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182,218 | 77f30273d8ef588d26a1a28c7ed3158806290781 | Reigning world champions Laura Trott, Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker, and Joanna Rowsell headline the 15-strong Great Britain team for the European Track Championships in Guadeloupe later this month. The quartet are all in the women's endurance team along with Ciara Horne, the 25-year-old who has stepped in after Dani King's announcement last week that she intends to focus on the road for next season. With frontline sprinters like Jason Kenny, Phil Hindes, and Kian Emadi among those sitting out, there is a place for four-time national champion Callum Skinner in the men's sprint team. Laura Trott (centre) and Joanna Roswell (right) won Olympic gold in the team pursuit and are in the squad . Elinor Barker, who won silver in the points race at the Commonwealth games, will compete for Team GB . Men's Sprint: Matt Crampton, Lewis Oliva, Callum Skinner . Women's Sprint: Rosie Blount, Katy Marchant . Men's Endurance: Mark Christian, Ed Clancy, Jon Dibben, Owain Doull, Andy Tennant . Women's Endurance: Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker, Ciara Horne, Joanna Rowsell, Laura Trott . As expected, Sir Bradley Wiggins is not in the squad, with his place in the men's endurance team taken by Mark Christian. Shane Sutton, British Cycling's technical director, said: 'This European Championships marks the first opportunity for us to score Olympic qualification points for Rio and as such the squad as a whole is prepared and looking forward to this season's racing. 'It's good to see some new faces in the team with Ciara Horne, who joined the Academy programme last month, making selection as well as Mark Christian who returns to the track team as a guest rider following his strong performance at the Commonwealth Games.' The championships take place from October 16-19. There is no place in the team for Olympic champion and former Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins . | Laura Trott, Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker, and Joanna Rowsell all picked for Women's Endurance .
Britain's biggest names in men's cycling are sitting out the championships .
European Championships offer first chance of Olympic qualification points . |
238,689 | c0fd3fa7b01c92b79f47c278355858bb1103a2d5 | The future of travel booking is here. TripAdvisor has just launched their brand new personalised hotel recommendation feature - Just for You - that will offer up customised hotel offerings based on individual preferences from previous research on the site. All in a day's work for the world's largest travel site, which calls this new service 'a natural extension.' TripAdvisor has rolled out a brand new feature - Just for You - to give travellers personalised recommendations . Senior Vice-President, Global Product, Adam Medros said: 'By virtue of the insights and attributes that we've gathered from millions of traveller reviews and opinions, TripAdvisor is uniquely able to match travellers with their ideal hotels. 'The new Just for You feature is the evolution of the hotel search on TripAdvisor and a natural extension of our ongoing efforts to make every travel-planning experience more helpful and personally relevant for our users.' Here's how it works. When holidaymakers search hotels for a particular destination, they'll be presented with a variety of tags allowing them to select travel preferences - location, price range, hotel class, etc. Through the new feature, TripAdvisor will take this feedback into account - along with prior research that the individual has done on the site - to create personalised results to help travellers find their perfect hotel. The customised hotel offerings will be based on individual preferences from previous research on the site . The feature will grow and improve as travellers select more preference tags and write more hotel reviews . Currently, the Just for You app is available on all desktop sites and on the mobile website on tablet. The feature will continue to adapt and improve as individuals select more preference tags, write more hotel reviews, and search for special destinations on TripAdvisor. 'Just for You is highly adaptive and learns from your favourite hotels and destinations,' Medros says. 'With the new feature, we can not only match a traveller with their preferred type of hotel, but we can suggest the trendy, boutique hotel located downtown with a swimming pool because we know those are the specific hotel characteristics you like.' | New Just for You feature offers custom hotel recommendations for travellers .
Data is based on individual preferences and prior searches on the site .
TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site, calls this 'a natural extension' |
19,736 | 380eb0d13299ba891bb8a852bd23a0f717354d0b | (CNN) -- A federal judge ruled Tuesday that an Oklahoma law limiting marriage to heterosexual couples violates the U.S. Constitution, giving yet another victory to same-sex marriage supporters. U.S. District Court Judge Terence Kern said the court would not immediately enforce this ruling -- therefore not opening the doors right away to marriages of gay and lesbian couples in Oklahoma -- pending appeals. Still, he delivered a clear opinion on how the voter-approved Oklahoma state constitutional amendment relates to the U.S. Constitution. "The Court holds that Oklahoma's constitutional amendment limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution," the judge wrote, saying that protection "is at the very heart of our legal system." His decision specifically deals with "Part A" of an Oklahoma Constitutional amendment that says, in part, "marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman." Kern said that "the Court's rationality review reveals Part A an arbitrary, irrational exclusion of just one class of Oklahoma citizens from a government benefit." Proponents of the state constitutional measure, he points out, "purposefully (drew a line) between two groups of Oklahoma citizens -- same-sex couples desiring an Oklahoma marriage license and opposite-sex couples desiring (a) marriage license." CNN -- which has a copy of the ruling -- first learned of the court's decision via Twitter. This case was first brought by a pair of lesbian couples in 2004, the same year that Oklahoma citizens voted to put a ban on same-sex marriage in their state's constitution. Susan Barton, one of the four women involved, told CNN that she is "absolutely thrilled" with the decision, saying it was worth the long fight. She and her partner, Gay Phillips, have lived in Oklahoma for more than 50 years. They have been together for the past three decades and got a civil union in Vermont and have marriage licenses issued from Vancouver, British Columbia, and San Francisco. "You can't stay in this for nine years and not have faith," Barton said. "... I feel like we are already married, (but) I want our state to recognize our marriage." CNN received no immediate response from the Tulsa County district attorney's office, which was among those arguing for the state's same-sex marriage ban. Gov. Mary Fallin spoke out against the ruling, which she said defied the views of 75% of those who voted in favor of limiting marriage to a man and woman. "I support the right of Oklahoma's voters to govern themselves on this and other policy matters," Fallin said. "I am disappointed in the judge's ruling and troubled that the will of the people has once again been ignored by the federal government." Learn more about same-sex marriage . Several courts ruled on it over what now has nearly been a decade, but the momentous decisions were indirectly related. Those were made last summer by the U.S. Supreme Court, which stated that the federal Defense of Marriage Act "violates basic due process and equal protection principles applicable to the Federal Government." That meant the U.S. government would -- for tax and other legal purposes -- recognize same-sex marriages. However, the rulings did not directly address the many states, like Oklahoma, which have prohibited such marriages within their borders. Yet it has opened the door for lower federal courts weighing in on the matter, like U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby's December 20 decision striking down Utah's ban on same-sex marriage. He argued that state's law conflicted with the equal protection and due process guarantees under the U.S. Constitution. Carl Tobias, a constitutional law professor at the University of Richmond, said that federal district judges striking at state bans "looks like a trend" that, ironically, is kicking into gear in the generally conservative states of Utah and Oklahoma. "It seems to be moving much more quickly than people thought," said Tobias. In his ruling Tuesday, Kern brought up both the high court's decision (United States v. Windsor) and Shelby's ruling, which he noted was about a case "nearly identical" to the one in Oklahoma. At least 1,000 marriage licenses were issued for gay and lesbian couples in Utah between the time Shelby made his ruling and the U.S. Supreme Court issued its stay Monday, pending appeals. The federal government said it will recognize those marriages, while the state of Utah said it would not. Kern's decision -- citing what happened in Utah -- to issue an immediate stay of his own decision means no gay or lesbian couples in Oklahoma will be in limbo as the case likely moves forward in the federal courts. His ruling Tuesday is not a total victory for the Oklahoma couples. The judge didn't rule in support of their argument challenging Section 2 of the Defense of Marriage Act asserting that states shall not "be required" to accept same-sex marriages performed in other states. Nor does it provide any "other relief," such as possible monetary damages, as they'd sought. Still, Kern does say, "The Barton couple and their counsel are commended for their foresight, courage, and perseverance." And he is clear in delivering the plaintiffs their biggest victory, regarding their chief focus in the Oklahoma state constitution. "Part A," Kern writes, "intentionally discriminates against same-sex couples desiring an Oklahoma marriage license without a legally sufficient justification." So what happens next? Tobias noted that Utah and Oklahoma appeals could be heard together, because they're similar and both in the Tenth Circuit. Unlike the solitary district judges, such appeals are done by a panel of three judges whose mission is to decide whether or not the lower court erred in its decision. Eventually, the Supreme Court -- even though it has notably steered clear of ruling on state-by-state variations -- could weigh in, settling the matter of whether states can ban same-sex marriage once and for all. That is a prospect few might have anticipated prior to last summer's Windsor ruling, though there's no telling how the divided court might come down. In the Windsor case, the Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act, which denied legally married same-sex couples the same federal benefits provided to heterosexual spouses. "Windsor really might have been the tipping point," Tobias said. "But we'll see." CNN's Mayra Cuevas and Bill Mears contributed to this report. | NEW: Expert: Federal judges striking down state gay marriage bans "looks like a trend"
A federal judge says Oklahoma's same-sex marriage ban violates U.S. Constitution .
He stays enforcement of the ruling, pending appeals; this also happened in a Utah case .
Governor says she's "troubled" the government "ignored" the people's will . |
200,726 | 8fd56b48c0ed3659105803336a7bb1f9cd4a5761 | (CNN) -- A Dutch couple kidnapped in Yemen last month pleaded for help in a video released on Monday. "We have been kidnapped here in Yemen and we have a big problem," said the woman in 90-second video posted online. The couple went on to say they had spoken to the Dutch ambassador to Yemen about the demands of their kidnappers, and are asking for help. A spokeswoman for the Dutch Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, released a statement saying: "The Foreign minister announced on the Ministry's Facebook page that the government is concerned about the safety of the citizens. The situation is being given the government's full attention. The families of the abductees have been contacted." The couple was kidnapped on June 15 as they were leaving their home in Hadda zone, one of the most secure locations of the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. They had gone missing for a week before the authorities were alerted and the Dutch embassy informed. Source: 3 European hostages released in Yemen . A tribal leader involved in the mediation process told CNN that the health situation of the Dutch couple was stable although they are going through depression. "The kidnappers are asking for a ransom but have yet to announce how much," said the tribal leader who asked to remain anonymous due to sensitivity of the matter. The tribal leader said that the government has indirectly asked a number of tribal leaders to be involved in this case and to help in ensuring their safe release, adding "our priority is the safety of the Dutch couple." When contacted by CNN, the Yemeni Interior Ministry would not address who was behind the latest kidnapping. "It is for the best interest of this case that comments are not given by the ministry. But I would like to assure that we are doing our best," a senior official in the minister's office said. The official would not say if the government had information on the whereabouts of the Dutch couple. Interior Ministry records show that some 35 kidnapping attempts have taken place in Yemen this year. Most of the victims have been released, all unharmed. Kidnapped Red Cross workers freed in Yemen . Al Qaeda is believed to have been behind most of the kidnappings, including that of a South African couple in May. A Finnish couple and a Austrian who were kidnapped by tribesmen last December were released five months later following tribal mediation involving Oman. Last week, activists in Yemen launched an online signature campaign this week to exert some pressure on the Yemeni government to ensure that the disappearance of the Dutch couple is treated with care and caution. The Yemeni Journalist Syndicate (YJS) has condemned the kidnapping, saying that local groups are using the practice as a bargaining chip against the government. | The couple was kidnapped on June 15 as they were leaving their home in Sanaa .
A tribal leader involved in mediation says the couple is going through depression .
In a video posted online, the Dutch woman says "we have a big problem"
Government records show some 35 kidnapping attempts in Yemen this year . |
4,773 | 0db0398c4448beb6e6bf3dfa14bedf0e88b895a5 | Smartphone usage has skyrocketed at sporting events, as anyone who's attended a recent game can tell you. Look around the stands and you'll see fans checking stats, sharing pictures on social media, or just killing time between plays. While stadiums have boosted cellular and Wi-Fi infrastructure to keep fans connected during games, there's always the possibility that there won't be enough bandwidth for everyone. That's why on Super Bowl Sunday, the NFL is planning to block live streams of the game inside the stadium. Super Bowl XLVIII, between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, will be streamed by NFL.com and Fox Sports, but both of those sources will be blocked on the Wi-Fi and cellular networks at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, NFL CIO Michelle McKenna-Doyle told Ars in a phone interview. The NFL.com and Fox Sports blocks will be implemented both for mobile apps and within Web browsers. The decision stems from last year's Super Bowl, when streaming was initially allowed but eventually blocked when it took up too much bandwidth. "We [blocked] it last year, but we did it on the fly when we started having some challenges. This year we planned ahead to do it," McKenna-Doyle said. She said the 82,500-seat stadium will be able to handle 25,000 to 30,000 concurrent Internet users across cellular and Wi-Fi. The NFL didn't tell us what the anticipated speeds are because Verizon, which led the Wi-Fi and cellular buildout, preferred to keep that information under wraps. But the plan is to prioritize upload speeds over download because fans generally spend a lot of time posting photos and statuses to social media. The NFL is providing a Super Bowl app to attendees with an event guide and "exclusive content," but it won't include streaming video or replays. "While we do know that people like to look at replays on their phones and there are some people who like to stream certain amounts of video in the game, the vast majority of our fans want to watch the game on the field, watch the replays on the jumbo board, and participate in the event more than they want to be checking their phone," McKenna-Doyle said. "While we could have made some of that available, it might have impacted the ability for the majority of the fans to be able to stay connected to social media, tweet, Facebook, that kind of thing." Big games, big network usage . At last year's Super Bowl, the Wi-Fi network stayed up even during the infamous mid-game power outage. While some attendees told Ars after last year's game that Wi-Fi access was problematic at times, a broadcast engineer we spoke with measured the network at 23Mbps down and 44Mbps up. It's common at high-density events for fans to have trouble sending text messages or uploading photos, McKenna-Doyle noted. Network congestion is especially pronounced at key moments of each game. While attending the final game of last year's World Series at Fenway Park in Boston, I was able to upload, e-mail, and text photos on the cellular network during the game. Immediately after the final out however, fans swarmed the network and uploads became impossible. "When you can't do the basics, it's all of a sudden not that cool that you can show replays or stream the game," McKenna-Doyle said. "It's a fine balance. We're pushing the envelope every year. As technology gets better and better I'm willing to take more and more risks about what we allow." McKenna-Doyle is optimistic that multicast technology, as opposed to the unicast tech used today, will limit the amount of data needed for streaming video at future Super Bowls. "A Unicast transmission/stream sends IP packets to a single recipient on a network. A Multicast transmission sends IP packets to a group of hosts on a network," explains network video Visionary Solutions. But that won't be used at this year's game, because multicast streaming isn't commonly supported on smartphones yet, McKenna-Doyle said. Keeping fans connected . The Super Bowl restriction doesn't mean live streaming is blocked at every NFL game. For example, the New England Patriots' app provides access to NFL Red Zone video when users are connected to Gillette Stadium's Wi-Fi network. "It depends on the stadium," McKenna-Doyle said. "Each team manages every game themselves and they have mobile apps that they run. Some allow it based on their infrastructure, and some block it." The Wi-Fi network, open to all fans, has about 900 access points, using Cisco equipment powered by the new 802.11ac standard, according to the NFL. Verizon is providing the Internet connectivity, with about 4Gbps coming into the stadium. While Verizon is the lead vendor, all four major carriers invested in upgrading their Distributed Antenna Systems at the Super Bowl site, McKenna-Doyle said. One nicety provided to attendees is a radio providing four audio feeds from Fox, Westwood One, ESPN Deportes, and the in-stadium public address. While it would be possible to provide audio feeds to a mobile app, McKenna-Doyle noted that "We've always given this radio for broadcast, and fans have told us they really love it." As usual, the Super Bowl crew will use monitoring tools to identify hacker attacks on the network or technical problems that prevent fans from getting on the Internet. Monitoring user activity helps plan capacity for future events and fix problems as they arise. Network monitoring tools divide the stadium into sectors, and this year "we cut the stadium into more sectors than we had in the past so we can pinpoint more quickly where issues are in a section of the stadium," McKenna-Doyle said. "If we start to hear we're having issues in a certain part, we can work on a smaller segment of the stadium without it impacting as many people." | Fans won't be allowed to stream video on their phones at the Super Bowl .
NFL.com will stream the game, but it will be blocked at MetLife Stadium .
There's a Super Bowl app, but it won't stream video .
League fears video could clog bandwidth . |
246,179 | caa2159778ab7cf635cf5b58ea53dc5035d79e00 | Taken: Lisa Irwin was taken from her parents home in Kansas City in October 2011 and they have now expressed their hope that the little girl known as Maria rescued in Greece might be her . A couple who had their daughter taken from their Kansas City home more than two years ago have revealed that they have contacted Greek authorities hoping that the missing girl known only as Maria could be theirs. As the search for Maria's identity widened into an international appeal, Jeremy Irwin, 31, and Deborah Bradley, 30, who lost their daughter Lisa in October 2011, were reported by Greek authorities to be one the eight leads - four of which are from the U.S. - out of thousands they are taking extremely seriously. Attorney John Picerno, who has represented Irwin and Bradley since their daughter disappeared from her bed after an apparent home invasion, confirmed they were one of four American inquiries about Maria, but refused to go into further detail. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Picerno said, 'We inquire about every child that is found and fits the age profile of Lisa. 'We investigate all leads. I don't have any further comment at this stage.' Little Lisa Irwin's disappearance hit the headlines across the nation in October 2011 when she was reported missing by her father when she was only 11 months old. She would be three-years old in November and her eyes bare more than a passing resemblance to those of Maria, the girl rescued from a Greek gypsy camp in Tabakou on Wednesday. Scroll down for video . Father and daughter: This is Jeremy Irwin and his daughter Lisa before she was abducted at the age of 10 months from her home in Kansas City, Missouri . Pictured: Eleftheria Dimopoulou, 40 with husband Christos Salis and little Maria, the Roma couple under arrest in Greece over the alleged abduction of Maria, the blond girl discovered by police at a Roma camp in Farsala, near Larissa, central Greece . Age-progression: On the left is how the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children imagines Lisa would look and on the right is little Maria from Greece . However, it is thought that while the two little girls share physical similarities, Maria is estimated to be around four or five years old although no official age has been confirmed. KMBC, the local news station in Kansas City, produced in conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children an age-progression image, which projects what Lisa may look like now. And last year, a tantalizing clue was brought to the attention of the Today Show. In early November, 2011, just over a month after Lisa vanished, Irwin said his debit card was stolen. The card was suspended after he noticed a fraudulent charge for $69.04 made to a British website that advertises a service to legally change your name or your child’s name online. Fraud: One month after his daughter's disappearance Jeremy Irwin discovered his credit card had been used to pay money to a British website that alters names by deed-poll . Meanwhile, today in Greece, Hristos Salis, 39, and Eleftheria Dimopoulou, 40, the gypsy couple accused of abducting Maria appeared in court to be charged with child abduction and forging birth documents. Her case has attracted global attention, with thousands of calls from people who believe they may know her identity. The child – nicknamed ‘the blonde angel’ by the Greek media – was discovered last week when police raided a gipsy camp. DNA evidence proved she was not related to the couple. Abducting a child under the age of 14 carries a maximum sentence of ten years. The forgery charges relate to fake child birth certificates and two false identities used by Dimopoulou. Baby blue eyes: Jeremy Irwin and Deborah Bradley have notified authorities in Greece that their Lisa could be little Maria . Smiles: Deborah kisses her little girl Lisa before her disappearance in October 2011 . Back in the United States, Lisa's disappearance was not without controversy though - Bradley claimed that an intruder must have taken her daughter from her bedroom while she was asleep in the same room - having consumed a large amount of alcohol. A witness said that he saw a man carrying around a baby in a diaper down the street around the time Lisa went missing . Earlier this month, before the rescue of Maria from the camp in northern Greece, Deborah Bradley and Jeremy Irwin held a candle-lit vigil to mark the second anniversary of her disappearance. Despite the family's determination, authorities in Kansas City said before this last week, tips into the disappearance have waned since the months after she vanished on October 4, 2011. 'I cannot force the people who know where Lisa is and who might have her into telling us. I have no control over that,' Bradley told the Kansas City Star. 'You do what you can for your baby, because it is your job as a parent to protect your child, and I wasn’t able to protect her from the bad guys.' Lisa was 10-months-old when her father returned from a late work shift to find the front door open, the lights on, Bradley asleep, his daughter's bedroom window open and her crib empty. They believe that someone broke into the home and snatched the baby while Bradley slept, and have said they think someone is bringing up the little girl as their own. Vanished: Deborah said that her child was taken from her house after she had fallen asleep after drinking too much . 'When somebody abducts an infant, they don't take them to hurt them,' she said. 'Wherever she is, she is being loved and taken well care of, because they went through a hell of a lot of trouble to get her.' She said that she knows people have pointed fingers at them for the disappearance but she maintained their innocence - and said it will be proven when the little girl returns to them. A private investigator continues to work on the case, and the family still offers a $100,000 reward for anyone who has information that could bring the baby home. Tragically for Irwin and Bradley, they have also revealed that her room remains virtually untouched two years after she disappeared without trace. Both Deborah Bradley and Jeremy Irwin have tried to keep a high media profile in the two years since their Lisa's disappearance. Initially, police assumed that they were involved in their daughter's abduction and told Bradley that she failed a lie detector test. Appeals: John Picerno, (left) who has represented Irwin and Bradley (center) appear on the Today Show in 2012 to appeal for the return of their child Lisa . 'They said I failed a polygraph test,' Bradley, 25, told the Associated Press in the immediate weeks after Lisa's October, 2011 disappearance. 'And I continued to say that's not possible because I don't know where she's at and I did not do this.' They said police have treated them like suspects and that Bradley in particular has been preparing for the possibility of charges being filed against her. The mother said detectives told her: 'You did it. You did it. And we have nothing.' The parents say they discovered their front door unlocked, a window open and house lights blazing, lending credence to the theory that the baby may have been snatched by an intruder. 'The main problem I think that we're facing is that everybody (else) has an alibi,' Irwin said. 'I was at work. I've been cleared. All these other people we were worried about ... the FBI said they've been cleared. The only one you can't clear is the mother that's at home when it happens `cause there's nobody else there.' Back in Greece, Maria is in the care of the Smile of a Child charity and have received more than 8,000 calls about Maria. | Baby Lisa Irwin vanished from her home in Kansas City on October 2011 .
Her parents, Jeremy Irwin, 31, and Deborah Bradley, 30, have contacted Greek authorities following the rescue of Maria from Greek gypsy camp .
Maria is now at the center of an international appeal to uncover her identity .
Attorney for Irwin and Bradley confirmed they are one of four 'significant' leads in the United States out of thousands of enquiries . |
134,236 | 398e3998455da806b49e34e4fd1f8e6eb6e7f5cf | By . Emma Innes . PUBLISHED: . 03:02 EST, 25 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:02 EST, 25 April 2013 . Tetris could spell the end of the eye patch for people with lazy eye . The computer game Tetris could spell the end of the eye patch for people with lazy eye. Researchers have found a way of using the game to treat adult amblyopia by training both eyes to work together. The breakthrough provides direct evidence that forcing both eyes to co-operate increases the level of plasticity in the brain and allows the amblyopic brain to relearn. Amblyopia is the most common cause of visual impairment in childhood, affecting up to three in 100 people. It occurs when the vision in one eye does not develop properly. This means the person can see less clearly from the underdeveloped eye meaning they rely heavily on their other eye. If untreated, it can lead to permanent loss of vision in the affected eye. Previous treatments for the disorder, which have focused largely on covering the stronger eye in order to force the weaker eye to work, have proved only partially successful in children and have been ineffective in adults. Study leader Doctor Robert Hess, Director of the Research Department of Ophthalmology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, said: ‘The key to improving vision for adults, who currently have no other treatment options, was to set up conditions that would enable the two eyes to cooperate for the first time in a given task.’ The researchers examined the potential of treating amblyopic adults using Tetris, which involves connecting different shaped blocks as they fall to the ground. Dr Hess said: ‘Using head-mounted video goggles we were able to display the game dichoptically, where one eye was allowed to see only the falling objects, and the other eye was allowed to see only the ground plane objects. ‘Forcing the eyes to work together, we believed, would improve vision in the lazy eye.’ The researchers tested a sample of 18 adults with amblyopia. Amblyopia is the most common cause of visual impairment in childhood, affecting up to three in 100 people . Nine participants played the game with the weaker eye, while the stronger eye was patched. The other nine played the same game dichoptically, where each eye was allowed to view a separate part of the game. After two weeks, the group playing the dichoptic game showed a ‘dramatic’ improvement in the vision of the weaker eye as well as in 3D depth perception. When the patching-wearing group, who had shown only a moderate improvement, was switched to the new dichoptic training, the vision of this group also improved dramatically. Now the suitability of the treatment in children will be assessed later this year in a clinical trial. The research was published in the journal Current Biology. | Tetris can be used to train both eyes to work together .
Currently people with lazy eye wear eye patch to force the weaker eye to work but its not effective in adults .
Tetris technique resulted in 'dramatic' improvement . |
173,709 | 6cc94f8dbf2c8485dc9e0fb46e2e838eeb7cf1d8 | (CNN) -- Borussia Dortmund moved a big step closer to a first German Bundesliga title in nine years on Saturday with a historic 3-1 victory over defending champions Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Jurgen Klopp's team moved 13 points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who visit Werder Bremen on Sunday, and 16 ahead of Bayern -- who lost at home to Dortmund for the first time in 20 years. Louis van Gaal's team dropped to fourth after the home defeat, occupying Germany's final Champions League position for next season with 10 rounds to play. Paraguay striker Lucas Barrios opened the scoring in the ninth minute with his 11th goal of the season after Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger lost posesssion to Kevin Grosskreutz, who threaded a perfect pass into the penalty area. Welcome win for struggling Wolfsburg . Brazilian defender Luis Gustavo equalized seven minutes later with his first goal for Bayern since arriving from Hoffenheim in January, sidefooting in a volley from Franck Ribery's corner. Dortmund immediately went back in front through a wonderful effort from Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin, who curled a 20-yard left-foot shot past goalkeeper Thomas Kraft. Bundesliga top scorer Mario Gomez thought he had leveled again in the 20th minute, but the striker was ruled to be offside. Former Bayern defender Mats Hummels sealed the Westphalian team's victory with a header from Mario Gotze's corner on the hour mark. With 15 minutes left, Dortmund's 22-year-old Australian keeper Mitchell Langerak capped a solid Bundesliga debut when he denied Germany international Gomez from close range. Hanover claimed third place after central defender Christian Schulz's last-gasp header was enough to see off St. Pauli. The 27-year-old converted from Portuguese winger Sergio Pinto's 87th-minute corner to put Mirko Slomka's team two points ahead of Bayern,. Mainz remained in fifth place after also needing a late goal to snatch all three points away to Hoffenheim. Former Austria midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz put the visitors in front before his compatriot David Alaba looked to have rescued a draw for ninth-placed Hoffenheim in the 84th minute. But with just four minutes left, 30-year-old Colombian midfielder Elkin Soto secured victory for Thomas Tuchel's Mainz with his second league goal of the season. Germany international Lukas Podolski scored an 88th-minute winner to help Cologne beat SC Freiburg and climb into 11th position, eight points behind their opponents. Sixth-placed Hamburg could only manage a 1-1 draw away to relegation-threatened Kaiserslautern. Marco Kurz's Kaiserslautern drew first blood through Adam Hlousek's first-half goal, but Marcell Jansen's leveler for Armin Veh's Hamburg left the home team in 15th position and above the relegation play-off place on goal difference. Schalke's disappointing Bundesliga season continued with a 1-1 draw at home to Nuremberg. Nuremberg, currently eighth in the table, took the lead through Jens Hegeler, only for former Real Madrid and Spain striker Raul to equalize after 52 minutes. | Borussia Dortmund record first win away to Bayern Munich since 1991 .
The 3-1 victory leaves Jurgen Klopp's team 13 points clear at the top of the table .
Hanover move up to third above Bayern after a last-gasp 2-1 triumph at St. Pauli .
Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen will travel to Werder Bremen on Sunday . |
97,328 | 093f0b546a881d0853386ceb065fd379d477f0fa | An iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has crashed into a pole in central Pennsylvania. The giant hot dog on top of the vehicle was smashed up and damaged in the accident in Harrisburg, on Sunday, according to CBS Pittsburgh. Police said the crash occurred in the 500 block of South Enola Road in Enola, when the vehicle skidded and slammed into a pole. Scroll down for video . Crash: The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was smashed up and damaged in an accident in Harrisburg . Windscreen: The vehicle reportedly slipped off the roadway near the intersection of State Road and Fairview Avenue, slamming into a pole and smashing the windshield . The vehicle reportedly slipped off the roadway near the intersection of State Road and Fairview Avenue, smashing the windshield ABC 27 reported. However, there were no injuries. But drivers who passed by the accident, stopped to take pictures of the damaged wienermobile on their cell phones and have shared the images on social media. Oscar Mayer is a food company and division of Kraft Foods, based in Madison, Wisconsin. It's much loved 1973 commercial featured a cute kid fishing and singing it's theme song. But it's now thought that the start of that song can be changed to 'My bologna has a new first name and it's C-R-A-S-H.' The company has several 'Wienermobiles,' all shaped like a hot dog on a bun, which are used to promote and advertise Oscar Mayer products in the United States. They measure 27 feet in length and first hit the road in 1936 after Oscar Mayer's nephew Carl created them. Damage: Part of the wiener mobile hangs off on an icy street in the 500 block of South Enola Road in Enola, where it came to a halt . | The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was smashed up and damaged .
It skidded and crashed in an accident in Enola, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania .
Drivers who passed by the accident, stopped to take pictures of the vehicle . |
2,791 | 082c1c608bea698a65eecc2d69c0c35467340050 | By . Dan Bloom . Happy: An inquest heard Oliver King, 16, became introverted before taking his own life . A sixth-former who became introverted and withdrawn when he met his first girlfriend was found hanged after spending his final three hours searching for death metal songs on YouTube, an inquest heard. Oliver King, 16, left no suicide note and had never received any medical help for depression or mental illness. However, he texted a friend weeks before his death saying 'I imagine killing myself every day'. Police also found deleted images on his iPod which included the words: 'I’m sorry I want to give up. I’m sorry I want to die. I’m . sorry I want to kill myself.' A coroner ruled he had been going through 'some dark periods' generally and was 'trapped with nobody to turn to for objective advice'. Oliver's parents, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, told the inquest he turned from an outgoing schoolboy into an introvert after beginning his first serious relationship. The teenager began spending little time . at home, lost weight and fell behind with his A-level studies. He had . coursework deadlines the day after he died in February last year and relations with his parents became strained. A year before he died, he began his first serious relationship and began wearing dark clothes, long hair and make-up and listening to a new range of bands, his parents said. The inquest heard Oliver spent three hours on the night he died viewing songs including The Body of . Death of the Man With The Body of Death by Pinkly Smooth, before taking . his own life while his mother was out of the house. After the hearing his father Adrian . King, 43, a management and IT consultant, said: 'I think the music did . contribute to his state of mind. He was hanging out with the wrong crowd . and I believe this lifestyle was more to blame than anything else. 'He had changed his clothes, his music, his address and his face. He was manipulated and felt isolated. 'Anyone who had met Oliver a year before his death would not have recognised him a year later. 'A year before he was a regular 15-year-old. He had friends, was happy with his life, had a good relationship with his parents, was gifted at art and progressing well at school.' But Oliver's girlfriend denied the music was 'dark', as the coroner asked, and instead pointed to the fact the schoolboy 'did not feel comfortable at home' and had been stressed with coursework. Another school friend said he had been teased over his new look. Oliver was found hanging by his mother Diane King, whose attempts to revive him failed and he died in Rotherham Hospital. She told the inquest Oliver, who lived . with his father after the couple divorced, preferred to be at his . girlfriend’s house and stayed out most days and . evenings as well as studying. 'He was very secretive and wouldn’t tell me where he was or where he was going,' said Mrs King. Two weeks before his death he moved back in with his mother, the inquest heard. Outgoing: Oliver pictured when he was on holiday on the Greek island of Zante in 2009 . The inquest heard Oliver’s . relationship may have hit a 'rocky patch' and his girlfriend made 20 . attempts to contact him in a short space of time just before he was . found. A text from Oliver to her read: 'Please, please stay strong you are not leaving.' His iPod contained deleted images with . the words 'everything will be OK in the end, if it’s not OK its the . end.' Another said: 'I have driven myself to the edge. I can't take it . any more.' His girlfriend, whom the coroner asked not to be named, arrived at the house with another boy after Oliver had been found. Happier times: The schoolboy on a 2011 outing . Mrs . King told the inquest: 'She said: "Is it Oliver? Is he dead?" She didn’t seem overly . upset. I thought had they split up and is he the new boyfriend.' Det Con Ian Hampshire, who . investigated Oliver’s death, said a fellow pupil told him: 'Oliver felt . trapped and always had to do what his girlfriend wanted to do.' And Mr King told the inquest he and his . ex-wife had clashed with the girl’s parents over the amount of time . Oliver was spending at their house. But . the girl told the inquest Oliver had become 'very stressed' with his . coursework, especially ICT, and he had project deadlines the day after . his death. She said it was . his choice to wear eyeliner but he had not changed his clothes since . meeting her. They shared the same interest in music, including the bands Avenged Sevenfold and Black Veil Brides, but he was not . associated with any particular group. Asked by the coroner if it was 'dark' music she replied: 'Not from my perspective. I don’t see it as dark music.' She added he spent a lot of time with her . because he 'did not feel comfortable' at home, and denied telling him . their relationship was over. Another schoolfriend said Oliver was 'kind and . full of joy' before he returned to school in the September term. 'He had . dramatically lost weight and wore eyeliner,' he told the inquest. 'He was aware there was some . name-calling and ill-feeling from some of the other pupils.' The sixth-former had been struggling . with his schoolwork but improved after a clear-the-air meeting at school, his head of sixth form Patrick Buttrell told the inquest. Mr Buttrell added there was no official dress code for sixth formers but he had asked Oliver to tone down his make-up. 'It was a light-hearted conversation, he gave me a bit of a smile and said he knew it was over the top,' said Mr Buttrell. Oliver in the Canary Islands in 2002. His father claimed music and lifestyle had contributed to his state of mind . The teenager’s death triggered an investigation involving childrens’ services, public health and police in Rotherham. Deputy Rotherham coroner Fred Curtis said Oliver had 'loving and caring' parents and his new relationship had come at the expense of family and friends. 'He was trapped with nobody to turn to for objective advice,' said Mr Curtis. He was 'paranoid' over his relationship with his girlfriend which 'may have reached a rocky patch' in his mind and he was troubled by his schoolwork. The Coroner added: 'He had been through some dark periods and that evening it culminated in a decision, in my view, to take his own life.' | Oliver King became introverted and isolated in his last year, inquest heard .
On the night of his death he spent three hours listening to heavy metal .
But girlfriend insisted music was not 'dark' and he was stressed with work .
He left no suicide note and never received any medical treatment .
Mother found him hanged in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Verdict: Suicide .
For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details . |
205,996 | 96aa70d18f98eb12ec1c65a62863e0f556ec2bcc | PUBLISHED: . 17:39 EST, 23 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:59 EST, 24 February 2013 . An Emmy-winning TV writer died in a tragic accident in Brooklyn yesterday when a pick-up truck jumped the curb and pinned her against a wall. Martha Atwater, 48, had just bought cookies from a cafe in Brooklyn Heights when a black Honda Ridgeline careered onto the sidewalk. Witnesses have described emotionally distressing scenes as the woman spoke final words to her family using her cell phone. The truck was driven by a 53-year-old man who remained at the scene. Reports say he may have lost consciousness and control of the vehicle due suffering a 'medical problem', possibly related to diabetes. Authorities are not suspecting criminal behavior. Tragic: Martha Atwater, pictured here (left) having fun with a fake mustache in a picture taken from her Facebook page, died when a pickup truck jumped the curb and pinned her against a wall . Shock: Atwater was hit by the truck just after buying cookies in a Brooklyn Heights cafe . The incident happened on Clinton Street and Atlantic Avenue around 5.40 pm on Friday. Atwater was barely conscious when paramedics arrived at the scene and she was taken to Long Island College Hospital. She was pronounced dead at the hospital and identified by husband Thomas Wallack. Wallack returned to the family home last night but according to The New York Post was 'too distraught to speak.' Amille Harris, an eyewitness, told ABC that a UPS worker got Atwater's phone and was able to call her family. Harris added that it was distressing to watch her last words to her family. 'She was just mumbling and whining. There was nothing she could do it was sad,' Harris said. Distressing: Atwater was pinned against a wall by the out-of-control truck . The sad incident happened on Atlantic Avenue and Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights . 'She was pinned under the car. There was no blood, nothing she could do. Her leg was caught under the tire. It was gory,' Harris recalled. Atwater bought five horseshoe-shaped cookies from the Bagel Cafe before being struck by the truck. The cafe manager Alauddin Shipun told The New York Post: 'She just came in to buy cookies. She looked happy, she was smiling.' 'She walked out. I heard a big bang and she was gone. Someone was trying . to lift her head up and asking her, "Are you OK? Are you OK?"' Shipun . added. Atwater graduated from Princeton University and won an Emmy award in 2009 for her work on PBS children's show WordWorld. She also wrote for Big and Small and Horrible Histories, and produced the series Clifford the Big Red Dog and film Clifford's Really Big Movie. The Brooklyn Heights Blog reported that Atwater was an active member of the community. She wrote a blog called Desperately Seeking Jon Stewart. 'Medical problem': It is thought the driver of the car may have lost control due to diabetes . | Martha Atwater, 48, struck by out-of-control truck and pinned against wall .
Witnesses describe distressing last words on cell phone to her family . |
114,906 | 204a9452b007ee812df3984494774b2771e715a2 | (CNN) -- On Wednesday, nine athletes were tested positive for "sophisticated doping" and banned from the 2012 Olympics. This shouldn't surprise anyone. For as long as there have been games, there have been stories of cheating. Competitive sports -- an open-ended contest for a prize -- started in antiquity. The Olympics, which were held every four years at Olympia, a sanctuary to the god Zeus in the western Peloponnese, became the most prestigious venue for athletics by about 600 B.C. and spawned a whole series of similar events in the next century. Opening ceremony reaction: Pomp, patriotism and political gaffes . Managing the Olympics or any other athletic event was never easy. In the first surviving set of rules at Olympia, breaking your opponent's fingers in wrestling was strictly forbidden. Rules like this point to a main worry among the people who ran games in the ancient world -- "performance suppression." While there were no ancient rules against performance enhancement -- our chief concern today -- there is lot of evidence for both the theory and practice of getting people to do less than their best. Some forms of performance suppression were more effective than others. The most colorful was to place a curse on an athlete so he would not do his best (or the gods of the underworld would drive him mad). This often involved the burial of a lead tablet containing the curse in some place that mattered -- ancient racing venues have produced a fair number of these items. Another method, typical in the ancient and modern worlds, involved hidden payments to athletes to take a dive. In one famous case, the man who promised a bribe to his son's opponent refused to pay because he decided that his boy would have won anyway -- and was stupid enough to say so where people could hear him. Perhaps there is not a lot here that has changed, as a British paper is reporting that the father of the only woman on Australia's archery team has had a restraining order lifted because he convinced a judge that he had not tried to intimidate one of his daughter's rivals in a qualifying round. There there's the route of buying an official, a scheme well known up to this day. It's an athletic nightmare that entails a series of dead heats being declared until the favored contestant could win. Sometimes the open prejudice of management would come into play. One easy way to get to the desired result was to arrange an especially easy draw for the favored athlete so he could reach the final round against an exhausted opponent. This seems to have been so common that one man actually boasted that he had never won through the Roman emperor's favor. Finally, and most unpleasantly, there was simple dirty play. Some people developed especially violent moves and were not deterred by the cautionary tale about a man who killed his opponent with a vicious blow in a championship fight and lost the title because people thought he was ghastly. Chariot racing, which was extremely popular in the old days, seems also to have been prone to catastrophes of all sorts as drivers smashed into each other on the long, crowded course. In one Olympic year, things were so bad that not a single chariot finished the race. Athletes would use a reputation for ferociousness to intimidate their opponents. Opinion: Team USA's militaristic uniform a problem? Responses to cheating have always involved stripping a champion of a title, and, at least at Olympia, included the requirement that the athlete dedicate a monument recording his shame for all time (it is thanks to these monuments that we can appreciate the range of cheating). This method of embarrassing the cheater, which stressed the memory of what a person had done wrong, seems a bit more effective than the modern practice of merely erasing a name from the record book and trying to forget what happened. In the next few weeks, as we watch the best athletes from around the world setting new records, don't be surprised if more stories of cheating emerge. And if we want to reduce cheating in competitive sporting events, maybe it's better to follow the ancient practice of remembering athletes' misdeeds by, say, erecting a public monument that contains all the names of the Olympic cheaters. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Potter. | Nine athletes tested positive for doping and banned from the 2012 Olympics .
David Potter: For as long as there have been games, there have been stories of cheating .
He says cheating methods in ancient times included bribery and dirty tricks .
Potter: At Olympia, athletes had to dedicate a monument recording their cheating . |
96,835 | 089e21b2efc712344670e284e5accac788c9ffe3 | (CNN) -- When Catherine al-Talli was 13 years old, a group of strangers came knocking at her family's home in Syria. It was 1992. Her mother let them in, and feverishly they explained that earlier that day they saw Syrian security forces surround al-Talli's father, a democracy activist, at a bus station. "They told us that 10 of them, the forces, had their guns out and they were all around my father. They kidnapped him and pushed him into a car," she recalled. Though they were just children, she and her siblings knew exactly what had happened. They knew their father risked his life as an activist who opposed the Syrian regime. He was paying for that, and now too would their family. It's hard for al-Talli to talk about her father. Shortly after the regime changed hands in 2000 from father to son, he was released from prison. But al-Talli's father had been tortured, forever scarred and changed. "This is difficult to talk about," said al-Talli who became a human rights attorney and activist, inspired by her father's work. "It's really hard to find your dad kidnapped because of his doing good." Until a few months ago, father and daughter were living in Syria. But their activism had made them both targets, and they're now temporarily living in the United States. They watch the horror of their country on the nightly news. On Thursday, the United Nations announced that the number of people killed since protests began this year against the regime of Bashar al-Assad had surpassed 4,000. More than 300 children have lost their lives, and the U.N. reports that children have been specifically targeted, and some tortured to death. According to a September U.N. report, the human suffering behind those numbers looks like this: . Security forces opening fire on a funeral procession in Dar'aa, a city near the border with Jordan; security force snipers on rooftops picking off demonstrators in Damascus; the bodies of those missing, including children, being returned to their families with their bodies torn apart by torture. Water tanks, food supplies, electricity -- everything needed to survive has been targeted by Syrian army and security forces, according to the report. Thousands of people have been arrested. More than 14,000 are reported to be in detention as a result of al-Assad's crackdown on the opposition, Pillay said, and at least 12,400 people have fled their homes to neighboring countries. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay cited a report released Monday by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry which concluded that security and military forces "committed crimes against humanity" against civilians. Syria officially denied access to commission investigators but they still managed to interview 223 victims and witnesses, including military and security forces who had defected. Foreign journalists have been blocked from entering Syria. Al-Assad told a British paper that Syria "will not bow down" and that any potential foreign military action against his country would lead to "very dire" consequences. But the bloodshed and the blocking of journalists and rights workers will not discourage protesters, al-Talli said. "The Syrian people have known what the price of freedom would be," she said. "They knew it would be very high. "We know that the rest of the world understands that. They believe that the international community will not let the al-Assad regime commit more crimes." Al-Talli has participated in demonstrations against al-Assad, including the March 16 rally in Marjeh Square in Damascus when 150 protesters held pictures of their imprisoned relatives. While demonstrating in mid-May, she was detained by security forces who took her cell phone and her professional attorney identification, she told CNN.com. "I don't them, 'You cannot arrest me without [reason], I'm a lawyer.' They didn't listen." Al-Talli said she was held in a cell in Damascus for 48 hours in the same government building where he father had spent time behind bars. She believes that because she was a well-known activist and attorney, her case was pushed to a judge and she was released within a week. From May to September, al-Talli went into hiding, sleeping in different places constantly. She felt that the government was constantly watching her and monitoring her cell phone conversations, a tactic that the al-Assad regime is reportedly using to track and thwart opposition strategy. She chose to leave Syria in September and relocated in the United States. She continues to talk with her friends in Syria, all of varying religious and tribal backgrounds. She insisted that it's a falsehood spread by al-Assad's regime that the fighting in Syria is between tribes and religions. "I have stood next to people of all religions," she said. "I am Christian. I have stood beside Muslims, Christians, Alawis, Druze and Sunnis. This is not about our differences." Andrew Tabler, an American journalist, scholar and Syria expert, has lived in the country and experienced firsthand the growth of discontent against al-Assad, who become president in 2000 when his father, Hafez al-Assad, died after ruling for 29 years. Tabler's new book, "In the Lion's Den," is an in-depth look at the Assads, as well as a deep-dive analysis of Washington's long fraught relationship with Syria. Bashar al-Assad and his British wife, Asma al-Assad, were perceived for years as reformers, by and large. They touted social-service nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and spoke about reliance on civil society. The NGOs were efforts to stem what the regime understood as a huge threat -- frustration and restlessness among Syria's young population and the lack of jobs and opportunities in the country, Tabler said. "Determination has been growing for some time. Now, did we expect [the protesting] to go on this long? No. I don't think anyone did," he said. Tabler said he believes sanctions imposed recently on Syria will weaken the Assad regime. The European Union stepped up sanctions against the nation's oil industry by blacklisting state-owned firms that oversee exploration and trade. The U.S. Treasury on Thursday sanctioned two government-controlled entities and two high-ranking Syrians, including Mohammad Makhlouf, al-Assad's uncle and father of long-serving financial adviser Rami Makhlouf. Rami Makhlouf is already under U.S. sanctions. Another was Aus Aslan, a Syrian general. Turkey has also imposed sanctions against regime insiders. "In terms of Syria running out of money, they'll have an impact," Tabler said. "These are comprehensive [sanctions] and they will have a tremendous impact. Will the regime be over tomorrow? Not at all. That's going to take some work and time. But the death toll for November is the highest it has been so far so that means it's getting worse, not better." During her exile, al-Talli has met with British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt to stress that the protests will continue until al-Assad's regime ends. In October she joined the Syrian National Council, an opposition coalition created during the 2011 uprising. The Council was formed in Istanbul last month and encompasses representatives of local committees inside Syria and exiled personalities, as well as Islamist and secular representatives. Al-Talli wants to continue speaking out. One day she'll return to Syria. "We called our revolution the Syrian Dignity Revolution," she said. "We decided as Syrian people to go into the street and get our human dignity back. We will not go back to our homes without it." | Syrian protester's father was political prisoner when she was a girl .
She was arrested during uprising, detained in same jail where he was held .
Catherine al-Talli: Bloodshed won't deter protesters demanding regime's end .
UN: Death toll has exceeded 4,000, including hundreds of children . |
181,687 | 773d32737d28f39944587b92986b78aa596c7bab | (CNN) -- A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Mexico's Baja Peninsula Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries as the area around the epicenter is sparsely populated, said a spokeswoman for the Baja California Sur's Civil Protection Office. She said many people there were nervous because earthquakes are rare in the area. The quake's epicenter was 47 miles (75 kilometers) north of La Paz, Mexico, USGS said. The quake was more than 6 miles (10 kilometers) deep, the agency said. | There are no immediate reports of damage .
The epicenter is about 50 miles north of La Paz, Mexico . |
85,878 | f38fc02c460d20f24385d20576428be7562cc1d8 | ST. BERNARD PARISH, Louisiana (CNN) -- "We were a normal red-blooded American family," recalls Rudy Aguilar. "And ... it took [one day] to wipe us out." Liz McCartney moved to St. Bernard Parish to help residents rebuild their homes after Katrina. A lifelong resident of St. Bernard Parish, a community just east of New Orleans, Aguilar lost everything during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Nearly three years later, like many in his area, Aguilar is still struggling to get back on his feet. But now he has help. From her home 1,000 miles away in Washington, Liz McCartney was haunted by images of the storm's destruction and stories of people like Aguilar. In February 2006, she and her boyfriend, Zack Rosenburg, went to New Orleans to volunteer. The experience changed their lives -- so much that they quit their jobs and moved to St. Bernard Parish. Now they're dedicated to helping people rebuild and move back into their homes. Watch McCartney describe how the St. Bernard Project is rebuilding homes » . McCartney said that when she first arrived in St. Bernard Parish, she was stunned. "We just wanted to pitch in and help out," McCartney, now 35, recalls. "I naively thought that six months later, you'd see all kinds of progress. [But it] looked like the storm had just rolled through." St. Bernard Parish was once home to 67,000 residents, but Katrina left nearly all of the area's homes uninhabitable. As McCartney got to know the locals, she was reminded of her parents and grandparents. "These were people who worked their whole lives, put their kids through college, and had never had to receive [help] before," she says. That's when she decided to do more to help the community recover. By June 2006, the couple had left Washington and moved to St. Bernard Parish. Neither knew anything about construction, but both felt they could use their experience raising money and organizing volunteers to help with the rebuilding effort. Local residents, touched by the couple's leap of faith, taught them basic construction. Within two months, McCartney and Rosenburg opened the nonprofit St. Bernard Project, which focuses on helping those they consider most in need -- senior citizens and families with children. The formula is straightforward: With donations, volunteers and skilled supervisors, homes get rebuilt -- and people move home. "It's not rocket science," McCartney says. "The problems in this community are widespread, but the solutions are really simple." Yet this simple equation yields impressive results. The St. Bernard Project can transform a gutted house into a livable home in just eight to 12 weeks for an average cost of $12,000. For residents like Aguilar, the St. Bernard Project has been a lifesaver. In the years since Katrina, he lost his job and struggled with health problems. "I was so beaten down," he says. "I was gonna blow myself away." When the Saint Bernard Project agreed to rebuild his home, the relief he felt was palpable. "They saved my life." Watch Aguilar describe his own Katrina experience » . To date, more than 6,000 volunteers have worked with the St. Bernard Project, enabling more than 120 families to move back into their homes. McCartney says every house her group rebuilds has an impact on the community as a whole. "Once you get one family back, other families are willing to come back as well," she says. "There's a very nice ripple effect." McCartney and Rosenburg plan to keep working until all the homes in St. Bernard Parish are rebuilt. "We're here until we work ourselves out of a job," she says. Watch McCartney describe her turning point while volunteering in New Orleans » . For Aguilar, McCartney isn't just rebuilding homes -- she's restoring a sense of hope to the community. "Little by little, one house at a time, we'll be back," he says. "I feel it. I know it." | Katrina left St. Bernard Parish, once home to 67,000, virtually uninhabitable .
Liz McCartney moved from Washington to New Orleans to help rebuild homes .
She and her boyfriend started St. Bernard Project, focusing on seniors, families . |
24,400 | 453d87e76dfff401e72b4a6da4113106d24e39ea | By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 07:26 EST, 22 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:59 EST, 22 February 2013 . A temperature rise of just 1.5C is likely to release vast amounts of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere from melting permafrost, new evidence suggests. In Siberia alone, the mighty thaw would liberate more than 1,000 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide and methane, experts warn. The extra levels of greenhouse gas are potentially enough to accelerate global warming. Natural ecosystems and human infrastructure would also be seriously disrupted. Frost crystals at the entrance of Ledyanaya Lenskaya Cave: In Siberia alone, a thaw spurred by global warming of just 1.5C would liberate more than 1,000 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide and methane, experts warn . Governments around the world have set themselves the goal of pegging global warming at less than 2C higher than pre-industrial levels. Above this point, it is feared climate change could become impossible to control. But the new research suggests the tipping point at which large frozen regions of the Earth start to thaw may be a warming of just 1.5C. A global rise of 1.5C above late 19th century temperatures could bring a substantial thaw as far north as 60 degrees latitude, it warns. Sixty degrees girdles the world through Siberia, the Nordic nations, the southern tip of Greenland, Canada and south Alaska. U.N. studies show that temperatures have already risen by about 0.7C since the 19th century and are still rising. The permafrost frontier: Here the ground is permanently frozen in a layer tens to hundreds of metres thick . The evidence comes from a study of stalactites and stalagmites in caves along the 'permafrost frontier' of Siberia. Here, the ground starts to become permanently frozen in a layer tens to hundreds of metres thick. The mineral formations that hang from the roofs of caves or rise from their floors only grow in the presence of liquid water. They form as liquid rainwater or melting snow and ice drips into the caves. In Siberia, the formations record 500,000 years of changing permafrost conditions. The evidence showed that 400,000 years ago, a temperature 1.5C warmer than it is today was enough to cause substantial thawing of the permafrost. Dr Anton Vaks, from Oxford University, led the international team, whose work is reported in the latest online version of the journal Science. He said: 'The stalactites and stalagmites from these caves are a way of looking back in time to see how warm periods similar to our modern climate affect how far permafrost extends across Siberia. 'As permafrost covers 24 per cent of the land surface of the northern hemisphere significant thawing could affect vast areas and release gigatonnes of carbon. 'This has huge implications for ecosystems in the region, and for aspects of the human environment. 'For instance, natural gas facilities in the region, as well as power lines, roads, railways and buildings are all built on permafrost and are vulnerable to thawing. 'Such a thaw could damage this infrastructure with obvious economic implications.' An ice hall in the Ledyanaya Lenskaya Cave: Stalactites and stalagmites only grow in the presence of liquid water. By dating them researchers worked out when they last grew and what the global temperatures were . The team measured the radioactive decay of minerals to date the growth of stalactites and stalagmites in the caves. Results . from Ledyanaya Lenskaya Cave in the northernmost and coldest region, . near the town of Lensk, showed that stalactite growth only took place . there 400,000 years ago when the temperature was higher by 1.5C. Periods . when the world was 0.5 - 1C warmer than it is today did not see any . stalactite growth in the cave. This suggested that 1.5C was the 'tipping . point' at which the coldest permafrost regions began to thaw. The . United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that permafrost . contains about 1,700billion tonnes of heat-trapping carbon - twice the . amount currently in the atmosphere. A . UNEP report said in December that permafrost had already begun to thaw . in some areas and could release between 43 and 135billion tonnes of . carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, by 2100. An environment under threat: A view of the frozen Lena River from the entrance of Ledyanaya Lenskaya Cave . Almost 200 nations agreed to the 2C limit on global temperatures above pre-industrial times - comparable to late 19th century temperatures - to avert more floods, storms and rising sea levels. More than 100 poor nations want a tougher ceiling of 1.5C. But it is slipping out of reach because greenhouse gas emissions are rising, especially in emerging nations led by China and India, while some rich nations are not making promised cuts. Dr Vaks added: 'Although it wasn't the main focus of our research, our work also suggests that in a world 1.5C warmer than today, warm enough to melt the coldest permafrost, adjoining regions would see significant changes, with Mongolia's Gobi desert becoming much wetter than it is today and, potentially, this extremely arid area coming to resemble the present-day Asian steppes.' | U.N. studies show global temperatures have already risen by 0.7C .
Huge increase in levels of CO2 could accelerate global warming .
Infrastructure built on top of permafrost across the world would collapse .
Governments currently committed to no more than 2C climate change . |
231,187 | b7514d15816a25a432b2276eb157c991c4b85745 | (CNN) -- The Australian government has angered koala conservationists by again delaying a decision on whether to add the national icon to the country's endangered species list. Last year, a Senate inquiry into the status, health and sustainability of Australia's koala population heard that there could be as few as 43,000 koalas left in the country. Millions have been killed since the arrival of European settlers in the 18th century. Numbers were slashed again during open hunting seasons in the early 20th century and in recent decades tens of thousands have died as a result of habitat destruction, disease -- including Chlamydia and retrovirus -- and dog attacks. On average, four koalas are admitted every week to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, the country's largest wildlife hospital, after being hit by cars. The animals are also vulnerable to bushfires and drought. However, environment minister Tony Burke says he needs 10 more weeks to consider new information from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) on where the marsupial is under the greatest threat. It's the second time he's delayed the decision, which was initially due in October. "I can't provide a blanket threatened species listing across Australia when there are many places where koala numbers remain high," he said in a statement. While the Senate report found there had been a "marked decline" in Australia's national koala population -- with the largest losses reported in the states of Queensland and New South Wales -- it said that in some areas of Victoria and South Australia koala colonies were "flourishing." Some say the disparity between survival rates in different parts of the country is complicating what should be a simple decision to grant koalas greater protection. "In the Senate documents there wasn't one submission that said the koala as safe. Not one," said Deborah Tabart, chief executive of the Australian Koala Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the species. Currently, koalas are listed as "vulnerable" under state legislation in Queensland and New South Wales, and as "rare" in South Australia. However, they are currently not granted any extra protection under federal law. Campaigners say a national listing is necessary because state governments have clearly failed to stop population declines. A national listing would offer greater protection to the koala under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. Currently, more than 1,700 species and ecological communities face the threat of extinction, according to government figures. Tabart said the federal environment minister's decision to delay his verdict was a deliberate tactic to avoid it becoming an issue before the upcoming Queensland state election on March 24. Most koalas in the state are found in the south-east near the capital Brisbane, a growing city which is suffering a shortage of affordable housing. "We are absolutely convinced it has nothing to do with koala biology. It has to do with politics and I'm ashamed of our minister," Tabart said. "There's nothing that they could gather in 10 more weeks that hasn't been gathered by a 200-strong page Senate report that says the koala is in trouble." "The data that we have presented -- and 100 other submissions -- has taken us 25 years to gather and 26,000 man hours. So unless Minister Burke has a group of volunteers scouring the bush looking for koalas, this 10-week delay is nonsense," she said. Burke's office denied the delay was politically motivated and said that the minister was seeking more precise information on habitat boundaries. The minister says he doesn't expect the decision to be delayed beyond April 30. The question of whether koalas should be considered endangered has been considered three times in the last 15 years by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC). Each time, the committee found there was not enough data on koala populations to conclude that populations had fallen far enough to reach the threshold needed to declare them endangered under federal law. Internationally, the koala is listed as of "least concern" on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List. However, the U.S. considers the marsupial a threatened species. | Campaigners are urging koalas to be considered endangered .
As few as 43,000 of the national icons are left in Australia .
Habitat loss, disease, car accidents and dogs are killing them .
Minister says he needs more time to consider new information . |
248,830 | cdfc9837de816e592698edd7a2b33c32890a23b1 | By . Rob Preece . PUBLISHED: . 12:29 EST, 30 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 02:26 EST, 31 August 2012 . A serial car criminal was today jailed for life for murdering a brave elderly man who was crushed to death while trying to stop his 4x4 being stolen. James Simpson, 76, was left dying in the street after thief Christopher Grenfell, 25, took his Land Rover Discovery from his driveway and reversed over him. The incident, which was witnessed by Mr Simpson's wife of 46 years, Minnie, happened outside the pensioner's home in Ashgill, South Lanarkshire. 'Deplorable': Car thief Christopher Grenfell (left) has been jailed for life for murdering James Simpson (right), who was crushed to death as he tried to stop his Land Rover Discovery being stolen from outside his home . Dumped: Grenfell abandoned Mr Simpson's Land Rover in Crossford, Lanarkshire, after killing the pensioner outside his home . Grenfell claimed that Mr Simpson fell under under the Land Rover, but he was convicted of murder after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Judge Lord Burns jailed him for life and recommended that he serve a minimum of 17 years. Grenfell was also convicted of breaking into Mr Simpson’s house to steal the car keys and, along with a second man, 24-year-old William MacVicar, was found guilty of car theft. The pair stole Mr Simpson’s 4x4 from outside his home on November 29 last year. Mrs Simpson described what happened next while giving evidence to the jury. 'My husband immediately got up - he was a very fast mover - and he shouted "They are stealing the car",' she said. 'He was down the stairs in about a second flat.' Mr Simpson pulled open the door of his 4x4 and tried to drag Grenfell out as his wife begged him to come back indoors. Courageous: James Simpson, pictured with his wife of 46 years, Minnie, reacted bravely when he realised his Land Rover was being stolen, pulling open the door of the vehicle and trying to drag the thief out. But he was unable to stop Grenfell getting away, and was crushed when the thug reversed over him . 'A great relief went through me when I saw the car then going up the road,' Mrs Simpson said. 'I was then very astonished when the car stopped suddenly and I went into despair when it reversed back to where it had been.' Mrs Simpson said her husband was 'whirled around and around' by the force and added: 'I shouted stop, but no one was listening.' The Land Rover 'went like a bullet' away from the scene before Mrs Simpson rushed to her husband's aid, the court heard. 'Devastated': James Simpson's wife Minnie, who witnessed the incident, said her husband was 'whirled around and around' Mrs Simpson told the jury: 'I said "You will be alright, Jimmy", but he was not looking at me. He was just staring. 'I . was shouting "Help me somebody, help". My neighbour who is a doctor . came out and took his pulse. I was there screaming and screaming.' Mr Simpson suffered multiple rib fractures and collapsed lungs. His spine was also broken in two places. Grenfell dumped the Land Rover in nearby Crossford, Lanarkshire, before being picked up by a friend. He was eventually held for the murder on December 7 last year after a high-profile appeal to catch the killer. He initially denied that he had been at the Simpsons' home and branded claims that he was in the Land Rover as 's****'. During the trial, however, he accepted that he was responsible for the killing, although he told the jury that it was 'by accident'. He described Mr Simpson losing his footing and said he looked out the open door of the Land Rover and did not see the pensioner. He said he then heard screams and fled the scene because he 'panicked'. Lord Burns told Grenfell that he 'deliberately' used Mr Simpson's car to 'inflict fatal and devastating' injuries. The judge continued: 'His wife witnessed these terrible events in front of their house. 'She has had to relive these events in open court. 'The trauma to her and her family caused by your actions cannot be calculated. 'You fled the scene of this crime knowing that this elderly man must have been gravely injured and abandoned the car and threw away the keys. 'Your actions against him were deplorable and motivated by greed. 'No doubt they were also done in panic since you cannot have expected Mr Simpson to put up such vigorous resistance to your plan.' Grenfell, of Larkhall, Lanarkshire, was banned from the road at the time of the murder after being convicted of dangerous driving. Defence: Grenfell initially denied that he had been at the Simpsons' home, but he accepted responsibility for the killing when giving evidence during his trial . His criminal record also includes a string of road traffic offences and a conviction for assaulting a prison officer while behind bars. Outside court, Mr Simpson's son James said: 'Christopher Grenfell decided to counter the actions of my father by committing the murder of a 76-year-old man when he had the clear option of simply driving away. 'In the wake of this choice, he not only left a man dying in the street, but also left his wife absolutely devastated. 'My mother was a happy, confident and independent woman. Now my mother is shattered, nervous and a lonely widow.' He paid tribute to his father as a man 'filled with passion and compassion in equal measures'. 'He cared sincerely about people and would not hesitate to offer help and advice to anyone where he was in a position to help,' he said. 'He met life with a positive and unquestioning optimism.' | Christopher Grenfell, 25, reversed over James Simpson, 76, after the pensioner tried to stop him stealing his 4x4 from his driveway .
Incident in Ashgill, South Lanarkshire, was witnessed by Mr Simpson's wife of 46 years .
She said: 'I shouted stop, but no one was listening'
Judge at the High Court in Glasgow says crime was 'deplorable and motivated by greed'
Grenfall was banned from the road at the time of the murder after being convicted of dangerous driving .
Mr Simpson's son: 'Grenfell not only left a man dying in the street, but also left his wife absolutely devastated' |
22,516 | 3fe5c4cd132f399c0ae241eb0d86933ce8b813b4 | For all the moves before 11pm, click here . Arsenal want to snap up a central defender before the transfer deadline - with Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar a surprise target. The exit of former Gunners captain Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona has left Wenger light on defensive cover. Wenger will have to convince Vlaar, who starred at the World Cup, to join a club where he could theoretically be fourth in the pecking order. VIDEO Scroll Arsene Wenger: I will be on alert until the transfer deadline . Wanted: Arsene Wenger wants to sign the 29-year-old Dutch centre-back from Aston Villa . Persuasion: The Villa defender is yet to be convinced about the move as he would not be first choice at Arsenal . Out-of-favour Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic is also wanted by boss Arsene Wenger. The Gunners could face competition were they to bid for Nastasic, with French sides Lille and Marsielle both interested in the Serb. Whether City would sell to Arsenal, a direct Premier League rival, remains to be seen. The 21-year-old starred in his first Premier League season but was a more peripheral figure during the title-winning campaign last term. Rising star: Nastasic is highly rated but has been hampered by injuries during his short Man City career . | Ron Vlaar emerges as surprise transfer target for the Gunners .
Arsene Wenger wants to replace Thomas Vermaelen who left for Barcelona .
Vlaar would be fourth choice central defender at Arsenal .
Wenger also in for Manchester City defender Majija Nastasic .
Lille and Marseille also want the young Serb . |
214,577 | a1d8a0b8cf115e030263748b95138da08cbbcab0 | A Mexican pilot has been sacked after letting a singer into the cockpit and allowing her to fly the plane. Esmeralda Ugalde, 23, and her actress friend Samadhi Zendejas, 19, were let into the cabin by the captain, with pictures later emerging of the singer sat at the controls. The pilot, who has not been named, was sacked after the pictures, showing Miss Ugalde wearing his hat, went viral on Twitter. Esmeralda Ugalde, 23, and her actress friend Samadhi Zendejas, 19, were let into the cabin by the captain, with pictures later emerging of the singer sat at the controls . The pilot of the plane from Cancun to Mexico City was sacked after the pictures were posted on Twitter . The pictures were posted online to Miss Ugalde's 40,000 followers but have since been deleted. The Magnicharters pilot, who was flying between Cancun and the capital Mexico City, was identified by the airline and fired. Miss Zendejas tried to defend the captain by saying they had only entered the cabin when the plane was on the ground, but by then the pilot had admitted that he let the young women in during the flight. Company spokesman Jorge Badia confirmed that the captain who allowed Miss Ugalde, sister of Latin Grammy Award winner Ana Barbara, and Miss Zendejas to enter the cockpit had been sacked. Miss Ugalde has since deleted the pictures of her wearing the pilot's cap at the plane's controls . He said: 'We cannot allow a pilot to make this kind of mistake, it is just not allowed. Even if the autopilot was working it is not allowed to do something like this. We cannot even allow people to enter the cabin, even if they are actors or actresses. 'We are a serious company and we are deeply saddened about the fact that one of our staff behaved in this way. Flight law dictates visitors are not allowed to enter the cabin during the flight.' Strict rules imposed following the September 11 terrorist attacks mean pilots are not allowed to let any passengers into the cockpit for any reason, Mr Badia added. | Mexican singer let pilot into cockpit and even allowed her to fly the plane .
Captain gave Esmeralda Ugalde, 23, his cap as she sat at the controls .
He also allowed 19-year-old actress Samadhi Zendejas into the cockpit .
Pilot has since been sacked by the airline after pictures emerged online . |
13,511 | 26586df036c8855b27b6cddf2ad796250f32e898 | By . Rebecca English . Updated: . 04:22 EST, 7 July 2011 . The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made an unscheduled visit today to a town almost entirely reduced to ashes by forest fires less than two months ago. Some 40 per cent of Slave Lake in Northern Alberta was razed when ground when it was hit by a wildfire on May 15. Fortunately there were no deaths in the town, named after the First Nations People there known as the Slavey. Witnessing the devastation: William and Kate are shown around Slave Lake by a group including the town's mayor after making an unscheduled stop at the town which was devastated by fire . Gutted: The Royal couple examine the remains of a burnt out car destroyed during May's fire . Destroyed: Prince William looks at the twisted remains of a car that was caught in the fire . Wreckage: William and Kate examine a piece of damaged metal from the fire with Ed Stelmech (left) and City Reeve Denny Garratt . But the damage was extensive and forced the complete evacuation of Slave Lake's 7,000 residents - the largest such displacement in the province's history. The inferno began as a forest fire 15 kilometers outside town. Firefighters battled to keep in under control and had thought they were winning the fight when the wind turned violent and gusts of up to 100 km per hour whipsawed glowing embers overhead and on to homes and businesses which quickly ignited. Most of the destruction happened in . the south-eastern section of town - where half the homes were consumed . by flames - as well as the mall, town hall and many downtown . businesses. Face to face: Kate talks to local residents and Canadian fans at Slave Lake where 372 homes and 300 apartments were destroyed by fire this May . Edgy: Kate was wearing the same navy designer . blazer she wore to depart the UK, her favoured pair of skin tight jeans . and Pied A Terre black wedges with a cream ruffled chiffon shirt . Colourful display: Most of Slave Lake's residents turned out to catch a glimpse of Kate and William . Almost all . 7,000 residents were evacuated from the town, with hundreds going to . evacuation shelters in nearby towns including Edmonton. The Duke and Duchess flew into the town on Wednesday on a government Challenger jet. The couple stepped off their jet and were greeted by a small line of dignitaries. Picture perfect: Fans used their cameras to capture their memories of the day, while Kate appeared to take something from one member of the crowd . Fans of all ages: The Duchess talks with an elderly lady in her wheelchair, while William's younger supporters gave him this pink cuddly toy . Royal wave: Prince William salutes the crowd that had gathered to see him and his wife in the town . Kate was wearing the same navy designer blazer she wore to depart the UK, her favoured pair of skin tight jeans and Pied A Terre black wedges with a cream ruffled chiffon shirt. William was smart but casual in jeans and a blazer. The couple immediately headed off in a mini bus to see the devastation first hand and meet with displaced residents. The request to tour the devastated . town came directly from the royal couple, said Kevin MacLeod, Canadian . secretary to the Queen. Steady on: A flight attendant offers Kate, wearing A Nude Burberry shirt and J Brand jeans, a hand as her and William board a Seaplane bound for Blachford Lake at the Old Town Float Base on Tuesday . All aboard: Once arrived at the lake William and Kate went for a paddle with Fort Smith's village elder Francois Paulette . But it was kept under wraps until the last minute to ensure their presence wouldn't disrupt any relief efforts in the region. ‘It . wasn't a last-minute decision,’ he said. ‘Their overwhelming concern . was that they did not want a public announcement early on for fear that . it would somehow detract from those people who are now putting in place . all the reconstruction efforts.’ William . has made a point to visit disaster torn regions in the Commonwealth, . notably Christchurch, New Zealand, hit by an earthquake in February. Chat: The Duke and Duchess meet with a group of residents whose homes were destroyed in the fire . The sign says it all: Two residents of Slave Lake welcome Prince William and his wife to their town . We love you: Most of the town turned out to see the couple, with fans also making placards to welcome them . Special guest: Even a resident's corgi turned up to meet William and Kate . The Duke and Duchess spent an hour and a half touring areas of the town which were affected by the fire and visited Northern Lakes College, where they met with emergency services personnel from the fire brigade, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the medical response team. Their Royal Highnesses also had a private meeting with families affected by the disaster, still reeling from their loss of their homes and livelihoods. Most of Slave Lake's residents turned out to catch a glimpse of Kate and William. Families stood in the baking sunshine outside the town's Northern Lakes College waving flowers, posters and balloons. Banners read ‘We love you for coming’ and ‘Welcome Will and Kate’. Arrival: The Royal couple leave their jet after touching down at Slave Lake airport ahead of their visit to the town . Meet and greet: The Duke and Duchess are welcomed by dignitaries after their arrival in Slave Lake . Unscheduled stop: Prince William and Kate pose at Yellowknife airport before their flight to Slave Lake . Recycling her clothes: Kate wore the same navy . designer blazer she chose to depart the UK, her favoured pair of skin . tight jeans and Pied A Terre black wedges with a cream ruffled chiffon . shirt. At the front of the crowd was Maria Sharpe, 28, who lost most of her possessions when the devastating fire struck. One of the only mementos she has left of her home is a photograph taken on Royal Wedding day when she and her friends had a party to celebrate Kate and William tying the knot. She brought the picture to show the royal couple. Maria said: ‘This picture is special to me because it is a reminder of my home. ‘It was an awful thing to happen. ‘But in some ways it turned the community into a family. Preparing to depart: A Canadian Air Force member salutes the Duke as he and wife board their Challenger jet for the flight to Slave Lake . Caring: The Duchess chatted with six-year-old Riley Oldford who also presented her with a bouquet of flowers before her departure . Please to meet you: Prince William speaks to Riley and tries to shake his hand . ‘And being gathered here with everyone today to meet Kate and William to welcome them here brings us even closer. ‘We heard a few rumours they might be coming but to actually have them here is incredible.’ Denise Camarneiro, 40, her husband Mario, 50, and their two children Nikita, 10, and Tyler, 12, had their home completely destroyed in the fire. Denise said: ‘Ours was the third home to burn down. ‘We were told by authorities we had ten minutes to evacuate and we left with just the clothes on our backs and our three dogs and our guinea pig. Suits you, Sir: Canadian soldiers load clothes belonging to Prince William onto their jet . Same rules for everyone: A sniffer dog exams the luggage before it is loaded onto the jet used by the Royal couple . ‘At the time it feels like the worst thing that can ever happen to you. ‘Soon we will have been homeless for two months. ‘Having Kate and William take time out of their schedule to come here is such a boost for this community. ‘They seem very compassionate. ‘Kate reminds me a lot of Diana.’ | Couple visit Slave Lake, where 40 per cent of the town was destroyed by fire in May .
Duke and Duchess spend over an hour meeting displaced residents and seeing damage .
Visit kept under wraps to avoid hampering the clean up operation .
Request to visit the town came directly from the Royal couple, aide confirms . |
117,701 | 23f7d87cc9e6383d48c3fc3afc73c4a203d1ebf8 | By . Rebecca Camber . PUBLISHED: . 09:01 EST, 20 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:14 EST, 21 August 2012 . Asil Nadir was facing jail yesterday . after finally being convicted of stealing millions from his business to . fund an extraordinary luxury lifestyle. Almost two decades after he fled . Britain on the eve of his trial, the 71-year-old tycoon looked wide-eyed . with shock as he was found guilty of plundering Polly Peck . International. The former fugitive is accused of . siphoning off nearly £150million from the empire – one of the great . success stories of the Thatcher era – causing it to eventually collapse. Court arrival; Nadir is seenoutside the Old Bailey this morning with his wife Nur before he was found guilty . As chairman and chief executive of the . conglomerate, which bought up Del Monte’s fresh fruit division and a . majority stake in Japanese electronics firm Sansui, he is said to have . smuggled enough bags of cash out of the country ‘to stand 300 times the . height of Nelson’s Column’, weighing a colossal 135 tons. But the mogul, who allegedly spent . millions on Mayfair mansions, grand country estates, antiques and sports . cars including a Bentley Continental, a Bentley Turbo and a Ferrari . Testarossa, infamously jetted off to his native northern Cyprus on the . eve of his trial for fraud in May 1993. It was not until August 2010 that Nadir returned to London claiming he could not live with the ‘burning sense of injustice’. Yesterday, however, following a seven-month trial, a jury convicted him of three charges of theft totalling £5.5million. Asil Nadir, former chairman of Polly Peck, arriving at his London home with his wife Nur after 17 years in Northern Cyprus . Asil Nadir and his wife Nur arriving at the Old Bailey, London, when he went on trial in January this year . Fraud charges: A courtroom sketch of Asil Nadir, sitting in the dock at the Old Bailey . In marked contrast to the scenes at . the beginning of the trial when Nadir entered the Old Bailey grinning . and waving to photographers with his glamorous wife on his arm, . yesterday he was a picture of disbelief. Dressed in a double-breasted suit with . a handkerchief in his jacket pocket, the flamboyant defendant stood . motionless in shock, staring straight ahead with his jaw working . furiously as the jury returned their verdicts. His wife, Nur, who at 28 is 43 years his junior, fought back tears as she sat just a few feet away in a black dress. Moments later she fled the court, . telling reporters outside in a trembling voice: ‘I am very disappointed, . that’s all I can say.’ As the jury continued to deliberate on . further theft charges, she was whisked away from court in a silver . chauffeur-driven Jaguar. Nadir was found guilty of stealing . £1.3million from PPI’s accounts to secretly buy shares in the company to . prop up its Stock Exchange value. Every penny on the share price . increased the value of Nadir’s publicly declared 25 per cent stake in . the firm by nearly £1million. Emotion: Nur Nadir, wife of tycoon Asil Nadir, leaves the Old Bailey after hearing that her husband has been found guilty of three counts of theft . He was also convicted of blowing . £1million on antiques, buying a pair of antique fireplaces from . Christie’s to furnish his lavish offices in Berkeley Square. Some of the cash stolen in this . tranche was also used to top up Nadir’s personal bank account when he . went overdrawn after splurging on gifts including jewellery in the . run-up to Christmas 1989. He was also found guilty of stealing . £3.25million, some of which was funnelled into an account Nadir’s mother . Safiye held in Geneva. Money stolen in this transaction was . ploughed into South Audley Management, which administered his family . interests and the Baggrave Farm estate, an elegant stately home nestled . in 2,000 acres in Leicestershire, part of which he planned to develop . into a model farm. Yesterday he was cleared of taking £2.5million to . support his charter airline, Noble Air, and to settle part of his tax . bill. Asil Nadir and his wife Nur, at their home in Lapta, northern Cyprus (left) and in London (right) Lavish lifestyle: Asil Nadir in his luxury hideaway in Cyprus . The jury is still deliberating on nine . other specimen charges of theft which relate to the disappearance of . £33million and $2.5million. But prosecutor Philip Shears, QC, . claims the ‘much bigger picture’ is that he stole £146million and . $6.4million – which was equivalent to £3.9million in 1990 – in a total . of 64 transfers. Nadir is said to have ordered his . henchmen to take out bags of bank notes, often totalling £100,000, from . banks which he ‘dishonestly routed away to benefit himself, his family . or associates’. The cash was allegedly taken between August 1987 and . August 1990 from three accounts held by PPI, a major international . conglomerate which had over 200 subsidiaries trading in food, . electronics, textiles and leisure. Jury: The case finally went before a jury at the Old Bailey in January, with the businessman facing 13 specimen charges relating to the disappearance of £33.1m and US$2.5m . Most of Polly Peck's business was based in Turkey and northern Cyprus, where Nadir (pictured here) went into hiding . At the time, Polly Peck was a major success story and one of the best performing companies on the Stock Exchange. For a time, Nadir appeared . untouchable, buying the Del Monte fresh fruit division in a deal worth . $875million and acquiring a majority stake in Sansui. But his empire began to crumble when . the Serious Fraud Office launched an investigation into suspected . manipulation of its share price in September 1990. The firm was placed into . administration the following month with debts of more than £550million . and Nadir was charged with theft and false accounting. He fled the country a few months later claiming he was a ‘broken man’ who could not receive a fair trial. Now he faces a lengthy prison sentence. The tycoon waves to the media from the balcony of a hotel in Istanbul four years after he fled Britain . JULY 1980: Nadir takes over as chief executive of struggling UK firm Polly Peck International after buying up 58 per cent of the company for around £270,000. A rapid expansion drive is launched, with the firm buying up textile, packaging, food and electronic firms across the world . 1989: PPI is admitted to the FTSE 100 index after acquiring a majority stake in struggling Japanese electronics firm Sansui and buying Del Monte’s fresh fruit division in a deal worth $875million . At its peak, PPI has a market capitalisation of £1.7billion . SUMMER 1990: The Serious Fraud Office begins an investigation into suspected manipulation of PPI’s share price . SEPTEMBER 1990: SFO officers raid the offices of South Audley Management, the firm set up to control Nadir’s family interests. It triggers a run on PPI shares, which are suspended from trading the same day . OCTOBER 1990: PPI is placed into administration, owing debts of £550million . DECEMBER 1990: Nadir is charged with theft and false accounting . JUNE 1992: He pleads not guilty to all the charges . MAY 1993: The tycoon flees the UK in a light aircraft from Compton Abbass airfield in Dorset to France. He then takes a private jet on to northern Cyprus . AUGUST 2010: Nadir and his wife Nur are greeted by a VIP-style reception as he returns to London via Luton Airport . JANUARY 2012: Nadir’s trial begins at the Old Bailey . Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | The 71-year-old found guilty of taking £5.5m from company bank accounts .
Jury still considering nine counts after being given a majority direction .
He was due to stand trial in late 1993 but fled to his native Northern Cyprus .
He insisted any money taken out of the company was repaid with cash . |
9,688 | 1b6aed605e905ed114a552280742e536804a69ae | A mother has been charged with murder after allegedly killing her 18-month-old twins by drowning and smothering them, and attempting to poison their four-year-old sister to death. This heartbreaking picture shows the moment one of the toddlers was carried from the Tacony, Philadelphia home where the horrendous killings occurred on Thursday afternoon. Stacey Smalls, 41, is believed to have committed the crimes as she was in a jealous rage over an affair she thought her husband was having with another family member. She has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, according to police. Scroll down for video . Police officer carries a body from a house in Northeast Philadelphia where toddler twins were found dead in their home . Her Facebook profile has a picture of a car with the words 'Hope she was worth it' sprayed across the side, showing her anger at the alleged cheating. Her husband, Ron Smalls, returned to their home after work as a corrections officer and found the children's bodies and his wife with her wrists slashed. He frantically called 911 at 4 p.m. and told police his wife had killed their babies and tried to poison their four-year-old daughter. When police arrived at the scene they found the woman who told them: 'I harmed my babies.' The 18-month-old twins, Adam and Eve, were found limp and lifeless on a bed in the front bedroom. They were pronounced dead at 4.10 p.m. Police say they appeared to have died of suffocation. Four notes next to the children read, 'This is why I killed your kids,' and detailed the mother's allegations of the husband’s affair, ABC reported. 'She had something she felt was justification but there is no justification,' Police Commissioner Charles Ramsay said. 'It’s a tragedy two young babies dead and there is no excuse for that.' Victims: The 18-month-old twins, Adam and Eve (left), were found dead on a bed after apparent suffocation. Their four-year-old sister (right) is believed to have been poisoned by prescription pills . Innocence: One twin is believed to have been drowned while the other is believed to have been smothered . Police believe she gave her four-year-old daughter prescription pills. The young girl was reported to be in a stable and good condition at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. Doctors were working to determine exactly what substance her mother had given her. Police added that Smalls, who worked as a nurse at a nursing home, had apparently made attempts to take her own life by slashing her wrists. On her Facebook page there are signs of a troubled marriage. She announced her marriage to Ron Smalls on December 17, 2010, but changed her relationship status to 'divorced' on May 19. Her profile picture is an image of a car that she downloaded from the internet. Words sprayed across the side of the car read: 'Hope she was worth it.' Of the photo, she added: 'I liked her style'. Both Stacey and her husband have uploaded pictures of the youngsters. On one of Ron's pictures of his daughters, he wrote: 'Sisters, what a beautiful thing'. But on Wednesday, just one day before the slayings, Stacey wrote on the picture: 'Really, sisters what a beautiful thing. I guess it depends on which sister' - perhaps in a nod to Ron's alleged affair. 'Killer': Stacey Smalls (left) is thought to have killed her twins (right) in a jealous rage after her husband allegedly had an affair with another family member . Anger: Her Facebook profile picture shows an image she uploaded from the internet of a car scrawled with the words 'Hope she was worth it' - in a nod to her husband's alleged affair . On Friday, just one day after the deaths of his children, Ron Smalls dumped items - including their playpen, toys and highchairs - on the curb outside the home as a trash truck pulled up. He told NBC 10 he was not ready to talk about the deaths but that his eldest daughter was stable. Despite the public declarations of problems in the marriage, neighbours and coworkers said Stacey Smalls had appeared to be herself in recent days. Tina Brown, who works with Smalls at River's Edge Nursing Home, saw her at work the morning of the killings - and said there was no sign of anything wrong. 'She said, "Hey, it's a good day." That's all. She said, "Hi Tina, have a good day at work" and she left. She didn't seem stressed out or anything like that,' Brown said. Neighbors were also shocked by the grisly scene and described Smalls as a pleasant woman. Shocked: Neighbors break down at the ghastly scene where a mother suffocated her toddler twins . Scene: Smalls's husband Ron called 911 after finding the bodies in his Tacony, Philadelphia home . 'What was so bad that you did that?' Adrienne Birnie, told the Philadelphia Daily News. 'If you can’t take it, give your kids to a neighbour.' Other neighbors left candles and flowers on the porch where Smalls often sat with her children as they struggled to come to terms with the devastating news. Celiness Espinosa, 36, said: 'What went wrong, I don’t know. I don’t even want to imagine.' Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey added: 'It's obviously even more tragic when you have young children, year and a half old. It's a pretty sad sight.' Both Stacey and Ron Smalls were interviewed by police following the tragedy. Stacey Smalls is currently in hospital for treatment of her injuries. She will be charged with two counts of murder, Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told NBC10. See below for video . | Mother 'suffocated 18-month-old twins to death and tried to poison daughter, 4, before attempting to commit suicide'
Stacey Smalls charged with two counts of first-degree murder .
Grisly scene found by husband after he returned home from work .
Notes left by the children's bodies reading 'This is why I killed your kids' with details of his alleged affair with a family member . |
9,151 | 19e9c694e67ffa2e5678e669907f7a1c777ab8f3 | Eugenie Bouchard's quest to match her stellar 2014 record in Grand Slam tournaments started on a positive note when she beat Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Australian Open. Bouchard, who reached the semi-finals at three majors last year and lost in the Wimbledon final, broke Friedsam's serve in the ninth game of the second set and held serve in the next to clinch the match when the German player hit a forehand wide. At the All England Club last year, Bouchard became the first Canadian, male or female, to reach a Grand Slam final. Eugenie Bouchard made serene progress into the second round of the Australian Open . Bouchard celebrates her straight-sets win over Anna-Lena Friedsam as she reached the next round . Bouchard has proved to be a hit with supporters after enjoyuing a stellar year on the tour in 2014 . Friedsam had no answer to Bouchard's game as she crashed out at the first hurdle in Melbourne . | Eugenie Bouchard made a bright start to her Australian Open campaign .
The Canadian beat Anna-Lena Friedsam in straight sets in the first round .
Bouchard reached the last four of each of the majors last year . |
28,898 | 52018f521fff19f4422931b55d03ccbb0e661a34 | Hamid Dabashi is the author of "Iran: A People Interrupted." He is Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in New York. His Web site is http://www.hamiddabashi.com/. Hamid Dabashi says Muslim Americans can send a powerful message of support for Baha'i minority in Iran. (CNN) -- In their latest communique regarding the fate of seven arrested members of the Baha'i religious minority in Iran, Amnesty International has expressed grave concern they may face the death penalty if they are found guilty of the charges of "espionage for Israel," "insulting religious sanctities," and "propaganda against the system." As the Islamic Republic of Iran experiences the most serious challenge to its legitimacy in its 30-year history, the vulnerability of religious and ethnic minorities is the most accurate barometer of the crisis that all Iranians face in these dire circumstances. Of all the various Iranian minorities, the Baha'i community historically has been the weakest and most vulnerable. The world's attention is rightly drawn to the fate of prominent reformists charged with treason, and to the arbitrary arrest, torture, rape and murder of young Iranians. But the fate of the Iranian Baha'is should not be eclipsed under the cloud of other civil rights abuses, for they represent much more than their own small community. Minorities have always been at the mercy of belligerent authorities, particularly when they face a crisis of legitimacy. Kurds in western Iran, Arabic-speaking communities in the south, Azaris in the north, as well as Turkmans and Baluchis in the east have been at the forefront of such discriminations, which has in turn instigated chronic separatist movements in these areas. At the same time, Iranian Zoroastrians, Jews and Armenians have also faced varied degrees of discrimination, at official or cultural levels and registers, as they have joined their Muslim brothers and sisters in opposing domestic tyranny and foreign intervention alike. Among all these minorities, the Baha'is remain the most fragile in part because of intra-Shia sectarian hostilities that go back to mid-19th century and the rise of a vastly popular messianic movement known as Babism, of which the contemporary Baha'is are an offshoot. Its adherents consider themselves the followers of an entirely new religion, in fact the very latest Iranian monotheistic faith with over five million followers scattered over 200 countries. While other religious minorities are specifically protected under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic, this is not the case for the Baha'is. Article 13 of the Constitution has specifically and exclusively recognized Zoroastrian, Jewish and Christian Iranians as "the only recognized religious minorities, who, within the limits of the law, are free to perform their religious rites and ceremonies, and to act according to their own canon in matters of personal affairs and religious education." The word "only" in this article seems specifically designed to exclude the Baha'is from this clause. Having the same effect, Article 14 of the Constitution stipulates the constitutional protection of the minorities to be exclusive to those "who refrain from engaging in conspiracy or activity against Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The location of the Baha'i holy sites in Haifa, Israel, has been a principal source of harassment and intimidation against the Baha'is. This goes back to the late Ottoman period and obviously predates the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948. It's also something over which the Baha'is have had no control. In the face of systematic abuse of civil liberties of the Baha'is, there is very little that the American government can do, particularly in the aftermath of the Bush presidency and eight years of widespread Islamophobia in the United States that did not leave even the last presidential campaign unscathed. Having waged war on two Muslim nations, the U.S. government is in the least favorable position to defend the rights of non-Muslim minorities in their own homeland. In addition, during the eight years of Bush presidency, and in the aftermath of the events of 9/11, being a Muslim became a liability in the United States, creating PR problems even for President Obama's middle name. It was not until former Secretary of State Colin Powell came out strongly against such vilification of Muslims that a prominent public figure put the problem on the national consciousness. As much as the U.S. government is in the worst position to come to the Baha'is' aid, Muslim Americans are perfectly poised to voice their outrage against the abuse of religious minorities in Iran or anywhere else in the Muslim world, for they know what it feels like to be a political pariah and a religious minority in an overwhelmingly alternate context. Since the terrifying events of 9/11, American Muslim communities have endured much religious and racial profiling and suspicion, as they have seen the terms and icons sacrosanct to their faith maligned and ridiculed in Western Europe, North America and Australia. Multiply that experience many times and extend it back to the late 19th century and that would be the experience of the Iranian Baha'is, trapped inside their own homeland, banned from or exercising the terms of their own sacrosanct principles. The experiences of Muslims as a minority here in the United States, or in Europe for that matter, gives them a unique position to raise their voice against the abuse of non-Muslim minorities in Iran and the rest of the Muslim world. In a world now defined by the presence of multiple faiths inside many nations and as American Muslims learn to come together to protect their own constitutional rights in an old democracy, it would only be fitting if they were to raise their voice in defense of other religious minorities seeking to secure their basic rights to religious liberties in countries aspiring to become democracies. The fate of Iranian Baha'is is not only a matter of their fundamental civil rights in the context of any republic, Islamic or otherwise. It is the very cornerstone of democratic citizenship without which the Muslim majority of Iranians is denied their constitutional protection. Watch the fate of the Iranian Baha'is carefully. The day they are free to practice their religion without fear, Iranians at large will have finally secured their civil liberties. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Hamid Dabashi. | Hamid Dabashi: Seven Baha'is on trial in Iran, perhaps for their lives .
He says the Iranian regime doesn't support freedom for the Baha'i minority .
He says Muslim Americans are in unique position to speak out for Baha'is in Iran .
He says when Baha'is are granted liberty, all Iranians will have civil rights . |
118,734 | 2550cc356255c380bea74d2dd24a663f3edbdaa0 | True price: The cost of the cup, stirrer and lid on a medium takeaway coffee adds up to 16p . If you crave a cappuccino in the morning or buy a latte with lunch, you might need a double espresso after reading this. The most expensive ingredient in your takeaway coffee is not the beans flown in from South America – it’s the cup. The packaging used by High Street chains costs twice as much as the beans they use, according to a study. With demand for coffee higher than ever, researchers analysed the production costs of a cappuccino at the most popular coffee shops to establish whether customers are getting value for money. They found that the cost of the coffee served in a medium-sized £2.20 cappuccino amounts to a mere 8p. But the packaging and extras – including the cup, lid, stirrer, napkin and sugar – cost 16p to produce. Staff wages make up the biggest portion of the drink’s total price, with nearly a quarter of the £2.20 used to pay baristas. The Government receives the second-largest share, taking an average of 37p from each drink in VAT. The cappuccino chosen by researchers as a sample drink is typically made up of one-third coffee, one-third hot milk and one-third frothed milk. Retail analyst Allegra Strategies, which conducted the study, found that the milk used typically costs 8p. Another 15 per cent of the total price is used to pay for rent and associated costs such as business rates, with a further 15 per cent going towards administration. After all these payments are deducted, the coffee shops are left with around 13 per cent of the price paid for the drink as profit. Researchers also found that the price of a cappuccino at Britain’s biggest coffee chains has increased dramatically in the past decade. Only ten years ago it would have cost £1.30. But they denied that customers are being ripped off, saying that paying a higher price for a coffee is now commonplace because the drink is has become part of the British ‘social experience’. Jeffrey Young, of Allegra Strategies, said: ‘I think customers are getting extremely good value. Findings: As well as a breakdown of costs of a takeaway coffee, researchers also found that the price of a cappuccino on Britain's high street has increased dramatically in the past 10 years . ‘The time that consumers spend in coffee shops is generally time well spent for them. ‘Coffee is now a very big part of the social experience of British society. ‘People spend a lot of time there [in coffee shops] and they aren’t paying for that time other than the price of a cup of coffee.’ He added: ‘Sometimes two or three people can get together and spend a few hours and can collectively spend a fiver. That’s extremely good value.’ | Cost of actual coffee in a medium £2.20 cappuccino amounts to 8p .
Packaging and extras - such as the cup, lid, and stirrer - cost 16p .
Almost a quarter of cost used to pay staff wages .
Around 13 per cent of price left as profit, study by Allegra Strategies found . |
14,046 | 27d8facaab0674b8666d5b470a3281edcab70860 | ST. BERNARD PARISH, Louisiana (CNN) -- This year, the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina will hold new meaning for Tina Caserta and her family. Liz McCartney runs the St. Bernard Project, which helps families rebuild in a parish hit by Hurricane Katrina. Like countless other residents from St. Bernard Parish, a community just east of New Orleans, Caserta lost everything in the storm. She had lived there since she was 12, married and raised her three sons there and even lived on the same street as her husband's family. "We had nothing to salvage ... nothing," said Caserta, 41. She returned to her community just two months after Katrina, but she and her family have been enduring the challenges of moving from one form of FEMA housing to another ever since. When the family home she had been fighting to return to was condemned and torn down earlier this year, it was the final straw for Caserta. "I was spiraling down," she said, choking up. "I was totally hopeless." That's when she found Liz McCartney and her nonprofit St. Bernard Project. In the past three years, McCartney and her team have helped more than 230 families rebuild and move back into their homes. At the fourth anniversary of Katrina, Caserta and her family finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. "The day that St. Bernard Project called and told me they [would] be able to help my family rebuild, that was the first day I felt like I could breathe," recalled Caserta. "They gave my family hope." McCartney, 37, was honored last November as the CNN Hero of the Year for her efforts in St. Bernard Parish. She said the CNN Heroes award has had an incredible impact on the effectiveness of her St. Bernard Project, which she co-founded with Zack Rosenberg. More than 5,000 new volunteers have joined their cause, bringing their total to date to 15,000; and the group has raised more than $300,000 from new funding sources. "We're rebuilding homes more efficiently than ever before," McCartney said. But her ultimate goal remains the same: "We want to work ourselves out of a job." Read more about CNN Hero Liz McCartney and her efforts in St. Bernard Parish . For McCartney, that means helping to address the housing needs of thousands of families still living in Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers or temporary housing. The St. Bernard Project recently expanded to rebuild homes in New Orleans and opened a center for wellness and mental health, offering residents one-on-one and group counseling, among other clinical services. A combination of the heartbreaking stories of continued suffering and the speed at which her group can get those families back to normal, said McCartney, "re-energizes me and everyone on our staff about working harder and working smarter to get the job done." To that end, this anniversary will be "business as usual" for the group, she said. Beginning Friday, it will hold a 24-hour build. McCartney predicts at least 120 volunteers from all over the country will each work an eight-hour shift to help build four homes. "We get out there and show how much work can get done in a 24-hour period, which is pretty significant," McCartney said. Watch how McCartney's organization helped one St. Bernard resident move home . Caserta and her 17-year-old son signed up to volunteer with the graveyard shift because "it will give us a chance to help another family out and give them the hope that I feel." The organization also plans to launch a yearlong campaign called "4 NOLA," which will include a number of fundraisers and events throughout the country. "It focuses on the positive, promotes the progress we've made, but shows that we still have a ways to go," McCartney said. "We've seen thousands of people who are ready, willing and able to respond to the needs of their fellow Americans. It's our job to continue reminding them that the need here is great." Watch McCartney describe her turning point while volunteering in New Orleans . Today, McCartney is optimistic. And thanks to her organization's efforts to bring the community back, Caserta and many other St. Bernard Parish families are optimistic, too. "This is going to be the first time that I can actually go through the anniversary with tears of joy, not tears of sorrow," Caserta said. "Every day I see the progress [of] these volunteers, it makes me able to accept that date and the reality of what it's done to my family. Without people like Liz, people like me wouldn't have that opportunity to come home." | Hurricane Katrina destroyed Tina Caserta's home four years ago .
The St. Bernard Project is helping her rebuild .
Liz McCartney has expanded organization's efforts since winning CNN Hero award .
Thousands of families still live in trailers or temporary housing . |
271,469 | eba00d89fdb39b96b4f2b6f30ac96c21f98975f4 | (CNN) -- Between "Breaking Bad," "House of Cards," "Homeland" and its respective stars, the 2013 Emmys race was tight. While the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences didn't hand out Emmys to all of the actors we thought would win, we were pleased to see some first-timers walk away with accolades. Here's who won -- along with the other nominees -- during Sunday's ceremony: . Outstanding drama series . -- "Breaking Bad" / WINNER . -- "Downton Abbey" -- "Game of Thrones" -- "Homeland" -- "House of Cards" -- "Mad Men" Outstanding lead actress in a drama series . -- Claire Danes, "Homeland" / WINNER . -- Connie Britton, "Nashville" -- Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey" -- Vera Farmiga, "Bates Motel" -- Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men" -- Kerry Washington, "Scandal" -- Robin Wright, "House of Cards" Outstanding lead actor in a drama series . -- Jeff Daniels, "The Newsroom" / WINNER . -- Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey" -- Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad" -- Jon Hamm, "Mad Men" -- Damian Lewis, "Homeland" -- Kevin Spacey, "House of Cards" Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series . -- Bobby Cannavale, "Boardwalk Empire" / WINNER . -- Jonathan Banks, "Breaking Bad" -- Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey" -- Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones" -- Mandy Patinkin, "Homeland" -- Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad" Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series . -- Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad" / WINNER . -- Morena Baccarin, "Homeland" -- Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife" -- Emilia Clarke, "Game of Thrones" -- Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men" -- Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey" Outstanding guest actor in a drama series . -- Dan Bucatinsky, "Scandal" / WINNER . -- Rupert Friend, "Homeland" -- Harry Hamlin, "Mad Men" -- Michael J. Fox, "The Good Wife" -- Robert Morse, "Mad Men" -- Nathan Lane, "The Good Wife" Outstanding guest actress in a drama series . -- Carrie Preston, "The Good Wife" / WINNER . -- Diana Rigg, "Game of Thrones" -- Joan Cusack, "Shameless" -- Jane Fonda, "The Newsroom" -- Margo Martindale, "The Americans" -- Linda Cardellini, "Mad Men" Outstanding directing for a drama series . -- David Fincher, "House of Cards" / WINNER . -- Tim Van Patten, "Boardwalk Empire" -- Michelle MacLaren, "Breaking Bad" -- Jeremy Webb, "Downton Abbey" -- Lesli Linka Glatter, "Homeland" Outstanding writing for a drama series . -- Henry Bromell, "Homeland" / WINNER . -- George Mastras, "Breaking Bad" -- Thomas Schnauz, "Breaking Bad" -- Julian Fellowes, "Downton Abbey" -- David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, "Game of Thrones" Outstanding comedy series . -- "Modern Family" / WINNER . -- "The Big Bang Theory" -- "Girls" -- "Louie" -- "Veep" -- "30 Rock" Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series . -- Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep" / WINNER . -- Laura Dern, "Enlightened" -- Lena Dunham, "Girls" -- Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie" -- Tina Fey, "30 Rock" -- Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation" Outstanding lead actor in a comedy series . -- Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory" / WINNER . -- Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock" -- Jason Bateman, "Arrested Development" -- Don Cheadle, "House of Lies" -- Louis CK, "Louie" -- Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes" Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series . -- Tony Hale, "Veep" -- WINNER . -- Ty Burrell, "Modern Family" -- Adam Driver, "Girls" -- Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "Modern Family" -- Bill Hader, "Saturday Night Live" -- Ed O'Neill, "Modern Family" Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series . -- Merritt Wever, "Nurse Jackie" / WINNER . -- Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory" -- Julie Bowen, "Modern Family" -- Anna Chlumsky, "Veep" -- Jane Krakowski, "30 Rock" -- Jane Lynch, "Glee" -- Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family" Outstanding guest actor in a comedy series . -- Bob Newhart, "The Big Bang Theory" / WINNER . -- Will Forte, "30 Rock" -- Bobby Cannavale, "Nurse Jackie" -- Justin Timberlake, "Saturday Night Live" -- Louis C.K., "Saturday Night Live" -- Nathan Lane, "Modern Family" Outstanding guest actress in a comedy series . -- Melissa Leo, "Louie" / WINNER . -- Elaine Stritch, "30 Rock" -- Molly Shannon, "Enlightened" -- Dot-Marie Jones, "Glee" -- Kristen Wiig, "Saturday Night Live" -- Melissa McCarthy, "Saturday Night Live" Outstanding writing for a comedy series . -- Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield, "30 Rock" / WINNER . -- Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon, "Louie" -- Jack Burditt and Robert Carlock, "30 Rock" -- David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, "Episodes" -- Greg Daniels, "The Office" Outstanding directing for a comedy series . -- Gail Mancuso, "Modern Family" / WINNER . -- Lena Dunham, "Girls" -- Louis C.K., "Louie" -- Beth McCarthy-Miller, "30 Rock" -- Paris Barclay, "Glee" Outstanding miniseries or movie . -- "Behind the Candelabra" / WINNER . -- "American Horror Story: Asylum" -- "The Bible" -- "Phil Spector" -- "Political Animals" -- "Top of the Lake" Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie . -- Michael Douglas, "Behind the Candelabra" / WINNER . -- Matt Damon, "Behind the Candelabra" -- Benedict Cumberbatch, "Parade's End" -- Toby Jones, "The Girl" -- Al Pacino, "Phil Spector" Outstanding lead actress in a miniseries or movie . -- Laura Linney, "The Big C: Hereafter" / WINNER . -- Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story: Asylum . -- Helen Mirren, "Phil Spector" -- Elisabeth Moss, "Top of the Lake" -- Sigourney Weaver, "Political Animals" Outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie . -- James Cromwell, "American Horror Story: The Asylum" / WINNER . -- Scott Bakula, "Behind the Candelabra" -- John Benjamin Hickey, "The Big C: Hereafter" -- Peter Mullan, "Top of the Lake" -- Zachary Quinto, "American Horror Story: The Asylum" Outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries or movie . -- Ellen Burstyn, "Political Animals" / WINNER . -- Sarah Paulson, "American Horror Story: Asylum" -- Charlotte Rampling, "Restless" -- Imelda Staunton, "The Girl" -- Alfre Woodard, "Steel Magnolias" Outstanding directing for a miniseries or movie . -- Steven Soderbergh, "Behind the Candelabra" / WINNER . -- David Mamet, "Phil Spector" -- Allison Anders, "Ring of Fire" -- Julian Jarrold, "The Girl" -- Jane Campion and Garth Davis, "Top of the Lake" Outstanding writing for a miniseries or movie . -- Abi Morgan, "The Hour" / WINNER . -- Richard LaGravenese, "Behind the Candelabra" -- Tom Stoppard, "Parade's End" -- David Mamet, "Phil Spector" -- Jane Campion and Gerard Lee, "Top of the Lake" Outstanding reality competition program . -- "The Voice" / WINNER . -- "The Amazing Race" -- "Dancing With the Stars" -- "Project Runway" -- "So You Think You Can Dance" -- "Top Chef" Outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program . -- Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, "Project Runway" / WINNERS . -- Tom Bergeron, "Dancing With the Stars" -- Anthony Bourdain, "The Taste" -- Cat Deeley, "So You Think You Can Dance" -- Ryan Seacrest, "American Idol" -- Betty White, "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" Outstanding variety series . -- "The Colbert Report" / WINNER . -- "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" -- "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" -- "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" -- "Real Time With Bill Maher" -- "Saturday Night Live" Outstanding writing for a variety series . -- "The Colbert Report" / WINNER . -- "Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- "Portlandia" -- "Real Time With Bill Maher" -- "Saturday Night Live" -- "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" Outstanding directing for a variety series . -- Don Roy King, "Saturday Night Live" / WINNER . -- Andy Fisher, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Jerry Foley, "Late Show with David Letterman" -- Jonathan Krisel, "Portlandia" -- James Hoskinson, "The Colbert Report" -- Chuck O'Neil, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Outstanding choreography . -- Derek Hough, "Dancing With the Stars" / WINNER . -- Travis Wall, "So You Think You Can Dance" -- Napoleon Dumo and Tabitha Dumo, "So You Think You Can Dance" -- Mandy Jo Moore, "So You Think You Can Dance" -- Sonya Tayeh, "So You Think You Can Dance" -- Warren Carlyle, "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel" (Live From Lincoln Center) -- Derek Hough and Allison Holker, "Dancing With the Stars" | The 65th Emmy Awards were hosted by Neil Patrick Harris .
"Breaking Bad" won best drama, and "Modern Family" won best comedy .
HBO's "Behind the Candelabra" was named best miniseries or movie . |
194,725 | 88104a5538ae0cd3f43cc0bc065b51dcc7dc3bd4 | By . Kerry Mcdermott . An 11-year-old girl found wandering alone and disoriented in China was the victim of horrifying abuse at the hands of her father, it has emerged. The young girl's mouth had been stitched up with fishing cord and her head submerged in boiling water, her skin had been pierced with sewing needles, and she had been hung upside down and beaten, according to reports. The girl, named as Xiao Li, who is now recovering in hospital, has scars all over her body and chunks of hair are missing from her scalded scalp. Torture: Details of the horrific abuse the girl suffered have emerged from Shichang in China . Local news reports in China said the girl was talking to herself and occasionally shouting abuse at passersby when a man approached her on May 8. The man, named as Mr Fu, discovered the girl was missing hair and was covered in scars, a Sky News report said. Villagers told Mr Fu the girl's name was Xiao Li, and that she had suffered abuse at the hands of her father, named only as Yang. Mr Fu contacted police and Yang was arrested. Through a combination of ensuing medical examinations and police interviews with Yang officers have pieced together the nightmare ordeal the 11-year-old girl suffered. Photographs of the little girl, who was made to kneel on a floor covered in shards of broken glass, reveal fresh wounds alongside scars left behind from old injuries. Doctors fear she has been malnourished for much of her life, and suspect her hair will never grow back. Horror: The 11-year-old girl was wandering alone in a town in Guizhou province (pictured) in China . The girl's grandmother has said in an interview that her parents left home to find work shortly after Xiao Li was born. She was looked after by her grandparents for five years before her father returned and the abuse began. The grandmother claimed she was aware of the abuse but powerless to stop it, and said her son Yang abused her as well as her granddaughter. Police in China were made aware of the incident when the little girl's head was plunged into boiling water. Yang is said to have told officers he was trying to rid his daughter of head lice. He was ordered to take his daughter to hospital, but police did not pursue the matter further. The 11-year-old is recovering in hospital in China, where the costs of her medical treatment have been waived. Government officials in the area say they are seeking guardians to take care of Xiao Li as her grandparents are now to old to care for her, the Sky News report said. | Girl found walking in Shichang in China's southwestern Guizhou province .
Child was talking to herself and shouting abuse at passersby .
Had been subjected to horrific abuse by her father, it has emerged .
Traumatised Xiao Li is now recovering in a Chinese hospital . |
15,827 | 2cee48013622a6c5d9a608bbdb0e2be31eb7c3f4 | (CNN) -- African-Americans deserve reparations. Discuss. The idea of reparations -- that the descendants of slaves should be compensated by the national government for the wrongs and the legacy of slavery -- has always been controversial. When Ta-Nehisi Coates of The Atlantic wrote the June cover story, "The Case for Reparations," he set a traffic record for the magazine's website. He provoked responses from across the political and ethnic spectrum. Some of his critics did him the courtesy of reading the entire 16,000-word piece. Others, particularly in the Twittersphere, reacted viscerally to the headline and to reactions to the headline. Through many of these responses, whether thoughtful or tossed-off, there's been a certain thread of uneasiness; a reflexive move to find reasons why reparation couldn't be done or why it wouldn't be workable or fair. To me, this reflex is as interesting as the original argument. And it suggests that before America could ever actually do reparations, America would have to first be able to imagine the necessity of reparations. The greatest obstacle to considering reparation isn't practicality; it's a dearth of moral imagination. Coates makes a powerful and persuasive case. He describes not just the obvious injury that demands redress -- namely, slavery -- but also the way in which whites after emancipation systematically and over most of the ensuing 150 years built a nation premised on second-class status for blacks and on supremacy for whites. The obvious example is the latticework of code and custom that we call Jim Crow. But as Coates reminds us, white supremacy was not just about measures of outright racial subjugation; it was also baked into measures intended to create wealth and opportunity, like parts of the New Deal, which contained many devil's bargains with conservative Southern Democrats to exempt African-Americans. And it plays out in today's criminal justice and incarceration regimes. What Coates recounts in painstaking detail is an un-whitewashed history of African-American citizenship. It comes as revelation only if you really didn't want to know the truth. Anyone black, by telling their family history, could have told you this history and anyone not black could have read about it. But his article is in some ways mistitled. Coates is not quite making a case for reparations. He's making a case for a discussion of reparations. He doesn't pretend to spell out all the operational policy choices that would have to be made to put reparations into effect. The closest he comes to a legislative recommendation is to tout a perennially neglected bill that Rep. John Conyers, D-Michigan, introduces every session of Congress, which calls simply for a public study of the possibility of reparations. This isn't a shortcoming of Coates' argument; it is its purpose. What we need to do is to study the issue in earnest. To have a hearing, in the deepest sense. To listen to the difference between Americanness and whiteness, and to notice the manifold ways that whiteness was (and is) an identity fabricated from the myth of blackness. To be sure, every ethnic group that's not called white has experienced suffering in American life. But the experience of African-Americans is exceptional in its systematic, multigenerational, reverberating effects. And it's exceptional in its centrality to the founding and building of our nation. No experience reveals more than the African-American experience both the hypocrisy and the possibility of our national creed. Does any of this answer the question everyone wants to rush to, the question of implementation and how reparations would actually work? How to decide which people are called "black" or "black enough" to get compensation? How to allocate reparations? How to decide how much? How to decide who decides? How to begin the process without it leading to the unraveling of every aspect of institutional wealth, privilege and power in our country? No, Coates doesn't answer these questions. He asks for a hearing. And the point of a hearing on reparations -- and making it a civic experience as profound and prismatic as the Watergate hearing -- is not to get the American public to "how." It's to get us to "why." For only when we understand why reparations are justified, even if in good faith we cannot yet figure out how or even whether they could be feasible, will we have a shot at being "beyond race." Maimonides said, "Teach thy tongue to say 'I do not know' and thou shalt progress." On a topic as charged as race, and as woven into the warp and woof of American identity as whiteness, the temptation is always to speak emphatically from fear or pain. But if more of us in reaction to reparations simply say, "I do not know -- but I wish to understand," then we will be making true progress. | The Atlantic's June cover story about reparations generated strong reactions .
Eric Liu: There's a reflexive move to find reasons why reparation couldn't be done .
He says whether reparations are feasible or not, we should at least discuss the issue .
Liu: When we understand why reparations make sense will we get to "beyond race" |
234,065 | bb036460745d59d52b7bf134b44b5deb7386041d | (CNN) -- OK, so it looks like something from a horror movie. But a customized silicone mask, fitted over the face, head and mouth of endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, was a key difference-maker in helping the 64-year-old complete the grueling, 100-mile swim from Cuba to Key West, Florida, on her fifth try. Nyad needed the mask for protection against box jellyfish, deadly creatures common to tropical waters and whose venomous sting cut short her fourth attempt to swim from Cuba last summer. Because the mask is cumbersome, she only wore it Saturday night when her support team feared jellyfish were nearby. "I was grateful for it. I knew I wasn't going to be stung at all. I felt 100 percent prepared for the jellyfish," Nyad told reporters Tuesday morning after her record swim. But the design of the mask, with its narrow mouth opening, was not perfect. For 13 hours Saturday night and early Sunday, it caused her to swallow "tremendous volumes" of seawater, which in turn led to bouts of vomiting. Nyad grew dehydrated, weakened and discouraged. "That night was hell on Earth, it really was," she said. The jellyfish dispersed by Sunday afternoon, however, and Nyad did not wear the mask again during the crossing. After Cuba-Florida feat, Nyad to swim 48 hours in New York . Venom from box jellyfish contains paralyzing toxins that attack the skin, heart and nervous system and is considered to be among the most deadly in the world. Twenty to 40 people die from stings from box jellyfish annually in the Philippines alone, according to the National Science Foundation. During last year's swim, Nyad wore protective gear over her face, hands and body. But the jellyfish still stung her repeatedly in the mouth, aborting her attempt about halfway between Cuba and Key West. "Literally the only square inch exposed of my entire body was the lips. We just couldn't design a way to protect the mouth and still breathe while swimming," she said last month in a blog post on her website. "Yet these animals ... are brilliant at finding animals to sting and they indeed found my lips. On both occasions, I suffered the paralysis, the otherworldly sensation of being burned alive." So Nyad partnered with Stefan Knauss, a California prosthetics expert who spent a year developing the silicone mask. They tried many molds and different designs of the mouth area before finding one that worked best. Nyad tested the mask, along with her other protective gear, by swimming through a swarm of hundreds of box jellyfish in June. "As difficult as the swimming was, I was not stung once," she said. "Those deadly tentacles could not penetrate." And indeed, the jellyfish were not a problem on Nyad's triumphant fifth crossing, which she completed Monday afternoon after nearly 53 hours in the water. Opinion: Nyad shows baby boomers so 'not over' But the jokesters of Twitter had some fun with her mask. "Not only did Diana Nyad finish her swim, but that new mask of hers can double as a Halloween costume. One-stop shopping. Smart lady," wrote a Boston-based blogger on Twitter. And there was this, from a Kansas-based comedian: "Somewhere under the sea the King of the Jellyfish yells at his men "WE HAVE FAILED. DIANA NYAD'S SILICONE MASK HAS SHAMED US ALL." | Diana Nyad wore a custom-made silicone face mask to protect her against jellyfish stings .
Box jellyfish, common to waters off Florida, contain toxic venom that can stun or kill prey .
The mask was developed by Stefan Knauss, a California prosthetics expert .
People joked about the mask's scary look on Twitter . |
275,897 | f16aae2b5242707670a0d27825e147cf3f788e44 | (CNN) -- As Moscow escalates its invasion of eastern Ukraine and NATO convenes this week in Wales, the United States, NATO, and free nations around the world confront a pivotal moment of truth. If the international community, led by the United States, fails to respond in a strong and unified manner to Moscow's blatant aggression in Ukraine, the ramifications will be both serious and far-reaching. By now, it should be clear to all objective observers that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not impressed by starkly worded statements and declarations, and if that is the only outcome in Wales, it could represent a historic failure of the alliance at a time when NATO's foundational purpose has renewed relevance. As NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen confirmed last week, Russian forces have "engaged in direct military operations inside Ukraine," including firing on Ukrainian forces from inside Ukraine itself. According to NATO, in addition to the Russian-backed separatists, there are now more than a thousand Russian military forces in Ukraine. This latest escalation follows Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine, as well as months of instigating and perpetuating the crisis in eastern Ukraine. Even after the Russian-backed separatists apparently launched a missile that murdered 298 people on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, Putin has continued to provide separatists with tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, rocket launchers and anti-aircraft weapons. In short, Putin has brushed aside U.S. and European warnings, as well as initial sanctions, and has invaded eastern Ukraine. The pre-eminent question now is what will the United States and NATO—and nations around the world that value democracy, freedom and the rule of law—do about it? In May 2012, NATO governments declared that, "An independent, sovereign and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law, is key to Euro-Atlantic security." Opinion: "The NATO Show" -- Putin's favorite comedy? In his June 4 speech in Poland, President Obama said, "Our free nations will stand united so that further Russian provocations will only mean more isolation and costs for Russia." As NATO declared at the 2010 Lisbon Conference, "Crises and conflicts beyond NATO's borders can pose a direct threat to the security of Alliance territory and populations." Russia's aggression in Ukraine certainly presents a threat to NATO. The NATO Summit in Wales presents a critical opportunity to build the consensus necessary to back up these declarations with tangible and urgent action. This action should include the toughest possible U.S. and European sanctions against Russia, the provision of much-needed and long-requested weapons to Ukraine, the strengthening of NATO's military posture in eastern Europe, the sharing of real-time intelligence with Kyiv, as well as robust economic assistance. The United States and NATO do not need to send combat forces to Ukraine. The Ukrainian people have demonstrated a willingness to fight, and all they have asked for is our support. As Europeans learned at a tremendous cost during World War II, weakness and delay in the face of invasion and aggression only invite more aggression. Thus far, the West's tepid response to Moscow's actions in Ukraine has only confirmed Putin's view that the United States and Europe lack the resolve to stand up to him -- and even worse, he views it as a green light for expanded aggression. Continued weakness in the face of Putin's invasion risks leaving him with the dangerous impression that he can send his "little green men" to NATO member nations on Russia's periphery. Such a step by Moscow would trigger NATO's Article Five commitments and would require a NATO military response, as Gen. Philip Breedlove, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, has reiterated. The United States and our NATO allies wish we had a well-intentioned partner in Moscow who follows international law and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors. Despite NATO's best efforts to establish friendly and constructive relations with Russia since at least 1994, we clearly do not have a partner in Moscow. Putin is a bully who wants to prevent the Ukrainian people and their legitimately elected government from choosing their own future based on his nostalgia for his days in the KGB, his desire to restore Russian dominance over its neighbors, and his fear that a democratic, independent and prosperous Ukraine might entice Russians to demand more accountability, democracy and prosperity at home. The United States and our democratic allies in Europe and around the world are not and must not be neutral when a free people and their democratically elected government confront an unprovoked invasion of their sovereign territory. Opinion: Ukraine's strong argument for military aid . Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Kim Jong Un in North Korea, the Taliban in Afghanistan, and Putin in Russia are watching. Do the United States and NATO possess the political will to back up their statements? The answer to that question will have national security consequences for years to come in Europe and around the world. | Sen. Kelly Ayotte: Moscow's escalation presents a challenge for NATO leadership .
She says starkly worded statements haven't deterred Russia's Vladimir Putin .
NATO needs to ramp up economic sanctions, provide military aid to Ukraine .
Ayotte: Failure to act would invite more aggression . |
6,361 | 120ad07018029b0df1e9b5d72751c8225022f2d8 | (CNN) -- One of three convicted killers who escaped from an Arizona prison was captured Sunday in Rifle, Colorado, and authorities are on the lookout for a silver Volkswagen Jetta the remaining escapees may be driving, according to corrections officials. Daniel Renwick, 36, was spotted driving a brown Chevy Blazer by a Rifle police officer who gave chase, Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan told CNN Radio. Gunshots were exchanged, and Renwick was ultimately taken into custody. Renwick, who broke out of the Arizona State Prison-Kingman Friday night along with two others, was serving 22 years for second-degree murder. He is being held in Colorado, awaiting questioning by the U.S. Marshals Service. Ryan said the remaining escapees, identified as Tracy Province and John McCluskey, are believed to be driving a 2002 silver Jetta purchased Saturday in west Phoenix. "If anyone sees this silver, 4-door Jetta, we recommend they call 911," Ryan said. The men, who have been described as armed and dangerous, were discovered missing after the 9:45 p.m. count Friday at the privately-operated Kingman facility. The escapees cut a hole in the fence, authorities said. A helicopter and dogs began a search. "Precisely how they escaped is under investigation," Ryan said, noting some "operational security problems" at the prison. "Those are being evaluated and investigated as we speak," he added. Province and McCluskey are believed to be with a female accomplice who was on the visitation list for one of the inmates. After their escape, the inmates and the accomplice abducted two truck drivers on Interstate 40 outside of Kingman and hijacked their 18-wheeler, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Department in Kingman. They released them and the rig five hours later in Flagstaff, about 135 miles to the east. Province, 42, was serving a life sentence for murder and armed robbery. McCluskey, 45, was serving 15 years for second-degree murder and other charges. The suspected accomplice was identified as 43-year-old Casslyn Mae Welch, who is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 135 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. CNN Radio's Barbara Hall contributed to this report. | NEW: Authorities are on the lookout for a silver Jetta the others may be driving .
NEW: Gunshots were exchanged with police during escapee's capture Sunday .
Daniel Renwick, serving 22 years for murder, was captured Sunday .
Police are on the hunt for the remaining two, considered armed and dangerous . |
266,520 | e53731677a5c52d325b429ee10002c5de767f2ec | LONDON, England (CNN) -- Michael Jackson has officially become the most popular person on Facebook, with more than 7 million fans on the social networking site. The Michael Jackson Facebook page is now the most popular on the social networking site. Previously, the most popular person on Facebook, with just over 6 million fans, was U.S. President Obama. Over the past week, Jackson's page has grown from 80,000 fans to just over 7 million, generating the largest response on a Facebook page, the social networking site says. He has continued to gain about 20 fans per second and even more during peak traffic hours, said social media commentator Nick O'Neill, founder of the Social Times Web site. By comparison, actor Ashton Kutcher recently entered a race to beat CNN's Larry King to 1 million followers on Twitter. Kutcher won and remains the most popular person on Twitter -- but still has only 2.6 million followers. During his memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, all 10 trending topics on Twitter.com were Jackson-related. Jackson's popularity and the viral nature of Facebook fan pages are the primary reasons for the huge fan base, O'Neill explained. He said, "It's simply his popularity. Also, as users become fans, the page gets recommended to others, driving the viral growth of the page. "Michael Jackson is simply the largest celebrity in the world. While he was a controversial figure, he clearly attracts the attention of the global media," he continued. The Facebook page has become an online memorial to Jackson, with thousands of comments from around the world; dozens appear every minute. Free virtual versions of Jackson's famous glove are the most popular gift on the site, with more than 800,000 sent to members. The huge following leaves the singer's heirs (and his record label) with a massive network to communicate with fans and continue the massive resurgence of interest in Jackson's music, O'Neill said. "While Sony has not heavily engaged the fan base on Michael Jackson's page, they at least have a presence. If your fans are there, you should be there. "This also provided an ongoing promotional channel for any future products that are released. It's simply not an option and will become a component of all marketing strategies." There have been 2.6 million downloads of Jackson's music since his death. He has the top two albums on iTunes, as well as three of the top 10 singles. In the United Kingdom, Jackson held 11 of the top 200 album positions and 43 of the top 200 singles, based on sales monitored by the Official Charts Co. for the week ended June 27. His "Number Ones" album topped the OCC album chart after selling 46,400 physical copies and 10,000 downloads. The surge for demand in Jackson's music looks likely to continue for several months: The fan page has a music player with some of Jackson's hits and an option to buy them through Amazon. | Michael Jackson is most popular person on Facebook with nearly 7 million fans .
Previously, U.S. President Obama had the most fans .
Experts say Jackson's fan base gaining more than 20 fans per second . |
266,896 | e5afa5a3bddc672c9bb1f1b31eb6875da2055018 | By . Damian Ghigliotty . PUBLISHED: . 22:33 EST, 4 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 23:56 EST, 4 December 2012 . One of Silicon Valley’s most valued men could soon become one of the president’s closest business confidants. Google Chairman Eric Schmidt is reportedly in line for a powerful position within the Obama administration. Schmidt, 57, the search giant’s former chief executive, may soon become secretary of Treasury or Commerce, or fill a new ‘secretary of business’ slot, the Washington Examiner reports. From the valley to the capital: Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt could be tapped by the Obama Administration to fill a high-power cabinet seat as a business confidant . Schmidt’s big role in the Obama re-election campaign, Google's $1.9 million donation to Democrats during the race, and Washington's efforts to quiet a looming Federal Trade Commission investigation into Google are key signs that the president wants Schmidt in his cabinet, insiders believe. ‘Nobody's better positioned for a Cabinet job, if he wants one,’ an unnamed Democratic strategist told the Examiner. Since Obama first ran for office five years ago, Google and Schmidt have stayed by his side with financial, political and technological support. Obama stopped by the company headquarters in Mountain View, California, in 2007 and told Google employees, ‘What we shared is a belief in changing the world from the bottom up, not from the top down.’ Old friends: Schmidt interviews Democratic Presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama during a town hall meeting at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California on November 14, 2007 . Google's political action committee gave $1.6 million to Democrats in 2008 and only $300,000 to GOP candidates, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. This year the committee has given $2.1 million to Democrats and $715,000 to Republicans. Google donated more than $700,000 to Obama alone in the November’s election. When the President began asking Congress for a new round of stimulus spending in 2011, Schmidt helped promote the ‘jobs bill’ intended to help jumpstart the U.S. economy and help Americans hit hardest by the recession. ‘The economy is, today, stuck behind the power curve -- it needs a lot of encouragement,’ he said during a September 2011 interview on ABC’s ‘This Week with Christiane Amanpour.’ Without the jobs bill, he said, ‘We’re set up for years of extraordinarily low growth in the economy and no real solution to the jobless problem.’ As more political insiders and cabinet shakeup watchers forecast predictions of Schmidt taking a high-level cabinet seat, critics are paying close attention to the relationship between Google and the Obama administration, the Examiner reports. That’s a familiar story. Schmidt testified before a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 21, 2001, along with representatives of companies who were saying Google’s power is too great. Silicon Valley empire: A Google employee walks across the campus at Google headquarters, also known as the 'Googleplex,' in Mountain View, California . The president's palace: The north side of the White House in Washington, DC. Prior to that hearing, Google began ramping up its lobbying presence in the nation's capital. After that hearing, little changed for the search giant in terms of its daily operations, though an FTC investigation is ongoing. Obama has made his feelings about Google clear. The President's pick to fill a Republican spot on the FTC co-authored a paper in the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy titled ‘Google and the Limits of Antitrust: The Case Against the Case against Google’ Now Obama and Schmidt could take their close ties behind closed doors. ‘Support in 2008, plus support in 2012, plus personal counsel by Schmidt to Messina in 2012, may now equal a plum cabinet post,’ one source told the Examiner. | Google's chairman and former CEO Schmidt, 57, is in line to become secretary of Treasury or Commerce, or fill a new ‘secretary of business’ slot, insiders say .
Since Obama first ran for office five years ago, Google and Schmidt have stayed by his side with financial and political support . |
47,251 | 8529e945d1a94def415c3011df44ca9eb4b69a4d | Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- The three security guards and the driver of an American development expert who was abducted in Pakistan on Saturday have been detained for questioning, a police official said Monday. The four men are not considered suspects at this point, said the official, who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media. Under Pakistani law, police can detain someone for up to 72 hours without charging them with a crime. Investigators have no leads in the case and are not any closer to finding out what happened to the American, whom the U.S. Embassy identified as Warren Weinstein. Weinstein was abducted early Saturday when gunmen, posing as neighbors offering food, pistol-whipped him and his driver and tied up his guards, U.S. Embassy and Pakistani officials said. Weinstein works for J.E. Austin Associates Inc., a U.S. consulting firm based in Arlington, Virginia, a Pakistani official said. He's is a world-renowned development expert, with 25 years of experience, according to his company's website. The site says he was heading what the company described as the "Pakistan Initiative for Strategic Development and Competitiveness." As Weinstein's security guards prepared for the meal before the Ramadan fast early Saturday, three men knocked at the front gate and offered food for the meal -- a traditional practice among Muslims during the Ramadan holy month, according to senior Lahore police official Tajamal Hussain. Once the gate was opened, the three men forced their way in while five other suspects entered the house from the back, Hussain said. The men tied up the three security guards and duct-taped their mouths, he said. They pistol-whipped the driver and forced him to take them to Weinstein's room, where the men hit Weinstein in the head with a pistol, and forced him out of the house and into a waiting car, Hussain said. He said Weinstein is in his 60s. There has been no claim of responsibility nor any demands by any groups, according to senior police official Awais Ahmed. Weinstein has lived in the residence in an upscale Lahore neighborhood for several years, Ahmed said. Weinstein is a Fulbright Scholar in Belgium and is proficient in six languages, with a doctorate in international law and economics, according to his company website. U.S. Embassy officials are working with Pakistani authorities on the case, Embassy spokesman Alberto Rodriguez said Saturday. The U.S. State Department updated a travel advisory for Americans traveling and working in Pakistan this week, warning that extremist groups operating in the country were continuing to target U.S. and other Western citizens and interests. It cited part of the reason for the advisory as "reported" abductions of U.S. citizens "for ransom or personal reasons," including the kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Lahore in June. No further details about that incident were released. Abductions are not unusual in Pakistan, though those targeted are typically Pakistani rather than American or Western. In early July, a Swiss couple was grabbed at gunpoint while traveling in the town of Loralai in the volatile southwestern Balochistan province, provincial officials said at the time. Three weeks after their abduction, Pakistani authorities said they believed the couple was still alive. Weinstein's abduction follows another high-profile incident involving an American in Lahore. Raymond Davis, a CIA contractor, was charged with killing two men in January but was released in March after compensation was paid to their families. Journalists Nasir Habib and Shaan Khan and CNN's Salma Abdelaziz contributed to this report. | The men are not considered suspects at this time, a Pakistani police official says .
Gunmen abducted an American from his Pakistan residence Saturday, authorities say .
He is identified as Warren Weinstein, the U.S. Embassy says .
There has been no claim of responsibility, or demands . |
207,100 | 9828e980e441f6425ce79c4ca7e3199b40b809e4 | (CNN)It was supposed to be a silent march when demonstrators packed the streets of Buenos Aires. But it didn't take long for the chanting to start at Wednesday's march through the Argentine capital. Some demonstrators called out, "Nisman is here!" Others chanted, "Long live the motherland!" The march was organized by six prosecutors to honor the memory of Alberto Nisman, a special prosecutor whose mysterious death a month ago has shaken the South American nation. Police said hundreds of thousands of people turned out for Wednesday's march. Many of them walked with umbrellas through a torrential downpour. Nisman was found with a gunshot wound to his head in his apartment on January 18, a day before he was scheduled to testify before lawmakers about his accusations of a government cover-up that he said reached all the way up to the country's President. Authorities have yet to determine if his death was suicide or murder. Among those attending Wednesday's demonstration was Sandra Arroyo Salgado, Nisman's ex-wife, a judge who has maintained that he never would have ended his own life. She marched with their two teenage daughters at her side. Nisman had alleged that President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner shielded Iranian officials accused of masterminding the bombing of a Jewish community center in 1994 that left 85 people dead. His death has spurred a number of protests and speculation that the government could have had something to do with it. Fernandez has denied the accusations against her and suggested forces conspiring against her government had him killed. "They used him while he was alive, and then they needed him dead," she wrote last month. "It's that sad and terrible." The prosecutor who replaced Nisman formally accused the President of a cover-up last week. But government officials say the accusations are politically motivated and that Nisman was killed in an effort to destabilize democracy in their country. At an event with supporters last week, the President criticized the organizers of the march. "We choose singing and happiness," Fernandez said, "and leave silence to them." CNN's Mariano Castillo and journalist Iván Pérez Sarmenti contributed to this report. | Police say hundreds of thousands of demonstrators packed the streets of Buenos Aires .
They were marching in honor of special prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who died a month ago .
His mysterious death has shaken the country, spurring protests and conspiracy theories . |
240,587 | c37196a2acde79af892813146022dd78e3492ed0 | The former nanny to Fred and Rose West has told of her ordeal at the hands of two of Britain's worst serial killers. Caroline Roberts was just 17 when, in 1972, she went to work at the Wests' infamous 25 Cromwell Street home in Gloucester, where nine bodies were discovered more than 20 years later. What she witnessed and went through at their hands was to serve as a chilling prelude to the series of at least 12 murders the couple would go on to commit. Ms Roberts - called Caroline Owens in 1972 - was abducted and raped by the Wests but managed to escape. She went to the police but the couple ended up getting off with a fine for indecent assault because Ms Roberts was too scared to face them in court. Scroll down for video . Caroline Roberts was abducted by Rose and Fred West in 1972 before they went on their killing spree . Rose West was convicted of 10 murders in November 1995 and is still serving life in prison. Fred West was charged with 12 murders, but committed suicide at Winson Green jail in Birmingham before his trial . The then-teenager was picked up by the Wests while hitch-hiking and they later offered her a job looking after their three children. Soon after she started work at their home, she picked up on the couple's warped attitudes and Fred West's obsession with sex. In a new interview to be broadcast on Channel 5 tomorrow night, she recalls Fred West saying: 'I've performed these abortions on girls before and they turn around and they're so grateful they just have sex with me straight after.' Ms Roberts said: 'I thought - that's not right that's weird.' The Wests later invited Ms Roberts to join their sex circle but she declined and left her job with them. She said: 'I knew that was something I didn't want to be a part of.' But weeks later, the teenager was walking home and was offered a lift by Fred West, who pulled up alongside her. Moments later, the killer hit her over the head. Ms Roberts - pictured around the time she was abducted - says she now feels guilty she didn't do more to alert police to the danger the couple posed . She said: 'I blacked out. When I came back round my hands were already tied behind my back and there was Fred wrapping tape around my mouth.' In a apparent warning of what the couple would later do to their victims, they told her: 'We are going to keep you in the cellar and let our friends use you and, when they have finished with you, we will kill you and bury you under the paving stones of Gloucester. There are hundreds of girls there... the police haven't found them and they won't find you!' Ms Roberts, who feared the couple would try and 'operate' on her, was raped by Fred West, but later managed to escape. She told the police, but the charge against the Wests was dropped to indecent assault after Ms Roberts decided she did not want to be questioned in court. In the new TV documentary, she says she now feels guilty about the decision, which may have allowed the couple to go free to commit their murders. The new documentary also features what is believed to be the last interview given by the lesbian lover of both Fred and Rose West, Kathryn Halliday. Ms Halliday was a neighbour who was invited to the couple's home after telling Fred West she was a lesbian. She said she liked the husband - who she met after the couple had killed all their known victims - but found Rose West 'very cold'. In the interview, given before her recent death from liver cancer, said: 'She was very, very domineering and she was quite domineering over Fred. 'He only ever touched me once. We only ever had sex once but he was a wee bit more gentle. She was very cold.' Ms Roberts was employed by the couple to look after their children at their infamous 25 Cromwell Street home . A newspaper report from the time of the couple's attack on Ms Roberts, for which they received a £100 fine . The couple then showed Ms Halliday their bondage equipment and sexual torture instruments, causing her break off their friendship. She turned down an invitation to spend Christmas with them, a decision she believes saved her life. She said: 'I think this is what saved my life. Rose went ballistic when I said I wasn't going to stay there. I, for one, just hope she rots in hell.' Fred West was charged with 12 murders, but committed suicide at Winson Green jail in Birmingham before his trial. Rose West was convicted of 10 murders in November 1995 and is still serving life in prison. Their house was later demolished and turned into a public walkway. When Fred Met Rose will be broadcast at 10pm tomorrow night on Channel 5. | Teenager was picked up by the couple while hitch-hiking in 1972 .
They employed her to look after children but she was later abducted .
She was later tied up and raped but managed to escape the couple .
She did not want to face them in court and they got off with a fine .
Woman now tells how she wishes she had helped jail the couple .
Documentary into serial killings also hears from the Wests' lesbian lover .
The woman says Rose was the domineering one in the couple . |
66,659 | bd116985790cc70d4e13b5b05c8670010f92f981 | NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he believes the owner of the Washington Redskins would consider changing the team's name because it causes offence to Native Americans. Goodell joined the debate on Sunday during a question-and-answer session with Dallas season ticket-holders before the Cowboys' game against the Redskins. The commissioner said he grew up in Washington and considered everything about the name to be something that honored the tradition of Native Americans. Change: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he believes Washington owner Daniel Snyder is 'way down the road' in consideration of name change . 'But I think we also have to be sensitive enough to at least listen and try to see what it is we can do if we're insulting any element of our fan base, or non-fan base for that matter,' Goodell said. 'I think Dan Snyder is way down the road on doing that. I'm confident he's listening. I'm confident he feels strongly about the name but also wants to do the right thing.' The Redskins were playing for the first time since President Barack Obama reignited the debate by saying he would 'think about changing' the name if he were the team's owner. He said: 'The name is just simply inappropriate. It is offensive to a lot of people.' Debate: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) lines up behind center Travis Frederick (72) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday . Debate: Zena 'Chief Z' Williams signs autographs. President Barack Obama said that if he owned the Washington Redskins, he would 'think about changing' the team name . Congressman Tom Cole - a Republican - has called it 'offensive.' The Oneida Indian Nation, which ran a radio advertisement in Dallas to protest the . name, is also planning to meet with NFL representatives over the . issue. A small group of protesters gathered . near the stadium hours before kickoff carrying signs that read 'Stop . Perpetuating Racism' and 'Redskins (equals) 81 years racism.' Pro change: Ray Halbritter, a senior leader of the Oneida Indian Nation in New York state, speaks at a symposium in Washington, DC in favor of changing the name . Support: A Washington Redskins fan shows his support for re-branding the US capital's beloved American football team . 'I'm . glad the president took a stand,' said Yolanda Blue Horse, of Dallas, a . member of the Lakota Nation. 'If Dan Snyder wanted to honor Native . Americans there's better ways to do that rather than Redskins.' One . of the protesters, Juan Mancias, drove from his home in the San Antonio . area with flag of the American Indian Movement, which began in 1968. He said he protested at a Cowboys and Redskins game at Texas Stadium in 1997. Jack Flack, a Redskins fan from Washington who attended the game with friends, said he would change the name to Washington Senators. 'I mean, if the president's weighing in, it's probably time for change,' Flack said. However, some Cowboys fans saw no reason for change. 'It's a tradition,' said Stephanie Smith of Houston. 'It's how it should be.' Cowboys owner Jerry Jones backed Snyder during the session with Goodell. 'It would be a real mistake to think that Dan ... in any way has a lack of sensitivity regarding somebody's feelings,' Jones said. 'I can promise you that.' It was adopted by the football team in 1933 when co-owner George Preston Marshall renamed the Boston Braves the Redskins, and the name followed the team to Washington. Many U.S. sports teams were named after indigenous peoples but in recent years the names have proved more offensive. | NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined the debate on Sunday .
He believes the name honors the tradition of Native Americans .
But he said the league had to sensitive towards its fan base .
Obama reignited the debate by saying he .
would 'think about changing' the name if he were the team's owner . |
244,877 | c8eed88a032d0ed0423911980dc963a1aeda5c9b | Pop sensation Katy Perry set Neymar's tongue wagging on Monday night, as he recorded footage of her performing a gig in Barcelona. Just 24 hours after the Brazilian impressed at the Nou Camp to help his side beat Levante 5-0, he turned his attention to Palau Sant Jordi and the first date of Perry's European tour. And the 23-year-old seemed impressed by her performance, uploading a video of the gig to his 15 and a half million followers on Instagram. Neymar sticks his tongue out for an Instagram video at Katy Perry's concert on Monday night . The video shows part of Perry's routine on stage at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona . Neymar appears to have seats directly next to the stage, as the video shows Perry walk in front of the Barcelona star, just metres from the camera. The crowd of 24,000 is nothing compared to the one Neymar performed in front of just one night previous though, as 74,963 were in attendance to watch the Brazilian score his 24th goal of the season. He opened the scoring for Luis Enrique's side in the first half, before a Lionel Messi hat-trick and a goal from Luis Suarez secured a straightforward win for Barcelona against Levante. 24 hours previous, Neymar scored the first of Barcelona's five goals against Levante at the Nou Camp . Lionel Messi (left) celebrates with Neymar during Barcelona's rout of Levante in La Liga on Sunday night . | Katy Perry began her European tour in Barcelona on Monday night .
Neymar attending the gig and filmed part of it, to upload to Instagram .
He stuck his tongue out as he posed for the camera with friends .
On Sunday night, Neymar scored to help Barcelona to a simple 5-0 win . |
16,316 | 2e475ca253dc3fdb44eab096a6561cea6aebf953 | By . Richard Hartley-parkinson . PUBLISHED: . 02:31 EST, 12 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:04 EST, 12 June 2012 . Ali Hasan flashes the victory sign after being released from prison ahead of his trial on June 20 . An 11-year-old boy arrested for allegedly taking part in anti-government protests has been freed ahead of his trial. Ali Hasan says he was playing in the streets near his him in al-Bilad al-Qadeem, a suburb of the Bahrain capital, Manama, with two other children his age when he was arrested for 'joining an illegal gathering' and other claims. Protests have been held in Sadad calling for his release for the last month, and that finally happened on Monday evening according to his lawyer, Mohsen al-Alawi. The sixth-grade student sat his exams while in prison and is among the youngest suspects detained in crackdowns on protests led by Bahrain's Shiite majority which seeks a greater political voice from the ruling Sunni dynasty. He will appear before the court again on June 20. Hasan said the two boys he was playing with ran off after being approached by plain clothes police officers in a car. One of the officers ordered him to stop or he would shoot if he tried to get away and he was later ordered to identify other boys where he lived. Among the accusations the 11-year-old faces is the allegation that he blocked a road with a rubbish skip, but his lawyer, Shahzalan Khamees, said this was impossible because 'you would need two grown men to lift it'. He was moved to different police stations for the first four hours of his detention, according to the Independent, in order to disorientate him. Mrs Khamees said: 'He . is very sad all the time. All he says is "I want to . go home. I want my mother". He is frightened and says they are going to . punish him. He is only a child.' It is not the first time that the . Bahrain authorities have been accused of targeting school children - . three teenage school girls said they were beaten in custody by the . police there in May last year. More than 50 people have died in Bahrain since unrest began in February and martial law was imposed after mass rallies. His arrest provoked protests from women and children along with human rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja, right . Khadija Habib, right, kisses her son after his release from prison where he was detained for 'joining an illegal gathering' Martial law was declared after rallies of up to 200,000 people took place. The monarchy set about crushing demonstrations by calling in troops from Sunni Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Last November, an international inquiry into the brutal crackdown found that ‘excessive and unnecessary force’ had been used and that detainees suffered electric shocks, and beatings with rubber hoses and wires. There are continued reports of arrests and torture at the hands of the Sunni authorities. In March this year, the UN asked for the Bahrain government to investigate allegations that tear gas, rubber bullets and birdshot pellets were being used against protesters. Eight opposition leaders have been sentenced to life in prison and a Bahrain policewoman is currently on trial for torturing a French TV journalist who was taken into custody. Earlier this week, Nabeel Rajab, head of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, was arrested after tweeting a comment that criticised the Gulf nation’s ruling caste. A Bahraini boy holds a placard depicting a jail door in protest against Hasan's arrest . More than 50 people have died in Bahrain since unrest began in February and martial law was imposed after mass rallies . | Ali Hasan will stand for trial on June 20 for 'joining an illegal gathering'
Schoolboy sat his exams during his month in prison .
He was arrested by plain clothes police officers near his house . |
263,715 | e18af15a16c158b86feddf4aa713a7bcb51f6891 | By . David Mccormack . Mike Moore, 30, from Mississippi spent years fighting depression after he suffered a botched circumcision operation as a small boy . A man who suffered a botched circumcision operation when he was a small boy has achieved medical history by becoming the first person to conceive a child with a reconstructed penis. Mike Moore, 30, from Mississippi and his wife become the proud parents of young Memphis six months ago. For Moore, who had spent years fighting depression and witnessed his first marriage collapse as a consequence, the birth of his first child was something that for a long time he didn’t think would ever happen. ‘The one . thing I wanted most in this world was a family, and I didn't think it . was going to happen - to have kids, to have a wife who loves me for who I . am. It wasn't going to happen, not to me,’ Moore told SF Gate. ‘Then on Oct. 4, 2013, we had Memphis, and I love that little boy with all my heart,’ he said. The . family recently travelled 2,200 miles from their home in rural . Mississippi to Palo Alto, California, to proudly introduce young Memphis . to the surgeon who had done so much to change Moore’s life for the . better. Dr. Gordon Lee, specializes in reconstructive plastic surgery at Stanford . Medical Center, and successfully operated on Moore in 2007. Scroll down for video . Mike and his wife Heather become the proud parents of young Memphis six months ago . ‘His story is, as far as I know, a first in the world for a totally reconstructed penis to go and have a baby,’ Dr Lee told NBC Bay Area. When Moore was just seven years old doctors discovered he had an infection that was preventing him from urinating properly. A routine circumcision was advised, but the procedure was botched and doctors were forced to amputate. Bullied at school for being different, Moore fell into a deep depression and suffered low self-confidence. Dr. Gordon Lee, right, who specializes in reconstructive plastic surgery at Stanford Medical Center successfully operated on Mike Moore, left, in 2007 . Superhero: Memphis' parents like to dress their son in Superman gear - even down to shoes adorned with little red capes - because his birth was a miracle for them . Then seven years ago, he met Dr. Lee after his uncle saw a news story about the surgeon’s work. Moore had already undergone three failed attempts at reconstruction surgery, but after speaking with Dr Lee, he decided to give it another go. The doctor was able to successfully reconstruct Moore’s penis using tissue from his thigh. It was only the second time Lee had ever performed the surgery. Even then Moore’s troubles weren’t immediately solved. He first marriage broke down not long after the surgery. ‘She (his first wife) couldn't even deal with the sight of what it looked like after Dr. Lee repaired it,’ said Moore. ‘That was a major contribution to her leaving as well.’ Then in 2011, Moore met his current wife, Heather, now 25. ‘She accepted me for who I was, and not for what was wrong with me,’ said Moore. ‘She continues to this day to assure me that there's nothing wrong.’ Moore met his wife Heather in 2011. 'She accepted me for who I was, and not for what was wrong with me,' said Moore . The couple soon married, and decided to try for a baby. After so many medical procedures, Moore had wanted to do it naturally, but after several months without success they visited a fertility doctor in early 2013. He recommended artificial insemination using Moore's sperm and a month later they were celebrating Heather's pregnancy. Memphis' parents now dress their little son in Superman gear - even down to shoes adorned with little red capes - because he is their little miracle. 'I bought him Superman stuff because I knew he was a miracle,' said Moore, who typically wears a matching shirt. 'I love the symbol.' After all the bad times, Moore is happy to share his story to give hope to others who have abandoned faith that their lives could ever be 'normal.' 'If the story can help anybody, I want anybody who had to go through what I went through to know it’s possible to have a child,' he said. The couple are currently planing for another child and are hoping for a girl this time. Video: Man fathers child with reconstructed penis . | Mike Moore, 20, lost his penis during a botched circumcision operation when he was just seven years old .
He was bullied as a result and spent years suffering from depression and low self esteem .
In 2007 and - at the forth attempt - he successfully had reconstruction surgery, but his first wife left him soon after .
He met his second wife Heather in 2011 and she got pregnant last year following artificial insemination with Mike's sperm .
Memphis is now six months old and his parents dress him in Superman gear because he is their miracle baby .
The couple are now trying for a second child and are hoping for a girl . |
22,663 | 4057e051abcba099c982481b063290093e30795c | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:02 EST, 10 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:24 EST, 10 May 2012 . Spain's King and Queen will not be celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary in any fashion, the country's royal court has confirmed. King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia's announcement that they will hold neither a public nor private party on May 14 has fuelled speculation they are actually 'estranged'. In recent months they have rarely been seen out in public, and rumours have abounded of the King's 'roving eye' - with some suggesting he has bedded more than 1,500 women. Shunning: Spain's King and Queen will not be celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary in any fashion, the country's royal court has confirmed . Tour: King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia in the cockpit of an Airbus A380 during a visit to the Airbus factory in Blagnac, near Toulouse, France . But others claim the move is designed to appease Spaniards still angry with their monarch for going on a lavish £27,000 elephant hunting safari in Botswana last month. The extravagant trip, which only came to light when the 74-year-old returned to Spain after breaking his hip, came as the number of jobless in the country soared to almost one in four. His sheepish and unprecedented act of royal contrition, said as he stood outside the Madrid hospital where he was operated, went some way to healing his relationship with the public. A lack of a party, observers say, will again show the King is in some way getting back in touch with his subjects and willing to undergo the same austerity. Under fire: Spanish King Juan Carlos (right), pictured during a previous elephant hunting trip in Africa, has come in for criticism for his safari . The decision is in stark contrast to . their 1987 silver wedding anniversary, when couples from all over Spain . who wed on the same 1962 day attended a party at the Zarzuela palace. And it comes during a tricky time for the King, who is facing his first bout of criticism from the Spanish press. Nuptials: The King and Queen of Spain on their wedding day in Greece in 1962 . They . have often been reluctant to criticise the man who relinquished power . to ensure a successful transition to democracy following the death of . dictator Francisco Franco in the late 1970s. But . the mood has changed since the controversial African elephant hunt, . with some even making calls for him to abdicate and hand over power to . his son Prince Felipe. The . rumours of his alleged infidelities are also increasing, even in the . Spanish press, with claims surfacing in several books that he is a . real-life Don Juan. Just three months ago an explosive . book, by Barcelona-based author Pilar Eyre, claimed he was a 'serial . womaniser' who had bedded more than 1,500 women. The . Solitude of the Queen labelled him a 'professional seducer' who once . tried to seduce Princess Diana and who has had numerous affairs. It . said that he has not shared a bed with his wife Queen Sofia for the . past 35 years and claimed she stumbled upon her husband with one of his . alleged lovers, the Spanish film star Sara Montiel, at a friend’s . country house in Toledo in 1976. Following the ill-fated hunting trip, reports also said Queen Sofia only visited him at his bedside for 26 minutes. It . prompted royal commentator and former director of ABC newspaper, Jose . Antonio Zarzalejos, to say: 'The failure of his marriage to Queen Sofia, . from whom he is practically separated, is public knowledge.' There are also claims he has been in a . 'relationship' with a woman 28 years his junior for six years. She was . alleged to have been on the Botswana trip with him. It has not been a good time for the once much-loved royal family. By his side: Juan Carlos (centre) swearing the Laws as he is proclaimed the King of Spain, with Queen Sofia (right) next to him . Together: Spanish King Juan Carlos (left) and his wife Queen Sofia (right) greeting Spaniards from the balcony of the Royal Palace after his proclamation as King of Spain in 1975 . The . King's son-in-law Inaki Urdangarin is a suspect in a corruption case, . accused of using his position to embezzle several million euros in . public contracts through a not-for-profit foundation. The King has sought to distance himself from the case in recent months. But . this week he was dragged into the thick of it after reports emerged of . emails allegedly implicating him in the business dealings. Then, . over Easter, the king's 13-year-old grandson shot himself in the foot . with a shotgun, even though by law in Spain you must be 14 to handle a . gun. Polls this month revealed Juan Carlos' popularity is at its lowest since he came to the throne in 1975. The Catalan town of Berga last week even took the radical step of voting him a 'persona non grata'. His . recovery from hip replacement surgery also means he will miss Queen . Elizabeth II's official Diamond Jubilee celebration lunch at Windsor . Castle on May 18. Queen Sofia will travel alone to attend the event . United front: Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia pictured welcoming Pope Benedict XVI on his arrival in Madrid in 2011 . Royal household: Spain's King Juan Carlos (L), Queen Sofia (2L), Crown Prince Felipe (R), his wife, Princess Letizia (2-R), Princess Elena (3R), Princess Cristina (3L), and her shamed husband Inaki Urdangarin (C) pictured in 2008 . | King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will not hold public nor private parties . |
25,572 | 486b687d9bb6229408704d7a6c66848c97f7b998 | By . Carl Markham, Press Association . Former Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam was not surprised ex-world number one Luke Donald was left out of Europe's team but admits occasionally decisions are made as much on gut feelings as form. The latter was certainly an issue for Donald, who has registered only one top-10 finish since April, and he lost out in a four-way race with Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and in-form rookie Stephen Gallacher for the three wildcard spots. Poulter was an almost automatic pick after his inspirational performance at Medinah two years ago, Westwood is playing in his ninth Ryder Cup while Gallacher's recent displays virtually demanded inclusion. Left out: Luke Donald was left out of the 2014 European Ryder Cup team by captain Paul McGinley . Big decision: Europe captain Paul McGinley announces his wildcards to face the United States . Instinct: Ian Woosnam (pictured) believes McGinley will have made a 'gut decision' to omit Luke Donald . On that basis - despite having never lost in four events - it was an easier decision for captain Paul McGinley to leave out Donald. Woosnam had a trickier task in 2006 when he led Europe to victory at the K Club - but not before his captaincy was branded pathetic by Thomas Bjorn after he missed out on a wildcard. At a time when only two wildcards were available he opted for Darren Clarke and Westwood at the expense of the Dane, who qualified for this year's team on merit. He admitted that decision came more down to instinct than anything else. 'It is a shame you have to leave out someone like Luke Donald but that is how it goes, I don't think he's holed enough putts all year to warrant a pick,' Woosnam said. Demanded inclusion: Stephen Gallacher's blistering recent form has earned him a wildcard . Criticism: Dane Thomas Bjorn branded Woosnam pathetic in 2006 for failing to name his as a wildcard . 'In my time I had three people in my mind: it came down to either Thomas Bjorn, Westwood and Clarke and I'd already picked Clarke. 'It was a hard decision but what persuaded me was I felt Westwood would go better with Clarke, especially in the time of grieving Darren was going through (having lost wife Heather to cancer weeks earlier), and everything worked out. 'Lee partnered Darren in two matches and Darren won all his points that week. 'You have a gut feeling, you feel who is going to play well under pressure. Only one celebrating now: Lee Westwood (right) and Donald drink to Ryder Cup success two years ago . 'I think with Thomas at the K Club he had a couple of issues with a hole there (the previous year he drove into water at the 17th three times to run up an 11 to lose the European Open) and that sometimes put bad memories in your head.' Woosnam, an ambassador for bookmaker Betway, said team captaincy was all about man-management. 'When I picked the team on the first day I think I left out Henrik Stenson and Luke Donald and they were whingeing a little bit as to why they were left out,' he added. 'But I went up to them and told them they were playing in the (afternoon) foursomes and that cheered them up then. Glory: Former captain Woosnam led Europe to Ryder Cup victory in 2006 at the K Club . Decisions: Woosnam (right) picked Darren Clarke (left) as one of his wildcards, just week's after his wife died . 'A captain has to get it into their heads quickly that they are all there to win the Ryder Cup. 'All they are is team members, nothing else. You are all as equal as each other, it doesn't matter who wins the points as long as we win as a team.' Woosnam believes the absence from the USA team of 14-time major winner Tiger Woods due to injury will be viewed as a greater boost by the Americans than their counterparts. 'How many times has Woods been in a winning team?' he said. 'I think Europe are fearing more that Woods is not in the team because the USA might be without him. 'The Europeans will be looking at the American team and seeing how they are as unit and how they play together.' Missing pieces of the jigsaw: The three wildcard names are added to a board displaying Europe's team . Ian Woosnam was speaking on behalf of sports bookmaker Betway. Visit betway.com for the latest golf odds and specials. | Luke Donald was not given a wildcard by Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley .
McGinley opted for Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher .
Former world number one Luke Donald has struggled for form this season .
Ian Woosnam believes McGinley's likely 'gut decision' was unsurprising .
Woosnam chose Darren Clarke and Westwood as wildcards in 2006 .
He was branded pathetic by Thomas Bjorn who missed out that year .
The 2014 Ryder Cup takes place at Gleneagles from September 26-28 . |
117,980 | 2457eba99844158a30a986f7fd682790b75abc7c | Arsenal are close to signing Atletico Madrid holding midfielder Mario Suarez as Arsene Wenger begins his January spending spree, according to reports in Spain. The 27-year-old played 22 games last season as Atletico won La Liga and made it to the Champions League final, but has fallen out of favour this season. With the likes of Gabi, Tiago, Raul Garcia and Saul Niguez ahead of him in the pecking order under Diego Simeone, Suarez is looking to move on. Mario Suarez (left) battles with Juventus' Roberto Pereyra during a Champions League group game . Suarez has fallen behind the likes of Gabi, Tiago, Raul Garcia and Saul Niguez in Diego Simeone's plans . According to respected Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda, a former editor of Madrid-based paper Marca, Suarez 'will almost certainly go in the winter transfer window'. And Arsenal, who are short of options in the holding role, are his most likely destination as Wenger attempts to secure Champions League football for a 17th straight year. The Gunners boss revealed on Tuesday that he is looking for a midfielder to help cover for injuries in the squad, with Wenger having to recall Francis Coquelin from a loan spell at Charlton recently to play alongside Mathieu Flamini. Suarez was a key member of the Atletico side that reached last season's Champions League final . The midfielder is a local boy who has been at Atletico since he was 12, but is now set to move away . 'If you look at the number of games some players played and the injuries we have with Wilshere, Ramsey and Arteta, we are a bit short at the moment in midfield,' Wenger said. Suarez, capped twice for Spain, has been at Atletico since he was 12 years old, with the exception of a two-year spell at Mallorca, who sold him back to his first club in 2010. Arsenal are short of options in the holding role with only Mathieu Flamini and Francis Coquelin available . Coquelin had to be recalled from a loan spell at Charlton to help cover for injuries in the Gunners squad . | The 27-year-old Spain midfielder out of favour at La Liga champions .
Arsene Wenger wants to sign holding midfielder during upcoming window .
Mario Suarez has won two caps for Spain .
Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta is injured, putting strain on Mathieu Flamini . |
67,335 | bf0d618a9d1d1ff34951b0c8dbb6c3a36a6f5dae | Atlanta (CNN) -- Six astronauts lie motionless in a row of compartments with medical monitoring cables connected to their bodies, as their space ship cuts through the silent blackness that separates Earth from Mars. They're sound asleep and will be for the extent of their six-month trip, having been placed in an artificially induced state of hibernation called torpor. This is the way a NASA-funded study sees space explorers traveling to Mars -- unconscious, with their metabolism switched into slow motion. Sending astronauts that far into space would be too challenging, costly and grueling without it, says space engineer John Bradford, whose Atlanta-based company SpaceWorks wrote the study for NASA. "Ultimately, it's what we'll have to do," he says. Sci-fi becomes reality . Sleeper spacecraft with crews in suspended animation have been flying through futuristic science fiction movies like "Avatar," "Alien," "Pandorum" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" for decades. Now science reality is catching up, as medical advances have made stasis possible via a method called therapeutic hypothermia. It has been used since the early 2000s to treat patients with traumatic injuries. Formula One racer Michael Schumacher, for example, who suffered a brain injury while snow skiing, was reportedly put into therapeutic hypothermia. It renders the patient unconscious by lowering the body temperature. In Schumacher's case, it also prevented swelling of his brain. The torpor stasis, which greatly slows metabolism, can help injured patients survive longer, while medical teams work to rescue them, Bradford says. But doctors usually induce it for only three or four days at a time, not the 180 days it would take for astronauts to get to Mars, nor the 180 it would take to get back to Earth. "It may take some time to get it to the state of effectiveness we want it to go to," Bradford says. That involves animal testing, then some extended testing on humans, perhaps on the International Space Station. It could take decades. MAVEN spacecraft enters Mars orbit to explore its climate change . A short-cut . There is a possible work-around, though, that astronauts could start out with. SpaceWork found a Chinese medical study in which trauma patients stayed in torpor for longer periods. "They had a sample of about 80 people that went through therapeutic hypothermia for all sorts of traumatic injuries. And those periods did range from three to up to 14 days." The patients who stayed under for two weeks fared as well as those who were put under for a shorter time. Two weeks is a time frame SpaceWorks can live with and one that Bradford says his medical partners at the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins University are more comfortable with. Aboard the spacecraft . Here's how it would work during space flight. The two-week torpor periods would be straddled, so that there is always one astronaut who is awake for a brief period. The colleague currently awake could check in on the other ones who are still unconscious to make sure their intravenous feeding tubes are clear, and urine removal systems and so on are working properly. He can also communicate with Earth. "He can check emails," Bradford says. Then after two or three days, he wakes up the next astronaut by activating a heating system that brings his or her body temperature up to normal. Then the awakened astronaut straps the other into the hibernation module, hooks up the medical systems and inserts a body cooling tube through a nostril. Heating pads behind the astronaut make sure the nasal tube doesn't cool down their body too much. A temperature drop of only about five degrees Fahrenheit is necessary -- from 98.6 to about 93 degrees. Trace amounts of sedatives in the feeding line would suppress the astronaut's shiver reflex. The habitat unit housing the sleepers would rotate to create centrifugal force simulating gravity. That would help to mitigate the reduction in bone density that naturally occurs in zero gravity. How long until this is scenario is reality? Less than 30 years, Bradford thinks. "I think it's something that can and will be used on the first mission to Mars." Mars rover reaches key destination . Lighter, easier, happier . Getting astronauts to hibernate like bears makes the mission much easier and more affordable, Bradford says. They can be stacked up in small habitats; with minimal metabolism, they don't need as much food, no daily change of clothes. Exercise equipment is replaced by electrodes that stimulate their muscles while they're asleep. That saves lots of space and altogether more than half the weight of the fully equipped rocket that it would take to transport a crew that was not sleeping through the voyage in torpor. And it would be more pleasant for the crew. Astronauts traveling in waking condition would likely arrive in decent physical shape, but "mentally, I'd worry about them," Bradford says. "You're going to be in a pretty tight space -- nothing as voluminous as the ISS -- for the mission," he said. Space is dark and feels isolating. In June 2010, Russia's space agency simulated a trip to Mars by closing up astronauts in a mock space ship for about a year and a half to see how it affected them psychologically. They became reclusive, got depressed and slept 12 to 14 hours a day because there was nothing to do, Bradford said. NASA's next Mars rover will make oxygen, look for farmland . Ultimate goal? After six months of travel to Mars, the astronauts would face a 500-day mission on the barren planet's surface, according to SpaceWorks' assessment. Then they'd have to endure another 180 days in the cramped rocket to get home to Earth. Ideally, Bradford would like to see the astronauts complete both travel phases in torpor stasis and not even have to wake up every two weeks. Therapeutic hypothermia would also allow space agencies to pack more astronauts into one ship. That's vital to meeting an often-mentioned possible ultimate goal for travel to Mars, he says. "If we're looking at colonizing, you've to do more than send six or eight people every year." | A study done for NASA foresees astronauts being unconscious for Mars travel .
It would use a medical method called therapeutic hypothermia .
It is usually used to save trauma patients by inducing torpor, a type of hibernation .
The study says it would be better for the astronauts and deeply cut costs . |
248,197 | cd279b80c3284fd674982bfce5beb52369ce8e75 | Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama expressed deep concern on Wednesday about the Egyptian military's removal of that nation's first democratically elected president, calling for a quick return to civilian leadership and ordering a review of U.S. law regarding aid to the vital Middle East ally. "The United States continues to believe firmly that the best foundation for lasting stability in Egypt is a democratic political order with participation from all sides and all political parties," Obama said in a statement about the move to oust Mohamed Morsy a year after he took office. Obama said the United States expects the military to "ensure the rights" of Egyptian citizens "during this uncertain period." He also called on the military to avoid "arbitrary arrests" of Morsy and his supporters. But Morsy and most members of his leadership team were under house arrest, according to the Muslim Brotherhood. Obama's written statement followed a meeting of national security officials, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey and CIA Director John Brennan at the White House, and illustrated a complex diplomatic situation. The run-up to Morsy's removal included huge demonstrations on both sides of the political equation, with millions of people flooding Cairo squares in scenes similar to the mass protests and unrest that led to the military coup that toppled longtime leader Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Obama refused to choose sides then and his administration adopted a similarly neutral stance ahead of the military's decision on Wednesday to suspend the constitution and remove Morsy, who left the Muslim Brotherhood after his election in a symbolic gesture as leader of all Egyptians. The head of Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court will serve as interim president. The Obama administration said earlier in the day Egyptians deserved a "peaceful political solution." But State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki also noted that Morsy had failed to outline "significant specific steps" to address the concerns of anti-government protesters. Tricky policy scenario for U.S. The situation in Cairo created an uncomfortable policy scenario for a U.S. government and president that champion democratic principles. Obama reinforced that in his statement. "I now call on the Egyptian military to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through an inclusive and transparent process," he said. "The goal of any political process should be a government that respects the rights of all people, majority and minority; that institutionalizes the checks and balances upon which democracy depends; and that places the interests of the people above party or faction," he added, noting that those protesting Morsy's government must be heard. But he also raised the tricky issue of military aid to Egypt, which also was noted by members of Congress in their reaction to events. Egypt unrest: 5 key questions . Egypt's 1973 peace treaty with Israel and responsibility for keeping open the vital oil shipping lane of the Suez Canal make it an important player in the region regarding U.S. interests. Democratic Sen. Pat Leahy of Vermont noted that the more than $1 billion a year in military aid to Egypt would be cut off if Morsy's overthrow is deemed a military coup. U.S. law restricts some kinds of aid to countries where the elected head of government is deposed by a military coup, or a coup in which the military plays a decisive role. Obama, who did not use the word "coup" in his statement, directed "relevant departments and agencies" to review the implications for aid to Egypt. Rand Paul: Stop using U.S. taxpayer money to aid Morsy . Dempsey told CNN before Wednesday's announcement in Egypt that "there will be consequences" if the situation was "badly handled." "If this were to be seen as a coup, then it would limit our ability to have the kind of relationship we need with the Egyptian armed forces," Dempsey said. In a separate interview with CNN, former State Department official Edward Djerejian noted that the military's announcement included non-military figures from civil society to portray it as a broader political step than a military coup. "There's something different happening here," said Djerejian, a former assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs. He said the situation "creates the possibility for a political transition in Egypt to a pluralistic government system." Initial statements from congressional Republicans who usually seize on any opportunity to criticize Obama policies were cautiously supportive of Morsy's ouster. "I am hopeful that his departure will reopen the path to a better future for Egypt, and I encourage the military and all political parties to cooperate in the peaceful establishment of democratic institutions and new elections that lead to an Egypt where minority rights are protected," said a statement by GOP Rep. Ed Royce of California, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "But make no mistake about it, Egypt is in for very difficult days." A vital U.S. ally . Unrest in Egypt erupted as part of the Arab Spring wave of uprisings that began in North Africa in 2010. The situation in Egypt has been a political thorn for Obama, forcing him to balance the interests of Israel with a U.S. desire to promote democratic values in the mostly Islamic region. Opinion: Obama missed out on Arab Spring . Before Morsy's election, Obama announced efforts to help Egypt stabilize and modernize its economy, including debt relief of up to $1 billion and another $1 billion in loan guarantees. Morsy's ascendency benefited Obama a few months later, when Morsy played a key role in negotiating a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel following eight days of Gaza violence last November. But Morsy subsequently issued an order preventing any Egyptian court from overturning his decisions in what was considered an undemocratic move decried by opposition groups. Within a month, he reinstated the judicial oversight and submitted a draft Islamist-backed constitution that voters approved and he signed into law. What is the Muslim Brotherhood? Public anger over economic woes and a lack of opposition voices in government helped spark the latest protests. Mohamed Morsy: Fast Facts . Obama had called Morsy . The White House said on Tuesday that Obama had called Morsy to urge him to show Egyptians that he understood their anger and to take political steps to resolve the crisis. The focus and tone of the White House statement was similar to a year ago when Morsy won Egypt's first election following Mubarak's ouster. "We will stand with the Egyptian people as they pursue their aspirations for democracy, dignity, and opportunity, and fulfill the promise of their revolution," the White House said then. Such a neutral approach has riled conservatives seeking a more assertive U.S. role in the aftermath of the Arab Spring uprisings that swept through parts of North Africa and the Middle East in recent years. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona has criticized the president for yielding a leadership role in the region. Shrinking U.S. aid . Last month, he warned a shrinking U.S. foreign aid budget meant "Egypt must show that it is a good investment of our scarce resources -- that the return on this investment will be a freer, more democratic, more tolerant Egypt." If not, McCain said in a speech on the Middle East, "Congress will spend this money elsewhere. That is just a fact." The Egyptian military this week gave Morsy an ultimatum to work out a solution to the protests by Wednesday. Morsy responded by calling for creation of a temporary coalition government until early elections can take place in coming months. The statement posted Wednesday on Morsy's official Facebook page warned that a coup would undermine the aspirations and achievements of the 2011 revolution. Travel warning, evacuation . The U.S. Embassy in Cairo ordered the mandatory evacuation of all nonessential personnel, CNN's Jill Dougherty reported, citing a senior administration official. Separately, the State Department warned Americans to defer travel to Egypt and U.S. citizens living there to leave the country. CNN's Ivan Watson and Jill Dougherty contributed to this report. | NEW: Obama orders review of law covering U.S. aid to Egypt .
NEW: Obama expects Egyptian military to "ensure the rights" of citizens .
Egyptian military suspended constitution and removed President Mohamed Morsy .
Huge demonstrations preceded military's decision to remove Morsy . |
155,112 | 547726c928cd90c358a0b17e327152d071df3a33 | By . Fiona Macrae and Andrew Levy . PUBLISHED: . 05:11 EST, 30 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 20:27 EST, 30 December 2012 . Three out of four doctors struck off the medical register this year were trained abroad, figures show. It means that those who qualified overseas were over five times more likely to be struck off than British graduates. The data comes amid growing alarm that many foreign doctors are simply not up to scratch, putting the safety of patients at risk. David Gray, left, died when Dr Daniel Ubani gave him a lethal overdose on his first shift providing out of hours care in the UK, while Nicola Sams, right, died after Dr Navin Shankar missed her cancer for six years . Three quarters of doctors who have been struck off in the last year were trained abroad . There is also concern that European law prevents doctors from the Continent from having their ability to speak English tested. While those from outside the EU sit tests of language and competency before being placed on the medical register, one paper is a multiple-choice exam that can be taken over and over again. The General Medical Council has now promised to introduce measures to ensure foreign doctors face a more rigorous assessment. Critics say many of the problems can be traced back to the introduction of a lucrative new contract for GPs under the last Labour government. This allowed them to opt out of out-of-hours work. The Working Time Directive, which limits the working week to 48 hours, has also pushed up demand for locums, some of them flown in. The figures, revealed through a Freedom of Information Request, show that 194 of the 285 doctors struck off for misconduct or incompetence in the past five years were foreign-trained, while 29 of the 39 removed from the medical register in the past year received their medical degree overseas. Julia Manning, chief executive of 202 Health, has said the assessment of doctors coming into the country should be reviewed . With only one-third of the 250,000 doctors on the medical register trained outside the UK, this means that those from overseas were more than five times more likely than British doctors to be banned. The data, from the GMC, shows India has the largest number of doctors struck off in Britain since 2008, followed by Nigeria and Egypt. Hong Kong has the best record, with none of more than 700 doctors working here struck off or disciplined in the past five years. New Zealand’s 600 medics also have a clean record. Julia Manning, chief executive of the 2020 Health think-tank, said: ‘These figures are really worrying and shocking. We need to take a hard look at the assessment of all doctors coming into the country.’ She questioned whether foreign-trained locums are familiar with British medical practices, adding: ‘If I was a hospital chief executive, I would check just how rigorously we have assessed our own doctors.’ Roger Goss, of campaign group Patient Concern, said money may help buy medical qualifications in some countries. Fear of reprisals may mean health professionals are less willing to report colleagues based in Britain, he claimed. Umesh Prahbu, vice-chairman of the British International Doctors’ Association, said: ‘The NHS is known for having problems with discrimination and racism and I think this is part of it.’ Dr Prahbu, who trained in India, said that the technical training there is similar to that in Britain – but it is more difficult to learn the ‘softer’ skills needed and to ensure that patients feel they are being treated courteously. Dr Jerome Ikwueke, left, was suspended for 12 months in July 2010 after failing to spot the abuse of Baby P, while Dr Freddy Patel, right, was struck off in August after the botched post-mortem of Ian Tomlinson . Dr Vivienne Nathanson, of the British Medical Association, said: ‘It is clear that doctors who have qualified overseas are more likely to be subject to disciplinary action. However, more research is needed to understand why this is the case. ‘The UK is still short of doctors and so we must ensure that those who come from overseas are given adequate support to be able to practise medicine in the UK.’ GMC chief executive Niall Dickson said: ‘We absolutely acknowledge that when it comes to the serious end of the scale, those from overseas are more likely to appear, and we have set about a series of reforms to address this.’ This includes a requirement that all doctors working the UK undergo annual appraisals. An induction scheme for all doctors new to the health service is to be piloted and the tests for non-EU doctors are being reviewed. Eight patients a week are left brain-damaged, blind or missing an arm or leg due to NHS blunders. In 2010-11 alone, more than £30million paid out to those who lost a limb or left blind or suffering a brain injury as a result of careless and incompetent medical staff. There were 215 claims in that year for brain damage - and almost £12million paid out. The NHS Litigation Authority handled 134 claims involving the amputation of a limb, at cost to the taxpayer of £18million. There were also 56 claims for blindness in England. Since 1998, at least 1,500 people have sued over a lost limb, 2,860 for brain damage and 809 over being blinded. When all types of medical negligence are taken into account, the NHS paid out a record £1.3billion in 2010/11. A 46 per cent increase on the previous year, the total includes a small amount for non-medical claims, including slips and falls in hospitals. The rise is blamed on no-win, no fee lawyers, who sometimes pocket far more money than the patients they represent. Tory MP Chris Skidmore, a member of the Commons health select committee said: 'Where there is negligence and poor performance, we shouldn't be afraid to root it out. 'We must put patients first if we are to have a world-class NHS.' Catherine Dixon, chief executive of the NHS Litigation Authority said: 'In general the NHS is very safe but if an NHS patient has suffered injury as a result of a mistake, it is right that they are financially compensated. 'We aim to help reduce claims by working with the NHS to prevent mistakes from happening in the first place.' BY FIONA MACRAE . | Figures reveal majority of doctors struck off were trained abroad .
General Medical Council figures show largest number were trained in India .
Statistics have raised concerns at the training of doctors from abroad . |
129,455 | 3353946f1a27b7faa73eb6f1fe670236f84b6ef4 | Juventus were never in for Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, insists the Italian club's general director Beppe Marotta. The former Manchester City forward was linked with a move from AC Milan to their Serie A rivals, but the 24-year-old made the switch from the San Siro to Anfield instead for £16million. And Marotta, whose club have won three from three without conceding this season, insists Juventus were never interested in signing Balotelli. Juventus were never in for Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, insists the club's general director Beppe Marotta . Former Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli was linked with a move from AC Milan to their Serie A rivals . Mario Balotelli, a 24-year-old striker, made the switch from the San Siro to Anfield instead for £16million . 'Balotelli? He has never been our target. We have never negotiated for him,' Marotta told Radio Uno. 'In January if we need to do so then we will make corrective measures. We are happy with the group at the disposal of Allegri, we are competitive in Italy and even in Europe, where there are other clubs stronger than us. 'I have heard criticism of our defence, but if I am not mistaken, after three games we have not conceded a goal. 'In recent years, Juventus' appeal has returned to what it was in the past. Years ago, (Udinese forward Antonio) Di Natale would not come, but now champions are willingly doing so. 'We have created a structure, with (sporting director Fabio) Paratici that allows us to take advantage of opportunities in the market.' Juventus were never in for Liverpool's newest striker Mario Balotelli, insists Beppe Marotta (pictured) Mario Balotelli gets involved in a clash with West Ham goalkeeper Adrian during Liverpool's 3-1 loss . Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, never far from controversy, squares up to West Ham goalkeeper Adrian . | Premier League club Liverpool signed Mario Balotelli from Serie A side AC Milan for £16million during the summer transfer window .
The former Manchester City striker was linked with Italian rivals Juventus .
Juventus's general director Beppe Marotta insists '(Balotelli) has never been our target. We have never negotiated for him' |
49,060 | 8a8f42d4c2955f3329249507b93a7f9023edfc5e | A is for Alice Cooper, B is for Black Sabbath and C is for Cream; well that's the alphabet imagined by this feisty two-year-old girl. Chris Baker from Virginia filmed his daughter passionately thrashing out her ABCs to a heavy metal soundtrack. As the drums and electric guitar aggressively kick in, the youngster pulls a fearsome facial expression to match. At the end of her rousing rendition, she wails 'now I know my ABCs!' before cheekily poking her tongue out. Her father can be seen chuckling in the background as he captures the comical moment on his phone. Baker said he had just got his daughter out of the bath tub when she decided to get 'angry with her alphabet.' In the video, when the music cuts, the infant appears to lose her train of thought and stops in her tracks. Then when the beat strikes up again, she suddenly speeds off again with her words. Rock on: Chris Baker from Virginia filmed his daughter passionately thrashing out her ABCs to a heavy metal soundtrack . Getting into the spirit of things: As the drums and electric guitar aggressively kick in, the youngster pulls a fearsome facial expression to match . At the end of the clip, she decides she's had enough headbanging for one night and asks for 'mommy' instead. To date Baker's video titled Metal Alphabet has been watched more than 750,000 times. Many viewers have applauded his daughter's performance, deeming it 'cute' and 'superb'. 'You go baby girl!' one commenter encouraged. Baker says bath time is a special bonding time for him and his daughter and she often likes to sing while having a wash. Mosh pit: At the end of her rendition, she wails 'now I know my ABCs!' before cheekily poking her tongue out . Cracking a smile: She then decides she's had enough headbanging and asks for 'mommy' instead . | Chris Baker from Virginia filmed his daughter passionately thrashing out her ABCs to a heavy metal soundtrack . |
177,286 | 7181ece394dd91b0ea16c4b0cbfa665994aa373c | (CNN) -- In a blog post late Wednesday, actress and avid gamer Felicia Day weighed in on the roiling #Gamergate controversy, saying that by doing so she feared retribution from someone who might leak personal details about her online. "I have had stalkers and restraining orders issued in the past, I have had people show up on my doorstep when my personal information was HARD to get," wrote Day, best known for her roles on the CW show "Supernatural" and the web series "The Guild." She added: "To have my location revealed to the world would give a entry point for a few mentally ill people who have fixated on me, and allow them to show up and make good on the kind of threats I've received that make me paranoid to walk around a convention alone." As it turns out, Day's concerns were justified. Within an hour, an anonymous commenter had posted her real-world address and personal email. The practice, called "doxxing," involves publishing someone's vulnerable personal information online as a form of punishment. The episode made Day the latest prominent woman to be harassed online over #Gamergate, the term for a loosely defined movement defending hardcore games and gamers against criticisms from feminists and others. Why #Gamergate won't die . Some of the vitriol has spilled from the Internet into the physical world. In recent weeks, game designer Zoe Quinn, gaming critic Anita Sarkeesian and game designer Brianna Wu have all received threats of violence on Twitter and other platforms. Observers on Twitter noted this week that Day was targeted while notable #Gamergate critics who are male, such as actor Wil Wheaton and former NFL player Chris Kluwe, had escaped being "doxxed" as of Thursday afternoon. In her essay, Day urged people not to let fears over #Gamergate drive them away from gaming. "Games are beautiful, they are creative, they are worlds to immerse yourself in. They are art. And they are worth fighting for, even if the atmosphere is ugly right now," she wrote. She later added: "I know this entry will probably draw contempt from people in the Gamer Gate movement. Something to scorn, something to rile them up against me and everything I've ever made. Especially, and most hurtfully, to mock my vulnerability. I just have one thing to say to you who do that: I'm genuinely sorry you are so angry." Share your views on #Gamergate . By Thursday, the actress seemed to be taking a more optimistic view. "I posted this essay yesterday afternoon on Tumblr. Yes, personal information was leaked shortly after, but the better thing to concentrate on is that the majority of replies were overwhelmingly kind and supportive on social media," she wrote on Facebook. "It gives me hope we can heal the world of games a bit. It needs it." 40% of Web users have been harassed . | Actress Felicia Day wrote a blog post about the #Gamergate controversy .
Soon after, an anonymous commenter posted her real-world address online .
Episode made Day the latest prominent woman to be harassed over #Gamergate . |
47,250 | 85289ee032feca860e54f22a0e70b676ef5b5de8 | Seoul, South Korea (CNN)The physical wounds are clear. Dozens of purple scars crisscross Lee Young-guk's lower legs. He says many are the result of beatings endured while imprisoned in North Korea's most notorious prison camp. Removing his dentures, Lee shows just five or six original teeth, wonky and cracked; the only ones has has left after countless punches to the head. Being hit with the butt of a rifle, he says, left him blind in one eye. Lee was the bodyguard to Kim Jong Il for more than 10 years, before the late North Korean leader assumed power in 1994. A once loyal servant of the regime, Lee says he left Kim's employment without issues. He realized he was not a nice man, but only after he traveled out of North Korea, and saw how other parts of the world functioned, did it become clear to him that Kim was a dictator. Walking skeletons . Lee tried to escape but was captured while trying to defect to South Korea and thrown into the infamously brutal Yodok political camp. "If you are a political prisoner, Yodok's main goal is to kill you," he says. He remembers when he first arrived seeing inmates who looked like walking skeletons. "It was tough enough that they barely fed me," he says. "What was worse was they kept on beating me, and they executed people once a week, which we were forced to watch. You have to be mentally strong, then the cycle repeats itself." In the five years between being arrested in China and his release for good behavior, Lee says he lost almost half his body weight. He says inmates were so weak from the lack of food, they were rarely able to life their heads unless ordered to do so by guards. If they were unable to complete their physical work for the day, Lee says they weren't fed. "Then you will get hungry and your stomach will get very big, and your legs and face will turn to skeleton-like figure. But they won't feed us. Then I will die." Lee tells me of the flower garden at Yodok, a euphemistic phrase used by defectors to describe mass graves at the camps. "Yodok's flower garden has thousands, even tens of thousands of people in it. Lines and lines of dead bodies. I had to carry them, bodies with fluids still flowing out of them and bury them where the guards told us." OPINION: Stop romancing North Korea . U.N. resolution . This week, members of the United Nations' third committee are expected to vote on a draft resolution, submitted by Europe and Japan, to refer North Korea to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. If it passes, it will be put to a vote by the General Assembly in December. North Korea has repeatedly denied the existence of political camps or human rights abuses in the country. Earlier this year, the government slammed a damning U.N. Commission of Inquiry into human rights in the country as an attempt to undermine the government. Kim Song, adviser for political affairs at the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's mission to the United Nations, called the report's accusations of human rights abuses "groundless," and said those who escaped to tell their stories were "human scum." North Korea concessions . Despite rejecting the report, North Korea has made a number of recent concessions, including the unexpected release of three American prisoners. But U.N. officials say they are a transparent attempt to mitigate the report's effects and avert international action. Lee is adamant North Korean leaders must be held accountable from crimes committed against its own people. He says he met the current leader Kim Jong Un a number of times while protecting his father, when the young Kim was just a boy of six or seven years old. Now Kim is in charge, Lee wants to see him punished for these camps and his crimes. "You need to refer Kim Jong Un to ICC, that's how places like Yodok can disappear," he says. "I still have a lot of resentment." | Former bodyguard to Kim Jong Il tells of beatings, hunger in prison camp .
Lee Young-guk: "If you are a political prisoner, Yodok's main goal is to kill you"
This week the United Nations will vote on a resolution to refer North Korea to the ICC .
Follows scathing report earlier this year, accusing regime of crimes against humanity . |
136,163 | 3c28306c0bbf19905400de8b1f3844b74b44ed1f | By . Mark Duell . These extraordinary pictures show how a series of blasts from exploding shells rocked a Russian military test site today and released giant clouds of smoke over a city. The explosions broke windows and released smoke over Orenburg near the Kazakhstan border, with one military officer taken to hospital - but no other injuries reported. The enormous blasts were set off by a fire that may have been caused by someone smoking at the Donguz test site, military prosecutor Yevgeny Ivanov told state television. Scroll down for video . Blast: Smoke from an explosion rises outside Orenburg after explosions rocked a Russian military test site . Rising: A plume of smoke is seen above a blast site at the Donguz military range, south of Orenburg . The shells were being unloaded from a supply train in crates in preparation for future disposal. More than 4,000 tons of ammunition exploded - including aviation bombs and rockets, local reports said. Military officials have opened a criminal investigation into the suspected mishandling of weapons. All 300 people working in the area fled after the fire broke out - just before the explosions - and 10,000 inhabitants from two local towns were evacuated, reported the International Business Times. 'Commander issued an order to leave the premises,' a witness told Russian newspaper Izvestia. 'We dropped everything and fled. Otherwise all the 300 people would have been killed.' Orenburg Governor Yuri Berg wrote on his blog today that the three explosions were caused by unplanned shell detonations. He said emergency services saw no potential harm to local residents. Emergency response: Smoke from an explosion rises outside Orenburg as fire trucks are parked aside . Sitting it out: Servicemen evacuated from the testing ground gather at a location six miles from the facility . Blast location: The site is located nearby the city of Orenburg in Russia, close to the border with Kazakhstan . Twitter users reported that police . closed roads leaving Orenburg and evacuated residents from central . buildings and nearby villages as a precautionary measure. 'Commander issued an order to leave the premises. We dropped everything and fled. Otherwise all the 300 people would have been killed' Witness . The site is located 25 miles from Orenburg. Only two weeks ago, the head of a group carrying out the munitions disposal at Donguz was killed. Russian military equipment, which frequently dates back to the Soviet era, has exploded unexpectedly several times at test sites in recent years. Some accidents have been blamed on safety violations. President Vladimir Putin has pledged to overhaul and modernise the country's defence industry. Watch the video here: . | Explosions broke windows and released clouds of smoke over Orengburg .
Military prosecutor Yevgeny Ivanov: Fire may have been caused by a smoker .
More than 4,000 tons of ammunition being transported in crates exploded .
300 people working in the area fled after fire broke out, just before explosion . |
282,686 | fa2336ef80824e294ddf5add04f69462aaa02b81 | Seoul (CNN) -- It took two teenage suicide cases due to school bullying last year in South Korea for people to notice something was very wrong. The students lived in different cities and went to different schools, but both jumped to their deaths after saying they could not take the pain of being bullied any longer. Over the last few weeks, the country's media has been filled with reports about tragic cases of school bullying. This week, two more students from the same class reportedly took their own lives -- one was the victim of bullying, the other a powerless friend who had stood by and watched the abuse. Experts say the cases highlight how desperately many South Korean teenagers need a means to escape the bullying as well as a way to cope. Park Han-wool, a 17-year-old high-school student, said he has been bullied for the past six years. He has been isolated from other classmates, beaten during school trips and locked up in the classroom. "I wanted to tell people about it. I did tell my parents, but they didn't take it seriously thinking it was an issue between friends," he said. The bullying became so bad that Park tried to jump from his school building in front of his teachers, but he was stopped by the police. He is now involved in creating a music video with other teenagers to raise awareness of school bullying, an issue he says that was not taken seriously until recently. The tools of bullying vary from forcing victims to run errands and steal, to sexual assault, confinement and gang beatings. With reports of other incidents of teenage violence n schools, including the assault of teachers and rape of younger students, many South Koreans are asking, "what is wrong with our kids?" The answer, according to some analysts, lies within the hyper-competitive nature of South Korean society. As the country continues to enjoy success economically, Korean students are being pushed into an environment of competition to succeed. "At school, students don't see their peers as friends but as competition and believe that they need to beat others," said Dr. Bae Joo-mi, a specialist at the Korea Youth Counseling Institute. In a classroom environment in which students are forced to prove themselves, those who fall behind in grades turn to other means to show they are more powerful, taking on the role of the aggressor, Bae explained. The family support system also fails many adolescents. "The parents heavily invest in raising their children to be successful and skillful in various fields, but when it comes to raising them to be moral and have healthy personalities I think there has been a lack of interest," Bae said. Schools and teachers have been criticized for turning the other way in bullying cases and trying to cover it up. Local governments have gone into a frenzy of drafting up new measures to hold bullies accountable and prevent school violence. Experts such as Bae believe it may take more than simply increasing monitoring of school violence. What students need is a healthier environment to learn more social skills and know how to deal with their problems, they say. A survey conducted in 2010 by the Foundation for Preventing Youth Violence, a counseling center established more than 15 years ago, indicated that more than 20% of those surveyed said they had been bullied. Of those victims, more than 30% said they felt suicidal due to bullying. The same group said last year that the number of counseling cases of students seeking help from suicidal feelings doubled from the previous year. The concern is that students have not been able to learn how to find solutions to their problems in a rigid educational environment and are now turning to suicide as their last resort. Counseling groups urge the government and schools to step up and punish those accountable, while keeping the victims safe from harm. | South Korea's media has been filled with reports about tragic cases of school bullying .
This week two more students from same class reportedly took their own lives due to bullying .
Experts say many South Korean teenagers desperately need a means to escape .
The hyper-competitive nature of South Korean society is held up as one reason for bullying . |
44,625 | 7dc82a0693fd29b6e3d8f706c4ae8b0c5bdddc51 | By . Peter Allen . PUBLISHED: . 04:25 EST, 16 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:39 EST, 16 April 2012 . Pippa Middleton is set to be questioned by Paris police after the driver of a car in which she was travelling waved a pistol at a photographer. Disturbing images of the incident were captured on Saturday as Prince William’s 27-year-old sister-in-law travelled in an Audi convertible in the centre of the French capital. The driver of the car, who has not yet been identified, can clearly be seen pointing what looks like a semi-automatic pistol at a photographer on a moped. Disturbing: Pippa Middleton is pictured being driven around Paris in an Audi convertible on Saturday. The driver of the car was later pictured pointing what looks like a semi-automatic pistol at a photographer . Friends: Miss Middleton seems close to the driver as they drive around the French capital . It came just hours after Miss Middleton attended a . lavish fancy dress party to celebrate the 29th birthday of Paris fashion entrepreneur Arthur de . Soultrait. She left the bash at 6am. In the top picture, Mr Soultrait can be seen sitting in the back of the Audi wearing a blue baseball cap. The other backseat passenger has yet to be identified. Both Arthur and his brother Marcy, who was seen with Miss Middleton afterwards, were today said to be . ‘mortified’ by what had happened, and were preparing to ‘explain . themselves’ to the authorities, said a close friend. The man who actually waved the gun, . meanwhile, was said to be ‘keeping a low profile’ and hoping that . ‘everything will calm down’. If the gun turns out to be real, all those involved in the incident face up to seven years in prison, while even if it is a fake they could be sentenced to two years. Good time: The night before this picture was taken, Miss Middleton attended Arthur de Soultrait's birthday party. He is pictured in the back of the car wearing a blue baseball cap . Popular: The 27-year-old sister to the Duchess of Cambridge can be seen getting out of the car to meet a male friend . France is currently on heightened . security alert after Islamic terrorist Mohammed Merah used a handgun to . murder seven people in the south west of the country last month. Two men were also arrested in the . Paris area at the weekend in connection with four murders carried out . with a pistol in the nearby Essonne department over the past five . months. Pippa, whose 30-year-old sister is . Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was being driven to the Gare du Nord . station to board a Eurostar high speed train to London. At least one witness has made a formal complaint to Paris police, providing pictures of what happened. These have been handed over to judicial police who will have to decide whether to alert an examining magistrate. Cosy: Miss Middleton was pictured with some of France's most eligible bachelors over the weekend. She is arm in arm with Marcy de . Soultrait, left, and walking side by side with his brother Arthur, right . Hand in hand: Pippa Middleton and Antoine de Tavernost, the son of French TV CEO Nicolas de Tavernost pictured at a party on Friday night . If they consider that there is enough . evidence for a prosecution, then Pippa and the three men will be among . those summoned to give evidence. A judicial source said: ‘If the . evidence points to (Pippa Middleton’s) involvement, she will be . prosecuted. 'Anybody involved in the illegal use of a handgun in public . is liable to arrest and interrogation.' A police source said that it was ‘absolutely forbidden’ for anyone to use a gun to ‘warn people off’ in France. He added: ‘If someone has a licence . then for a weapon then it must be kept covered at all times, and away . from members of the public.’ In the pink! Miss Middleton goes for a brightly-coloured number as she attends Arthur de Soultrait's birthday party in Paris on Friday night . Covered up: The 27-year-old put a chic biker jacket over her costume as she headed to the party . Party time: Guests at Friday's bash wait outside the venue in their impressive outfits . Many of the illegal guns in France are . bought on the black market from Eastern European criminals who drive to . France from countries like Russia. ‘People have been able to pick up . pistols for as little as 200 euros,’ said the source. ‘Everything is now . being done to control this trade.’ Security was stepped up in Paris at the weekend because of the French presidential elections. Nicolas Sarkozy was speaking at an . open air rally in the centre of the city on Sunday, while his Socialist . rival Francois Hollande was at another open-air meeting just two miles . away. Fame: There has been a huge interest in Miss Middleton following her appearance at the Royal Wedding last year . Pippa arrived in Paris on Friday to . attend Arthur de Soultrait’s party at a theatre in the St . Germain-des-Pres district of Paris, which had been turned into a . nightclub. Some 300 guests took part in a Louis . XIV and Marie Antoinette themed evening, which included three dwarves . serving champagne and canapes. A man dressed as a Cardinal was also present, but he carried a copy of the Kama Sutra sex guide, rather than a Bible. During the evening, Pippa told a . journalist ‘I’m here to enjoy myself,’ while Arthur said: ‘I love . decadence. Nowadays you have to make people dream. Towards the end of the evening, a . fire-eating brunette jumped out of a cake and performed a striptease to a . ‘remix’ of God Save the Queen. Guests at Friday's party wore fancy dress in keeping with the theme of the do, which appeared to be based on fashions from centuries ago. Though her outfit wasn't quite as overt as some of the other guests at . the party, Miss Middleton still appeared to have made an effort with her bright . pink costume. After the bash, she continued celebrating at the exclusive Chez Raspoutine club in the centre of Paris. For her late-night . outfit Miss Middleton threw on a leather jacket over her period costume, . with a pair of leggings and gold flats. Viscount Arthur de Soultrait is an old friend of Miss Middleton's - she stayed . with him at his Paris apartment last May after attending the French . Open. The French aristocrat is the man behind Vicomte A, a label that sells . brightly coloured preppy clothing and sportswear all around the world. He is designing the ties for the French Olympic team in 2012, the slogan of his label is 'L'Instinct Chic'. The firm was started when de Soultrait was left high and dry after a . company he'd began working as an intern for in the U.S. went bankrupt . after just a week of him being there. He sold a selection of ties he'd brought with him to the States and . managed to raise enough funds to return home, and create his own line of . 100% silk ties. A selection of brightly colored polo shirts followed, attracting the business of affluent young businessmen. Following her appearance at the Royal Wedding last year, there has been huge interest in Miss Middleton. As a result she is often followed by photographers and is known to guard her privacy when in the UK . | Pictures of Miss Middleton laughing while friend points gun were taken in the centre of Paris over the weekend .
27-year-old sister of Duchess of Cambridge could be summoned to give evidence if there is enough evidence for a prosecution .
Those involved in the incident face up to seven years in prison if the gun is real .
Night before attended a Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette-themed evening, which included three dwarves serving champagne and canapes . |
15,782 | 2cd04ed4149a4c46ca1d633f35736a19f588a40c | Two former Apple employees have revealed the gruelling work hours they endured at the technology company - including being on call 24 hours a day. Former managers Don Melton and Nitin Ganatra have claimed they could only go to the toilet on Sunday nights while their manager watched The Sopranos and that every Sunday was a work night. In a podcast interview with Debug, the pair discussed work habits at the American technology giant. Scroll down for video . Apple's former internet technologies director, Don Melton, has revealed details about the gruelling work hours he endured while working for the technology company . Apple's former internet technologies director Melton said Sunday nights became even worse after The Sopranos ended because they could no longer take a break. 'For a while there, you could count on the hour that The Sopranos was on that Scott [Forstall] wouldn't bug you because he was watching The Sopranos. And that was your reprieve. You could go to the bathroom, you could have a conversation with your family,' he said. Melton described how his boss would work until 2am on a Sunday - while revealing that the new Apple CEO Tim Cook is just as dedicated. 'When you hear the so-called apocryphal stories about Tim Cook coming to work in the wee hours and staying late, it's not just some PR person telling you stories to make you think that Apple executives work really hard like that. They really do that. I mean, these people are nuts. They're just, they are there all the time,' he said. Both Melton and Nitin Ganatra (left) , the former director of iOS apps, were on call 24 hours a day and couldn't got to the bathroom until their boss was safely watching The Sopranos . Cook joined Apple in March 1998 as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Worldwide Operations and was named the CEO of Apple on August 24, 2011, when he succeeded Steve Jobs. Six weeks later, on October 5, 2011, Jobs died due to complications from a relapse of his previously treated pancreatic cancer. Melton has described Apple as 'like working in a nuclear power plant, but you don't get one of those protective suits.' In his worrying analogy he said that if you didn't learn to survive it you would die. Former director of iOS apps Ganatra conceded that the bosses were 'intense'. Both men described their boss Tim Cook (right) who succeeded Steve Jobs (left), as 'intense' and 'nuts' due to his constant hard work and dedication . 'They're looking for the answers, you have the answer, and you cannot get the answer to them soon enough,' he said in agreement. A year after his retirement in 2012, Melton previously wrote on his own blog: 'It's not like other folks there weren't working nights and weekends too. Many of my engineers worked longer and harder than I did. It was a busy place. By our choice. But I don't miss any of the work.' On September 19, Apple unveiled its iPhone 6 and Cook declared it was Apple's 'best launch ever'. A record 10 million new iPhones were sold over the opening weekend, however buyers have since complained of problems with the bigger-screen handsets. | Former Apple managers Don Melton and Nitin Ganatra said every Sunday night was a work night .
Melton, who retired from the tech giant in February 2012, described working for Apple as like 'working in a nuclear power plant'
The pair discussed work habits on the Debug podcast . |
191,377 | 83d278797ba92d1aba931a6ae8fb2927d735e878 | Warnings that could have prevented a helicopter crash in central London which killed two people were ignored by aviation officials, according to a leaked report. Pilot Pete Barnes, 50, was killed when his Agusta 109 helicopter clipped a high-rise crane on The Tower development, in Vauxhall, and smashed into a road during rush-hour. Pedestrian Matthew Wood, 39, was also killed and 12 others were injured in the accident, which a report, due to be published later today, suggests could have been avoidable. Scroll down for video . The road next to The Tower development in Vauxhall, central London, was engulfed in flames after the crash . Warnings that could have prevented the crash which killed two were ignored, according to a leaked report . The helicopter's pilot Pete Barnes, 50, and pedestrian Matthew Wood, 39, were killed in the crash . A damning report by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), leaked to the Daily Telegraph, shows that flight officials were warned in 2009 about the danger of the development on The Tower. The operator of London Heliport warned the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that the building work meant helicopters flying low because of fog would breach rules saying they have to fly at least 500ft from structures. According to the report, the warning 'does not appear to have led to further discussion or action'. Capt Barnes was flying from Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey, to Elstree, Herefordshire, on the morning of January 16 last year to pick up restaurant tycoon Richard Caring. Mr Caring sent his pilot text messages and phoned him, saying weather conditions were too poor for the flight. But Capt Barnes pressed on regardless, sending a text to Mr Caring which said: 'I'm coming anyway will land in a field if I have to.' Scene of the crash: The operator of London Heliport warned the Civil Aviation Authority that the building work meant helicopters flying low because of fog would breach rules saying they must fly 500ft from structures . Twelve people were injured in the crash, which happened on January 16 last year at around 8am . The helicopter crashed into the crane, avoiding the skyscraper by 105ft and falling 700ft to the ground . After finding he could not land in Elstree,the pilot requested to land in Battersea. The helicopter travelled at low altitude along the Thames and made a right turn towards The Tower in dense fog. The report says Capt Barnes may not have seen the tower through the clouds, and also could have been distracted by changing radio frequencies. The helicopter crashed into the crane, avoiding the skyscraper by 105ft and falling 700ft to the ground. A number of vehicles on Wandsworth Road suffered heat damage or were damaged by wreckage. One car was completely consumed by fire. Buildings close to the crash were also damaged. Workmen Richard Moule and Nicki Biagoni had lucky escapes as they were due to be on the crane that morning but were both late for work. Since the accident the air traffic controller, Nats, has ruled that helicopters must not be instructed to fly at low altitudes over the south bank of the Thames. 'Any pilot routing along the south bank of the river and passing within 500ft vertically of the top of the crane, or the building once the crane is removed, would be in breach' of the rules, the AAIB said in its report. The CAA and Department for Transport declined to comment until the report is published. A number of vehicles on Wandsworth Road suffered heat damage or were damaged by falling wreckage . | Flight officials warned of danger development posed to helicopters in 2009 .
Leaked report says pilots flying in fog would have to breach safety rules .
But 'no further action' was taken by the Civil Aviation Authority .
Pilot and pedestrian killed in 2013 when helicopter crashed into building .
Twelve others were injured in tragic accident in Vauxhall, central London . |
186,022 | 7ce8884c405f3d7160efa2599e81cb769d665471 | (CNN) -- Mitt Romney hates apologies. That's why he leaped to the conclusion that, in the wake of the killing of Libya Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other State Department employees, the Obama administration had issued an apology for America's actions. "It's a terrible course for America to stand in apology for our values," Romney declared. "It's disgraceful that the Obama administration's first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks." What Romney called a disgraceful response by the Obama administration to the Libyan killings was in fact a statement issued before the killings by America's Cairo Embassy condemning an anti-Islam film that portrays the Prophet Mohammed as a child molester. The title of Romney's 2010 campaign autobiography, "No Apology: The Case for American Greatness," makes it clear that his hatred of apologies runs deep. Unfortunately, such hatred ignores history. What Romney, who after disparaging 47% of Americans for being dependents has insisted there was nothing wrong in what he said, fails to understand is that presidential apologies are nothing new. What's more is that they apologize without drawing critical backlash from their fellow conservatives. Bill Clinton's 1998 apology for the failure of America and the international community to respond quickly to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda may be the most memorable public apology by any contemporary president. But two of the most conservative Republicans in recent history, it is worth pointing out, have issued telling public apologies of their own. The most moving of these conservative apologies was the one that Ronald Reagan made in 1988 on signing the legislation that provided $1.25 billion in reparations, along with a formal apology from the government, for the forcible relocation of 120,000 West Coast Japanese-Americans after the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In signing the bill, Reagan, who as an actor was living in California at the time of the relocation, made clear that the money offered to the victimized families was less important than the public apology. "No payment can make up for those lost years," Reagan said. "So what is important in this bill has less to do with property than with honor, for here, we admit a wrong." Today those words have taken on enduring form. In Washington they are engraved on the National Japanese-American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II, which is within blocks of the Capitol. In addition to Reagan's words, the memorial features a towering sculpture of two bronze cranes, each with one wing pointing to the sky and the other pinned down by barbed wire. Two decades later, George W. Bush, the Republican closest in ideology to Ronald Reagan, made a similar statement of regret. In a 2008 video conference with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq, Bush apologized for the actions of an American sniper in Iraq who used a Quran for target practice. "He apologized for that in the sense that he said that we take it very seriously," White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters after the video conference. "We wanted them to know that the president knew that this was wrong." The impacts that Reagan, Clinton and Bush hoped their individual apologies would have turned out to be as different as their politics. That is to be expected. For their apologies were never just based on calculation. At their core was the shared belief that a presidential apology is not a sign of weakness so much as a chance for a new beginning, a way to shed the indefensible and start fresh. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Nicolaus Mills. | Nicolaus Mills: Romney's hatred of apologies shows in his book's title: "No Apology"
Mills: Romney slammed Obama "apology" that was never made; but he forgets history .
Mills: Clinton apologized for Rwanda, Reagan apologized for WWII Japanese internments .
Mills: Even George W. Bush said he was sorry for sniper using Quran for target practice . |
99,346 | 0bf1e2123d10c7d995f255407e08ded78de83426 | A Chinese woman nursed a hairless and emaciated stray dog back to health after discovering him wandering the streets. Lu found the malnourished pooch near her home in Nanning, Guangxi Province, China in 2012 - and said he was so thin that no-one would go near him. The kind-hearted woman decided to adopt the stray, calling him Tai Zhang, and welcoming him into her life. Before and after: Tai Zhang has gone from being dangerously underweight and bald to being healthy and having an enviable fluffy white coat . Recalling her first encounter with Tai Zhang, she said: 'It looked so sad and thin', adding that he appeared to be suffering from a 'skin disease'. Pitying the animal, she immediately went home to fetch it some food. From that day on, she would meet the dog in the same spot near her apartment every day and always bring it something to eat. She said: 'No one in the community would approach it. Even other dogs would bark it away. Emaciated: The Samoyed breed dog was found wandering the streets of Nanning in Guangxi Province . Sick: Lu, who adopted Tai Zhang, said he appeared to be suffering from a skin disease when they first met . 'It waited for me each day under my building, which touched me.' Thanks to her kindness, the dog, a Samoyed breed, recovered and was able to put on weight. He also saw his fluffy white coat grow back - and was pictured happily showing off his new look in Lu's apartment. Friends for life: Lu is pictured with a bright-eyed and, thanks to her, bushy-tailed Tai Zhang . New look: The former stray is seen sporting his fluffy new coat after being nursed back to health by Lu . Showing off: Thanks to Lu's kindness, the dog, a Samoyed breed, recovered and was able to put on weight . | Woman found emaciated, bald stray dog in Nanning, Guangxi Province .
Said he was suffering from a skin disease an no-one would go near him .
Tai Zhang's fluffy coat has now grown back after being nursed to health . |
165,608 | 622fb2928bbb865ee341386fdef1ce7bc089d214 | Your Facebook posts are typically seen by three times as many people as you think they are, claims a new study. Researchers at Stanford University found that users of the social media platform drastically underestimate the number of people looking at their content based on factors including how often their friends post, plus how many likes, comments and shares they receive. ‘Posting to a social network site is like speaking to an audience from behind a curtain. The audience remains invisible to the user: while the invitation list is known, the final attendance is not,’ writes Stanford assistant professor Michael S. Bernstein in the study. Researchers at Stanford University found that Facebook users drastically underestimate the number of people looking at their content . New research has found that people's Facebook posts are typically seen by three times as many people as they think they are . ‘Feedback such as comments and likes is the only glimpse that users get of their audience.’ While Facebook does have access to data about how many people look at each post, it only shares this information with advertisers and not with ordinary users. The research suggests that is a situation that Facebook wants to maintain because users would post differently if they had a proper breakdown of who was viewing their content. The researchers found that what users post is based on the reactions that they have received to what they’ve posted in the past. Users with the same number of friends have highly variable audience sizes . If people knew that their posts were having much less impact on their audience they might choose to post less frequently which would be a disaster for Facebook which like all successful social media platforms depends on user interaction. The research, carried out in tandem with Facebook’s data science team, looked at 220,000 users over the course of a month. They found that Facebook users reached 35 per cent of their friends with each post and 61 per cent of their friends over the course of a month. The number of unique friend leaving likes is positively associated with audience size, but has a large variance . The researchers suggest that users are also happy to underestimate the size of their audience because if a post receives little or no comments it is more comforting to believe that few people saw it rather than accept that many people saw it but few liked it. ‘I think this is something we need to better understand,’ Bernstein told Buzzfeed, arguing that fear of rejection is just one of many possible reasons Facebook users underestimate their audience. ‘When I post content, do people not react to it but enjoy it? Do they not react to it and it is grating on them over time and they choose to unsubscribe? We don’t know.’ The researchers are keen to carry out more in-depth analysis of social media and how people react with it. | Researchers at Stanford University found that people drastically underestimate how many people are looking at their updates .
While Facebook tells its advertisers how many views their content is getting they don't offer this service to everyone .
Researchers believe that people would post less if they realized just how little response they were getting . |
97,374 | 094d5f77e3d6d8166d5a99a2abf70c6c9212b790 | (CNN) -- The death toll from the latest round of heavy rain and flooding in central Vietnam continues to soar, with 46 people killed and 21 missing, state-run media report. Rescuers were able to save 18 people whose bus was swept away Monday on the north-south highway 1A through Ha Tinh Province, but 19 people remain unaccounted for, according to VietNamNet. The homes of 200,000 people are underwater in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Bing provinces because of floods caused by storms that began October 14, official media report. On Sunday alone, about 30 inches of rain fell in parts of the country. The storms have hit the southeast Asian nation's agricultural sector hard, with waters inundating 8,000 hectares (31 square miles) of rice fields. Prices of some crops have increased 200 to 500 percent as a result. This storm follows rains and floods at the beginning of October in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Bing, Quang Tri and Thua Thien provinces that caused an estimated $137.5 million in damage, according to VietNamNet. The two rounds of flood calamities have contributed to the deaths of 112 people, reported state-run television network VTV4, which cited Vietnam's Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control as its source. The Vietnamese government has dispatched 20,000 troops to help with the rescue and recovery process in the latest flooding, with Red Cross staffers from Vietnam, Spain, China, Germany and the United States among those helping the cause, reported VietNamNet. The number of fatalities has climbed significantly in recent days. On Monday, state-run media were reporting that at least 20 people had died. A flood and landslide warning remains in effect for much of the region, with water levels dangerously high in the Ca River in Nghe An province and the Ngan Sau River in Ha Tinh province. Landslides have already dumped tons of dirt and debris, clogging the Pe Ke mountain pass and parts of the Ho Chi Minh Highway. And the situation might get worse, as Typhoon Megi, also known as Typhoon Juan, barrels across the South China Sea after killing 11 people in the Philippines. Besides rain, the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting forecasts strong winds, big waves and rough seas over the next several days. | Landslides and flooding leave 46 dead, 21 missing in central Vietnam .
Homes of 200,000 people and 8,000 hectares of rice fields are underwater .
Rescuers saved 18 people after their bus was swept away, but 19 are still missing .
Two weeks earlier, 66 people in the region died after record-setting rains caused flooding . |
225,439 | afeaa769a1f60eba4270ff2caa29c34b1237da31 | An underground fire could burn for years after breaking out in a disused 119-year-old coal mine. Bemused walkers dialled 999 over the weekend after smoke started pouring out of the ground on a footpath between a golf club and the River Tyne near Newcastle. Since then the fire has shown no sign of going out - and experts have established it is on land which formed part a colliery that closed permanently 49 years ago. Scroll down for video . Blaze: This underground fire broke out on the weekend next to a Tyne and Wear golf club - and shows no sign of going out. It is on land that was part of a 119-year-old disused colliery and no one knows when it will go out . Shut: Production slowed in the 1950s and the mine employed fewer than 600 people by the time it shut in 1966 . They believe the land was part of the Clara Vale Colliery, which opened in 1896 and employed more than 1,100 people at its peak in the 1930s. The mine's production declined in the 1950s and it employed fewer than 600 people by the time it closed in 1966. Fortunately for the firefighters, they believe the blaze's fuel is spoil which was used to fill in two ponds - not a coal seam, which have been known to burn for thousands of years. One seam, Burning Mountain in New South Wales, Australia, is thought to have been on fire for 5,000 years since it was ignited by a lightning strike - providing an unusual attraction for tourists who flock to the smell of sulphur. Another coal seam fire in Ohio is still burning despite being set alight in 1884. Some way to go: One coal seam, Burning Mountain in Australia (pictured), has been smoking for 5,000 years . Found from China to the U.S., underground fires can burn for centuries and are at their most serious when they involve coal or peat. Fires need fuel, oxygen and heat to burn, which means mines or jagged fissures (in the case of Australia's Burning Mountain) are ideal for them to keep alight for years. In coal mines, especially active ones, the fires have an ample supply of fuel. The oxygen is then drawn down through the mine shaft - and in such an enclosed space, the heat takes care of itself. They can be ignited by natural causes such as a lightning strike or wildfire, and once they begin they are hard to stop. Most underground fires 'smoulder' rather than burning with a naked flame, especially in a damp substance such as peat. Without significant excavation the experts still have no idea how long the new fire in Crawcrook, Tyne and Wear, will be alight. They have closed the footpath as a precaution amid fears the land will cave in, bringing the trees which line the river with it. Gary Yates, watch manager at Swalwell fire station, said: 'There is an underground fire which is quite a rare occurrence. 'Generally they are caused by either a coal seam or a mix of aggregates accumulated and spoil from the coal heap. 'In this case we spoke to the National Coal Board and it's unlikely to be a coal seam. 'We looked at an Ordnance Survey map from the 1940s and in the exact spot as the fires there used to be two large ponds and these have been back filled. 'That's what appears to be on fire, we can't say for certain but it's likely to be a mix of spoil. 'The last one of this nature was at the site of Watergate Park in 1993 - that fire went on for two years at the former Watergate Colliery.' He added: 'The fire could burn for a day, a week or a month. The fire could burn itself out. It is one of the most difficult incidents to deal with.' Closed: Firefighters fear the fire could cause surrounding land to collapse and bring down trees . Gary Yates, watch manager at Swalwell fire station, said: 'The fire could burn for a day, a week or a month. The fire could burn itself out. It is one of the most difficult incidents to deal with' The closure is a blow to the rural area's well-worn riverside walk. 'It is a very popular route,' Mr Yates said. 'There is a possibility of collapse - if the fire is burning underground there's a potential to create a cavity. 'There are trees between 25ft to 40ft from the path and with the fire burning underground there it could be burning the roots and they could then fall.' | Land thought to be part of 119-year-old Clara Vale mine, Tyne and Wear .
Colliery once employed 1,100 people but closed permanently in 1966 .
Fears it could be a repeat of last similar fire, which burned for two years .
But firefighters say it is unlikely to be a coal seam, which burn longest .
A seam in Australia, Burning Mountain, has been on fire for 5,000 years . |
278,739 | f51fcfebc203a4f7f3d9b7e287e5400053e2c1fb | By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 07:18 EST, 19 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:36 EST, 19 February 2013 . They say true beauty never dies, and one Scottish grandmother is certainly an example of this. Former model Marion Finlayson, 80, has been snapped up by a top Glasgow modelling agency Colours, after catching the eye of scouts when she graced the catwalk after a 60-year break. The glamorous grandmother-of-two made her modelling debut back in the 1940s, and decided to tread the runway once again at a charity event in her hometown Aberdeen as a way of distracting herself from her husband Bruce's death. Back on the runway: Marion made her catwalk comeback at . Aberdeen City Council's 50 Plus Festival in August, a staggering 60 . years after her modelling debut . Marion, who is grandmother to Antonia, 13, and Andrew, 11, said: 'It's all go at the moment. I've never been busier since appearing on the catwalk last year. 'I actually got offers from two modelling agencies hundreds of miles away in Glasgow. 'It's great fun and I'm just happy to still do something I enjoy. I'm turning 81 next month so I think I'm doing alright.' Marion made her catwalk comeback at Aberdeen City Council's 50 Plus Festival in August, a staggering 60 years after her fashion debut. Back in the 1940s she gave up her modelling commitments to become a teacher, but decided to take part in the fashion show in Aberdeen as a distraction from the death of husband Bruce, to whom she was married for 54 years. Back in the day: Marion as a model in the 40s, before she gave up her career on the catwalk to become a teacher . Marion, who worked at the Albyn School in Aberdeen for years and went on to work with special needs children, said: 'My husband, Bruce, died a year and a . half ago after 54 years of marriage, a very good marriage, and I found . it very difficult to overcome it,' she explained. 'But doing this catwalk has really helped. I've got to meet lots of new, younger people, which I think is good for me. 'I even had a muscly personal trainer in tartan to walk me down the catwalk.' Marion says she likes to keep active, and regularly attends yoga and Pilates classes. Serious style credentials: After a 60 year break she made her return to the fashion world on the catwalk at a 50 Plus Festival in Aberdeen last year and was snapped up . 'I do yoga, Pilates and tums and bums . classes every week,' she says. 'My grandchildren are a handful as well, . they're always running about. 'The . modelling was something different and I would definitely do it again. If anyone asks me I will have a go - it's better than doing the ironing. 'I've been interested in fashion all my life and I'd be the first to admit that I'm a bit of a shopaholic.' Marion recently wowed millions of viewers as she appeared on ITV's This Morning show with Eamonn Holmes. Grief: The grandmother-of-two took part in the event to help deal with her grief over the death of her husband of 54 years, Bruce . Doing it for the older ladies: Despite the fact modelling is supposedly a young persons' game, Marion has found herself in demand . She said: 'I couldn't believe it. They phoned up and just said "we'd love you to come on the programme, . would you like to do it?".' She . joked about other people her age: 'They're often talking about their . pills and their blood pressure, but I don't have any of that yet, I'm as . well as I've ever been. 'I'm really happy with what I'm doing and I hope to carry on for a long time.' Rosalynd Ramage, who runs Colours Modelling Agency, said: 'The world is Marion's oyster. 'Women . don't stop being interested in fashion or beauty when they reach a . certain age, so it's only fitting that older models are being used to . promote products to them.' Staying in shape: To keep her model figure she keeps active and regularly attends yoga and pilates classes, which are clearly paying off . | Marion Finlayson, from Aberdeen, first appeared on catwalk in 1940s .
Gave up modelling to become a teacher .
Took part in charity fashion show as distraction after husband's death .
Signed by top Scottish modelling agency Colours .
Appeared on ITV's This Morning .
Does yoga, Pilates and aerobics every week to stay in shape . |
284,604 | fcbff3b7993c4bafc2bfbd4fab55dddc64822aef | It's an opportunity for word buffs and maths whizzes to show the world their unrivaled skills. But when Hairy Biker Dave Myers was invited to join the Countdown team, the TV personality left the panel of experts lost for words, after submitting a rather rude one from the dictionary corner. When presented with a collection of vowels and consonants, the chef suggested 'todgers' to the amusement of hosts Nick Hewer and Rachel Riley. Scroll down for video . Host Rachel Riley was left giggling when the word was suggested on the Channel 4 afternoon programme . Left to dictionary expert Susie Dent to explain, the colloquial word is often used as slang for penis. As it is listed in the Oxford Dictionary, it would have counted had it been presented by a competitor and won seven points. It is not the first time rude words have been suggested in the Channel 4 afternoon programme which began in 1982. In February an English teacher shocked viewers when submitting the word 'm*nges', an expletive sometimes used to describe female genitalia. In 1991, two contestants offered 'w***ers', and in 2010 another suggested 's**tface'. On another occasion contestants resisted the temptation to spell out swear words when presented with the letters U,D,F,C,K and E. TV chef Dave Myers offered the word up for seven points from his chair in the dictionary corner with expert Susie Dent . Not the first word to have left Rachel Riley blushing, the former Strictly Come Dancing star found herself stifling laughter after drawing the words 'p*ss' and 'a*se' shortly after replacing Carol Vorderman in 2009. During her 26-year stint, Ms Vorderman was left red-faced more than a few times. Words such as fart, porn and poo are among the collection of letters which had the Loose Women star and her co-hosts falling about laughing. Among the crude words which presented themselves during Carol Vorderman's 26-year- stint is 'poo' Another cringe-worthy moment as Carol Vorderman withdraws an unfortunate sequence of letters on the show . | The TV chef joined the dictionary corner on Channel 4 programme .
Suggested the seven-letter word which is listed in Oxford Dictionary .
Hosts Nick Hewer and Rachel Riley left amused by rude submission . |
238,059 | c01e7902869642a117c4d38835ce6c91d926ad51 | By . Daily Mail Reporter and Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 17:01 EST, 30 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:11 EST, 1 May 2013 . Dr Conrad Murray was $500,000 in a debt and willing to do anything to get paid while he was treating Michael Jackson, said the detective who investigated the King of Pop's 2005 death. Detective Orlando Martinez told jurors on Tuesday that Murray depended on the $150,000-a-month salary that he received from Jackson's concert promoter AEG Live. Lawyers for Jackson's mother Katherine argued that AEG should have vetted Murray. AEG is defending itself from a wrongful death lawsuit that alleges the company bears responsibility for Dr Murray allegedly giving Jackson a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol. Martinez testified that he looked into Murray's finances searching for a financial motive for his role in Jackson's death and relied mostly on public records. He turned up that Murray's Las Vegas home was in foreclosure proceedings, and Murray faced several liens for unpaid child support and other unpaid debts. Trial: A paramedic who discovered Michael Jackson dead in his bedroom told a jury on Tuesday that the King of Pop appeared to have been dead at least an hour when he arrived on the scene . The searches led Martinez to conclude that Murray's financial condition was 'severely distressed.' Martinez said that led him to believe Murray's actions were motivated by the $150,000 a month he expected to be paid by AEG. 'He may break the rules, bend the rules, do whatever he needed to do to get paid,' Martinez said. 'It might solve his money problems.' Murray's finances were not a factor in the criminal case that ended with his 2011 conviction for administering a fatal dose of propofol to Jackson. Martinez also showed jurors photographs the various medications officers uncovered in Jackson's bedroom, including several vials of propofol. The paramedic who discovered Jackson dead in his bedroom nearly four years ago told the jury earlier Tuesday that the King of Pop appeared to have been dead at least an hour when he arrived on the scene. Jackson's . blue hands, feet and lips, and the singer's dry eyes all signaled to paramedic Richard . Senneff that the singer was dead and hadn't been breathing for a long . time. 'To . me, he looked like someone who was at the end stage of a long disease . process,' Senneff said Tuesday during his testimony in the civil case between Michael Jackson's mother and concert giant AEG Live. Senneff also recalled how Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, was frantically trying to revive the singer. 'He was pale, he was sweaty,' the paramedic said of Murray. 'He was very busy.' Murray claimed he was treating Jackson for dehydration and he never mentioned propofol, the . hospital-grade anesthetic that killed the singer, Senneff said. He told the panel that he found an IV pole, oxygen tanks and a nightstand with several medicine bottles. In the nearly four years since his . death, nearly every aspect of Jackson's life has been explored in court . proceedings, documentaries, books and news stories. Still, . the negligence case filed by his mother against AEG promises to deliver . the most detailed account of the singer's addiction struggles, . including testimony from his ex-wife Debbie Rowe about treatments . involving the anesthetic propofol dating back to the 1990s. Michael Jackson's mother Katherine Jackson leaves the sentencing hearing of Dr. Conrad Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of pop star Michael Jackson . Jackson died from a propofol overdose in 2009 while preparing for a series of comeback concerts at AEG's O2 Arena in London. Katherine . Jackson contends AEG didn't properly investigate Murray, the doctor who later . administered the fatal dose. The company denies wrongdoing. During opening statements, attorneys framed Jackson's prescription drug addiction through the prism of his superstar status. Attorney . Brian Panish, who represents Katherine Jackson, said the drug problems . worsened when the pop star was under the stress of live performances. AEG . attorney Marvin S. Putnam countered that Jackson's stardom provided a . cover to receive multiple, secret medical treatments, many involving . propofol. At one point . in the proceedings, the harsh portrayal of Jackson's struggle with . addiction, led one juror to lean forward and stare at the floor for . several moments. Doctor in question: Paramedic Richard Senneff recalled how Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, (pictured) was frantically trying to revive the singer . Katherine . Jackson and two of the superstar's children, Prince and Paris, are . potential witnesses whose testimony will likely focus heavily on their . grieving and losses. On . Monday, Panish played a song Jackson wrote for his children as a . montage of photos played during opening statements. He also read a . handwritten note from Jackson that his mother framed and has hanging on . her wall. 'The only way . you can assess damages, is to know what they had,' Panish said before . reading the letter and playing 'You Are My Life.' Katherine . Jackson dabbed her eyes with a tissue. On Tuesday, she left the . courtroom while the paramedic described her son's condition on the day . he died. It may be several days before jurors get another look at Jackson's softer side. Family: The late Michael Jackson's brother Randy Jackson arrives at court on the second day of the trial pitting Katherine Jackson, mother of the late singer Michael, against concert promoters AEG Live . The . trial will also feature testimony on Jackson's troubled finances, with . debts that reached nearly $400 million by the time he died. AEG contends the debts made him desperate to have a successful concert series. 'The . private Michael Jackson was like a lot of American in the 2000s, . spending a lot more than he was making,' Putnam told the jury after . describing the singer's lavish Neverland Ranch, his art collection and . other spending. Many other private moments from the singer's life will be exposed as the case progresses over the next several months, with witnesses expected to testify about secret medical treatments, lavish spending and tender moments spent with his mother and children. | Detective Orlando Mertinez testified that concert promoter AEG Live paid Conrad Murray $150,00 a month to care for Jackson . |
80,805 | e50366687fbae34a2ca68b7c0523ec09ee7a4e66 | (CNN) -- The television news anchor who misreported the names of the four pilots who were aboard Asiana Airlines Flight 214 when it crash-landed last week in San Francisco apologized Saturday for the screwup. "Apologies to all upset by a story on Noon News," tweeted Tori Campbell of KTVU, a CNN affiliate in Oakland, California. "A serious mistake was made @KTVU. My thoughts are w/victims of Flt 214 & families." The bogus names phonetically spelled out phrases such as "Something Wrong" and "We Too Low." Campbell's apology followed by one day an apology by the National Transportation Safety Board for the "inaccurate and offensive" names that were erroneously confirmed by a summer intern. "Earlier today, in response to an inquiry from a media outlet, a summer intern acted outside the scope of his authority when he erroneously confirmed the names of the flight crew on the aircraft," the NTSB said Friday in a statement. Opinion: How to save your life in a plane crash . Campbell read the names during KTVU's noon broadcast on Friday, after which the news station apologized on air and on its website. "Nothing is more important to us than having the highest level of accuracy and integrity, and we are reviewing our procedures to ensure this type of error does not happen again," KTVU posted on its website. The station said the names were confirmed by an NTSB official in Washington prior to air. It was not immediately clear who produced the fake names, but the NTSB said it was not the intern. "The names were presented by the station, to the intern for confirmation," said NTSB spokeswoman Kelly Nantel. "The intern did not make up the names and provide them to the station." The NTSB said it does not release or confirm the identities of crew members or people involved in transportation accidents. "We work hard to ensure that only appropriate factual information regarding an investigation is released and deeply regret today's incident," the NTSB statement said. The NTSB did not identify the intern, but said, "Appropriate actions will be taken to ensure that such a serious error is not repeated." Asiana Airlines has identified the pilot flying the Boeing 777 that crashed at San Francisco International Airport as Lee Kang-Kuk. Did Asiana pilot have enough 777 experience? Asiana Flight 214 was carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew members when it crash landed Saturday on the runway after striking a seawall. Three passengers died, including a girl who died of her injuries Friday morning. More than 180 others were injured. | NEW: "Apologies to all upset by a story on Noon News," anchor Tori Campbell tweets .
KTVU read the names on air, then apologized .
An intern erroneously confirmed the names of the flight crew, the NTSB says . |
194,148 | 874f1d13e135a374d168dee821de27435ace00c2 | By . Sam Adams . PUBLISHED: . 08:27 EST, 14 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:26 EST, 14 September 2012 . A 17-year-old schoolgirl at a top public school has collapsed and died. The teenager was a boarder at St Swithun’s School for girls in Winchester, Hampshire. She was taken ill at 1.30pm yesterday and taken to the City's Royal Hampshire County Hospital, but died an hour later. School: A 17-year-old female pupil was taken ill at the independent St Swithun's School in Winchester, Hampshire - and later died in hospital . Police were called to the school but confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious. It is unclear what the girl was doing at the time of her death and her name has not yet been revealed. It is understood the girl did not have any underlying health problems and the coroner has been informed. Spokesman for the school Simon Mayes . said: 'This has been a complete shock as she was only 17 and we are . currently talking with her parents.' St Swithun’s School, whose . headmistress is Jane Gandee, charges £9,070 a term for boarders and . educates girls aged 11 to 18 on a boarding and day basis. It has about 440 pupils of whom about 200 are boarders. It also runs a co-educational prep school. The school puts strong emphasis on sport and was national lacrosse champions in 2008. Girls at the schools are given the option of trying a wide range of sports including athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, lacrosse and netball. It has not been revealed whether the dead girl was playing sport at the time she was taken ill. The school's headmistress, Jane Gandee said 'our pupils and staff are deeply shocked by this incident [and] our thoughts and prayers are with the girl’s family at this time.' Exclusive: The high-achieving school charges £9,070 a term for boarders and educates girls aged 11 to 18 on a boarding and day basis . | Teenager attended the exclusive St Swithun's School for girls in Winchester, Hampshire .
It is understood she did not have any underlying health problems before she was taken ill .
Headteacher says pupils and staff at the school are 'deeply shocked' by the girl's death . |
180,519 | 75b252bbee941b120dbe0c47c6fade61fcaf9833 | By . Ruth Styles . PUBLISHED: . 12:05 EST, 27 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:48 EST, 28 August 2013 . If you've been looking for a quick way to catch someone's eye, then a new showergel that mimics human hormones could be just what you need. Escentric Molecules Body Wash contains a dose of Iso E Super, an aromachemical that appears innocuously woody at first sniff but is said to wreak havoc on nearby members of the opposite sex, thanks to its similarity to the smell of human pheromones. Pheromones are a chemical produced by the body and are designed to subconsciously relay information about fertility to others. Escentric Molecules Body Wash contains a dose of Iso E Super, an aromachemical that smells the same as human pheromones . The brainchild of Berlin-based perfumer . Geza Schoen, the brand was launched in 2006 with two perfumes - . Escentric 01 and Molecule 01 . Along with Iso E Super, the new body wash, which will be sold exclusively at Harvey Nichols, also contains a substance called Energen, a blend of sapindus mukorossi and caesalpinia spinosa. The former derives from a species of the sapindus, or soapwort, tree in the foothills of the Himalayas and is said to have powerful cleansing properties, although - unfortunately in this case - it can also act as a spermicide. Caesalpinia spinosa, more commonly known as tara, comes from Peru and has an anti-inflammatory effect. 'Molecule 01 lends an indefinable radiance to the wearer' The new body wash isn't the first time that Escentric Molecules has used Iso E Super in its products. The brainchild of Berlin-based . perfumer Geza Schoen, the brand was launched in 2006 with two perfumes - . Escentric 01 and Molecule 01. Molecule 01 contains nothing but Iso E Super, while Escentric 01 is a blend of Iso E Super, pink pepper, lime and orris root. 'Molecule . 01 lends an indefinable radiance to the wearer,' reveals Schoen in the . perfume notes on his website. 'In fact, its effect is almost . pheromonic.' 'The Escentric Molecules range has been a phenomenal success at Harvey Nichols and has established a cult following,' adds Harvey Nichols beauty buyer, Zahra Bishop. 'The range is beautifully and meticulously crafted with mesmerising fragrances. The new Escentric Body Washes in bright bottles with the instantly recognisable cult scents that match exactly the original fragrances are so cleverly and beautifully composed, they are irresistible.' | Escentric Molecules Body Wash contains Iso E Super .
The aromachemical smells similar to natural pheromones .
Pheromones relay information about fertility to the opposite sex . |
232,599 | b92a9978d2947531b8aa3af0cbbbe944abc514fb | (CNN) -- Tennis bosses have told the sport's stars that a boycott of the 2013 Australian Open over prize money would not be backed. Players have voiced concerns over the disparity between the money earned by stars who reach the latter stages of grand slams and those who exit in the early rounds. British newspaper the Sunday Times reported that they were planning to start a rebel event, possibly in Dubai, if pay is not increased for the Melbourne tournament in January. But the ATP, which represents the interests of male players, has denied it would help players in organize any such action. "The ATP has been clear and repetitive in telling players that it will not organize a boycott," it said in a statement. "Instead, ATP Management and players have taken a diplomatic approach this year with the grand slams to address player compensation issues. "The grand slams are important events that generate significant revenues, and the players who perform there should share in an acceptable percentage of those revenues like they do on the ATP World Tour." How 'Big Four' earned a pay rise for tennis colleagues . The Australian Open, held in Melbourne every January, is one of four grand slams in tennis -- along with the French and U.S. Opens and Wimbledon. In 2012, first-round losers at the year's first major tournament were given $21,600, compared to $22,500 in France and $23,000 in the U.S. and Britain -- the latter three having increased by 20%. The biggest disparity is in Australia, which has the highest prize purse and biggest winner's check of almost $2.4 million. "We are pleased that the discussions initiated by the ATP with each of the grand slams this year have resulted in certain prize money increases for players in 2012," the men's ruling body said. "We remain focused on our active dialogue with these events about player compensation for 2013 and beyond. The players remain unified and passionate about this issue." Australian Open boss Craig Tiley, in New York for the U.S. Open which began on Monday, attempted to quell boycott fears. "We are the first to say that for tennis to be a viable career, the top 250 players need to make a good living," he told Australian news agency AAP. "The top 250 players in tennis make about a quarter of the amount of money in tennis as they do in golf. So that could be a good benchmark for us. And the PGA Tour's prize money has increased more than the ATP Tour's has, so we have to address that too. "Our relationship with the playing group is very, very strong. It's in everyone's interests (not to strike). We're very confident that whatever needs to be resolved will be." | ATP rule out backing a tennis players boycott of the 2013 Australian Open .
Players angered by disparity in prize money between top stars and first round losers .
The Australian Open has the highest prize fund of any of the four grand slams .
A player who loses in the first round of the tournament receives $21,600 . |
106,740 | 15b4b027f5395e842723f1f8f2bf3bffd04f9c9d | By . Hugo Gye . PUBLISHED: . 10:03 EST, 28 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:43 EST, 28 November 2013 . A British woman is being forced to bring up her daughter alone after her medic husband was denied permission to join her in the UK. Elizabeth Celi Parr met Ramiro Alexander Celi Moreno in his native Ecuador - the couple have been married for two years and had their first child, Olivia, 21 months ago. But despite his medical training, he has been banned from moving to Britain because the Home Office says the family does not earn enough to support itself. Family: But Elizabeth Celi Parr and Ramiro Alexander Celi Moreno are currently forced to live separately after he was denied permission to move to Britain to be with his wife and daughter Olivia . Wedding day: The couple were married in 2011 after meeting in Mr Moreno's native country of Ecuador . Ms Parr - the daughter of two Conservative councillors - says that both she and her husband have been offered jobs at the family firm and rent-free accommodation with her parents in Devon. 'I am a British citizen, we are happily married and both very skilled - I never thought for a moment I would not be allowed to come back to live in my own country with my husband,' the 29-year-old said. 'The ridiculous thing about not allowing Alexander to come here, where he could earn good wages, is that I am now a single mother. Were it not for my parents I would probably have to go on benefits. 'We would not be a burden and there is plenty of room here - even with me, my parents and my sister we are rattling around here. 'The Government idea is supposed to be to lessen the burden on taxpayers but it increases it - I cannot understand how these rules are helping anyone.' Alone: Ms Parr is now living with Olivia at her parents' home in Devon while fighting the Home Office . Father and daughter: A screengrab of a Skype conversation between Mr Moreno and Olivia . Ms Parr met Mr Moreno, 33, in 2006 - ironically, when she was struggling to secure an Ecuadorian visa allowing her to work as an English teacher. The pair wed in 2011 and lived in Argentina and Chile, but when Olivia was born they decided to settle near Ms Parr's family in Colyton. They were confident that Mr Moreno's background as an on-call doctor would enable him to secure a well-paid job, while Ms Parr was receiving maternity pay from her previous job at an investment bank. She was being paid £13,000 - but even though she had substantial savings, the application was refused because she did not meet the £18,600 threshold required by the Home Office in order to ensure that prospective immigrants can support themselves. A large proportion of British families would fail to meet the income requirement, which is much higher than the minimum wage. Together: Mr Moreno is not even allowed to visit the UK in case he stays in the country illegally . It was imposed by Home Secretary Theresa May in 2012 as part of Government attempts to reduce net immigration below 100,000 a year by the time of the next election. However, despite the crackdown which has left families such as Ms Parr's separated, citizens of Romania and Bulgaria will be allowed to come to Britain without any restrictions from January. In addition, the Government has struggled to deport a number of criminals and anti-British activists such as Abu Hamza and Abu Qatada, who both put up legal fights for years before finally being forced to leave the UK. Ms Parr lodged an appeal against the decision in April, and was told this month that she would have to go to court to contest the visa refusal. Mr Moreno is not even allowed to apply for a tourist visa to visit his wife and daughter for a short period, because officials say he might attempt to stay in Britain illegally. Heartbreak: Ms Parr insists the family is able to support itself thanks to her husband's medical training . Playing: Ms Parr is now working at her family firm, a traditional tannery based in Colyton . 'Myself and Olivia went over for a holiday in July, but it was a nightmare - I spent 24 hours travelling with a crying baby,' she said. Ms Parr has now set up a support group for other families in the same situation as her, and has met with the Archbishop of Westminster in a bid to further her cause. She is working as a project manager for the family business, a leather tannery named J & FJ Baker & Co Ltd which has been owned by her relatives for 150 years and still uses traditional oak bark techniques. Her father Andrew is chairman of the local parish council, while her mother Helen sits as a Conservative on East Devon district council. A spokesman for the Home Office said: 'Mr Celi Moreno’s application was refused because it did not meet the necessary financial requirements. As there is an appeal outstanding in this case it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.' | Elizabeth Celi Parr married Ramiro Alexander Celi Moreno in Ecuador .
The couple have a daughter, Olivia, and decided to settle in Britain .
But officials said they do not earn enough for him to immigrate even though he is trained as a doctor and they can live rent-free .
Ms Parr is living with 21-month-old daughter and her husband cannot visit . |
144,124 | 465a9d7305f04a671f3a870209b823e7812987ed | Rome (CNN) -- Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on Saturday dissolved the country's parliament, following the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Monti. New elections will beheld on February 24-25, according to a statement posted on the president's website. Monti was appointed prime minister last year after the resignation of former premier Silvio Berlusconi. Monti has not indicated whether he will run in the new elections, while Berlusconi says he will. Monti resigned Friday after Parliament approved the budget. An economist and former European commissioner, Monti was appointed by Napolitano after Berlusconi stepped down under pressure for failing to control Italy's debt and a series of scandals. Since then, international investors have displayed confidence in the country's finances. Italy's borrowing costs have fallen this year on Monti's efforts to bring down borrowing and the improved sentiment generated by the European Central Bank's conditional scheme to buy bonds of struggling sovereigns. Berlusconi has criticized Monti's austerity policies as damaging to the country. Berlusconi's party, the People of Freedom, is the largest in Parliament. Read more: Berlusconi, 76, reveals plans to marry 27-year-old . | Italy's president has dissolved parliament .
The move follows the resignation of the prime minister .
New elections will be held in February . |
13,262 | 25ad42b72bd425a1da7f6ad341471b0bfe0b0bdc | (CNN) -- After a day spent being trailed by a photographer who taunted him, mocked his clothes and hurled insults about his family, actor Jonah Hill had had enough. "Suck my d***, you f****t," he said to the guy, very likely giving the paparazzo exactly what he wanted: a reaction and a profanity-and-slur laced one at that. The entire episode was caught on tape and eventually aired by gossip site TMZ. Hill soon after made the rounds with an apology for using the anti-gay term, telling radio host Howard Stern on Tuesday that he is heartbroken he used such a "disgusting and hurtful" term. On "The Tonight Show," he told host Jimmy Fallon that "the word I chose was grotesque." But while Hill is left apologizing -- and surely, there is reason for him to do so -- the responsibility was not his alone. After all, the entire episode was a set up, encouraged by a culture obsessed with celebrities and even more obsessed with celebrities behaving badly and a gossip media that rewards those who capture it. The paparazzi have been trained to push buttons, and they've gotten quite good at it. Unlike some stars who, it might be suspected, exhibit bad behavior to court certain attention -- Alec Baldwin could be one -- Hill's response seemed genuinely reactionary, born out of pure emotion and frustration. As such, it is not likely to reflect what he really believes. Hill has been outspoken supporter of gay rights. Last year, he told E! News that "I have tons of gay friends, gay family members." Before the Winter Olympics in Russia, he spoke out against Moscow's anti-gay laws. So why, then, was his breaking point reaction a slur? It probably had far less to do with genuine homophobic beliefs than with power and a feeling of loss of it so profound that it inspired a response rooted in the same crude immaturity as that exhibited by his provoker. The photographer, as seen in the video, was antagonistic, his behavior akin to the taunts of a playground bully, and in a way few adults exhibit, or experience, after childhood. And so, in finally responding after refusing to engage, Hill used language the man would understand and words that he, and indeed many, might never say as an adult, especially an adult in 2014. He had a temper tantrum-like reaction, calling on words he might have used at a time he was most inclined to have such outbursts and tantrums, when such words were not OK but you were less aware of what they meant. It's key to remember that celebrities are forced to endure harassment all the time now and bear the burden of the consequences, too. In 2009, Jude Law allegedly hit a female celebrity photographer after her camera flash went off in his face, although he claims it was untrue. Hugh Grant once threw a tub of baked beans at a cameraman. Nicole Richie had restraining orders issued against two photographers who sat outside her house all day, but not until after she doused them with water for trailing her. While celebrities certainly are not perfect, the ones caught on camera, and the ones largely condemned, are inevitably not the ones holding it. To make Hill's comments reflective of how he feels about gays and lesbians unfairly turns the responsibility entirely on him when the real blame is in the culture that rewards those who provoke this behavior and choose to interpret it in the worst way possible. By suggesting these comments indicate that Hill is homophobic, aren't we, in effect, saying that we believe that's what he meant because what else would he mean? In the end, Hill has behaved after his outburst in the most appropriate way possible, expressing believable remorse, explaining the motivations for the attack but also noting there was no excuse for what he said. "If someone says something that hurt you or angers you, use me as an example of what not to do," he told Fallon. "Don't respond with hatred or anger, because you are just adding more ugliness to the world." Perhaps the celebrity media would be wise to do the same. | Jonah Hill called photographer a gay slur after being antagonized by him all day .
Peggy Drexler: Hill publicly apologized, but paparrazi should lay off celebrities .
Hill's response was rooted in the same crude immaturity as that exhibited by his provoker .
Drexler: No excuse for the slur, but it does not reflect Hill's beliefs . |
106,909 | 15e7fff26548af17d70198b99d32b45df042efda | By . John Stevens . They seem like an unlikely pair. She is a pro-democracy campaigner turned global heroine, known by her followers as 'The Lady', while he is an ageing former Radio 1 DJ nicknamed the Hairy Cornflake. But as Dave Lee Travis greeted Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday by taking her hand and kissing it they seemed like old friends. Miss Suu Kyi met the DJ for the first time after revealing how his show gave her a lifeline during her years under house arrest in Burma. Scroll down for video . Her hairy cornflake: Aung San Suu Kyi meets DJ Dave Lee Travis as she visits the BBC World Service in London at the start of her historic four-day visit to Britain . The Nobel laureate had previously told . how she listened to Travis – also known as DLT – on the BBC World . Service while in confinement. On a visit to BBC Broadcasting House . in central London she briefly met the DJ, whose music request programme A . Jolly Good Show she had said made her world 'much more complete'. During their meeting, when asked if she knew who Travis was, Miss Suu Kyi said: 'I know, I heard you yesterday.' The DJ told the Burmese opposition . leader: 'It's just such a pleasure to meet you in person after all the . nice things you said about the programme.' Broadcast: Aung San Suu Kyi, pictured in the BBC studios, used to listen to the World Service while held in detention in Burma . Historic meeting: Dave Lee Travis said it was a 'pleasure' to finally meet Aung San Suu Kyi who listened to his show which he presented for 20 years . She told him she was once 'thrilled' to have heard the voice of a Burmese boy on the programme. 'Well that's the World Service,' Travis replied. 'It does what it says on the tin, and I am just glad to . have been a part of the things that you listened to that helped you.' The DJ kissed Miss Suu Kyi on the . hand, adding: 'It's a real privilege to meet you.' Miss Suu Kyi, who . spent 15 years under house arrest by the former junta until her release . last November, arrived in Britain after visiting Norway on Friday to . accept her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize. A Jolly Good Show: Ms Suu Kyi visited the BBC's Broadcasting House today as she celebrated her 67th birthday . Historic visit: Ms Suu Kyi, who used to live in Britain, visited the country for the first time in 24 years . Foreign Secretary William Hague later . led MPs in singing Happy Birthday to her during an appearance at the . London School of Economics on her 67th birthday. She is due to address . MPs and peers in Parliament later this week. The trip comes after David Cameron . became the first foreign leader to visit Burma since the military junta . handed power to a civilian government and Miss Suu Kyi won a . parliamentary seat in a by-election. An Oxford student in the 1960s, she . married a British academic in 1972 and they had two sons, but after she . went back home in 1988 to nurse her ailing mother she did not leave . again until last week. She did not see her sons for more than . a decade and was unable to be at her husband's side when he died of . prostate cancer in 1999 because she knew that if she left the country . she would not be allowed back in. Visit: Ms Suu Kyi leaves the BBC after meeting staff at Broadcasting House at the start of her four-day visit to London after earlier addressing the London School of Economics . Historic visit: Aung San Suu Kyi attends a discussion at the London School of Economics today on her historic visit to Britain . Beaming smile: Ms Suu Kyi returned to Britain for the first time since 1988 when she went to care for her dying mother . Historic visit: Aung San Suu Kyi leaves a central London hotel . In awe: Irish singer Bono hands Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi the Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience award in Dublin on Monday, three years after she was awarded the prize . Highest regard: Bono wrote the 2000 hit 'Walk On' in praise of Suu Kyi's long exile from her family . Warm welcome: Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is flanked by Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore (right) and Bono as she receives flowers from Sophia Kelly upon her arrival at Dublin Airport . Joint vision: Earlier, Bono and Suu Kyi spent more than an hour answering questions at an Oslo conference of peace mediators at the end of her four-day visit to Norway . | Dave Lee Travis tells Burmese pro-democracy leader it is a 'pleasure' to finally meet her in person .
She listened to A Jolly Good Show on BBC World Service while held under house arrest .
Aung San Sui Kyi is visiting Britain for the first time in 24 years .
Today she will meet David Cameron and address Parliament .
U2 man presents Suu Kyi with Amnesty's Ambassador of Conscience award . |
57,145 | a1f6460dc520484c1d900924f322b106dc4b212f | Ukip MEPs were today accused of showing 'complete disregard' for road safety after voting against new rules making it easier to track and punish reckless foreign motorists caught speeding in the UK. At the moment, foreign drivers caught by a speed camera cannot be fined because the police do not have the power to trace people abroad. But the European Parliament has backed new measures giving forces the power to send fines and pursue foreign motorists back to their home countries. But Ukip's MEPs voted against the measure, because it also allows foreign police forces to track British motorists caught speeding abroad. Motorists caught by speed cameras abroad face being tracked down and forced to pay a fine, under new EU rules . A Labour source said Ukip was showing 'complete disregard' for road safety in the UK. Shadow Transport Secretary Michael Dugher added: 'These new laws will make it easier to catch foreign drivers who commit offences within the UK. 'They will ensure that drivers in foreign-registered vehicles will no longer be able to just flout laws on serious driving offences without facing the consequences. It is right that the UK authorities will be able to get the tools they need to identify offenders. 'Why does UKIP want to let foreigners driving in Britain off the hook?' Motorists can already be traced abroad if they are driving hire cars or given on-the-spot fines. But the new rules will allow motorists to be fined for speeding, ignoring a red light, drink and drug driving and driving while using a mobile phone. If a driver commits an offence in another country, the police will be able to use their car's registration number to track them down. They will be given the power to send out a letter in the driver's own language, demanding payment and threatening court action if they do not pay the fine. Labour's shadow transport secretary Michael Dugher has slammed Nigel Farage over Ukip's failure to back new rules making it easier to catch foreign motorists flouting the law in the UK . It means British police will be able to pursue foreign motorists driving in Britain for any traffic and speeding fines they have accumulated in the UK. The Bill will apply to member states from May – but the UK will have two years to enforce the new law. The move, which is backed by ministers, has been welcomed by road safety campaigners. Ed Morrow, from the organisation Brake, said: 'For a driver who puts lives at risk to escape prosecution because their vehicle is registered in another country is both insulting and incomprehensible for victims. Illegal driving crosses borders, so enforcement must cross borders too.' The Department for Transport added: 'It's not right that foreign drivers have gone unpunished for speeding offences in the UK, and we are pleased this is set to change. 'But it mustn't be easier for British drivers to be prosecuted abroad than for foreign drivers to be prosecuted in the UK. We have made this clear from the outset of the negotiations.' But, Ukip transport spokeswoman Jill Seymour said: 'Typically the Tory government say they will oppose it in London while Tory MEPs vote for it in Brussels. 'Ukip are completely united in their will that only British authorities have access to the data about British drivers. The EU harmonisation of legislation means the centralisation of power in Brussels. The LibLabCon may consent to this but UKIP never will. 'This report relates to speeding offences; the idea is to be able to transfer licence points across Member States. Not all Member States are the same; this could lead to unfair cases of people being banned from driving. 'LibLabCon meps are happy for you to lose your license....Just ask them about it in May. ' | Currently, drivers caught by speed cameras abroad cannot be traced .
New measure gives EU police the power to send fines to foreign addresses .
However, the proposals will also apply to foreign motorists driving in UK .
Ukip MEPs voted against the rule because it increases EU police powers . |
169,416 | 6735318d7ee18b093f6d674c84bab1419a27089c | A giraffe has died after smashing its head into a low bridge while it was being transported along a busy highway in South Africa. The moments before the accident at around 2.30pm today were caught on camera by a horrified fellow driver who described hearing a loud crack. South Africa's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals told local media the giraffe has since died and the truck driver could face criminal charges. Scroll down for video . Horror: This photograph was taken on the N1 highway in Pretoria, South Africa, moments before one of the two giraffes hit its head a low bridge (pictured) and later died. Animal cruelty officers are investigating the incident . Engineer Thinus Botha, 32, took the photo of the two giraffes after driving next to the truck for half a mile on the N1 on the outskirts of Pretoria, South Africa's capital. He decided to pull over to capture the moment - and witnessed the gruesome accident seconds later. 'I pulled over just before the bridge and a few seconds after I took the photo the first giraffe hit its head on the bridge,' he told MailOnline. 'There was a loud bang and I saw blood coming from the nose of the giraffe. 'I hear that he didn't make it and I'm not surprised. It was a sharp hit to his skull.' Some Twitter users pointed out the similarities with the film The Hangover Part III, which features lead character Alan Garner causing a 20-car pileup after accidentally decapitating a giraffe he bought. But South Africa's Society for the Prevention of cruelty to Animals said the real-life incident was deadly serious and the driver could be prosecuted. Some Twitter users pointed out bizarre similarities with the film The Hangover Part III. But animal protection officers said the incident had caused the animal catastrophic head injuries and the driver could be prosecuted . Other reactions to the incident on Twitter, where the photo was first posted, were distraught. Liesl Schoonraad wrote: 'Sometimes I have no hope for mankind', while Nikki Botha wrote: 'This makes me see a special shade of red.' @Itschydo added: 'How was the giraffe supposed to know to duck its head?!' It is believed the truck had already broken down this morning, leaving the giraffes stranded for several hours. The driver was then stopped at a toll booth further up the road, said Mr Botha. The owner of the giraffes told a reporter for the national Citizen newspaper that the truck 'went through lots of other bridges' before the accident and the giraffe had craned its neck. But Mr Botha told MailOnline: 'He was standing as he is in the picture. He didn't all of a sudden stand up straighter or stretch.' SPCA spokesman Rick Allan told Eye Witness News: 'All we can ascertain at this stage is severe head trauma. 'We are continuing our investigation with the view to possibly lay criminal charges against those responsible.' | Animal transported today on main highway in South African capital Pretoria .
Witness pulled over to take photo - and loud crack was heard seconds later .
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals confirmed the giraffe has died .
Criminal charges could be laid against driver, whose truck also broke down . |
260,049 | dcb8b16f77733c7c47e7e81f756e757edce305fc | (CNN) -- It's that time of year for seasonal trips to the movies, and to celebrate, the Screening Room is taking a look back at our favorite family hits over the years. The best of Spielberg: "E.T." is our perfect family movie and perfectly captures childhood. From blockbuster to blockbuster, these are the films with something for everyone. They've got to be live action -- we've covered animated films before -- and family friendly. Don't agree? Think we've missed one? Post your comments to the Screening Room blog and we'll publish the best. Read other CNN viewers' favorite and worst family films, and tell us yours >> . 1. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (Steven Spielberg, 1982) Spielberg's magic captures a perfect moment in childhood. We laughed and wept as his ugly little critter from outer space stole our hearts, while the kids fell firmly on the cute side of annoying. And oh, the music... 2. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Mel Stuart, 1971) Gene Wilder's whacked-out Willy Wonka adds a pinch of sinister to Roald Dahl's anarchic sweet treat, while the ignoble exits of Veruca Salt, Augustus Gloop and Mike Teevee were delicious. 3. Babe (Chris Noonan, 1995) "That'll do, pig." Babe is wide-eyed with wonder in Dick King-Smith's touching tale of a lonely little sheep-pig. Comic relief from the ewes, subtle special effects and a heartwarming turn from James Cromwell as Farmer Hoggett make this a magical tale for all. 4. Bugsy Malone (Alan Parker, 1976) Jodie Foster and Scott Baio (Yes, Chachi from "Happy Days!") star in this glorious escapade set in a musical world of pint-sized gangsters and mini-molls. Al Capone for the kids; just watch out for the splurge guns... 5. Oliver! (Carol Reed, 1968) Jack Wild is delightful as the Artful Dodger, Ron Moody's devilish Fagin glints with avaricious greed and Shani Willis shines as poor, ill-fated Nancy. But it's Oliver Reed's dark and sinister Bill Sykes who stayed with us -- and left us wanting more. 6. Back to the Future (Robert Zemeckis, 1985) Christopher Lloyd's mad professor, a Delorean-cum-time machine, rock 'n' roll and a convenient bolt of lightning see Biff the bully get his come-uppance. All that, and a skateboarding Michael J. Fox? Mr Zemeckis, you spoil us! 7. Home Alone (Chris Columbus, 1990) Macaulay Culkin's abandoned little boy sees off bungling burglars Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern with a series of eye-watering stunts. It proves just how great a child actor Culkin was; pity the unpopular babysitters who became the victims of copycat pranksters... 8. Ghostbusters (Ivan Reitman, 1984) Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd and Harold Ramis blast ghostly green monsters to oblivion in this slime-filled romp around NYC, while taking time out to annoy Sigourney Weaver en route. Who you gonna call? 9. The Muppet Movie (James Frawley, 1979) Kermit and Co.'s roadtrip to Hollywood is a fabulously fuzzy tale of friendship and following your dreams, but the Muppet Movie's not just for kids: there's cameos a-plenty (Bob Hope, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, ORSON WELLES!) for Dad and smart one-liners by the bucketful for Mom. 10. Harry Potter (Various, 2001-present) The Hogwarts trio's wizarding adventures, backed by a cast plump with the best of British actors. Fast-paced plots, spellbinding special effects and magical sets, but be warned: it'll have the li'l critters pestering you to go to boarding school... And our favorite hide-behind-the-sofa moments... The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming, 1939) "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!" Margaret Hamilton's green, cackling Wicked Witch of the West is hell-bent on revenging the death of her sister and getting those ruby slippers; she'll use deadly poppies and flying monkeys to do it. Terror as a rite of passage. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Ken Hughes, 1968) With his battered top hat and lank hair, Robert Helpmann's creepy Child Catcher prowled from Vulgaria into our nightmares, hoping to catch a whiff of his prey with his unfeasibly long nose. The only film character to give the Wicked Witch of the West a run for her money. Star Wars (George Lucas, 1977) Darth Vader may cast a formidable shadow, but it's the sound of his labored breathing that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up -- as it gets closer, closer, closer... Ghostbusters (Ivan Reitman, 1984) Rule 475 of Surviving the Movies: Never go into the basement! The thick silence in New York's Central Library masks a phantom infestation -- and they're not going quietly. As the gray-haired librarian switched to shrieking ghoul, a generation of children was put off reading for life. Jurassic Park (Steven Spielberg, 1993) And again, it's the sound effects that make the Velociraptors so scary -- as the frighteningly intelligent pack of lizards hunt for Lex and Tim among the kitchen workbenches, their hissing grows ever nearer... Don't agree? Think we've missed one? Sound off and read others' thoughts in the Screening Room blog. E-mail to a friend . | CNN's The Screening Room picks the top 10 live-action family films .
"E.T.," "Willy Wonka" and "Babe" head the list .
Hide-behind-the-sofa moments include "The Wizard of Oz," "Jurassic Park"
Think we've missed one? Post your comments to the Screening Room blog . |
226,754 | b19c6a1e6654e61de4640fb6891d5225bec2f04a | (CNN) -- A journal written by the 19-year-old gunman in last week's Maryland mall shooting offers no clues to a key question investigators are asking -- whether Darion Aguilar knew the young man and woman he shot and killed before turning the gun on himself. While police in Howard County, Maryland, are not yet releasing the contents of the journal, they said Tuesday that from his writings, it appears Aguilar knew he had mental health issues. They did not elaborate on that point. But why did he go to The Mall in Columbia on Saturday and fire as many as nine shots into a skateboard apparel shop? Gunman's mother says he was 'gentle, sweet' Aguilar was an avid skateboarder, a friend of his family said. As of now, that's the only known link between him and the skate shop Zumiez. Investigators are distributing fliers with Aguilar's picture to those in and around the mall, in hopes of finding people who either knew him or saw him. Aguilar was known to frequent the mall, according to police, where "he would hang outside and smoke in small groups." Investigators are also working on retrieving data from Aguilar's computer and cell phone, according to police. Still, his motive remains a mystery. It started out as a routine day in busy mall . Aguilar's mother told reporters Sunday that her son was a "gentle, sweet kid," and that she doesn't think he knew his victims -- 21-year-old Brianna Benlolo and 25-year-old Tyler Johnson. On Saturday, a federal official briefed on the shooting told CNN that preliminary information suggested the gunman aimed only at Benlolo and Johnson, perhaps indicating it was an isolated situation and not a wider shooting spree. "I know there's a lot of interest in the motive for this, and I have as much interest in that as anybody," Howard County Police Chief Bill McMahon said Sunday. Benlolo was an assistant manager at Zumiez. She had worked there since November 2012, according to her Facebook page. Friend Evelyn McDonald said Benlolo, the mother of a small boy, was "just full of energy." "She was so nice and just an amazing artist and just an amazing person inside and out," McDonald told CNN. "She loved her son. She loved being a mother," McDonald said. Cops: Mall gunman expressed 'general unhappiness' in journal . Johnson had worked at the store for about three months, according to his Facebook page. Five people went to the hospital for treatment after the shooting. All were treated and released. Four suffered injuries in the chaos after the shooting. The other injured victim suffered a gunshot wound to the foot. Police said the woman wasn't in Zumiez; rather, she was on the first floor when she was hit. The mall reopened Monday afternoon, but the Zumiez store will be closed indefinitely, according to a sign on the boarded-up storefront. The simple thing your mall can do to protect you . CNN's Janet DiGiacomo and Steve Almasy contributed to this report. | A journal written by gunman Darion Aguilar indicates he had mental health issues .
But it provides no insight as to whether he knew his victims .
Aguilar shot and killed two people Saturday before committing suicide . |
24,799 | 464934a48bd36f23b1998e35c3e44e1f6bbb876e | By . John Hall . Children are not harmed in any way by losing in competitive sports, former Olympian Sir Roger Bannister has claimed. Speaking at the Chipping Norton Literary Festival in Oxfordshire, the 85-year-old said young people need more competitive sports in schools, not less, adding that he felt 'terribly strongly' about the importance of physical education lessons. The former athlete, who rose to fame after breaking the four minute mile barrier in 1954, described changes to the way sport was taught in schools as 'worrying'. Scroll down for video . Legend: Sir Roger, who rose to fame after breaking the four minute mile barrier in 1954, described changes to the way sport was taught in schools as 'worrying' Athlete: Roger Bannister as a young man was the first person to break the four minute mile in 1954. He believes competitiveness is a vital life skill and should be encouraged in schools . Sir Roger was quoted by The Telegraph as saying: 'Children like competing. They don't suffer an emotional crippling for life if they come second or third in the egg and spoon race.' More... Winner takes it all? Not as far as Britain's school pupils are concerned, with nearly two thirds 'left cold' by the idea of competitive sport . 'In some schools PE can easily be got out of. It's not attractive because there's no competition. Or they have to get on a bus somewhere to get there because their playing fields have been sold off to fund a computer room,' he added. Sir Roger's comments echo those made in his new autobiography, Twin Tracks, where he demands the Government avoid 'destructive neglect' caused by schools making daily exercise a low priority. Competition: Children are not harmed in any way by losing in competitive sports Sir Roger Bannister has said. The former Olympian, 85, added that he felt 'terribly strongly' about the importance of physical education . He also criticises the 'more liberal concepts' that took hold in the 1980s where failure became something as purely negative, and a competitive spirit as something that is 'bad for character'. Last week a survey claimed that most children would be happy for competition to be removed from sport as they had lost interest in the concept of winning. Research by Marylebone Cricket Club suggested that although pupils still believe it is . important to experience winning and losing, 64 per cent admit they wouldn't . miss sport's competitive element. The survey prompted experts to voice concern that sports lessons were failing to foster competitive spirit in pupils, warning that Britian risked losing its competitive edge unless young people start caring about whether they win or lose. The research also led to speculation that a 'prizes for all' culture still holds sway at many schools. | Former Olympian said he feels 'terribly strongly' about sports in schools .
He called changes to the way is physical education is taught 'worrying'
Sir Roger said children need more competitive sport in school, not less .
He claimed they would not be harmed by the experience of losing an event .
Comments come as survey says young people do not care about winning . |
145,849 | 4896b10b178597dc47d191e2d4db285c30b8f623 | It has been a starting point for some of the world's top soccer players. As youngsters, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka all played in the Mondial Montaigu youth tournament in France. Known as "Mondial Minimes," the 40-year-old competition is contested by under-16 national teams over Easter, with an event also held for club sides. Leading French clubs Lorient, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nantes, Montpellier and St Etienne are all involved this year alongside another lesser-known name -- Foot Solidaire. Its a team that will showcase the very best of Africa's talent, but which also aims to open young African players' eyes to the risks of seeking their fortunes in Europe's top leagues. The team has been put together by Culture Foot Solidaire (CFS) -- a Paris-based charity which campaigns against the dangers of the trafficking of young players by unscrupulous individuals; be they former players, businessmen, lawyers or unlicensed agents. "I've heard a lot about less ethical agents bribing parents, and I have no doubt about the methods," one agent, who asked not to be identified, told CNN. "I know of agents using the parents' ''money weapon' (promising them untold riches), kind of 'selling' the player to an agent or organization. "How many times was I offered that option? Not only agents though. An agent cannot do anything without a club at end of the line." The movement of African players to Europe is long established. European clubs generally regard African players as athletically and technically gifted. Arguably just as importantly, they are relatively cheap to develop, with the added potential that clubs can make a large profit if they are sold in the future. For the players, the idea of becoming of a professional footballer in Europe holds the promise of a better life for themselves abroad and their families back home -- if they are not discarded by clubs and left to fend for themselves. Smuggling players . CFS's founder is Cameroonian Jean-Claude Mbvoumin, who has already helped hundreds of youngsters return home after they were left stranded in Europe. Often they have been brought to Europe on an illegal passport, frequently taken first to eastern Europe, where it is easier to arrange a visa before moving them on to Western countries. Mbvoumin estimates each year as many as 700 youngsters leave Cameroon alone to seek a professional career. But if the club doesn't sign the player the youngster is left to his own devices as to how he returns to Africa. "To bring young players to this tournament is a very good experience for them," the 39-year-old Mbvoumin, who played for a number of lower league French clubs, told CNN, as he explained the reason behind entering in the Montaigu tournament. "Very few can become professionals and our goal is to explain how hard to become is to do so. It's important to dream, but they must realize how few players there are in the professional world." At one stage CFS was monitoring nearly 1,000 boys dumped in France. It believes these youngsters were taken from hundreds of football academies in Africa -- ones that don't recognize basic child protection issues -- by clubs desperate to unearth the next Yaya Toure, Michael Essien or Claude Makelele. "When I brought players from Africa -- either for trial or on a contract -- I always faced a huge problem: visas," added the anonymous agent, referring to players over the age of 18 rather than minors, as he detailed the complexities of such transfers. "And I am talking of a period when things were easier, that is, 10 years ago. "I visited consulates with players trying to get a visa -- and I had to present the proper paperwork such as invitations and return tickets, etc. -- otherwise the player's application would not even be considered." However the agent said he did once manage "to smuggle" a player out of his home country Cameroon. "He had already gotten a visa -- the Italian consulate would only grant a tourist visit once a year -- so I had to find a way to get him out again," the agent said. "Yaounde being a modern airport I decided to fly from Douala, where the lights at the airport were dimmer. It was an amazing experience because in order to get to the plane we passed through four security controls. "The last one was at the plane's door -- and lights were stronger than in Yaounde -- and I had made a 'change' on his stamped visa. We managed to pass this last obstacle anyway and the player made a reasonable career." Money, money . Foot Solidaire's team for this year's Montaigu tournament is made up from players from Cameroon. More than 500 players have been assessed since January, before their 25-man squad was selected. Those players, who have been preparing for the tournament at a training camp in Nantes, came from as many as 100 training centers in Cameroon, which have all signed up to CFS's objectives to protect the young players who are being trained. Its charter is designed to provide the players with the best possible training environment, and it recognizes world governing body FIFA's regulations as well as the United Nations Convention on Human Rights. Mbvoumin estimates CFS is working with as many as 2,500 players -- this on a miniscule budget of just over $100,000. "We don't have salaries and we rely on volunteers," he said. "We have a very important network of partners and we rely on very small donations. But we need help -- our organization has been in existence for 13 years. "Football can just be business, business and money, money. People forget about education and the protection of young players -- football should not be above the law." Mbvoumin recently featured in a documentary film called "Soka Afrika" that traced the journey of two African footballers -- South Africa's Kermit Romeo Erasmus and Cameroonian Julien Ndomo Sabo -- as they attempt to fulfil their dreams of playing professional football in Europe. At the age of 18, Erasmus signed a professional contract with Dutch club Feyenoord, though he is back now in South Africa with Supersport United, where he is the team's captain. Sabo was trafficked to Africa as teenager after he and his family were promised "riches beyond their imagination," before he was abandoned in Paris. "Ndomo has been a bit off the radar for the last few weeks," said Sam Potter, managing director and chief executive officer of Masnomis, the production company behind the film. "But following a series of injury setbacks he and (Spanish club) Deportivo La Coruna -- where he eventually signed in 2010 -- agreed to terminate his contract last year. "He is still signed up with Octagon sports agency and they are hopeful of finding him another club in Europe for next season." Potter said Mbvoumin and CFS " work tirelessly on a shoestring budget to provide support and education to vulnerable and exploited young African footballers", despite a lack of interest and funding from the wider football community. "I have had the privilege of working with Jean-Claude in the making of Soka Afrika and I would say that he is a genuine hero -- working for little reward beyond his love of the game and, more importantly, his deep respect for the human rights of all men, women and children." | Some of the world's leading players have appeared at France's Montaigu youth tournament .
For the second year running unique team from Africa -- Foot Solidaire -- is taking apart .
Charity Culture Foot Solidaire campaigns against trafficking of young players .
Charity featured in recent documentary film Soka Afrika . |
55,393 | 9d01daafdd26c61cef4a895f18b7b8399f370f88 | (CNN) -- New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez had a "consulting relationship" with a Florida anti-aging clinic accused of providing banned drugs to baseball players, but there's no evidence he did anything to violate baseball's Joint Drug Agreement, one of his attorneys told CNN Monday. Rodriguez is appealing a 211-game suspension that Major League Baseball levied against him this month, with the league accusing him of taking performance-enhancing drugs and having ties to the now-shuttered Biogenesis clinic. Attorney Joe Tacopina said Rodriguez was one of many athletes who consulted for Biogenesis. "Clearly there was a relationship -- a consulting relationship," Tacopina said. "I mean, Biogenesis, that lab has consulted with many professional athletes. Not every single one of those athletes has been accused of or found guilty of using illegal substances." Fast Facts: Performance Enhancing Drugs in sports . Tacopina declined to give further details about the relationship, citing confidentiality concerns. But he said, "They have no scientific evidence to prove that Alex Rodriguez did anything to violate" baseball's drug agreement. "It's witness testimony from one witness -- a witness who's not going to be available, in my prediction, to either testify in arbitration or at some federal proceeding," he said. Opinion: How A-Rod let us down . When asked why he wouldn't say unequivocally that Rodriguez didn't use performance-enhancing drugs, Tacopina again cited confidentiality considerations. "If I utter those words, I've just violated the confidentiality clause of the JDA -- that's the bottom line," he said. "... If you're a supporter or a detractor, what happened to him is not fair by anyone's standards. It's clearly a vendetta, it's clearly a witch hunt to get him 211 games -- not justifiable under anyone's scenario that is being objective." Alex Rodriguez: 'I'm fighting for my life' Apparently in response to comments like these, Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball's executive vice president of economics and league affairs, sent Tacopina a letter on Monday, offering to waive confidentiality provisions. "While we believe that your public comments are already in breach of the confidentiality provisions of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program (the "Program"), we will agree to waive those provisions as they apply to both Rodriguez and the Office of Commissioner of Baseball with respect to Rodriguez's entire history under the Program, including, but not limited to, his testing history, test results, violations of the Program, and all information and evidence relating to Rodriguez's treatment by Anthony Bosch, Anthony Galea and Victor Conte," he wrote. Tejada suspended 105 games . Tacopina was not immediately available to comment on the contents of the letter. Rodriguez is playing during the appeal, which the players' union filed on his behalf two days after the suspension was announced. History of A-Rod-Red-Sox drama . CNN's Adam Reiss contributed to this report. | New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez is appealing a 211-game suspension .
He is accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs .
Attorney says Rodriguez was one of many athletes who consulted for Biogenesis . |
107,015 | 160835b28d55b3ff787a39c01889287db3fe0401 | By . Emma Glanfield . Two criminals have gone on the run from an open prison - meaning four have fled from the same facility in just five days. Convicted robber Marcus Brotherson, 27, and 24-year-old Jordan Hall, who was jailed for grievous bodily harm, disappeared overnight from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire. Two nights earlier Michael Fien McCarthy, 24, who was sentenced to three years for wounding with intent last year, absconded from the category D jail. Four prisoners have absconded from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire since Monday. Pictured: (From left to right) Marcus Brotherson, 27, Jordan Hall, 24, Andrew David Hudson, 38, and Michael Fien McCarthy, 24 . On Monday, Andrew David Hudson, 38, who has convictions for burglary and robbery, also disappeared the prison. It is not known whether the latest prisoners to abscond fled together. Brotherson has been described by police as black, 5ft 5ins tall and of a stocky build, with short cropped brown hair and brown eyes. Meanwhile Hall is described as white, 6ft tall and of a slim build, with brown eyes and cropped brown hair. Their last known addresses were in Birmingham. Figures reveal the total number of prisoners currently missing from category D HMP Sudbury stands at 28 . Figures obtained from police reveal the total number of prisoners currently missing from the jail stands at 28. This includes a number who have a history of violence, while one is still on the run from the facility more than 20 years after being allowed out in 1992. The revelations come amid controversy over open prisons after a spate of inmates went on the run. In the most high-profile case Michael Wheatley, known as the ‘Skullcracker’, carried out a raid on a building society while on the run from HMP Standford Hill in Kent. | Four prisoners have escaped HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire since Monday .
Marcus Brotherson, 27, and Jordan Hall, 24, fled category D jail last night .
Michael McCarthy, 24, fled on Thursday and Andrew Hudson, 38, on Monday .
Total number of inmates who have absconded the open prison now up to 28 . |
162,464 | 5e0e2883fe8ddeeddde9ad03f7e65343f8a40f55 | (CNN) -- Few have had a bigger influence on today's musical artists than Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson performs with Usher in September 2001 at Madison Square Gardens in New York City. Younger singers, from Justin Timberlake to Usher and Chris Brown, have emulated his dance moves, his look and his sound. He was, for many, the ultimate performer. "[His influence] feels like something that is instilled and embedded in anyone who wanted to create anything musically," said Marsha Ambrosius, one half of the duo Floetry that wrote the single "Butterflies." That single appeared on Jackson's 2001 "Invincible" album. "He will always be the King of Pop, and no one will ever be able to fill those shoes with those shiny socks and that glove," Ambrosius said. For many of the younger generation, he was the first to not just cross over but explode onto the pop charts from the R & B scene. His phenomenal talent and worldwide appeal made his throne one to be aspired to even as they stood in awe of him. "If you're a singer and you don't want to be like Michael Jackson, something is wrong," said 19-year-old singer and rapper Sean Kingston, who scored a hit in 2007 with the song "Beautiful Girls." "He's a huge influence." Sonia Murray, a longtime Atlanta-based music columnist, said Jackson was for the younger set what James Brown had been for Jackson: an inspiration. "It was the many dimensions he had as a performer," Murray said. "A lot of those artists strive to be all around entertainers. Michael looks to James Brown and Sammy Davis Jr. and for the younger guys, he was the closest thing they had." His music videos were must-see TV, and aspiring artists learned that it took more than just holding a microphone if they really wanted to make it big. "He was the total package," said Gail Mitchell, senior editor for R & B and Hip-hop for Billboard. "I was talking to somebody the other day about what trends they were seeing, and they said that a lot of the acts these days seem to going back to the whole entertainer thing." "It's not just good enough anymore to lip-synch or program your computer, but some of these newer artists are more concerned about putting on a great show for their fans." Steve Greenberg, founder and CEO of S-Curve Records, was a disc jokey in Tel Aviv, Israel, when "Thriller" first dropped and witnessed first-hand how Jackson became an international icon. Greenberg said Jackson "influenced everyone who has come after him." "He's been around so long that everyone on the contemporary scene has come after him," Greenberg said. "His was the first very contemporary, very exciting dance music to emerge after the death of disco." His was a global appeal, Greenberg said, among fans and artists worldwide. "He was as big in the Middle East and Southeast Asia as he was in America and Europe," Greenberg said. "He had that universality that not many people had. The Beatles had it, Muhammad Ali had it, but not many other people have had it." His music also crossed genres. He was a favorite of rappers to sample and working with him was a badge of honor in the industry. Producer Dallas Austin worked with him on Michael Jackson's "HIStory: Past, Present and Future" and, like the rest of the world, was stunned by his death. "Michael Jackson was a magical person to work with," Austin said in a released statement. "I am saddened by his death. The world won't be the same without him." Even for the most hardcore in hip-hop, there was no shame in admitting love for the King of Pop. "Michael Jackson has always been an inspiration to me as far as his music is concerned," Rapper Snoop Dogg told MTV in 2001. "You can't take nothing from him." Wyclef Jean released a statement saying "Michael Jackson was my Musical God." "He made me believe that all things are possible, and through real and positive music, he can live forever," Jean said. "I love Michael Jackson. God Bless him." Floetry member Marsha Ambrosius said she felt blessed to have spent two weeks working with Jackson in New York City a few years ago after he fell in love with a song she had written. She had the opportunity to get to know him, not just as a superstar, but as a fun-loving family man who stayed in touch with her even after the project was finished. "He was one of the most amazing people you would ever want to meet ," she said. "I can say I worked with the most incredible artist on planet Earth." CNN's Shanon Cook contributed to this report. | Michael Jackson's dance moves, his look were emulated .
Jackson inspired artists such as Usher, Justin Timberlake and rapper Snoop Dogg .
Recording CEO: Jackson "influenced everyone who has come after him" |
215,756 | a34376fc5b833a71727ee328bdb32d678626f73a | Twin brothers Phil and Stephen Turnbull cannot go to bed until the other is home safely. They speak on the phone after every training session or match and credit each other for their progress in life, on and off the pitch. They are devastated that their FA Cup third-round ties fall on the same day. There is, then, respect, love and friendship. That, however, very quickly changes when Gateshead midfielder Phil – regarded as one of the best players outside of the Football League - expresses regret that they were not drawn against Stephen’s Blyth Spartans, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition. ‘I would have been buzzing if we’d got them. It would filter out another bad team then we’d have the chance of getting a big dog in the fourth round,’ Phil tells Sportsmail from the family home where they grew up in South Shields. Stephen (left) and Phil Turnbull pose with their mum Susan before the FA Cup third round this weekend . Footballing twins Stephen and Phil speak to Sportsmail's Craig Hope ahead of their FA Cup encounters . The pair (pictured graduating from Sunderland University) have been kept apart in the third round . The twins were at the same team together aged nine but have played against each other professionally . Stephen – who scored a free-kick live on TV during Blyth’s second-round victory over Hartlepool and who was caught at the centre of the storm which saw Bury expelled from the FA Cup in 2006 – bites back: ‘This clown isn’t for real. He thinks Gateshead are some sort of Premier League team. We beat Hartlepool in the league above them – we’d more than match them.’ As it is, Northern Premier League Blyth entertain Championship side Birmingham City and Conference promotion hopefuls Gateshead travel to Premier League West Brom. Mum, Susan, and sister, Kathryn, will be at Croft Park, while dad, John, and brother, Jonathan, will be at The Hawthorns. The last time the family was split in this fashion was when Blyth hosted Gateshead in the FA Trophy in 2011. It is the only time in their 27 years that the twins – who were professionals together at Hartlepool and team-mates at Sunderland’s academy - have started a match in opposition. Gateshead won 2-0 and Phil was star man. ‘It was great to play against each other – I wanted to do him and he wanted to do me,’ says Stephen. Phil corrects him: ‘Yeah, but I did do you – you didn’t do me. I absolutely ran the gaff and he was spewing.’ Stephen, reluctantly, agrees: ‘To be fair, he was man-of-the-match by a mile. I told our lads, “sit on my kid, stop him playing and we’ll win”. But one of our strikers – he was a lazy b*****d – he just let him dictate things. They had me left-midfield but if I’d played in the centre we would have won – I’d have bullied him.’ The pair had just moved out of their family home before the tie and bought their first place together. Following the draw, Stephen ran tape down one half of the house and drew up boundaries. Word spread and it soon attracted media attention. Phil recalls: ‘Someone rang us out of the blue and said, “Can you go on the radio now?”. We just thought it would be Radio Newcastle. We didn’t realise until afterwards it was national radio – we battered each other, saying we going to slap each other and all sorts. Stephen plays for Blyth Spartans while Phil is a midfielder for nearby Gateshead . The duo's sister Kathryn, pictured with her six-day-old son, will be at Croft Park to watch Stephen . The twin brothers, aged 14, will be hoping to face each other in the fourth round of the FA Cup . 4 - This is the fourth time Blyth Spartans have reached the FA Cup third round. They were knocked out in 1971-72 and 2008-09 but beat Enfield in 1977-78 before famously progressing to the fifth round. ‘Then the TV cameras came. We’d just bought the house off our nana. The carpets were horrific, the worst you’ve ever seen. ‘After we were on BBC we got a phone call from someone asking to buy the carpets. We thought it was a wind-up. Stephen spoke to them and said, “Aye, come around, you can buy them, no bother”. ‘Next thing, this couple turn up at the door over the moon that they’re getting the carpets. They owned a farm and gave us £50 and 12 eggs. Result.’ Result, too, is what they both enjoyed in the last round of the cup. Stephen curled into the top corner what Alan Shearer described as ‘the best free-kick I’ve ever seen’ during Blyth’s heroic 2-1 win at Hartlepool. Phil, who was in the away end at Victoria Park that night, then starred as Gateshead beat Warrington 2-0, also on TV. Their sister gave birth to Thomas 48 hours later and Stephen was back on BBC for the third-round draw. Stephen celebrates after Blyth Spartans knocked out Hartlepool in the second round . ‘It was just an incredible few days for the family,’ says Phil. ‘I went down to Hartlepool and got a little bit of stick off some of the fans for being a Gateshead player. I wasn’t a Blyth fan, I was a Stephen Turnbull fan. ‘When his free-kick went in I was sucking the ball into the back of the net, I went off it. I was absolutely buzzing. I looked over to my mam and dad and I could see they were bursting with pride. It was a special day for the whole family. My sister was watching at home, we thought it might send her into labour. It was just the perfect FA Cup night.’ Back in 2006, however, the FA Cup was far from perfect for Stephen. On loan at Bury from Hartlepool, he had helped them to a 2-0 victory over Chester – including a certain Roberto Martinez - to land a tie at Ipswich in the third round. Stephen looks back: ‘I had a kip after training one day, woke up in the hotel room and put BBC World News on. There it was, my picture on the telly! I thought I was having a nightmare. I just thought “what the f…”. ‘We’d been kicked out of the cup because I was ineligible, the secretaries hadn’t registered me. I was gutted. I felt guilty because people didn’t realise it wasn’t my fault.’ Phil was back at home on South Tyneside, also unaware of what had happened. ‘I saw it on the news and thought, “what the hell is going on here? Why is my twin on World news?”,’ he remembers. ‘It’s funny though, we were in the pub on a quiz machine one day and that question came up. It’s been mentioned in wedding speeches and all sorts.’ The brothers themselves are yet to marry, although Phil moved in with his girlfriend earlier this month – ‘I secretly hate his missus for taking him away,’ says Stephen. It is the first time they have not shared a house and both agree they would have been lost without each other. Phil says: ‘Being twins is so good for you. If he did something then it spurred me to do it. For example, when we were at Hartlepool after signing YTS, I kicked on a bit and got picked for England youths. I came back and he was nutting the back gate – he was going off it.’ ‘I felt like a reject,’ says Stephen. ‘He got called up for England and I couldn’t get in the youth team. Two months later I was in the first-team. That’s always been the way, one of us would do something then the other would do something better.’ Stephen celebrates after scoring in his side's 2-1 win against Hartlepool in the second round of the FA Cup . Gateshead's Phil will be hoping his side can eliminate Premier League outfit West Brom . Phil adds: ‘It was like at the end of last season when we went to Wembley in the Conference play-offs, it was amazing. ‘Then he comes in with a Top Trump and scores a free-kick in front of £2.4million people.’ Before that goal, engineer Stephen had spent six months in the boiler room of a cruise ship. ‘It was horrific – 45 degrees and proper graft,’ says the Blyth anchorman. ‘I never thought I’d be playing in the third round of the FA Cup when I was in there. But I’ll be back on the ships in 2016, this will be my last year playing football. ‘You have to think long-term, we’re not playing in the Prem. Phil’s the same and he’s doing his teacher training. We went to college when we were professionals at Hartlepool and got our degrees together. We’re switched on in that sense. You have to be at the level we’re at. There’s no excuse. ‘We’ve always made sacrifices – missing school discos, New Year’s Eve, holidays – and I suppose all of this now is a little bit of payback.’ Is there, though, another chapter to be written in the story of the Turnbull twins? Stephen insists: ‘Both of us can definitely get a result. We won’t get battered. ‘The pitch at our place isn’t great, it’ll be freezing cold and the ground will be rammed and rocking. ‘You’ve got to remember – they’ve got two arms, two legs and a head. I’ve played against players from the Prem and yeah, they’re consistently better, but we can be better than them on our day. ‘Bring it on. It’s the FA Cup. We love it.’ With this pair, you get the feeling there might just be another tale to tell come tea-time. | Phil Turnbull's Gateshead face West Brom in the third round of the FA Cup .
His twin brother Stephen will be hoping to play against Birmingham .
Stephen scored in Blyth Spartans' second round win at Hartlepool . |
204,291 | 947a308108ff655741ce6c2c2d9fb39ed2c725ff | William Hague announced mroe sanctions on Russians - adding current violent in Ukraine was 'deplorable' William Hague announced new sanctions on Russia yesterday, as escalating violence in Ukraine left the mayor of its second city fighting for his life. The EU is set to slap travel bans and asset freezes on another 15 individuals today, including members of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. Hours earlier Barack Obama announced the US would extend their sanctions to seven more oligarchs close to Mr Putin, and 17 businesses linked to them. In an update on the crisis, Mr Hague told the Commons the latest clashes yesterday - in which the mayor of the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine was shot in the back - were ‘deplorable’. The Mayor, Hennady Kernes, a controversial figure for both sides, was reportedly out cycling on the city’s outskirts when approached by an unknown gunman. He was in a ‘grave but stable’ condition last night, his office said. A former supporter of the ousted pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukoych and critic of the pro-EU protests which deposed him, he has recently spoken out for a united Ukraine and against the pro-Moscow insurgents who have seized government buildings, set up roadblocks and called for Russian annexation of eastern Ukraine. Western countries accuse Moscow of supporting these separatist gunmen occupying official buildings in several eastern cities and last week seized seven Western military observers. Mr Hague, who was questioned by some MPs about why the sanctions fell short of a boycott of Russia’s financial and energy interests, said preparations for a third tier of EU sanctions, which would have far reaching economic and trade measures were ‘well advanced’. The 15 individuals announced yesterday takes the number of Russians subject to EU sanctions to 48. Their names will be released by the EU today. The US list hits close aides of Mr Putin, including Igor Sechin, a former KGB officer now head of oil giant Rosneft. Scroll down for video . The EU is set to slap travel bans on 15 individuals - including members of Putin's inner circle . Fighting for life: Gennady Kernes, the mayor of Kharkiv, was shot in the back today. Just last week, he rallied pro-Russian supporters during a demonstration at the town's city hall . Mr Hague said £63 billion worth of capital has been moved out of Russia since the crisis began, and its economy is forecast to shrink this year. ‘Russia is already paying a serious price for its actions and the longer it breaches the independent sovereignty of Ukraine the heavier the price it will pay’, he said. ‘Russia’s actions betray their fear of democracy and the rule of law taking root in their neighbourhood. These actions are not consistent with being a strong and confident country and are also in breach of international agreements and the UN charter to which Russia is a party. 'It is in Russia’s power to help find ways for tensions to be reduced in Ukraine and the doors of diplomacy remain fully open.’ Mr Hague said the Ukrainian government had behaved with ‘immense restraint’ in the face of provocation, while the Russian government had failed to take ‘a single positive step’. Pro-Russian protesters attack a Ukranian protester during a rally in the eastern city of Donetsk . Pro-government supporters march during a protest in the eastern city . Over the past two weeks groups of masked militant with automatic weapons have been seizing government buildings in eastern cities to destabilise Ukraine - in open defiance of a peace deal signed in Geneva last week, which called for them to be surrendered. Yesterday gunmen took over a building in the city of Kostyantynivka – 100 miles from the Russian border. Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said Ukraine was the greatest threat to the European security order ‘in decades’ and raised the spectre of war again in Europe, which many people had thought was now ‘all but impossible’. President Obama said the US was prepared to go further if the situation escalated. ‘The goal is not to go after Mr Putin personally,’ Mr Obama said, ‘The goal is to change his calculus with respect to how the current actions that he’s engaging in in Ukraine could have an adverse impact on the Russian economy over the long haul.’ | EU set to place travel bans and asset freezes on 15 individuals .
Thought to include members of Putin's inner circle .
Obama said US would extend sanctions to seven oligarchs and 17 businesses linked to them hours earlier .
William Hague told Commons violent clashes in Ukraine were 'deplorable' |
46,731 | 83adb06c916e1a600ad3f59ad6290bdebf6e39d1 | (CNN) -- If you're on Facebook, Twitter or any other social networking site, you could be the next victim. Experts say cybercrooks are lurking just a mouse click away on popular social networking sites. That's because more cyberthieves are targeting increasingly popular social networking sites that provide a gold mine of personal information, according to the FBI. Since 2006, nearly 3,200 account hijacking cases have been reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the FBI, the National White Collar Crime Center and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. It starts with a friend updating his or her status or sending you a message with an innocent link or video. Maybe your friend is in distress abroad and needs some help. All you have to do is click. When the message or link is opened, social network users are lured to fake Web sites that trick them into divulging personal details and passwords. The process, known as a phishing attack or malware, can infiltrate users' accounts without their consent. Once the account is compromised, the thieves can infiltrate the list of friends or contacts and repeat the attack on subsequent victims. Social networking sites show there is ample opportunity to find more victims; the average Facebook user has 120 friends on the site. "Security is a constant arms race," said Simon Axten, an associate for privacy and public policy at Facebook. "Malicious actors are constantly attacking the site, and what you see is actually a very small percentage of what's attempted." As some social networking sites experience monstrous growth, they are becoming a new -- and extremely lucrative -- frontier for cybercrime. Facebook says it has 300 million users, nearly the size of the U.S. population, and it continues to attract users outside the college student niche. From February 2008 to February 2009, Twitter, a micro-blogging site where users post 140-character messages known as tweets, grew 1,382 percent to more than 7 million users. "They [cybercriminals] are very adept to using social engineering," said Donald DeBold, director of threat research for CA, an Internet security company. "Your friend is in trouble traveling in another country, 'I lost my wallet. I need help.' They exploit the curiosity aspect out of human nature." A few decades ago, malicious software and viruses were usually the result of a prank, but Internet security experts say today's attacks are profit-driven. A study from the Indiana University in 2005 discovered that phishing attacks on social networks operated with a 70 percent success rate. These users had fallen for the scam, opened the foreign link and released personal information. Cybercriminals are employing phishing and malware attacks for a number of reasons, including trying to redirect users to sites where profit is fueled by the number of visitors. They also try to elicit private information like passwords and bank account numbers to perform scams. Early this year, Twitter experienced several phishing attacks in which a Web page that looked identical to the widely recognized light blue Twitter page was a hoax. The company warned users to double-check the URL to ensure they were visiting the correct site. The Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 72,000 complaints about Internet fraud in 2008 that were referred to law enforcement agencies for further investigation. These cases involved financial losses amounting to $264.6 million, an increase from 2007. Each person lost an average of $931. "Most of us would want to help a friend in need, but if it's an online friend, and they want you to wire money, you should double-check," FBI spokesman Jason Pack said. Security experts said it makes sense that cybercriminals are turning to social networking sites. Personal information is abundant on sites like Facebook and MySpace. Each time users give out valuable information like birth dates or addresses, they could be providing hints about their password, security experts say. The American Civil Liberties Union has expressed concern about the information visible through Facebook quizzes and applications. "They'll have access to all that information, so they can sell it, they can share it, they can do an awful lot with it," Chris Calabrese, legislative counsel for privacy-related issues with the ACLU, told CNN.com in September. Many Internet security experts consider the first virus attack on the PC to have occurred in 1986. By the early 1990s, viruses transmitted on floppy disks became ubiquitous. When the World Wide Web became widely available that same decade, viruses, worms and malware became problems in e-mail accounts, frustrating users who clicked on messages thought to be legitimate. In the new millennium, the most common form of malware attack has become known as drive-by downloads. While surfing on Google or Yahoo, spyware or a computer virus is automatically and invisibly downloaded on a computer, requiring no user interaction for the computer to be infected. "We are on the verge from shifting from the Web being the No. 1 victim of infecting to social network," said Mikko H. Hypponen, chief of research technology at F-Secure Corp. His company sells anti-virus software and malware protection programs. "It's going to get a lot worse before it gets better." Social networks are fighting the aggressive attacks from cybercriminals. Most sites have information pages dedicated to educating users about the risks of Internet scams. Users can become a fan of "Facebook Security" and receive updates on how to protect their accounts. One of the most common pieces of advice given by security experts is to change passwords frequently. Facebook has also developed complex automated systems that detect compromised accounts. They spot and freeze accounts that are sending an unusually high number of messages to their friends. Company security officials said Facebook is a closed system, which can be helpful in erasing phony messages from all accounts. At News Corporation's MySpace.com, the company creates blacklists of phony accounts to prevent people from clicking on a faulty link. Hemanshu Nigam, first chief security officer for MySpace, said the firm warns about suspicious links and educates users about the harm phishing and malware attacks can bring. "We are prepared for them," he said. | The FBI reports nearly 3,200 account hijacking cases since 2006 .
Online scam losses amounting to $264.6 million reported in 2008 .
Facebook has automated systems that detect compromised accounts .
MySpace.com creates blacklists of phony accounts . |
140,292 | 416b273afa2a650e07e55ac10150b707773dde79 | (CNN) -- It was still dark when Stan Brock began calling out numbers on his megaphone to admit a crowd of hundreds gathered at a Los Angeles sports arena Tuesday morning. A mobile health clinic offering free services has drawn thousands of people in Los Angeles in the last week. "We opened the door at 5:30 and there were 600-odd people already gathered," he told CNN. Over the last week, thousands seeking free medical care have turned up at the mobile health care clinic set up by Remote Area Medical, a non-profit organization founded by Brock. Tuesday marks the final day of its eight-day operation in Los Angeles, which so far has resulted in the provision of at least $2 million in free health care services, according to Brock's early estimates. Remote Area Medical, better known as RAM, is a volunteer organization that brings free medical, dental and vision care to people around the world. See other groups that provide much-needed health services » . Since its launch in 1985, RAM has sent expeditions to developing corners of the world, including Haiti, the Dominican Republic and India. But in recent years, the Knoxville, Tenn.-based organization has faced increasing demand for its services in the U.S., including from large urban areas. "We've had to cut back on services to needy places like Haiti because of overwhelming need in the U.S.," Brock told CNN. "We have to take care of the home front first." On the final day of the Los Angeles operation, Brock said crowds were still gathering with the hope of receiving care. Patients have spent hours waiting in line in the past week for the chance to get free care. RAM has had to turn away some patients because it didn't have enough volunteers to provide treatment. It hasn't reached its target of treating 1,500 patients a day, but Brock still considers the operation a success. He said RAM has treated at least 4,557 people, and that doesn't include figures from the last two days of the operation, which aren't available yet, he said. Many patients have used more than one service, resulting in roughly 11,500 patient encounters. That includes the extraction of nearly 1,800 bad teeth and the production of 1,090 pairs of new eyeglasses. While limited access to health care is often associated with developing countries, it's a problem that faces patients around the world. That's become increasingly clear as America debates the future of health care. Los Angeles is by far the largest urban community RAM has served so far. The organization has been besieged for requests from a number of metro areas, including Detroit, Seattle, Miami and Atlanta, Brock said. The lack of accessible health care from an economic standpoint is a problem that has been going on for decades, Brock said. "We could have come to Los Angeles 15 years ago and I guarantee there would have been just as big of a turnout of patients," he told CNN. Brock started RAM after spending 15 years in what used to be British Guiana -- now known as Guyana -- in South America. In that isolated area, it would take 26 days on foot to reach care, Brock recalled, and he wanted to find a way to bring medical care to such remote areas. RAM usually provides services in the Appalachia region of the U.S. where it's easier for volunteers to work, Brock said. Medical practitioners providing free care in Tennessee can be licensed in any state. Unfortunately, he said, other states don't have similar provisions, making it difficult for RAM to recruit enough local volunteers to be able to deal with the demand if they were to set up in areas like New York or Washington. Running the temporary clinic is practically a 24-hour operation. Brock's day starts at 4 a.m. and runs well into the night. But it's a rewarding experience for volunteers when they get to see how much their efforts have been appreciated, he said. "When you see a patient who has had thousands of dollars of free dental care come out of a dental chair and they've got tears in their eyes and hug the dentist and dental assistant, it makes it all worthwhile." | Pop-up clinic in Los Angeles has treated at least 4,500 patients in last week .
Non-profit Remote Area Medical behind the mobile medical center .
Founder Stan Brock says demand for free care not just limited to rural areas . |
89,193 | fd23c328b9a4c23896444dc58951122572845b9a | It might not be the safest place to nestle down for the night, but one resourceful - if foolhardy - blue tit has been captured on camera making a home inside a silver cigarette bin. The small bird well known in the UK for its white, blue, green and yellow feathers alights on a opening designed for cigarette butts to be thrown though. It has a quick look around before flying off again. The same bird returns and, without a thought, disappears straight inside. Scroll down for video . The small blue, yellow and green bird alights on a opening designed for cigarette butts to be thrown though . But making a nest inside may not be such a bad idea at all. The cigarette bin is secure, out of reach of predators and warm - so long as no one uses it to stub out their Benson & Hedges in. There have been other reported instances of blue tits seeking haven in similar spots. At Fairlawns Hotel, Aldridge in the West Midlands blue tits were spotted flying in and out of a cigarette bin on the outside wall of a function room, prompting management to put up a sign warning smokers not to use it. There have been other reported instances of blue tits seeking haven in similar spots in the UK . Another family of tits made their home in an ash tray bolted next to the entrance to a new community hall in Boat of Garten in the Cairngorms National Park. Winter can be a dire time for hungry blue tits. Families join up with other flocks to search for food and, according to the RSPB, a garden with four or five blue tits at a feeder at any one time may be feeding 20 or more. Living on the edge: The small bird has quick look around before disappearing straight inside . At Fairlawns Hotel in the West Midlands blue tits were also spotted flying in and out of a cigarette bin . | Blue tit captured on camera flying into a cigarette disposal unit .
Distinctive bird flies up to bin and disappears straight inside .
Blue tits have been found to nest in ash trays and bins throughout the UK . |
122,565 | 2a677f15b22c1f15c6b0579c8839d40ccadbcdb9 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 15:36 EST, 3 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:58 EST, 3 January 2013 . A Second World War fighter pilot and charity fundraiser had his house burgled days after he was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List. Graham Furley, 91, was asleep at his home in Stroud, Gloucestershire, when thieves broke in between midnight and 7am on New Year’s Day. The offender or offenders forced their way through a side window before searching the house, even opening the drawers next to the bed where he slept. Hero: Graham Furley (pictured) was burgled days after he was awarded a British Empire Medal . Mr Furley's daughter, Jane Oldmeadow, 60, who also lives in Stroud, said: ‘I think he’s feeling a bit sort of shell shocked about it all. ‘Your home should be your castle, it should be a place that you are safe and the fact that a stranger can be standing by your bedside, helping themselves to anything they like at night, is not really something you want to be thinking about. ‘He’s quite a strong character, so he’s quite cross about it - the fact that they’ve been in and taken his bits and pieces that matter to him.’ Among the items taken was a commemorative spitfire watch, which was a present from his daughter and son-in-law honouring his years as a wartime RAF pilot. Mr Furley was awarded a British Empire Medal (pictured) for his charity work . Describing the break-in, Mrs Oldmeadow said: ‘It was New Year’s Eve and my father had gone up to bed about 11.15pm. ‘He got disturbed at one point, got up, checked around, and heard what he thinks were fireworks being let off near-by, then went back to bed. ‘In the morning, he discovered that he had been broken into and a lower window had been forced in and people had been through the house, going through various bits and pieces and had gone up into his bedroom and gone through his bedroom while he was in bed. ‘They took his wallet and his phone, and some watches and then let themselves out.’ Mrs Oldmeadow said she was appealing to the people of Stroud for help catching those responsible. She added: ‘If publicising it helps to catch these people and stop it happening to other people, then that’s really the most important thing at this stage.’ ‘If somewhere somebody will say ‘That really isn’t on’, and if they do know someone that has turned up with something, they just might give it up.’ Mr Furley has worked for over 40 years to raise funds for charity as a member of Stroud Rotary Club and as part of the Stroud Hospitals League of Friends. His daughter said he was probably best known for his part in the club’s Christmas collection, which sees him assemble Santa’s float and tow it along behind his white VW Beetle to raise money for charity. ‘I suppose 90 per cent of his time is spent doing things for other people,’ Mrs Oldmeadow said. ‘He does a lot of work for Stroud Hospital, he spent all the Christmas period out with a float and grotto that he creates collecting money for good local charities. Break-in: Thieves forced their way into his house through a side window (file picture) ‘I think a lot of people have felt it was something he should have been recognised for, and fortunately on this occasion it came right for him.’ She added that her father had been ‘flattered’ if somewhat ‘mystified’ to find out he had received the honour. Police Sergeant Jo Fletcher, of Gloucestershire Police, said: ‘This gentleman is one of the country’s heroes, having courageously served as a fighter pilot in the Second World War. ‘This remarkable man literally put his life on the line to protect the nation and ensure freedom for future generations and then continued in his civilian life by devoting himself to charity work. ‘For someone to break into his house is a despicable act and whoever has done this should be ashamed of themselves. ‘We are calling on anyone who knows anything about this burglary to come forward and help us catch those responsible.’ Other items taken included two watches with multi-dials and brown straps, a brown leather wallet, a number of debit and credit cards and a black Apple iPhone. | Graham Furley was asleep when thieves broke in to his home in Stroud .
They searched the house and opened drawers next to bed where he slept .
Mr Furley's commemorative watch - a present from his children - was taken . |
145,827 | 489096762def89d35e9b78c7716cc20f6475ad3a | By . Ian Drury . PUBLISHED: . 06:34 EST, 5 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:00 EST, 5 December 2013 . Defence chiefs controversially delayed introducing a warning system which could have prevented a mid-air collision between RAF jets that killed three airmen. Squadron Leader Samuel Bailey and Flight Lieutenants Hywel Poole and Adam Sanders died when two £40million Tornado GR4 warplanes crashed during a training mission over north-east Scotland. The fighter-bombers, each carrying a pilot and a navigator, spun out of control and plunged into the Moray Firth on July 2012. Killed: Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders, pictured, was one of the men killed in the 2012 crash . Wreckage: These chunks of the Tornado jet planes were recovered from the Moray Firth, where the planes crashed last July . But the Ministry of Defence yesterday confirmed it had identified a collision warning system for the fast jets four years before the fatal accident. And the state-of-the-art £53.5million device was not finally approved for the Tornados until October 2012 - three months after the tragedy. Military sources said cost-saving in the cash-strapped MoD meant the RAF was forced to shelve the scheme in favour of other kit. An RAF board of inquiry has completed a report on last summer's collision and handed a copy to the procurator fiscal who will decide whether a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) will be held. The board's findings have not been published. The conclusions of the report are understood to be 'problematic' for defence chiefs, a source told the Mail. Last night Angus Robertson, the Moray SNP MP, said the absence of collision avoidance equipment on the Tornados should be 'an important consideration' for any inquiry into the doomed aircraft. Tragic: Flight Lieutenant Hywel Poole, left, and Squadron Leader Samuel . Bailey, right, also died in the crash . He said: 'No doubt the absence of a collision avoidance system in Tornado fast jets will be an important consideration and these parliamentary answers from the Ministry of Defence shed light on the issue. 'As in all tragic cases which involved the death and injury of service personnel our thoughts must be with those directly and indirectly affected. 'It is imperative that all lessons are learnt from the Tornado collision over the Moray Firth.' Mr Robertson uncovered the delay in the procurement of collision warning equipment for the fighter jets after asking a series of Parliamentary Questions. Defence Equipment Minister Philip Dunne confirmed a 'commercial off-the-shelf' traffic collision avoidance system' was recommended by the MoD in 2008. He said the £53.5million was approved for installation in October 2012 and a contract for the work required was awarded in December that year. Tributes: A family lays flowers at Lossiemouth airbase following the crash . The first two jets to be fitted with the system were delivered to the RAF in August this year. The roll out of the equipment is to be completed by December 2014. Mr Dunne said: 'A Tornado traffic collision avoidance system has been developed which is expected to achieve initial operating capability by the end of next year.' Insiders in Whitehall said the delay in approving the collision warning system had occurred because of a shortage of cash at the MoD. The Tory-led Coalition elected in May 2010 was forced to order the sprawling department to make savings of £4.7billion over five years and plug a £38billion black hole in funding for the equipment programme. 'There was only a limited amount of money,' said one source. 'If you haven't got it, you can't spend.' Defence chiefs might also have thought twice about spending millions of pounds upgrading warplanes that will be taken out of service in 2018. Slavage: The Tornado's wheel is visible as the wreckage is retrieved . Checks: Air ground crew work on Tornado planes at RAF Lossiemouth in the days following the crash . Sq Ldr Bailey, 36, from Nottingham, Flt Lt Poole, 28, from Bangor, North Wales, and Flt Lt Sanders, 27, from Lancashire, died in the accident close to the Beatrice oilfield in the Moray Firth. Sq Ldr Paul Evans survived but was badly injured. The crew were all from 15 (Reserve) Squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth. They were understood to be taking part in practice bombing runs in fog. The Tornado GR4 is a two-seat attack aircraft which is capable of delivering a variety of bombs and missiles, including Brimstone, Paveway and Storm Shadow, has a maximum altitude of 50,000ft and a top speed of Mach 1.3. The Tornado has been in service with the RAF since 1979 and the frontline squadrons are veterans of a string of conflicts with hundreds of hours flying experience. An MoD spokesman said: 'There are already a range of mitigation measures in place to minimise the risk of mid-air collision and tragic incidents such as that in Moray are extremely rare. 'A specifically designed Tornado Collision Warning System, which will be another tool for pilots to use, is currently being trialled and will be in service in next year.' | Three airmen died when two Tornado jets collided over Scotland in 2012 .
Squadron Leader Samuel Bailey and Flight Lieutenants Hywel Poole and Adam Sanders were killed .
The Ministry of Defence yesterday said a warning system was planned .
But the £53.5million equipment was not approved until after the crash .
Insiders said the installation was delayed because of a cash shortage . |
19,968 | 38b3638e5996c8cf2cd0ebd028c2ce3af939614e | By . Aaron Sharp . PUBLISHED: . 00:16 EST, 28 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:50 EST, 28 November 2013 . Grand plans: Mr Bercow will call upon Silicon Valley giants to help form a 'blueprint' for the introduction of online voting . Technology giants Facebook, Google and Twitter are to help plan a digital revolution in the British democratic system, which could see people casting their votes online. The radical plan is the brainchild of the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP, who has revealed his ambition to pioneer one of the biggest shake-ups in the history of our electoral process. In a speech to the Hansard society yesterday, Mr Bercow said he will ask leading figures from Silicon Valley technology giants such as Google and Facebook to draw up a blueprint for the implementation of digital ballots in the UK. He will chair the first ever Speaker’s commission on 'digital democracy', which has set itself the task of modernising the voting system in a bid to boost turn-out figures and make the democratic process more inclusive. In his speech, Mr Bercow said: 'What we are talking about here is nothing less than a Parliament version 2.0.' Revealing plans to heighten levels of scrutiny and accountability using technology, Mr Bercow also said a new system should include 'e-dialogue' between MPs and their constituents. He even hinted that a digital revolution could loosen current election timetables, seeing ballots become more frequent. According to the Speaker's office, the commission will 'embrace the opportunities afforded by . the digital world to become more effective in representing the people, . making laws and scrutinising the work and performance of government. 'It . should also consider how Parliament can become more relevant to the . increasingly diverse population it seeks to serve'. Work will start at the beginning of next year with the aim of outlining an action plan for the implementation of the proposals by 2015. That deadline falls in line with the 750th anniversary of the founding of Parliament. Inclusive: According to Mr Bercow, one of the benefits of e-voting is that it will make casting a vote more convenient for those who may not be able to easily access a ballot box . The Speaker plans to use the example of Estonia to champion his cause. The Baltic state was the first in the world to introduce internet voting. It proved a popular alternative for citizens in their 2011 ballot, with around a quarter choosing to cast their votes online. Estonians are now able to vote digitally using just their national identity card. They can also register a vote via mobile phone with a Pin code. The Speaker said he plans to consult global internet powers such as Facebook so that the ideas are not just those of people inside Westminster . Initial reaction to the idea of internet voting in Britain has been luke-warm from sources inside the three major parties. One told the Independent: It may happen one day, but not yet. There would be big questions about security. Our system is one of the least corrupt, but there have been a few problems with postal voting and that highlights the potential danger of moving to online.' But Mr Bercow said the idea of introducing the online community into the very heart of British Democracy should be 'unpredictable, potentially anarchic' and 'quite fun.' | John Bercow MP wants parliament to consider 'e-voting' by 2015 .
He has called upon internet giants to help draw up blueprint for change .
The Speaker has been inspired by Estonia which allows internet voting . |
230,563 | b69412b1c240e307e785d533505f99125cf134ca | MONTEREY PARK, California (CNN) -- Five men are accused of starting a massive Malibu wildfire at that destroyed more than 50 homes and forced about 15,000 people to evacuate. A firefighter works to contain a wildfire threatening homes in Malibu, California, on November 24. Authorities say the five, ranging in ages from 18 to 27, were drinking in a popular party spot in a cave at the park when they started the fire. All five are from the Los Angeles area and are being charged with three felonies -- including two arson-related charges. Each count carries a sentence of two to four years in prison. Baca said investigators traced the fire to the cave, then used receipts and surveillance camera footage from a nearby store to hunt down the men. Investigators would not comment on why the men started the fire. During the investigation, fire officials speculated that a campfire may have started the blaze -- which engulfed roughly 5,000 acres and destroyed 80 structures, including the 53 homes. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in the wake of the fire, which started on November 24. The blaze, which was fueled by dry Santa Ana winds and low humidity, followed a spate of California wildfires in October that charred more than 508,000 acres in several counties. Those fires forced 1 million people from their homes and left 14 people dead. The men are expected to make their first court appearance on Monday. E-mail to a friend . | NEW: Men were partying in a cave .
All five are from the Los Angeles area and are being charged with three felonies .
Receipts and surveillance camera footage helped investigators find the men .
Fire engulfed about 5,000 acres and destroyed more than 50 homes last month . |
53,132 | 96b6ad650b9a005c877326647874d4a01907da04 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 15:07 EST, 29 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:42 EST, 29 November 2013 . The First Lady, daughters Sasha and Malia and the Obamas’ two beloved dogs decked in matchng Santa hats were all on hand this morning to welcome the White House Christmas tree at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The 18-and-a-half-foot Douglas fir was presented to the first family by Christopher Botek, a second-generation Christmas tree farmer from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. The majestic tree will be the centerpiece of the first family's Christmas celebration - Sunny the dog's ever first in the White House. The fir was hauled up the driveway by horse-drawn wagon festooned with bows and is destined for the Blue Room. Scroll down for video . Seasons' greetings: First Lady Michelle Obama (L), daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2nd R), dogs Bo and Sunny(L) welcome the Official White House Christmas Tree to the White House November 29 . First pets: Mrs Obama holds her dog Sunny (left), the newest addition to the first family, while Sasha and Malia Obama are pictured with Bo (right) Welcome wagon: The 18-and-a-half-foot Douglas fir was hauled up the driveway by horse-drawn carriage festooned with bows . There it will stand tall as the main attraction of White House holiday decorations. An army of volunteer decorators and White House staffers will participate in a weekend marathon of tree trimming, wreath hanging and other holiday decorating to transform the building in time for a preview of the decorations that’s set for Wednesday afternoon. The fir arrived in the North Portico of the White House at 11am Friday. ‘We are honored to have it,’ the first lady said, according to ABC News. ‘This is the best part of the holiday season, when our tree comes. They're impressed: The first family admired the impressive size and healthy appearance of this year's tree . Special occasion: The first dogs, Sunny (right) and Bo (left) had Santa hats tied around the necks as they welcomed the tree . Mrs Obama jokingly asked Sunny, who will be celebrating her very first Christmas in the White House, what she thoughy of the majestic tree . Mrs Obama then proceeded to carefully inspect the massive fir, touching its needles and inhaling the aroma before asking her daughters what they thought of this year’s selection. ‘I love it,’ Malia said. ‘We’ll keep it.’ The first lady, who was holding Sunny – the newest addition to the first family – on a leash jokingly asked the fluffy pooch what was her opinion. ‘What do you think, Sunny?… This is Sunny’s first Christmas tree arrival,’ the proud dog owner announced. In honor of the festive occasion, both Sunny and Bo, the Obamas’ Portuguese water dogs, wore Santa hats tied around their necks. While during President Obama’s annual . turkey pardoning ceremony Wednesday it was Malia who nearly stole the . show with her green Doc Marten boots, on Friday it was Sasha's turn to . put her best foot forward in a pair of futuristic silver-and-black Oxford lace-ups. Festive photo op: The fir was presented to the first family by Christopher Botek, a second-generation Christmas tree farmer from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Pennsylvania . Best foot forward: Malia turned up to accept the tree in a pair of futuristic silver-and-black shoes . Grand entrance: In accordance with tradition, the fir arrived in the North Portico of the White House . In an earlier interview with Ladies' Home Journal, Mrs Obama explained that the Christmas tree in the Blue Room – the largest in the house – has always been dedicated to military families, Detroit Free Press reported. This year, the first lady said that the Douglas fir will be festooned with photos of military homecomings. Special ornaments: The first lady said the Douglas fir will be decorated with photos of military homecomings . This is the third time since 2006 that the first family – first the Bushes and then the Obamas - have turned to the Crystal Spring Tree Farm for the officialsWhite House tree, NBC Philadelphia reported. Last year’s tree came from North Carolina. This year, the Obamas tried to obtain a tree from New Jersey’s Wykoff Tree Farm, which had won the National Christmas Tree Association's annual contest, but the growers did not have anything big enough to fill the Blue Room of the White House, according to MyFoxDC. | The 18-and-a-half-foot Douglas fir arrived from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Pennsylvania .
Tree will be decorated with photos of military homecomings and placed in the Blue Room .
This year marks first time Sunny will celebrate Christmas in the White House with the first family . |
58,975 | a74cf0a0d0e0fb21f406597b303096578d61c8b2 | (CNN)If laughter is the best medicine then Patrick "Salvado" Idringi should be Uganda's chief doctor. The comedian's blend of laugh-out-loud humor and cheeky charm has brought him widespread following in his home country and abroad, and even landed him inside the pages of Vogue. However, he has followed an unorthodox path to success, having spent years working as a switch engineer for one of Uganda's biggest telecoms companies. It was only when he entered a comedy competition on the encouragement of his sisters and came second that he realized he could make a living out of his funnyman persona. "I left my job in 2011 because I was making unserious money by being serious. I realized you can make serious money from being unserious," Salvado says. But leaving secure employment with a regular monthly paycheck had been far from easy, and the comedian had to quickly learn the ropes of being a freelance performer. Some gigs would offer beer instead of payment, but Salvado soon realized that that wasn't going to help him pay his rent. "Leaving my job was one of the hardest moments of my life, especially the first month, because I wasn't sure how I was going to make ends meet," he says. He even entertained the idea of returning to his old job, but in the end stuck with his new profession. "I was patient, because deep down in my heart I knew it was going to work. I didn't know how long it would take, but I definitely knew it was going to work," he says. Salvado mines his own personal experience for his show material, and attributes his success to his openness to talk about subjects that some comedians in Uganda might avoid, such as sex, love and death. He says that, while he loved engineering, he always felt something was missing, and that he wasn't using his full potential, but that comedy has helped him grow as a person. "When you do a joke today, there's no way you're going to do it tomorrow. So you're challenged to do something better, you're challenged to use your head, to use your mind, to use every part of your body to the best of your ability," Salvado says. "It has helped me actually exploit most of the things that I didn't know I could do. So I should say comedy has changed my life." | Patrick 'Salvado' Idringi is one of Uganda's best known comedians .
He had previously worked as an engineer for a telecoms company .
Salvado attributes his success to his readiness to talk openly about taboo subjects . |
155,044 | 546073b06b9e474fd0bf9ae099afa05953bc6c79 | LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Some lucky Michael Jackson fans got the e-mails they were hoping for Sunday, saying they've won two free tickets to Tuesday's memorial service. Some memorial tickets went out to "friends and family" on Sunday. "OMG OMG OMG OMG i got tickets to the michael jackson memorial service!!!" Deka Motanya wrote Sunday afternoon in a Twitter message. The 8,750 fans chosen were summoned to Dodger Stadium Monday to pick up their tickets and have a wristband placed on their arms to prevent them from reselling them. The Michael Jackson memorial, set for 10 a.m. (1 p.m. ET) Tuesday in the Staples Center arena, is expected to be a star-studded and emotional tribute to the entertainer, who died June 25. Twitter.com served as a seismograph Sunday as fans anxiously watched their inboxes for an e-mail from AEG Live, the memorial organizer and Staples Center owner. More than five hours after the notifications were to be sent, none had been received. "Come on and let me know, Staples ... did I win tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial?" read one tweet posted at 3 p.m., four hours after the e-mails were supposed to start flowing. One woman wrote she "is checking her e-mail anxiously to see if she got tickets to the Michael Jackson memorial at the Staples Center." Just before 5 p.m. (8 p.m. ET), Twitter erupted with messages of excitement: . "I won the Michael Jackson tickets for Tuesday!!!! Heading to LA tmrw!!!!" read one tweet that linked to a photo of an iPhone screen with the e-mail. Watch reporters prepare for Tuesday's service » . "Apparently my dad's friend who hates Michael Jackson, may have won tickets tu the memorial service... Step-mom's freaking out..!" Other messages came from disappointed fans who did not get the e-mails: . "I guess i didnt make the drawing to win tickets to Michael Jackson Memorial!!! go figure, I'm sadden and hurt :-(" The odds of winning the tickets were long -- just one of every 182 were chosen. Organizers used a computer to choose 8,750 names from 1.6 million who registered online since Friday. Motanya, 27, works in a doctor's office in San Francisco, California. She scrambled Sunday night to line up plane tickets so she and her boyfriend could fly to Los Angeles Monday to claim her tickets. "Oh yeah, I'm going," she told CNN. "I'm e-mailing my boss saying I've got to leave early because I'm going to L.A." Each winner gets two tickets, bringing the number awarded in the lottery to 17,500. Just 11,000 of those are for seats inside the Staples Center, while the other 6,500 are for viewing the memorial telecast across the street at the Nokia Theater. iReport.com: "Surreal journey" to get tickets . Winner must meet other requirements "in order to avoid the reselling of tickets," according to a news release from the Jackson family. The notification gives them a secret code and instructions to appear at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to claim their tickets. Along with their tickets, they will get the wristbands "one of which will be placed on their wrist at that time," the family statement said. "Fans attending the memorial service must have both a valid ticket AND a wristband," the Jackson family statement said. "Wristbands that have been ripped, taped or otherwise mutilated will be void." The Jackson family set aside 9,000 Staples Center seats to give out to people they choose, according to organizers. Some people were seen picking up those "friends and family" tickets at Dodger Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Two wristbands, one blue and one gold, were given out with each ticket. Ticketholders were instructed that they must wear the wristbands to validate their tickets. Police have said no one will be allowed near the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles without tickets or media credentials. | Just before 5 p.m. (8 p.m. ET), Twitter erupted with messages of excitement .
Each winner gets two tickets, bringing the number awarded in the lottery to 17,500 .
The odds of winning the tickets were long -- just one of every 182 were chosen .
Police: No one will be allowed near memorial without tickets or media credentials . |
132,281 | 37142c782e574cc1469a70f67e79b810faf34164 | A U.S. naval drone has been found floating off the coast of the Philippines - hundreds of miles away from the nearest American military base. The fishermen who found the 10ft orange device originally reported that it could have been a bomb, prompting local officials to send munitions experts out into the sea. But when it was determined to be safe, the unmanned aerial vehicle was taken into the care of the Filipino navy. Found: This U.S. naval drone has been discovered floating in the waters off Masbate in the Philippines . Mystery: It is unclear how the military device ended up so far from any American base . The BQM-74E drone, marked 'Navy', was found by a diver and fishermen on Sunday off the coast of Masbate Island, towards the centre of the island chain. A Filipino naval officer said officials did not know how the UAV ended up near the island, more than 200 miles from the capital Manila. The drones are frequently used by the U.S. military as targets during training exercises and weapons testing. Recovery: Filipino fishermen bringing in the unmanned aerial vehicle on a boat on Sunday . Target: This type of drone is used in military drills and weapons testing rather than for combat or surveillance . Location: Masbate is in the middle of the island chain and has been plagued with communist guerrillas . A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Manila said officials were trying to work out whether the one which was found near Masbate had in fact been used by the Navy. She added that the drone was not armed and had not been used for surveillance. While the Philippines used to host multiple U.S. military bases, the American naval facility in the country was shut down more than two decades ago. The nearest U.S. Navy base to Masbate is the facility in the Japanese province of Okinawa, around 1,000 miles away. Taken: The device is now being looked after by the Filipino navy . Far off: The nearest U.S. naval base is in Okinawa in Japan, around 1,000 miles away . Masbate is in a region which has frequently been plagued by communist guerillas. U.S. counterterrorism troops are banned from operating on the ground in the country, but have used surveillance drones to help Filipino forces track down jihadists with links to Al Qaeda. At least two U.S. drones have apparently been taken by villagers after crashing on the island of Mindanao. | U.S. official insists vehicle did not carry weapons or surveillance cameras . |
253,277 | d3d48cd84e1abebe94efd0263647c8a41c836136 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 00:16 EST, 24 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 00:18 EST, 24 May 2013 . European Tour CEO George O'Grady has been forced to apologise for using the word in an 'inappropriate' way . The head of the European golf tour has apologised for using the term 'coloured' reopening a racism row involving players Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods. European Tour CEO George O'Grady said that 'most of Sergio's friends are coloured athletes in the United States.' But speaking after he made the offensive remarks, he said: I deeply regret using an inappropriate word in a live interview for Sky Sports for which I unreservedly apologise,' O'Grady, who is British, said in a statement released later Thursday. Woods and Garcia been locked in a bitter exchange of words over the past two weeks dating to the third round of The Players Championship when Garcia implied that Woods purposely stirred up the gallery as the Spaniard was playing a shot. But the situation turned nasty when Garcia and his Ryder Cup teammates were at a dinner. The emcee, Golf Channel's Steve Sands, jokingly asked Garcia if he would have Woods over for dinner during the U.S. Open. 'We'll have him round every night,' Garcia replied. 'We will serve fried chicken.' The remark was reminiscent of Fuzzy Zoeller's similar comment about Woods during his record-setting victory in the 1997 Masters, when Woods became the first player of black heritage to win a major. Garcia initially released an apologetic statement and followed it up Wednesday at a news conference from the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, site of the European Tour's flagship event. 'I feel sick about it and I feel truly, truly sorry,' he said. Garcia said he meant to give a funny answer to a playful question, and it turned out to be 'totally stupid and out of place.' Race row: Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods shake hands at the end of the third round of The Players . In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Woods said: 'The comment that was made wasn't silly. 'It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate. I'm confident that there is real regret the remark was made. 'The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it's long past time to move on and talk about golf.' | George O'Grady said 'most of Sergio's friends are coloured athletes'
He said he 'deeply regretted' using the word inappropriately . |
278,054 | f43aaa8edba9b7fc8aca980b8255079dbbb22bb3 | By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 07:54 EST, 10 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:24 EST, 10 December 2013 . The 'Peru Two' arrested for smuggling drugs in South America are set to spend Christmas in jail after a strike by court staff delayed attempts to get them released. Melissa Reid and fellow smuggler Michaella McCollum, both 20, were due to appear in court today but industrial action meant the case could not be heard, it was reported. The pair, who had hoped a plea deal would get them home to Britain for Christmas, have now been warned they will not be seen by a judge for at least another five months. Scroll down for video . Behind bars: British citizen Melissa Reid (left) and Michaella McCollum Connolly (right), both pictured in handcuffs, are escorted from a truck to court at Sarita Colonia prison in Callao, Peru . Reid and McCollum had hoped the deal would be agreed with a judge so they could apply to serve their sentence in the UK. A source close to Reid, of Lenzie, near Glasgow, and Ulsterwoman McCollum told the Daily Record: 'It is devastating news for them.' The women were caught in August smuggling £1.5million worth of cocaine out of Peru. McCollum . and Reid initially claimed they were kidnapped, held at gunpoint and . forced to board a flight from Lima to Spain with 24lbs of cocaine in . food packets hidden inside their luggage when they were arrested. But . in September McCollum, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, and co-accused Reid, . from Glasgow, pleaded guilty to drug smuggling when they appeared before . a judge. McCollum and Reid initially claimed they were kidnapped, held at gunpoint and forced to board a flight from Lima to Spain with 24lb of cocaine . In a video, Reid says she was forced to take 'these bags' in her luggage. She says she didn't know there were drugs inside them . They had hoped the behind-closed-doors admission would be enough to secure a shorter sentence . Prosecutors have now approved the deal, leaving a judge to make the final decision,the Daily Record reported. If . their pleas are turned down by the court, prosecutors could force them . to return to the interrogation room and give more details about the . smuggling gang which allegedly gave them the drugs. Caught out: The pair were found with 24lb of cocaine hidden in food packets inside their luggage when they were arrested . | Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum, both 20, were due in court .
The pair had hoped a plea deal would get them home to Britain .
But they have been warned they face another 5 months behind bars .
They were caught in August smuggling £1.5m of cocaine out of Peru . |
149,570 | 4d61e4abd74f478cda8346e08ba3f306984dcf67 | By . David Mccormack . Lawyers for two women accused of pummeling and kicking a 23-year-old woman who died after a fight outside a California nightclub have claimed that the dead woman was threw the first punch and their clients were acting in self-defense. Candace Brito, 27, and Vanesa Zavala, 26, have pleaded not guilty in the death of Annie Hung Kim Pham, who was taken off life support after the fight outside the Santa Ana bar-restaurant in the early morning hours of Jan. 18. The case drew enormous attention after Pham’s death, in part because the brawl that was captured by several bystanders on cellphone video that will provide key evidence in the case. Scroll down for video . Candace Brito, left, and Vanesa Zavala, right, have pleaded not guilty in the death of Annie Hung Kim Pham, who was taken off life support after the fight outside the Santa Ana bar-restaurant in January . The women’s trial began on Wednesday and defense attorneys say Pham threw the first punch and their clients were acting in self-defense. If convicted, they each face a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison. During opening arguments, Brito’s attorney, Michael Molfetta, told jurors that it was Pham’s own ‘poor decisions’ that led to her death. ‘She didn’t deserve to die, but the fact is she died because she took umbrage over a bump,’ Molfetta said. Pham, who went by the first name Kim, graduated from Chapman University last year and would have celebrated her first wedding anniversary last month . Zavala’s attorney also said his client had been wrongly charged with murder and that she had a right to defend herself after being attacked by Pham. Video of a brawl outside a Santa Ana nightclub that left a recent college graduate comatose was played repeatedly Wednesday . Kenneth Reed also predicted that jurors will ultimately be unable to determine which blow actually killed Pham during the chaotic scene outside the nightclub. “She can’t tell you if it was one blow at the beginning, one blow that happened at the end or one blow that happened in the middle,” Reed said of the medical examiner’s expected testimony. Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Troy Pino, though, said the two women deserve to be punished for Pham’s death. A video was played at the start of the trial of Candace Brito and Vanesa Zavala on Wednesday morning which showed the jury cellphone footage of the melee . Pham's friends told police the three women in the other group attacked Pham without provocation after they bumped into her . Pino said that at one point Zavala, who was pushed away from the fight, returns to the scrum and deals a final blow to Pham before Pham fell to the pavement unconscious. ‘Let the criminal system do its job and find justice for the victim,’ Pino said. During a preliminary hearing earlier this year, the forensic pathologist who conducted Pham's autopsy ruled the cause of death was blunt force injury to the head. But she testified that it was impossible to tell whether one specific blow caused the fatal brain bleeding and swelling, or if it came from all the blows in combination. Just who started the fight was in dispute during the hearing, with various witnesses describing different scenarios. Pham was an aspiring writer whose work was published online and in an anthology of works by Vietnamese-American writers . Pham and her group of 11 friends were waiting in line to get into the club as Brito, Zavala, a woman identified as ‘Amelia’ and two men were exiting. At some point, the groups bumped into each other. Pham's friends told police the three women in the other group attacked Pham without provocation after they bumped into her. Zavala told police that Pham's first swing hit her and the fight began. Pham, who went by the first name Kim, graduated from Chapman University last year and would have celebrated her first wedding anniversary last month. She was an aspiring writer whose work was published online and in an anthology of works by Vietnamese-American writers. The case drew enormous attention after Pham's death, in part because the brawl that was captured by several bystanders on cellphone video that will provide key evidence in the case . | Annie Hung Kim Pham was taken off .
life support days after the fight outside a Santa Ana bar-restaurant in the .
early morning hours of Jan. 18 .
Candace Brito, 27, and Vanesa Zavala, 26, have pleaded not guilty in the death, despite video footage showing them beating the woman .
Defense attorneys say Pham threw the first punch and their clients were acting in self-defense .
If convicted, they each face a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison . |
283,226 | fae3c4b5aed8065e22c16d375871023f0d90d5a8 | By . Emily Allen . PUBLISHED: . 11:02 EST, 9 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:02 EST, 9 August 2012 . A multi-millionaire who spent £40,000 on a 'Tarzan' climbing frame for his children in the grounds of his country mansion has been ordered to move it - and says the work will cost up to £50,000. Father-of-five Dominic Wainford, a 44-year-old director whose London-based Wainford Holdings investment firm which has been valued at £30 million, owns historic Heathfield Park in Sussex, a Grade II* listed manor house set in 350 acres of landscaped grounds. He built the huge adventure playground for his children three years ago and says he was never told he needed planning approval. Not happy: Dominic Wainford next to the £40,000 climbing frame outside his home in Heathfield Park which he has to move as Wealden Council thinks it's 'bulk and visually unsympathetic' Now he’s been ordered by Wealden Council to rip it down, with planning officers saying he should have applied for consent and it is 'bulky and visually unsympathetic' and must be shifted. Mr Wainford has been forced to apply to the council for permission to dismantle it and move it almost 100 feet to the other side of his driveway - work he says will cost £50,000. He said: 'When we bought the climbing frame, we were told it didn’t need planning permission. You can’t see it from the road and if you had enough strong men you could lift it up, so I was surprised when a planning consultant said we needed permission.' The playground, which includes a timber play house, climbing frame and slide, is nearly 35 feet long and more than 13 feet high, with three chutes, two slides, bridges and swings. He said: 'I’ve got five small children from nine months old to seven years and we can see them playing from the window. Sometimes with their friends, there can be 50 children on there and moving it further from the house will make it less safe. 'By the time I’ve paid for planning consultants and everything, it could have cost me £50,000 to get the job done. On the move: The playground, which includes a timber . play house, climbing frame and slide, is nearly 35 feet long and more . than 13 feet high, with three chutes, two slides, bridges and swings but has to be relocated . 'I’d much rather have been told where to put it in the first place and given the money to charity. It’s not fixed to anything and we’re just very disappointed.' 'There’s no animosity towards the council but I’m very disappointed about the whole thing. There’s been some suggestions that we’ve done this deliberately, but that’s not the case. 'We’re going to have to change the drive, put some gates up, and change the flow of traffic, because our main concern is to protect the safety of the children, and where it’s going to is a less safe environment.' The revised planning application has been agreed by council officers using delegated powers. Heathfield and Waldron Parish Council clerk Diana Francis said: 'My council supports the revised application and considers it a more suitable site, which would not impact upon the listed building.' Tom Foxall, historic buildings inspector for English Heritage, said: 'We previously expressed serious concerns about the positioning of a large children’s play area to the east of the Grade II*-listed Heathfield Park, but do not wish to object to this revised proposal to re-site it.' A Wealden council spokesman said: 'A structure of this size so close to a Grade II* listed building and inside a Grade II historic park, requires planning permission because it dominates its surroundings. 'We have been taking enforcement action to have it moved. We are pleased the owner has now obtained planning permission to move the climbing frame to a location that is more in keeping with the historic landscape at Heathfield Park.' | Dominic Wainford built the playground for his children three years ago and says he was never told he needed planning approval .
Planning officials say the £40,000 structure is 'bulky and visually unsympathetic' and must be shifted . |
158,853 | 59647a9682613984473482054d71991c8f9cbf3d | A New Jersey man was convicted of murder on Thursday for bludgeoning his wife with a frying pan then strangling her, apparently after they argued over the dire state of their finances. Former securities salesman Patrick Allen had been trying to hide the family's financial difficulties from his wife, Kimberly, before the argument that led to her death in 2011, prosecutors said. Allen, 47, of Middletown, had been concealing the fact that they were about to lose their home to foreclosure, prosecutors said. Convicted: Patrick Allen sits in Judge John T. Mullaney's courtroom where he was found guilty on Thursday of murdering his wife with a frying pan in 2011 . He also had more than $600,000 in debt, between two mortgages on the family's house and $25,000 in credit card debt, they said. Prosecutors claimed an argument ensued when his wife learned of the situation and Allen killed her while the couple's two children were at school. Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Maria Franceschini said she was pleased with the verdict. 'It's been a long trial,' she said. In her closing statement Wednesday, she picked up the frying pan wrapped in plastic and swung it to show jurors how Allen struck his wife over the head. She then showed jurors autopsy photos showing the result of Kimberly Allen being struck by the frying pan. Allen's attorney argued his client was about to come into some money that would have held off the foreclosure. He also claimed a mistrial should have been declared in the case because prosecutors on the eve of trial said they would not use interview footage of Allen, but changed their minds mid-trial and showed the footage to jurors. The lawyer said he would consult with his client about a possible appeal. The victim's sister, Barbara Stauff, held back tears as she thanked jurors and prosecutors for 'countless hours over the past three years' analyzing the evidence, The Asbury Park Press reported. Allen was convicted of first-degree murder and other counts. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 29. The tool: In this photo taken on Tuesday, 4, Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Maria Franceschini swings the frying pan that was used in the murder of Kimberly Allen by her husband Patrick Allen . | Patrick Allen had been trying to hide the family's financial difficulties from his wife, Kimberly, before the argument that led to her death in 2011 .
Allen, 47, of Middletown, had been concealing the fact that they were about to lose their home to foreclosure, prosecutors said .
He also had more than $600,000 in debt, between two mortgages on the family's house and $25,000 in credit card debt . |
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