secretary Gates has said reconciliation talks are possible . |
52,099 | 938be4edf8564b2d0d838785e50b03eb7cfd1d08 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 04:01 EST, 8 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:34 EST, 8 June 2013 . Former Coronation Street and The Bill actor Andrew Lancel arrives at Liverpool Crown Court with wife Louise . The wife of former Coronation Street actor Andrew Lancel has told a court he is not gay and that they share a 'healthy' relationship. Lancel, who played rapist Frank Foster in the long-running ITV soap, denies sexually assaulting a boy of 15. Wife Louise said she met the actor 14 years ago and married him in 2005. They have a four-year-old son. After Andrew Menary QC, defending, asked if she shared 'a healthy heterosexual relationship' with her husband, to which she replied: 'Yes.' The QC then asked: 'Are you aware of anything that suggests an interest in men?' She said: 'None whatsoever.' She said she knew the man making the allegations, who is now 34 and a West End dancer, because he had been a friend of her husband's. She said the accuser was invited to their wedding but did not attend. Mr Menary asked: 'Have you been aware of any hostility on his part towards your husband before these allegations?' The dance teacher replied: 'No.' Lancel's best friend and former flatmate Thomas Burrows, 34, told the jury he had known the actor for 20 years and there had never been any sexual contact between them. Lancel, 42, denies six indecent assaults between 1993 and 1994. The judge has told the jury he will order them to find him not guilty of the two oldest charges. The trial continues at Liverpool Crown Court. Mr Lancel as his Coronation Street character Frank Foster. He denies sexually assaulting a boy of 15 . Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Actor denies six counts of sexual assault of boy, 15, between 1993 and 1994 .
Wife Louise insists to QCs husband has never shown interest in men . |
95,407 | 069f9fcb53b416fcfcf3efbc27dafac58642456b | (CNN) -- Islamic fighters have seized control of a strategic Somali port city just outside the capital, Mogadishu, where United Nations relief supplies enter the famine-stricken country. Islamist fighters from Al-Shabaab group in Somalia display their flag. Al-Shabaab fighters chanted "Allahu Akbar" -- or "God is great" -- on Wednesday as the armed men entered Merka, located about 90 km (55 miles) south of Mogadishu, a local resident said. Earlier this year, the United States designated Al-Shabaab a terrorist group and has accused it of having ties to al Qaeda. On Tuesday, Al-Shabaab took control of two towns near Merka -- Bulo Marer and Quryoley -- giving it a strategic base in central Somalia, where it also controls Kismayo, the country's third-largest city. The fall of Merka marks the most important territorial gain by Al-Shabaab since it took control of Kismayo earlier this year. Al-Shabaab is consolidating its control in Somalia less than a week after a cease-fire was declared between other Islamic militias operating in Somalia and the country's transitional government. Under the pact -- which took effect last Thursday -- Ethiopian forces who support the transitional government would begin to withdraw from key positions on November 21 and leave Somalia completely within another 120 days, ending a two-year presence in its strife-torn, Horn of Africa neighbor. Al-Shabaab has rejected the cease-fire and was not a signatory to the deal, which was signed in Djibouti in late October and brokered by the United Nations and the African Union. Residents of Merka said hundreds of heavily armed Al-Shabaab fighters stormed the city without a fight, as rival militias who controlled the town had left Merka hours earlier. "They are now in everywhere in the town including the police station and the prison," said Ali Sharif Hassan, a local businessman in Merka. "Residents are coming out into the streets in large numbers to see them." Many of the Islamic fighters rolled into Merka in "technicals" -- pick-up trucks mounted with anti-aircraft weapons that may have scared off the rival militias. So far, Al-Shabaab's seizure of Merka has not affected the U.N. World Food Programme's aid shipments to the port city, WFP spokesman Peter Smerdon told CNN. "The situation in Merka appears to be calm," Smerdon said from his office in Nairobi, Kenya. The WFP currently has 25 Somali staffers in its Merka office, he said. Its eight international staff members were relocated a few weeks ago following the murder of a fellow staff member, he said. "All we can say is WFP is a neutral organization -- we work with the authorities who are in place to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid," Smerdon said. "Merka is a very strategic location for us, a natural beach port .. that we plan to continue using." Ninety percent of WFP's food for Somalia arrives by sea, either through Mogadishu or Merka. The shipments are currently being escorted by NATO naval vessels to protect them from pirate attacks off Somalia's coast. Smerdon said most of the aid is delivered through Mogadishu because "Merka can only take smaller ships, which have to unload on barges that take them on shore." But Merka is a key port city because it allows WFP to reach more of southern Somalia. The conflict in the country makes it one of the most dangerous places in the world -- particularly for international aid workers -- and is making the humanitarian situation worse. More than 3 million people are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance there -- a 77 percent increase since the start of 2008 -- according to a U.N. funded analysis released in August. One in six children under the age of 5 years is now acutely malnourished, and the numbers are rising, the analysis found. | Islamists seize control of Somali port city where U.N. supplies enter capital .
Al-Shabaab an offshoot of Islamic party that ruled in Somalia for much of 2006 .
The group aims to impose Islamic sharia law in Somalia . |
165,105 | 617d8339ab3a624d7126f5a1ae716a3c60efeec2 | Mexico City (CNN) -- A judge convicted 13 members of the Mexican military of crimes connected with trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine while on duty, the country's defense secretary said in a statement. Three officers and 10 troops were convicted of drug and organized crime charges for their involvement in the transport of 928 kilograms of methamphetamine and 30 kilograms of cocaine, the statement said. That amount of drugs is worth more than $120 million, according to average price estimates in the United Nations 2010 World Drug Report. The defense secretary's statement did not provide sentencing details. It called for the law to be applied "to the full extent," adding that violations of laws and military rules would not be tolerated. Mexican President Felipe Calderon has deployed about 50,000 troops to the nation's trouble spots since he began a crackdown on drug cartels shortly after taking office in December 2006. CNN's Krupskaia Alis contributed to this report. | Defense ministry: 3 officers and 10 troops were charged with drug crimes .
The drugs transported are worth more than $120 million, according to U.N. price estimates .
Mexico's president has deployed thousands of troops to combat drug cartels . |
5,300 | 0eff956af14bf96780334e6f839260d9fdc071f9 | Vladimir Putin has said that a war between Russian and neighbouring Ukraine is unlikely and that he hopes it 'never happens'. Speaking to Russian state TV, the President called a military conflict between his country and Ukraine 'an apocalyptic scenario'. This comes as an international security watchdog has warned of several breaches of the ceasefire agreed between Ukranian state troops and separatist rebels. Anti-war: Vladimir Putin, pictured yesterday, called a military conflict between his country and Ukraine 'an apocalyptic scenario', adding that he hopes it 'never happens' 'I think that such an apocalyptic scenario [war] is unlikely and I . hope this will never happen,' he told a reporter with Russia . State TV company. This weekend's prisoner swap between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels took place after Putin agreed to use his influence on the separatists during a conference call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko. Today, Putin said he did not see the need for another meeting with the leaders of France, Germany and Ukraine on resolution of the conflict. This follows a statement by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, that although the current cease-fire has 'very significantly' lowered the level of military exchanges in Ukraine, violations are still taking place. Lamberto Zannier, head of OSCE, said Monday there have been a number of violations in the south, and some limited incidents around the town of Debaltseve and around the Donetsk airport, both seized by separatists. Vladimir Putin, seen at a wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier, during the 'Day of the Fatherland's Defender'-celebrations yesterday, said he 'did not see the need' for more peace meetings . Zannier called the agreed ceasefire 'the best chance ... to de-escalate and bring this conflict to an end,' but he stressed that 'there is work to be done.' Today, Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine said they have begun a large-scale pullback of heavy weapons in line with the peace plan. The claim by Eduard Basurin, a top rebel commander, couldn't immediately be confirmed. Michael Bociurkiw, a spokesman for the observer mission that is monitoring the fighting in eastern Ukraine, said he couldn't comment until receiving monitors' reports at the end of the day. The peace plan that was signed February 15 calls for heavy weapons to be pulled back by each side from the front line by 25 to 70 kilometers (15 to 45 miles), depending on their caliber. Disturbing the peace: The OSCE has reported that although the cease-fire has 'very significantly' lowered the level of military exchanges in Ukraine, violations are still taking place . Pro-Russian: Locals greet separatists during a rally to mark the 'Defender of the Fatherland Day' in Donetsk, following several reports of cease-fire violations . The cease-fire has been troubled by violations, leading to concern that it wouldn't solidify and that fighting would continue. A rebel website cited Basurin as saying about 100 122-mm howitzers would be moved on Tuesday. There was no immediate comment from the Ukrainian side, but military officials have said that they won't pull back weapons until a cease-fire fully takes hold. On Tuesday, military spokesman Lt. Col. Anatoliy Stelmakh said rebels had shelled the town of Popasna seven times and launched one barrage on the village of Luhanske. Stelmakh also said rebels tried to storm Ukrainian positions near the southern village of Shyrokyne, which is near the strategic Azov Sea port of Mariupol. Concerns persists that rebels aim to take Mariupol to help establish a land corridor between mainland Russia and the Crimean peninsula that Russia annexed last March. | Putin says a war between Russia and Ukraine is 'unlikely'
Russian President called possible war 'an apocalyptic scenario'
Security watchdog OSCE warns of several breaches of cease-fire . |
38,953 | 6e0dd511ee7bb0804597a739df9185a19a764f8a | By . Meghan Keneally . UPDATED: . 08:32 EST, 22 February 2012 . Famed evangelist Reverend Franklin Graham went on a news program this morning likely hoping to show a strong standard for the Republican presidential candidates. Flash forward fifteen minutes and he had questioned some combination of the moral character, authenticity, and religious beliefs of the President as well as the top three Republican hopefuls. Starting with President Obama, Mr Graham- son of the most famous televangelist Reverend Billy Graham- said that while he does say that he is a Christian, and may go to church when the cameras are watching, there are also signs that he has Muslim leanings. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Controversial comments: Reverend Franklin Graham appeared on Morning Joe Tuesday when he waffled on President Obama's faith and said that Mormonism isn't the same as Christianity . The Reverend hedged slightly throughout, saying that while Mr Obama has told him personally that he is a Christian and Mr Graham chooses to take him at his word, he still does have some reservations about how sincere the President is about his faith. 'I think you have to ask President Obama,' Mr Graham told the hosts of MSNBC's show Morning Joe. 'He has said he’s a Christian, so I just have to assume that he is. 'You have to go by what a person says and how they live their life and where they go to church. Are they faithful church-goers? Or do they just go when the cameras are on them.' He then claimed that Mr Obama did not regularly attend a church in Chicago until he needed to in order to be accepted by the community of voters. These claims come on the heels of Republican candidate Rick Santorum questioning- and then readdressing the comments- President Obama's faith. Meeting of approval: President Obama met with the elder Reverend Graham in 2010 . Like father, like son: Billy Graham, who is now 93 years old, was a pioneer in televangelism and his son Franklin (right) has become a big name in his own right . Mr Graham then projected his comments onto Mr Obama's foreign policy dealings and sensativity to Muslim issues. 'Under Islamic law–Sharia law–Islam sees him as a son of Islam. Because his father was a Muslim, his grandfather was a Muslim...That's just the way it works,' he said. 'But, of course, he says he didn’t grow up that way, he doesn’t believe in that, he believes in Jesus Christ, so I accept that.' The famed preacher then moved on to talk about the current crop of Republican presidential candidates, and continued his controversial assessment. When asked if Mitt Romney was a Christian, Mr Graham responded 'He is a Mormon'. Not the same: Mr Graham said that 'most Christians would not recognize Mormonism as part of the Christian faith' 'Most Christians would not recognize Mormonism as part of the Christian faith. 'Of course, (Mormons) believe in Jesus Christ. But they believe in a lot of other things, too, that we don't accept.' From that point on, Mr Graham focused on the positive, saying that he would approve of Mr Romney, Mr Santorum, or Mr Gingrich as the Republican nominee. Ron Paul- who is also still in the race- was not mentioned at all during the interview. Mr Graham credited Mr Romney with 'the strength, business-wise, politics-wise' to be a good President. And even though Mr Gingrich has been married three times- and, as the Reverent put it, 'has those issues'- he is still 'A Christian. At least he told me he is'. The field: Mr Graham said that he had spoken with both Mr Gingrich (left) and Mr Santorum (right) about their faith, and believed he was closest to Mr Santorum in terms of judgement on moral issues . His strongest religious endorsement, however, went to Mr Santorum, with whom he is aligned most closely with. 'I would say on moral issues, no question, Rick Santorum,' Mr Graham said. 'He's a very sharp guy as far as his Christian faith being more in line but all of them are when it comes to policy and running the country. 'You’ve got to have a person make good decisions that are best for all of us, and I think all the candidates that are running are capable men,' he said, trying to sound supportive of all three without choosing sides. Considering the constant ebb and flow of the race, remaining neutral may be the smartest move. On Tuesday evening, Gallup had Mr Santorum leading with 36 per cent of the Republican vote, Mr Romney in second with 26 per cent, and Mr Gingrich in third with 14 per cent. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE . Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy . | Famed televangelist Reverend Franklin Graham said that while President Obama has told him that he is Christian, so he takes him at his word but doesn't seem to believe it .
Also says that in spite of what Mitt Romney says 'most Christians would not recognize Mormonism as part of the Christian faith' |
174,387 | 6db85821ee3e4ace7618e33c9c835d62567c23ec | (CNN) -- Jenson Button underlined the potential strength of the McLaren-Mercedes in 2012 with a convincing victory in the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne, the opening race of the new Formula One season. Button had a quicker start than teammate and fellow-Briton Lewis Hamilton, who was on pole position, and never looked likely to relinquish his advantage, despite the intervention of the safety car giving some brief hope to world champion Sebastian Vettel. Vettel overtook Hamilton after the safety car was deployed on lap 38 when the Caterham of Vitaly Petrov stalled on the track and, for a moment, the German's Red Bull threatened to catch Button. Latest Formula One standings . But 2009 champion Button began pulling away once again and took the chequered flag a comfortable 2.1 seconds ahead of Vettel, with Hamilton a further 1.9 seconds adrift in third position. Vettel's teammate, local favorite Mark Webber, ensured McLaren and Red Bull took the first four places, while two-time world champion Fernando Alonso produced a superb drive to finish fifth for Ferrari, despite starting a lowly 12th on the grid. Japan's Kamui Kobayashi finished an impressive sixth for Sauber while 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen came home seventh in his Lotus on his return to the sport after two years in rallying. The second Sauber of Mexican Sergio Perez finished eighth while Daniel Ricciardo ensured both Australian drivers ended up in the points by securing ninth place for Toro Rosso, just ahead of Force India's Paul Di Resta. Button, who has now won at Melbourne in three of the last four years, told the official Formula One website: "Every win means a lot and, for us as a team, it really shows how important the winter is. "We've had a strong winter, Saturday's qualifying really showed that, so it's nice to come away with a victory in the first race of the new season." Vettel, who is bidding to win a third successive world title, was philosophical in defeat, adding: "Jenson drove a fantastic race and was unbeatable, but I'm very happy to finish second, it's a lot of points. "I think a lot of people would not have expected that after our performance in qualifying but I think we had a better car in the race and it seems to have a lot of potential," added Vettel. | Jenson Button dominates season-opening Australian Grand Prix for McLaren .
2009 world champion Button claims his third Melbourne victory in four years .
Defending world champion Sebastian Vettel is second with Lewis Hamilton third .
Local favorite Mark Webber and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso complete the top five . |
162,567 | 5e2e7702deebbd0e007d3cd6e019927b56de7e5e | (CNN) -- If you are a coffee lover you might be tempted to pay for a cup of the most expensive coffee in the world. Indonesia's velvety tasting brew, Kopi Luwak, gives new meaning to rich coffee. It can cost up to $50 per cup. "The supply is very limited in the world that makes the price is very expensive," Kopi Luwak brand managing director Henry Fernando said. The reason the supply is limited has to do with how the beans are initially processed. Just a warning here, it isn't pretty. Kopi means coffee in Indonesian and Luwak is a wild Asian palm civet, a fury creature that looks like a cross between a cat and a ferret. The civet climbs the coffee trees to find the best berries, eats them, digests the berries and eventually out comes the coffee beans in its stools. Farmers then pick up the civet droppings and take the beans to a processing plant. Something about the gastric juices in the civet's stomach gives Kopi Luwak its unique flavor. "I do like it. Compared to other kinds of coffee, it has a more distinctive coffee taste and aroma," customer Yotje Hartono said as he sipped his coffee after watching the ritual of making a cup of the expensive brew. At a Kopi Luwak Café in Jakarta the staff brings out a gold-lined cup, a hot thermos of water and vacuum packed sealed package of the Kopi Luwak. The package is opened and poured into the cup and then the hot water is poured in. It is stirred and then covered. You have to wait two minutes before sipping it. When I first saw it being made I recoiled. I thought: "I'm paying all this money for instant coffee, no way!" But after taking the first sip I felt a little better. It is very smooth with hints of chocolate and caramel flavors and it doesn't have that acidic aftertaste that coffee sometimes does. For years it has been more popular overseas than in Indonesia but that is fast changing as the economy in the country continues to grow at a rate far faster than those in the west. "We opened Kopi Luwak Café in 2002 and already have 20 stores," Fernando said. It has become even more popular around the world after it was featured on "Oprah" and in the Hollywood movie "The Bucket List" where Jack Nicholson's character was obsessed with it (not knowing of course what made it so special until the end). Kopi Luwak's growing popularity and the way its made has run into trouble. It has been given some nasty names such as "crappuccino" and inspired two of Indonesia¹s main Muslim organizations to consider putting a fatwa on it because the process appeared to be ritually unclean. But that all changed, Fernando said, after a bit of explanation about the bean when it is excreted. "It still has the skin, inner layer. And we do the cleansing process, before we do processing and roasting. It's not a problem. And now, the Kopi Luwak is certified Halal," he said. And it is being enjoyed for a heck of a lot less in its home country than elsewhere. A cup costs about $8 in Indonesia as opposed to up to $50 in other countries. "I feel it's the type of thing you have to do once at least," an American customer who happened to visiting Indonesia said. | Kopi Luwak is the world's most expensive coffee .
Brewed from beans that have been semi-digested by palm civets .
Can cost up to $50 per cup outside of Indonesia .
Becoming more popular in Indonesia among affluent members of society . |
144,903 | 476c6b7e0bb8b06d27f6ce2a00c43f931558612d | An immediate rise in holiday bookings to Scotland has been recorded following the country's vote to remain part of the United Kingdom. Travel comparison and booking site GoEuro has revealed 4 per cent increase on Friday in bookings from England to Scotland following the 55 per cent to 45 per cent referendum vote against independence. With tourists from England shunning Scotland in the lead-up to the vote - Trivago.co.uk recorded a 29 per cent year-on-year drop in interest from the rest of the UK - it appears Scotland's Great British brothers and sisters are quick to forgive and forget. Scroll down for video . Back in demand: Scotland's most popular paid entry tourist attraction, Edinburgh Castle . Votes are in: After the 55 per cent to 45 per cent referendum vote in favour of pro-union campaigners (pictured), bookings to Scotland have risen immediately . The English were not alone in their keenness to reaffirm ties with the Scots, with a 2.5 per cent increase in bookings via GoEuro overnight from Ireland. Nations with strong independence movements of their own, France and Spain, had revealed in a survey leading up to the vote that a yes decision would make Scotland a more attractive destination to them. However after the no vote the immediate response from the countries has been positive with bookings from Spain rising by 2 per cent and a 3.3 per cent boost from France. Germany, Netherlands and Belgium's interest in the country has remained stable. Boost: An immediate rise in bookings to Scotland has come with news of a no vote for independence . The most remarkable rise in interest has come from the United States, with their jump of 4.8 per cent for bookings to Scotland indicating many were awaiting the result of the referendum before booking their next break abroad. On Thursday, as Scotland went to the polls, some tourism operators said the uncertainty surrounding Scotland's future was unsettling English tourists who were cancelling holidays across the border in their droves. But since the polls of Scotland's 32 council areas recorded a result of 2,001,926 no votes to 1,617,989 yes votes, the country could be set for a tourism boom. Split: Industry experts expressed concern over the affect of independence would have on Scottish travel . 'Earlier this week, we polled thousands of GoEuro users across Europe, and the majority responded saying that an independent Scotland would be a less appealing holiday destination,' said GoEuro's Country Manager Pablo Martinez. 'The referendum result seems to confirm that a united Scotland could well be looking forward to more tourists than ever before. 'This morning's bookings through GoEuro suggest that a "no" vote, coupled with the exposure Scotland has had in the media over recent weeks, has increased number of bookings overnight, especially those from England, France and the US.' Scotland will be in the headlines again for less political reasons next week with the The Ryder Cup golf tournament taking place at Gleneagles in Perthshire between Europe and the United States, another possible catalyst for the surge in American bookings. Back in the spotlight: Gleneagles resort in Perthshire will host the Ryder Cup golf tournament next week . A statement from UK travel association ABTA after the vote was finalised soon after 6am on Friday welcomed the stability that came with the no vote but said there were still issues to be ironed out between the industry and the British government. 'Today's No vote brings to a close a protracted period of uncertainty, and means that travel companies and their customers can continue with the current regulatory and business systems,' ABTA said in a statement. 'Some of the travel issues raised during the independence debate, such as Air Passenger Duty and consumer protection, remain live issues, and ABTA will continue to engage with these on behalf of its Members in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.' | Bookings from England to Scotland have risen after the independence vote .
GoEuro reported an immediate boost to bookings post-referendum .
Surveys said English tourists had lost interest in Scotland over the vote .
GoEuro says Scotland could benefit publicity generated by the referendum .
Perthshire's Gleneagles hosts the 2014 Ryder Cup from next week . |
234,028 | baf836d4467bfda252df3c5e83293f961052762d | (CNN) -- The governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin, says it is "hard to believe" another monster tornado could devastate the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore. The odds of one striking the same place twice are extremely rare -- rarer still if it's near a populated area. But if that place is Moore, science may offer an explanation. "Oklahoma has one of the highest climatological likelihoods for tornadoes of any place in the nation," according to Bob Henson of the National Center for Atmospheric Research. "So if two EF4/EF5 tornadoes are going to strike the same city within 15 years, Moore is as likely as any other place. Even so, this is an extremely rare occurrence," Henson said. On average, 10 tornadoes a year reach the most dangerous classification and almost never strike populated areas. Monday's deadly storm was the exception. Oklahoma City area hammered by EF5 tornado in 1999 . Moreover, it partly followed the path of an EF5 tornado that walloped metro Oklahoma City in 1999, killing three dozen people. That twister tracked a path that included Moore, a southern suburb of more than 50,000 people. It was one of the costliest tornadoes in U.S. history. Dallas-Fort Worth, Kansas City and St. Louis are also considered high risk for severe tornadoes, according to Harold Brooks of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma. Deadliest tornadoes on record . Yet, none of those metro areas has been through what Moore has experienced. Monday's storm caused enormous property destruction and killed at least two dozen people. "Yet it was a relatively ordinary violent tornado," according to Brooks, an acknowledged expert on the climatology and probability of twisters. Tornado prediction is improving . Such twisters are defined as those that have winds of at least 200 mph, are a half-a-mile or more wide, and produce the most fatalities. When they touch down, they normally stay on the ground for 30 to 60 minutes. The National Weather Service said Monday's tornado was 1.3 miles wide as it tore through Moore. The estimated peak winds ranged from 200 to 210 mph -- which would make it an EF5, the most powerful category. Judging by the vast destruction of homes and buildings, experts say it was on the ground for about 40 minutes. The number of tornadoes overall seems to be more variable. "In the last three years we have set records for the most tornadoes in 12 consecutive months and the least number of tornadoes in 12 consecutive months," Brooks said. He has no explanation for the inconsistency. EF5 tornadoes are terrifying perfect storms . | Moore hit by devastating twisters twice since 1999 .
The biggest tornadoes usually don't strike populated areas .
Oklahoma has one of the highest climates .
Estimated peak winds in Monday's deadly storm were between 200-210 mph . |
145,414 | 480bcd638eb3387e0291cb8c5b5e5681bce19221 | (CNN)Two more bodies were retrieved Thursday from the ruins of a burned Maryland mansion, where six people are thought to have died. Relatives of the family released the names of the four youngest victims, authorities said. The bodies were transported to the medical examiner's officer for autopsies and identification, Anne Arundel County Fire Department Capt. Russ Davies said in the statement. "There are still two occupants unaccounted for," he said. "This remains a complex scene and much work remains to be done." Two bodies were found Wednesday in the ruins of the Annapolis mansion, which burned three days ago, fire officials said. Technology executive Don Pyle, his wife, Sandra, and four grandchildren are feared dead in the fire. Officials said the two bodies have not been identified. Relatives identified the grandchildren as Alexis (Lexi) Boone, 8; Kaitlyn (Katie) Boone, 7; Charlotte Boone, 8; and Wesley (Wes) Boone, 6. They are the children of Sandra Pyle's sons, Randy and Clint Boone, according to the statement. The children were visiting their grandparents for a sleepover because Monday was a school holiday, a family spokeswoman said. "On behalf of the Boone and Pyle families, we wish to express our gratitude and appreciation for the love and support being shared with us during this tragic event," the family's statement said. "We are blessed that so many family, friends and neighbors have come together for us in our time of need." The statement confirmed the identities of the six people firefighters and others have been searching for in the ruins of the waterfront home. "Our love for our family is boundless," the statement said. "Our loss demands time and quiet reflection to process these feelings. We ask that you respect our need for privacy. Life is fragile. Make time today to embrace your loved ones." For the first time since the fire broke out, local and federal officials were able to secure the structure and access the foundation of the 16,000-square-foot house on Wednesday. Cadaver dogs led them to the bodies, officials said. Officials would not discuss where the bodies were or the possible cause of death. Authorities are treating the house as a crime scene. Officials said it is standard procedure for a case such as this and no evidence has been found to indicate suspicious activity. The house belonged to Pyle, chief operating officer for ScienceLogic, company spokesman Antonio Piraino said. The sheer size of the structure and the fact that three-fourths of the building had collapsed into the basement, with deep piles of debris still smoldering, compounded the search, Anne Arundel County Fire Capt. Robert Howarth said Tuesday. He is leading the investigation along with a team from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "You're looking at five standard houses put together," he said Tuesday. "This is more of a commercial fire than it is a residential fire. There are a lot of businesses that aren't 16,000 square feet. That adds to it." Pyle had not been heard from on Monday, and his colleagues at ScienceLogic were "hoping for a miracle," CNN affiliate WJLA-TV in Washington reported. Heavy equipment was brought in to aid in the search for victims and clues, a process that could take days. "We have some very unique challenges with this house," Howarth said. "The construction of the house contained a lot of very heavy materials. We're looking at some steel beams that weigh in the area of 7 tons." When the first firefighters arrived on the scene early Monday, they received conflicting reports about whether the family may have been out of town. But after interviews with relatives, it was determined that six members of the family were missing, fire officials said. Fire officials said they were alerted to the fire about 3:30 a.m. Monday. About 80 firefighters responded. The ATF national response team responded because the fire was deemed suspicious, Howarth said. The fire department said crews had difficulty putting out the fire because the house is secluded, apparently with no fire hydrants on the scene. Photos the fire department posted on Twitter showed hoses stretched for long distances. Davies said it took hours for fire department tanker trucks and a fire boat on an adjacent creek to bring the fire under control. Pyle's company biography described him as an industry veteran who has held multiple CEO positions, with more than 25 years' experience in information technology infrastructure software and hardware management. Pyle told The Washington Post last year that after holding positions in a family business, he decided to look for an "industry that was in its infancy and something that would have growth potential." He started in a sales position in a firm that connected computers over transmission lines, and later sold both hardware and software components for the Internet. Pyle told the newspaper he eventually moved from sales to sales management to general management positions. In 1992, the company went public and was sold to Cisco Systems five years later for $4.2 billion, according to the Post. CNN's Wes Bruer, Shimon Prokupecz and Lindy Royce contributed to this report. | Two additional bodies are retrieved from the burned mansion, fire official says .
Relatives identify four children believed to have perished in fire .
Technology executive Don Pyle owned the house . |
159,123 | 59b0158e81812d39ee555dfbe2ef8f31a33313be | By . John Stevens . A Conservative MP has been forced to apologise after he said he would punch a female journalist in the throat and suggested she should be deported. Michael Fabricant, the former Tory vice chairman, wrote on Twitter that he could never have a debate with commentator Yasmin Alibhai-Brown as he would violently lose his temper. He tweeted: ‘I could never appear on a discussion prog with @y-alibhai I would either end up with a brain haemorrhage or by punching her in the throat.’ Former vice-chair of the Conservative Party Michael Fabricant was sacked after outspoken criticism of the HS2 rail scheme and the Maria Miller expenses row . The comment instantly sparked . widespread anger and he was given a stern warning by party whips who . ordered him to make a full apology. But the flamboyant backbencher . appeared to enjoy the attention, telling news crews who turned up at . his home after the incident that he ‘felt like a star’. Mrs Alibhai-Brown, who writes for the Daily Mail, said the MP could ‘stuff’ his apology, which was ‘actually making it worse’. She called for him to be kicked out of the Conservative Party if he failed to issue a ‘proper’ statement of remorse. ‘I think they should withdraw the . whip or get him to issue a proper statement,’ she said, adding: ‘I don’t . know if you have seen these tweets but if a child did this we would . never accept these apologies. He’s not a child. Why is he doing this?’ Mrs Alibhai-Brown, a Muslim who came . to Britain from Uganda in 1972, added that she felt like Mr Fabricant . was ‘encouraging’ people who have previously threatened violence against . her. She said: . ‘These guys find us unbearable. I . think they still think Asian women should be their ayahs, their . nursemaids, or selling takeaways.’ Mr Fabricant wrote the controversial . message after watching Mrs Alibhai-Brown clash with journalist Rod . Liddle on Channel 4 News. During a discussion about Islam and . how immigration has changed Britain, Mrs Alibhai-Brown told Mr Liddle: . ‘I have no words to express how much I loathe you and I feel quite proud . that I am able to tell you that.’ Outspoken journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown claimed Tory MPs like Mr Farbicant wanted Asians like her to 'serve curry' After Mr Fabricant published his . message, he went on to re-tweet a post written by another user which . read: ‘She disgusts me. Should be deported.’ Mr Fabricant then attempted . to make amends, explaining in a series of tweets that Mrs Alibhai-Brown . was ‘utterly infuriating’ but he would not have actually punched her. He wrote: ‘So just for the avoidance . of any doubt, I am very sorry for the tweet. It was wrong to joke about . punching and I completely withdraw it and apologise.’ David Cameron yesterday condemned the tweets as ‘completely unacceptable’ but ruled out withdrawing the whip from the MP. MP Gloria De Piero, Labour’s women . and equalities spokesman, said the comments were ‘utterly appalling’ and . it was ‘unacceptable that views like this persist in the Conservative . Party’. But Andrew Allison, from the Freedom . Association, said: ‘Everyone knows, or at least should know, that it was . a figure of speech. Michael Fabricant finds her frustrating and doesn’t . particularly like her views. He’s not advocating thumping her.’ Mr Fabricant, who is a former whip, . was sacked as a party vice chairman in April after he tweeted ‘about . time’ when Maria Miller stepped down as Culture Secretary following her . expenses row. She seemed to enjoy getting her own . back yesterday, tweeting a picture with the text: ‘Think B4 U Type.’ Mr . Fabricant has built up a loyal following on Twitter, where he has become . known for courting controversy. When it emerged that Flight MH370 had . gone missing, he tweeted: ‘All our good news on the economy is . currently as submerged and lost as the Malaysian Airlines flight . recorder.’ He also reportedly landed in hot water with the Tory hierarchy after joking about having a relationship with a llama. Since his sacking as party vice . chairman, Mr Fabricant has refused to tone down his Twitter account, . posting: ‘Look, I am still a Conservative MP and my personality and . Twitter fingers are undiminished! I ain’t dead!’ | Michael Fabricant said journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown was 'infuriating'
Said if he was on TV with her he could end up 'punching her in the throat'
Comes after she clashed with journalist Rod Liddle on TV over racism in UK .
Alibhai-Brown describes herself as 'leftie liberal, anti-racist, feminist, Muslim'
Fabricant forced to say sorry: 'I completely withdraw and apologise'
But journalist says he can 'stuff' it and suggests that he is a racist .
Says Tory MPs think 'Asian women should be selling them takeaways'
Prime Minister intervenes - says comments 'completely unacceptable'
Fabricant risks fresh fury after saying he feels 'like a star' over coverage .
Alibhai-Brown calls on the Conservatives to kick him out of the party . |
28,315 | 504f6f6e1aea6bb73c728d12a1342faa6828aace | By . Paul Donnelley . A priceless 300-year-old tapestry depicting the ‘finest hour’ of Winston Churchill’s most illustrious ancestor has undergone a major restoration for the first time. The work of art hangs at Blenheim Palace and tells the story of the 1st Duke of Marlborough’s victories over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession. The Duke, John Churchill, was a brilliant military strategist and much like Winston Churchill two centuries later, led an Allied force to victory in Europe. Blenheim House Manager Kate Ballenger inspects the washed tapestry, significantly hung next to an oil painting of Louis XIV, the man the Duke had just defeated . A priceless 300-year-old tapestry depicting the 'finest hour' of Winston Churchill's most illustrious ancestor has undergone a major restoration for the first time . The giant wall hangings, 25ft wide and 15ft tall, are made of wool and silk and were woven in the Brussels workshop of the Flemish weaver, Judocus de Vos . The outcome of the war is considered a turning point in history, signalling the end of France’s ambitions to rule Europe at the time. To mark his achievement the duke commissioned 10 incredibly detailed tapestries to be made. The giant wall hangings, 25ft wide and 15ft tall, are made of wool and silk and were woven in the Brussels workshop of the Flemish weaver, Judocus de Vos. The most significant work is the Bouchain III tapestry depicting the French surrender to the duke. It has now been subjected to a painstaking £60,000 restoration and has been cleaned and conserved for future generations. The priceless 300-year-old tapestries are examined after being cleaned and re-hung . This essential restoration work is returning them to their former glory and helping to protect them for future generations to enjoy . Kate Ballenger, the house manager at Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of the Churchills, said: ‘The tapestry was taken to a team of restoration experts based in Brussels – the same city where it was made. ‘After being unpacked, and following a thorough examination, it was submerged in a large bath and gently washed to remove the dirt. ‘There were a number of splits in the sky as well as silk loss in several sections. These were repaired and a new support was added to the back to strengthen the wool and silk. The tapestry is soaked in a special cleaning solution (left); Blenheim House Manager Kate Ballenger inspects the washed tapestry, significantly hung next to an oil painting of Louis XIV, the man the Duke had just defeated . ‘The tapestry had also been previously hung on poppers but these were removed and replaced with Velcro to enable quick and safe removal in case of emergency. ‘These tapestries are an extraordinary record of an historic military victory which had a crucial effect both on Europe and the rest of the world, as well as stunning works of art. ‘This essential restoration work is returning them to their former glory and helping to protect them for future generations to enjoy.’ The series of tapestries are collectively known as The Victories of the Duke of Marlborough and took eight years to make, from between 1709 to 1717. They were commissioned by the duke to celebrate his victory over rival Louis XIV in a series of battles, including the Battle of Blenheim in Bavaria in 1704. At the time the victory was hailed as the greatest British military success since Agincourt, with Sir Winston Churchill later saying it changed the ‘political axis of the world’. A grateful nation built Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire to recognise the duke’s achievements. The tapestries are the most accurate and detailed contemporary records that exist of the campaign, not least because the duke provided accurate battle plans and portraits of the principal characters. They were removed from Blenheim Palace’s second state room before being rolled up and transported to Belgium for renovation. Eventually, all 10 panels will be removed, cleaned and repaired in the same way at a cost of more than £500,000. John Churchill, the 1st duke of Marlborough, was born at Devon in November 1650 and his father was called Sir Winston Churchill who was a Cavalier during the Civil War. The Duke of Marlborough receiving the French surrender . John became an ensign in the regiment that became the Grenadier Guards. He fought bravely in the Battle of Sole Bay in May 1672 but despite being recommended for a promotion by the Duke of York (the future King James II), it was initially denied on the orders of his brother King Charles II, it is thought because Churchill, a ladies’ man, was sleeping with the king’s mistress. Churchill became a captain a month later. A gallant soldier, Churchill took part in many campaigns fighting at Maastricht and Strasbourg before being appointed an aide to the Duke of York. Through marriage and various machinations, Churchill became a wealthy man. In 1679, he was elected MP for Newtown, Isle of Wight. The following year he became the Duke of York’s principal adviser. In 1682 in recognition of this Charles ennobled him as Lord Churchill of Eyemouth. Churchill and his wife lived in St James’s Palace and then the Palace of Whitehall. He became MP for St Albans. When James II became king Churchill was appointed ambassador-extraordinary to France and then Baron Churchill of Sandridge. In 1688, Churchill switched allegiance to William of Orange as James fled England in the Glorious Revolution. William told Churchill to re-form the Army in advance of the impending war with France. Two days before William and Mary’s coronation they created him Earl of Marlborough. He later became commander-in-chief of the Army in England. However, in 1792 after it was discovered that he was in contact with James II, Churchill was sacked by the king. Things worsened and he was sent to the Tower of London, on suspicion of high treason. He was released after six weeks. On William’s death, Queen Anne came to the throne and Churchill became one of the most important men in English military and diplomatic affairs in the period 1702-1710. Churchill commanded the Allied forces in the War of the Spanish Succession. As a reward Queen Anne created him Marquess of Blandford and Duke of Marlborough and an income of £5,000 a year for her lifetime (later extended to his lifetime). It was at the Battle of Blenheim that Marlborough showed his tactical genius defeating the Franco-Bavarian army – the first time in 40 years the French suffered a major defeat. As a reward in 1705 Anne gave him the former royal manor of Woodstock, which produced revenues of £6,000 a year. A house was built at Woodstock was the duke’s family seat and a national memorial for the battle. Parliament examined the costs and with a major war being fought tried to cut back on the project but despite the austerity measures Marlborough would have none of it and insisted that building went ahead. He also insisted that his titles be passed on to his daughters, his sons having predeceased him. The Duke of Marlborough died in June 1722. A full state funeral took place on August 9, 1722. He left an estate worth about £1,000,000. In 1933 to 1938 his descendant Winston Churchill wrote a four-volume biography of him. | John Churchill commissioned 10 tapestries to mark his victories .
The giant wall hangings, 25ft wide and 15ft tall, are made of wool and silk .
Most significant work is Bouchain III depicting the French surrender .
It cost £60,000 to restore and preserve for future generations .
Descendant Sir Winston wrote four-volume biography of illustrious ancestor . |
145,862 | 489b30b7d9e26dfab7d8b0ad05a50d73a4927116 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:05 EST, 10 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:20 EST, 10 September 2013 . On her first night living with her new 'mom', 13-year-old Anna Barnes was asked to sleep in her bed . She found the request weird, and even more so considering the woman was naked. Anna had been sent to live with Nicole Eason and her husband Calvin at their mobile home in Westville, Illinois after her second set of adoptive parents found they could not longer care for her. Scroll down for video . Passed around: Russian orphan Anna Barnes moved to the U.S. when she was 7, but her first set of adoptive parents gave her up to a new couple when she was 11 - Gary and Lisa Barnes . Anna's story came to light in a recent investigation by Reuters and NBC News into the process of 'private re-homing'. It turns out that it is quite easy to pass custody of an unwanted child onto other people - and it's been happening a lot with foreign adoptees. Their investigation found groups on websites like Yahoo and Facebook where adoptive parents advertised their children to be placed in new homes. Since no money is exchanged, most of these people are performing legal transactions not deemed human trafficking. 'This is a bad analogy, but it's sort of like selling a used car,' Gary Barnes told NBC News. 'If you tell someone it breaks down everyday, nobody's going to buy it. Gave her up: Gary and Lisa Barnes took in Anna when she was 11-years-old, but two years alter they were desperate to get rid of the troubled teen who started to get violent towards her adoptive mother . Gary and his wife Lisa took in Anna, an orphan from Russia, after her initial American parents gave her up. 11-years-old by the time that the Barnes took her in, Anna had deep-seeded issues they found impossible to resolve. Anna was diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. She mouthed off at school and even got violent towards Lisa. Eventually, the couple decided they were not the parents for the job and started looking for a willing couple to take Anna in. They met Nicole Eason on a Yahoo group dedicated to re-homing. Taker: The Barnes met Nicole Eason on Yahoo group for child re-homing. She offered to take Anna in and even had a home study test to prove her parenting skills . Through conversations online, Nicole said she would love Anna 'no matter what mistakes she makes in life' and even promised to get the girl a puppy and buy her favorite candy bars. The Barnes were comfortable transferring custody to the Easons when Nicole showed them a home study by a social worked that proved she had the proper parenting skills. Nicole and her husband flew down to Texas in September 2008 and the whole transaction was finalized over dinner at a local chain restaurant. But after having met the Easons, Anna didn't want to go. She says they made her nervous. 'I couldn't stop (crying)...I just kept telling them, "Please don't send me to them. Please I'm begging you. I will get down on my knees,"' she said. But the Barnes drove off and left Anna to go live with the Easons in Illinois. Her new home was in a mobile park in a small trailer filthy with dog urine and feces. New home: Anna arrived at her new home and found it riddled with feces and urine. Above, a picture of the Eason's last known residence in Tucson, Arizona . Destroyed: A picture taken on August 23 shows what the couple left behind when they vacated their Tucson trailer . Left behind: The Eason's property manager says he found five dogs left behind in the trailer after the Eason's left . On her first night there, Anna remembers her new mom asking her to pick out a movie to watch from the couple's collection where she found pornography. That night she was told to come and sleep with Nicole in bed and found that her adoptive mom was naked. She says she felt her kissing her throughout the night . On a following night she was again asked to join the couple in bed, this time to sleep between them, but Anna eventually refused. 'I was sandwiched in there, and I stayed there for about a total of 2 minutes, 47 seconds, and decided that it was getting weird,' she said. According to the investigation, Nicole Eason took in re-homed children six times. Above, Nicole and Calvin pose with Quita Puchalla, a Liberian teenager they took in before she was taken away from them and sent back to her original adoptive parents . After that she went and slept on the couch. Thankfully, Anna's time with the Easons was short lived. A few days later, when she was at her new school she saw a familiar face in the hallway - that of Gary Barnes, the dad who had given her up. One of Nicole's former friends called the Barnes and told them she believed the Eason's home study was a fake - and it was. She also told them that at least one of the children they got through re-homing was taken away from them and that she feared for Anna's safety. Pedophile: Nicole Eason had taken in children with Randy Winslow who is currently serving a 20-year-sentence for sending and receiving child pronography . He flew all the way up to Illinois to bring her back to Texas. Back home, The Barnes filed a complaint against the Easons through the Texas Attorney General's office but so far authorities in Illinois and Texas have taken no steps to prevent the Easons from continuing to adopt. According to the investigation, the Easons have taken in children through re-homing six times. Though Anna was filmed by NBC News at the Barnes' ranch in Texas, she says she stays with friends and is looking for a place to live. She recently turned 18 and was accepted to Texas Tech University, though she doesn't think she'll be able to afford it. Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy . | Russian orphan Anna Barnes came to the U.S. when she was 7-years-old .
Her adoptive parents found they couldn't handle her and found a new couple - Gary and Lisa Barnes - to take her in when she was 11 .
But soon the Barnes couldn't handle her and they sought out a new family for the teen .
When she was 13-years-old they sent her to live with Nicole and Calvin Eason .
On her first night with the couple she was asked to sleep in the same bed as her new mom who was naked at the time .
Anna was eventually taken back by the Barnes after they learned that the Eason's forged a 'home study' document . |
162,317 | 5ddd3aa96373ae5540c48015490afe4b2b6896cf | By . Ian Sparks . PUBLISHED: . 07:46 EST, 2 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:48 EST, 2 October 2012 . Cleared: Dominique Strauss-Khan has had charges of gang rape dropped after the alleged victim changed her testimony . Shamed former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has escaped charges of gang rape after a vice girl told police they were playing 'sex games'. The alleged victim had changed her story to tell police that the group sex with prostitutes at an orgy in Washington DC was 'consensual', prosecutors have revealed. Strauss-Kahn, 64, had faced 20 years in prison over the claims by the prostitute named Marion that he used force against her and other girls during the sex session in December 2010. The 800 pounds-a-night hooker had told police in initial interviews last year: 'He gripped my hands, he pulled my hair, he hurt me.' She insisted he had tried to subject her to degrading acts, adding: 'I refused, telling him no. I said firmly and loudly several times that I did not want that.' But judicial officials said today that the woman had now retracted her statement. A judicial source added: 'She has retracted her deposition in a letter sent to judicial police. 'She said that in fact the sex was consensual and that the group was playing sexual games. 'The investigators, who believe they have gone as far as they can with their inquiries, have sent the file back to the prosecutors and a shelving of the inquiry will follow.' But the man once tipped as a future president of France still stands accused of conspiring with pimps to procure girls for sex parties around the world. He and four other men are also charged with knowing fraudulently obtained money was being paid to the vice girls by a prostitution racket based in Lille, northern France. Among those under investigation are former Lille police chief Jean-Christophe Lagarde and Lille businessmen David Roquet and Fabrice Paszkowski. Dominique Strauss-Kahn (right), the former director of the IMF, and his now estranged wife, Anne Sinclair, leaving a Manhattan court in February . Strauss-Kahn was accused of trying to rape French writer Tristane Banon in 2003. The allegations were later dropped . Strauss-Kahn has been embroiled in a catalogue of sex scandals since he was arrested for trying to rape a New York hotel chambermaid in May last year. After being held in New York's notorious Ryker's Island prison, criminal charges were dropped and he returned to France only to face similar accusations of sexually abusing a young French writer. When those allegations were also dropped, he was then confronted with more claims he used hookers supplied by the Lille vice network. He has admitted to attending many 'swingers parties' but insisted the young women were not prostitutes and he often had sex with 'willing girls' in their 20s. His lawyer Richard Malka has described DSK as a 'simple swinger' who has committed nothing more than 'crimes of lust'. Mr Malka said his client would now do everything in his power to have the charges brought by two judges in Lille dismissed. Strauss-Kahn is now formally under 'judicial control' on £85,000 bail until judges decide whether to send him to stand trial. It also emerged this week that Strauss-Kahn may be hired by Greece to help rescue the bankrupt nation's collapsing economy. The disgraced French economist jetted to Athens to meet with government ministers last week, it was claimed. France's Europe1 radio station said: 'The Greek media is convinced he has been hired as a debt advisor. 'As the former head of the International Monetary Fund, he certainly has the qualifications. 'His financial wizardry has never been in doubt, despite the problems in his private life.' Disgraced: Former IMF chief Strauss-Kahn is still subject of a wider investigation . | Former IMF chief cleared after woman says 'sex games' were 'consensual'
Strauss-Khan still stands accused of conspiring with pimps to procure girls for sex parties . |
282,471 | f9dc4634735835b57febebe089873bbde0e0489e | As three tugboats towed the disabled Carnival cruise ship Triumph back to port in Mobile, Alabama, things went from bad to worse. The fire that caused the ship to lose power and drift aimlessly on rough Gulf of Mexico swells was just the beginning. Raw sewage seeped into corridors and cabin ways. Food had to be rationed. There were fears of looting. Not surprisingly, passengers were furious and emotional. Some were reported to be "acting like savages." For Carnival and the rest of the cruise line industry, the implications are potentially devastating. The deadly capsizing in January 2012 of the Costa Concordia ship off the coast of Italy still lingers in the public's mind. About a month later, the Costa Allegra liner suffered a similar engine fire, lost power, and was set adrift in pirate-infested waters in the Indian Ocean. Carnival owns Costa Cruises, and now a third high-profile crisis for Carnival in just over a year threatens to cement the perception among vacationers that cruising might not be worth the risk. Five things we've learned about cruises . In the age of social and digital media, the problems faced by cruise lines are compounded. Using mobile phones, passengers aboard the Triumph have been providing concerned family members with constant updates. Those enraged family members have immediately passed the horror stories along to the eager media. The public is getting the full play-by-play in virtual real time, leaving Carnival playing catchup from an increasingly defensive posture. But as bad as the potential damage to Carnival's image may be, the company, as well as the rest of the cruise line industry, has an opportunity to blunt the impact, if it acts quickly and wisely. It seems counterintuitive, but while the gruesome stories of the "cruise from hell" are still fresh, the crisis offers an opportunity for the cruise line to make a compelling statement about the industry's commitment to its passengers. (Statements from Carnival.) Crisis management experts know that customers and the general public are more likely to judge an organization by how it handles a problem than how it got into the problem in the first place. That means Carnival has to go much further than mere reimbursements and vouchers for onward travel. The challenge to Carnival's reputation is three-fold. First the company must articulate real concern for passengers and clearly communicate what it is doing to make things right for customers. This will require financial sacrifices, of course. But Carnival has little choice but to pay now and win some badly needed goodwill -- or pay later in the courtroom, in the court of public opinion, and, of course, at the cash register when bookings decline. Second, the company must clearly communicate what it is doing to fix the problem and prevent anything like it from ever happening again. How did an engine fire, serious as that might be, so quickly develop into a disaster of this magnitude? My celebration trip on the Carnival Triumph: From joy to misery . How could it have been allowed to happen? Why was the widely reported chaos and disorder allowed to develop? Why did Carnival not have emergency response plans in place? What is the industry doing to prepare for what would seem to be a manageable situation? The public will demand answers to these basic questions before it will begin to trust again. Uncertainty breathes life into a crisis. Accurate and timely information smothers it. Third, Carnival must aggressively and clearly deliver these messages now, and for as long as it takes to restore the public's trust. So far, the story has been about the unthinkable conditions the passengers have been forced to endure. Carnival must move aggressively to reshape that narrative to reflect all that it is doing to rectify the situation. After a bad cruise, can you cruise into court? Carnival has to resist the temptation to explain, minimize, or justify what happened and position itself instead as part of the solution to the problems that caused the disaster. That is what the public will focus on and remember, but only if Carnival is able to communicate it fast and effectively. | David Bartlett: For Carnival, impact of 'cruise from hell' potentially devastating.
Passenger video, media puts Carnival increasingly on the defensive, he says .
He says it must show real concern, lay out plan, go a long way to make amends .
Don't try to justify or explain, he says, but get proactive now about fixing problem . |
169,883 | 67dd376025a53eff7ea3abff297a2264a08acf2a | Labour's attacks on increasing privatisation in the NHS were undermined yesterday when a Blairite former health minister said the move is ‘sensible’. Lord Warner said his party had expanded the use of private providers in health care – which could not survive without them now. Insisting the independent sector was now ‘embedded’ in the NHS, he also warned that tough restrictions planned by shadow health secretary Andy Burnham may be illegal under EU competition rules. Labour's shadow health secretary Andy Burnham insisted he was not scaremongering to win votes . His comments come after Mr Burnham yesterday claimed that the NHS would be sunk by ‘a toxic mix of cuts and privatisation’ under the Tories, while Labour leader Ed Miliband said the service would be gone within five years under Conservative management. But Tory MPs accuse the party of hypocrisy, saying expenditure on NHS services provided free by private providers has risen at a slower rate since 2010 than in the preceding four years under Labour. Yesterday Lord Warner, a health minister under Tony Blair between 2003 and 2007, waded into the debate – insisting Blairite reforms had stopped the scandal of repeated operation cancellations because surgeons were concentrating on emergencies. Labour leader Ed Miliband has vowed to scrap the Government's controversial NHS reforms if he wins the next election . Saying independent sector treatment centres ‘changed the dynamic’, he added: ‘I’m not a mad privatising Right-wing member of the Labour Party – it was about challenging the NHS and the way it works. I feel that public monopolies need some kind of challenge. An extra 1,000 nurses in Scotland will be funded by a mansion tax on valuable homes in the South East of England, Labour’s Scottish leader said yesterday. Jim Murphy said the controversial levy would send £250million a year north of the border – even though just 0.3 per cent of the revenue will be raised there. He said it enabled him to make a ‘uniquely Labour pledge’ to increase spending on the Scottish NHS without having to increase taxes on Scots. He added: ‘As much as 95 per cent of the mansion tax will be levied in the South East of the UK but its benefit will be felt across the UK. ‘There is a choice about what we would do with that money raised outside of Scotland and how we spend it in Scotland.’ The proposed tax will target properties valued at more than £2million, despite criticism – even from inside Labour – that London and the South East will bear the brunt. Scotland will also be handed a disproportionate share of the takings under the controversial Barnett Formula. Former Labour Cabinet minister Charles Clarke yesterday called the idea an ‘absurd proposition’, while Tory MP Dominic Raab said Labour was ‘selling out the English’. Tory deputy chief whip Greg Hands said: ‘Every voter in London should read Labour’s proposal for a homes tax in London to pay for the NHS in Scotland.’ ‘I’m simply saying that what we did under Blair in bringing in competition was to challenge the NHS – it remains a sensible policy.’ Lord Warner insisted Labour would have to take EU rules into account before embarking on plans to restrict the freedom of NHS providers to commission services from private providers. ‘The truth of the matter is that the private sector has not chosen to make any challenge under that, but they could do – and any Health Secretary would have to deal with it.’ The former minister also insisted that wider competition also helped with the ‘peaks and troughs’ of demand, especially in winter. ‘No one has been able to iron these peaks and troughs at any time since the time of Nye Bevan,’ he added. The NHS Confederation, which represents hospital trusts, agreed that the private sector could continue to play a role. Deputy director of policy Elizabeth Wade said was ‘vital’ that health bosses should be free to commission independent sector providers where they believe they offer the best service and value.John Appleby, of health think-tank the King’s Fund, said Mr Burnham should focus on securing quality for patients and value for the taxpayer. ‘This slight obsession about the private sector seems to be misplaced,’ he said. Labour has made the NHS central to its election campaign, issuing a poster claiming the health service ‘as you know it cannot survive five more years of David Cameron’. Mr Burnham yesterday denied that Labour was scaremongering, claiming that the character of the NHS would be ‘changed beyond recognition’ if there was more private sector involvement. ‘I believe we [Labour] let the market in too far and it’s my view that if you carry on with this experimentation with the market in the National Health Service, you will in the end destroy everything that is precious about it.’ Ed Miliband addressing party activists in Manchester yesterday as he launched the Labour party's 2015 election campaign . Oover the next four months, voters will be bombarded with warnings of how the Tories ‘want to cut spending on public services to the levels of the 1930s, when there was no NHS’. The line was peddled by Ed Miliband and shadow health secretary Andy Burnham yesterday and was also the focus of the party’s first – highly negative – campaign poster. However, the statement is at best deeply disingenuous. It is true that the plans unveiled in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement would cut public expenditure as a percentage of national income, or GDP, to 35 per cent by 2020. And, as an overall share of GDP, this would be the ‘lowest level since the late-1930s’, as the Office for Budget Responsibility acknowledges. But Labour did not include the ‘share of GDP’ caveat, which is crucial. In real terms, the amount of money which is actually spent on the public sector, when inflation is factored in – will be reduced only to its lowest level since 2002/03. In other words, Labour is pretending that returning to the level of spending that took place during the second term Blair-Brown Government would inflict devastation upon the Health Service. Plainly, this is nonsense and does nothing to support Labour’s emotive claim that ‘the NHS as you know it cannot survive five more years of David Cameron’. Indeed, it is the health service where the cuts will have least impact. Along with international aid, the NHS budget is ring-fenced – and Mr Osborne has found an extra £2billion to further fill its coffers. By comparison, defence, the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and the communities department have seen their unprotected budgets slashed. The irony is that, when the Tories unveiled their much-ridiculed poster urging voters to stay on the ‘road to economic recovery’ last week, Labour screamed blue murder at David Cameron’s claim that the ‘deficit had been halved’ – which was itself true only as a proportion of GDP, not in cash terms. They are now guilty of the same crime themselves. At least the Tories were trying to deliver a positive message when they were caught out. For Mr Miliband and Mr Burnham, the sole intention was scaremongering. Regrettably, there’ll be plenty more to come. | Andy Burnham said the implications for the NHS were 'very serious'
He said the NHS was being hit by a 'toxic mix of cuts and privatisation'
But official figures reveal just 6% of the NHS budget went to private sector . |
123,841 | 2c1c19c6514293042c5fa8bf46801e5bc7772bf1 | Manchester City can equal a club record of nine consecutive victories with success at West Brom on Boxing Day. City have hit form in the past month, with their sequence of eight straight wins carrying them into the Champions League's last 16 and cutting into Chelsea's lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League. They trail Chelsea by just three points heading into the Christmas league fixtures having - briefly - been as many as nine behind at one stage last month. Manchester City trained on Christmas Eve ahead of their Premier League Boxing Day trip to West Brom . Chelsea have responded to the champions' reinvigorated challenge by winning their last two but, after enduring an indifferent spell in October and November, City clearly have momentum. Manager Manuel Pellegrini said: 'We are playing now with the intensity and in style of play we always do. Again we have players in high level of performance and good moments. 'We are trusting in what we do so, in the same way maybe we played in a poor way two months ago, we are doing very well.' Victory at The Hawthorns will see City match a feat of winning nine in succession that they have only achieved twice before. The first time was in the old Division Two between December 1909 and February 1910, with the second their much more recent hot streak of autumn 2011. David Silva (centre) will be looking to add to his two-goal exploits against Crystal Palace on Saturday . The latter sequence, when City truly asserted themselves in what was to prove their first Premier League title-winning season, most memorably included their 6-1 destruction of Manchester United at Old Trafford. Last season they did win 18 out of 20 games across December and January but the most they won in succession was seven. Their latest strong run was partly sparked by the brilliance of Sergio Aguero - most obviously by his brilliant hat-trick against Bayern Munich last month - but City have been without their star striker for the last three games. The Argentinian is likely to be out another month with his knee injury and Pellegrini, although confident his team can maintain their momentum, acknowledges they need him back soon. Stevan Jovetic (right) is back in training after overcoming a hamstring injury . He said: 'It is enough for me for us just to continue (playing) in the same way - I don't know if better things will come. 'In this moment we are playing in a high level but we always need to return, as soon as we can, Aguero and all the other players that are injured.' City are also without their other senior strikers, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic. Midfielder James Milner operated as a makeshift centre-forward for last week's victory over Crystal Palace with David Silva, who scored twice, behind him. That arrangement could be repeated at West Brom but Jovetic is back in training could soon return after a hamstring injury. City's defence has also shown marked improvement during their recent run of form, with just one goal conceded in six games. They have recorded four clean sheets in succession and, encouragingly, three of those have been secured without influential captain Vincent Kompany. Midfielder Fernandinho (centre) attempts to win the ball from Eliaquim Mangala (right) during a training drill . Eliaquim Mangala, who initially struggled after his £32million arrival from Porto, now seems to be finding his feet and Martin Demichelis, the subject of much derision last season, is proving a solid performer. Pellegrini said: 'You can play with more trust if you don't concede a goal. If not, and you are one goal behind, you start playing faster than you need to. It is very important to keep our clean sheet.' With the defensive mistakes now fewer, the decision to release Joleon Lescott - whom City will face at The Hawthorns - at the end of last season seems justified. Lescott, 32, was a key performer in the 2011-12 title success but struggled to command a regular place in the final two years of his contract. Pellegrini said: 'Every squad needs change every year. He is 33, 34 (sic) years old. We thought it was better for him to continue for another club. 'I was always very happy with his performance for us last year because he is a very good player and an intelligent player.' West Brom defender Joleon Lescott will face his former club for the first time since he leaving this summer . | Manchester City travel to West Brom in the Premier League on Boxing Day .
City can equal club record of nine consecutive wins on Friday .
Manuel Pellegrini's side sit second, three points behind leaders Chelsea . |
72,389 | cd36f4a893a2731cfbb5c22aaa7d7013ea237179 | Seeking to avoid the fate of a fellow Democrat who fumbled the ball when asked about her support for President Barack Obama, Georgia senate candidate Michelle Nunn said on Friday that she did in fact vote for the Obama in the last two elections. 'I did vote for the president,' Nunn told the Washington Post in an interview this afternoon. 'I have said throughout the campaign that we need more people in Washington working with the president – Republican or Democrat – to get things done. I pledge to do that on behalf of Georgians,' she added. When confronted by a tracker for America Rising, a Republican opposition research outfit, on Wednesday, Nunn had refused to say whether she voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Michelle Nunn, center, arrives for early voting with her daughter Elizabeth and husband Ron Martin, left, at Fulton County's Adamsville Recreation Center on Wednesday. Nunn was reportedly confronted by a tracker outside the venue and asked whether she voted for Barack Obama for president. The Georgia Senate candidate wouldn't respond . Her only response was in the form of a grin she gave her questioner as she walked away from him and toward the entrance of the venue she was about to enter, an early voting center at the Adamsville Recreation Center, in Atlanta, Georgia. 'Ms. Nunn, did you vote for President Obama in 2008 and 2012?' the tracker had asked her, pouncing on an opportunity to toss Nunn the same question that's tripped up Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes of Kentucky. A Nunn supporter can then be heard in the background telling the young man, 'Would you leave her alone?' As Nunn and her gaggle of supporters continued walking, other members of her entourage began touting President Obama's accomplishments. 'Yes, of course, yes, he’s the president…he’s done great things,' one of the supporters said. 'He's doing great things. Great things,' another voice said in response. Nunn's refusal to speak to the tracker is not surprising given his party affiliation and the nature of his question. But the Democratic candidate's non-answer could have come back to haunt her in her close race against businessman David Perdue. Multiple polls conducted in late September and early October had Perdue leading Nunn by several digits. A SurveyUSA poll released on Wednesday shows a reversal, with Nunn now up by three points. The race could just as easily flip back in Perdue's favor in the next two and a half weeks, however, and pollsters expect this race to be a nail biter. Nunn is the daughter of former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn, a notable Democrat who has given thousands of dollars to Obama's election efforts. She's currently on leave of absence from her day job as CEO of Georgia-based non-profit organization Points of Light. Perdue is the cousin of former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, also a Republican. The self-funded, former Dollar General head defeated Republican Congressman Jack Kingston in a brutal primary this summer to win the GOP nomination. Nunn and Perdue are competing to replace retiring Republican politician Saxby Chambliss. A third, Libertarian candidate, Amanda Swafford, is also vying for the seat and could prove a spoiler on Election Day. Swafford is steadily polling at five percent of the vote. If neither Nunn or Perdue is able to win 50 percent of the vote, Georgia law calls for a run-off election that won't be held until early next year when other newly elected senators are already descending on Washington to begin the new legislative session. Michele Nunn, right, and her family participate in early voting on Wednesday in Atlanta. Nunn is running against Republican David Perdue. The two are virtually tied two and a half weeks ahead of the election. Nunn said on Friday that she did in fact vote for Obama in the last two presidential elections . Neither major political party wants an extended campaign season lasting into 2015, and both the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee are pouring loads of cash into the race on behalf of their respective candidates. Earlier this week the DSCC announced that it would go dark in Kentucky, where its candidate repeatedly stumbled over questions about her support for Obama, in order to shift $1 million into Nunn's race in Georgia. Ironically, Nunn could have become the next victim of the 'did she or didn't she' vote for Obama conundrum that has plagued Kentucky's Grimes if she hadn't admitted her support for Obama today. Nunn is hardly alone in her attempt to distance herself from Obama, though, whose approval rating is at a career low, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll that came out on Wednesday. New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Alaska Sen. Mark Begich, Colorado Sen. Mark Udall, North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan, Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor and Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu have all went out of their way to avoid being associated with Obama this year as they wage reelection bids. Udall is the senator who was supposed to appear at a July fundraiser with Obama, then cancelled at the last minute to stay in Washington. He claimed at a debate in September that the 'White House when they look down the front lawn the last person they want to see coming is me.' U.S. Senate candidates bearing Obama's party ID are avoiding the president like the plague. As a result, Obama, who is seen here delivering remarks during a cabinet level meeting at the White House on Wednesday, hasn't made a single public appearance on behalf of a Democratic contender this fall . Another Colorado Democrat, Gov. John Hickenlooper, is now claiming that he was never a proponent of Obama's signature healthcare reform law. At a debate earlier this week against Republican Bob Beauprez, Hickenlooper said while talking about health care, 'and again, I'm not big fan of the Affordable Care Act, I wouldn't have designed it that...' He stopped short of finishing his sentence as he was both interrupted by his opponent and booed by members of the live audience. As his Republican opponent immediately pointed out on Twitter after the debate, Hickenlooper was singing a slightly different tune when the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that the individual mandate portion of Obamacare was constitutional. A press release from Hickenlooper's office includes a direct quote from the governor praising the legislation. 'More Coloradans will benefit when the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented in 2014,' he said. Once considered a rising star of the Democratic Party, Hickenlooper is trailing Beauprez by four points, per a Quinnipiac poll that came out yesterday. The incumbent governor is gaining on Beauprez, who was once ahead by 10 points, but he the race still leans heavily in Beauprez's favor. Like Udall, Hickenlooper also skipped events with Obama when the president was in town this summer. He memorably grabbed a beer and shot pool with the president when they bumped into each other at a local bar, however. Obama won both games. | When confronted by a tracker for a Republican outfit on Wednesday about her vote, Nunn stayed mum .
The same question has tripped up fellow Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes of Kentucky .
Nunn said on Friday that she did in fact vote for Obama in 2008 and 2012 . |
278,258 | f476baeb60c2cf96608323d9ec3cd885da0d580c | Cardiff City have made an ambitious move to take Matt Jarvis from West Ham. The 28-year-old has been limited to just one Premier League start so far this season for the Hammers. Jarvis has appeared a further four times but is way down the pecking order at Upton Park. Matt Jarvis has made just one Premier League start so far this season for the Hammers . Jarvis is attracting interest from West Brom and Cardiff City . Bluebirds boss Russell Slade is already set to add Crystal Palace midfielder Stuart O’Keefe to his squad shortly. And Slade is lining up a move for Jarvis, who is also attracting interest from West Brom manager Tony Pulis. | Matt Jarvis is attracting interest from Cardiff City and West Brom .
West Ham winger has been limited to just five appearances all season .
Bluesbirds boss Russell Slade is hoping to sign the 28-year-old . |
21,587 | 3d508d4845160289425e1cfed1696c50918d7052 | By . Ulla Kloster . PUBLISHED: . 12:27 EST, 12 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:50 EST, 12 July 2013 . Parking on double yellow lines in central London usually guarantees a fine of at least £65, but when these three motorists pulled up for a quick coffee last night they knew they would be in the clear. They were in fact armed officers from the Diplomatic Protection Group, who stopped right on top of the two lines, a mere 75 yards from the Charing Cross police station. Passers-by in the bustling central London tourist district were stunned when the marked police car stopped and three officers jumped out of their car at, 9.30pm. The BMW of the three armed officers is parked on double yellow lines in William IV Street outside the Chandos pub, central London. The officers are in a sandwich shop ordering their evening coffee . The three armed officers are chatting in the sandwich shop last night at 9.30. Their car is outside, parked on double yellow lines - yards from the Charring Cross police station . Even more so when it turned out they were only popping into Pret-A-Manger on William IV Street outside the Chandos pub. One angry witness, who was enjoying a drink on the pavement with friends said: ‘Can you believe it! That sort of thing really annoys me. Tourists and people working in the area were enjoying an evening drink at 9.30 last night when the marked car pulled up and parked on the yellow lines. Some were amused but other witnesses were were angry . 'If I were to do that I’d have my car towed or at least get a fine within minutes. Mine's with cream: One of the police officers returning to the marked police car. Passers-by in William IV Street looked on with envy as officers parked on the yellow lines . 'They did it knowing they wouldn't get fined.' Westminster Council does not fine marked police cars. But a Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers still had to abide by the law. Senior officers within the force have since been made aware of the incident. The spokesman added: 'Officers should always ensure police vehicles are parked in a considerate and appropriate manner. 'MPS officers should respect parking restrictions - including yellow lines - unless there are good operational reasons for not doing so. 'Instructions concerning shoulder numbers displayed during operational duty are clear and unambiguous - they should always be shown. 'Senior officers have been made aware of the pictures and will take appropriate action.' Another passer-by, a young woman who works in the area, laughed off the incident. ‘It happens all the time around here,’ she said. ‘I’m not annoyed when it happens, but it’s still a bit frustrating to see it when i can't do the same.' | Passers-by stunned by the three officers popping in for coffee .
No fine for the marked police car on yellow lines .
Senior Metropolitan Police officers are aware of the incident . |
231,261 | b76c3fe87f514eccee78d4d624d6e482122625f4 | (CNN) -- No U.S. troops were killed in Iraq in August, marking the first month without an American military death there since the United States invaded the country in 2003. A total of 4,464 American troops have died in Iraq since the invasion, including 56 since the United States declared an end of combat operations exactly a year ago, according to a CNN analysis of Pentagon statistics. But none died in August, either due to hostile action or from accidents. That's in stark contrast to the American mission in Afghanistan, where August was the deadliest month since the invasion nearly 10 years ago. At least 66 Americans died there in August, a tally pushed to record levels by the death of 30 troops in a single helicopter crash August 6. While the United States pulled its combat troops from Iraq last year, between 46,000 and 50,000 troops have remained to provide support and training. They have a January 1, 2012, deadline to withdraw, but the United States is widely expected to agree to some kind of limited extension of training personnel and equipment. For Iraqis, August saw the worst wave of violence to strike the country in months. On August 15, for example, a barrage of attacks across the country killed at least 84 people and wounded more than 200. | More than 4,400 American troops have died in Iraq -- but not a single one in August .
Afghanistan, on the other hand, saw a record number of U.S. deaths in August . |
54,498 | 9a55bda165950fade7f3f5d9680eb754a24c93b6 | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 03:51 EST, 24 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:20 EST, 24 September 2012 . Boris Johnson today launched a passionate – if not entirely complimentary – defence of Nick Clegg as the Deputy Prime Minister was again forced to defend his leadership. Mr Johnson, the Tory London Mayor, set out 20 reasons why everyone, and not just Conservatives, should be grateful that Mr Clegg ‘laid down his political life’ to form a government, even if that meant being attacked from all sides and suffering a ‘protracted political humiliation’. Murmurings about his leadership and dreadful poll ratings, Mr Clegg will be grateful of praise coming from any quarter. Boris Johnson said Nick Clegg is 'probably a natural Tory' as he set out why the Lib Dem must survive as leader . ‘It is time for us Clegg fans to echo those kindly folk who are trying to save the sweet furry badgers from the wrath of farmers,’ Mr Johnson said. ‘Never mind the badgers – save the Cleggster from extermination!’ But the support of one of the . country’s best known Conservatives will not be universally welcomed by . Lib Dem activists. At one point Mr Johnson says Mr Clegg ‘probably a . natural Tory’ aside from his views on Europe. And . in a backhanded compliment he delights in the ‘utterly hopeless’ Lib . Dem campaigns for a new voting system and an elected House of Lords . which helped preserve the status quo. Opinion polls carried out to make the start of this week’s Lib Dem conference made grim reading for Mr Clegg. Boris Johnson compared Nick Clegg's plight to the government's looming badger cull: ¿Never mind the badgers ¿ save the Cleggster from extermination!¿ . In one his net satisfaction ratings had dropped to -63, a new low. In a survey of party members for the LibDemVoice website, his approval rating had dropped into negative territory for the first time, down to minus two points. Four in five Lib Dem members also fear being in coalition will be bad for the party's election prospects in 2015. But Mr Johnson insist that without Mr Clegg’s bold decision to form a coalition, Gordon Brown would still be in power, and George Osborne, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Gove would not have been able to embark on major economic, welfare and education reforms. He also hails Mr Clegg as ‘a very nice chap indeed’ who is ‘very good at tennis’, though keeps losing to David Cameron. ‘His wife, Miriam González Durántez, is every bit as lovely and clever and funny as she appears,’ Mr Johnson wrote in The Daily Telegraph. ‘I have always thought that if you leave out Europe, he is probably a natural Tory. ‘He is certainly tough, and can take a joke.’ Whether Mr Clegg can see the funny side to being lauded by Mr Johnson remains to be seen. | London Mayor says Lib Dem leader is 'probably a natural Tory'
The list of 20 'compliments' will not all make for easy reading for the Deputy PM . |
59,967 | aa60b52d492b602a2189c0daa01501adf2af8862 | Washington (CNN) -- An air of inevitability exists around Hilary Clinton for 2016. Of course she hasn't said she will run -- that's a decision she said she'll make this year -- but she must feel pretty good about the tea leaves. A new CNN/ORC poll out this week found that 70% of Democrats said they are likely to support her if she launches a presidential bid. Additionally, she is beating top-tier Republican contenders, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, in hypothetical matchups. Democratic strategist Maria Cardona predicted, with the caveat that a lot can happen between now and then, that if she runs, "I don't think she'll have anyone running against her." That's because she is in such a strong position with her name recognition and her vast network of supporters, donors and campaign infrastructure ready to go. Emory political science professor Alan Abramowitz said the chances of Clinton being upset, like what happened in the 2008 primaries, are slim. "I don't see who's going to be the Obama of 2016," he said. Would she say no? But plenty of reasons exist for her to simply say no. Presidential campaigns are unbelievable grinds and they can exact a substantial personal toll. They're full of endless days, personal attacks, and heart-clogging food. There are infinite details to master, personalities to manage, debates, and then throw in the unknowns. She will be 69 on Election Day 2016 and would have been in the political spotlight for a quarter century by then. She would have run once as the favorite for her party's nomination and lost. Many people might reflect on a similar public service career and conclude there's nothing left to prove, or that it's time for others to get in the game even if becoming the first woman president was the prize. But what if Clinton doesn't run? Multiple people associated with the Democratic Party say there is a host of promising potential contenders. But one strategist, a veteran of several Democratic presidential campaigns who asked not to be identified so he could speak freely, said, "People saw Governor Clinton and Senator Obama as superstars." As for the potential 2016 crop: "No one talks about the rest of the field that way." Except for Joe Biden. "The truth is that, if Hillary doesn't run Biden becomes the class of the field by far," the veteran Democratic strategist told CNN. "It's gotta be Hillary or Joe or we're in trouble." Biden has been cagey with his intentions, dropping humorous references but refusing to commit. But his name recognition as vice president and as a veteran of the presidential campaign trail, some in the party think Biden is in a good position. Though, he would be 73 on Election Day 2016 and 74 on Inauguration Day. That's "middle age" for a U.S. senator, but no one has ever walked into the Oval Office on their first day of work at that age. Jim Manley, a former top Senate aide, thinks Biden "deserves a shot" because he's been "outstanding" as vice president. But Joe is Joe. People either love him, hate him or forget about him. For some Democratic operatives, Biden is almost an afterthought. People spouted off numerous potential Democratic candidates and Biden's name would come up, eventually. "Oh yes, Joe Biden," said one strategist after gently jogging his memory. The progressive wing of the party is not impressed. Adam Green, co-director of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, left it at this: "Joe Biden has had a great career in public service." After the interview concluded, Green e-mailed to say that his co-director, Stephanie Taylor, has this to say about a Biden run: "That would be funny," Taylor said. Martin O'Malley . Democratic pollster Margie Omero said Democrats Biden and Clinton aren't the only two who can appeal to Democratic voters. The party has "a really strong bench of candidates that people are excited about that have progressive appeal." She included Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, saying he has "quietly and consistently" built a strong record of good schools and good economy in Maryland. Interestingly, in this informal survey of half a dozen Democratic operatives and one political science professor, people mentioned O'Malley most often than any other possible contender, including Biden, but their reaction was far more muted. Manley said the "jury is out" and Abramowitz mused, "I just don't know what kind of candidate he'd be." Green called O'Malley "a blank slate." O'Malley is laying the groundwork for a run in the event Clinton doesn't, a source close to the governor told CNN. O'Malley amplified 2016 speculation when he told the Washington Post last week that he can't wait for the former first lady and secretary of state to make a decision. Elizabeth Warren . The first-term Massachusetts senator would have even less experience in public office than Obama when he ran in 2008. But Democrats have a high opinion of the former Harvard professor whose advocacy paved the way for the Consumer Federal Protection Bureau. Former Obama aide Bill Burton said Warren was one of a handful of "impressive" Democrats who could fill the bill should Clinton stay out. Cardona said Warren has to be "put on any list." The progressives love her for her populist agenda. Green said Warren is "the north star" of the Democratic Party. Kirsten Gillibrand . New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's name also came up as a potential contender. But Cardona said she would have to get over her lack of name recognition, which she said is relatively easy to do. Manley, however, said it's "too soon" for New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. She should show her campaigning and fundraising capabilities as head of the Democrat's Senate campaign arm. Andrew Cuomo . The New York governor received the most negative response from respondents, if he was mentioned at all. Manley said Andrew Cuomo should "stick to being the governor of New York." Green said he represents the Democratic Party from the 90s and would not fit in well with today's voters, adding that he "pays lip service" to progressives. More on the bench? There are other possibilities, including: Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. But even though lifelong people had little to say as they are so unknown on a national scale. "I'm not sure what I can say," Manley said. "Untested" is how Emory professor Abramowitz described the field outside of Biden and Clinton. "All these other candidates have never run for national office so we don't know how they'd do." | Some Democrats feel even without Clinton, Biden, their crop of 2016 candidates is strong .
Veteran strategist disagrees: "It's gotta be Hillary or Joe or we're in trouble"
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren mentioned by some . |
161,405 | 5caa0843611a31a8c814cd827c8fbf16abc6d2b7 | (CNN) -- Gold mining might have become a booming industry in resource-rich Ghana, raking in billions of dollars every year, but that wealth has failed to trickle down to many of the country's rural poor who live on the land where the gold is mined from. "Mining goes with a lot of myths, like it creates jobs, it brings development, it makes people's lives better," says Ghanaian activist and founder of the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM), Daniel Owusu-Koranteng. "That is the first deception: that you are sitting on gold and somebody is going to mine it. You cannot imagine for once the person can take the gold away and leave you in a bad state," he adds. Owusu-Koranteng has dedicated his life to championing the rights of Ghana's poor and helping communities that are adversely affected by large scale mining activity. He launched WACAM in 1998 and since then has been traveling to rural areas across the country to help the residents negotiate with the large multinationals who mine the land on which they live. Can Africa break its 'resource curse'? The mining advocacy NGO works to help farmers obtain better compensation packages and raise awareness about the dangers to the environment. At the same time, it wants multinational companies to contribute to the sustainable development of the communities affected. "It's a bad case because they are farmers and they're dependent on the farm lands for survival, so many of them are without regular source of income now," says Owusu-Koranteng. The West African country is the continent's second largest producer of gold after South Africa. Its gold exports totaled $2.25 billion in 2008, up from $1.3 billion in the previous year, according to U.N. stats. Former Ghana president: Fight poverty with wealth creation, not charity . The majority of the world's big gold mining companies are already operating in Ghana, with the precious commodity being the country's main foreign exchange earner, along with cocoa. All this growth creates opportunities for both exploration and investment but also brings change to the largely rural, agrarian population. "We also have a situation where our lands are taken over by mining," says Owusu-Koranteng. "They (the farmers) lost their jobs, their lands were gone, the river is polluted and the skills they had could not fit into the skills of the mining." A tireless activist, Owusu Koranteng spends a lot of time on the road, joined by his wife Hannah who is also committed to the cause. Together, they visit mining communities on a regular basis, offering education, training and legal support to the people at risk. "When I go to the communities and they say they are hungry, I know what it is," says Owusu-Koranteng. "When people have land and it's been taken away and they're not going to have anything to eat, I understand it," he adds. Through his organization, Owusu-Koranteng is trying to educate and energize communities and their leaders to understand that they are all responsible for what they leave behind. "We are a small group of thoughtful, committed people who want to change the world, who want to make a change, who want to make a difference. We think that once we have the truth with us, one day, this country will learn that we need to manage our resources well for generations yet to come and that we shouldn't become a selfish generation," he says. "The gold and the earth does not belong to this generation -- it belongs to the generations yet to come. That is what we should understand and we cannot mess it up," he adds. Teo Kermeliotis contributed to this report. | Daniel Owusu-Koranteng is founder of a mining advocacy group WACAM .
The group offers education, training and legal support to people affected by large scale mining .
Ghana is Africa's second largest producer of gold after South Africa . |
27,874 | 4f022128fd292c6841d3169b1466ca8b851ce304 | Home Secretary Theresa May wants to make terror suspects 'stateless' by removing their UK citizenship . Terror suspects would be stripped of their British citizenship and made ‘stateless’ under plans drawn up by Theresa May. The Home Secretary wants to find a way around international rules which mean someone cannot be left without citizenship of any country. The move comes as she faces fresh pressure over the disappearance of suspects placed under terrorism prevention and investigation measures (Tpims). Fugitive Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, who was subject to a TPIM, was last seen fleeing a London mosque in a burka 10 days ago. Labour’s Yvette Cooper has written to Mrs May urging her to re-introduce powers previously available under control orders, to forcibly move a suspect across the country. Mohamed was relocated to Ipswich, in Suffolk, when he was subject to a control order but returned to London when the restriction was lifted. Another Tpim subject and abscondee Ibrahim Magag who vanished in a black cab on Boxing Day last year but had been forced to live in the West Country. However, as part of wider reforms Mrs May reportedly wants to be able to remove terror suspects from Britain altogether by removing their British citizenship. At least 20 terror suspects have had their British passports torn up on national security grounds to stop them entering the country, it emerged today. In the two years to February this year, Mrs May stripped British citizenship from 16 individuals who had dual nationality considered to pose a threat to the UK. Rules in place for a decade allow ministers to act to revoke passports in a bid to target the so-called ‘enemy within’. Terror suspect Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed is being hunted by counter-terrorism police after leaving a London mosque in a burka . At least five of the 16 to lose their citizenship under the coalition were born in Britain. One man had lived in the UK for five decades. The Home Office said: 'The government will take all necessary steps to protect the public, including pursuing deprivation of citizenship, where appropriate.' Mrs May wants the power to take a UK passport from anybody whose conduct is seriously prejudicial to the interests of the UK, sources said. Warning: Labour's Yvette Cooper has called for a return to rule which mean terror suspects can be sent to different parts of the UK . But Labour’s shadow immigration minister . David Hanson said: ‘Theresa May needs to concentrate on stopping people . absconding in taxis instead we get suggested changes that could take . years, will undoubtedly be legally questioned and won't help with the 6 . terror suspects being allowed off TPIMs in 2 months time because she . insisted on having an arbitrary time limit. ‘It isn't these smokescreens we need from the Home Secretary its rapid action to plug the gaps in her own terror control regime.’ It has been reported that ministers are reviewing Tpims and are considering whether to prohibit suspects from visiting mosques suspected of preaching hardline religious views. It is also understood Tpims could be tweaked to allow suspects to be relocated to parts of their home cities away from where known associates live . Shadow home secretary Ms Cooper said in a letter to Mrs May: ‘No terror suspect under a relocation order ever managed to abscond. ‘Now two terror suspects who were previously relocated and then returned because of your decision have absconded. ‘Your decision, against advice and warnings, to end relocations has made it much easier for two dangerous men to disappear.’ Ms Cooper asks the Home Secretary to agree to re-introduce the power to relocate terror suspects and pledges ‘cross party’ support. | Home Secretary wants to end rules which mean someone cannot be left without citizenship .
Comes amid growing pressure over use of Tpims to control suspects .
Fugitive Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed fled a mosque dressed in a burka . |
276,406 | f21f00f88d5abb7e03c56b686f83178eea14bfd1 | By . Nick Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 18:00 EST, 12 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:59 EST, 13 March 2013 . Sandwiches sold by leading High Street food chains contain as much salt as ten bags of crisps, health campaigners have warned. A Peking duck wrap from EAT was found to contain 4.8g of salt, while a Swedish meatball hot wrap from Pret a Manger contained 4.6g of salt. In contrast, a 32.5g bag of Walkers Ready Salted crisps contained less than 0.5g of salt. High levels: A Swedish meatball hot wrap from Pret a Manger contained 4.6g of salt according to a study carried out by Consensus Action on Salt and Health . Tests: Study by Consensus Action on Salt and Health found high salt levels in more than half of 664 tested dishes. A Peking duck wrap from EAT was found to contain 4.8g of salt . Research by health campaigners found . high salt levels – more than a third of the recommended daily intake – . in over half of 664 tested dishes, with many restaurants as guilty as . popular sandwich chains. The . study published by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) found . that three different dishes from Pizza Hut contained more than the . entire maximum daily recommended allowance of 6g. Average salt consumption in the UK is 8.1g a day. Public . health minister Anna Soubry has called on food suppliers to cut the . amount of salt they use to reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke. The proposed strategy will create stricter salt limits for manufacturers of convenience foods such as sandwiches and microwave meals. Meanwhile, fish and chip shops and other takeaway food outlets will be given maximum levels of salt that can be sprinkled on each serving in a bid to limit consumption. The minister boasted that Britain is a . ‘world-leader’ in salt reduction, with a 15 per cent drop in . consumption in the past decade, but more ‘needs to be done to reach our . goal of no more than 6g a day’. Miss Soubry said: ‘We need more companies pledging to reduce salt levels, particularly in the catering and take away sector. ‘This . is because eating too much salt can have a serious impact on people’s . health.’ The Department of Health wants more companies to sign up to its . salt-reduction strategy. A spokesman for Pret said: ‘Pret is committed to meeting the Food Standard Agency’s targets.’ EAT has also signed the salt-reduction pledge. ‘It’s . a national scandal that there is still so much salt in our food,’ said . Professor Graham MacGregor, of Cash. ‘Salt puts up our blood pressure, . and as a result, thousands of people die unnecessarily each year from . strokes, heart attacks and heart failure.’ High: Three different dishes from Pizza Hut contained more than the entire maximum daily recommended allowance of 6g . | Wrap from EAT contained 4.8g of salt while Pret a Manger wrap had 4.6g .
A 32.5g bag of Walkers Ready Salted crisps contained less than 0.5g .
Researchers found high salt levels in more than half of 664 tested dishes .
Three Pizza Hut dishes contained maximum daily allowance of 6g of salt .
Average salt consumption in UK is 8.1g amid calls for suppliers to cut levels . |
183,347 | 797bfed0f4345c2f94997836785dc0ecef7e462a | (CNN) -- The German Bundesliga has overtaken the English Premier League as the most profitable in the world, according to financial analysts Deloitte. Despite predicting that the Premier League's revenue will top $2.8 billion in the season just gone, Deloitte said clubs' profitability has more than halved between the 2007-08 season and the 2008-09 campaign. Deloitte's annual review of football finance also showed that the total European football market grew to a record $19.3 billion in 2008-09. According to Dan Jones, a partner in the firm's Sports Business Group, the reason the Bundesliga has leapfrogged the Premier League is due to its clubs' control of wages. "The simplest measure to explain why the Bundesliga has overtaken the Premier League is that their clubs exercise more restraint over the wage bill," he told CNN. "In the Premier League, the wages to revenue ratio is 67 percent, but it is just 51 percent in the Bundesliga. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the licensing of clubs is stricter in Germany in terms of the financial regulations they have to adhere to. "Secondly, rather than being private enterprises under the control of an individual, like Roman Abramovich at Chelsea, clubs are under control of the fans. "The clubs' fans are required to own 50 percent plus one of the shares -- with the exception of Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen, who are owned by corporations." Are English clubs worth the investment? Jones said the Premier League should be "streets ahead" of its German counterpart in profitability, due to the huge television revenue it receives. But Deloitte's figures show that although Premier League clubs managed to increase their revenue by three percent in 2008-09, operating profits were reduced from $267 million in 2007-08 to $114 million in 2008-09. This is largely due to increased wage levels, with statistics revealing the $70 million increase in Premier League clubs' revenue was less than half the $190 million increase in wage costs. Deloitte believes that trend cannot continue, but predicts the Premier League's new broadcast contracts will drive revenue up to over $3 billion in 2010-11. Fans keep football afloat . So, why does football seem to be immune to the financial pressures being felt by many industries across the globe? "Football has got an incredible amount of customer loyalty, which helps. A lot of clubs have been fairly good at freezing or cutting their prices," Jones said. "It is a fairly accepted truth that live sports audiences are about as good as it gets for broadcasters. People will get together to watch it, it inspires those water-cooler moments. "If you want live sports as a broadcaster then you're going to want the biggest sport in the world, and if you want the biggest league in the world then you want the Premier League." 'Spectacular mismanagement' As for Portsmouth, who became the first club in Premier League history to sink into administration this season and were subsequently relegated, Jones thinks their situation was an anomaly. "We see clubs get into difficulty because performance on the pitch is poor, with relegation and the like, but with Portsmouth actually performing well and winning an FA Cup, for them to be in this situation it has to be a fairly spectacular case of mismanagement." Deloitte also warned that Premier League clubs would have make the necessary adjustments to their business plans to meet European governing body UEFA's target of becoming "break even" by 2013-14. | German Bundesliga overtakes the English Premier League as world's most profitable .
Deloitte say this is due to the German clubs' tighter control on wages .
Premier League revenues set to top $2.8 billion in season 2010-11 .
Figures show European football market grew to a record $19.3 billion in 2008-09 . |
87,204 | f7674661b8a22ea6695eaf19a665afedcd4525b1 | (CNN) -- It's a snapshot meant to shock: a bloodied woman hunched over with this caption underneath, "My mother knew I'd never hurt her, then she got in the way." Graphic ads about the dangers of meth addiction are trying to tackle what's a top drug problem in small towns. The Meth Project has made a name for itself with graphic, disturbing print and broadcast ads meant to wake up kids to the dangers of methamphetamine addiction. Another ad shows a filthy urinal with the caption, "No one thinks they'll lose their virginity here. Meth will change that." The nonprofit organization said it's baring the ugly truth about what the Drug Enforcement Administration calls the most dangerous drug problem of small-town America. Now the Meth Project is targeting a new audience: the growing population of Spanish-speaking teens in the Western United States. It's releasing television commercials in Spanish in Arizona and radio ads throughout the West featuring young Latino addicts sharing real-life meth nightmares. Nothing is lost in translation. In Idaho, one of the Spanish radio voices belongs to recovering addict Aucensio Flores. In his ad, Flores said he first tried meth at 15 and headed on a downward spiral, adding: "I think it affected my brain. I have bad thoughts and I only want to do bad things, such as hurt people. I think I am going crazy." Flores said meth deadened his conscience, emboldened him and kept him up all night with an edgy high. Meth made it easier, he said, to become sucked into a world of crime and gangs. Flores remembers beating up and robbing people just walking down the street and taking part in drive-by shootings, including one in which "I shot 17 shots into the house and then I walked around the block and back into the car and just left." Meth made him feel "big and bad," said Flores, who never imagined being locked up. He's serving time at the Nampa Juvenile Correction Center in Idaho for grand theft, possession of a weapon by a minor, and drug possession. Flores' drug rehabilitation counselor, Colleen Foster, said that up to 40 percent of juveniles in the Nampa facility have a history of meth addiction. She said meth takes over their lives. "It starts to destroy their value system. It eats away at every aspect of their life: family, responsibility to community, responsibility to education, responsibility to themselves even," Foster said. "It just eats away at all that until they have no value system left, that the only thing they're doing is seeking for that high." Foster supports the Meth Project's Spanish ad campaign because, she said, denial of the problem extends to teenagers and parents in all populations -- including Latinos. She said she thinks outreach needs to be better tailored for the growing Latino community in Idaho. Foster also counsels Yair Perez, a recovering meth addict who served time for robbery and was released recently from the juvenile detention center. "When I was coming down from meth, I would feel bad. You know, I threw up and I couldn't eat. Even if I was hungry, I couldn't eat," Perez said. "You know, I would just stay in my room and not talk to anyone, because they would make me mad when they talked to me." While on meth, Perez said, he also developed frightening ulcerlike sores on his body and suffered from an erratic heartbeat. Still, he said, his cravings for the drug persist and he knows staying clean won't be easy. He's gotten a job at a fast-food restaurant, is reconnecting with his family and has recorded a Spanish radio ad for the Meth Project. Perez said he hopes to reach young Latinos who aren't getting the message about meth in English. "They might understand a little bit of it or half of it," he said. "But if they hear it ... in their own language ... the way they were born and they were raised, you know, speaking Spanish, then maybe they will pay a little more attention to it and maybe think about it, instead of doing it." Idaho Meth Project volunteer Miguel Mouw agrees, saying that "in the Hispanic community, there's just a lack of education, a lack of treatment and resources, there's a lack of support, because there are some communication gaps." Mouw, also a recovering meth addict, speaks in classrooms throughout Idaho and at community events. He said he thinks the graphic nature of the ads is needed to drive home the dangers of meth. "I've seen people lose everything, you know, from their toes to the top of the head, either through death or maybe it's the sores or the scabs [affecting] the teeth or the eyes," he said. "The list is endless. It really is." Drug officials say meth -- also known as chalk, crank, crystal, glass, ice or speed -- has been a major threat in rural America because it is cheap and easy to make. Traffickers mix drugs bought over the counter with common ingredients, according to the DEA. Twelve- to 14-year-olds who live in small towns are more than twice as likely to use meth than those who live in larger cities, the agency said. The Meth Project began in 2005 in what was then the heartland of meth: Montana. Government leaders there credit the effort with large declines in meth use, including a 45 percent drop in teen use since its ads first appeared. The ad campaign has since spread to a half-dozen other states, including Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois and Wyoming. Program organizers said they research and tailor their campaigns for each new state. But not everyone is convinced of the program's effectiveness. David Erceg-Hurn, a researcher and critic of the Meth Project, said: "There is the potential for boomerang effects with these ads. Some teenagers react negatively to graphic advertising. These people don't like 'being told how to behave' by the ads and may rebel against them." The Meth Project is funded through private donations and receives millions of dollars in federal and state grants. Erceg-Hurn said he thinks those dollars could be put to better use. As for the Spanish ad campaign, he said: "I prefer the radio ads to the print and television ads. They're not so over the top. I like that the radio ads feature real former users rather than actors. This makes them seem more realistic. A problem is still that they don't provide any information about how to quit or avoid using meth. Teenagers need practical skills and information." The Spanish ad campaign in Idaho is too new for analysis of widespread impact. Organizers said they hope for more reactions such as that of high school student Cindy Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who moved to Idaho from Guatemala, said she and her parents have been listening to the radio ads together. "My parents, we didn't see a lot of drugs during my time in Guatemala. So we didn't know what the drugs are and what they do," she said. "So what my parents would do, like when they would listen to the radio, they were like, 'Oh, you should listen to this, because this is what I want you to learn.' " Rodriguez said she was prepared when peers offered her meth. "They were like, 'Oh, you should do this, so that way you could be a little bit cooler or you're with us. You need to do this.' I'm like, no ... you know, cause I'd heard about it." | Meth Project has disturbing ads to wake up kids to the dangers of meth .
Spanish ads in the West feature young Latinos sharing meth nightmares .
Meth called a major threat in rural America because it is cheap and easy to make . |
66,542 | bcbe0d858efc43302dfda1c017d0f41be7d4a35b | By . Lydia Warren and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 23:20 EST, 21 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 00:14 EST, 22 October 2013 . Plea deal: In exchange for a lighter sentence, Marcy Cruz testified in the case of two girls who were brutally beaten with a baseball bat in April 2010 in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood . A key witness gave revealing testimony Monday in the shocking case of a foreign exchange student from Northern Ireland beaten within inches of her life during a Chicago robbery in 2010. Marcy Cruz detailed to the court what she saw the night Heriberto Viramontes is accused of brutally beating Natasha McShane and Stacy Jurich, both 27, leaving McShane paralyzed and unable to speak. 'He told me, "Look at all these white ho's," that he wanted to rob one of them,' Cruz testified. According to the Chicago Tribune, . the former stripper and mother of two young children also testified . that Viramontes, 34, took a baseball bat from Cruz's van before . disappearing into the early morning darkness. She waited just long enough to listen to one song on the radio while she smoked some marijuana. When Viramonte returned, Cruz told the court that he carried with him two purses and told her to drive off. They divvied up the contents of the purse and Cruz took some Dior perfume and makeup. 'He stated that the girls were really pretty and that he did some bogus (stuff),' Cruz said. Prosecutors . say that 'bogus stuff' was what left McShane disabled for life and her . friend Jurich unable to ever forget what she saw. Cruz . said she'd met Viramontes through her boyfriend, though she admitted to . having had sex with him in the van that tragic April night before the . girls were beaten. Cruz testified that Heriberto Verimontes, left, said he wanted to beat some 'white ho's' and then left the car with a baseball bat. Prosecutors say that's when he brutally beat exchange student Natasha McShane and her friend . Family: Natasha McShane's father Liam, left, sister and brother arrive with other friends and family at the Leighton Criminal Court Building last Thursday . Emotional: The McShane's are in Chicago from Northern Ireland, where Natasha remains because she is unable to walk or talk or care for herself because of the attack . Cruz also . admitted to having falsified parts of the story to the police, but now . says she only did so to try and stay out of trouble. Earlier this year, she pleaded guilty to attempted murder and agreed to testify against Viramontes as part of a plea deal. Cruz was sentenced to 22 years. Last week Jurich sobbed on the . witness stand as she recounted the horrific beating she and Natasha . McShane, a Northern Irish exchange student, suffered in Bucktown in . Chicago three years ago. McShane, . who had been in Chicago for just three months at the time of the . attack, suffered the worst injuries and is now unable to walk or talk . and requires around-the-clock care. Victim: Natasha McShane, 27, is unable to walk or talk after she was brutally beaten with a baseball bat in Chicago in 2010. Her family have decided to keep her in the dark about her alleged attacker's trial . Painful memories: Stacy Jurich, center, leaves the Leighton Criminal Courts Building in Chicago on Wednesday after an emotional testimony. McShane's mother Sheila is seen at right . Jurich recalled in court how, after a night of dancing on April 23, 2010, they were walking through a lit viaduct when she was smacked across the back of her head, the Chicago Tribune reported. 'I heard my head being hit and felt . excruciating pain and sort of lost my equilibrium and just had this . taste in my mouth almost like a battery or metallic flavor,' Jurich . testified. Her skull was cracked open and she stumbled to see McShane being hit across the head with a bat. 'She went down immediately,' Jurich said. 'She just . lifelessly fell into the sidewalk.' The attacker then struck her again, she said, and called her a 'stupid b****' as he tore the women's purses from them and fled. Jurich cried as she looked at a photograph of the red jacket she used to try to stop the blood pouring from her friend's head. Scene: The women were walking beneath this viaduct after a night of dancing when they were attacked . 'The blood started coming out of her . head,' she explained. 'I took off my jacket and tried to support her . head as well as I could. Then I got up and ran for help.' McShane's family flew from Silverbridge in County Armagh, Northern Ireland for the trial. They . had previously said they were not going to tell their daughter about . the trial as they did not want to bring back painful memories. Her . mother Sheila testified about her daughter's devastating injuries - and . how she has changed from the vibrant, outgoing student to a woman . combined to a wheelchair and unable to speak. Sheila sometimes referred to her daughter in the past tense as she testified. Support: An image shows a get well soon card for Natasha at a fundraiser after the 2010 beating in Chicago . The jury was shown three videos of . McShane's daily struggles. One showed her struggling to drink from a cup . - using both of her hands and lowering her head to drink. Her parents must cut her food and she . is unable to tell them when she needs the bathroom. She has gained . weight because of her lack of mobility and can only say 'Sinn' - the . Gaelic word for 'we' or 'us'. Jurich . needed 15 staples in her head after the attack but has been able to . return to work. She testified that she is too frightened to drive after . losing her peripheral vision in the beating. Assistant State's Attorney Margaret . Ogarek said there was evidence tying Viramontes to the attack, such as . his fingerprints on McShane's bag which was later found at a gas . station. An alleged accomplice, Marcy . Cruz, 28, claimed that he had spoken about robbing someone that night . and after she parked the car, he jumped out before returning with the . two purses. But Viramontes' lawyer, Assistant Public Defender David Dunne, told jurors the attack was a tragedy but that his client had nothing to do with it. He said that Jurich had first called her attacker a black man but Viramontes is Hispanic. The trial, which continues on Thursday, had been delayed for three years due to legal wrangling over DNA evidence. | Natasha McShane and Stacy Jurich were brutally beaten with a baseball bat in April 2010 as they headed home after a night of dancing .
McShane can no longer walk or talk and needs around-the-clock care .
On Monday, Cruz, who was with Heriberto Viramontes the night he allegedly beat and robbed the girls, gave her testimony . |
48,464 | 88c2852fa9ffb422393372652786457b55b6ba4f | (CNN) -- Actress Sharon Stone said in a statement Saturday that she "could not be more regretful" of her comments this month regarding the earthquake in China, in which she suggested that the quake was an act of "karma." Sharon Stone made the controversial remarks before she hosted a charity auction at the Cannes Film Festival. "Yes, I misspoke," said the statement released by Stone's publicist and entitled "In my own words by Sharon Stone." "I could not be more regretful of that mistake. It was unintentional. I apologize. Those words were never meant to be hurtful to anyone," Stone said. "They were an accident of my distraction and a product of news sensationalism." Stone said Saturday that she was issuing the statement to set the record straight about the comments she made to a reporter at the Cannes Film Festival. The statement drew fire from citizens and government officials. "There have been numerous reports about what I said in Cannes. I would like to set the record straight about what I feel in my heart and end all of the understandings," she said. "They're not being nice to the Dalai Lama, who is a friend of mine," Stone said on camera at the time, discussing the Chinese. "And then all of this earthquake and all this happened and I thought, is that karma? When you're not nice, that bad things happen to you?" Qin Gang, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said Stone "should do more to promote understanding and friendship between nations." French fashion house Christian Dior said it would drop Stone from its advertisements in China after her May 22 remarks. "We absolutely disagree with her hasty comments, and we are also deeply sorry about them," Dior said in a statement from its Shanghai, China, headquarters. But Stone said she was "deeply saddened by the pain that this whole situation has caused the victims of the devastating earthquake in China." As of Friday, the death toll from the May 12 magnitude-7.9 quake stood at 68,858, with another 18,618 missing. | Sharon Stone had suggested that deadly earthquake might be karma .
Actress issues statement "to set the record straight" regarding remark .
Stone says comments were product of "news sensationalism" |
270,024 | e9b5755172bad7324fa99d541f107b711212cb3b | From fossilised iguanas to Obama's head, conspiracy theorists appear to have found all manner of things on Mars. And now an alien coffin can be added to the list, after one Maryland-based UFO hunter spotted what he believes to be a 'decorative' box on the red planet. The 'coffin' was discovered by Will Farrar from WhatsUpintheSky37 as he trawled through a library of pictures sent back by the Mars rover Curiosity. Scroll down for video . The so-called 'coffin' was found by Will Farrar from WhatsUpintheSky37 as he trawled through a library of pictures sent back by the Mars rover Curiosity. The image pictured inset has been edited . 'This little box sure does look like a modern coffin concrete liner,' he wrote on his YouTube channel. 'As well as the stonework on the back part of the hill that looks like stairs or some left over stonework from some old civilisations constructions.' Alien researcher Scott Waring of the UFO Sightings Daily said he believes the coffin was made from a stone-like substance. 'What would it take to get Nasa to turn the rover around and examine the contents of this box?,' he said. Can you spot the coffin? Alien researcher Scott Waring of the UFO Sightings Daily said he believes the coffin was made from a stone-like substance . 'What would it take to get Nasa to turn the rover around and examine the contents of this box?,' said Mr Waring. But while it has captured the imagination of UFO bloggers, scientists believe sightings such as this are down to a phenomenon called pareidolia - a psychological response to seeing items in random places . Many scientists believe that seeing strange objects, such as a 'coffin' on Mars, is simple a case of pareidolia. This is a psychological response to seeing faces and other significant and everyday items in random places. It is a form of apophenia, which is when people see patterns or connections in unconnected data. There have been multiple occasions when people have claimed to see religious images and themes in unexpected places, especially the faces of religious figures. Many involve images of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and the word Allah. For example, in September 2007 a callus on a tree resembled a monkey, leading believers in Singapore to pay homage to the Monkey god. Another famous instance was when Mary’s face was a grilled cheese sandwich. Images of Jesus have even been spotted inside the lid of a jar of Marmite and in a potato. 'It looks to be about 3.2 ft (one metre) across and 1.5ft (0.4 metres) wide and high. 'Lots of alien species are short, including a species of grays.' UFO researchers use the term 'grays' to describe alien visitor with an oval shaped head and large eyes – similar to the depiction shown in the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'. But while its strong lines have captured the imagination of UFO bloggers, scientists believe sightings such as this are down to a psychological phenomenon called Pareidolia. This describes the brain's response to seeing faces and other significant objects in random places. It has evolved so that human eyes can spot faces within their environment, and to help them recognise friends in a crowd. Scientists claim we also tend to use this ability to 'enrich our imagination' and recognise meaningful shapes, even when they're not there. However, Mr Farrar isn't convinced. 'We're not being told a whole bunch of stuff, so I don't know what the truth is here,' he said. 'In reality UFO enthusiasts just spend far too much time searching Nasa images for the slightest glimpse of anything weird and finding proof that fits their own ideas,' Nigel Watson, author of the UFO Investigations Manual told MailOnline. 'In addition to the discovery of this coffin, way back in March 2014 'Truthseeker' posted on Youtube a picture taken by the Curiosity rover that seemed to show a cross, which he thought was connected to a religious ceremonial religious structure. Mr Waring suggests the coffin may hold a species of grays. UFO researchers use the term 'grays' to describe alien visitor with an oval shaped head and large eyes - similar to the depiction shown in the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind (pictured) 'He went on to speculate that it marked the position of a tombstone and claimed to have seen other images of the cross on the Martian surface. Christian worshipping aliens on Mars? 'The possibilities are intriguing but there isn't much firm evidence except that it does underline the adage that "seeing is believing".' The find follows a similarly bizarre claim made in November, when a lady claiming to be a former Nasa employee said she had seen humans on Mars. The woman, named 'Jackie', called into American radio station, Coast to Coast AM, with a 'confession' that she had witnessed suited men running on the red planet in 1979. Other objects found in images of Mars include what some UFO hunters claim to be a fossilised iguana (left). Stock image of an iguana is pictured right . Jackie said she was working as part of a 'downstairs' team downloading telemetry from a Viking Lander when she saw the humans via live feed. 'I wonder if you could solve a 27-year-old mystery for me,' she asked the presenter. 'That old Viking rover was running around. 'Then I saw two men in space suits - not the bulky suits we normally used, but they looked protective. They came over the horizon walking to the Viking Explorer.' Earlier this year, Dr John Brandenburg, a plasma physicist at Orbital Technologies, said he believes an ancient civilisation on Mars was wiped out by a nuclear attack from another alien race. Dr Brandenburg claimed ancient Martians known as Cydonians and Utopians were massacred in the attack - and evidence of the genocide can still be seen today. He claimed his theory could explain the Fermi Paradox - namely why, if the universe is abundant with life, we haven't heard anything from anyone else yet. Earlier this month, UFO enthusiasts claimed to have spotted Barack Obama's head on the Martian surface. They say a panoramic image from 2005 taken by the Spirit rover shows a rock shaped uncannily like his head . | 'Coffin' was found by Will Farrar on an image taken by Curiosity rover .
Mr Farrar claims the structure may be left over from an old civilisation .
UFO hunters claim it is 3.2 ft (1 metre) across and 1.5ft (0.4 metres) wide .
Conspiracy theorists suggest it is big enough to contain 'alien grays'
But scientists said seeing such objects could be a case of pareidolia .
It is a psychological response to seeing familiar objects in random places . |
2,852 | 085a8c176573644406532599ce7e4f81a389ac5d | (CNN) -- The taste of success is sweet for Maria Sharapova -- in more ways than one. The Russian tennis star is focused on completing a coveted career grand slam of titles at the French Open starting next week, but she already has plans for her next off-court project. The 25-year-old is the world's highest-paid female athlete due to her top-end endorsement deals, according to Forbes magazine, and she has another lucrative sideline in the works. Having already designed clothes for Nike and luxury label Cole Haan among her projects, Sharapova is planning to release a line of confectionery called "Sugarpova." "I'm doing everything. The branding and all the shapes of the candy and the gummy-bears," she told CNN's Open Court. "And it is going to launch before the U.S. Open (in September), fingers crossed, so that is my next project." Sharapova is big business, and she takes it seriously. "It's such a different type of work to being a tennis player, working with consumers and understanding what people buy, trend reports, what's in and what's out, whether it's something that is going to last for years," she said. "I look at it as something that is fun for me, that is creative for me, the thought process of seeing something that is on paper or just an idea. You're traveling and you see somebody wear a cross-body bag and you're like, 'Wow I love the handle on that,' and something clicks and you put it on paper and a year later you see it in the stores for people to buy. "I am just fascinated by that, I think it is an amazing process and I've been so fortunate to work with so many great people that teach me so much about different things. I am not a designer, I never went to school for it, but I love being creative and I love learning and understanding what works and what doesn't work." That attention to detail has also helped put Sharapova in a position to join an exclusive club of nine tennis players who have won all four grand slam titles, known as a "career slam," having resurrected her fortunes in recent years after a serious shoulder injury. Despite having once described herself as "a cow on ice" on clay, Sharapova has improved her game on the surface to the point where the world No. 2 is now a top contender to win the French Open and add to her Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian Open crowns. Last year she reached the semifinals at Roland Garros for the second time, and she already has two tournament wins on red dirt under her belt this season after retaining the Italian Open title last weekend. "The French Open is always a big goal of mine because I have always said it is going to be the most challenging grand slam for me to win," she said. "Whether it was when I called myself that cow on ice or whatever it was, but if I go there and play well and physically, I feel healthy and I feel great. There is no reason I can't win it. "I've been in a couple of semifinals, I believe, last year as well. So, it's really about (whether) I put myself in that position and win it. I believe in that definitely." Sharapova has suffered just one defeat on clay all season -- to Serena Williams in the final of the Madrid Open -- and is coming into form at the right time. But despite her fluency on court in the past few weeks she revealed just how taxing the transition from hard courts to the much slower clay surface is every year. "The first few days on clay are brutal, especially with the practices; you're just getting your footwork down and the movement," she said. "It's so frustrating. I never crack rackets but those first few days I crack rackets all the time. I'm like 'Get me extra rackets!' "Over the years I think the key for me is being physically stronger, where I have been able to play a match whether it's three sets or two tough sets and recover for the next day. "In Europe one of the challenges you have is in one week you could be playing five, six matches a week then you have the next tournament coming up then a week off, then you have a grand slam. "The physical aspect of all that and mentally understanding that your body has to be ready for all those matches in a short period of time on clay has always been tough for me. "I have always recovered so much better and I move a lot better on it, so yeah it's nicer, less rackets cracked!" The women often suffer from comparisons to the men, with the exploits of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer cementing this as a golden age of competition in the male arena. But Sharapova insists the women's game is on an upward curve, with players like Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova and Serena Williams battling it out for major honors, and a new generation of talented youngsters snapping at their heels. "The level of the game from the first round that you play at a women's event is so much higher than you would see five, 10 years ago," she explained. "I kind of felt that I'd come to a tournament, take the first few matches and see it as a warmup, in a way. Everyone in the press was saying why is it always 6-1 6-0 6-2? But now you don't see that very often. "You could be facing someone in the first round that is maybe not as consistent but they are experienced, they have beaten top players before and it's difficult. "I think that is why you see so much more attendances from the beginning of the week higher than you saw years ago." Despite perching on the shoulder of history, Sharapova insists such landmarks do not dominate her every thought, though a newfound dedication to her profession was brought into sharp focus due to a serious injury. "I've played tennis since I was four years old and when you're in a match situation -- you could be losing or you're winning -- there are so many emotions that go into that," she said. "Even when I was away from the game for nine months with shoulder surgery and trying to get back, I never, never ever felt that. "There were so many things I did off the court, just great experiences, wonderful people, I got to work on amazing projects but nothing gave me that feeling of being in those positions where I had to pull out of a match when I was losing. "(When I) had to close it out when I didn't expect myself to win, it was such an adrenaline rush that you don't get in many things in life. "Whether it's playing some small tournament in a small city in front of 2,000 people or whether it's the finals of Wimbledon where you have an amazing crowd and all that history behind it, it is really at the end of the day trying to make yourself better." | Maria Sharapova plans to branch out with another business venture this year .
Russian is working on a new line of confectionery to be called "Sugarpova"
On the court, the 25-year-old is determined to win the French Open .
She can complete a career grand slam on clay at Roland Garros . |
286,147 | feca1a51a68ff4133c28b5cfce3dd680eb8775a4 | A man has died after his glider crashed into a paddock in Central Victoria. The glider crashed near the intersection of Lake Mokoan Road and Chesney Vale Road on Friday afternoon. The man, who was the only person in the glider, had taken off from the Benalla Airfield. A man has died after his glider crashed in a paddock in Central Victoria . A spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria told Daily Mail Australia 'the man came into a paddock on Lake Mokoan Road, near the intersection of Chesney Vale Road.' 'The man was deceased at the time paramedics had arrived.' The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified of the incident. Police will prepare a report for the coroner. The glider crashed near the intersection of Lake Mokoan Road and Chesney Vale Road on Friday afternoon . | The glider crashed near the intersection of Lake Mokoan Road and Chesney Vale Road .
The man, who was the only person in the glider, was deceased by the time paramedics arrived . |
224,508 | aeafc7a6c75e48990b061c87465de48602661b40 | Steven Gerrard did what any of us would do after a dismal few months at work - by jetting off and taking in the sun and beach in Ibiza. And it looks to be doing the trick, as the Liverpool and England midfielder posed for photographs and went for a dip with his model wife Alex. England crashed out of the World Cup in dismal fashion, leading the 34-year-old to ponder whether to continue playing internationally or retire. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Steven Gerrard say the World Cup left him a broken man . Pose: Steven Gerrard and his wife Alex pose for a photo in Ibiza after World Cup exit . Relaxing: Gerrard and his wife leave the sea after going for a dip in Ibiza . Relax: Alex with her shades on is on holiday with the Liverpool and England captain in Ibiza . Cleanse: Gerrard washes down on holiday, weeks after England's miserable World Cup exit in Brazil . Stretch: Gerrard will look to get Liverpool going this season after last year's unfortunate ending . Thinking, Stevie? Gerrard is yet to decide whether he will retire or continue playing internationally . Out and about: Gerrard's England crashed out of the World Cup in dismal fashion . Holiday: Alex will be glad to have her husband back but would have liked England to have gone further . Treat: The Gerrard family relax in the shade on a day to the beach in Ibiza . Gerrard will be 36 when the next major international tournament - Euro 2016 in France - takes place. The midfielder, though, is mainly focusing on getting ready for the new season as Liverpool prepare for another Premier League title race after falling at the final hurdle last year. Brendan Rodgers' men will travel to Danish side Brondby, tour the United States, and host Borussia Dortmund in a friendly at Anfield on August 10. It will be a welcome change for captain Gerrard after the Three Lions gave a less-than-impressive account of themselves in Brazil. Touching down: Gerrard arrives back home after England's miserable World Cup campaign in Brazil . In limbo: The 34-year-old is yet to decide whether to continue playing international football . | Steven Gerrard and wife Alex relax in Ibiza after World Cup exit .
England couldn't escape Group D, losing twice and drawing once .
Gerrard has holiday ahead of Liverpool pre-season tour of United States . |
272,641 | ed2135509eabd79b1aaf2dd87c53232920bc498c | (CNN) -- If investing in credit default swaps or commodity derivatives doesn't exactly fill your heart with a sense of wonder and excitement, then a product with a little more va-va-voom could be a surprisingly viable alternative: vintage cars. Records have been tumbling recently for classic cars sold at auction. Last week, a 1964 Ferrari went for $14.4 million at the "Art of the Automobile" sale, smashing the previous record of $6.9 million for the same model. Sotheby's sold off 31 classic and concept cars and auto-related items for nearly $63 million in just over two hours at the auction in New York City. Over the past decade the average value of classic cars has risen by 430%, according to Knight Frank's Luxury Investment Index. This compares to 273% for gold and a comparatively meager 55% for the FTSE 100 over the same time period. Indeed, in only July a 1954 Mercedes-Benz was snapped up for $29.6 million, the highest price for any car ever sold at a public auction -- dwarfing the previous title-holder by $13.3 million. And just yesterday, Ringo Starr's 164 Facel Vegal was auctioned off for a cool $553,000 alongside a host of historic cars at Bonham's, during a series of lots that netted the auction house a cool $27.6 million of sales. "The fact that a car was previously owned by a celebrity will more often than not push the value up, but of course it depends on who the celebrity is" said Bonham's spokesperson Chloe Ashby. "The demand for vintage cars is rising," she added. "Along with jewelry and Asian art, cars are now in the top three collecting categories." Dietrich Hatlapa is founder of the Historical Automobile Group, an independent investment research house that specializes in classic cars. He says that vintage motors offer a unique appeal, particularly in the wake of the financial crisis. "People have been more drawn to tangible assets over the last 10 years. Classic cars are fun, you can drive them and they have become a lifestyle as well. It's also a way to pass on wealth from one generation to the next." The value of classic cars has jumped 39% this year alone, according to the Historic Automobile Group Index (HAGI), which tracks the financial performance of 50 rare and exotic classic cars. However, there is a sense among industry experts that these growth trends will slow down. "I would be surprised if the demand and value can continue at the same rate over the next 10 years," said Andrew Shirley, editor of the Wealth Report. There are also risks to investing in vintage cars, as opposed to the more conventional alternatives, like bonds. "The big difference to mainstream investment options is the lack of liquidity. You can't sell your car next door," Shirley said. "It will take a lot of research and a long time to find someone to sell your car to for the right price. There are also slight fluctuations in trends, so it might be that at that time an Aston Martin isn't as much in demand as a Ferrari." It's also not a one-off investment -- there can be substantive costs involved in maintaining the car. "You have to look after them to keep them in good condition, especially if you want to keep driving," Shirley said. Accordingly, Hatlapa advises against throwing your money at a classic car if money is all you're hoping for in return. "Someone shouldn't go into the vintage car market for pure investment purposes, but have a passion for classic cars," he said. "The most valuable return from owning a vintage car is the satisfaction that you have something you're passionate about." | Auction house Bonhams sold Ringo Starr's vintage car on December 1 .
Classic cars rose 430% in value over the past decade .
Investing in classic cars bears risks such as maintenance costs and lack of liquidity . |
196,723 | 8a9445d815958032313d83d3cbf8027ba1be0246 | By . Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 16:50 EST, 11 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:54 EST, 11 December 2013 . Citing a potential threat to public health, the Food and Drug Administration is taking steps toward phasing out the use of some antibiotics in animals processed for meat in the U.S. Many cattle, hog and poultry producers give their animals antibiotics regularly to ensure that they are healthy and to make the animals grow faster. Now, the agency has announced that it will ask pharmaceutical companies to voluntarily stop labeling drugs important for treating human infection as acceptable for that growth promotion in animals. This photo shows turkeys raised without the use of antibiotics at David Martin's farm, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania . If the companies sign on, and one major company has already said it will, using those antibiotics to promote growth in animals would be illegal. Prescriptions would be required to use the drugs for animal illnesses. The FDA has been debating how to address the issue of antibiotics in meat for several years as consumers have become more aware of the issue and are clamoring for antibiotic-free meat. McDonald's, among other companies, has moved to limit the drugs in their meat, pushing many animal producers to go along. The FDA move is designed to limit antibiotic-resistant diseases in humans. Repeated exposure to antibiotics can lead germs to become resistant to the drug so that it is no longer effective in treating a particular illness. Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health problem. In September the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released sobering estimates that more than 23,000 people a year are dying from drug-resistant infections. The biggest risk is from germs spread in hospitals, and it's not clear how much of the problem is related to the use of drugs in meat. Still, the FDA says this is one step toward decreasing resistance. 'We need to be selective about the drugs we use in animals and when we use them,' said William Flynn of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Food and Drug Administration is taking steps toward phasing out the use of some antibiotics in animals processed for meat . 'Antimicrobial resistance may not be completely preventable, but we need to do what we can to slow it down.' The new guidance will give the companies three years to comply. Michael Taylor, FDA's deputy commissioner of foods, said he believes asking industry to make the changes is the fastest way to help phase the drugs out. If the FDA made the process mandatory, he said, the agency would have had to move forward with a complex regulatory process that could take years. 'We have high confidence based on dialogue with industry that this initiative will succeed,' Taylor said. Drug company Zoetis, a leading manufacturer of animal antibiotics, has already said they will comply. 'This reflects our continued commitment to antibiotic stewardship and represents the many ways that Zoetis promotes the responsible use of antimicrobial drugs in animals,' the company's statement said. Animal agriculture groups will not have much of a choice in the matter if drug companies sign on and make the drugs' use illegal. But many antibiotics will still be available for those producers to use, just not those that the FDA has classified as most important for treating human infections. Some of the antibiotics that could not be used in animals are penicillins and tetracyclines, the FDA said. Many animal groups signaled support for the FDA guidance after it was announced Wednesday, including the National Pork Producers Council. Still, Dr. Liz Wagstrom of the pork producers' group said the FDA action will mean 'real change' in the way antibiotics are used on the farm, as some animals may not grow as quickly and producers may see more disease. She said she does not know how much it will cost the industry. Some advocates pushing to rid the animal food supply of antibiotics said the FDA did not go far enough. Democratic Rep. Louise Slaughter of New York, a microbiologist, said the FDA should have made the action mandatory. The guidance 'falls woefully short of what is needed to address a public health crisis,' she said. Others hailed the agency move as progress. 'We commend FDA for taking the first steps since 1977 to broadly reduce antibiotic overuse in livestock,' said Laura Rogers of The Pew Charitable Trusts' human health and industrial farming campaign. 'There is more work to do, but this is a promising start, especially after decades of inaction.' | McDonald's has moved to limit the drugs in their meat .
If it goes ahead, prescriptions would be required to use the drugs for animal illnesses . |
279,188 | f5b59cc805b58728945b720159cec962791c1847 | At first glance, it looks uncannily like a human brain. However, in fact this could be proof of the volcanoes that once flowed across the Marian surface. The huge circular area is nearly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide, and is described as a 'circular island' by Nasa. Scroll down for video . The huge circular area spotted by Nasa is nearly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide, and is in the Athabasca region of the red planet . The Athabasca Valles is an outflow channel on Mars, cut into its surface by catastrophic flooding. The very high spatial resolution images from the HiRISE camera on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed that all the flood features are draped by lava flows. This flow, near Athabasca Valles, could be the youngest lava flow on Mars. 'It looks like a circular island surrounded by a 'sea' of smooth-looking lava flows,' Nasa said. The Athabasca region where the unique shape was spotted contains some of the youngest lava flows on Mars. 'Therefore, it is highly possible that volcanism played a role in creating this feature,' Nasa's experts claim. 'Perhaps lava has intruded underneath this mound and pushed it up from beneath. 'It looks as if material is missing from the mound, so it is also possible that there was a significant amount of ice in the mound that was driven out by the heat of the lava. There are an array of features like this in the region that continue to puzzle scientists. 'We hope that close inspection of this HiRISE image, and others around it, will provide some clues regarding its formation,' they say. The Athabasca Valles is an outflow channel on Mars, cut into its surface by catastrophic flooding. The very high spatial resolution images from the HiRISE camera on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed that all the flood features are draped by lava flows. HiRISE is one of six instruments on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The 65 kg (143 lb), $40 million instrument was built under the direction of the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. It consists of a 0.5 m (19.7 in) aperture reflecting telescope, the largest so far of any deep space mission, which allows it to take pictures of Mars with resolutions of 0.3 m/pixel (about 1 foot), resolving objects below a meter across. Research published in January 2010, described the discovery of a vast single lava flow, the size of the state of Oregon, that 'was put in place turbulently over the span of several weeks at most.' The Athabasca region where the unique shape was spotted contains some of the youngest lava flows on Mars . This flow, near Athabasca Valles, is the youngest lava flow on Mars. It is thought to be of Late Amazonian Age. The floor of Athabasca Valles is peppered with thousands of small cones and rings formed as steam exploded through the lava flow. Because the flood-carved surface is now covered by lava, it is no longer easy to determine the age of the water floods that passed through Athabasca Valles. It is plausible that the flood was triggered by rising magma. Around 80% of the craters in Athabasca Valles are secondary craters from the impact that created Zunil crater. | Circular feature is nearly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide on the Athabasca region of the red planet .
Experts say it is most likely to be a circular island surrounded by a 'sea' of smooth-looking lava flows .
The Athabasca region contains some of the youngest lava flows on the martian surface . |
112,639 | 1d53b52fdf4ef8e3d69f5c661d7ef40dbd1274b1 | By . Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 09:25 EST, 11 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:32 EST, 11 October 2012 . A bone fragment found in a mass grave could finally reveal what happened to a nine-year-old girl who was kidnapped 24 years ago. Michaela Garecht vanished in broad daylight outside a corner market in Hayward, California on November 19, 1988. The bone, which is three inches long, was originally sent with remains to another victim's family but is now undergoing DNA testing. It was removed from a well in Linden used as a dumping ground by the 'Speed Freak Killers' who went on a . methamphetamine-fueled killing spree in the 1980s and 90s. Scroll down for video . Vanished: Michaela Garecht disappeared when she was nine from outside a store in Hayward, California. Police believe she may have been murdered by the Speed Freak Killers . Digging: San Quentin State Prison deathrow inmate Wesley Shermantine led investigators to four wells, one pictured, where they recovered numerous bones and other items once belonging to his victims . Wesley Shermantine is on death row for four murders - Loren Herzog committed suicide in January- but there are believed to be more victims. Earlier this year, Shermantine wrote to a local . paper saying that Herzog was behind the abduction of Michaela. On Monday, police told her mother Sharon Murch that they strongly believe the bone belongs to Michaela. It comes from a girl aged five to 13 years old from around the time that the child went missing. A detective revealed to Ms Murch that it is likely Herzog kidnapped her daughter. Ms Murch told ABC7 this is the most certain police have seemed in two decades of searching for her daughter. She said: 'I would like to have a . resolution. If Michaela died then I want to know that. It feels like it . might actually be the answer.' Snatched: The nine-year-old went missing from outside a grocery store on November 19, 1988 in downtown Hayward . Dig: Kimberly and Joann's bodies were found during this excavation in northern California . Hayward police are due to make a statement later today after DNA testing on the fragment is complete. In March, the remains of two . teenagers, missing since the 1980s, were found among hundreds of bone . fragments inside an abandoned well linked to the 'Speed Freak Killers'. Wesley Shermantine and Loren Herzog were childhood friends who embarked on a frenzied killing spree in the 1980s and are believed to be responsible for up to 20 murders. Fueled by meth, the two snatched victims for 15 years, many of whom have not been identified, before disposing bodies in remote locations across rural California. Shermantine is on death row after he was convicted in 2001 of four murders. Herzog was convicted of three murders and sentenced to 77 years to life in prison. His sentence was reduced to 14 years after an appeals court tossed out his first-degree murder convictions because his confession had been illegally obtained. Herzog was paroled in 2010 to a trailer outside the High Desert State Prison in Susanville. He killed himself in January outside that trailer after learning Shermantine was disclosing more victims' locations. San Joaquin County Sheriff Steve Moore . identified Kimberly Billy, who went missing in 1984 at the age of 19, . and JoAnn Hobson, who disappeared in 1985 at the age of 16. Both were . from Stockton, California. Miss Hobson's mother sent her daughter's remains for further testing where it was revealed pieces belonged to up to four other victims - including Michaela. Michaela Garecht went missing shortly after 10am on November 19, 1988 when she and a friend rode their scooters to a grocery store two blocks from her home. When they came out of the store, Michaela's scooter had been moved further away in the parking lot, next to a car. When she went to retrieve it, a white male reportedly jumped out and threw her in the back seat. The little girl's friend, who was the only witness, ran to the store for help but the kidnapper managed to escape with the child. Other families who also have waited in agony for news of missing young women may finally learn what happened to them. The family of Ilene Misheloff, who disappeared in January 1989 when she was 13 have also been contacted. In February, Shermantine sent authorities on a massive search after he . agreed to disclose burial locations in exchange for $33,000 from a . bounty hunter. Authorities combed a remote Calaveras . County property once owned by Shermantine's family and excavated an . abandoned well near Linden. At the Calaveras County property, . they found the remains of Cyndi Vanderheiden, 25, who disappeared in . 1998, and Chevelle 'Chevy' Wheeler, 16, who disappeared in 1985. Meticulous: Department of Justice personnel take a record of the human remains found in the well after Wesley Shermantine, motivated by a bounty hunter's promise to pay, lead investigators to burial sites . Wesley Shermantine (left) and Loren Herzog were dubbed the 'Speed Freak Killers' after their 1999 arrest for a methamphetamine-fueled killing spree - Herzog hanged himself in January after finding out Shermantine was going to reveal the location of their burial sites . Shermantine . was convicted of both murders in 2001, and Herzog reached a plea deal . for voluntary manslaughter in Vanderheiden's death. Shermantine, . who blames Herzog for the killing spree, told authorities that ten or . more bodies could have been stashed at the Linden well. Searchers dug up . hundreds of bone fragments there, as well as purses, shoes, jewelry and . other evidence dropped inside the 45-feet deep wells. Dozens of calls have been made to a hotline set up by authorities for people who believe their loved ones might be among the victims of Shermantine and Herzog. Herzog, . who was paroled in 2010, committed suicide in January at his trailer, . hours after being told that Shermantine was cooperating with . authorities. . | Michaela Garecht disappeared outside a Californian store in 1988 .
Death row inmate Wesley Shermantine told police at least ten bodies stashed down a well .
Shermantine and Loren Herzog on meth-fueled killing spree for 15 years . |
122,768 | 2aab8bb224afcfe5609a38ca0e4baf175eb57079 | Wolves defender Sam Ricketts has become the fourth player to withdraw from the Wales squad for next Tuesday's opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Andorra. The Football Association of Wales announced on their official website that Ricketts picked up an injury in training on Tuesday. Out: Wolves defender Sam Ricketts has pulled out of the Wales squad after suffering an injury in training . He will be replaced by 35-year-old Danny Gabbidon, who rejoined Cardiff City earlier this week in a player-coach capacity. Defenders Adam Matthews and James Collins had previously pulled out, together with Reading striker Hal Robson-Kanu. They were replaced by Declan John, Paul Dummett and Jake Taylor, respectively. Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen, meanwhile, says Wales are confident they can 'make big things happen' in their qualifying group. Allen and company kick off the campaign away against the Group B minnows Andorra, with the game taking place, as planned, on a new 3G artificial playing surface at Andorra's National Stadium after the pitch was finally given a green light following close inspection by UEFA officials. And Allen knows the importance of making a strong start ahead of home games against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus next month. 'It sounds obvious to say it, but the start is vital. You want to get off the mark with a quick three points,' Allen said. 'We've got the belief and confidence we can make a good start and make big things happen in this group. It is a long road, but every minute we are together counts towards that end goal. 'The change in the amount of teams that qualify has given us a boost. That, coupled with the players we've got, we are really confident we can hit the ground running. 'It is a group filled with tough teams, but we feel we can compete with them all.' Veteran: Ricketts has been playing for Wales for nearly a decade, pictured vs Austria in March 2005 . Call-up: New Cardiff City player/coach Danny Gabbidon has been called up as Rickett's replacement . Wales manager Chris Coleman will travel with a squad that contains star men Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, and their combined impact is not lost on Allen. 'We've got the likes of Gareth and Aaron, who have played consistently at the highest level for their clubs, and they are going to bring that to the table for us as well, which is fantastic,' he added. 'We expect to perform, and we have the quality to win the game. It's as simple as that, really. 'There is strong competition for places, and that always breeds success. 'No-one can rest on their laurels. They know if they take their eye off the ball and don't perform to the level expected, then someone else is going to take their place. Qualifying: Liverpool's Joe Allen is confident Wales can qualify for Euro 2016 . 'In training, you can see the standards have improved, and that can only hold us in good stead, really.' As for the pitch saga, Allen said: 'It doesn't matter what pitch we play on, whatever surface, our focus on is how we play and perform. 'We would prefer to play on grass, that's what we do week in week out and it's an obvious preference. 'But we've all played on artificial surfaces enough times to know what to expect from it, and it's not a problem.' | Ricketts has become the fourth player to pull out of the Wales squad .
He has been replaced by 35-year-old Danny Gabbidon .
Adam Matthews, James Collins, and Hal Robson-Kanu are also out injured .
Declan John, Paul Dummet and Jake Taylor replaced them in the squad .
Wales play Andorra next Tuesday in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier .
Joe Allen is confident Wales can 'make big things happen' in their group . |
81,076 | e5cb1d0b4034a96e4ccf5be49f8a4c9a38593e26 | (CNN) -- Alex Okosi left Nigeria as a young boy in the late 1980s to seek a better future in the United States. By the early 2000s, the music executive was carving a successful career with broadcasting giant MTV, holding strategic positions within the influential medial company both in the United States and Europe. Yet, Okosi never forgot where he came from. His dream had always been to promote his continent's diverse music scene and vibrant youth culture. In the mid-2000s, at a time when not many were convinced about his continent's economic potential, Okosi helped persuade his bosses to launch a dedicated MTV channel for Africa. Today, as the senior vice president and managing director of MTV Networks Africa, Okosi runs MTV Base, the company's first localized television service targeted exclusively at sub-Saharan Africa. "We've ... been quite lucky in being able to create a brand that we have taken from our international stable and bring into the continent to be able to create content and experiences that people enjoy, localizing them to make sure that they cater to the attitudes and tastes of African audiences," says Okosi, now based in South Africa. Read related: Malian kora legend breaks music barriers . Born in the West African country of Nigeria, Okosi moved to the United States at the age of 12. He excelled throughout school, graduated with high honors in 1994 and won a scholarship to St. Michael's college in Vermont. He credits his mentor Midge Monte for shaping his character and showing him the value of working hard to achieve your goals. "Midge was such an important an influential part of my life as she served as my guardian the last two years of my high school career and has since remained a huge part of my life," says Okosi. "Midge also instilled in me the importance of hard work and commitment as one strives to be successful." Okosi's determination and academic excellence helped him land a job with MTV straight after university. His talents soon started to shine -- Okosi worked both in MTV's New York and West Coast offices before moving to London to be part of the company's international strategy team. He first planted the seed of bringing MTV to Africa during a business lunch with the head of the broadcasting giant. Okosi was convinced about the power and value of the African market, but putting together a viable business plan was far from easy -- a lack of data on the size of the advertising market, coupled with infrastructure challenges, hampered Okosi's ambitions. Yet, despite all the challenges, Okosi was determined to succeed. "I just focused on the fact that there's this great opportunity to do something that I believe would enable us and our youth culture to be projected in the most different way," he says. "The excitement and the passion to do what we've been able to do completely overshadowed everything that was there to consider." Read more: Guitar hero of the desert . Once Okosi's business plan had convinced his MTV bosses that a foray into Africa could be a success, his vision and dream were put to the test. The brand was well entrenched in the developed world but setting up shop in the continent had its own unique challenges. At first, he says, the quality of the music videos was the biggest setback. "We had to up the game, we had to create a benchmark for what the quality was," he explains. As a result, the company started training producers, artists and directors in its key African markets how to shoot better music videos. It brought experienced international directors to work together with their African peers and also helped create free music videos for a number of artists. "That also kind of helped create what we have today which is an incredibly exciting African music market where we're now having African music videos being played in London and the U.S. and across the continent, which is quite exciting." Read more: Somali rapper makes songs in the key of love . Over the years, MTV Base has also teamed up with local terrestrial stations in various parts of the continent to gain access to a bigger audience that can't afford to pay for content -- today the company says that more than 90 million people have access to its programs. In 2008, the company also launched the MTV Africa Awards, a high-profile event that's helping talented African artists to raise their international profile. "[It's a] great story for Africa because it enables the world to see that we have a young vibrant, incredible youth culture that also is able to create great entertainment, great music," says Okosi. MTV Base has also rolled out a series of initiatives aiming to inspire and galvanize the continent's youth population. During Nigeria's last elections, the channel launched its "Choose or Lose campaign" to prompt the country's young population to participate in the democratic process in order to make sure their voice is heard. Okosi says the future of Africa lies with the millions of young people across the continent who are willing to work hard in order to succeed. "One thing that I do admire about our young Africans is their spirit," he says. "They're a bunch of young people that have the same aspirations as their international counterparts and they manage to succeed even despite some of the challenges that we face on the continent," he says. | Alex Okosi is the senior vice president and managing director of MTV Networks Africa .
In 2005 he helped convince his bosses to open a dedicated MTV channels for Africa .
The company says that more than 90 million people have access to its content .
In 2008 the company also launched the MTV Africa Awards . |
259,774 | dc54a510f64b63dbed8a85be4207f6b73fd904e9 | At least 40 people have been killed in a wave of sectarian car bombings across Iraq. Shiite neighbourhoods of Baghdad and the southern city of Basra were targeted as bombers struck at market places and crowded bus stops during the busy morning hours, officials said. The attacks, which left dozens of people injured, are the latest in a recent spike of bombings that has hit both Sunni and Shiite civilian targets over the past week. Wreckage: Civilians gather at the site of a car bomb attack in front of a crowded restaurant in Basra in southeast Iraq. Two car bombs left dozens killed and injured in the city today . Tensions: Iraqi security forces gather at the site of the car bomb. The attacks are believed to have targeted Shiite areas as sectarian tensions heighten across the country . Terror: A shocked woman is left in tears as civilians peer at the destruction left by the bomb attack in Basra . The bloodshed has raised fears of a return to the widespread sectarian violence of 2006-2007 that brought the country to the edge of civil war. In the Iraqi capital, nine car bombs went off at bus stops, open-air markets and in the streets of Shiite areas, killing 27 people and wounding 116, according to police officials. The deadliest attacks came in the northern Sabi al-Boor neighborhood and in Baghdad's eastern suburb of Kamaliya. Seven people were killed in each of those attacks. In the southern city of Basra, two car bombs - one near a restaurant and the other at the city's main bus station - killed at least 13 and wounded 40, according to the provincial police spokesman, Col. Abdul-Karim al-Zaidi, and the head of city's health directorate, Riadh Abdul-Amir. The blast at the Basra bus station ripped through food stalls that serve falafel and eggs to travelers. Slippers lay scattered on the bloodstained pavement. Aftermath: Civilians gather at the scene of another car bomb attack in Kamaliyah, a predominantly Shiite area of eastern Baghdad . Shock: A boy on a bike joins other onlookers at the scene of the bombing in Kamaliyah. The country's Sunni minority has held recent protests against alleged abuse and neglect by the majority Shiite government . Destruction: A vehicle lies on its side following the bombing in Baghdad. There are fears a recent spike in sectarian violence will destabilise the country . A Basra resident, Talib Dakhil, said he was at the station when the explosion went off. 'This will not discourage us from continuing our life,' he said. 'We will continue challenging terrorism, whatever happens.' No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blasts but such large-scale bombings bear the hallmarks of al-Qaida in Iraq. Hospital officials in Baghdad and Basra confirmed the casualty tolls. All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. In Baghdad, Malik Ibrahim blamed the government and political parties for the bloodshed and the lack of security in the country. 'How long do we have to continue living like this, with all the lies from the government,' asked the 23-year-old Baghdad resident. 'Whenever they say they have reached a solution, the bombings come back stronger than before. We're fed up with them and we can't tolerate this anymore,' he added. Fear: The attacks in Baghdad (pictured) and in Basra have led to fears of a return to the dark days when the country appeared on the brink of civil war . Force: A boy looks at the shattered remains of a vehicle caught in the Baghdad bomb attack. The force of the explosion destroyed most of the vehicle . Tensions have been intensifying in Iraq since the country's minority since Sunnis began protesting what they say is mistreatment at the hands of the Shiite-led government, including random detentions and neglect. The protests, which began in December, have largely been peaceful, but the number of attacks rose sharply after a deadly security crackdown on a Sunni protest camp in the country's north on April 23. Majority Shiites control the levers of power in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. Wishing to rebuild the nation rather than revert to open warfare, they have largely restrained their militias over the past five years or so as Sunni extremist groups such as al-Qaida have targeted them with occasional large-scale attacks. | Bombers target Shiite neighbourhoods in Baghdad and Basra .
Fears of return to widespread sectarian violence .
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the blasts . |
128,319 | 31d30ba4a6cf100696a2de7db376786fe362446b | By . Ryan Gorman . and Associated Press Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:03 EST, 24 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:01 EST, 24 December 2013 . The boyfriend of the mother of a five-year-old Massachusetts boy arrested over his September disappearance reported only this month has been denied bail. Alberto Sierra, 22, was denied bail during a Tuesday court appearance to answer charges related to the disappearance of Jeremiah Oliver. Mother Elsa Oliver, 28, was granted bail, but faces a psychiatric evaluation to determine her mental competency. The Fitchburg couple faces multiple felony charges each related to their missing son, who was last seen by family members in September. Christmas Eve in court: Elsa Oliver is escorted into the courtroom Tuesday for her arraignment . Gone missing: Jeremiah hasn't been seen since September . Mr Sierra made no attempt to contest the denial of bail, but all documents and evidence related to the case has been sealed - leaving yet another mystery in the already mysterious disappearance of young Jeremiah. The prosecutors contended he was a danger to society, something backed up by reports of previous domestic violence incidents and claims to MailOnline from a person close to the situation that he previously made violent threats against the family of an ex-girlfriend. The person, who declined to be named for fear of reprisals in the community, confirmed reports Mr Sierra was violent in previous relationships and also spoke of him violating a restraining order. The source also said he would bully and intimidate those around him, routinely becoming irate and even making death threats on more than one occasion. Mr Sierra is not known to have been a heavy drinker or drug user, the person noted. Ms Oliver's bail was set at $100,000. It is not clear if she can reach that amount, but she will have to meet multiple conditions beyond just paying up. Those include wearing a monitoring bracelet on her ankle, resolving a contempt case in juvenile court and working out mental health issues also previously alluded to MailOnline by the source. Is she fit to stand trial?: Ms Oliver is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation to determine her mental competency . 'She doesn't seem to understand what's going on,' Mr Sierra's attorney said of Ms Oliver. 'I've been with her many hours and I can't have a conversation with her.' The attorney described Ms Oliver as having 'a very flat effect,' which is unusual for the mother of a missing boy. She is in the midst of a foresnic psychological evaluation, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, which reported that she faces several charges once it is completed January 10. They include assault with a dangerous weapon (a belt), two counts of reckless endangerment of a child and two counts of being an accessory after the fact of a felony and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The assault with a belt charges likely stem from earlier reported abuse the child suffered at the hands of both her and Mr Sierra, but officials are remaining tight-lipped about the case. Young Jeremiah is feared dead, and Mr Sierra has been hit with multiple felony charges that come just short of murder. The violent man was arraigned earlier this . month on two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon . (knife) and two counts of assault and battery on a child causing bodily . injury. Family told officials the last time they saw the young boy was September 14, but the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office was only notified within the last two weeks. Investigators are also canvassing area tattoo parlors about a tattoo the detached mother has of a butterfly and the date Sept. 25, 2013, the Telegram & Gazette reported. They want to know whether she told a tattoo artist why that date is significant. It is not clear why it took three months for authorities to be notified of Jeremiah Oliver’s disappearance. The main suspects: Elsa Oliver (right), 28, and Alberto Sierra (left), 22, have been charged with multiple counts related to the young boy's disappearance . About 30 people attended the court hearing in support of father Jose Oliver - who lives in New Britain, CT. It is not clear how involved he was in the boy's life prior to the disappearance, but he was at Tuesday's hearing. 'The cops are doing a good job,' the devastated father told reporters gathered outside the courthouse. 'Let them do their job. I just want to find my son. That is all.' Edward Valcourt of Worcester, Jose Oliver's cousin, wore a sweatshirt with a picture of the boy he lost saw two years ago. It also had the words 'Prayers for Jeremiah.' 'He was a wonderful little boy, as happy as could be,' said Mr Valcourt. 'It's just awful thinking of him lying somewhere.' 'The first question that should have been asked is where is that little boy,' the family friend added. 'If they don't want to give up the kid they should be tried for murder.' Locals plan to continue searches for the missing boy. 'We're going to keep doing the search until we find him' said Jackie Serrano, of Fitchburg. Her 5-year-old son was in Jeremiah's class. 'That boy doesn't deserve to be like this,' she added. 'That boy deserves to be with his dad for Christmas.' As for the other two children Jose Oliver has with his ex-wife, there is a custody hearing scheduled for December 31. It is not clear if officials believe the boy is still alive. He is about 40 inches tall and weighs about 40 pounds, they said. No further information has been released. Officials urge anyone with information about Jeremiah Oliver to call the numbers on the missing poster. Missing: Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of young Jeremiah Oliver is urged to contact authorities immediately . | Jeremiah Oliver, 5, was last seen September 14 .
He was only reported missing in December .
Mother Elsa Oliver, 28, was granted bail, but faces a psychiatric evaluation .
Boyfriend Alberto Sierra, 22, has been ordered held without bail and faces multiple felony charges .
The search for the young boy remains ongoing . |
237,724 | bfb181563ae1a003bb2e08b8a7abedd070963aee | At first glance, both photos resemble the familiar ruins of ancient Athens, instantly recognisable from the countless images printed in guidebooks and on postcards from Greece. But while one picture does indeed capture a 2,500-year-old monument to one of the world's oldest civilizations - the other is a shocking example of the disappointing legacy of the 2004 Athens Olympics. The abandoned remains of the Olympic kayak and canoeing venue, built little over a decade ago, bear an eery resemblance to the Dionysus Theatre - one of the city's most popular tourist attractions, which dates back to the 4th century BC. Scroll down for video . Olympic stadium: The 7,600-capacity kayak and canoeing venue, built little over ten years ago, bears an eery resemblance to its ancient equivalent after being abandoned to nature . Ancient tourist attraction: The Dionysus Theatre in Athens was used for festivals in honour of the god Dionysus after being built in the 4th century BC and is still able to accommodate 14,000 people . The 7,600-capacity stadium appears to be conceding ground to nature, as shrubs burst through the structure's seams between different levels of seating. Located in the Hellinicon Olympic Complex in Athens, the venue once hosted the canoe slalom events for the Greek Olympic Games - which was estimated to cost the nation more than £6billion. It was comprised of a competition course, a training run, and a natural warm-up lake, all of which were surrounded by thousands of seats where the public could watch Olympic stars compete. The drained course now lies in a state of disuse while for the last seven years the country has struggled through a depression, raising questions about how the nation has benefited from the multi-billion-pound event. Former glory: Just 15 days before the 2004 Athens Games began, teams carried out an operation named 'Clean up-Locked down' in a bid to have the new venues looking perfect for the event. The scene is a far cry from what the arena looks like today . Abandoned: Located in the Hellinicon Olympic Complex in Athens, the venue once hosted the canoe slalom events for the Greek Olympic Games which was estimated to cost the country more than £6billion . Ruins: An aerial view of the Greek theatre at Tindari, Frazione of Patti in Sicily, looks remarkably similar to the abandoned Olympic venue . The astonishing pictures were taken by Ioanna Sakellaraki, 25, a photographer from Athens who captured of images while exploring the Olympic sports complexes in 2013 - less than a decade after the Games took place. She said: 'As the particular sports were not popular enough after the Games, the venues were left unused until they gradually ended up in complete decay. 'Few of the other venues had better luck, but in a general context, there was no proper planning with concrete solutions concerning the venues after the Games, so they easily ended up neglected and unused.' Left to nature: The astonishing pictures were taken by Ioanna Sakellaraki, 25, a photographer from Athens who captured the images while exploring the Olympic sports complexes in 2013 - less than a decade after the Games took place . Sad legacy: The arena, now in a state of disuse, was comprised of a competition course, a training run, and a natural warm-up lake, all of which were surrounded by thousands of seats where the public could watch Olympic stars compete . High price: The drained course has been left in a state of disuse while the country has struggled through a seven year depression, raising questions about how the nation has benefited from the multi-billion-pound event . However, Ioanna, who now studies and works in Brussels, Belgium, still thinks Greece benefited from the Games, despite the shocking reality her pictures reveal. She said: 'During the Olympic Games, a huge infrastructural pattern including the Athens Tram Line, the venues within the Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA), and the sports complexes in Faliro and Helliniko were developed. 'Moreover, the Karaiskaki Stadium for football, Helliniko Olympic Basketball Arena and the Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex (site of the taekwondo, handball, indoor volleyball, and beach volleyball venues) were constructed at the same time. 'According to reports, the overall net economic benefit of the games for Greece was positive even if the post-Olympics planning was not successful enough to make the use of all the sport venues manageable.' Photograpaher Ioanna Sakellaraki said: 'According to reports, the overall net economic benefit of the games for Greece was positive even if the post-Olympics planning was not successful enough to make the use of all the sport venues manageable' Rapid decline: The abandoned arena once hosted kayak and canoeing events at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games . Iconic: The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, built around 161AD, at the Acropolis and Filopappos Monument on Filopappos Hill in Athens, appears to be in better condition than the Olympic kayak venue built ten years ago . Greece is famous for its ancient ruins and rich history. Pictured, a sanctuary of ancient Greece in Elis, built in the 3rd century BC . | Shocking photos show how abandoned Olympic venue bears eery resemblance to the Dionysus Theatre in Athens .
But while one was built in 4th century BC, the other is just a decade old but has been left to be reclaimed by nature .
Games cost Greece more than £6billion but left little legacy, while for seven years country has struggled financially . |
62,311 | b103e96b2a7dab6bb49441ba71e59f8f9b8e40f1 | A teenager from the Wirral, Merseyside, has been arrested 133 times, making him one of the region's most prolific criminals. File picture . A 15-year-old boy has been arrested 133 times, making him one of Britain's most prolific criminals. The teenage crime-wave committed all the offences close to his home on the Wirral, near Liverpool, and has so far been convicted a total of 28 times. It is not known what the boy's crimes were. Just three other hardened criminals in the Merseyside area have committed more offences, including a 40 year old man who has been arrested 176 times and convicted of 65 offences. The arrest figures were unveiled after a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Southport Liberal Democrat John Pugh says more action is needed to stem the tide of re-offending. He said: 'These people are neither learning nor caring but are costing society dearly. 'We can’t go on pretending that normal law enforcement works with these characters.' Peter Cuthbertson, director of the Centre for Crime Prevention, added: 'Prison is the only sure way to protect the public from hardened criminals.' The figures obtained by the Daily Express also revealed that a thief who has been in court an average of three times a year since 1959 was jailed for clocking up his 334th crime in November. Robert Knowles, 66, has broken the law so many times that prosecutors have lost track of his records. Prolific: Robert Knowles, pictured in May, has been in court every year since 1959 . Jordan Kemp Withey, who at 13 was slapped with a two-year antisocial behaviour order. Right, Harry Hankinson, 64, blames his 501 crimes on a blow to the head in 1970 which changed his personality . Homeless Knowles was sent to a . correctional school at the age of 13 and has been stealing ever since - . appearing in court 186 times, including in every single year since 1959. The . alcoholic is 'institutionalised' and steals to be sent back to jail, a . court heard when he was jailed for two months in November. Meanwhile, Bolton kleptomaniac Harry Hankinson, 64, blames his 501 crimes on a blow to the head in 1970 which changed his personality. In September 2012 troublemaker Jordan Kemp Withey, then 13, was slapped with a two-year antisocial behaviour order that covers the whole of the Humberside Police area. Withey’s crimes started on Havenfield estate in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, but soon spread elsewhere. His reign of terror has included criminal damage, theft, trespassing and causing harassment, alarm and distress and began when he was just nine. | Teenager, from the Wirral, has been convicted 28 times .
Just three other criminals in Merseyside have racked up more arrests .
Politician says more 'special measures' are needed to stop repeat offending . |
267,259 | e621eaaee3aae7d330d4fc2df1af62e71106237b | Fashion brand Internacionale are offering a 1 pence pair of shoes with free delivery for 1 day only on Friday 23rd November . Stocks of 500 are expected to sell fast and the store will NOT be re-stocking . By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 02:59 EST, 23 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 04:42 EST, 23 November 2012 . First came the 99p party dress from OMGfashion.co.uk then Bid TV tried to better it by offering the 1p party dress for fashionistas on a tight budget. Although seemingly ridiculously cheap, both items came with a minimum delivery price of £7.95. Now one company has gone even further in their quest to offer the best bargain by unveiling the 1 penny party shoe with free delivery. The diamante studded black and nude stilettos are only 1 penny and have no delivery fee . UK based fashion brand Internacionale say . they are going ‘All American’ and are celebrating Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving synonymous . in the U.S. with mega discounts, with a 'practically priceless party . offer'. For just one day only, the nude and black diamante-studded stilettos will be slashed from their original price of £24.99 to just a penny, with free UK delivery. The company describe this as 'the best offer in the Shoeniverse' and have a limited amount of 500 shoes up for grabs (although only one pair can be purchased per customer). The brand are likely to be hoping for the same result that online fashion retailer OMGfashion.co.uk experienced when they led the way with the 99p party dress. It was a huge PR success with 300 dresses sold in just 15 minutes and 100,000 new visitors to the site over one weekend. Although the company lost money on every dress sold, the amount of increased traffic to the site and subsequent sales of other items meant the style stunt was a huge commercial success too. First came the 99p party dress (L) followed by the 1p party outfit but both had hefty delivery costs . Speaking about the cut-price offer, Georgina Whalley, Head Of Marketing at Internacionale said: 'With 50 per cent of Brits planning to cut back on spending this Christmas the ‘Party Shoe For A Penny’ offer gives our customers the chance to treat themselves, without dipping into their present budget. 'And with the shopping madness of Black Friday looming in the U.S., we thought it was the perfect time to launch such an amazing offer.' The offer will run online only from 9am - 12 midnight on Friday 23rd November 2012. Whatever next? The 1p wardrobe? | Fashion brand Internacionale are offering a 1 pence pair of shoes with free delivery for 1 day only on Friday 23rd November .
Stocks of 500 are expected to sell fast and the store will NOT be re-stocking . |
279,280 | f5d2c6fdd73ff687c04675f6b061011e341313f4 | It seems the message is clear: men should give up control of the wine list, as they are twice as fearful of getting it wrong. Choosing wine is one of the things that makes Britons most anxious – and men are far more uneasy about it than women. One in eight (11.5 per cent) men say what makes them most uncomfortable - even more than spiders - is choosing wine in a restaurant or to go with food at a party. Scroll down for video . The survey by Naked Wines indicated that men are more worried about ordering wine than women are . Incy wincy spider: Unsurprisingly, almost one in six Brits admit to being terrified by the arachnid . Significantly, women are far less perturbed by picking the right wine with only six per cent listing it as the thing that makes them most uncomfortable. In terms of day-to-day events that make us feel uncomfortable, spiders still give us the creeps – almost one in six (16 per cent) of us admit to being scared by them. There are things even more unnerving than spiders and wine but, thankfully, they are not likely to crop up quite as much. Women are far less perturbed by wine choice, with 6% saying it makes them most uncomfortable . Under pressure: Both men and women said that job interviews were scary . Job interviews rank top for both women (28.5 per cent) and men (24.5 per cent). And, in a less formal context, both sexes hate being at a social occasion where they don't know anyone – 25 per cent of women and 22 per cent of men rank this as the situation that makes them most uncomfortable. The research was commissioned by an online wine specialist Naked Wine who surveyed 2,000 people to uncover how scared Brits were of ordering wine. Eamon FitzGerald Managing Director of Naked Wines said: 'As a social business we love delving in to what makes our the public tick. It's unusual our survey showed that men find ordering wine more scary than spiders - but we aim to take the fear out of ordering wine and make it an enjoyable experience for customers.' | One in eight men say that choosing wine in a restaurant is uncomfortable .
Poll by Naked Wines also revealed that that 16% of us are scared of spiders .
Fear of job interviews ranked the highest in the study . |
18,902 | 35807439640e8bcf3bddd02415dc40958aecc45c | By . Helen Lawson . PUBLISHED: . 04:24 EST, 7 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:06 EST, 7 June 2013 . Police in India have charged a man with the murder of British backpacker Sarah Groves two months ago. Dutch tourist Richard De Wit was arrested after 24-year-old Miss Groves was found stabbed to death on a houseboat in Kashmir in April. She had suffered 45 knife wounds, most on her fingers, hands and arms, indicating she had fought ferociously for her life. Sarah Groves, 24, from Guernsey, was found stabbed to death on a house boat in Dal Lake, in Srinigar, Kashmir . De Wit, 43, was formally charged on Monday and is due to appear in court in Srinagar on June 15 when he is expected to enter a plea. Indian police believe Miss Groves met her alleged killer during her travels in Goa. She was attacked in her room on a houseboat hotel on Srinagar's picturesque Lake Dal in the early hours of April 5. Police said De Wit swam to shore and hailed a taxi but was stopped 45 miles away and arrested. He is said to have confessed to killing her after smoking cannabis, triggering delusions that she was a Dutch spy. Detectives are also probing claims that Miss Groves, a friend of Princess Beatrice, was conned out of money before her death. De Wit is being held in the region's central jail having received treatment in a government-run psychiatric hospital. Richard de Wit, 43, has been charged with Miss Groves's murder . Miss Groves's parents Victor and Kate told the Daily Mail last month that they had begged their daughter not to go to the region. Ownership of the territory is under dispute by India and Pakistan, and the area has for many years been targeted by terrorists and militants. So fearful were Mr and Mrs Groves for their daughter’s safety that they had booked a trip to Nepal, where they were planning to meet her at the base camp of Mount Everest. The trip was arranged specifically to persuade Sarah to leave Kashmir, but tragically she died before that planned reunion with her parents. In July 2012, Sarah had posted a message . on Facebook, writing: ‘Quit your job, buy a ticket, get a tan, fall in love, never . return.’ Two days before the murder, De Wit, 43, booked onto the New Beauty houseboat on Dal Lake in Srinagar. Sarah had been staying on the boat for a month with her new boyfriend, Saeed Ahmed Shoda, whom she had met on her travels, and his family. Immediately after his arrest, De Wit apparently told them ‘the Devil took hold of my body’. But police revealed last month that De Wit had bought the knife with which he stabbed Sarah hours before the killing, suggesting it was a premeditated act. It had initially been believed he already had the knife in his possession when he arrived in Kashmir. Victor Groves and his son Ben wept at a press conference last month as they spoke about Sarah . Victor Groves, centre, flanked by sons Ben, left, and Tom at a press conference where he described the dawn phone call which told him his daughter had been killed . Miss Groves was born in Manchester in 1988, moving to Guernsey when she was four with her parents. She and her older half-brothers, Ben, 26, and Tom, 31, grew up in a large manor house on the island. Miss Groves was educated at two prestigious independent Catholic schools, first at Blanchelande College in Guernsey, then as a boarder at the £30,000-a-year St Mary’s College in Ascot, Berkshire. She studied at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London before returning to Guernsey, having decided to become a fitness instructor. After qualifying, she worked for two years at the five-star Old Government House Hotel, leaving last August after deciding to go travelling. In October, she arrived in Tanzania, where she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, before flying to New Delhi in February this year. She was undeterred by Foreign Office advice that women should use caution when travelling in India; there have been a number of sexual attacks against British women in the country including in Goa, where Sarah travelled after Delhi. Crime scene: Journalists and policemen stand . outside the houseboat where Miss Groves was found dead on Saturday, on . the Dal Lake in Srinagar, India . ‘She was happy, but we were keen that she didn’t stay too long,’ Mr Groves told a press conference in Guernsey last month. In Goa, Sarah met Saeed Shoda, 25, a Kashmiri who was on holiday there. They became besotted with each other, and Saeed invited her to stay on his parents’ houseboat on Dal Lake. Sarah had been planning to go on to Sri Lanka, but was so taken with Shoda that she agreed to change her plans. ‘We tried so hard to stop her going,’ Mr Groves told the press conference. ‘It is nothing against the guy, but sadly she met someone and, instead of going to Sri Lanka, she went north.’ Sarah travelled to Kashmir in April and moved onto the New Beauty houseboat, which has a number of basic, furnished rooms for rent to tourists. Doctors said that Miss Groves's injuries revealed she fought for her life . She helped Shoda's mother, Hafiza, paint the railings on the deck in preparation for the summer visitors, calling her ‘mother’ in Kashmiri. She spoke to her parents nearly every day on the phone, but those conversations did not assuage their fears for their daughter. Victor and Kate, 66, decided to book a trip to Nepal — and persuaded Sarah to meet them there as a way of enticing her away from Kashmir. ‘We didn’t want to separate them [Sarah and Saeed] long-term, but Sarah wanted to see so many places and she got caught up in something which meant she only saw two places,’ Mr Groves told the press conference. He also spoke heart-rendingly of the close bond between Sarah and her mother. ‘The relationship between Sarah and my wife, Kate, was always very, very close. They made each other laugh all the time,’ he said. De Wit turned up at Dal Lake and booked into the New Beauty houseboat. The following day, Saeed left to visit friends for a couple of days. He says he invited Miss Groves to go with him, but she chose to stay behind. Last October, De Wit abandoned his wife Uma Rupanya and two daughters to go travelling. In a video posted on YouTube from Zurich in December last year, De Wit said he had been receiving psychiatric treatment, but believed his doctors had been acting on behalf of the security services to spy on him and others. He claimed to have been visited by intelligence agents who believed he was a far-Right republican posing a threat to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. After Miss Groves's murder, his wife said he had stopped taking his anti-psychotic medication and had begun smoking cannabis. Miss Groves had been staying on a houseboat belonging to the family of her boyfriend Saeed Shoda . Sarah was introduced to De Wit on the Friday, when they had a brief chat. According to one local who spoke to Saeed’s family, Sarah had borrowed the Dutchman’s camera and put her memory card into it, although this has not been confirmed. It seems Saeed’s mother was uneasy about Sarah staying alone on the houseboat with De Wit, and asked if she wanted to spend the night in her room. Sarah declined, saying she wanted to read her book. In the early hours of the morning, she was disturbed by the Dutchman, who forced open the door to her room armed with a 12in knife. Sarah suffered 45 wounds to her body, most of them defensive cuts as she tried to fight off her attacker. But she also received two fatal wounds, one to her neck and another to a lung, and bled to death. Anger: Miss Groves Kashmiri boyfriend Saeed Ahmed Shoda told ITV Daybreak of the moment he came face to face with her suspected killer as both faced questioning over her death at the local police station . The Shoda family were woken by screams and what sounded like an argument. Shoda’s brother and father ran to investigate, and found Sarah lying in a pool of blood in her room. Out on the river, they saw De Wit rowing a boat towards the shore, but it capsized, and he had to swim ashore. He flagged down a taxi but was arrested in Qazigund, 50 miles away, still wet and wearing no shoes. Later, Shoda’s mother discovered a missed call on her mobile from Miss Groves, who had desperately phoned for help. A doctor from the post-mortem team who examined Sarah’s body, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Mail there was no sexual assault before she was killed. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Richard de Wit, 43, has been charged with murder by police in India .
Miss Groves, 24, was stabbed 45 times. Injuries suggested she fought for life .
Victim had been staying on boathouse for two months with boyfriend . |
250,419 | d01564087256f20056ed52df9d901c685250f4e1 | President Barack Obama said Wednesday he supports same-sex marriage, raising the political stakes on an issue over which Americans are evenly split. The announcement was the first by a sitting president and put Obama squarely at odds with presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who on Wednesday said during an appearance in Oklahoma, "I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman." Obama said in an interview with ABC News, "At a certain point I've just concluded that for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married." Obama once opposed such marriages. He later indicated his views were "evolving." "I had hesitated on gay marriage, in part, because I thought civil unions would be sufficient," the president said. "I was sensitive to the fact that -- for a lot of people -- that the word marriage is something that provokes very powerful traditions and religious beliefs." But, Obama said, his thinking shifted as he witnessed committed same-sex marriages and thought about U.S. service personnel who were "not able to commit themselves in a marriage." It was not immediately clear how the development -- which same-sex marriage advocates had long sought -- might play out at the voting booth. A Gallup Poll released Tuesday indicated 50% of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with 48% saying such marriages should not be legal. But a CNN/ORC poll, taken in late March, indicated policies towards gays and lesbians were tied for last in the most-important issues facing the country. Obama was "disappointed" by Tuesday's vote on the issue in North Carolina, which he described as discriminatory against gays and lesbians, a spokesman said earlier Wednesday. North Carolina voted to implement a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, which was already prohibited by state law. Supporters of the measure pushed for the constitutional amendment, arguing that it was needed to ward off future legal challenges. The president said he supports the concept of states deciding the issue on their own, ABC News reported. Obama said his daughters, Malia and Sasha, have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. "It wouldn't dawn on them that somehow their friends' parents would be treated differently. It doesn't make sense to them and frankly, that's the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective." What's next for North Carolina? Obama spoke Wednesday with ABC's Robin Roberts. The interview will appear on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday. Excerpts aired Wednesday evening on "World News With Diane Sawyer." The president's stance will be among many key differences with Romney, but it is not expected to be a key talking point in his campaign. In comments Wednesday to CNN Denver affiliate KDVR, Romney reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage. "And I do not favor civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name," Romney said during a visit to Fort Lupton. "My view is the domestic partnership benefits, hospital visitation rights, and the like are appropriate, but that the others are not." The Family Research Council criticized Obama, and its president said on CNN's "The Situation Room" that the decision will aid Romney. "The president, I think, has handed to Mitt Romney the one missing piece in his campaign," said Tony Perkins. "That is the intensity and motivation that Mitt Romney needs among social conservatives to win this election." An expert on religion and politics said the move will make "an already close election even closer." "It cuts both ways -- it activates both Democratic and Republican base voters," said John Green of the University of Akron. Obama told ABC that some opinions on the issue are "generational." "When I go to college campuses, sometimes I talk to college Republicans who think that I have terrible policies on the economy, on foreign policy, but are very clear that when it comes to same-sex equality or, you know, sexual orientation, that they believe in equality," he said. First lady Michelle Obama was involved in the president's decision. "This is something that, you know, we've talked about over the years and she, you know, she feels the same way, she feels the same way that I do," Obama said. Reaction to Obama's same-sex marriage announcement . The new president of the Human Rights Campaign lauded the development. "President Obama's words today will be celebrated by generations to come," Chad Griffin said in a statement. Griffin later told CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight" that "we will never have another president, Democrat or Republican, that opposes gay marriage." Same-sex marriage foe Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, told Morgan that "a child needs a mother and father." Barney Frank, a gay Democratic congressman from Massachusetts, appearing on CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront," said that "no president could have done this 10 years ago." Obama's interview followed recent comments by other key administration figures. Vice President Joe Biden said Sunday on NBC he was "absolutely comfortable" with couples of the same gender marrying, leading observers to wonder when Obama would again address the issue. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Monday also made headlines when he openly backed same-sex marriage rights. Asked on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" if he supports allowing individuals of the same gender to legally wed, Duncan replied: "Yes, I do." Before Tuesday, 30 states had voted in favor of constitutional amendments that seek to defend traditional definitions of marriage as a heterosexual union. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and the District of Columbia issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. In February, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage beginning in June, but opponents there have pledged to block the bill and called for voters to decide the issue. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed into law a bill that permits the state's same-sex couples to wed as of January 1, and state residents may vote to affirm such a law. Minnesota will vote on a state constitutional amendment similar to the one in North Carolina. Maine will have a referendum on allowing same-sex marriage. In 2011, the Pentagon stopped enforcement of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on homosexuals serving in the military. That change played a part in Obama's announced stance on same-sex marriage. "When I think about those soldiers or airmen or Marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that 'don't ask, don't tell' is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," he told ABC News. Legal challenges over same-sex marriage could reach the U.S. Supreme Court in coming months, but it seems unlikely justices would hear arguments before Election Day 2012. The issue is on two legal tracks. The Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals will decide the constitutionality of California Proposition 8, a voter-approved measure that would recognize marriage only between one man and one woman. A federal judge earlier struck down the law as a violation of equal protection, prompting the current appeal. The Obama administration announced last year it believed the Defense of Marriage Act, often referred to as DOMA, to be unconstitutional. The law defines marriage for federal purposes as unions only between a man and woman. A federal appeals court in Boston last month heard a DOMA lawsuit by a same-sex couple in Massachusetts. At issue is whether the federal government can deny tax, health and pension benefits to same-sex couples in states where they can marry. That federal law is being officially defended in court by House Republicans, led by Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, who stepped in after the Justice Department refused to participate. | "I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman," Mitt Romney says .
"No president could have done this 10 years ago," Barney Frank says .
The president says it is important for him to affirm support for same-sex marriage .
He previously said his approach had been "evolving" |
219,706 | a865bdd1726d8745dd55338f93d24af4e236c2ca | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:42 EST, 23 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:10 EST, 23 August 2013 . Bob Harper said that he once thought you could work everything you eat off, but that in reality it isn't that simple . Celebrity trainer Bob Harper, of the weight-loss TV show 'The Biggest Loser', has built a career putting very obese people through some gruelling fitness paces but if he's learned anything from the experience, it's that diet trumps exercise every time. The Los Angeles-based trainer, who was born on a cattle farm in Tennessee and arrived in California some 20 years ago, said gone are the days when he believed it was possible to just exercise the pounds away. 'It is all about your diet,' Harper, 48, said during a break from filming Season 15 of the long-running U.S. show. 'I used to think a long time ago that you can beat everything you eat out of you and it's just absolutely not the case.' Harper has spun his TV fame improving the fitness of people who are 100 pounds (45 kg) or more overweight into an empire with DVD workouts and the best-selling book "The Skinny Rules," which offers tips to drop excess weight. He said if the ‘Skinny' of his book titles and fitness DVDs is meant tongue-in-cheek, it is also the word that his morbidly obese clients attach to most. 'People say, 'Shouldn't I be fit? Shouldn't I be healthy?', and I say ‘Yes, absolutely. But what I always hear from my contestants on the show is, 'I just want to get skinny.'' In addition to promoting a healthy diet, a big part of his exercise routine includes lunges and other core-strengthening moves to burn enough fat to let the inner six-pack shine through. Harper said the workout is aimed at getting the heart rate up because that's when people are going to be able to burn fat and when fat is burned off, the abdominal muscles are exposed. He also adheres to the no-frills strength and condition program called CrossFit, which is a series of timed, ever-changing physical challenges that he says are suitable for everyone. 'I'm working with people who are 500 pounds (227 kg) and doing CrossFit on a regular basis,' said Harper, who described the approximately 20-minute workout as well-balanced. Don't sweat it: Those who are keen to lose weight must address their eating habits if they really want to shift the pounds. Exercise is, however, still essential for fitness and wider health . 'To me CrossFit just completely makes sense (as long as) you work at your level doing the things you can do with proper coaching,' he explained. But Dr. Mark Kelly, an exercise physiologist at the American Council on Exercise, said that even with supervision, CrossFit can be risky if the fitness groundwork isn't in place. 'CrossFit has very ballistic training. You're asking people to move fast through a large range of motion. Even with coaching, the foundation of stability, mobility and psychomotor skill has to be laid (first),' he said. Kelly agrees that diet is the main factor that can lower weight, but it's exercise, he adds, that allows that lower weight to stick. He cited the National Weight Control Registry, a research study that includes people 18 years or older who have lost at least 13.6 kg (30 lb) of weight and kept it off for at least one year. Ninety percent of those in the study exercise regularly. 'They're the biggest losers across the nation,' Kelly said. 'And the No. 1 thing they did was exercise on a regular basis. Many simply through walking.' | Celebrity trainer Bob Harper, of the weight-loss TV show 'The Biggest Loser', has said that for significant weight loss, diet is key .
Admitted that he once believed people could 'beat everything they eat out of them' but that he has since discovered this simply is not true .
Still believes fitness is essential for health but for those who need to need to lose weight, food should be the focus . |
212,572 | 9f3e7e43791f5f12d8b0958f08b07fa61ebd8bfa | (CNN) -- The body of an Idaho miner trapped when the roof of the mine he was working in collapsed nine days ago was recovered Sunday afternoon, the company that owns and operates the mine said. "Words cannot express the deep sorrow we feel at the tragic loss of our friend, colleague and 30-year veteran of the mining industry. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones and friends," Hecla Mining Company said in a statement announcing that the body of Larry Marek had been recovered. Earlier Sunday, the company had said it believed that Marek, a Hecla employee for more than 12 years, was dead. Rescue workers had been digging through rocky earth more than 6,000 feet underground in an attempt to reach Marek, 53, following the April 15 collapse at the silver and mineral mine outside Mullan, Idaho. Marek was one of two men working in that part of the Lucky Friday mine when a 10-foot by 20-foot section of mostly rock fell on him, said Hecla's President and CEO Phil Baker. This all occurred roughly 6,150 feet below the Earth's surface. While the other man -- who has not been identified -- got out unharmed, there was no contact from Marek. Baker said earlier the cause of the collapse had not been determined, promising an investigation "after the rescue efforts are complete." Numerous special bolts and chain-link fence are used to keep the ground above the affected mine in place. Marek was trapped in a part of the mine where ore is removed and far from either of two possible exits, neither of which was adversely affected by the collapse, according to Baker. Lucky Friday is a "deep underground silver, lead and zinc mine," according to Hecla's website. It has been in operation since 1942. Hecla has 275 of its employees routinely working at the mine, in addition to about 100 contractors, according to a company statement. Its website describes the Coeur d'Alene-based company, founded in 1891, as the "largest and lowest-cost silver producer" in the United States. | Larry Marek, 53, was trapped when the roof of the mine collapsed .
Marek was a 12-year employee of Hecla Mining Company .
The cause of the collapse has not been determined . |
139,765 | 40b836550a52287f362aaa19194621a885971196 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 2:44 PM on 2nd February 2012 . Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney was today targeted by gay-rights activists who 'glitter bombed' him on the campaign trail - twice. The unusual form of protest is usually deployed against politicians who oppose gay marriage. After one attack Mr Romney said: 'I've got glitter in my hair. That's not all I got in my hair. I glue it down every morning.' He was earlier left red-faced hours after his victory in the Florida primary when he said he's 'not concerned about the very poor' because they have an 'ample safety net.' Scroll down for video . Glitterbomb: Mitt Romney was targeted by gay-rights activists on the campaign trail in Minnesota . Protest: But the candidate laughed off the attack and said: 'That's not all I got in my hair. I glue it down every morning' As the day began, the former . Massachusetts governor told CNN from Florida: 'I'm not concerned about . the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I'll fix . it. I'm not concerned about the very rich. They're doing just fine. I'm . concerned about the very heart of America, the 90-95 percent of . Americans who right now are struggling.' 'You can focus on the very poor, that's not my focus,' he said. Democrats and Republicans alike pounced and the GOP front-runner's comments as Mr Romney quickly sought to explain his remarks. President Barack Obama's re-election campaign was quick to criticize. 'So much for 'we're all in this together,' tweeted Obama campaign manager Jim Messina. 'No, no, no, no, no, no, no,' Romney . told reporters on his campaign plane when asked about the comments. 'No, . no, no. You've got to take the whole sentence, all right, it's mostly . the same.' He said his remark was consistent with his theme throughout . the race, adding: 'My energy is going to be devoted to helping . middle-income people.' Left holding the baby: Mitt Romney poses during a campaign stop in Eagan, Minnesota on Wednesday. The GOP frontrunner came under fire after saying he is 'not concerned about the very poor' Rich and poor: Mr Romney's comments will have extra resonance with his opponents as he has a personal fortune of $250m which may claim make him unsuited to understanding the needs of ordinary Americans . Despite attempting to explain himself, Mr Romney's comments quickly became an immediate distraction from his message that he's more conservative than chief rival Newt Gingrich and from the double-digit thumping the former House speaker sustained in Florida. His campaign worked behind the scenes to provide context for the comment. Some conservative pundits also labeled it a gaffe and said it was evidence Mr Romney wasn't prepared to run against Obama. 'The issue here is not that Romney is right or wrong, but that he is handing choice sound bites to the Democrats to make him as unlikeable as he made Newt Gingrich,' said Erick Erickson on the conservative RedState blog. And Jonah Goldberg at the conservative National Review Online said of Romney: 'Every time he seems to get into his groove and pull away he says things that make people think he doesn't know how to play the game.' With criticism mounting, Romney flew . to Minnesota and addressed a rally before heading to Nevada. He also . boasted in flight about his 'huge' Florida victory. Victory: Mitt Romney addresses supporters in Tampa after his resounding win in the Florida primary . Mr Romney, whose central challenge is winning over sceptical conservatives, told reporters on the plane that the fact that he performed strongly among conservatives in Florida made sense because he's more conservative than Gingrich. 'I'm not saying he's not conservative. I'm just saying he's not the pure conservative he would have people believe, and I think folks in Florida saw through that," Romney said. His campaign also started airing a radio ad in Colorado on Wednesday that says "conservatives across America are supporting Mitt Romney.' But Mr Romney was immediately was forced to clarify his comments about the poor. Asked whether his words might strike some as odd, Mr Romney said: 'We will hear from the Democrat party the plight of the poor and there's no question, it's not good being poor, and we have a safety net to help those that are very poor.' Mr Romney added that he's more worried about the unemployed, people living on Social Security and those struggling to send their kids to college. 'We have a very ample safety net and we can talk about whether it needs to be strengthened or whether there are holes in it. But we have food stamps, we have Medicaid, we have housing vouchers, we have programs to help the poor,' Mr Romney said. "But the middle-income Americans, they're the folks that are really struggling right now.' Optimistic: Newt Gingrich was focusing on the future after his setback in Florida . Mr Romney has broached the subject of the poor repeatedly on the campaign trail but until Wednesday had been more careful in his choice of words. 'I worry about the very poor and I want to make sure that our safety net is there,' Mr Romney said in New Hampshire in December, says the middle class are "the people I'm really concerned about right now.' Wednesday wasn't the first time that Mr Romney, who made millions working in private equity, has been accused of insensitivity on matters of wealth. He once said 'I like being able to fire people' when talking about having the ability to choose service providers. He also has declared that he knew what it was like to worry about being 'pink-slipped' out of a job. The gaffe will come as a bitter blow to Mr Mitt Romney who romped home to an overwhelming victory in the Florida primary, re-establishing himself as the clear frontrunner in the Republican battle to face President Barack Obama in November. The former Massachusetts governor . took a 14-point lead on 46 per cent, with Newt Gingrich on 32 per cent, . Rick Santorum trailing on 13 per cent and Ron Paul in fourth with seven . per cent. In his victory . speech in Tampa, Mr Romney congratulated his opponents on ‘another . hard-fought contest’ and said that ‘the three gentlemen left are serious . and able competitors’. Third place: Rick Santorum, who gave up on Florida days ago, has been campaigning in Colorado . But his main target was Mr Obama. He . launched a blistering attack on the President and promised to 'end the . Obama era and begin a new era of American prosperity' after years of . economic decline. 'Mr President, you were elected to lead, you chose to follow, and now it's time to get out of the way.’ He added: ‘Three years ago this week, . a newly elected President Obama faced the American people and said that . if he couldn’t turn the economy around in three years, he’d be looking . at a one-term proposition,’ he said. ‘We’re here to collect.’ The drubbing of Mr Gingrich, the shock . victor in South Carolina 10 days ago, will put pressure on him to . abandon his White House bid but the former House Speaker shows no sign . of giving up yet. Mitt Romney - 46% (771,842 votes) Newt Gingrich - 32% (531, 294) Rick Santorum - 13% (222,248) Ron Paul - 7% (116,776) Mr Gingrich was surrounded by volunteers holding . ‘46 States to Go’ signs as he delivered a defiant address in Orlando. He . did not mention Mr Romney by name and barely acknowledged he had lost . as he vowed: ‘We are going to contest every place and we are going to . win and we are going to be in Tampa as the nominee in August.’ In a . rallying cry for conservatives to unite behind him, he said: ‘It is now . clear that this will be a two-person race between the conservative . leader Newt Gingrich and the Massachusetts moderate, and the voters of . Florida really made that clear,’ He pledged to ‘have people power beat . money power in the next six months’. Mr Gingrich’s second place . showing, clearly ahead of Mr Santorum, the Iowa victor, and maverick . libertarian congressman Mr Paul, will bolster his case that he is the . only conservative alternative to Mr Romney. Mr Gingrich has already . called for Mr Santorum to pull out and endorse him. Mr Romney’s . Florida victory gives him all 50 of the state’s convention delegates. His advisers were exultant at registering a landslide margin greater . than the 13 per cent achieved by Mr Gingrich in South Carolina. Given . that Mr Gingrich led in the polls after South Carolina, the Romney . campaign hopes that the win in Florida, where Mr Romney lost to John . McCain in the 2008 primary, will cement their message that he is now . almost invincible. After the four successive contests in Iowa, New . Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida, the Republican race now becomes a . much more national affair – a significant advantage for the richer and . better-organised Mr Romney, the long-time party establishment choice. Trailing: Ron Paul has also concentrated his efforts in other states . | Comments came after Romney won in Florida with nearly half the votes .
Took 46%, with Gingrich on 32%, Santorum on 13% and Paul on 7% .
Democrats and Republican opponents immediately attacked Mr Romney . |
201,211 | 9080eeb66b256809e24544eb7db63bd931a12935 | By . Victoria Woollaston . PUBLISHED: . 05:55 EST, 2 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:25 EST, 3 October 2013 . Does the U.S really have one of the biggest obesity problems in the world, and which country is actually the Land of the Giants? Pittsburgh artist Nickolay Lamm has studied the body measurements of average men in America, Japan, France and the Netherlands and discovered U.S men are, in fact the fattest, while Dutch men are the tallest. Lamm used these figures to work out the average BMI for each country and has created computer-generated images to show how the nationalities stack up against each other. The image on the left compares the average body shape of U.S. and Japanese men who have 39.7 and 32.6 inch waists respectively. The right image reveals that average waists for men in the Netherlands are 35.8 inches while French men have average waists of 36.3 inches. Average male BMIs were found to be 29 for the U.S., 23.7 for Japan, 25.55 for France and 25.5 for the Netherlands . The left image shows the relative heights of the average men (left to right) from the Netherlands, America, France and Japan. Average Dutch men are 6ft, while the average Japanese male is 5ft 6. The right image compares the height and waist of the average American on the left with that of a Dutchman, right . The average BMI, height and waist measurements of men in the U.S, Japan, France and the Netherlands are as follows: . Country: USA Country: Japan . BMI: 29 BMI: 23.7 . Height: 5ft 8in Height: 5ft 6in . Waist: 39.1 inches Waist: 32.6 inches . Country: France Country: Netherlands . BMI: 25.55 BMI: 25.5 . Height: 5ft 7in Height: 6ft . Waist: 36.3 inches Waist: 35.8 inches . According to the data, the average male in the U.S. has the highest BMI of any country studied, at 29. This puts them at the top end of the overweight range for BMI and is just one point away from being obese. In fact, the only country whose average male had a BMI score in the healthy range was Japan. The average height of American men was found to be 5ft 8in (176.4cm) with an average waist of 39.1 inches (84.1cm). Japanese men were the shortest and . thinnest according to Lamm's Body Measurement Project with an average height of 5ft 6in . (171.4cm) and 32.6 inches (81cm). The average height in the U.S, far left, is 5ft 9in, with an average waist of 33.1in. Japanese men were the shortest with an average height of 5ft 7in and 32in waists. In the Netherlands average waists measure 35in and they were the tallest at 6ft. French men, far right have an average height of 5ft 8in and 36 inch waists . This gave Japanese men the lowest BMI of the group with 23.7 BMI. In Europe, French men were found to have an average height of 5ft 7in (174.4cm). Their . waists, on average, measure 36.3 inches (92.3cm) and this gives France an . average BMI of 25.55 - just on the edge of healthy and overweight . range. Commenting on this relatively high BMI in France, Lamm said: 'France has a culture that respects food . from the farm, and teaches its children to value a well-balanced diet . and proper meal times. Yet, the American culture of eating anytime is . catching on in France and may be the cause of increased obesity levels.' Lamm gathered the measurements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S, the Jikei University School of Medicine, National Institute for Public Health and the European Neural Network Society. He then used a computer program to create the average male image. This image shows the average French man . The average Japanese man, pictured, was the only group to fall in the healthy BMI range, compared to the other countries studied . In the Netherlands, average men measure 35.8 inches (91cm) and were by far the tallest of the group with an average height of 6ft (183.3cm). This gave them an average BMI of 25.2 - just 0.3 points lower than France and still on the border of overweight. During his research, Lamm also discovered that the Dutch are have some of the world's best . healthcare, particularly at the stages of life that make a . difference for how tall people become. Another study said that the Dutch spread this good health around. Although most well-off Americans are tall, research suggested that the less-privileged groups across all races brought down the average. Lamm gathered the BMI, height and waist measurements from multiple sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S, the Jikei . University School of Medicine, National Institute for Public Health and . the Environment, and the European Neural Network Society. Lamm also worked with expert on body shape measurement, Matthew P. Reed from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, to verify the data. | The average BMI for a U.S. male is 29 - the highest of any country studied .
Japanese men have the smallest average waist size at 82.9cm .
Artist has created a line-up of what these men look like next to each other .
The information was verified by a body shape measurement expert . |
174,973 | 6e78d5e08ab8ff4ded34c5be556f819e56dbe739 | A jobless mother appeared on national television yesterday and insisted that she 'didn't beg' for a £400,000 council home built for her and her 11 children and paid for by the taxpayers. Unemployed Heather Frost, 37, of Churchdown, Gloucestershire, was on ITV's Daybreak where she defended the purpose-built eco-home but said she was only '50/50 whether I’m going to take it'. MailOnline had earlier revealed that the family own a horse, despite Ms Frost claiming benefits for her 11 children. Yesterday 16-year-old Angel defended her mother saying that it is she who pays for the upkeep of the £200-a-month horse named Annie, but failed to explain where she gets the money. Scroll down for video . Defence: Miss Frost told ITV's Daybreak that she 'didn't beg' for the £400,000 home and is '50/50 whether I'm going to take it' because of the 'hassle' she was getting . Out of my pocket: Miss Frost's daughter Angel (left), 16, told Daybreak presenter Katy Fawcett (right) that it is she who pays for the horse . Explanation: John Stapleton and Kate Garraway (left) interview Miss Frost (right) on Daybreak in London . Miss Frost said that she does not . want two of the children's three fathers to make a contribution to her . finances and would 'love' to support her brood herself but does not need to because 'there is . help out there'. She told ITV's Daybreak: . 'I'm grateful to the council for giving me the two houses in the first . place. We moved into one property with the next property becoming . available soon. 'Size-wise it's fine, but it's a . hassle having to house so many children in one house and so many in the . other. I didn't beg or go and put a gun to someone's head to get some . help. 'I'd love to go out and work. I took a . business plan two years ago to open my own shop and do my own business, . but I fell ill. I'd love to support my children myself, but there is . help out there. 'I was booked in to be sterilised, . but then I got cancer and it stopped everything. I haven’t said that if . the house is too small for me, they could just build me another one. I . didn't beg for this house. 'With the hassle I'm getting at the . moment, I’m 50/50 whether I’m going to take it. Everyone knows where it . is now, and I’m not moving in there and then my kids being picked on – . the hassle.’ Her daugther's grey mare Annie . lives in a field around a mile from the current Frost family home, with . the paddock fees, food and vet bills for the horse estimated to total . around £200 per month. Benefits: Heather Frost, left, does not work but the family have the means to keep a horse named Annie, right . A worker at the paddock claimed Miss . Frost had recently arranged to buy two more horses but the deal fell . through at the last minute. 'With the hassle I'm getting at the moment, I’m 50/50 whether I’m going to take it. Everyone knows where it is now, and I’m not moving in there and then my kids being picked on – the hassle' Heather Frost . She . is understood to pay £65 a month in paddock fees and had negotiated a . deal last month where she could stable a total of three horses for £175. The . worker said Miss Frost bought Annie ‘about eight months ago’, adding: . ‘Horses are expensive. I know, I’ve had them all my life. ‘Annie has breathing difficulties, so the vet has to come out quite often. They must spend at least £200 a month on her. 'They were going to buy two more horses . recently, but that deal fell through. It’s sickening to think that she . can afford what most people would consider a luxury at the expense of . the British taxpayer.’ 'Nightmare': The jobless 37-year-old currently lives in two houses (pictured) in Churchdown, near Gloucester which were knocked through five years ago to accommodate her massive brood . Trashy: The back of their current home in Churchdown, Gloucester . Miss Frost refused to discuss the horse on Tuesday – but on Daybreak yesterday, her daughter said her mother doesn't make any contribution to the animal. Angel also took to a local website on Tuesday to defend her mother after it was revealed the family were . being handed a six-bedroom, three-bathroom newly built home. 'The horse is mine - I got given it by a friend. I pay for it, I pay rent, I pay bills, my mum doesn't pay anything at all' Angel, 16, Heather Frost's daughter . She wrote: . ‘My mum has nothing to be ashamed about.’ Angel told Daybreak: 'The horse is mine - I got given it by a friend. I pay for it, I pay rent, I pay bills, my mum doesn't pay anything at all. My mum is a very strong lady and she'll get over it (the hassle).’ But at the family’s current home which comprises two terraced houses with a connecting door, her mother said on Tuesday: ‘I will not talk about my horse or my kids.’ She lives with her children Sophie, 22, . Toby, 19, Daisy, 18, Angel, 16, Jay, 14, Chloe, 13, Paige, 12, Emily, . ten, Beth, nine, Ruby, seven and Tilly, two. Deal: Tewkesbury Borough Council bosses have sold a plot of land in Northway Lane, Tewkesbury, for around £210,000. In return, the housing provider is building the six-bed super-house along with 12 other homes . Grand designs: The plans for the family's plush new eco-home which the council has agreed to build . But her local council has arranged for a 1,850sq ft property to be built on a new housing development in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, which is due for completion in June. The eco-home features the latest in energy-saving design. Frost also lives with partner Jake, who the neighbours say works as a lorry driver, Sophie’s two-year-old daughter Ashley, and Toby’s son Tyler. The family’s neighbours were outraged on Tuesday by the revelation that Miss Frost has enough cash to keep a horse. One said: ‘It’s disgusting. Owning a horse should be a luxury reserved for people who work and can pay for it themselves. ‘I don’t pay my taxes so some jobless baby machine can have a horse.’ A commentator using the name ‘Charlie76’ wrote on a Gloucestershire news website: ‘What an absolute joke! How can she afford horses? I can barely afford my dog and I work and have kids. Bloody disgraceful!’ The six-bedroom house in Tewkesbury half way through construction for the large family . Robert Oxley, from the TaxPayers' Alliance, criticised the decision to build the family a new home. 'It's scandalous that so much time and taxpayers' money is being spent on one custom built mansion,' he said. 'Many people can't afford to buy their own home but have to opt for what their budget allows. 'Benefits are there to help those who need support, not subsidise a lifestyle that most people paying for them could not afford themselves.' Miss Frost’s daughter Angel defended her mother on a local news website. Spacious: The house comes with six bedrooms, two living rooms, a kitchen/ diner and two bathrooms . Money-saver: The new house will boast an energy efficient design to help keep Heather's energy bills down . Controversial: Councillor Derek Davies said it was a 'great example' of how the council works with housing providers to ensure affordable housing is provided for all our residents' housing needs . Using the name ‘AngelFrost’, she wrote: ‘Heather is my mum, she doesn’t work, but my father did, and he left, so why are you blaming my mother? ‘How could she possibly work with 11 children, you people have no right judging us. My mum has nothing to be ashamed about, the house we are mooving (sic) to in is smaller then the one we live in now, so its far from a mansion. ‘All us kids are as happy as could be, full of joy and full of life, and as for thinking we are all going to be following in her foot steps (sic) you can think again.’ She said she was proud of her mother and blamed her absent father for failing to support the family. Miss Frost (pictured with one of her sons) first fell pregnant at just 14, to a 23-year-old boyfriend who ended up in prison, and has gone on to have ten more children . What a state: Miss Frost's current home in Gloucestershire is blighted by a bashed-up minibus, car and a skip . Councillor Derek Davies, lead member for built environment at Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: 'We have a duty to provide appropriate accommodation to people who are at risk of homelessness. 'Ms Frost's family has been living in temporary accommodation, consisting of two houses, for a very long time because there have been no other suitable properties available. 'This is an excellent example of the council working in partnership with registered providers, using public land to develop more affordable housing in line with government policy. 'We were able to sell land owned by the borough council to Severn Vale for them to develop 13 affordable homes, including this unit to meet the particular needs of Ms Frost and her family. 'By providing this larger affordable property, the two houses currently occupied by the family will be available for other families in need.' | Heather Frost, 36, lives in two houses which have been knocked together .
Has seven children in one house, while the rest live with her in the other .
Now Tewkesbury council has agreed to build her six-bedroom eco-home .
Family own a horse and spend £200-a-month on stable fees .
But daughter Angel, 16, insists she pays for horse which was given to her but doesn't explain how she pays for it . |
201,817 | 9146fb61dbfb85a2828ddf57e17d2ed27b5521a7 | By . Tara Brady . PUBLISHED: . 03:38 EST, 21 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:41 EST, 21 May 2013 . Tourists craning their necks to admire the artwork by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel are being targeted by thieves taking advantage of the crowds. Holidaymakers have been leaving warnings on travel websites urging others not to get stung when they visit Vatican City. It has prompted calls for the Vatican to improve security and restrict the number of visitors it lets in during the day. Tourists craning their necks to admire the Sistine Chapel are being pick-pocketed by thieves taking advantage of the crowds . Official guides have even threatened to go on strike if something is not done. A similar protest recently took place at the Louvre, in Paris. Holidaymakers are now writing about their experiences on websites including review site TripAdvisor. One wrote: 'Of the many places visited in Rome, we felt vulnerable at the Vatican.' Angela Bolton, a guide from Kent, told The Times: 'The situation is getting out of hand. 'The Vatican lets in as many people as they can. Up to 30,000 people have been going through the museum on a single day, which means crowds like those on the Tokyo Underground.' The Sistine Chapel, or Cappella Sistina in Italian, takes its name from the man who commissioned it, Pope Sixtus IV. Some 25,000 people a day, or five million people a year, visit the chapel which is the best-known chapel of the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in the Vatican City . Some 25,000 people a day, or five million people a year, visit the chapel. Entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel costs €16, earning the Vatican an annual revenue of around €80 million or £70 million a year. Sisto conducted his first Mass in the chapel on August 1483. The Sistine Chapel is most famous for Michelangelo’s frescoes, but long before Michelangelo, Sisto commissioned painters such as Botticelli to fresco the two long walls of the chapel. One side told the story of Moses, the other the story of Christ. Even without Michelangelo’s work, these earlier paintings still represent one of Europe’s greatest fresco cycles. Michelangelo began work on the ceiling in July 1508. The completed frescoes were unveiled in October 1512. | Official guides have threatened to go on strike if security is not improved .
Tourists are writing about their experiences on websites including TripAdvisor .
Some 25,000 people visit the chapel in Vatican City everyday . |
166,004 | 62a8e7dde81d0e7d07ae33652dbd389d2860458d | After nine years a group of Hollywood A-list stars joined Stephen Colbert on stage in New York, including James Franco, who is facing the displeasure of North Korean despot Kim Jong-Un, to sing a rendition of 'We'll Meet Again' in the final ever 'Colbert Report'. The Colbert Report, which started out as a segment on The Daily Show, featured Stephen Colbert playing a satirical news anchor Stephen Colbert and his take on the daily news. Colbert, who had President Barack Obama as one of his final interview guests, stepped down from his hit-rated Comedy Central show to take over from David Letterman on 'The Late Show'. Scroll down for video . Stephen Colbert, pictured, signed off the final episode of 'The Colbert Report' last night in New York . Former US President Bill Clinton played a short cameo appearance on the final edition of the show . Even Star Wars director, George Lucas, pictured centre, joined in the final song 'We'll Meet Again' Stephen Colbert's character was loosely based on Bill O'Reilly on Fox News. Colbert played a very conservative commentator on US politics. Colbert, 50, ended his show's nine-year run on the cable channel Comedy Central without any guests, until the show's final moments when he broke into song and was joined by Jon Stewart, on whose show Colbert first introduced his persona of an egocentric, bombastic conservative pundit. The singing comedians were soon joined by famous personalities from the worlds of entertainment, politics and sports including Randy Newman, Willie Nelson, Bryan Cranston, Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric, George Lucas and Sesame Street's Big Bird. Among many others on hand were James Franco, Gloria Steinem, Sam Waterston, Jeff Daniels, Charlie Rose, Barry Manilow, Alan Alda, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Before the starry sendoff, Colbert told any new viewers: 'If this is your first time tuning in to "The Colbert Report" I have some terrible news. This is in fact your last time tuning in to "The Colbert Report" - until 10 years from now when they reboot it directed by (the latest "Star Wars" director) J.J. Abrams.' The final episode of The Colbert Report featured a taped interview with US President Barack Obama . Big Bird, centre, also appeared during the final moments for the emotional sing-song . Colbert stuck to regular segments, including his satiric commentary, 'The Word' replete with references to his trademark 'truthiness' and other catch phrases, before accidentally killing off the recurring grim reaper character, Grimmy, exclaiming 'I just killed death. That means I am immortal.' In a final bit, he was picked up from the roof by Santa's sleigh, joined by 'Jeopardy' host Alex Trebek. 'That was fun. OK, OK, that's the show,' he commented, concluding 'From eternity, I'm Stephen Colbert. John,' handing back to Stewart. Colbert is set to take over CBS flagship late night talk show 'The Late Show' after current longtime host David Letterman leaves in May. CBS recently announced that the show will remain in New York. The Colbert Report became influential by highlighting some of the major flaws in the US political system. He formed his own Super PAC, 'Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow', which wanted public donations to show how such money distorts the political process. He even announced a presidential bid in 2007, but he would only run in his native South Carolina, where the Democratic Party voted to keep his name off the ballot. In 2010, he held an event with long-time mentor Jon Stewart on Washington's National Mall entitled a 'Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear'. | Stephen Colbert signed-off his final 'The Colbert Report' after nine years .
A host of stars joined the satirical host on stage to sing 'We'll Meet Again'
Colbert recorded an interview with President Obama, broadcast last night .
Colbert will take over 'The Late Show' when David Letterman steps down . |
60,377 | aba56bf88647c916c99826cce817feb8a464b1d2 | By . Lydia Warren . and Helen Pow . The birth mother of a baby boy who died after the alleged neglect of his father has spoken out about why she wanted to take her son back from the lesbian couple who had adopted him. Markeya Atkins, 16, took back her son Gabriel in March, three months after Rachel and Heidi McFarland cut his umbilical cord and took him home as their own son. And just weeks later, the boy's teen father, Drew James Weehler-Smith, allegedly left the boy alone at the couple's Des Moines, Iowa apartment. Atkins returned to find him unresponsive and he was later pronounced dead. 'I never thought in my wildest dreams this would happen,' Atkins told WHO-TV on Thursday as she spoke out about her son's death for the first time. Scroll down for video . Loss: Markeya Atkins, 16, has said she couldn't imagine her life without her baby after initially giving him up for adoption. After taking him back, the baby's dad allegedly left him alone and the boy died . She explained that, after discovering she was pregnant five months along, she knew that she wouldn't be able to raise the little boy so decided to give him up for adoption. 'I just thought – the rest of my life – am I really ready to give away the rest of my life for someone,' she said. 'And I just felt like it was the best way to go about it.' But in February, she visited the couple's home and had second thoughts when she saw Rachel kiss the little boy and said 'mommy's here'. She passed back the baby and stormed out, she said. Afterwards, the couple texted Atkins' mother and said she wouldn't be allowed to visit alone without her mother there in the future - which angered Atkins, she said. 'It really hurt my feelings because my mom was not there when I made the baby,' she said. She . made a list of pros and cons about taking her son back and 'couldn't . for the life of me' think why she would want to have him again, she said. Tragic: Rachel and Heidi McFarland, pictured, cared for Gabriel from birth until the middle of March . Loving moms: The McFarlands said they only heard about Gabriel's death on Tuesday on the news . 'When you have a baby it's like this instinct comes on where a part of you just feels like you have something left in this world,' she said. She said that she did not appreciate the adoptive couple telling her that they hoped the tragedy would be a wake-up call for the girl. 'They have no right to talk to me about that,' she said. 'I did absolutely nothing wrong.' Earlier this week, the couple said they were devastated when they learned that the infant they had considered their own had died - while watching the news. 'It's like he's been taken away from you again,' Rachel McFarland told the Des Moines Register. The McFarlands, who have been married five years and together 18, said they are devastated. They had supported the mother financially through her pregnancy and had been with her at every doctor's appointment. The couple said they repeatedly asked Atkins if she wanted to go ahead with the adoption and she said 'yes.' Teen mom: Atkins, 16, took the boy back on March 13, three months after the youngster was born . Adorable: Police have charged Drew James Weehler-Smith of Des Moines with neglect of a dependent person after he left his son, pictured, alone in an apartment on Tuesday . 'We brought him home from the hospital,' Rachel McFarland told the Register. 'I cut his umbilical cord.' She . said from that moment on she spent every waking moment with the baby . until his birth mother reneged on the adoption that was agreed last . September. Heidi even took maternity leave from work. Gabriel . was born deaf in one ear and they . had fitted him for a hearing aid and had planned to learn sign language . so they could communicate with the child in case he lost the hearing in . his other ear. 'It just felt natural. When he was with us it just felt right. Like we were always meant to be moms,' Rachel told WHOTV.com. But, . in Iowa, the birth mother has three months and then one additional . 31-day probationary period to change her mind about giving up her baby. According . to police, the young mom left the baby with Weehler-Smith in an . apartment in the 6500 block of Chaffee Road at about 7.25pm while she . went to the library and to run errands. Scene: According to police, the young mom left the baby with Weehler-Smith in an apartment, pictured, in the 6500 block of Chaffee Road at about 7:25p.m. while she went to the library and to run errands . About 25 . minutes later, a friend dropped into the apartment to collect a phone . charger and saw the father holding the child. She left and called the . mother asking whether she trusted Weehler-Smith. The . Register reported that the mother asked the friend to return to the . apartment but when she pulled in she saw the father driving away without . the baby. She notified the mom, who rushed home and found Gabriel limp and not breathing in a glider chair. He was pronounced dead at hospital. While devastated, the McFarlands are determined not to let the failed adoption and Gabriel's death ruin their lives. 'We're just left to put the pieces back together,' Rachel said. Weehler-Smith could face additional charges pending the results of an autopsy. See below for video . | Rachel and Heidi McFarland of Ankeny, Iowa, cared for Gabriel from birth until March, when his mother, Markeya Atkins, 16, took him back .
Police have charged Drew James Weehler-Smith of Des Moines with neglect after he left his son alone in an apartment on Tuesday .
Gabriel was found unresponsive by his mom who had running errands .
The McFarlands had supported the mother financially through her pregnancy and had been with her at every doctor's appointment .
But last month, Atkins changed her mind and took the baby back, as is her right under Iowa law . |
149,240 | 4cf9d7bf7050e2379b7cead283ce3ae1c6b07067 | Dubbed by experts as Blue Monday, today is officially the most depressing day of the year. Post-Christmas debt, bad weather and failing New Year's resolutions are all factors in making this innocent Monday in January, the worst in the calendar. But if you don't want to be sucked into the sadness, here are some instant happiness tricks that psychologists and scientists say will lift your spirits. Breathing, laughing, eating and exercising can all boost happiness levels . Plug in your headphones . Scientists at the University of Missouri recently found that people can boost their mood by simply listening to upbeat music. In the study, participants improved their mood after being told to try to do so, but they only succeeded when they listened to the upbeat music of Copland, as opposed to the sadder tunes of Stravinsky. If Stravinsky isn't your thing, an online survey my metrolyrics.com found Wham!'s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' was considered the happiest song of all time. And, with lyrics including, 'You take the grey skies out of my way. You make the sun shine brighter than Doris Day' we have to agree. Get sweaty for 20 minutes . People often use the terms 'endorphin rush' or 'runner's high' to explain the mood lift elicited by exercise. But rather than a sudden burst of euphoria, research has found a mere 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise can produce more subtle mood benefits that last as long as 12 hours. That's according to John Ratey, MD, author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science Of Exercise And The Brain, who puts this happiness effect down to a substances called BDNF. BDNF rises during exercise, prompting neural growth and repairing damage caused by ongoing stress and depression. 'BDNF is like Miracle-Gro for your brain,' explains Dr Ratey. Stress out the body and help de-stresses the mind. You can boost your mood simply by listening to upbeat music . Eat something fishy . Eating oily, fatty fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, rainbow trout) and mussels will give you omega-3s - a key mood-boosting nutrient and one our bodies don't produce naturally. Omega-3s alter brain chemicals linked with mood - specifically dopamine and serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are linked with depression and aggression, while dopamine is a happy chemical that the brain releases in response to pleasurable experiences. You may not find eating oily fish pleasurable, but your brain will. Breathe, like this... Breathe in through the nose, hold until it feels slightly uncomfortable and then slowly breathe out. 'Five of those breaths will even out your neurochemistry and make you feel good,' explains Linda Blair, clinical psychologist and author of mindfulness bible 'Key to Calm'. 'When you breathe through the nose rather than the mouth you automatically take in the right amount of oxygen, because it restricts the amount of air you inhale. Breathe in through the nose, hold until it feels slightly uncomfortable and then slowly breathe out for an instant 'feel good' boost . 'When you take in too much air, you increase oxygen too much and become hyper alert, which isn't "feel good",' she says. 'Holding the breath gives us the message to ourselves that we're in control and breathing out through the mouth gets rid of excess gases in the body. 'Ideally we want a balance of gases so we feel an equilibrium.' We should in fact be breathing like this at all times, says Linda, but five concentrated breaths is enough to give us an instant boost. Have a (fake) laugh . When we laugh, our body relaxes and feel-good endorphins are released into the blood stream. Nothing to chuckle about on Blue Monday? Luckily the body can't distinguish between real and fake laughter. So faking it has the same beneficial effect. It was Dr William F Fry, a psychiatrist at Stanford University who first began to examine the physiological effects of laughter in the late 1960s and is considered the father of 'gelotology' (the science of laughter). He found that laughter, real or fake, provides good physical exercise and increases the body's production of endorphins. Dr Madan Kataria set up the first laughter club in Mumbai in 1995 and there are now more than 5,000 laughter clubs worldwide. But there's no need for any expert tuition. Fake a laugh and the endorphins will come rushing. Sex with a partner you care about tops the list of oxytocin releasing activities . Now find someone to smile at . Faking a smile or laughter gives you a small boost but smiling warmly at a stranger and eliciting a smile back makes you feel connected and safe. 'The best way to for us to feel good is to feels safe - and the only way we feel safe is to feel connected,' says Linda Blair. 'We have boosts of cortisol when we're feeling down,' says Linda Blair. 'When you feel safe again the cortisol levels down.' She adds: 'Getting a warm response back from a stranger is so powerful.' End the day on a high . It might be too late to start the day in a good mood, but there's one way to guarantee it finishes on a high. When both men and women orgasm, oxytocin is released, which is the brain chemical that makes us experience feelings of happiness. Oxytocin has also been found to calm fears and anxiety and increase trust and contentment. Positive interaction with friends and family increases the chemical somewhat too, as does any sexual activity. But sex with a partner you care about tops the list of oxytocin releasing activities. | Debt, weather and failing New Year's resolutions all contributing factors .
Scientists and psychologists offer instant happiness tricks .
Advice on how to breathe, laugh, eat and exercise to increase happiness . |
60,208 | ab1b965fd3c807ce3e1b3e84516a950fda33c457 | Attacked: Alan Greaves died after being attacked on his way to a Christmas Eve midnight mass - two men have appeared in court accused of his murder . The widow of murdered church organist Alan Greaves was in court today to see the two men accused of attacking him as he made his way to midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Ashley Foster, 21, and Jonathan Bowling, 22, were remanded in custody accused of murder when they appeared before magistrates in Sheffield. Mr Greaves, 68, a grandfather, died three days after he was attacked as he made his way to St Saviour's Church, near his home in the city's High Green, South Yorkshire. His widow Maureen attended the four minute long court hearing this morning and sat at the back. At a service after her husband's death, Mrs Greaves said she had wept over the 'evil that has been done'. As she left court with Detective Superintendent Matt Fenwick, who is leading the murder inquiry, she said: 'Justice will be done.' Asked if her faith was helping her through this difficult time, she replied: 'Immensely. 'The support of the congregation and the police has been outstanding. 'I just want to pay tribute to all they've done, the sensitivity with which they've dealt with the case.'The defendants stood in the glass-fronted dock wearing identical navy blue T-shirts and jogging bottoms. Bowling, of Carwood Way, Pitmoor, Sheffield, has short, dark hair and a tattoo on his neck.Foster, of Wesley Road, High Green, has slightly longer hair. They stood with three security guards and spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth as well as to state their ages. Service: Mr Greaves was on his way to a mass at St Saviour's, near his home in High Green, South Yorkshire . There were no applications for bail and they were told they will appear again at Sheffield Crown Court on January 18. After the attack, Mr Greaves was taken to hospital with severe injuries to his head but did not survive. More than 50 police officers were drafted into the inquiry and detectives made a series of appeals for help from the community. Two other men were arrested in connection with Mr Greaves's murder and later bailed pending further inquiries. An inquest into Mr Greaves's death has been opened and adjourned by Sheffield Coroner Chris Dorries. Support: Maureen Greaves (left) was in court to see the accused, and Bishop of Sheffield Steven Croft (right), led a church service in remembrance of her husband, who he said was a devout Anglican and 'shinning light' Detective Superintendent Matt Fenwick . said at a previous press conference: 'Alan Greaves was a church . organist with a strong religious faith and was on his way to church when . he was assaulted. 'He was a loving caring husband, father and grandfather who was well loved and respected by all who knew him.' At a service after her husband's . death, Mrs Greaves told the congregation of St Saviour's that she had . felt their love and support since he died. The Bishop of Sheffield, who attended . the service, paid tribute to the devout Anglican and lay preacher, . saying the church had lost a 'shining light'. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Ashley Foster, 21, and Jonathan Bowling, .
22, were remanded in custody .
The defendants are accused of murdering 68-year-old Alan Greaves .
Widow Maureen sat at the back of the Sheffield court for the short hearing .
She left court with the investigating officer, and said: 'Justice will be done'
Mr Greaves, 68, found beaten up as he went to mass on Christmas Eve .
He was going to St Saviour's Church, near home in High Green, Sheffield . |
269,585 | e92e9370d84e247d81d2159e226d950f059674f7 | Germany and France have launched a dramatic euro power grab, demanding the right to dictate economic policy to other countries in the single currency. France’s Nicolas Sarkozy announced – at a Paris summit with Germany’s Angela Merkel – that the two most powerful nations in the eurozone had agreed on a ‘true European economic government’ to deal with the debt crisis. The 17 countries in the single currency will be ordered to balance their budgets by 2012 and will have their economic policies overseen by a new eurozone body. United front: German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) and French President Nicolas Sarkozy make their announcement following talks at the Elysee Palace in Paris . EU president Herman Van Rompuy will lead the new body, which will meet twice a year to dictate tax and spending policies. In what amounts to a major step toward a European superstate, France and Germany announced they will adopt a common corporate tax system by 2013, in an effort to signal they are ‘marching in step’ to protect the euro. And they will draw up plans for a financial transaction tax, which will cost the City of London billions a year if it is extended to the UK. The plans were a dramatic bid to reassure the markets that EU leaders are serious about saving the euro from collapse. Side by side: The two leaders appeared in confident mood ahead of their announcement . Chancellor George Osborne, who has been calling for bankrupt countries to cut spending, gave a cautious welcome. Senior Treasury officials said they regarded further integration as ‘the only way to stop the euro from failing’. They pledged to use the reorganisation as a chance to negotiate a better deal for Britain in Europe but vowed that the UK would refuse to join a system in which the EU dictated economic policy. ‘The general direction is what we’ve been suggesting,’ a source said. ‘This is the only way to stop the euro from collapsing. If that were to happen it would allow some people to say “We told you so” but the effect would be disastrous for us.’ Crunch time: President Nicolas Sarkozy and Chancellor Angela Merkel meet again this afternoon in Paris to discuss further measures to tackle European debt crisis . Panic: A trader reacts at the bourse in Madrid. Stock markets plummeted last week over concerns about euro zone banks . Forty per cent of British trade is with the countries in the eurozone and UK banks have hundreds of billions of pounds of exposure to their French and German counterparts. The source made clear that Britain would not let Brussels dictate tax or economic policy. ‘We won’t be joining any of this,’ the source added. ‘At every stage we will take the chance to advance British interests.’ Tough times: Ms Merkel and Mr Sarkozy discussed expanding the European Financial Stability Facility so it could help out Italy and Spain if necessary . Chancellor Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats suffered a setback when a regional leader was forced to resign over an affair with a 16-year-old girl. Christian von Boetticher, 40, announced on Sunday he was stepping down as chairman of the CDU in Schleswig-Holstein state. He had been the designated successor to CDU state premier Peter Harry Carstensen, 64, who is not running in an election in Germany's northern-most state in May 2012. Boetticher's relationship with the teenager was not illegal, but has sparked complaints in the conservative party. After a crisis meeting in the state capital Kiel, CDU officials said he would remain parliamentary floor leader in the state assembly. Deputy CDU leader Angelika Volquartz said: 'Christian von Boetticher said that he had misjudged the moral component (of the relationship).' In a poll published on Friday, Chancellor Merkel's centre-right coalition trailed behind a likely centre-left alliance of the Social Democrats and Greens. If the plans eventually lead to a European treaty change, Britain would have to agree to the shake-up, allowing the UK to demand concessions. David Cameron is likely to ask for guarantees that the EU budget will be restricted and may seek to opt out of some European workplace legislation blamed for harming business. Despite the bold move by France and Germany, it is feared it will not be enough to halt fears over debt within the single currency. President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel stopped short of backing so-called euro bonds, which would effectively mean Germany underwriting the debts of Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. And they failed to outline plans to expand the eurozone bailout fund, which is seen as vital to prevent defaults. Mrs Merkel said euro bonds ‘won’t help us now’. Mrs Merkel does not want Berlin to cover for the reckless spending of other countries – a view reinforced on Tuesday when figures showed that the German economy was barely growing. The pair agreed they shared an ‘absolute determination’ to defend the euro by encouraging greater co-operation between its 17 members. British officials said France and Germany have the clout to push through their plans. But they will be fiercely resisted by Netherlands and Finland, whose voters will object to Paris and Berlin dictating their economic policy. Mats Persson, of the Open Europe think-tank, said: ‘The proposals themselves will do little to solve the eurozone’s immediate crisis. 'They do reinforce the desire of Germany and France to seek more control over other countries’ economic affairs, in return for underwriting some of their debt. ‘Reining in public spending in countries such as Greece and Italy is absolutely necessary.’ | German economy grew just 0.1 per cent in second quarter this year .
Struggling German economy could spell further trouble for euro zone .
European Financial Stability Facility may be increased from 440 billion euros .
FTSE static as it rises 7 points to 5,357.63 and Dow Jones futures down 0.8% . |
286,452 | ff293b64e8958b76268fabca2f2300e9e012741b | By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 05:57 EST, 25 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:04 EST, 25 December 2013 . Lying on her hospital bed, Roona Begum almost looks likes any other two-year-old. But her appearance today is a drastic transformation to how the toddler looked just a few months ago after her head swelled to twice its size. These dramatic series of images chart her journey which has seen her undergo numerous operations on her skull. Doctors carried out her latest reconstructive surgery on Friday and the results are clear to see in these pictures taken of Roona at a hospital in New Delhi, India, on Christmas Day. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT . CHRISTMAS DAY: Two-year-old Roona Begum is pictured in her hospital bed in New Delhi, India, after her latest reconstructive surgery . Doctors at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute removed bone from Roona's skull in her latest operation on Friday . Life saving operations: Roona, pictured with her mother Fatima Begum, will still have a larger than average head but she will be able to live a normal life . Roona's father, Abdul Rahman, said: 'We are happy. She is much better now. There was a time when she was unrecognisable.' Roona, who lives with her impoverished . parents in a village in India's remote northeast, was born with . hydrocephalus, a potentially fatal condition that causes cerebrospinal . fluid to build up on the brain. Her condition caused her head to swell . to a circumference of 94 centimetres (37 inches), putting pressure on . her brain and making it impossible for her to sit upright. Images showing Roona's plight attracted international sympathy which prompted the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in New Delhi to treat her rare condition for free. Fatima Begum pictured with daughter Roona who is now on her way to full recovery after her latest surgery . Roona was born with hydrocephalus, a potentially fatal condition that causes cerebrospinal fluid to build up on the brain . Rahman, who works as a labourer earning around £2 a day, said: 'We are very poor. We were not in a position to arrange for all the treatment. But so many people came forward to help.' Roona was admitted to the hospital in April and underwent several rounds of surgery in May and June when doctors drained excess fluid from her head and dramatically reduced the size of her skull to 58 centimetres. She spent 105 days in total at the hospital before being discharged in August. But she returned to the same hospital earlier this month to have part of her bone removed from her skull which was then rebuilt. NOVEMBER: Roona pictured in before her bone corrective surgery at Fortis Memorial Hospital last month . JUNE: Doctors reshape Roona's skull after water on her brain which caused her skull to balloon - called hydrocephalus - had been drained leaving her disfigured . 'When she came in first, her condition was very critical. We were not sure if she would make it. But, she has responded very well to the treatment,' Dr Sandeep Vaishya, Director of Neurosurgery at Fortis, said in November. 'She still has an unusual skull size, but she is healthy. She is doing well.' Roona will likely have to undergo another procedure early next month to compress her head further. Although Roona's skull is likely to remain large, she has a good chance of developing normally, provided her neck muscles can grow strong enough to support her head, doctors have said. MAY: The toddler's head has been reduced from 37ins to around 21ins through a series of life-saving surgeries . MAY: Roona pictured aged 18-months at the ICU ward of Fortis Memorial Research Institute after the first round of surgery on May 29, 2013, in Gurgaon, India . Global attention: Images showing Roona's plight, such as this one, attracted international sympathy . | Roona suffers from hydrocephalus - a potentially fatal condition that causes cerebrospinal .
fluid to build up on the brain .
Her condition caused her head to swell .
to a circumference of 94 centimetres .
Roona's skull size has been reduced to 58cms after a series of operations .
Her latest reconstructive surgery was carried out in New Delhi on Friday .
Pictures taken of Roona on Christmas Day show her huge transformation . |
155,135 | 547e474fec4546ae74f9cf7c6e58df23d6016baf | Wolves are to rekindle interest in Leicester City striker Chris Wood next week when the loan window opens. The Molineux club made a £1.25m bid for the New Zealand international last month but failed to agree personal terms. Championship side Wolves are also looking to loan out defender Roger Johnson who saw a late move to Genk fall through last week. Wanted: Wolves are to rekindle their interest in Leicester frontman Chris Wood when the loan window opens . | Wolves keen on Leicester frontman Chris Wood .
Championship side to rekindle interest when loan window opens .
Wood failed to agree personal terms on permanent switch last month . |
176,735 | 70cb517b62d0f2dfdb7ecf322d5f5995e942bd42 | It has been a long wait for Roberto Soldado. More than six months since his last goal at White Hart Lane, but when it came, it was perfectly timed. In slid Soldado to divert yet another low grubber from Andros Townsend past Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Dorus de Vries and so fire Tottenham into a date with Brighton in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup. Perhaps more importantly, the Spanish striker saved Spurs when they seemed destined for 30 minutes of extra-time, the possibility of penalties and a further waste of nervous energy, just three days before their trip to Arsenal. Roberto Soldado wheeled off in celebration after putting his side in the lead for the first time during the game . Harry Kane finished off the scoring by grabbing Tottenham's third goal against Stuart Pearce's side in the 90th minute . Ryan Mason came off the substitutes' bench to score an all-important equaliser for his side . Nottingham Forest starlet Jorge Grant opened the scoring at White Hart Lane in the 61st minute . Grant was mobbed by his Nottingham Forest team-mate Jamie Paterson after scoring his first competitive goal in English football . SPURS 4231: Vorm 6; Naughton 6, Fazio 6, Vertonghen 6, Davies 6; Stambouli 5.5 (Mason 64, 7), Bentaleb 6; Townsend 7.5, Paulinho 6.5 (Kane 64, 7), Lennon 6; Soldado 6 (Lamela 84). SUBS: Friedel, Dier, Chiriches, Eriksen. GOALS: Mason 72, Soldado 83, Kane 90 . MANAGER: Mauricio Pochettino 6.5. FOREST 4321: De Vries 6; Harding 6, Wilson 7, Lascelles 7, Fox 6; Grant 6 (Burke 86), Vaughan 6 (Tesche HT, 6), Osborn 7; Paterson 6, McLaughlin 6; Veldwijk 6. GOAL: Grant 61 . SUBS: Darlow, Collins, Halford, Walker, Blackstock. MANAGER: Stuart Pearce 6. MOM: Andros Townsend. REF: Andre Marriner 6 . ATT: 31,912 . Only eight minutes remained when Soldado pounced. What a welcome relief it was for Pochettino, who has seen his team struggle through four games without a win and watched them go behind on Wednesday night to a goal from Forest teenager Jorge Grant on his debut. The upset looked very much on, at this point. Forest had played with great intensity and were worth their lead. The travelling supporters, many wearing green sweatshirts in tribute to Brian Clough who died 10 years ago, sang ‘Psycho is back’. Manager Stuart Pearce swung his fist through the air, but Pochettino reacted and finally managed to inject some urgency into his side with an influential double change. On came Ryan Mason to score his first ever Tottenham goal to level the tie and Harry Kane, who grabbed his team’s third in stoppage time. In between was Soldado’s first goal at home since early March. Three goals in 18 minutes had punctured Forest’s fun but the green shoots of progress on the field are more important than the green jumpers of tribute in the away end. ‘It was a great performance and one the club should be proud of,’ said Pearce. ‘It doesn’t sit comfortably with me when we get beaten. I am disappointed we lost, but it was against a very good side who cost multi-millions. It shows Nottingham Forest is going in the right direction. We’re making baby steps and we have to continue pushing the club in that direction.’ It’s true Pearce has them upwardly mobile: top of the Championship and full of confidence as they tackled opponents from the Barclays Premier League. Pochettino changed all 11 of those who started against West Brom on Sunday but Forest also made it clear they have other priorities, with nine changes of their own. Top scorer Britt Assombalonga did not even travel to London. Amid the blur, there was and home debuts for Benjamin Stambouli and Federico Fazio and a debut for goalkeeper Michel Vorm, who was beaten by Ben Osborn in the first half but saved by his woodwork. Grant places the ball past Tottenham goalkeeper Vorm to put his side in the lead against the north London outfit . Mason, pictured with Kane, blows a kiss while celebrating his goal in the third round of the Capital One Cup . Mason leaps in the air after scoring at White Hart Lane to put his side back on level terms . 11 - Crystal Palace, Hull, Tottenham and West Brom . 9 - Brighton, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest . 6 - Newcastle . 5 - Bolton, Manchester City . 4 - Sheffield Wednesday . 3 - Burton Albion . It was a fabulous dribble by Osborn, who slipped past Fazio and unleashed a fierce left-footer, which curled past Vorm’s dive, crashed into the bar and back into the goalmouth. Stambouli and Fazio were among those who seemed caught out by Forest’s desire and intensity. Tottenham were sluggish. In the first half, all they had by way of attacking intent was an ambitious appeal for a penalty from Paulinho, after the slightest of shirt-tugs by Danny Fox, and long-range punts from Townsend and Fazio. Paulinho went close after the break but Forest went ahead in the 61st minute. Lars Veldwijk was given time to work the ball across goal from the left, Stephen McLaughlin flicked it at the near post and Grant arrived totally unmarked to convert from eight yards out. Pochettino sent on his substitutes and Mason soon equalised with a brilliant swerving strike from 25 yards, although goalkeeper De Vries might think he could have done more to keep it out. ‘I’ve been waiting for that for a long time,’ said Mason. ‘I’ve always been confident in ability. I’ve had to wait a lot longer than others but I thought I made a difference.’ He did. Tottenham finished strongly. Townsend rattled the bar with a free-kick, before his effort was turned in by Soldado to lift the mood. Kane made it three, low from an angle after a pass from Erik Lamela. ‘I was calm, because we needed to be calm, after this disaster,’ smiled Pochettino. ‘We always believed we could come back into the game. I am happy for the players. They never gave up. This is the mentality we need to have.’ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2768378/Capital-One-Cup-fourth-round-draw-Chelsea-travel-League-Two-Shrewsbury-Spurs-face-Brighton-Liverpool-play-Swansea.html . Mason was mobbed by man of the match Andros Townsend and fellow goalscorer Kane shortly after his goal . Townsend celebrates with Soldado after the Spaniard grabs Tottenham's second goal of the night . Tottenham's players Paulinho, Nabil Bentaleb and Soldado looked dismayed after conceding to Forest . Kane looks full concentrated as he places the ball past Forest goalkeeper Dorus de Vries . Nottingham Forest's Lars Veldwijk (right) dribbles past Tottenham midfielder Bentaleb during Capital One Cup clash at White Hart Lane . Brazilian midfielder Paulinho came into Mauricio Pochettino's starting line up to face Championship outfit Nottingham Forest . Aaron Lennon captained Tottenham against Nottingham Forest in the absence of Younes Kaboul and Hugo Llories . Tottenham summer signing Benjamin Stambouli battles Nottingham Forest's Ben Osborn during Wednesday night's encounter in north London . Forest defender Dan Harding and custodian De Vries keep a close eye on Spanish striker Soldado . Reserve goalkeeper Vorm made his first competitive appearance for Spurs since joining the club from Swansea City . Pochettino made 11 changes to the side that lost 1-0 to West Brom in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon . Pearce's reign at Nottingham Forest has got off to a tremendous start with the Championship side winning five of their eight league games . Nottingham Forest's players applauded their travelling fans after the final whistle of their match in north London . A number of Nottingham Forest fans attended the Capital One Cup match wearing green jumpers to celebrate the life of Brian Clough . Forest fans were keen to honour former manager Clough, who died 10 years ago this week . | Mauricio Pochettino's side managed to peg back Forest after conceding the first goal .
Nottingham Forest's Jorge Grant had put his side in the lead, however Ryan Mason cancelled out his strike .
Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane then scored late on to set up a fourth round tie with Brighton . |
31,537 | 59b01dd7ea2e4ee3f14aad44384fbb4a5ef0ab3a | By . Daniel Mills . He has made a name for himself bedding tourists in Bali, now it looks as though Australia's self-proclaimed sex addict Todd Gisondi is looking to turn his sex life into a money spinner. The man, who critics are giving a spray back home for ruining Australia's reputation abroad, is taking his self-proclaimed sexual exploits one step further in a move likely to outrage Aussies even more. The mother of the Bali-based expat, who stars in reality TV series What Happens In Bali, has waged into her son's controversial and unemployed lifestyle by convincing the 25-year-old to work the corners of Kuta's party district as a gigolo - searching for tourists 'looking for a companion whilst in the land of gods.' Sex addict: Tod Gisondi is on the path to becoming a gigolo courtesy of an advertisement from his mother which sells him as 'Anthony, Athletic and well built' The former rugby league player and Newcastle resident is now living a life of leisure on the tourist circuit in Bali's Kuta district . Already copping blasts back home for lines such as 'girls feed off anything I say', this latest stunt will shock viewers as the man who considers himself 'a f***ing handsome devil' goes to air on Channel 7 tonight. Gisondi, 25, is originally from Newcastle but up and fled to Bali after splitting with his long-time girlfriend. He says he has slept with more than 100 women since making the move four months ago, and on the program claims to never come home from a night out without a woman. 'I'm 100 per cent gonna go home with someone,' he says. It is claims such as this which has lead his mother to convince him to work as a pimp, and Gisondi wants to charge his clients up to $100 an hour for his services. Referring to himself on the program in the third person, Gisondi says: 'Mum's a bit worried about precious Toddy.' So, she's like 'you know you're sleeping with all these girls, how about you start getting paid for it Toddy?.' The job description paints him as an part Australian, part Italian stallion whom ladies looking for a good time would be hard pressed to refuse. 'Ladies in need of a companion whilst in the land of gods, I'm an Australian with Italian origin, 25-years-old now living in Bali,' it reads. It is the solution, his mother claims, to keeping him out of trouble and preventing him from getting girls pregnant. The 25-year-old checks himself into a sex clinic, a prerequisite required of gigolo's to ensure they have a clean bill of health . Gisondi has copped a spray back home for his sexual exploits on the show What Happens In Bali . The ad goes on to describe Gisondi, best known for picking up women using his dog Tito and for acts constituting sex with two or more women at one time, as 'athletic, tanned, well built, well educated and well spoken.' It advises that 'all areas of discretion are assured' for women wishing to sleep with 'Anthony,' the pimp pseudonym his mother chose. Those he perceives fortunate enough to sleep with him will pay just $100 an hour for his company. 'Mate, I'm gonna have to pop some Viagra to pump out an hour,' he says. It's a sure fire way to russle some of the feathers of the Australian public who haven't taken well to Gisondi's overseas antics. 'Disgusting television. Todd is vial and his attitude to women is appalling,' Ellie Thomas wrote on the program's Facebook page. 'Obviously there are no female producers because any self respecting woman would not let this trash air.' Meanwhile Kevin Stewart wrote: 'It seemed to be an interesting show, right up to the point you introduced Todd, then it became "A W**ker in Bali" and it got that way I stopped watching it.' Kylie Atkinson said: 'He was such a tool, I couldn't stand him. Why did they devote so much time to this idiot? This is not a documentary!!' Working his charm: Gisondi's dog Tito is a sure fire way the 25-year-old picks up women . That email: The moment Tod's mum decides he should take a job working as a gigolo under the pseudonym 'Anthony' And they're also unlikely to be charmed by his visit to a Bali sex clinic - describing to the doctor his sexual activities when asked how many times he has used a condom. 'None. Maybe once, but I took it off,' he says. Asked if he ever questions his partners about their own sexual history he says 'I usually have sex with them and leave. I don’t really talk to them after it. I’m just like `see you later’. But his mother has vowed to defend her son against any criticism. 'Ha ha omg that was good lol you look so cute son ha ha yeh yr copping it on the shows site, I will get my gloves on for u xxx love you,' she wrote on Facebook after the first program aired. 'Full support to the prince of poppies lol… yeh love his guts lol funny as all fark.' There are two main ways he trawls for women – walking up and down the beach with his dog Titto or going out drinking in Poppies Lane in the party district of Kuta. The rugby player - who only targets tourists, never locals or expats - uses his dog to break the ice, and has a very specific system for scoring girls. He gets a 'cat conversion' if he succeeds in taking a girl home before midnight. He gets a 'double double' if he gets a cat conversion and then goes out and finds another girl to take home. But apart from his self-proclaimed sexual expertise, the Australian expat also counts rapping as among his aspiring talents. He goes by the name of The Prince when he's performing on stage. | The Australian, 25, stars in new reality TV show What Happens In Bali .
He takes mother's advice to become pimp and gets a sex check .
Gisondi said he will charge $100 an hour for sex with women .
Claims he will need to pop 'some Viagra to pump out an hour'
Gisondi has copped social media blasts for his actions . |
107,774 | 16f1bebe016b9fcf101b1b1186e2d6fe47ddda5e | By . Snejana Farberov . PUBLISHED: . 18:36 EST, 3 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 01:49 EST, 4 January 2014 . A 46-year-old mother of three whose body was pulled from the Saugatuck River in Connecticut last Friday had been struck by a Metro-North train while walking on the tracks. A duck hunter spotted Annette White, of South Paris, Maine, in the frigid waters. According to authorities, the woman suffered blunt impact injuries to her head, torso and extremities. Surveillance footage from Metro-North's Saugatuck train station revealed that a westbound train stopped on the Saugatuck River Bridge for about 20 minutes Thursday evening. Tragic: Annette White, 46, a divorced mother of three, has been identified as the woman whose body was discovered floating in the Saugatuck River in Westport, Connecticut, last Friday . Fatal move: Police believe White, who was new to the area, was trying to cross the Saugatuck River Bridge by going across the tracks when she was killed . In the video, Metro-North personnel emerged from the locomotive, inspected the front of the lead car and searched the tracks, but continued on their way after failing to find any signs of a deadly collision with a pedestrian, CBS Connecticut reported. On Monday, police divers acting on a tip from a Metro-North passanger found Annette White's cell phone and one of her earrings below the tracks where the train came to a stop. Investigators believe White, who was new to the area, was trying to cross the Saugatuck River Bridge by walking across the tracks at around 6.45pm Thursday when she was struck by the oncoming westbound train and tumbled into the icy waters below. At around 9.15am Friday, a hunter in a kayak came across the woman's body near the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club in Westport and alerted the authorities. Emergency stop: Surveillance footage from the Saugatuck station showed that a westbound train stopped for 20 minutes and Metro-North personnel inspected the lead car but found no damage to suggest that a person had been struck . Discovery: A police diver found Annette White's cell phone and one of her earrings directly under the train tracks . Closure: A duck hunter in a kayak spotted White's body floating in the frigid waters more than 12 hours after she was struck by the train . An autopsy revealed that White's injuries were consistent with someone being hit by a train. Police believe the woman's death was accidental and did not involve any foul play. However, they have yet to determine why White ended up on the bridge the night of her death. The 46-year-old woman, a Maine native, had lived in Iowa with her husband and three children for more than two decades and taught psychology at Iowa Western Community College. The couple divorced 18 months ago and White moved back to her home state. According to her Facebook page, White began dating another man last year, and in July 2013 she reportedly relocated to Westport, Connecticut. New life: White, a Maine native and long-time resident of Iowa, moved to Westport, Connecticut, in July after divorcing her husband of 22 years and starting a new relationship with another man (right) White's former sister-in-law Suzanne Jankiewicz Mortensen said that the woman was a great mother and an intelligent, warm person. ‘Why was she on the tracks and didn't she hear the train coming at her?’ Jankiewicz Mortensen wondered in her interview with Connecticut Post. Metro-North officials have concluded that the engineer aboard the train that struck White had acted properly. | Annette White, 46, was found dead from blunt impact injuries to her head, torso and limbs floating in the Saugatuck River .
Divorced mother of three had been struck by westbound Metro-North train while trying to cross Saugatuck River Bridge in Westport . |
3,324 | 099cab7ed49ab54d6b018eaa9e3befbc6dbee354 | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A member of Congress Friday called on the State Department to stop doing business with Xe, the North Carolina-based security company formerly known as Blackwater Worldwide. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois, on Friday urged the State Department "not to enter into further contracts" with Xe. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois, asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton whether the State Department had just signed a new $20 million dollar contract with Xe for Iraq, saying she is "very concerned" that the State Department may be signing new security contracts with Xe, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. "I urge you not to enter into further contracts with Xe and to immediately review any existing contracts," the letter said, according to a copy provided to CNN. "The behavior and actions of both the company's leadership and a number of individuals employed by the company have harmed our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan and endangered the lives and welfare of our troops and diplomatic personnel serving overseas." The State Department decided in January not to renew a personnel protection contract with Blackwater, as the company was then known, when it expired in May. That decision came amidst an investigation by both U.S. and Iraqi authorities of a 2007 shooting involving Blackwater guards in Baghdad in which 17 Iraqis were killed. The company has repeatedly denied any wrong-doing. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request Friday for reaction to Schakowsky's questions and criticism. The State Department had said that it would continue a Blackwater air-support contract after the much-larger personnel protection contract ended. Xe spokeswoman Stacy DeLuke told CNN that, "Right now we have no contracts with the State Department in Iraq." DeLuke said the company would review calls for bids to provide security for U.S. officials in Afghanistan. "The thing is we are totally open to bidding on some of the contracts that may come up in Afghanistan just like anyone else," DeLuke said in a telephone interview. The Nation magazine released an article Friday that said the State Department had signed a new contract for Iraq with Xe for $20 million to extend an earlier aviation contract. "The State Department contract is scheduled to run through September 3. In May, the State Department announced it was not renewing Blackwater's Iraq contract, and the Iraqi government has refused to issue the company an operating license," the article said. The controversy over the role of Blackwater in Iraq was revived earlier this week by a lawsuit filed in Virginia by two former employees accusing Blackwater guards of smuggling weapons and using excessive force in Iraq. And the lawsuit claims Blackwater founder Erik Prince "views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe." Xe said in a statement that it would respond "to the anonymous unsubstantiated and offensive assertions put forward by the plaintiffs," in a brief to be filed August 17. Blackwater changed its name to Xe in February. | State Department says it will continue Blackwater air-support contract .
"I urge you not to enter into further contracts with Xe," Congresswoman's letter says .
Xe spokeswoman Stacy DeLuke says firm "totally open" to Afghanistan bidding . |
61,780 | af7e4f72711dc5239f424b591dcbd960ca49ac7c | New Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs has warned Rangers they won’t enjoy an easy passage back to Scottish football’s top flight. The former Celtic defender, who Sportsmail understands is close to appointing former Everton coach Andy Holden as his No2, is facing up to the task of rebuilding a squad of just 15 senior players following the club’s relegation. But he claims he has the resources to give Rangers and Hearts a run for their money in a cut-throat battle for promotion to the SPFL Premiership. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Rangers players get shocked by thundering and lightning . New boy: Alan Stubbs was unveiled as Hibernian manager and is seeking automatic promotion . Aim: Stubbs wants to give Rangers and Hearts a run for their money in a cut-throat battle for promotion . ‘If you’re going on budgets then Rangers are favourites,’ said Stubbs. ‘But I’ve been around the block in football and you realise that’s not the be all and end all. ‘Our budget will be competitive for the league we’re in and we expect to give Rangers, Hearts and all the teams in the division a tough time. ‘It’s foolish to say it’s all about Rangers, Hibs and Hearts because it’s disrespectful to the others. ‘It’s going to be a tough league - there’s no way we thought we were going to be in this league, but we are. ‘There’s no way Rangers thought they would be here and playing Hearts and Hibs this year in order to get up either. But those who think it’s a foregone conclusion are mistaken.’ An Old Firm foe of Ally McCoist during his time at Parkhead, Stubbs, 42, is relishing the thought of locking horns once more. ‘We’ve come across each other a few times, more out in Glasgow than anything. ‘I’ve . had conversations with Coisty a few times and we’ve met at coaching . events and games so there will be a bit of banter on the sidelines - but . most of all there will be a respect.’ As . he fields calls from agents for players Stubbs is also seeking to firm . up the appointment of an assistant. Former Welsh international Holden, . 51, is the man he wants after ex-Everton colleague David Unsworth opted . to stay put. Foe: Stubbs and Rangers boss Ally McCoist (pictured) were Old Firm rivals once and will lock horns again . Stubbs hopes to name his assistant by Monday at the latest. ‘We’ll have a discussion with (chief executive) Leeann Dempster today and I am virtually certain come Monday you will have a name to write about,’ he said. Announcing bookmakers Marathonbet as the new club sponsor in a six-figure deal, Dempster insisted she had been tracking the progress of Stubbs for some time. Former Falkirk managing director George Craig will help Stubbs out in a director of football type role and Dempster insists the cash is there to rebuild a squad decimated by the axing of 12 players. ‘We are in the Championship, so there is a reality in terms of the income we can generate but we will have a good budget in this division in comparison to the competitors,’ she said. ‘I won’t make the budget public, but it is strong and there is money to bring players in. It is up to us to spend wisely and be absolutely committed to getting the right players in. ‘But today is not about talking about money, it’s about introducing Alan to the supporters at large - looking forward rather than backwards.’ Discussions: Stubbs and Chief Executive Leeann Dempster (left) will talk about who will be his No.2 . In charge: Stubbs is looking forward to get going with Hibs as he aims to bounce back after relegation . | Alan Stubbs wants promotion to the SPFL Premiership after Hibernian were relegated last year but must battle with Rangers and Hearts .
Stubbs close to appointing former Everton coach Andy Holden as assistant . |
120,236 | 2767bc190c831a6f22585fa1164d6e3168cdda1e | By . Sophie Borland . PUBLISHED: . 18:01 EST, 27 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:22 EST, 28 September 2012 . Time for action: Pregnant women will now be given the whooping cough jab in the womb . Every pregnant woman will be offered the whooping cough jab amid the worst outbreak in more than 20 years. There have been nearly 5,000 cases of the illness already this year and nine babies have died. For the first time the Government is to offer the vaccine to all pregnant women in the hope they will pass on protection to the foetus in the womb. At present, babies are given a whooping cough jab when they are eight weeks old, followed by boosters at three and four months. They cannot have their vaccine any sooner as their immune systems are not developed enough for it to be effective. All nine babies who died from whooping cough this year have been under the age of eight weeks. If pregnant women are given the jab, they will make antibodies – proteins that fight infections – that are passed on to the foetus via the placenta. This will give the baby protection for the first few weeks of life. The Department of Health insists that the injections are entirely safe and there is no risk they of harming the unborn baby or cause complications in the pregnancy. From Monday, all women who are between 28 and 38 weeks pregnant will be able to get the jabs from their GP. Professor David Salisbury, director of immunisation, said: ‘We’ve got a situation where there isn’t a choice. We’ve got a real problem and we’ve got babies dying. ‘We have a solution available to us that has a strong safety record. ‘The vaccine that we are offering to pregnant women has been recommended by experts and a similar vaccine is already given to pregnant women in the US.’ The Department of Health estimates that the immunisation programme will cost the taxpayer around £10million. It is only a temporary measure however and the vaccinations will be halted as soon as the disease rates go down again. Since January, there have been 4,791 cases of whooping cough, three times as many as last year. The last time rates were this high was in 1990 when there were 15,000 cases, and seven babies died. The illness is rarely serious in adults – many will not even be aware they have it. The Health Protection Agency is unclear as to why this outbreak is so severe but rates tend to go up and down every three or four years.If they are low for several years and few catch the infection, everyone’s immunity goes down. So if the illness reappears – after being brought in from abroad, for example – the public is far more susceptible and rates go up again. The HPA believes this latest outbreak may have its origins in mainland Europe or America, where rates are also very high. Mothers are being offered the jab at between 28 and 38 weeks as experts believe this is when their antibodies will most effectively be passed to the newborns. Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airways. The medical term for whooping cough is pertussis. The condition usually begins with a persistent dry and irritating cough which progresses to intense bouts of coughing. These are followed by a distinctive 'whooping' noise. The coughing can last for around three months. Other symptoms include raised temperature and vomiting after coughing. Whooping cough is a cyclical disease with the number of cases peaking every 3-4 years. There is currently a peak occurring. Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which can be passed from person to person through droplets spread by coughs and sneezes. It can be treated successfully with antibiotics and most people make a full recovery, however measures should be taken to stop it spreading. Children with whooping cough should be kept away from school or nursery until they have taken antibiotics for five days. The same applies to adults returning to their workplace. Young babies under the age of six months are likely to be admitted to hospital as they are most at risk of severe complications, such as serious breathing difficulties. They will be treated in isolation to prevent the infection spreading and will be given antibiotics into a vein through a drip (intravenously). In the UK, all pregnant women are now to be offered vaccination against whooping cough when they are 28-38 weeks pregnant to protect their babies from the infection in the first few weeks of life. Children are vaccinated against whooping cough at two, three and four months of age, and again before starting school at about three years and four months of age. Read more about preventing whooping cough. Source: NHS Choices . The Repevax jab, which is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, contains tiny amounts of dead Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It cannot cause the illness but it is enough to provoke the body’s immune system to produce antibodies, which protect against it. But it may cause minor side effects such as a sore arm or a fever. The Department of Health is now urging GP surgeries to contact pregnant women to encourage them to come forward for their jabs. Family doctors will be paid £7.60 for each vaccine carried out to compensate for the extra workload and time. Around 650,000 women become pregnant every year although it is unlikely that all will get the jab. Only about a quarter of pregnant women come forward for the flu jab. They have been offered it for the last two years. | All women who are between 28 and 38 weeks pregnant will be eligible for the vaccine .
The UK is experiencing the worst whooping cough outbreak for 20 years .
The Department of Health say it is a temporary measure until disease rates fall again . |
206,344 | 971f3dd79fa69791f5ceffc61da81294f40d63fe | By . Ray Massey, Transport Editor . Part-time workers who have to pay for five days' weekday service lose out heavily under the current inflexible system . New 'flexible' smart cards that allow rail season ticket holders to pay only for the journeys they actually make are to be trialled next year, Rail Minister Norman Baker announced today. The new scheme - welcomed by consumer groups - will be similar to the 'Oyster' card system used on London Underground which deducts cash from a smart electronic swipe-card and charges users only for the trains they use. Part-time workers who have to pay for five days' weekday service yet work only three lose out heavily under the current inflexible system, as do those who have to work weekends. The scheme could also include discounted tickets for those travelling in the slightly quieter periods at either end of the rush hour called the 'shoulder peak'. The aim is to make season fares more equitable and flexible and 'give commuters a better deal on the railways' said Mr Baker. He said: 'Millions of people no longer work traditional 9 to 5. Flexible ticketing must reflect that. It will give passengers a better deal by reducing the money they spend on fares and will spread demand across the network by encouraging them to take less busy services'. It is one of a range of options to 'modernise' fares as part of the Government's Fares and Ticketing Review. The full report is to be published soon. The Department for Transport will run a competition next year to select a train operator to run a pilot on a busy commuter route into London. Lib Dem Rail Minister Mr Baker said a more flexible approach using 'smart technology' was vital: 'Part-time workers and those who sometimes work from home have long complained they have to pay the full price for season tickets even though they do not get the full benefit. 'Under this pilot we will look at how we can give them a better deal and also reward those commuters who avoid the busiest rush hour services.' The new scheme - welcomed by consumer groups - will be similar to the 'Oyster' card system, pictured, used on London Underground which deducts cash from a smart electronic swipe-card and charges users only for the trains they use . Anthony Smith, chief executive of consumer champion Passenger Focus welcomed the announcement. Their own research showed that fewer than six out of ten weekday commuters (57 per cent) did so for all five days. And many worked weekends: 'We need a season ticket that is flexible with changing working patterns.' The Department of Transport said it had committed £45m to rolling out 'smart ticketing' across the South East . | Cards will be similar to 'Oyster' card system used on London Underground - charging only for journeys made .
Part-time workers who have to pay for .
five days' weekday service lose out heavily under .
the current inflexible system .
Rail minister: 'Millions of people no longer work traditional 9 to 5. Flexible ticketing must reflect that' |
253,313 | d3e1089ab8158f14ae1bc4a0a121508ee3870d12 | (CNN) -- Amid a grove of trees, buried beneath the grass and dirt, Mississippi's past is colliding with its future. Surveyors last month discovered dozens of neat, tight rows of coffins just feet below the ground at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Sure, there were stories that there was a cemetery somewhere on the grounds of the medical center that today sits where the Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum once stood. But the location of the cemetery was lost to history. That's until an estimated 2,000 unmarked graves were discovered during a survey for a planned campus expansion. The find has forced the medical center to halt its expansion and begin the daunting task of figuring out what to do about the 2,000 bodies lying in the path of their next big thing. It's a scene that has played out in recent years in New York, California, Texas, Illinois and Wisconsin as developers look to build on what is believed to be vacant land only to find forgotten graveyards. "As development continues likely more are to be found," Erin Kimmerle, a forensic anthropology professor at the University of Florida, said. But the sheer size of the Mississippi find -- one of the largest in recent years -- has many asking one question: Who were these people? Finding coffins . For as long as anyone can remember, construction workers and contractors have been finding the simple pine boxes on the property of the medical center, which opened in 1955. There were four, five and sometimes six boxes with only skeletal remains found here and there on the grounds. Once, in the 1990s, workers building a laundry facility found about 40 unmarked graves, said Jack Mazurak, a spokesman for the medical center. But last year, that number jumped with the discovery of 66 coffins during a road improvement project at the campus. Over the years, there were rumors. Depending on who you asked, the coffins contained the bodies of the Civil War dead or slaves. But experts disagreed. Historical records revealed the area was not a major battlefield during the war, and there was no indication in the state historical archives that a slave cemetery existed on the site. The medical center partnered with the Mississippi State University anthropology department, with a team led by Prof. Nicholas Hermann, that was tasked with removing the remains for testing. Almost immediately, Hermann's team determined the bodies were connected to the asylum, which opened on the grounds in 1855. "We're guessing because there's no personal remains, no clothes, not even really any buttons or pins or anything, that they were probably residents of the asylum and either buried in a shroud or not buried with anything, so that would put them probably around in the mid to late 1800s to early 1900s," Derek Anderson, an archeologist on the team, told CNN affiliate WLBT shortly after the finds. Once testing is finished, the bodies will be reinterred in the medical center's designated cemetery, Hermann said. Florida to exhume bodies buried at former boys school . 'A lot of graves' A number of factors, from historical records to the layout of the coffins, led Hermann to believe this was just the beginning of the find. When he found out the medical center was planning on building a cancer center and a children's justice center on the site, he said: "I think you are going to have a lot of graves." Part of his assessment hinged on history. The asylum drew residents from across the state, people who were committed for a variety of ailments. Many, according to records, were institutionalized for years. When residents died, few were claimed by families. Experts believe poverty may have also played a role -- families could not afford to retrieve and transport the bodies. As a result, many were buried in unmarked graves in an area of the property believed designated as the asylum cemetery. Without headstones and markings to denote the outlines of the cemetery, it was swallowed up by time. So how do you determine that without digging up the grounds and, possibly, disturbing the dead? The answer: ground-penetrating radar. "When I saw the printout of that ...property, it was mind-blowing," Mazurak said. The radar survey showed hundreds and hundreds of coffin-like outlines in tight rows. Many were believed to be just four or five feet below the surface. "As it turned out there were 800 to 1,000 graves on the southern piece of property, and another 1,000 graves on the north side of the property," Mazurak said. 'Living link' Almost immediately, construction plans on the site were put on hold. Already the university medical center was absorbing the cost to exhume and rebury the bodies found last year at a cost of about $3,000 each, Mazurak said. Removing 66 coffins from underneath a road was one thing. But removing hundreds of coffins from an unmarked graveyard was another thing entirely. "There is a living link to each grave," Mazurak said. Exhuming and reinterring upwards of 2,000 bodies would cost millions, a price the university can't afford. So for now, the medical center will leave the dead where they lie and look for alternatives for the expansion. As news of the find made headlines, people across the country reached out to the medical center. The questions, in many cases, were the same: Can you tell me if my family member is buried there? Unmarked graves bring their plight to light . Searching for answers . That's the question Jannie White posed when she stumbled upon the news of the unmarked graveyard at the medical center. White has spent years researching her family history, trying to piece together the path her family had taken from Mississippi north. She grew up hearing stories about a great-grandmother who had been institutionalized at the asylum. The details were sketchy, and nobody was sure where the woman was buried or even what name she was buried under. "I guess you would call it a rumor in the family. They kept saying she was in an institution a little bit outside of Jackson," White said in a telephone call from her Detroit-area home. She picked up the telephone and started making phone calls, eventually connecting with Mazurak and others at the medical center. "I asked whether they could tell me if she was buried there, and what name she was buried under," she said. "I'm just trying to find out what our last name was then." But answers have been harder to come by. Records related to the asylum are contained in 16 bound volumes at the Mississippi state archive, Hermann said. The volumes, all handwritten, are rich with detail, chronicling the name, age, ailment and admission date for every patient from between 1855 and 1935, when the asylum was closed and relocated. "Within those records, they provided a detailed account of how many people died every year and what they died of," Hermann said. Hermann's team believes their research on the 66 skeletal remains may one day be able to determine who was buried where on the property, if not the exact location. "People are very concerned about their relatives, and that's a driving factor," he said. Studying the past . It's a years-long project that requires digitizing the records as well as testing DNA, primarily from teeth of the remains. Those results, Hermann says, will reveal details about where the person grew up regionally. With that information combined with the records, Hermann and others believe it's possible to link the dead with the living. Already, Hermann and his team have determined the 66 bodies uncovered during the road improvement project were buried late in the asylum's history, somewhere around the 1920s. By knowing where the dead came from and what they died of, it will help shed light on the history and treatment of mental health conditions across the state of Mississippi in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Hermann said. With a limited budget and less than a dozen people on the research team, the answers to many questions are likely years away. But one thing, Mazurak says, is clear about the find in Mississippi: "The past frequently intersects, I almost want to say collides, with the present." | About 2,000 unmarked graves were found at the University of Mississippi medical center .
The find has forced the medical center in Jackson to halt its expansion .
Experts believe the graves are associated with the Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum . |
3,065 | 08e2ed70f23937a678d3dcd1d13abc1c1c8b4a88 | (CNN) -- Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage went on a drunken tear in New Orleans' French Quarter Friday night that ended with his arrest on several charges, including domestic abuse battery, according to a police spokesman. It began at 11:30 p.m. when Cage, who is in the city to work on a movie, began arguing with his wife on the 600 block of Dumaine Street, New Orleans Police Officer Garry Flot said. "He and his wife were standing in front of a residence that he insisted was the property the couple was renting," Flot said. "She disagreed, and Cage grabbed her by the upper arm and pulled her to what he believed was the correct address." Cage then "began striking vehicles and later attempted to get into a taxi." Police, who had been called by on-lookers, arrived to find Cage heavily intoxicated," he said. They ordered the actor out of the cab, "which prompted Cage to start yelling," Flot said. "The officers subsequently took Cage to Central Lock-Up," the police spokesman said. In the mugshot released by the Orleans Parish Sheriff, an unshaven Cage stood with eyes closed. Cage was charged with domestic abuse battery, disturbing the peace and public drunkenness, Flot said. An Orleans Parish magistrate set his bond at $11,000 with a court date for May 31, according to the booking information online. It also said "stay away order waived," indicating Cage is not prohibited from being with his wife. "There were no visible signs of injury on his wife's arm," Flot said. Cage was released from jail Saturday afternoon, according to the jail's information line. Duane Chapman -- known as "Dog the Bounty Hunter" from the A&E reality show chronicling his life -- bailed Cage out of jail, he said in a statement. While he called himself "a truly dedicated fan of Mr. Cage," Chapman insisted he was simply doing his job "as a bail bondsman and not in connection with our show." "There are two sides of my job: I release my clients after they have been arrested, and pick them up if they don't show up in court," Chapman said. "I do not believe the latter will be the case for Mr. Cage." Calls and e-mails from CNN to the actor's lawyer and representative have not been returned. Cage, 47, and his third wife, Alice Kim, have a 5-year-old son. His previous two marriages, to Patricia Arquette and Lisa Marie Presley, ended in divorce. The Academy Award winner has acted in dozens of films, but is best known for his roles in "Raising Arizona" and "Leaving Las Vegas," for which he nabbed an Oscar. Although one of Hollywood's highest-paid movie stars, Cage's financial troubles, including tax liens and foreclosures on houses, have been highly publicized in the past two years. He sued his accountant in 2009, charging that he "lined his pockets with several million dollars in business management fees while sending Cage down a path toward financial ruin." The accountant, Samuel Levin, responding to the lawsuit by saying he warned Cage that he could face bankruptcy unless he scaled back his lavish lifestyle. CNN's KJ Matthews contributed to this report. | NEW: "Dog the Bounty Hunter" bails Cage out of a New Orleans jail .
The actor charged with domestic abuse, disturbing the peace .
Cage beat on cars after arguing with his wife, police say .
Cage is in New Orleans filming a movie . |
229,977 | b5cf883205a54ff9064a6514f73419eab765ba73 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 03:19 EST, 26 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:04 EST, 26 September 2012 . It may look like a toy, but this miniature motor is nothing of the sort. Although it measures just 45.2cm (17.79ins) tall, it has as much right to be on the road as any other car, bus or lorry. For Mirai, which means 'future' in Japanese, has just entered the Guinness World Records Book 2013 for being the lowest roadworthy car. Scroll down for video . Small, but mighty: This dinky motor has just entered the record books as the world's lowest roadworthy car . High-fives all round: The car was created by students and teachers of The Automobile Engineering Course of Okayama Sanyo High School in Asakuchi, Japan . It was created by students and teachers of The Automobile Engineering Course of Okayama Sanyo High School in Asakuchi, Japan. It runs on six main batteries. The motors and controlling components are from 'Q-car', produced by CQ motors in Japan, while the switching console is from a motorbike. The chassis, body, suspension, steering system, lights, seat and all other parts were made at the High School. Something to look up to: Mirai, which means 'future' in Japanese, measures just 17.79ins high . The record for the lowest car has been held in the past by British motor fanatic Andy Saunders, from Poole, Dorset, when he built a 21in version using a rusty 1989 Fiat 126. The 43-year-old garage manager built the tiny red convertible - named Flat Out - in just three days in front of amazed spectators at a Beaulieu Motor Museum car show in the New Forest, Hants. Officially measuring 21 and 3/8 inches, it jumped into the record books, beating the 24 inches held by Perry Watkins in 1990. | Made by pupils and teachers on engineering course at Japanese high school .
Previous record for lowest car held by 21in Fiat built by Dorset motor fanatic . |
32,341 | 5bf1fd0835ce999e30eab0be1ed20c7f8ca5dd44 | We all know Vincent Kompany is one of the best defenders we have seen in the Premier League but, after watching him against Tottenham last week, he needs to make adjustments if he wants to continue his rise to greatness. When you watch Kompany on TV, he looks awesome and some people might think it is churlish to criticise him. He is strong, fast and agile. He is always quick to the ball and excellent at pinching it off strikers’ toes. He used to be rash and would dive in, which led to some red cards, but to his credit he has cut that out of his game. Watching at the Etihad, though, I could spot an obvious problem. He is a gambler. Whenever he comes charging out of the back line, he is taking a big risk for the team. The rewards are obvious and when it comes off he looks magnificent. But when it goes wrong, he can be left stranded. Vincent Kompany is a class act but he is also a gambler who comes charging out of the back line . It’s what happened in the first half against Spurs when some of their early movement caused City problems. More than once Kompany came rushing out to try to be first to the ball, only for an opposition player to nick in ahead of him. That left holes at the back and Spurs were able to exploit that. He reads the first pass into the striker so well but it’s the second phase that becomes difficult. Kompany is one of the fastest defenders around but once he is out of position it’s almost impossible to recover. David Luiz is the worst example of a defender too keen to press forward. At the World Cup it was like pulling the plug out of the bath — opposition sides would just flood into the holes behind him. You can’t win games at the back but you can lose them. Manchester City defender Kompany was guilty of taking risks against Tottenham . Kompany is far superior to Luiz but sometimes he would be better off staying put in the back line and waiting for the game to come to him. The players in front of him can go out and attack. This is not to say Kompany is a bad defender, far from it. He is such a powerful player he could play anywhere on the pitch. That makes it tempting to try to do all those jobs, but sometimes he is fighting too many fires. He ends up covering for his team-mates and tries to do too much. I do sympathise, though, because when you think of great defenders, you think of partnerships or back fours. With City, you just think of Kompany. PSG's Brazil defender David Luiz (left) is the worst example of a defender too keen to press forward . Brazil defender Luiz walks off the pitch after losing World Cup semi-final against Germany . In 10 years at Arsenal I had three major partners: Steve Bould, Tony Adams and Sol Campbell. In seven seasons at City, Kompany has played with Richard Dunne, Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha, Kolo Toure, Jerome Boateng, Joleon Lescott, Matija Nastasic, Martin Demichelis and now Eliaquim Mangala. That makes it almost impossible to build consistency as a unit. Kompany is so articulate and already speaks like a future manager so it’s no surprise that he plays in such an emphatic way. He is a fantastic ambassador and part of an excellent core at the club. For all their lavish spending, City are balancing that with a feeling of respect and there is genuine warmth around the club. But, if they’re not careful, the league title may suddenly start to slip from their grasp. Kompany is so often the man who tries to make sure that doesn’t happen, but he needs to ensure those rewards are gained by taking slightly fewer risks. | Vincent Kompany is a gambler and he is taking a big risk for the team .
The Manchester City defender can be rash and dive in .
David Luiz is worst example of a defender too keen to press forward . |
152,247 | 50c4efa2a750e3c970383da34eb3ef3ff416bcd2 | Lawyer Phil Shiner's Public Interest Lawyers are representing Iraqi witnesses accused of fabricating claims that prisoners were tortured . Iraqis conspired to claim that British troops executed and tortured prisoners to secure huge compensation payouts, a public inquiry heard on Wednesday. Detainees and families of the dead allegedly colluded to pervert the course of justice by insisting UK soldiers murdered, mutilated and mistreated captives. In a closing statement to the Al Sweady Inquiry, lawyers for the troops and Ministry of Defence said accusations of war crimes were ‘manifestly untrue’. Iraqi witnesses – represented by Phil Shiner’s Public Interest Lawyers – ‘dishonestly’ fabricated claims because of an ‘ulterior motive in the form of financial compensation’, they said. The inquiry is examining allegations that British troops executed 20 or more prisoners and mistreated nine others at Camp Abu Naji near Basra in May 2004. It followed a ferocious firefight with insurgents dubbed the Battle of Danny Boy, named after a checkpoint. But after a year-long hearing costing taxpayers £23million, the case sensationally fell apart last month when lawyers for the Iraqis admitted there was no evidence in a central claim – that insurgents were murdered. It provoked outrage that British troops were accused of the most serious crimes by publicly-funded lawyers. Neil Garnham QC, of Treasury Solicitors, which represented many UK personnel, said evidence of mistreatment by the Iraqis could not be trusted because they had persistently ‘lied and exaggerated’. Their allegations, including claims they were beaten, faced mock executions and witnessed captives being stabbed, were ‘implausible, confused and inconsistent’, he added. The Iraqis were involved in a . ‘deliberate and co-ordinated attempt... to deceive the inquiry’ into . believing UK troops had tortured and killed prisoners’, he said. The . Ministry of Defence’s closing submissions said the claims had caused . soldiers’ ‘immense anxiety and distress’. It . added: ‘The untruthful allegations cannot be attributed to honest . mistakes or misunderstandings. They are the product of a conspiracy . between a number of the Iraqi core participants to pervert the course of . justice.’ British troops leave Basra Palace in Iraq at the end of the last day of combat operations after the hand over of military control in Basra to the United States in 2009. An inquiry has heard how Iraqis conspired to claim that British soldiers tortured prisoners to secure substantial compensation payouts . A British Army soldier runs across a street during a foot patrol in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. The Al Sweady inquiry has heard how Iraqis conspired to claim that British troops executed and tortured prisoners to secure huge compensation payouts . It admitted there were ‘some instances’ where British soldiers had fallen short of expected standards, such as a detainee being shouted at, slapped and being restrained incorrectly. But lawyers for the Iraqis said there were still numerous ‘grave’ claims of abuse for the inquiry to consider. Patrick O’Connor QC said: ‘They are gross violations of the Geneva Conventions, inhuman and degrading treatment of wounded, broken and helpless young men, who were utterly at the mercy of their military handlers and interrogators.’ The Iraqis allege troops from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders took bloody revenge for the massacre of six Royal Military policemen a year earlier. The MoD insists the men were insurgents killed in battle. Mr Shiner’s Birmingham-based Public Interest Lawyers has received around £3million in public money for the inquiry, named after Hameed Al Sweady, 19, who died in the incident. His firm made its name pursuing British soldiers through the courts over alleged war crimes in Iraq. Clients include relatives of Baha Mousa, who died in British custody in 2003. | Families of Iraqi dead accused of colluding to pervert course of justice .
Detainees conspired to claim British troops tortured prisoners, inquiry told .
Allegations detainees were aiming to secure huge compensation payouts . |
117,258 | 236eb5ab21909a09d78be599225d1f21efdfda81 | Lukas Podolski has been to stop 'blaming others' for his lack of playing time at Arsenal by Germany's 1990 World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaus. Podolski has failed to start a Premier League game so far for the Gunners this season - featuring just seven times off the bench for Arsene Wenger's side. The 29-year-old has been recently been linked with a move to Italian giants Inter Milan as a result of his unsettledness, but Matthaus is adamant Podolski should accept his position on the bench and honour the remaining 18 months of his contract at the Emirates. Arsenal's Lukas Podolski has only made seven appearances for the club this season - all as a substitute . Matthaus (left) captained West Germany to the World Cup in 1990 - with a 1-0 win against Argentina in the final . 'What Podolski seeks is not important,' he told the Hamburger Morgenpost. 'What matters is what Arsenal want. There he has a contract to fulfill. 'In Bayern, he fled. The only club where he was a regular player was at Koln. You cannot always blame others if things go wrong. There are just others that are better.' Podolski's last league appearance for Arsenal was as a second half substitute in their 4-1 win at home to Newcastle United on December 13. The Germany international was an unused replacement for the Gunners festive clashes against QPR and West Ham, but is expected to be included in their match day squad for their trip to Southampton on New Year's Day. Podolski was an unused substitute for the Gunners' 2-1 Premier League win at West Ham on Sunday . | Arsenal won 2-1 at West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday .
Lukas Podolski was an unused substitute for the London derby .
Podolski has only made seven substitute league appearances this term . |
152,655 | 51441358b53cc764e11fd259a2472089a7bde70f | (CNN) -- Juventus took a giant step towards the quarterfinals of the European Champions League following a crushing 3-0 win over Celtic. Alesandro Matri's early strike and further goals from Claudio Marchisio and Mirko Vucinic completed a perfect night's work for the Italian champions. There was also success for Paris Saint-Germain, which claimed a 2-1 away win at Valencia, although it must do without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the second leg after he was shown a straight red card. Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore had given the French club a two goal lead at the break, but Adil Rami's late strike and Ibrahimovic's dismissal means its all to play for in the French capital in three weeks time. Lisbon Lions . While PSG might still have to sweat, no such problems are expected for Serie A leaders and two-time European Cup winners Juventus. Dressed in all black and surrounded by the cauldron of Celtic Park, Juventus headed out to face one of the most intimidating atmospheres in European football. With the majority of the 57,917 crowd clad in green and white bellowing out their support for the Scottish champion, it was clear that this night was something special. Back in the knockout phase for the first time in five years, Celtic was dreaming of the glory days when it ruled the continent following its legendary cup final win of 1967. The victory over the might of Inter Milan in Lisbon, led to the team, which was to become known as the 'Lisbon Lions', becoming the first non-Latin side to win the trophy. Managed by the legendary Jock Stein, all of the players were born within a 30 mile radius of Glasgow. On May 24 1967, Lisbon was overrun with the green and white of Celtic and not that of local club Sporting. Goals from Tommy Gemmel and Stevie Chalmers secured victory over an Inter side which had won three of the four past editions of the competition. "There is not a prouder man on God's Earth than me at this moment," said Stein following the triumph. "Winning was important, but it was the way that we won that has filled me with satisfaction. "We did it by playing football; pure, beautiful, inventive football. There was not a negative thought in our heads." That night in Lisbon is never far from memory whenever the words 'Europe' and 'Celtic' are mentioned in the same breath. They are synonomous. The success of the past generation is a reminder of how Celtic became the first British club to win the competition, a fact which supporters are quick to point out at every opportunity. But while it has dominated domestically in recent years, helped by the downfall of fierce rival Glasgow Rangers, success in Europe has been more difficult to achieve. Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United: Which is the biggest club? Not since it lost to Porto in the 2003 UEFA Cup final had Celtic hit the European headlines, that was until this year and its shock victory over Barcelona. A 2-1 home win against the La Liga champions helped Neil Lennon's side qualify for the last-16 and a meeting with Juventus. While the visitor appeared favorite on paper, Celtic's home form in the Champions League has been nothing short of remarkable. In its 23 matches before welcoming Juventus, Celtic had suffered just two defeats, while winning 15 and drawing six. With the second leg in Turin on March 6 to come, the home side would have hoped to secure a result in a bid to keep the tie alive. The atmosphere suggested a gladiatorial arena, the bloodcurdling noise of Celtic Park rose as the players emerged. This was Celtic's time. Foreign owners in UK football: The good the bad and the ugly . Or perhaps not. Instead, it took Juventus just three minutes to silence one of European football's most intimidating arenas. On Sunday, Efe Ambrose was celebrating Nigeria's victory in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations -- but on a freezing February night in Glasgow he was left to rue a horrendous defensive error. It was his mistake which allowed Federico Peluso's long ball to release Alessandro Matri and the striker fired home, despite Kelvin Wilson trying to clear off the line. The shock and horror was etched across the faces of the Celtic players, but slowly and surely, those emblazoned with the green and white began to show its famous spirit. Kris Commons came agonizingly close to an equalizer when his overhead kick sailed just inches wide of the far post, while Ambrose should have netted with a free header just after the hour mark. That miss was to be severely punished as Juventus wrapped the game up with 13 minutes remaining when Matri released Marchisio, who turned Scott Brown and slotted the ball home. Worse was to come for Celtic with 83 minutes on the clock when Ambrose, who only returned from South Africa on Tuesday morning, gave away possession and Vucinic raced in to score. "We need a miracle," Celtic manager Lennon told ITV. "But it's the harsh reality of Champions League football and some of my young players will learn a huge lesson tonight. "I thought for 70-odd minutes, until the second goal, we were by far the better side -- but you can't give away goals like we gave away, sloppy." How Manchester United tried to drown the stars of Real Madrid in 1957 . On a day when wrestling was dropped from the Olympics, Lennon was frustrated with the way Juventus' defenders manhandled his players at set-pieces. Time and time again, defender Stephane Lichtsteiner was grappling with Gary Hooper and Scott Brown inside the penalty area, but nothing was forthcoming from referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco. "I'd like to ask the referee, is the game different in Spain or Italy?" Lennon said. "Every time one of my players tried to move he was held. He should have given a penalty on at least two occasions." Big spending masks age of austerity for top soccer clubs . While that win all but secures Juventus' place in the last eight, PSG faces a more difficult proposition following an infuriatingly frustrating second half performance. In front of a watching David Beckham, who is hoping to make his debut within the next few weeks, PSG showed why they should be feared in this year's competition. Leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Lavezzi and Pastore, Carlo Ancelotti's men missed several golden opportunities and could have easily scored four or five at the Mestalla. Lavezzi, who has now scored in each of his past three Champions League games, should have had a hat-trick only to miss two simple chances. Beckham to donate PSG wages to children's charity . That wastefulness was punished in the final minute when Rami bundled home from close range to give the home side hope. The tie then took another twist when Ibrahimovic was shown a straight red card for a controversial studs up challenge on Andres Guardado. "Ibrahimovic did not deserve the red card. I don't understand the decision," Ancelotti told French Canal Plus television at full time. "We played well and had chances to score more goals. It was a good team performance, but this was just the first leg. There is still the return to come." | Juventus claims 3-0 win at Celtic in first leg of last-16 tie .
Italian champion now in pole position to qualify for quarterfinal .
Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent off in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-1 win at Valencia .
Ibrahimovic will miss the second leg on March 6 . |
Subsets and Splits