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66,356 | bc3f96a46b6c8441d04547b6acd79689122724b5 | By . Belinda Robinson . She has been the face of ABC World News for the past five years – but tonight Diane Sawyer will end her reign as one of America’s best known anchors. The 68-year-old announced her departure a day earlier than most were expecting and tweeted: ‘See you tonight for my last anchoring - great adventures ahead!' It is the fourth time that ABC has swapped anchors since the death of ABC veteran Peter Jennings in 2005. Scroll down for video . Departure: Diane Sawyer sits on the set of 'World News With Diane Sawyer' she will say her final goodbye on August 27 2014 . Tweet: Ms Sawyer tweeted 'See you tonight for my last anchoring - great adventures ahead!' Anchors: Peter Jennings, left, Diane Sawyer and Tom Brokaw sit together during The Coro Foundation's 3rd Annual Commitment To Leadership Dinner at Tavern on the Green in New York City, New York . Earlier this year, ABC announced that her replacement will be David Muir, who often sits in the anchor chair when Ms Sawyer is off. He will officially take over the hot seat on September 2. According to sources, Ms Sawyer felt that the time was right to make her exit and has done so on her own terms. She confided in just a handful of close friends about her plan to leave and is leaving with little fuss or fanfare. It is being suggested that she wants to slow down and take things easier. Replacement: Her replacement will be David Muir, left, who often sits in the anchor chair when Ms Sawyer is off . But she has already signed up for a new 'adventure.' She will be heading up an investigative unit for ABC News but will not receive the bumper $20million salary that she reportedly got when she was the face of World News. Nevertheless she will remain at the heart of the news operation, working alongside reporters and editors who have been carefully chosen for the job. Many of her new colleagues are said to be already working for Nightline and Good Morning America. During her long career, Ms Sawyer has had several high profile roles. In 1984, she became the first female correspondent on 60 Minutes, a CBS News investigative-television news magazine. 60 MINUTES: In 1984, she became the first female correspondent on 60 Minutes (clockwise from far left) Ed Bradley, Mike Wallace, Harry Reasoner, Morley Safer and Diane Sawyer pictured here in 1986 . During her five years with 60 Minutes, the program regularly ranked among the top-five most-watched in the country . She moved to ABC in 1989 anchored the news magazines Primetime and 20/20 and later co-anchored Good Morning America. The well-loved anchor has had many career highs including interviews with past and present world leaders including President Obama, Saddam Hussein and Fidel Castro. She has also landed scoops which include the first interview with Jaycee Dugard about her years of captivity and abuse at the hands of Phillip Garrido. And the reporter and anchor managed to land an exclusive interviews with Amanda Knox. Scoop: After being held captive for 18 years, Jaycee Dugard talks to Diane Sawyer in her first interview since being discovered and freed . Interview: Diane Sawyer interviewed First Lady Michelle Obama for ABC Television Network . Exclusives: Amanda Knox spoke to Diane Sawyer during an exclusive interview . And in the ongoing ratings battle among news broadcasters ABC World News has been scoring well against NBC's Nightly News. In fact, according to Nielson, the network's ratings are at a five-year high. Ms Saywer managed to attract an average audience of about 7.36 million viewers to World News last week. In the coveted ‘news demo’ spot which is of concern to advertisers, ABC's World News led the pack. It had 1.918 million viewers of adults 25-54, followed by NBC's Nightly News With Brian Williams with 1.860 million and CBS Evening News With Scott Pelley with 1.635 million. Ms Sawyer is expected to jump back into the anchor chair for prime-time specials and big interviews. And ABC is said to be quietly hoping that her exit will draw viewers to watch tonight’s broadcast, as she says her final goodbye. | The 68-year-old announced that she was leaving a day .
earlier than expected .
She tweeted: ‘See you tonight for my .
last anchoring. Great adventures ahead!’
It is the fourth time that ABC has swapped anchors since the death of ABC News veteran Peter Jennings in 2005 .
Ms Sawyer will still head up an investigative .
unit for ABC News .
But she will no longer receive her reported $20million salary after her departure . |
105,378 | 13dfa20e21b5db74a7b759623ddc37f51cd8abc6 | By . Sara Nathan . Justin Bieber told Orlando Bloom 'Say hi to Miranda for me!' just moments after the actor tried to punch him in an altercation when they ran into each other in an Ibiza restaurant. The 20-year-old singer was reported to have got 'very close' to the model at an after-party at a New York hotel following the Victoria's Secret show in 2012, while she was still married to Bloom. Today, Miranda, 31, apparently tried to turn her back on her ex-husband's antics as she posted a picture of herself with their three-year-old son Flynn - swiftly followed by a provocative shot of her topless in the bath from her new campaign for 7 For All Mankind Jeans. Scroll down for video . Something better to concentrate on: Miranda Kerr made mo mention of her ex-husband's spat as she posted a picture of herself topless in the bath today - taken from her new campaign for 7 For All Mankind jeans . The model, who is rumoured to be dating Australian billionaire James packer, curiously wears a band on her ring finger in the picture. In a sneak peek video for the campaign, Miranda lies on a bed and says in a Marilyn Monroe-esque voice: . 'I love them... I love them,' referring, no doubt, to the jeans. Sultry: In a video sneak peek of the new campaign, the model lies topless on a bed as she eyes the camera . She knows how to work it: Miranda says breathlessly in the video, 'I love them... I love them' presumably referring to the jeans . She's a pro: Miranda gave a cheeky smile as her hair fell over her face . The incident between her estranged husband and Bieber, which happened in the early . hours of Wednesday morning, took place at the Cipriani restaurant on the Spanish Island of Ibiza, which was packed with . celebs, including Paris Hilton, and Diddy. An onlooker told MailOnline: 'As Justin walked off . he made the jibe at Orlando, which was only going to make him more . angry.' Clearly . trying to irritate the situation further, Bieber then posted a picture . of Miranda in a bikini with a symbol of a crown as a caption. Squaring up: Orlando Bloom, circled far left, confronts Justin Bieber, circled right, during a night out n Ibiza . Making an entrance: Bieber, wearing a white T-shirt and customary baseball cap, enters Ciprianis with his entourage . New footage, obtained exclusively by . MailOnline, captures the moment actor Orlando Bloom throws a punch at . Justin Bieber during a night out in Ibiza. The . incident was recorded by onlookers as Bieber crossed paths with the . Pirates of the Caribbean star shortly after entering popular eatery . Cipriani with his entourage. Bloom, who wears a light coloured shirt, appears to make a beeline for the Canadian star before throwing a single punch. Bieber's security team promptly pull the two apart before the incident spills over into the street. As members of their entourage engage in a . scuffle to keep the two stars apart, Bloom is seen walking away before . returning to gesticulate at Bieber, who sports one of his customary . baseball caps. Bieber can reportedly be heard in the video of the incident, yelling, “What’s up, b***?” to Bloom. Just what incited the incident is still a matter of confusion. TMZ reports that one version has Bieber extending his hand to Orlando, who refused it. When the singer asked what the problem was, he mentioned Miranda. As Bieber tried to walk away - Orlando 'swung'. A second version has Bieber telling Orlando that he slept with his wife - prompting Orlando to swing. Stirring the pot: Bieber posted this picture of Bloom appearing to be crying to his Instagram page on Wednesday . Following the incident Bieber greeted fans, seemingly oblivious to the ugly scenes that had just played out with the British heartthrob. As a throng of predominantly female onlookers neared, he cheerfully obliged them by posing for a series of snaps. He also appeared to make light of . his altercation with Bloom by grinning as a members of his team . playfully raised his fists. And the following day, on Wednesday, Bieber put the bust-up behind him as he played about on his yacht with actress Michelle Rodriguez, and also took to the waves on a jet-ski. While . representatives for Bloom and Bieber have refused to comment on the . matter, a source on the scene has confirmed the incident to MailOnline. Much to discuss: Bieber talks to members of his entourage shortly after the ugly incident with Bloom . All over: The Canadian singer brushed off his altercation with Bloom while idling outside the restaurant on Wednesday evening, during which a member of his group made light of the bust-up - much to his amusement (R) Gangsta: The singer strikes a pose with onlookers outside the Ibiza eatery . We're told: 'Justin was being cordial, and everything was fine. But then Orlando was annoyed when he saw it was Justin and instigated by . taking a swing at Justin.' 'Justin ducked, and Orlando's punch missed'. Our source adds: 'People intervened, some minor pushing, then they were separated. Justin stayed for a while after.' Turning her back: Miranda Kerr today posted an Instagram photo of her with young son Flynn Bloom . Bieber was seen with Bloom's now estranged wife Miranda an an after-party at the 2012 Victoria's Secret fashion show at a hotel in New York. MailOnline has been told that stunned onlookers watched on as the pair went off together. Miranda and Bloom announced their separation in October 2013 after three years . of marriage, claiming they had split several months earlier. As soon as rumors swirled of a possible fling with Bieber, Miranda's lawyers quickly sent out a letter calling such claims 'false and defamatory'. Meanwhile, there is bad blood between Bieber and Bloom as the actor also has ties to Bieber's ex, Selena Gomez; in April they were . spotted partying together at the Forum in LA after taking in Chelsea . Handler's Uganda Be Kidding Me show. Troublemaker! Following the scuffle, Justin then posted a picture of Orlando's ex Miranda Kerr before quickly deleting it on his Instagram page . The location: Cipriani in Ibiza is an expensive poolside restaurant; also there were Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan . Not a good idea Biebs: The 20-year-old musician was in the company of the beauty at the December 2012 Victoria's Secret show . An alarming photo: Bloom looked run down as Gomez appeared exhausted as they waited outside Chelsea Handler's Los Angeles show of Uganda Be Kidding Me in April . Earlier in the day Bloom was seen with pretty women on a yacht in the Ibiza area. Erica Packer - the former spouse of Australian billionaire James Packer, who himself has been linked to Miranda, is thought to be one of them. On Tuesday, Bieber shared a photo where he was boarding a private jet with a pal. Both were shirtless and showing off tattoos. It is likely they were headed to Spain. A wild July for the single guy: The Pirates Of The Caribbean actor seen with friends aboard a yacht in Ibiza just hours before the alleged fight . Meanwhile, Kerr was seen in Munich, Germany at an Escada event on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, TMZ reported that the Beverly Hills building in which Bieber has been living is hiring lawyers to deal with the star. He has allegedly been making so much noise with his parties that police were called six times in one weekend alone this month to his unit. Endless party: Justin also posted this snap of himself with a pal on Tuesday night . | Bloom made a beeline for Canadian star during night out at popular restaurant Ciprianis .
Sources claim the actor hit out after Bieber made lewd claim about Miranda Kerr .
Kerr today posted an image of herself and son on Instagram - swiftly followed by a topless picture of herself in the bath .
Separate source confirms to MailOnline that Orlando Bloom 'took a swing' at Justin Bieber in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Ibiza, Spain .
Troublemaker Justin then posted a picture of Orlando's ex Miranda Kerr before quickly deleting it, fuelling rumours the pair hooked up in 2012 . |
7,832 | 162f6266557b724f066742327eaa3cc27e6a7f70 | Former Liverpool and Leeds forward El Hadji Diouf is in talks with Malaysian side Sabah FC. The Senegal international is a free agent after leaving Championship outfit Leeds at the end of last season. Former Liverpool forward El Hadji Diouf could be on his way to Malaysian side Sabah FC . Diouf has been without a club since leaving Leeds United at the end of the campaign . Talks are underway between Sabah and the 33-year-old, with the Malaysian Premier League side hoping to tie up a deal for the player as early as next week. Diouf has spent more than a decade playing in the UK during spells at Liverpool, Bolton, Sunderland, Blackburn, Rangers, Doncaster and Leeds. The former Lens frontman hasn't played a competitive game since January and was shown the Elland Road exit in May. Diouf had a reputation as a troublemaker during spells at Liverpool, Blackburn and Bolton . | Free agent could complete move to Sabah FC as early as next week .
Diouf had spells at Liverpool, Bolton, Sunderland, Blackburn and Leeds .
Forward had a reputation as a troublemaker after series of misdemeanours . |
286,909 | ffc1a31a069f6d1c7f002a3c34d05b0a454714fa | (CNN) -- Hotel guests across the continent are not happy. At least that's the conclusion from a survey released Wednesday by J.D. Power and Associates. Right down the line, the 2012 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study ticks off a laundry list of items that are dragging the industry to its lowest satisfaction level since 2006: check-in/check-out, food and beverage, hotel services and facilities. One item in particular -- Internet costs and fees -- is pressing some guests' buttons, churning up "resentment, frustration and anger," says Stuart Greif, a J.D. Power vice president. "At the luxury level, where they're paying for a lot more, there's a feeling you should be giving more freebies, like Internet Wi-Fi, which many lower priced hotels offer for free." The anger is rooted in this cultural shift: We're at a tipping point where hotel guests value Internet access as they would a bed and hot water, says Greif. "You can't live without it." 10 budget all-inclusive resorts . To hammer the point home, let's state the obvious: Hotels are not going to be charging a fee to have a bed included in your room. "It matters to me," says Neil Glick, a Washington, D.C.-based real estate agent who says he always looks for hotel Wi-Fi, especially when vacationing overseas. It's not as important in the States, he says, because he can surf on his phone. But, "internationally it gets real expensive real fast to use 3G." For the data heads, here are the stats: J.D. Power gathered information from thousands of consumers about their overall satisfaction about hotel costs and fees. The rating plunged 76 points this year: 16 points lower than last year's survey. Power blames it on hotel Internet charges. Fifty-five percent of hotel guests use the Internet during their hotel stay, the study says, up from 20% in 2006. Of those, 87% connect by Wi-Fi. Eleven percent of guests who use the Internet said they paid an additional fee to connect. Rules and rates for luxury hotel Internet access are far from universal. Some luxury hotels offer Internet access for members of loyalty programs, like Ritz-Carlton's Club Level, although some Ritz-Carltons provide free Internet access in hotel lobbies. Wiring a hotel for Wi-Fi can be pricier than one might expect. A line capable of delivering 100 megabits of data per second can cost in the range of $3,000 to $4,000 per month, says Don O'Neal, a veteran hotel consultant for Internet infrastructure. He says an upscale New York hotel he's familiar with has two 20 megabit connections with a monthly cost between $700 to $800 each. "It is expensive," says Joe McInerney of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. "And somebody has to pay for it." He says high-end hotels aren't able to add another $15 or $20 to their room rates, which is why they charge the fees. "If you're not going to use it, then why should you pay for it?" Competition at budget and moderately priced hotels is more intense because consumers often make their hotel choices based solely on price. They expect rates with amenities rolled in. Wi-Fi is like breakfast. At a luxury hotel, breakfast will cost you. Budget hotels are likely to throw in coffee and a bagel. Confessions of a hotel mystery shopper . What really gets guests' goat, according to the survey, is when hotels charge for Internet via so-called "resort fees." Nickel and diming fuels resentment, Greif says, because guests feel like they're being charged extra for something they give away down the street at the neighborhood coffee shop. Industry experts see increased use of a tiered system of Web access, perhaps offering basic Internet free and then charging for higher data access for things like watching video or playing online games. Not only do hotel guests want more bandwidth, they also want to use more devices in their rooms -- cell phones, laptops and tablets. Many hotels seem to be behind the tech curve. "It's part of the whole catch-up," says Greif. "Hotels are still trying to run on the lower cost structure from the economic downturn." Consumer demands are bouncing back with the economy, he says, but hotels aren't catching up quickly enough. "Internet access is a big part of that." The cost and fees data is part of a larger survey of more than 61,000 hotel guests from the United States and Canada. Overall, the survey has a 1,000-point scale. This year's overall score is 757, which is down seven points from last year, measured across seven types of hotels, from economy/budget to extended stay to luxury. The Ritz-Carlton topped the survey in the luxury category with 864 points. In the economy/budget bracket, Jameson Inn received 751. Other top hotels in their categories included Omni Hotels & Resorts, Homewood Suites, Drury Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn. Customer satisfaction with guest rooms in the survey has dropped within a point of its lowest level in the past seven years. A new part of the annual survey examines opinions of hotel staff. Fifty-six percent of respondents said they had a high opinion of hotel staff, 34% said average and 10% said their opinion was low. Experts suggested that hotels were slow to respond to rising consumer expectations as the nation's economy improves. Do you pay for Wi-Fi at hotels? Is paying an Internet fee a deal breaker? | Study suggests luxury hotel guests angry about paying for Wi-Fi .
Hotel industry: It's expensive and somebody has to pay for it .
Satisfaction survey: Hotels playing "catch-up" after economic slump .
Check-in/check-out, food/beverage, services/facilities at 6-year low . |
173,148 | 6c12f0cd5add3dab3591ffccdf858f1a3f3fb582 | By . Sara Malm . Princess Anne has said that the focus of the opening celebrations of Olympic Games has moved away from the athletes and onto ‘excess’. The royal member of the International Olympic Committee told fellow members that sportsmen and women who compete in the games athletes have become an ‘add on’ to a bigger celebration. Speaking in Sochi today, Princess Anne, a former Olympic athlete herself, appeared to be making a dig at the extravagant opening of London 2012, in which her own mother, the Queen, took part. Critical: Princess Anne has lamented to her fellow IOC members that athletes are no longer at the centre of Olympic opening ceremonies . ‘I am old enough that I remember when . the opening ceremony was only with the athletes,’ Princess Anne, who . competed in equestrian at the 1976 Montreal Olympics said. ‘To me, the balance has gone too far the other way.’ The . 80-minute London 2012 show created by film director Danny Boyle was . hugely popular in Britain. It included a rare and unexpected acting role . by Queen Elizabeth II alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig. Their . filmed scene concluded with a parachute jump from a helicopter by . stuntmen dressed as the pair, who landed in the Olympic Stadium. Princess Anne said opening ceremonies were important to remind that athletes ‘are committing themselves to the Olympic ideal.’ Princess Anne, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee, was seen greeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, IOC President Thomas Bach, second from right, and Sochi 2014 Olympics President Dmitry Chernyshenko, left, in Sochi yesterday . Game face: Russian President Vladimir Putin walks next to Russian pole vault champion and Olympic village mayor Elena Isinbayeva and Russian Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth policy Vitaly Mutko at the Olympic village in Sochi . Welcome to the games: View of the Olympic Park as preparations for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games take place . Bright promises: Olympic cauldron is lit up at night in the coastal cluster Olympic Park ahead of Sochi 2014 . Her comments came during wide-ranging debates among 100-plus IOC members about future organization and running of the Olympics. ‘I . think you can inform the royal family there will be no more . parachuting,’ IOC President Thomas Bach quipped in response to the . princess. A previous . speaker, Alex Gilady of Israel, said changing the procedure of the . opening ceremony would be ‘a strong step in the wrong direction.’ ‘The opening ceremony is for the world to be introduced to the athletes,’ Gilady said. Another . British IOC member, elected by athletes, said the opening ceremony was a . ‘wonderful show,’ though many did not experience it fully while waiting . to begin their parade into the main arena. ‘I . think it is something athletes should have a chance to see properly,’ said Adam Pengilly, a former skeleton racer who competed at the past two . Winter Games. Royal landing: The famous moment during the London 2012 opening ceremony when 'the Queen' and 'James Bond' parachuted into the stadium . Princess Anne's mother Queen Elizabeth was happy to take part in the opening ceremony in London 2012 - despite her daughter's opinion . | Royal made unsubtle dig at London 2012 Opening Ceremony .
Princess Anne said focus has moved too far from the athletes .
Her mother, the Queen, famously took part in ceremony two years ago . |
154,037 | 531a23cf9095628f8d2ad0ffc47592ef11bb634d | San Diego, California (CNN) -- At last, a Wisconsin mother and her long-lost son met Saturday for the first time since her estranged husband spirited him away to Mexico more than 30 years ago. It was an emotional reunion in the San Diego airport, heightened by the fact that the mother speaks only English and her 37-year-old son only Spanish. David Amaya Barrick, whose father took him across the border at about age 2 from Chicago, was biting his nails just before his mother, Kathy Amaya, now 60, appeared before him in the airport. They embraced, hugged and kissed -- the first time they've laid eyes on each other in about 35 years. The son spoke in Spanish: "I love you and I missed you a lot. I welcome you into my life." The mother declared to her son: "I love you and I'm very happy to see you and I'm not going to let you go." Later, the son told reporters that he was at a loss of words. The mother remarked: "He's all grown up." Abducted son reunites with father after 13 years . The mother and son will spend a few days in San Diego getting to know each other again. They will do so during long strolls along the beach, they said. Then they will travel Tuesday to her home in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where they will enjoy Thanksgiving together. Kathy Amaya, an assistant housekeeper at a hotel, has four adult children who are half-siblings to David Amaya. Two of those adult children live with Kathy Amaya. Saturday's journey to see her son also marked another milestone in Kathy Amaya's life: It was the first time she ever flew in a plane. The separation between mother and son spanned 1,800 miles and lasted more than 30 years. The mother counts the absence as 35 years, the son as 34 years -- an exact figure to be certainly figured out while they get reacquainted. The family saga then took a dramatic turn by how David Amaya was discovered: He was arrested illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border at Imperial Beach, California, on October 30. The U.S. Border Patrol thought he and a Mexican national were smugglers because they were in the company of six Romanian nationals. They were all arrested after crossing a flood control tunnel frequented by intravenous drug users and polluted by human waste. Bandits had earlier robbed David Amaya of his money and cell phone, leaving him only the clothes he was wearing. David Amaya didn't even have any identification cards on him. At first, he said he was a Mexican national, and then, as if he summoned a distant memory, he told Border Patrol agents that he was a U.S. citizen born in Chicago. Freed Iranian journalist, 'proud' son dream of a reunion . Border Patrol agents checked out his story and indeed found his birth certificate -- as well as his mother, in Wisconsin. Complicating the drama are the conflicting parental accounts about the son's relocation to San Luis Potosi, Mexico, where he was raised by paternal grandparents. Kathy Amaya said her estranged husband took the boy to Mexico without her permission and wouldn't return him. She mailed letters to the grandparents in San Luis Potosi, but those notes were never answered, she said. More recently, she searched for her son under the name "David Amaya" for years on social media, but she never knew that he was using her maiden name -- Barrick -- as part of his full name, a common practice in Latin America. Her estranged husband, who hasn't made himself available for comment, told their son that his mother abandoned him at an orphanage because she didn't love him, David Amaya said. But after the father put the boy in the grandparents' care, "he almost never spent time with me," David Amaya said. At one point, the mother nearly lost all hope of ever seeing her son again, unable to make contact with him, she said. When the couple divorced in 1986, they didn't settle on child custody, so police were unable to help her, she said. David Amaya will spend the holidays with his mother in Wisconsin for a month, and he hopes to speak with his father about what really happened to him when he was 2 or 3 years old. Then David Amaya will return to San Diego to build a new life. He was a drummer in a band in Mexico and now likes San Diego's proximity to Mexico and its cultural atmosphere. Moreover, he's taken a liking to a local church pastor, Freddy Rivas, who has helped Amaya with food and shelter since the Border Patrol released him this month. Amaya was recently baptized at the church. While in Mexico, he married and divorced, and his ex-wife and their two children live in Mexico City. As he makes a new home in San Diego, he says he will recount his life by writing a book. | Mother tell her long-lost son: "I love you and ... and I'm not going to let you go."
Her son, now 37, tells her in Spanish: "I love you and I missed you a lot."
David Amaya Barrick was taken from Chicago to Mexico as a boy by his father .
He is discovered to be a U.S. citizen while illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border . |
42,326 | 7765994da455146818a9d3f1706112bf1ec283fd | BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- At least 33 people were killed and 20 wounded in a suicide car bombing targeting a national reconciliation conference in Baghdad, an Interior Ministry official told CNN. Abu Ghraib attack victim in Yarmouk Hospital in Baghdad, Amjad Hameed . The attack -- which occurred outside the municipal building of Abu Ghraib in western Baghdad -- also wounded 46 others, the official said. The attacker was targeting the latest effort by the government to foster national reconciliation between religious and ethnic groups. Sunni Arab and Shiite tribal leaders were attending the meeting, backed by the Shiite-dominated Iraqi government. Another Interior Ministry official told CNN the attack occurred when people gathered outside as the conference in the building ended. Al-Baghdadiya TV said two of its journalists were killed in the explosion. An Iraqi journalists' group confirmed those deaths and said a number of journalists were also wounded. Along with meeting attendees and journalists, Iraqi soldiers were among the casualties. No one has claimed responsibility for the strike, but in the past, such gatherings have been targeted by al Qaeda in Iraq, the anti-American Sunni Arab militant group. Staffan de Mistura, special representative of the U.N. secretary-general for Iraq, deplored the attack and passed along condolences to grieving families. He said the bombing targeted the tribal leaders after their meeting, and called the strike a "horrible crime that is designed to sabotage reconciliatory efforts by the Iraqi people, who, I am confident, will continue on the road of dialogue." The blast follows another huge attack on Sunday, when a man wearing an explosives-laden vest drove a motorcycle rigged with bombs into a group of police recruits in eastern Baghdad. That attack killed 30 people and wounded 61 others. Most of the victims of Sunday's strike were police officers and recruits who had gathered outside a police academy on Palestine Street. The same academy was targeted on December 1 in a double bombing that killed 16 and wounded 46. The violence came after Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Saturday rallied sheikhs of the nation's tribes to participate in Iraq's government. It was the latest official effort to further reconciliation among Sunnis, Shiites and tribes of different sects and bring some former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party into the political fold. After the invasion, the U.S.-led coalition decided to purge Iraqi institutions of Baathists, most of whom were Sunni Arabs. Al-Maliki, who is Shiite, has been criticized in the past by minority groups for not fairly representing Iraqi's ethnic groups. CNN's Yousif Bassil and Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report. | 33 killed in suicide bombing at reconciliation conference in Baghdad .
Tuesday's attack came as tribal leaders were attending conference .
Bombing came 3 days after Iraqi PM urged nation's sheikhs to join government . |
228,010 | b33d3db3d7eb38e61da06a880cb1322b75c83ec2 | By . Matt Chorley, Tim Shipman and Kirsty Walker . PUBLISHED: . 18:33 EST, 7 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 02:44 EST, 8 October 2012 . Boris Johnson sweeps into the Tory party conference today with a direct challenge to David Cameron to stand up for the ‘struggling middle’ who he claims are being ignored. The Mayor of London arrives in Birmingham with a fresh attack on government policy towards cash-strapped working families, in a move which will fuel speculation about his hopes of challenging Mr Cameron for the leadership. With the Tories stung by criticism that it is giving millionaires a tax cut at a time of deep austerity, Mr Johnson launched a staunch defence of families struggling with living costs who are ‘feeling utterly and understandably ignored’. Swashbuckling arrival: London Mayor Boris Johnson (left, pictured last Thursday) called last night for British Prime Minister David Cameron's (pictured yesterday) government to do more to boost growth . Mr Johnson last night refused to . say if Mr Cameron was a better Prime Minister than he would be, . insisting the claim was ‘unverifiable’. The London Mayor - branded a . ‘blond-haired mop’ by his party leader yesterday - made a typically . swashbuckling arrival at the Tory conference by also demanding a . referendum on Europe, saying he doesn’t know what the current Tory . policy is. He called for the Government to do more to boost growth, warning it is ‘heading for disaster’ by failing to build a hub airport. He also positioned himself as the champion of the ‘struggling middle’ who are feeling ‘utterly ignored’. In a newspaper article today, he says middle-class families earning between £30,000 and £64,000 a year face many difficulties with everyday life, especially housing costs. He writes: ‘They are feeling utterly and understandably ignored. It is time to help them.’ Mr Johnson made clear yesterday that he would like the top job after his mayoral term is up in 2016, insisting it was healthy that he is in ‘competition’ with Mr Cameron, an Eton and Oxford contemporary. The mayor repeatedly refused to say whether Mr Cameron is a better leader than he would be. But he did concede: ‘I’ll tell you what I’ll say. He’s a better prime minister than Ed Miliband will ever be.’ Pressed to admit that Mr Cameron was better than him, the mayor told Pienaar’s Politics on Radio 5: ‘I think it’s unverifiable. It’s unverifiable.’ Mr Johnson said his rival was ‘doing a fantastic job’ and pointed out that he had urged Mr Cameron to run for the Tory leadership. Party colleagues: Boris Johnson (left) said his rival was 'doing a fantastic job' and pointed out that he had urged David Cameron (right) to run for the Tory leadership. They are pictured together in August . But he was prepared to say only that Mr Cameron had been a better choice in 2005, a time when Mr Johnson had been forced to resign from the Conservative front bench and was in no position to challenge for the leadership. ‘It’s self-evidently true that in 2005, I thought he was the man for the job and I didn’t think I was the man for the job,’ he said. ‘I want to be Mayor of London. After four years is up, heaven knows.’ Mr Johnson used his newspaper column to complain that for many people in London and the South East, even those with incomes from £30,000 to £64,000, struggle to buy a home near where they work and are priced out of the market for even modest properties. ‘We need to think how to target this group — the struggling middle — that is currently not being helped, and that is so vital for the economy,’ he wrote in the Daily Telegraph. A ‘huge chunk’ of new houses are built as ‘affordable homes’ and ‘another sizeable chunk [was] of top-end stuff – swish houses and apartments, often for foreign buyers’. It what will be seen as a direct challenge to Mr Cameron’s government, he adds: ‘We are not doing as the Victorians did, and providing new stock to be bought by the people in the middle – on household incomes from £30,000 to £64,000; and they are feeling utterly and understandably ignored. ‘They cannot get the mortgages they would need, not at current prices, and not with lenders in their current mood. ‘They have to live at a great distance from their place of work, and spend huge quantities on travel and hardly get to see their children in the evenings.’ Tensions have been clear in the . relationship between the two men for years but they have flared in . recent weeks after the mayor repeatedly upstaged the Prime Minister at . the London Olympics. 'It’s self-evidently true that in 2005, I thought he was the man for the job and I didn’t think I was the man for the job. I want to be Mayor of London. After four years is up, heaven knows' David Cameron, London Mayor . But Mr Johnson said: ‘If senior politicians were endlessly pally and friendly with each other and there was no element of competition, I think people would think it was a plot against the electorate.’ Mr Cameron yesterday insisted there was ‘no point trying to contain Boris’. In an interview he said: ‘He will always speak his mind. He’s Mayor of London, he can speak out if he wants to. So I am relatively relaxed about having the blond-haired mop sounding off from time to time.’ Later, Mr Cameron said he did not think being mayor would be Mr Johnson’s last job. ‘I have got the opposite of tall poppy syndrome. I like having other people in the Conservative Party who are popular, who get out there, talk our message and explain our vision and values,’ he said. ‘Boris is fantastic like that. He is one of those politicians people warm to and I think it is great that we have in our party figures like that. I have said to Boris, “Once you have done your job as London Mayor, don’t think your job in politics is over”. Thumbs up: Mr Cameron and Mr Johnson cheer during the London 2012 Victory Parade in September . ‘I think he has got a huge amount to offer, a huge amount to give and I encourage him to do that. I think it is great that the greatest city in the world has got such a good mayor.’ But in comments likely to woo the Tory Right, Mr Johnson made clear he wants a referendum in Britain on any future EU treaty. Mr Cameron’s position is that such a referendum will be necessary only if it transfers powers from Westminster to Brussels. But the mayor indicated that he thinks changes in the eurozone would affect the UK and should be put to a vote here regardless. 'I have got the opposite of tall poppy syndrome. I like having other people in the Conservative Party who are popular, who get out there, talk our message and explain our vision and values' David Cameron, Prime Minister . In a second dig at the PM, Mr Johnson suggested the Prime Minister’s efforts to explain his position on Europe remain unclear and took a dig at Mr Cameron’s abandonment of his ‘cast iron promise’ to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. He said: ‘I don’t know exactly what the position is now. I think we were promised a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. My strong view is that it would be right to consult the people on any further constitutional changes within the EU. ‘If they do go forward as a consequence of the difficulties surrounding the euro with a new settlement, a fiscal union or there are big changes to the treaty which will inevitably affect us ... then I do think that must be put to the people of this country. It should be put in the form of a referendum on that particular treaty.’ Last week Mr Johnson claimed Downing Street’s slow progress in addressing aviation capacity risked ‘economic catastrophe’. Last night he repeated those concerns. ‘I do think there’s a major problem,’ he said. ‘Unless we make sure that we both increase our aviation capacity and close down the third runway at Heathrow option, I think we are heading for a disaster.’ | London Mayor arrives at Tory party conference today positioning himself as the champion of hard-pressed working families .
David Cameron brands his rival a 'blond-haired mop'
Strategists fear Mr Johnson will overshadow the Prime Minister at the Conservative gathering in Birmingham . |
76,294 | d85e978877516d87b129f1d981ca157b824fac8f | (CNN) -- Hospitals near Aurora, Colorado, were flooded with victims after a movie theater shooting Friday morning. An Aurora Fire Department call log reveals the urgency of the situation. "If they're dead just leave them," a voice tells a fire department responder who reported that police said there may be a number of people dead inside the theater. "We're in a mass casualty situation at this time. Please make sure that you guys set up some kind of transport officer over there that can contact the hospitals so we don't overload one." The emergency department at Denver Health Hospital was chaotic as staff prepared for the arrival of patients from the shooting, said Dr. Christopher Colwell, director of emergency medical services there. The hospital received seven victims, but called in extra personnel and was ready to take in more patients. "You're not sure how they're going to arrive to you, so you prepare for the worst," he said. Shooter had 100-round rifle magazine . Gunshot wound patients are fairly regular at Denver Health, although not on this scale, he said. In a mass shooting situation, staff assess the severity of the wounds and what steps must be taken -- some need to go straight to the operating room, others can wait, still others may not require surgery. Colwell was a physician who treated victims at the scene of the Columbine High School shootings in 1999. Five patients were transferred to Denver Health; all survived. "We have obviously done a lot of training exercises since then to try to prepare for an event like that," Colwell said. Dr. Frank Lansville, medical director of emergency services at Aurora South Hospital, told CNN his hospital had seen 18 patients so far, 12 of whom suffered from gunshot wounds. There were several tear gas victims who were stable, he said. They had been seen, decontaminated and discharged. "The others had horrific gunshot wounds to various parts of their body," he said. At Aurora Medical Center, the first victim of the movie theater shooting came in before the staff had even heard about the attack, said Tracy Lauzon, director of EMS and trauma services at the hospital. Few hints of movie-theater shooting suspect's past . Soon after, the trauma surgeon learned more victims were headed their way. Four other trauma surgeons, two orthopedic surgeons and various other physicians came to help. Six patients have gone through surgery. Aurora Medical Center has taken in 15 patients from the shooting, she said. Eight have been treated and discharged from the emergency room; the other seven were admitted. "We do drills twice a year anticipating this kind of thing, so people are very well prepared and the hospitals are very well prepared," Lauzon said. Most of the hospitals in the Denver area follow established federal guidelines for emergency response, said Nicole Williams, spokeswoman for Swedish Medical Center, which treated four victims from the shooting at the movie theater. "We were extremely prepared coming into this," she said because the hospital has already completed a couple of disaster drills this year. During such a drill, a mass page goes out to the hospital administration alerting officials that EMS has multiple patients who could be transported to area hospitals, and the staff is told be on standby. Emergency workers call the hospitals to see how many beds are available and how many critical patients they can take. Then, the hospital brings in essential staff, in addition to extra trauma surgeons or other specialists as needed. "It's a very controlled atmosphere," Williams said. "We all try to stay very calm and just serve the community to the best of our abilities." Theater shooting unfolds in real time over social media . Staff at Swedish Medical Center's command center fielded hundreds of phone calls "from very panicked people looking for their husbands, their wives, their children," Williams said. Swedish Medical Center was still treating three patients for gunshot wounds: an 18-year-old male in fair condition, a 20-year-old male in critical condition and a 29-year-old female in critical condition. A fourth patient, a 19-year-old female, came in a few hours after the shootings with minor injuries, possibly caused by shrapnel. She was treated and released. The family members of the victims at the hospital have been notified, Williams said. "All of the victims have loved ones -- family or friends -- by their side, while they're here," she said. Kari Goerke, Swedish Medical Center's chief nursing officer, worked in the operating room in the aftermath of the Columbine shootings of 1999. Swedish Medical Center treated four Columbine victims, all of whom survived. "We had them all in the operating room within an hour of the event," Goerke said. "That gives them much better chances." The staff responded with expertise and compassion both in 1999 and on Friday morning, she said. Aspiring sports reporter killed in shooting . "Afterwards you kind of think about what's happened and the shock and awe of the whole situation and how horrific it is," she said. Her voice cracked as she discussed the emotional aftermath. "Taking care of kids is always hard. I'm a mom, I can relate. That makes it difficult." But, she added, "it's what we're trained to do." Are you there or have thoughts about the shooting? Let us know on CNN iReport. | Hospitals in Denver area have been doing biannual emergency drills .
Gunshot wound patients are fairly regular at Denver Health, although not on this scale .
Local hospitals say they were well prepared .
Medical staffs includes doctors who treated victims at Columbine . |
191,097 | 837858a30f019b78bf50fd7666cb953ef7d83c0c | Murderer: Marc Dutroux, seen being escorted by police officers at Brussels' Palace of Justice, is seeking early release from prison (pictured in court on February 4) Serial paedophile child killer Marc Dutroux has been denied early release from prison amid fears he will re-offend. A Belgian court today turned down a request by the 56-year-old to serve out the rest of his life sentence at home under electronic surveillance. It came after Dutroux's mother warned that her son will kill again if a court grants his appeal for early release from prison. The court then said there were 'no grounds' for an early release, citing the 'absence of any prospect that Dutroux' could be reintegrated into society. Jeannine Dutroux, 78, described her son as a 'repeat offender in his soul' and begged judges to keep him behind bars. The 56-year-old psychopath was arrested in 1996 and jailed for life in June 2004 for the kidnap, rape and torture of six young girls in the mid-1990s, four of whom died. But he has now applied for early . release under Belgian laws which state prisoners can be freed after . serving 15 years of a life sentence if they are no longer a risk. But . his mother Jeannine has told Belgium's Le Soir newspaper: 'I am certain . he will start again. Marc isn't ready to be released because he still . wants to attribute to others the responsibility for what he did. 'This is a repeat offender in his soul, as he has already proved throughout his life.' Dutroux . insists he is no longer a danger to the public and it is his 'human . right' to live at home wearing an electronic bracelet. Judges . will consider his application in private at Belgium's sentencing court . in the capital Brussels at 2pm today - two months before he becomes . eligible for release in April. The . demand comes after Dutroux's hated ex-wife Michelle Martin was freed . from prison earlier this year to spend the next ten years 'at prayer' in . a convent. Martin, 52, had . served 16 years of 30-year jail term for complicty in the imprisonment . and murder of her husband's young victims. Decision: Judges will consider his application in private at Belgium's sentencing court in the capital Brussels at 2pm today - two months before he becomes eligible for release in April . Jailed and freed: Dutroux was jailed for life in 2004, left, for the kidnap, rape and torture of six young girls in the mid-1990s, four of whom died. His ex-wife Michelle Martin, right, was freed . from prison earlier this year after serving 16 years of a 30-year term for complicity in his crimes . Dutroux's bid for freedom is opposed . by Belgian prosecutors, the victims' families and the governor of the . high security Nivelles prison, where the killer is currently held in . solitary confinement. Belgium's . Sudpresse newspaper said: 'According to the law, the sentencing court . must take into account the views of the prosecutors, the prison and the . victims' families. 'But it is not bound to follow their pleas to keep him locked up and can free him if it deems fit. Abducted: Laetitia Delhez, left, was was found alive two days after going missing in 1996, aged 14, along with severely emaciated Sabine Dardenne, then 12, right, in the basement of his house the Charleroi suburb of Marcinelle . 'In that case, he would be freed to be electronically tagged and live at home under house arrest.' The Dutroux affair erupted in August 1996, when police arrested the unemployed electrician following the abduction of 14-year-old girl Laetitia Delhez. She was found alive two days later along with severely emaciated Sabine Dardenne, 12, in the basement of his house the Charleroi suburb of Marcinelle. In August, 1998, the bodies of eight-year-olds Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo were found buried in the garden of Dutroux's other home in the southern town of Sars La Buissiere. Murdered: In August, 1998, the bodies of eight-year-olds Julie Lejeune, left, and Melissa Russo, right, were found buried in the garden of Dutroux's second home in the southern Belgian town of Sars La Buissiere . A month later, the bodies of Ann Marchal and Eefje Lambrecks were found in another property owned by Dutroux. Public anger increased when came to light that police had missed a string of clues that could have led to Dutroux being apprehended earlier. It also emerged that he had been released from jail in 1992 after serving just three years of a 13-year sentence for the abduction and rape of five girls. Chilling: A policeman walks down some steps in the house where Dutroux held some of his victims captive in an underground 'cell', right . Terror: Dutroux tied his young victims to a bed on the underground dungeon in which he held them beneath his home in the Charleroi suburb of Marcinelle . Nationwide fury boiled over and more than 300,000 people took to the streets of Brussels in October 1996 in a series of marches to protest at judicial incompetence. Jean-Denis Lejeune, the father of victim Julie Lejeune, spoke of his 'outrage' at the release of Michelle Martin this year. But he has now said on his Facebook page that he 'will not react' to the possible release of Dutroux. He wrote: 'I have definitively turned the page on the whole Dutroux affair and I will not be reacting any further on this subject. 'I want instead to convert this energy into a positive force to use for the good of others, for political projects in Belgium and humanitarian work abroad.' | Marc Dutroux jailed for life in 2004 for kidnap, rape, torture of six girls .
Four of the girls died during the kidnapping spree in the mid 1990s .
But decision for early .
release due today as he claims he is no longer a risk .
Mother Jeannine described her son as a 'repeat offender in his soul' |
203,847 | 93ee7aa0337e52515110e7de4b52f835aeab8ff1 | Strippers have been awarded $10.9 million by a federal judge who found they had been denied tips and forced to pay for the privilege of working. Rick's Cabaret in New York City's Midtown collected $2 of every $20 the girls earned in tips, a federal court heard. And bosses demanded $60 from each girl every shift in exchange for letting them take to the pole. Payout: A federal judge has awarded dancers from Rick's Cabaret in New York's Midtown $10.9 million . On Friday, Manhattan Federal Court Judge Paul Engelmayer published a 51-page ruling, slamming the club for misleading customers and depriving employees of their due salaries. The action was brought on behalf of some 2,000 dancers employed at the club - owned by Peregrine Enterprises Inc, a unit of RCI Hospitality Holdings Inc - going back to 2005. The award is short of the $18.8 million in damages the dancers sought, and the judge left the balance to be decided at a trial. The date will be set shortly, the court order said. In a September 2013 ruling, Engelmayer sided with the plaintiffs, saying Rick's Cabaret exercised so much control over the dancers that they were actually employees subject to the club's rules and could not make independent decisions about their work. The only payment the dancers received was in the form of tips for dances, which normally amounted to around $20. 'Unfair': 2,000 strippers filed the case which said they were forced to hand over tips and pay to dance . Defending, the club said the strippers were obliged to pay 'performance fees'. This included $20 per dance or semi-private performance, where they charge a minimum of $100 for 15 minutes and up to $400 for an hour. However, Engelmayer slammed the defense, saying a 'reasonable customer would have understood the performance fees which customers paid dancers as gratuities belonging to particular dancers, not as service charges belonging to the club.' RCI Hospitality, Rick's Cabaret's parent company, dismissed the ruling as 'flawed'. | Rick's Cabaret in New York's Midtown demanded $2 of every $20 tip .
2,000 dancers were not paid wages and forced to hand over $60 a shift .
Federal judge slammed club as misleading, awarded the girls $10.9m . |
90,309 | 003482574b186d3ecda90b5db007bd55c718966c | By . James Chapman . Argentina reacted with fury last night at calls for the capital of the Falkland Islands to be renamed Port Margaret in honour of its liberator. The country’s foreign minister Héctor Timerman insisted a move to rename Port Stanley, also known simply as Stanley, would be in breach of United Nations resolutions and would not be recognised by his country. ‘I couldn’t care less if they call it Port Margaret, Margarita or Margarona,’ he declared. ‘Argentina and the United Nations will not recognise it.’ Liberator: Margaret Thatcher stands proudly on Victory Green in Port Stanley during her visit to the Falklands in June 1992. She was there to mark the 10th anniversary of the Falklands War . The Mail revealed that senior MPs are suggesting that the Falklands capital should be renamed Port Margaret in honour of Lady Thatcher, who ordered the military campaign to save it from Argentine invasion in 1982. Port Stanley is currently named after Edward Smith-Stanley, who was the British prime minister three times in the mid-19th century, but never actually set foot in the Falklands. Renaming it after Lady Thatcher would infuriate Argentina’s erratic president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who has been making increasingly provocative remarks about the sovereignty of the islands around the 30th anniversary of the conflict. But bookmakers are offering odds of 5/1 that islanders would agree to bestowing the honour on the woman who many still hero-worship. Argentina refers to the Falklands as Las Malvinas and to Port Stanley as Puerto Argentino. Mr Timerman insisted changing the name of Port Stanley would breach United Nations resolutions. ‘[The resolutions] say that sides must . abstain from making changes in the conflict zone that alter its status . quo at the time the conflict began,’ he insisted. Against: Renaming it after Lady Thatcher would infuriate Argentina's erratic president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who has been making increasingly provocative remarks about the sovereignty of the islands . ‘Britain keeps violating UN resolutions. Then they use those same resolutions to bomb other countries.’ Tobias Ellwood, a Parliamentary aide at the Foreign Office who led a successful campaign to have the tower that houses Big Ben renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, insisted dedicating the capital to Lady Thatcher would be appropriate, as long as the islanders agree. 'Britain keeps violating UN resolutions. Then they use those same resolutions to bomb other countries' Héctor Timerman, Argentina's foreign minister . ‘Thatcher’s legacy may be complex but the primary role she played in the Falklands chapter is undisputed - renaming Stanley Port Margaret would be a fitting tribute,’ Mr Ellwood said. Former Tory chairman Lord Tebbit, one of Lady Thatcher’s closest allies, said renaming the capital was a ‘matter for the Falkland Islands’. But he added: ‘If there is not already a . memorial to her in the islands, there should be, and if the Argentines . would like us to put one up in Buenos Aires I’m sure someone will . oblige. 'She did get rid of the junta for them, . after all, which is something the Argentine ambassador of the day . thanked me for profusely.’ Respect: The Falkland Islands flag flies at half mast in front of the Visitor Centre after Baroness Thatcher died . Sharon Bulic Zuvic, a fourth-generation Falkland islander, agreed: ‘It would be a fitting tribute. As long as a majority of people here agreed, I think it could be a good thing.’ 'If there is not already a memorial to her in the islands, there should be, and if the Argentines would like us to put one up in Buenos Aires I’m sure someone will oblige' Lord Tebbit, Former Tory chairman . Alison Howe, owner of Harbour View Gift Shop in Stanley, said: ‘Falkland Islanders tend to think a lot before making a decision - they never rush into things. So like them I would have to think about the idea first. We’re all forever grateful to Thatcher.’ Mr Timerman also insisted that he did not care that neither he or Mrs Kirchner had been invited to Lady Thatcher’s funeral next week – with Argentina only invited to send its British ambassador. The snub brackets Argentina with North Korea and Zimbabwe. ‘What do I care if they invite me to a place I hadn’t planned to go?’ Mr Timerman said. ‘The woman died. Let her family hold a wake for her in peace.’ Lady Thatcher will be buried as a war leader next Wednesday, with soldiers that fought in the Falklands War due to accompany her body to St. Paul’s Cathedral. | Senior MPs suggest Port Stanley should be renamed to honour Thatcher .
She ordered military campaign to save Falklands from Argentine invasion .
But foreign minister says it'd be in breach of United Nations resolutions . |
77,326 | db36ad0266df0195cd4e8e1d4de7ccbe59813d0a | (CNN) -- Google plans to start combining information the company collects about each user of its various websites and services into a single profile, the company announced on Tuesday. Previously, Google said it did not create comprehensive profiles across its various properties, including its leading search engine, Android smartphone operating system and YouTube video site. In a statement, Alma Whitten, a Google privacy director, wrote that the changes "will mean a simpler, more intuitive Google experience." She added, "Our recently launched personal search feature is a good example of the cool things Google can do when we combine information across products." That change, called Google Search Plus Your World, brought criticism from rivals Facebook and Twitter, which said that Google+ content now buries their own pages in Google's search engine, and from people who do not care to use Google's new social network. The new privacy policy, too, has already sparked concerns voiced on social networks, including on Google's own platform. "Google consolidating data -- gives me some cause for concern," Robert Mason, a professor of information technology at the University of Washington, wrote publicly on his Google+ profile. A Google spokeswoman declined to comment and instead referred CNN to Whitten's statement and a brief document posted on the company's website. The latter notes that Google does not sell users' personal info to other companies, and that people who do not like the changes can close their accounts. Google uses some of the data it collects based on people's usage in order to deliver advertisements customized to individuals. Whitten boasted in her company blog post that the single, shorter privacy policy should appease government regulators who have called for simplifications across the industry. Facebook made a similar claim last year when it removed much of the legal jargon from its privacy agreement. Google's new privacy policy will go into effect on March 1. It applies to everyone who is logged into a Google account while searching, checking Gmail, watching YouTube videos or downloading apps to an Android phone. The company plans to send e-mails to users and post a notification on its home page about the changes, Whitten wrote. | Google announces changes to its privacy policy .
Google will soon create a single profile of the data it has about each user .
The new policy will take effect on March 1 . |
282,611 | fa0c680ed8f101a3d2ec769a3ce92f9b818dd74b | (CNN) -- Thai scrapyard workers accidentally detonated a suspected World War II-era bomb Wednesday, killing seven and injuring 19 after attempting to cut into it with a blowtorch. The device was discovered at a construction site in Bangkok, and moved to a scrapyard before workers tampered with it, in an attempt to break it down into smaller parts. Thai state news agency MCOT, quoting the the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Medical Center, said six people died at the scene. Another reportedly died before reaching the city's Mayo hospital. The blast, in Bangkok's Lad Prao district, caused a ten foot-deep (3 m) crater in the scrapyard's warehouse, and damaged neighboring properties. The device was around 3 ft (1 m) long and weighed 500 lb (225 kg). Local police commander Virasak Foythong told media that the scrap workers believed the bomb to have been defused. "The workers at the warehouse thought the bomb was no longer active so they used a metal cutter to cut into it, causing the explosion." Police said they suspected that the bomb was of World War II vintage but its origin was not determined. Both British and American bombers attacked Bangkok in 1944, while Thailand was an ally of Japan. It is the second war-era ordnance to have been discovered in the city in less than a week. A similar device was discovered last Saturday but was safely deactivated. It is not uncommon for World War II bombs to be unearthed in Asian cities, with a similar discovery made on a Hong Kong construction site several weeks ago. | Suspected WWII-era aerial bomb explodes in Bangkok neighborhood, killing seven .
Bomb discovered on a construction site and moved to a scrapyard, where it was sold .
Scrap workers detonated the bomb accidentally after cutting into it with a blowtorch .
WWII-era ordnance still discovered from time to time in Asian cities . |
117,223 | 235eec087eda1abce77fcfaf1345c39694334e37 | By . Daniel Martin . PUBLISHED: . 19:01 EST, 20 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:13 EST, 20 November 2013 . Britain's GPs are the best paid in the Western world, while their nursing colleagues are way down the pay league, a report reveals today. Self-employed family doctors pick up salaries of about £103,000 – 3.4 times the size of average earnings and the highest ratio among member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Their pay has soared at one of the highest rates across the OECD, thanks to Labour's botched 2004 contract. A report has revealed Britain's GPs are the best paid in the Western world picking up salaries of about £103,000 . But the report tells a different story for nurses, with Britain one of only three states that pays them less than the average wage. The typical nurse earns just 90 per cent the value of the average salary – a level that is worse only in Slovakia and Hungary. The Royal College of Nursing said the disclosure was another 'demoralising blow' for nurses, while the British Medical Association remained defiant, saying British GPs provide the 'widest range' of care in the world. The average salary of a GP is a third higher than before Labour's lucrative deal, which brought an end to out-of-hours work for many. The findings on health workers' pay are contained in a 200-page report by the OECD entitled Health at a Glance 2013. It said: 'As expected for highly-skilled professionals, the remuneration of doctors (both generalists and specialists) is much higher than that of the average worker in all OECD countries. (File picture) The average UK salary is around £31,000, but nurses take home 0.9 of the value of the national wage . 'The income of self-employed GPs in the UK rose strongly following the implementation of a new contract for generalists in 2004 that was designed to increase their income as well as quality of primary care.' Britain is one of the few countries where GPs do better than specialists. Consultants and hospital doctors, for example, earn 2.7 times the average salary of £31,413. 'In all countries except Denmark, Poland and the United Kingdom, GPs earn less than the average for medical specialists,' the report added. The report also showed that, despite the high salaries they earn, British doctors rank lowly in terms of consultations per head of population. The average person in the UK sees a doctor around five times a year – less than the OECD average of eight. In nursing, of the 24 countries surveyed by the OECD Britain's nurses were ranked 22nd in a league table of pay compared to average wages. The average UK salary is around £31,000, but nurses take home 0.9 of the value of the national wage, ahead of only Slovakia and Hungary on 0.8. Luxembourg and Israel rank highest at 1.4 times the annual salary. Dr Peter Carter, of the Royal College of Nursing, said: 'This will come as yet another demoralising blow to nursing staff in the UK, who are already dealing with the prospect of yet more pay freezes. 'With pressure on the frontline more intense than ever, nurses continue to go the extra mile to keep vital services going. 'Surely it is common sense that properly valuing frontline staff is better for the staff, better for the health service, and better for patient care.' A spokesman for the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, said GPs provided the widest range of care in the developed world. 'There is a much greater emphasis on prevention than elsewhere and general practice is also extremely cost-effective,' he said. 'All this benefits our patients as well as the taxpayer, as it's much cheaper to stop people becoming seriously ill in the first place. Many countries are looking at our model of primary health care because they recognise it works well.' A spokesman for the Department of Health accepted the figures, but did not believe that nurses' wages were below average earnings. 'Average GP pay levels have fallen steadily since 2006,' she added. | Self-employed family doctors pick up salaries of about £103,000 .
Their pay has soared at one of the highest rates across the OECD .
But a typical nurse earns just 90 per cent the average UK wage . |
156,469 | 5649d19bf815b06dca7f9d0eec677f4214945cb0 | Washington (CNN) -- Vice President Joe Biden and Republican vice presidential contender Paul Ryan plowed fertile ground in terms of policy and politics during their debate -- now the question is whether the presidential candidates can reap what was sown. Biden aggressively pressed Ryan on Thursday to defend his ticket's positions on everything from Medicare to trimming the nation's debt to the way forward in dealing with Iran. Biden tried to frame the election as a choice between different directions for the country by contending policies of the Mitt Romney-Ryan ticket would hurt the middle class and move the nation backward on social issues, like gay rights and abortion. In doing so, Biden helped set up President Barack Obama to further those arguments during the second presidential debate on Tuesday in New York, political experts say. For his part, Ryan was equally hard-charging and vigorously put forth the ticket's domestic and foreign policy proposals in exchanges that were at times sharp and pointed. Ryan repeatedly sought to focus the debate on the Obama-Biden record of the last four years, arguing the administration's policies hindered economic recovery and weakened the nation's standing and influence in the world. Five things we learned from Thursday's vice presidential debate . Romney is now well-primed to drive that message home. A CNN-ORC International poll released after the debate suggested voters who watched narrowly favored Ryan over Biden by 48%-44%, a statistically even result. That followed an overwhelming Romney victory in their first of three debates. "I think they both accomplished the kinds of things they wanted to accomplish," said John Geer, chairman of Vanderbilt University's political science department. Political analysts say Biden also helped re-energize Democrats, whose spirits might have flagged after Obama's lackluster performance in last week's debate. 5 Independent perspectives on the VP debate . "The most important job Biden did for Obama is reawakening the depressed Democratic base," said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. "Biden has primed them for a better performance from Obama." What Biden failed to do, some political analysts say, is make the case that Obama deserves another four years. That's up to the president when he takes the stage next week. Debate aftermath: Romney hammers Biden on Libya remark . Ron Brownstein, a CNN senior political analyst and editorial director of the National Journal, said "as strong as Biden was," there was almost nothing on what a second Obama term would mean for America, especially on the economy. "That is still the big missing piece in their argument," Brownstein said. Ryan was able to capitalize on Romney's momentum from his well-received debate performance. The Wisconsin congressman's performance further smooths Romney's path to charge ahead, political experts say. "Ryan was a steady, unflappable presence onstage who made an articulate set of arguments in favor of conservative principles while also seeming sensitive and reasonable to many moderates," David Gergen, a senior political analyst for CNN, wrote Friday. "Ryan was also surprisingly strong on foreign policy, holding his own against a man far more schooled in the subject." However, some political watchers said Ryan's response on women's health issues could prove problematic for Romney during the next two debates. "It's kind of the untalked about thing this morning -- raised a bunch of issues for the campaigns to be talking about over the next couple of weeks," Hilary Rosen, a Democratic pundit and CNN contributor, said. "Yes, the economy is important, but when women have to worry about their health care and the economy, that's just an extra burden." But CNN contributor and RedState blogger Erick Erickson, appearing on "CNN Newsroom" with Rosen, said most women agree with the Romney-Ryan position. "I'm sorry, Hilary, but you're just wrong on this," he said. "In the Gallup poll, the Pew poll, Mason Dixon poll, you name it, they show that the majority of women in this country, they are pro-life. They consider themselves for pro-life, with the exceptions Paul Ryan named (in the debate)." CNN's Tom Cohen contributed to this report . | Joe Biden and Paul Ryan tangled in debate, which experts called a draw .
Both scored on policy points and set up presidential candidates to continue arguments .
Unanswered was why Obama deserves second term; trust on women's issues for Romney-Ryan .
Libya security, economy, Medicare drove vice presidential debate . |
17,579 | 31d2b17ea32afc5aaf4448f175c97dbe73675d66 | (CNN) -- A child sex abuse suspect from Oregon has been captured after being on the run for 15 years, police said. Daniel Clement Chafe was arrested Wednesday in Bozeman, Montana, according to a statement by the Oregon State Police. Chafe faces six counts of rape, five counts of sexual abuse and seven counts of sodomy, according to the police statement. Initially, the investigation centered on crimes against two teenage girls, but later, additional victims were identified, police said. Chafe disappeared in September 1998 after failing to appear in a Douglas County courtroom to face trial, police said. Ten days before his scheduled court appearance, Chafe reportedly went on a fishing trip with a friend in Washington state, according to the police statement. That friend told authorities Chafe fell from the fishing boat on the Snake River. After a search failed to find him, investigators considered him a fugitive. Police believe he faked his own death. Chafe was featured on several television shows, including "America's Most Wanted," and was in consideration for the FBI's Top Ten fugitive list. Chafe was allegedly recruiting minor females between ages 14 and 16 to form what he called the "Cobalt Clan," according to the FBI's most wanted poster. His reported goal was to produce a number of children over which he could rule, according to the FBI. The break came when an Oregon detective's research indicated Chafe was living in Montana under an alias. Further investigation confirmed where Chafe was living and working, ultimately leading to his arrest. Massachusetts rapist was on the lam for 34 years . | Daniel Clement Chafe has been wanted since 1998 .
Chafe faces charges including rape, child sex abuse .
Chafe arrested Wednesday in Montana . |
267,299 | e6316388a91b4608b4cf3bd4f2a3d051a4a71021 | (CNN) -- The e-mail arrived from Uzbekistan on February 26. It was titled "Bad News." Abdul Dadahanov had intended to study business, but changed his mind after 9/11, his academic adviser said. "Dear Mama Judy," a young woman named Aziza Dadahanov wrote in shaky English. "Very very bad news!!! Abdul is given 8 years of prison. Today was the verdict. Now i feel myself very bad. And i can't write now. I am shocked." "It was like being kicked in the stomach," recalled Judy Skartvedt, a retired flight attendant living in Easton, Connecticut. She knew Dadahanov's husband, Abdul Dadahanov, as an Uzbek exchange student who had wanted to help heal people after the 9/11 attacks. She thought of him as an open-minded Muslim whom her family had hosted when he came on a scholarship to study at Fairfield University in 2001. "We were totally shocked that someone like Abdul could be arrested for anything," Skartvedt said. "We haven't stopped worrying about his safety." The 32-year-old faces eight years in a labor camp for participation in what the Uzbekistan government says is an extremist religious organization, according to Forum 18, a religious freedom watchdog organization . The group says that Uzbek security forces arrested Dadahanov and four other men -- Bakhrom Ibrahimov, Davron Kabilov, Rovshanbek Favoyev and Botyrbek Eshkuziyev -- last summer after the men had written for an Islamic journal called Irmoq. The National Security Service reportedly claimed the magazine was "sponsored by a Turkish radical religious movement." Officials from the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington have refused to comment on the case. Forum 18 says Dadahanov and the four other Uzbek men were convicted of "dissemination of information and materials containing ideas of religious extremism, separatism and fundamentalism, calls for pogroms or violent eviction of individuals aimed at creating panic among the population." Human rights organizations say the convictions appear to be part of a broader crackdown in the former Soviet republic, targeting members of "Nurchilar," a moderate Muslim movement of Turkish origin, which follows the writing of a 19th-century Sufi Muslim theologian. "Unfortunately this is not an unusual case," said Igor Vorontsov, a researcher with Human Rights Watch in St. Petersburg. "The [Uzbek] government has persisted in its persecution of independent Muslims." Thousands of miles from the Republic of Uzbekistan, news of Dadahanov's jail sentence has stunned academics and Christian community leaders in Connecticut. They fondly describe a committed social activist and observant Muslim, who rode between work and classes on a secondhand bicycle and spent more than a year distributing food to soup kitchens in one of America's poorer cities. "He had a naive trust in the goodness of human beings," said Patty Jenson, an administrator at the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport. "I am shocked. I know he is there [in prison] unjustly. What is happening is unjust." "He was a man of his word, he was gentle and kind," said Charlene Chambers, the director of King's Pantry, a nonprofit organization that distributes food to homeless people in Bridgeport. "Our common bond was feeding people who can't feed themselves and clothing those people who can't clothe themselves." Dadahanov's academic adviser, Katherine Kidd, said the young Uzbek originally intended to study business when he arrived at Fairfield University on a scholarship from the Open Society Institute of the Soros Foundation. That changed September 11, 2001. Kidd choked up as she recalled his visit to her office, hours after the terrorist attacks. "He said, 'Dr. Kidd, I have to do something to tell people that this is not what Islam is about.' He said, 'I want to be part of things that are done here to bring healing to people after 9/11.' " Dadahanov began working closely with Kidd's husband, Pastor John Kidd, who was a Lutheran minister and the executive director of the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport. Pastor Kidd helped Dadahanov tour churches and work with synagogues, giving lectures on his interpretation of Islam. Dadahanov also appeared before audiences dressed in traditional Central Asian attire, in an effort to spread cultural awareness about Uzbekistan. Advisers say the young Uzbek was inspired by his interaction with church and community groups. Gradually, he shifted his academic focus from business to grassroots community service and education reform. "He would regularly say 'Wow, how can I do this in Uzbekistan, and make my country and my community better and stronger?'" Katherine Kidd explained. Dadahanov helped establish a small prayer room for Muslim students at Fairfield University. He also launched a book drive, shipping secondhand books to Uzbekistan to help teach English in his home country. And he was eventually hired at the Council of Churches, and tasked with distributing Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to 26 feeding programs across Bridgeport. "He wanted to be involved in the frontline programs," John Kidd said. "Ultimately, it's sad that all these things he came to see in terms of how you build a community, how you take responsibility for the life of a community, is at least in part what put him at odds with the authorities in Uzbekistan." When he returned to Uzbekistan in 2004 after two and a half years in Connecticut, Dadahanov set up an English-language school with friends. The school offered English lessons to young Uzbeks at an affordable price -- a remarkable achievement in a society in which the government controls almost all facets of the economy. There is little tolerance for independent grassroots activism in Uzbekistan. The country has had the same authoritarian president, Islam Karimov, since it won independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The State Department's recently published 2008 human rights report states "torture remain systemic in [Uzbekistan's] law enforcement ... human rights activists and journalists who criticized the government continued to be subjected to harassment, arbitrary arrest, politically motivated prosecution, forced psychiatric treatment and physical attack." Uzbek security forces frequently target religious activists. "The government has almost a paranoia of any independent religious activity, particularly those related to Islam," said Sean Roberts, a Central Asia expert at George Washington University. "The Uzbek government tries to control the religious sector very similar to the way the Soviets did. They have a state Muslim board that oversees what is proper Islam - anything that falls out of that scope is seen as threatening and seditious." The Uzbek government says it "views the ensuring of human rights and freedoms of its citizens as its highest priority." A statement posted on the Web site of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington cited the passage of more then 120 laws and 60 international treaties aimed at improving the country's human rights record. The Uzbek government says it is making reforms of its judicial and penitentiary system, aimed at "prosecuting and punishing for the use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment." Dadahanov's former professors invited him to return on a scholarship to the United States after his arrest, and two families offered to house Dadahanov, his wife Aziza and young son Abdulrahman. Dr. Orin Grossman, Fairfield University's academic vice president, hoped the graduate school offer would allow Uzbek authorities to release Dadahanov. "It obviously didn't work," he wrote in an e-mail to CNN. Accounts of appalling conditions in Uzbek prisons have worried Dadahanov's American friends, who remember how the slim Uzbek rode to barbecues on his bicycle, carrying a giant watermelon in a backpack as a gift. The hardest part has been trying to get information from Dadahanov's family in Tashkent. "The government is tapping their phone and tracking their e-mail," Katherine Kidd said. "We're pretty much sure neither of those is secure from the government." | Abdul Dadahanov jailed in Uzbekistan, accused of extremist religious activities .
American family recalls how the man wanted to aid healing after 9/11 .
Rights groups say Dadahanov is victim of crackdown on "independent Muslims"
Friends in the U.S. fear for health of "gentle, kind" man in Uzbek prisons . |
225,802 | b0605d3a7a35ea7ade8e13beae9a9acb244c91fa | It is a question that has long occupied the hungry minds of millions hoping to lose weight - what is the best diet to help shift the pounds? A plethora of mantras adorning bookshelves, a constant stream of celebrity-endorsed plans bursting with promises of quick weight loss, and a flurry of new 'superfoods' each week, makes the journey to slim down a confusing one. But a new three-part BBC series aims to offer the answer tonight. One of the biggest studies of its kind in the UK, the programme investigates the science behind the latest diet fads. What Is The Right Diet For You, a Horizon series, sees a team of experts considering the effect of biochemistry, psychology and genes on weight gain. CLICK ON THE HAND SYMBOL BELOW TO TAKE THE QUIZ . Instead of buying into the latest dieting fad, the scientists found the only way to successfully lose weight is to use a personalised diet, built around an understanding of a person's individual biology and specific needs. Professor Tanya Byron, a clinical psychologist with 25 years experience, said the study used cutting edge science from Cambridge University to develop tailor-made weight loss plans for 75 overweight volunteers. The dieters firstly took part in a complex screening process to establish a range of things, including the levels of a specific gut hormone, as well as each person's genetic make up. They were then split in to three groups, and given a tailor-made diet to follow for three months. Professor Byron told MailOnline: 'Some we found were emotional eaters, those who used emotional coping mechanisms. 'Then there were people with low levels of the gut hormone GLP-1, which signals the brain, telling it a person is full. 'They were known as the feasters, who don't necessarily eat all the time, but when they do, they find it hard to stop. 'And the third group, the constant cravers, were those whose genes drive them to eat. They are more grazers, they don't eat huge amounts in one sitting. 'We spent a lot of time examining the results of the screening, conducting further experiments to test different factors that affected the results, to make sure the categories were correct.' A new three-part BBC Horizon special investigates the science behind the latest diet fads, helping separate 75 overweight volunteers into three categories: Emotional Eaters, Constant Cravers and Feasters . Emotional Eaters . Emotional eaters are those people who eat for psychological reasons, turning to junk food when they are anxious, depressed or stressed. Studies have shown that the most effective way to lose weight for emotional eaters, is to attend a weight loss group. The groups will supply a diet plan of low-fat, calorie-controlled recipes to follow. For emotional eaters the support of fellow dieters is a powerful tool, helping drive weight loss. And the impending weekly weigh in helps in moments of stress, when a person might be tempted to break their diet. Feasters . When most people eat, a specific hormones in our gut send a strong message to the brain, telling the brain the stomach is full. But if a person is a feaster, scientists believe they produce less of the gut hormone, GLP-1. It means the signal telling a person to stop eating is weaker. To lose weight, feasters need to eat certain foods that help boost the production of gut hormones. A diet high in protein and low glycaemic index (GI) carbohydrates has been found to encourage production of the vital hormones, and increase feelings of fullness. Constant Cravers . Constant cravers feel hungry most of the time. Scientists believe this factor could indicate a person has more of the genes that tend to make you feel hungrier. This increases the likelihood of eating too much and gaining weight. Because constant cravers are constantly hungry, it is hard to sustain the effort to reduce calorie intake every day. So the diet involves two restricted days, where a person will limit their calorie intake to no more than 600-800 calories a day, with virtually no foods or drinks containing carbohydrates. The other five days are unrestricted, meaning a person does not need to count calories or limit carbohydrates, but must eat a healthy Mediterranean-style diet. Personalised diet plans were then designed for each group, based on each of the three profiles. Emotional eaters were encouraged to join weight loss groups and received Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. 'I did a lot of work with this group,' Professor Byron said. 'In tonight's programme you will see us abseilling down a light house. 'The idea was to get them past the "I cant do this", "I am a failure" way of thinking about dieting, and show them if they can abseil down a building, they can do anything.' Dr Chris Van Tulleken, an infectious diseases specialist from UCL, focused on working with those volunteers in the Feasters and Constant Cravers category. The Constant Cravers were put on an intermittent fasting diet, with two days of low calorie intake and healthy eating for the remaining five days. And for Feasters, their diet was designed to maximise the production of the GLP-1 hormone, and promotes eating foods that are digested in that part of the gut. Professor Byron told MailOnline the study, which is among the first of its kind, far exceeded the scientists' hopes. 'All the volunteers did unbelievably well, they exceeded our targets set for three months, which was that they would lose five per cent of their weight in that time. 'It was an incredible experiment, that was about helping people understand themselves better, to generate more understanding of their behaviours. 'You are more likely to be able to change your behaviour to lose weight and maintain your weight loss. 'It was about giving people the information and helping them use it to change their behaviour and lifestyle.' Dr Van Tulleken added: 'One of the biggest things was trying to get away from the idea that fat, overweight people are lazy. 'There are huge numbers of biological factors outside people's control, like hormones or genes, that means it can be harder for some people to lose weight.' But rather than give people an excuse for why they are overweight, Dr Van Tulleken told MailOnline the study actually empowers people to understand their bodies and learn the best way to shed pounds. A team of experts worked with scientists from Cambridge University to screen the 75 volunteers looking at how their biology affects weight gain. The tests looked at levels of a gut hormone GLP-1 and each person's genes to try and establish the best way to help each individual shed pounds . After being split into the three groups, the volunteers were given a tailor made dieting plan to follow for three months. Emotional Eaters were advised to join weight loss groups and were given Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Constant Cravers were put on an intermittent fasting diet with two days low calorie intake, while Feasters were put on a high protein, high low GI carbohydrate diet . Dr Chris Van Tulleken, third from right, and Professor Tanya Byron, second right, said the study exceeded their expectations. They told MailOnline the key was to help people understand their biological make up, to follow diets that they are more likely to be able to maintain, by changing habits and creating new behaviours . 'When people understand the biology of any medical problem, it empowers them to deal with it,' he said. 'Almost every person has, at some point, tried to lose weight, most will have failed or lost the weight and put it back on. 'The message is that any diet will work if you stick to it,' Dr Van Tulleken said. 'This study was about trying to identify those people a diet that they will find it easier to stick to. 'It is about building new habits and changing behaviours. 'Like if you are trying to learn a new foreign language, it is difficult because if it doesn't come with the lifestyle advice, it will be hard to achieve. 'It is not about willpower. No one can will themselves thin but you can create a life environment to help you lose weight.' What Is The Right Diet For You, a Horizon special, will air tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday on BBC 2 at 9pm. | New BBC series investigates the science behind the latest diet research .
Three-part Horizon programme marks one of biggest studies of diets in UK .
75 overweight volunteers are put through a series of tests to discover why they eat too much and why they are overweight .
Split into three groups to follow tailored diets - the Feasters Diet, the Constant Cravers weight loss plan and the Emotional Eaters diet .
What Is The Right Diet For You starts tonight on BBC 2 at 9pm . |
147,383 | 4a8e3b355afcfdf18f61557087034fe85254935a | By . Mark Duell . UPDATED: . 12:46 EST, 30 November 2011 . A mother managed to implicate herself in a hit-and-run death when she asked police to kick her boyfriend out of her apartment, authorities said. The call by Heather Lynn Mayo, 33, of Pinellas Park, Florida, backfired when her boyfriend told cops she was the driver in a February hit-and-run. Robert Worden, 34, agreed to leave after Mayo told police she was afraid of him, but he implicated her in the crash that killed Jeannie Fisher, 50. Mugshots: A call by Heather Lynn Mayo, left, backfired when her boyfriend Robert Worden, right, of Florida, told cops she was the driver in a February hit-and-run . The boyfriend pointed out damage to a vehicle on Monday night matching the look of the one that hit Ms Fisher, reported the St Petersburg Times. Police officers then interviewed Mayo. They say she confessed, was arrested and now faces charges of leaving the scene of a fatal crash. Dead: Worden agreed to leave after Mayo told police she was afraid of him, but he implicated her in the crash that killed Jeannie Fisher, 50, pictured . Ms Fisher was walking across the street . on February 4 - just three days before she turned 51 - when she was hit . and died from her injuries. Police only knew Ms Fisher was hit by a Ford pick-up truck that lost its side mirror and front turn signal, reported the St Petersburg Times. They still knew nothing more until Worden got out of jail after serving 40 days for obtaining property with a worthless cheque. He told police he was only there to see his seven-year-old daughter and agreed to leave, but on the way out showed them a 1997 Ford Ranger. Worden alleged that Mayo had borrowed a neighbour’s pick-up truck to drive somewhere and buy marijuana, later telling him she hit a deer. But Mayo allegedly later confessed to him that she had hit a woman. She has since been booked into a jail and is being held in lieu of $52,250 bail. Mother-of-one Ms Fisher was a waitress born in Indianapolis and raised in Indiana, Kentucky and South Africa, reported the St Petersburg Times. | Heather Mayo's call to police backfired spectacularly .
She wanted her boyfriend Robert Worden out of flat .
He agreed to leave but told cops she was in hit-and-run .
Mayo now in jail over February death of Jeannie Fisher . |
124,882 | 2d69c6ed110c3e0be648533fb39628f048d4889c | A lone gunman who shot two people at a UPS warehouse in Birmingham, Alabama, this morning, had been fired from the company just one day earlier, it has been revealed. Police say the shooting occurred at the mail giant's facility in Inglenook, an industrial area near Birmingham airport, about 9.30am, and that both of the male victims were supervisors. According to WIAT.com,the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office have identified the shooter as 45-year-old Joe Tesney. The married man, who has two young daughters, was wearing his UPS uniform at the time of the attack, police said. He then turned the gun on himself. Scroll down for video . Responsible: Local media in Alabama are reporting that 45-year-old Joe Tesney (pictured) - a married father-of-two - is the UPS employee behind the shooting deaths of two co-workers in Birmingham on Tuesday. He then killed himself. Tesney is pictured here in a photo from his LinkedIn profile, which lists him as a truck driver for UPS . Shooting rampage: Police stormed a UPS warehouse in Birmingham, Alabama, on Tuesday after a gunman shot dead two workers before killing himself . The UPS warehouse was closed off after a UPS employee opened fire Tuesday morning inside one of the facility in Alabama, killing two people before taking his own life . Tesney had reportedly been served his final papers on Monday and was not expected to return to work, police said. Tensey shot dead two of his managers. The killer was a member of the North Park Baptist Church along with his wife and two children according to pastor Bill Wilks. Wilks described Tesney as being 'troubled' over his work and financial situation. 'I think it's been an ongoing situation. In his own spirit he's been troubled, and he's asked for prayer about that.' Tesney . and his wife, Melissa, are listed as distributors for Advocare, a . multi-level marketing company that sells health and fitness products. They have a website advertising the business that says: 'Just tell us . your needs, your dreams your desires ... and we'll make it happen!' Police said Tesney had gotten that final notice in the mail. Court . records showed a Birmingham business sued Tesney and UPS in 2010 . claiming he had wrongly picked up a $4,000 radiator for shipment either . intentionally or by mistake. The lawsuit went on for years before a . judge ruled in favor of Tesney and the shipping company exactly one year . ago - Sept. 23, 2013. However, it was not immediately clear why Tesney had been fired or whether that lawsuit may have played a role. The . UPS warehouse, a light brown building sitting on a hill with company . logos on the front and side, is used to sort packages and send them out . on trucks. About 80 drivers had already left on their routes, and a . small number remained when the shooter drove up in a private vehicle . Tuesday morning and walked inside through a truck dock door in the back . of the building. The building has a parking lot surrounded by barbed wire. The . man was wearing a UPS uniform and opened fire either in or near some . offices inside the warehouse in an industrial area just north of the . Birmingham airport, Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper told reporters. The gunman had apparently shot himself by the time officers got inside the warehouse, Roper said. No one else was hurt. Employees . who were at the warehouse when the shooting happened were taken to . another location so that they could be interviewed by investigators and . provided with counseling, Roper said. Scene: The UPS facility was evacuated and closed off. The three people - including the gunman - were dead when police arrived . Police officers confer near the scene where three people were killed, including the gunman, at a UPS facility in Birmingham, Alabama on Tuesday . Police officers escort UPS employees on a bus from the scene where three people were killed, including the gunman, at a UPS facility in Birmingham, Alabama . A police officer stands guard at the UPS warehouse on Tuesday following the shooting. Three people, including the gunman, were killed . The shooter reportedly targeted offices inside the warehouse. Police arrived at the scene following numerous calls for help, with employees said to have fled the facility in fear. When authorities arrived, the gunman and the two victims were already dead. 'We'll be digging into the work history, into the background, also talking to family members and these other employees who may be able to shed some information on what happened today,' Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper told AL.com. 'We have a pretty good idea about what transpired inside the business. 'We want to make sure we get a good picture of what led up to today and what we can do in the future to prevent it.' According to AL.com, Tesney's family are in shock over what has transpired. 'He was one of the best men I have ever known,' his mother-in-law, Wanda Binney, told the website. 'He was a kind husband and a wonderful father. 'He never hurt anyone in his life.' Tesney was reportedly fired a month ago and tried to appeal the decision. However he lost. Court documents obtained by AL.com show he was the subject on a 2012 lawsuit, with a business claiming Tesney removed a $4000 radiator while picking up a package. The radiator was never returned, however a judge found in favor of Tesney and UPS in September last year. No other people were injured. Police did not fire any shots. 'It is extremely troubling for the city, for the families involved,' Roper added. 'When they came to work today they had no idea it would be their last day alive on earth. Police say they have a 'pretty good idea' what happened inside the warehouse . Scene: The incident occurred at the UPS Customer Care Center in the 4600 block of Inglenook Lane in Birmingham . Area closed: Three people are dead - including the gunman - after a shooting this morning at a UPS facility in Inglenook, according to Birmingham officials . 'They were just people working at their jobs.' Atlanta-based UPS said in a brief statement that the shooting happened around 9:40 a.m. CDT. The company added that it is fully cooperating with the investigation. The victims names have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. The other employees at the scene were transported to safety. They have been offered counseling. | Shooter identified by local newspapers as Kerry Joe Tesney, 45 .
Tesney was married with two young daughters .
He was sacked by the UPS facility in Birmingham, Alabama, on Monday .
He then returned to the site on Tuesday to two male former coworkers .
Pastor Bill Wilks said Tensey was 'troubled' over his financial situation .
Tesney shot two of his former managers before taking his own life . |
33,687 | 5fd6e85948cb2dabe956eb5ebf859bcc8a249f70 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Rock'n'roll legend Roy Orbison's three sons have produced and remastered a previously unheard track by their father for release. Entitled The Way is Love, the song was originally recorded on a home tape-deck by the 'Pretty Woman' singer and will appear on the 25th anniversary edition of Orbison's final album, Mystery Girl. Wesley, Roy Jr. and Alex Orbison have claimed the process of cleaning up the cassette needed new technology specifically developed for the task. New song: Roy Orbison's son's Wesley, Roy Jr. and Alex Orbison have helped create a new song by their father that will appear on the 25th anniversary reissue and expansion of Orbison's final album, "Mystery Girl" that is being re-released on May 20, 2014 . In total, nine never-before-heard tracks from the 1960s icon will be released on the deluxe edition of Mystery girl which will be released on May 20. The three Orbison brothers fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing along with their father on a record by adding guitar and drums to the track. Adding to the rock royalty proceedings was John Carter Cash - the son of legendary country singer, Johnny Cash. 'It really brought us closer together in a lot of ways,' said Alex Orbison, 38, who contributed drums and backing vocals to the track. Royalty: Rock and roll legend Roy Orbison is honored with a star posthumously on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with family members, from left, sons Wesley, Alex, wife Barbara Orbison, and Roy Jr. in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles . Anticipation: The cover of the Roy Orbison album, Mystery Girl - Deluxe put together by Orbison's sons, Wesley, Roy Jr. and Alex Orbison along with stars such as Jeff Lynne and Bono . 'We were able to finish it up and get it out by Father's Day, too, which was obviously special to us,' he said. 'We all just wanted to not stop recording,' he added. 'We had so much fun. It was really too much fun.' The deluxe edition will also include, Mystery Girl: Unraveled, a one-hour documentary directed by Alex Orbison. It will chart how the album was put together with interviews from four of the album's producers - Jeff Lynne, Mike Campbell, Barbara Orbison and Bono. Pretty woman: American pop singer Roy Orbison poses with his then 18-year-old wife Barbara to the media in London in 1969 . Legends: American singer Roy Orbison (dark glasses), is fed pieces of his birthday cake by Beatle John Lennon (L), and Ringo Starr (fourth from left), at a party held at the La Dolce Vita Restaurant in London's SoHo district to celebrate Roy's 28th birthday . Legends: American singer Roy Orbison (dark glasses), is fed pieces of his birthday cake by Beatle John Lennon (L), and Ringo Starr (fourth from left), at a party held at the La Dolce Vita Restaurant in London's SoHo district to celebrate Roy's 28th birthday . The film includes eight Orbison music videos, including four previously unreleased videos. Orbison was going through a career renaissance at the time he released 'Mystery Girl.' The 'Oh, Pretty Woman' singer had just earned a new round of attention working with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty in The Travelling Wilburys and was excited about the new album. It included contributions from Lynne, Petty and most of his Heartbreakers, Bono and the Edge of U2, Elvis Costello and many other friends. His wife, Barbara, acted as his manager at the time and even sang backup on the album. Wesley Orbison wrote a song as well. Sadly, though, he passed away two months before its release in February 1989 at age 52 of a heart attack. His sons got to experience something of that excitement nearly a quarter of a century later. They weren't able to record with their dad, but it most definitely was a family moment. This is not the first time that recordings have been cleaned up and released after a singers death. In 1995, 15 years after his death, the three surviving Beatles used a John Lennon vocal from a cassette tape to create Free As A Bird - which was released for their successful Anthology project. Fab: The Beatles wave after arriving at the San Francisco airport Aug. 18, 1964 - in 1995 - an unused John Lennon vocal was used to create Free As a Bird . | Roy Orbison's three sons, have helped create a new song by their father that will appear on the 25th anniversary reissue and expansion of Orbison's final album, Mystery Girl .
They found an old vocal track for a song called The Way is Love originally recorded on a boombox and were able to reclaim it using technology that had to be created to accomplish the work . |
37,253 | 698b88f3a7af326361826fe6555366d540af4cd8 | By . Daniel Miller . PUBLISHED: . 02:16 EST, 27 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:07 EST, 27 August 2013 . She is the star of some of the world's best-loved children's books, but as she approaches her 60th birthday Miffy the little white rabbit is to get a 21st century makeover. Miffy was created in 1955 by Dutch artist Dick Bruna and her adventures have now sold some 85 million books which have been translated into 80 languages. With a hugely successful toy range and last year's foray into cinema with a feature-length film, she is now worth an estimated £150m. 21st century rabbit: The much-loved Miffy books are to be revamped to appeal to a wider audience . Publisher Simon & Schuster announced a number of MIffy Books books, starting with Miffy, Miffy at the Gallery and Miffy at the Zoo will be updated 'to appeal to a modern British audience'. Mr Bruna, 86, has always stuck to a rigid formula with the books. Most contain sixteen pages of story with one illustration and four lines of verse per page. Dutch artist Dick Bruna created Miffy during a rainy holiday in 1955. She is now worth an estimated £150m . The last word of the second line always rhymes with the last of the fourth and they always have a happy ending. Some books, such as Miffy's Dream, have no text at all. Simon & Schuster have recruited award-winning poet Tony Mitton to revamp the original rhyming verse. Simon & Schuster Editorial Director Meg Wang said: 'Generations of British children grew up with Miffy – and now as parents, are introducing this loveable and iconic character to their own children. 'Dick Bruna's stories explore the extraordinary wonder of everyday things in a child's life – which have proven to be both timeless and universal. 'We're thrilled to be bringing Miffy to a wider audience in the UK with brand new activity and novelty books, while also introducing a new generation to the classic Miffy stories through the newly-translated hardbacks.' Mr Bruna created Miffy during a rainy seaside holiday in North Holland. He entertained his young son by sketching a little bunny in the garden of their holiday house, and making up stories about it every evening. | Loveable white rabbit was created in 1955 by Dutch artist .
Dick Bruna .
Brand worth an estimated £150 miilion and has sold 85 million books .
Award-winning poet Tony Mitton will revamp the original rhyming verse . |
251,521 | d1919a9f408c999ad84bddaf4a866cfbf6c4f4da | (CNN) -- When I heard the news that Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer I was shocked and saddened. She was a woman clearly ahead of her time, blazing trails for all of those behind her, showing other women that it was possible to be smart, to care about science and to be an astronaut. After her death, it was revealed that she was gay, but it didn't totally surprise me. Being a lesbian myself, I admit I was proud to learn that such an accomplished American pioneer and role model was on "our team." Some are saying that she let the gay and lesbian community down, that she should have been more visible and should have publicly declared her sexual orientation. She could have made a contribution to gay rights. She could have inspired many young people struggling with their sexuality. But it isn't that easy. Especially for women like Sally and me, who grew up in the '50s and '60s. I retired from the Navy in June 2002 as a captain after nearly 30 years of living under "don't ask, don't tell" and its predecessor. Once I retired, I knew that I needed to add my voice to the fight against DADT, to be a visible example of a gay service member. However, outing myself beyond my close circle of friends wasn't easy. I was proud of my accomplishments but a big part of me wanted to keep my personal life private. In America: Sally Ride as role model . In my early career, most of my challenges, like those of Sally Ride I suspect, were trying to succeed in what was pretty much a man's world. No, Sally wasn't in the military -- but being a part of NASA had many similarities. I can see why she wanted to focus on succeeding as a woman, which was difficult enough, and didn't want to complicate things by bringing up her sexual orientation. More science news from CNN Light Years . She carried the burden of being the first American woman to go into space and all that it meant, and back then, she faced some pretty laughable questions. One was whether the flight would affect her reproductive organs. Former astronaut Rick Hauck, who was co-pilot on the 1983 Challenger mission with Sally, recalls another: A reporter asked: "Do you think you will cry during the flight?" and she answered: "Why doesn't Rick get asked that question?" There is still a long way to go. For example, Sally's partner of 27 years, Tam Shaughnessy, will not receive her federal survivor's benefits because it is prohibited by the Defense of Marriage Act. Still, a lot has changed rather quickly for the better. DADT has been repealed, and gays and lesbians are serving openly and successfully in the military. Marriage equality is beginning to take hold in several states, and campaigns such as the "It Gets Better" project are trying to send a message that it really is OK to be LGBT. Opinion: A friend remembers Sally Ride . Could Sally Ride have come out publicly before her death? Yes. But we should respect her choice to keep her personal life relatively private. Perhaps, if she had been fortunate to have lived a little longer, she might have decided that giving up some of her privacy was worth it to let people see her as an American hero who "happened to be a lesbian." I know thousands of LGBT kids might have been encouraged to learn Sally Ride was gay -- but we need to remember that those of us who grew up in the '50s and '60s, when many of us didn't even know what gay meant, are still on a journey of self-acceptance. I still marvel at so many young gay and lesbian kids when I see how accepting they are of themselves and how their straight peers accept them as "normal." Although I am retired and DADT is gone, I still hesitate to share I am a lesbian and am still surprised when people are totally fine with it. Opinion: Thank you, Sally Ride . Let's remember Sally Ride as a courageous pioneer and American hero. Let's not let the fact that she didn't publicly come out to the world detract in any way from her remarkable accomplishments. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Joan Darrah. | Sally Ride kept her sexual preference a secret during her lifetime .
Some say Sally should have come out, Joan Darrah says, but it wasn't easy in her generation .
Darrah: When Sally and she grew up, being a woman in a man's world was hard enough .
Darrah: Ride should be remembered for her remarkable life, not for her orientation . |
162,159 | 5da8fa0d59ba8d37541c9ef7394198484b2303d3 | (CNN)"The Kingdom ... strongly condemns and denounces this cowardly terrorist act that is rejected by true Islamic religion as well as the rest of the religions and beliefs." So reads the statement issued by Saudi Arabia, where I grew up, the day the offices of "Charlie Hebdo" came under attack, with the loss of 12 lives. Last Sunday, to show further solidarity with the victims, the Saudi ambassador to France joined other world leaders in Paris for a unity rally to celebrate free speech. This is consistent with the face Saudi Arabia presents to the outside world. Visitors to the website of the Saudi embassy in Washington are invited to "learn ... how the Kingdom's political system is rooted in Islam's traditions which call for peace, justice, equality, consultation and respect for the rights of the individual." Just two days before the Paris rally, my friend Raif Badawi was removed, in shackles, from a mini-bus outside the Al-Jafali mosque in Jeddah as a large crowd gathered around him after Friday prayers. According to eyewitnesses, he closed his eyes and raised his head skyward as a security officer approached him from behind with a large cane and started to beat him. Witnesses say Raif was lashed 50 times. Afterwards, he was taken back to prison where he is serving a 10-year sentence—for blogging. Raif's next flogging was set to take place today, but Saudi authorities postponed it due to medical advice, his wife said. She expects he will be flogged again next week—and every following week—until his sentence of 1,000 lashes is complete. Raif is officially charged with "adopting liberal thought," "founding a liberal website," and "insulting Islam." He has become the latest symbol of the two-faced policy his country takes towards human rights. Saudi Arabia is a strong American ally that has enjoyed virtually unconditional support from the United States for decades. President Bush famously held hands with its monarch, King Abdullah, as the two strolled through his Crawford, Texas ranch during the King's 2005 state visit. President Obama was widely criticized for appearing to bow to Abdullah at a G-20 summit in London. In the same month that ISIS horrified the world with its brutal beheading of journalist James Foley, Saudi Arabia publicly beheaded 19 people, for crimes ranging from smuggling cannabis to sorcery. Limb amputations for theft are sanctioned by the state religion. In addition to oil, Saudi Arabia is the world's leading exporter of Salafism, an ultra-conservative strain of Islam. The country touts itself as the birthplace of the religion of peace—yet underlines the Islamic declaration of "Shahadah" on its flag with a sword. Osama bin Laden was a Saudi citizen, as were 15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11. Why does a world outraged by the horrific actions of ISIS and the Taliban turn a blind eye to the way this country treats its own citizens? The first reason is obvious. It isn't just our governments. Every time we fill our cars with gas, we all bow to the Saudi king. The second is more complex. Online videos of Raif's flogging show worshipers from the mosque, including young children, running excitedly towards the square to watch the beating. Afterwards, the crowd erupts into cheers and applause, chanting "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Great!) in unison. This isn't surprising. The public likely considers Raif guilty of blasphemy and apostasy. A 2013 Pew Research poll found that large numbers in Muslim countries favor the death penalty for leaving Islam—including 88% of Egyptian and 62% of Pakistani Muslims, as well as majorities in Jordan, Malaysia, Palestine, and Afghanistan. Of course, these views don't represent all Muslims. But contrary to what we're usually told, they aren't just held by a fringe minority either. Many of these countries don't have populations willing to rally en masse to support free speech and pluralism the way France did. The change has to first come from within. Raif has sacrificed a great deal to make this change happen. The world must support him and call Saudi Arabia out on its hypocrisy. Some time ago, just 50 miles east of where Raif is being held today, another dissident once spoke of change, of challenging the status quo, of radical new ideas that would ultimately transform his society. He was ostracized, persecuted, and eventually driven from his city by those wanting to kill him. He was Mohammed, the Prophet of Islam; his persecutors, the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. Muslims endeavor to emulate the life of Mohammed. Saudi Arabia has instead chosen to emulate the Quraysh. This week, Raif spent his 31st birthday imprisoned and wounded. With enough awareness, we can put enough international pressure on the Saudi government to ensure that he spends his next one with his wife and their three beautiful children. | Saudi Arabia condemned the attack on the Charlie Hebo offices in Paris as a "cowardly terrorist act"
But Ali A. Rizvi writes that days later the Kingdom flogged blogger Raif Badawi for crimes including "founding a liberal website"
Rizvi says the world turns a blind eye to this "hypocrisy" from a country where he says change needs to come from within . |
245,201 | c95d4e93d56bc445a471f8068c1838cd28ff346c | (CNN) -- This week on Inside Africa . It's one of the most sacred acts of the Zulu people. We take you inside an ancient wedding ceremony played out in modern times. Africa gains two seats on the United Nations Security Council, but should those seats be permanent, and what will Nigeria do with this two-year opportunity? Plus, Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys takes us on her eye-opening trip to Africa and talks about how the experience changed the way she wrote her next album. Alicia Keys in Africa . She's traveled the world on tour but for singer Alicia Keys nothing spoke to her like a visit she once took to Africa. It moved her to help create a charity and influenced her next album. CNN's TJ Holmes sat down with the singer to find out what caused the profound effect. Liberia Photo Exhibit . Tim Hetherington is a photographer who has witnessed the violent life behind rebel lines in Liberia's 2003 civil war. He takes us through photos he took during his time there, now on display in London. World Food Prize . There is a weed so powerful in sub-Saharan Africa that it can destroy hundreds of thousands of hectares of crucial crops. It's a problem that has puzzled researchers for ages. But now, thanks to one man, a breakthrough is on the horizon. We reveal why Dr. Gebisa Ejeta is the recipient of this year's World Food Prize. Interview with Ojo Maduekwe . The United Nations has recently voted in its newest members to the Security Council, the new five out of 15 who will serve for the next two years. Nigeria and Gabon received the two African seats, making this the third time Gabon has served on the council and the fourth time for Nigeria. CNN's Isha Sesay spoke with Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe about what he'd like to accomplish in the next two years and how it felt to be the one to bring this success to Nigeria. Traditional Wedding . A view of ancient times. These were images sent in by an iReporter of one of the most sacred acts of the Zulu people: a traditional wedding. Our correspondent Errol Barnett caught up with the iReporter behind these photos. | Inside Africa reports on Africa's seats in the United Nations Security Council .
CNN's TJ Holmes sat down with Alicia Keys to talk about her visit in Africa .
Photographer Tim Hetherington shows us his Liberia photo exhibit .
Plus, World Food Prize and Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe . |
245,499 | c9c2b23dcc4b38f0d3fe8325994a9191b518cb27 | The New York Police Department has identified the father of "Baby Hope" and want to speak with him as part of their 22-year investigation into the girl's death. Police stopped short of calling the man a suspect. "He is someone we definitely have to talk to," NYPD Assistant Chief Joe Reznick told CNN on Thursday, "But can we arrest him for this right now? The answer is no, definitely not." Investigators are looking for the father and believe he is in New York City. "We're very interested in him," a law enforcement official told CNN. "Baby Hope," a little girl whose body was found in a blue and white picnic cooler in a wooded area near the Henry Hudson Parkway on July 23, 1991, was never identified until this week. Police now believe "Baby Hope" was South American, according to Reznick. Reznick is "confident" an arrest will be made in this case, but could not state when that might happen. "Trust me when I say the investigation is probably more active now than it's ever been during the course of 22 years," Reznick said. As CNN previously reported, police have identified the little girl and her mother but will not make either name public because of the ongoing investigation. The girl, then believed to be 3 to 5 years old, was smothered and sexually molested. Her body was so badly decomposed that several sketches were made to suggest what she looked like. Thanks to a tip, the department confirmed the identity of the girl's mother through DNA testing, according to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. The body was exhumed in 2011. "A DNA match was made with the mother and the mother has been cooperating," Kelly told reporters Tuesday. He declined to name the mother or provide details on the case. "Homicide is a distinct possibility here, so it's going to go forward in that direction," Kelly said of the investigation. The girl was never reported missing and police could not track down anyone who might have known her. The NYPD Cold Case Apprehension Squad never gave up hope, continuing to hand out flyers and canvas nearby neighborhoods every year on the anniversary of the discovery of the body. "We have been able to identify the mother of Baby Hope as a result of, in my judgment, outstanding detective work," Kelly said on Tuesday. NYPD hasn't given up on Baby Hope . Detective Robert Dewhurst, a member of the squad, told CNN in July that several detectives were still on the case and that people with information may speak many years later for many reasons, such as feeling safer after moving to a new area where they don't see the person responsible every day. Sometimes people "want to get it off their chest," said Dewhurst. For months after Baby Hope's body was found, police went back to the site hoping whoever was responsible, driven by guilt, had left some type of memorial that would have helped police. Baby Hope, two years after she was found, was laid to rest in a donated plot. She was buried in a white dress bought by a detective's wife. | Body of unidentified child -- named Baby Hope by police -- was found on July 23, 1991 .
Authorities have identified the father, want to talk with him .
NYPD assistant chief: "Confident" an arrest will be made .
Authorities able to identify the mother through tip, DNA . |
258,270 | da44104efcae0fc7139232fa94fb953dedae36bf | (CNN) -- When working on her nude series, artist Karen Divine sometimes joins other photographers at group photo shoots with a model in a studio. She's usually the only woman, and she's usually the only one without a high-powered digital camera. She always gets funny looks when she joins a group shoot with just her phone. Last week one photographer said to her, "Oh, gee, that works for you?" In fact, it works quite well for her. She shoots, composites and manipulates all her pieces on her iPhone. Divine's nude series explores whether a female photographer approaches photographing women differently than the male photographers who dominate the field. The series has not only been recognized as great iPhone work, but it also stacks up well against traditional photography. Her work won two awards in the international Eyephoneography photography competition and won first place in the Fine Art Nude category in the Lucie Awards, an international photography competition. Since she discovered the potential of the iPhone as a photography and art tool a year and a half ago, Divine has downloaded 50 photography apps and stowed away her bulky cameras that had been invaluable tools in her art career for the past four decades. "I haven't really shot with my camera since," she said. Smartphone artwork is increasingly becoming recognized as a viable new media form, providing an opportunity for veterans to expand their style and reach. Mixed media artist David Swann has worked in welding, film and digital photography, printmaking, painting and Photoshop; for him, the iPhone is just another canvas. "It's not out of disrespect for traditional processes," Swann said. "It's just another way of taking a creative idea and putting it out there for people to share." His mixed media works might include a photo manipulated on the iPhone, then printed on a canvas and overlaid with acrylic paint. David Rams, a former photographer for Playboy Magazine who is also now experimenting in mixed media, said he pulls photos taken on his Nikon into his phone and applies filters. Sometimes clients like them more than the full resolution photos. He finds beauty in imperfections: in scars on people and in scratches and overexposure effects of some Instagram filters. For him, app experimentation is like sketching. Art photography: When 'reality isn't good enough' "There's no stress," he said. "I don't have a client breathing over my neck." It also allows him to document his personal life without feeling like he's in work mode, unlike when he has a camera hanging around his neck. "There are some moments you don't want to be carrying a camera so you can be involved in it, but a cell phone is a lot more spontaneous," Rams said. All three artists said settling for the lower resolution of the photos was worth the improvisation the iPhone allows. They can grab a shot of a neat cloud formation when running errands, or composite a new piece while waiting in a doctor's office. It's not only experienced artists playing on their phones. Smartphones and apps provided a platform and tools for creative types who hadn't pursued art because of lack of training or supply funding. Daria Polichetti and her partner, Nate Park, launched the website iphoneart.com in 2010 for mobile artists to upload their portfolios and share techniques with each other. They hosted the L.A. Mobile Arts Festival in August, which they said was the largest gathering of mobile art to date with more than 200 artists' work showcased. "There were well-known artists alongside soccer moms," Polichetti said. "People from all over the world, from Lebanon, Turkey, Africa, were able to come together in a way that wasn't possible before in the world of art." Mobile devices have allowed more people to become part of the art world, and both Polichetti and Divine, whose work was featured in the festival and is posted on the site, are welcoming the newcomers. On Wednesday Polichetti launched an iprint online store where artists sell prints of their work. "We feed each others' creativity," said Divine, who is teaching her techniques at workshops. "I can teach techniques, but people have to have a vision and work from a place where they can express themselves." Polichetti said she often hears that mobile artists aren't truly artists because they hit a button to apply a few filters, and it's the app developers who are doing the real work. "These artists are innovating art at the front of the field and doing things these app creators didn't even know was possible. They're inventing new processes," she said. "It's a real collaboration." Do you think mobile phone art is a legitimate art form? Share your take in the comments section below. | Mobile phones are a newer tool for fine artists, some of whom use them exclusively .
Photographer Karen Divine shoots all her award-winning work on her iPhone .
Mixed media artist David Rams says phones give him the freedom to create on the fly .
Last month the L.A. Mobile Arts Festival showcased the work of more than 200 artists . |
35,768 | 659b7dcdddf518b25a1bf46d09b7922327d9265a | FC Toronto president Tim Leiweke has hit out at Jermain Defoe, claiming he can 'get the hell out of our way' if he does not want to return to the MLS. Defoe, who signed for the American club six months ago on a four-year-deal, is currently being paid £90,000 a week and has played 16 matches for his new side. Despite scoring 11 goals in his time there - an impressive goals-per-game ratio - Defoe is said to be looking for a premature end to his spell in the USA, in favour of a move back to the Premier League. Jermain Defoe has not settled well into the MLS, and wants a quick return to England . Deadline day moves to QPR and Leicester fell through, but the former could still be an option for Defoe . Speaking at Ryerston University, Toronto president Leiweke said: 'I personally don't think Defoe will come back. I think if he doesn't want to be here you get rid of him. 'My attitude is, if you want to be here and buy into what we've been doing, let's go...I will be with you every day. If you don't want to be here, get the hell out of our way.' Defoe was linked with deadline day moves to Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City, but after both fell through the ex-Tottenham striker is said to be exploring other avenues. FC Toronto though, are in pole position when it comes to selling the want-away forward. Defoe still has three-and-a-half-years left on his deal, and his club will want to hold out until January to enable them to recoup some of their £6 million transfer fee. Leiweke was quick to compare Defoe to David Beckham, a success story of promoting the MLS around the globe. 'Has Jermain Defoe ultimately adapted as well as David Beckham did? 'David Beckham had more character, more grit, more determination than any player I've ever been around. Never once did he run, hide or fade away.' Defoe has been with Toronto for less than a year but he could be on the move again . | Jermain Defoe is likely to leave FC Toronto in the near future .
Defoe moved to the MLS this summer, but wants to return to England .
The 31-year-old ex-England striker is currently being paid £90,000 a week .
He is only six months into a four-year-deal, but is unlikely to play again .
Toronto president Leiweke says Defoe has not adapted well .
He compared Defoe to David Beckham, who 'never ran or hid' in the MLS . |
172,050 | 6ab1dd0e8e5d16ed736709456d9e6e18a12eca0b | (CNN) -- The defense for Oscar Pistorius used the final day of closing arguments in a South African courtroom Friday to painstakingly go through a time line of the night he killed his girlfriend, revisiting phone records and witness testimony to back his version of events. The second and last day of closing arguments caps months of proceedings that have seen the Olympic sprinter gag, vomit and break down in heaving sobs. The judge will consider her verdict over the next five weeks and announce it next month, she said. Pistorius sent a message to supporters through his Twitter account at the end of court Friday: "Thank you to my loved ones and those that have been there for me, who have picked me up and helped me through everything. " Pistorius shot his girlfriend, model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day last year. The state has charged Pistorius, 27, with premeditated murder in the death of Steenkamp, 29. But the athlete contends he mistook her for an intruder when he fired four fatal shots through a locked bathroom door at his home in South Africa. Live blog: Follow the trial . CNN legal analyst Kelly Phelps said she was impressed with the way defense attorney Barry Roux completed his closing arguments. "We've always said they'd need to come out with their 'A' game, and that is certainly what they did here today," Phelps said. Roux alleged the prosecution made mistakes and handled evidence poorly. He laid out details of the noises from that night: the gunshots, screams and pounding -- the last from Pistorius' using a cricket bat to break down the door. Witness testimony shows an anxious man screamed for help three times, which supports Pistorius' case, according to Roux. The defense reminded the court that Pistorius, who uses prostheses to walk after his lower legs were amputated as a child, suffers from anxiety. Roux compared the Olympian's situation to that of an abuse victim who suddenly snaps after undergoing suffering for a while. Roux argued that Pistorius should be evaluated as a "reasonable" disabled person with anxiety, not as an ordinary "reasonable man." If the court finds that Postorius was "reasonable," then he must be acquitted, he said. In an attempt to discredit the prosecution's version of events, Roux also accused investigators of tampering with the crime scene by moving items around, including a fan and Steenkamp's jeans. In police pictures, the items appeared in different spots from where the Olympian said they'd been, Roux said. He pointed out that the burden of proof is on the state in this case, and accused the state of avoiding certain important facts and ignoring other reasonable scenarios. Roux pointed out that the burden of proof is on the state in this case, and accused the state of avoiding certain important facts and ignoring other reasonable scenarios. Making his final arguments, prosecutor Gerrie Nel accused the Olympian's attorneys of presenting a defense that did not jibe with the facts. Prosecution: Pistorius lied . Nel, renowned for his bulldog tenacity in questioning, maintained that Pistorius was dishonest and his testimony was "devoid of any truth." Using a metaphor reflecting Pistorius' career on the track, Nel said the athlete had "dropped the baton of truth." "Without the baton of truth, you cannot complete the race," he said. Nel said the Olympian "displayed a blatant disregard for the law and the lives of others." In Pistorius' version of events, the prosecutor said, the athlete said he went to the bathroom door and fired with the intention to kill or hit, believing there was someone behind it. Before he fired, he was armed with a high-powered weapon and was "in charge" of the situation, Nel said. He said Pistorius should not go free regardless of whether the court believes he thought there was an intruder behind the door. Calling the Olympic sprinter an "appalling" witness, Nel said the evidence from the bullet holes in the bathroom door suggests Pistorius had time to think, and that he looked down the gun sight as he fired. But Roux referenced Nel's metaphors in disputing the accusations. "There's no crumbling of the mosaic [Nel's metaphor for the defense's circumstantial evidence] or dropping of the baton," he said. Judge's decision . The closing arguments lower the curtain on a courtroom drama that, since March, has seen the Olympic sprinter weep and retch in the courtroom as disturbing evidence was presented. Proceedings were delayed while Pistorius underwent a court-ordered, monthlong psychiatric evaluation. He was depressed, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and is a suicide risk, the doctors concluded. But he did not appear to have a history of abnormal aggression or psychopathic tendencies linked to "rage-type murders in intimate relations." Nicknamed "Blade Runner" for the bladelike lower-leg prostheses he wears on the track, Pistorius has always admitted that he killed Steenkamp. The key question in his trial is that of intent. Judge Thokozile Masipa said Friday that she would announce his fate on September 11. There are no jury trials in South Africa. Masipa is assisted by two lay advisers -- called assessors -- in her decision. The judge's options on verdict and sentencing range from acquittal and freedom to conviction of premeditated murder and life in prison. Masipa and the assessors will consider the evidence and testimony presented in court, which may cover up to 4,000 pages of court transcripts. If the judge believes beyond a reasonable doubt that Pistorius knew he was shooting at Steenkamp, then she will find him guilty of murder. If she rules it was premeditated, Pistorius would face a life sentence. In South Africa, he would be required to serve at least 25 years. If it is not premeditated, he would serve a minimum of 15 years. If Masipa sees any reasonable doubt that Pistorius knew Steenkamp was behind the bathroom door, she won't convict him of murder. Still, if she determines that Pistorius was unreasonable in his actions that led to Steenkamp's killing, she would find him guilty of culpable homicide. In that case, she would have to decide upon a sentence herself. If she believes there is a reasonable chance that Pistorius made a mistake and responded in a reasonable fashion, she will find him not guilty, which means the athlete could go free. CNN's Laura Smith-Spark contributed to this report. | NEW: Pistorius verdict set to be announced on September 11, 2014 .
Pistorius shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steencamp on Valentine's Day last year .
Defense attorney alleges the state made mistakes .
Prosecutor calls Olympian an "appalling" witness . |
271,437 | eb947b8500bea944445813c2d89860d5af735080 | By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 01:43 EST, 8 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:55 EST, 8 July 2013 . The widespread closure of public toilet closures could be putting lives at risk, health experts have warned. Campaigners say being desperate to go to the toilet can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Four out of 10 public toilets have closed in the past decade and in Glasgow just eight public toilets remain open. Health experts say the closure of public toilets has increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes . Health experts say the situation is so bad it is 'leaving people prisoners in their own homes'. Dr Clare Walton, of the Stroke Association, said: 'There is no research to suggest that holding a full bladder can directly increase your risk of stroke. 'However, not being able to empty your bladder could potentially cause a temporary increase in blood pressure which could put some individuals at risk of stroke.' The Welsh Assembly was warned by . health experts that full bladders could 'cause a stroke or heart attack' for old, ill and vulnerable people. Carlisle City Council has halved its public toilets from 14 to seven in just five years, according to Freedom of Information request figures. Newcastle City Council currently maintains 11 public toilets after closing five in 2008. Renfrewshire Council have . closed five, leaving just a solitary toilet open, and in the Scottish . Borders, eight out of 50 have shut their doors. Stirling . has been left with 16 after a dozen throughout the council area were . shut in the past two years. Association managing director Raymond Martin said: 'This is a health problem, not just a financial one. 'These cuts affect the health of the nation, with the elderly and disabled really hit hard. 'It's a major worry with many people feeling they are becoming prisoners in their own home. 'Not being able to go causes all sorts of medical problems, from raised blood pressure and bladder issues to infections.' Four in 10 public toilets have closed in the past decade. (File picture of City of Westminster public toilets) Budgets for public toilet provision in some authorities have been drastically reduced. Of the Scots councils that supplied figures, the overall cut was more than 21 per cent. Tourists visiting Lancaster have also seen a dramatic fall in the number of public loos. A total of 16 toilets have been shut since January 2008. Areas of the Lake District have also seen a decline and Allerdale Borough Council, which includes the town of Keswick, has shut six toilets. Mr Martin said: 'Making savings from toilets seems like the easy option for councils. 'But there's a desperate need to have toilets that are available, clean and hygienic.' A meeting with the Older People's Commissioner for Wales was held by the BTA this week. Such is the concern, the BTA has been asked to compile an up-to-date 'toilet map' of the UK by disability organisations. Work is also being done with Age UK and Tourism for All with more 'community toilets', part-funded by locals increasingly being viewed as a way forward. Michelle Mitchell, Age UK's Charity Director General, said: 'Public toilets are vital to many older people, enabling them to get out and about to access essential services. 'Worrying about being caught short or facing the indignity of having an accident in public can have a devastating impact on people in later life, resulting in many feeling increasingly stuck at home and cut off from the rest of society.' | Four out of 10 public toilets have closed in the past 10 years, figures say .
Stroke Association said needing the toilet can increase blood pressure .
British Toilet Association said it is a 'health problem, not just financial one'
Campaigners say people being left 'prisoners in their own homes' |
101,936 | 0f60fd94d255ad9c397d29ceda88828831375ac6 | The Hubble Space Telescope has given astronomers their clearest view yet of Comet ISON, which experts believe could light up the sky in a breathtaking display later this year. The image of . Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) was photographed on April 10, when the comet was . slightly closer than Jupiter’s orbit at a distance of 386 million miles . from the Sun, and 394 million miles from Earth. Experts believe it will get dramatically brighter as it swings around the sun in late November, with some claiming the comet could shine brighter than Venus or even the full moon. Scroll down for video . Comet C/ISON was imaged with the Hubble Space telescope on April 10 using the Wide Field Camera 3, when the comet was 394 million miles from Earth . Preliminary measurements from the Hubble images suggest that the nucleus of ISON is no larger than three or four miles across. This is remarkably small considering the high level of activity observed in the comet so far, said researchers. The comet’s dusty coma, or head of the comet, is approximately 3,100 . miles across, or 1.2 times the width of Australia. A dust tail extends . more than 57,000 miles, far beyond Hubble’s field of view. Even at its current distance, the . comet is already active as sunlight warms the surface and causes frozen . volatiles to sublimate. Comets become more active as they near . the inner solar system, where the Sun’s heat evaporates their ices into . jets of gases and dust. A detailed analysis of the dust coma surrounding . the solid, icy nucleus reveals a strong jet blasting dust particles off . the Sunward-facing side of the comet’s nucleus, Nasa says. Like all comets, ISON is a 'dirty snowball' a clump of frozen gases mixed with dust, formed in a distant reach of the solar system, traveling on an orbit influenced by the gravitational pull of the Sun and its planets. ISON’s orbit will bring it closest to the Sun, of 700,000 miles on November 28. 'As a first-time visitor to the inner . solar system, Comet C/ISON provides astronomers a rare opportunity to . study a fresh comet preserved since the formation of the solar system,' said Planetary Science Institute Research Scientist Jian-Yang Li, who . led a team that imaged the comet. 'The expected high brightness of the comet as it nears the Sun allows . for many important measurements that are impossible for most other fresh . comets.' An enhanced image reveals enhanced dust particle release on the sunward-facing side of the comet's nucleus, and the small, solid body at the core of the comet . Next week while the Hubble still has the comet in view, the Maryland team will use the space telescope to gather information about ISON’s gases. 'We want to look for the ratio of the three dominant ices, water, frozen carbon monoxide, and frozen carbon dioxide, or dry ice,' said Maryland astronomy Prof. Michael A’Hearn. 'That can tell us the temperature at which the comet formed, and with that temperature, we can then say where in the solar system it formed.' Preliminary measurements from the Hubble images suggest that the nucleus of ISON is no larger than three or four miles across. This is remarkably small considering the high level of activity observed in the comet so far, said researchers. The comet’s dusty coma, or head of the comet, is approximately 3,100 miles across, or 1.2 times the width of Australia. A dust tail extends more than 57,000 miles, far beyond Hubble’s field of view. Comets are dusty balls of ice, which generally originate from the Kuipler belt - a region of icy small bodies beyond Neptune. Occasionally, a comet gets dislodged from its orbit, and plunges in to the inner solar system. They differ from asteroids, which are made of metal or rock, and are usually the left over remnants of planets or moons. Comets are not really reflective - they only reflect 4 per cent of the the Sun's rays, about the same as coal. So although they look brilliantly white from Earth, they are black at the surface. Halley's . comet is the most well-known, named after Edmond Halley who noted the . regular 75-76-year appearance of a comet, and predicted it would return . in 1758, although sadly the astronomer died 16 years before he was . proved correct. Halley's comet has passed within a fraction of the Earth before - in 1910 the Earth even moved through the comet's tail. Sadly, the 1986 re-appearance was the worst for 2,000 years, as the Earth and the comet were on opposite sides of the sun. | Comet could shine brighter than Venus or even the full moon in November .
Photographed on April 10, when it was 394 million miles from Earth . |
130,679 | 35012567eab477cf7aab5d7ef2ec6e3e1d51ce7b | (CNN) -- President Obama seems determined to launch a two-front war with the new Republican Congress. The bigger news has been about his threatened executive order on immigration. The White House, however, has also indicated a determination to greet the new Senate majority leader from coal country with a series of very expensive environmental regulations necessitated by the climate agreement he announced with China. Before he takes these steps, President Obama should take a few days off and read a couple of books about President Woodrow Wilson's last two years in office. There are a lot of parallels between the two presidents. Both were college professors. Both liked to hide on a golf course (Wilson holds the record having played more than 1,000 rounds as President). Both were powerful orators. Both had deeply held convictions. Both disliked the Congress. The collapse of the Wilson presidency after the 1918 midterm defeat is a cautionary tale for President Obama. Republicans gained 25 seats in the House and five seats in the Senate, enabling them to control the Senate by a narrow 49-47 margin. Wilson did not seem to realize how powerful that Senate control was, even if by a close margin. He also did not realize how deeply senators feel about their prerogatives and constitutional authority. Obama determined as ever to bypass Congress . Wilson's reaction to the new Republican Senate was to defy it. He went off to the peace conference of Versailles which ended World War I with no Republican senators in the delegation. He wrote the League of Nations treaty (the forerunner to the United Nations) refusing to compromise with Republicans in the Senate. When the Republicans insisted on adding some limitations to the treaty, Wilson fought them. He went to the country and launched a nationwide speaking tour. The tension and exhaustion led him to collapse with a stroke on October 2, 1919. The incapacitated president was protected by his wife, who in effect ran the administration until he left office. The American people repudiated Wilson by an enormous margin in the 1920 elections. Republican Warren Harding won 404 electoral votes and more than 60% of the vote. In the House, Republicans gained 62 seats for a 302-131 majority. In the Senate, Republicans gained 10 seats for a 59-37 majority. President Wilson had presided over the destruction of the Democratic Party -- and it did not become competitive again until the Great Depression a decade later. President Obama seems determined to reject the American people. He set the terms for this election on October 2 at Northwestern University when he declared that his "policies were on the ballot." The American people took him at his word and defeated Democrats at every level. When the President's party loses the Senate, additional seats in the House, a number of governorships, and almost 300 state legislators, the American people have spoken. Republicans today have more state legislators than any time in the party's history. Republicans also control more state legislative bodies than any time in their history. Republicans have very likely tied and may surpass their post World War II high-point in membership in the U.S. House, making Speaker Boehner the most successful Republican Speaker in electoral terms since Longworth in the 1920s. If the president's opponent reaches those kind of high-water marks after a 160-year history, something big is happening. Pollster Kellyanne Conway reports that 74% of last week's voters wanted President Obama to work with Congress rather than unilaterally issue an executive order on immigration. Gallup reports that 53% of the American people want the new GOP Congress to set priorities while only 36% favor President Obama setting the priorities. This is a striking decline for the President from 2012 (Obama is down 10 percentage points and Republicans are up 11 points in two years). If President Obama defies the will of the American people, he will destroy the Democrats' chances in 2016. Democrats in 2014 had to hide from Obama. By 2016, at this rate, they will have to repudiate him. That would all but guarantee their party's defeat, with a party descending into internal strife and the pro-Obama hard-liners fighting with anti-Obama Democrats who just want to survive. Hillary Clinton would find it a nearly impossible environment for a campaign. There are more immediate consequences to an Obama war on Congress. The Congress will fight back, and the Congress has more tools to fight with than the President does (the spending power, committee hearings and oversight power, and taking votes, to name a few). Congressional tools are so extensive and so misunderstood that they deserve their own column. It will be interesting to see how the White House reacts to the new Congress. Outgoing majority leader Harry Reid has protected the President from a lot of difficult choices by controlling the Senate so tightly. As a result, President Obama and his team may not even fully understand the disaster they could be creating by declaring war on Congress. Reading of Wilson's catastrophic experience might temper the Obama White House. If not, the new Republican Congress will defeat it. Join us on Facebook.com/CNNOpinion. | Newt Gingrich: President Obama may take steps that would inflame GOP in Congress .
He says executive action on immigration, coal industry regulations would be confrontational .
Gingrich: Obama should study career of Woodrow Wilson, who fought and lost vs. Congress . |
103,370 | 114a1a7ba299c8857c804a3149a81b983438454e | By . Rupert Steiner . A high street chain is testing an electronic price tag that alters the price of an item based on the profile of the customer. B&Q wants to use the technology to reward loyal shoppers with discounts and offers. The new Wi-Fi-enabled price tags will be put on the edge of shelves and will identify customers through a chip in their mobile phone. Brand loyalty: Home improvement store B&Q want to use the electronic price tags to reward loyal customer or to drop the prices at off-peak times . The high-tech system would then use data stored either from loyalty cards or spending habits to work out a price, which would be displayed next to the goods as the customer walks past. Some will see the innovation as an extension of the vouchers they receive at the checkout. But others may worry it is the start of a two-tier pricing system that favours the rich at the expense of the poor. Ian Cheshire, chief executive of B&Q owner Kingfisher said: ‘We have done various behind-the-scenes tests. It’s all about special offers for individuals where we are looking at bundling offers or giving discounts.’ The firm has installed electronic price tags in its French chain of Castorama stores and is now looking to introduce them in the UK. Britain’s retailers are facing tough times as consumers rein in spending on all but the most essential of items. Time regulated shopping: The devices could be used to encourage shoppers into the stores at less busy times to help retailers even out their staffing numbers and car parking congestion . They have been looking at new ways to . attract shoppers and encourage loyalty as more people shop about for . the best deals. Vouchers and promotions have become a major weapon in . the battle for the retail pound and Kingfisher is looking at taking it a . step further with its cutting-edge technology. Mr . Cheshire, who is chairman of the British Retail Consortium, also . revealed he is looking at introducing variable pricing based on the . model used by the airlines. This means products could have different . prices at different times of the week depending on demand. The . weekends and evenings are usually the busiest for most retail chains . and Mr Cheshire is testing a system where the prices of some products . would be cheaper earlier in the day and during the week to encourage . customers to come into the store at non-peak times. This would result in fewer queues and help retailers even out their staffing numbers and car parking congestion. Mr Cheshire said: ‘We could move to . dynamic pricing and mimic the model used by easyJet. Yield management . techniques are not new – it’s just they haven’t traditionally been used . in retailing. ‘Pricing could be adjusted based on time of day. I am on the board of Premier Inn owner Whitbread and when I joined they had two different prices for their hotel rooms – now it’s 10,000. Look at how the airlines work and what you can do online, people are used to that.’ | Technology will be Wi-Fi-enabled and put on the edge of shelves and will identify customers through a chip in their mobile phone .
It would also allow the store to fluctuate prices at peak times to encourage shoppers in early in the day and during the week to get goods cheaper .
But others may worry it is the start of a two-tier pricing system that favours the rich at the expense of the poor . |
197,427 | 8b85ec80cf60488b92a045aa87dcf28bca6ce7b1 | (CNN) -- The Iranian attorney for two American hikers released last week said Thursday he was briefly detained by security forces following a raid on his home. Masoud Shafiee told CNN that security forces searched his apartment on Tuesday and took him to Evin Prison in Tehran for questioning. It was the same prison where his clients, Americans Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, were held for two years. He said security forces seized his files, including those regarding the case of Fattal and Bauer, and his computer's hard drive. "I do not know what they were looking for," Shafiee said. Fattal, Bauer and Bauer's now-fiancee, Sarah Shourd, were arrested after straying across the unmarked border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran in July 2009. Shourd was released in 2010, but Bauer and Fattal were freed last week after 781 days in captivity and a trial for espionage that Bauer said was based on "ridiculous lies." Shortly after their release, Fattal and Bauer thanked numerous people who helped secure their freedom, including their attorney. Shafiee "was never allowed to represent us properly, but he never gave up," Fattal said. Security forces questioned Shafiee about the two Americans, he said. "They were very polite and respectful. But the very act of taking a lawyer to prison and searching his home just because he had done his duty seems excessive and reflects negatively on Iran's judiciary," Shafiee said. Before he was released, Shafiee said he was asked to write a letter guaranteeing that he would appear in court whenever he was requested to do so. It was not immediately clear what, if any, allegations Shafiee may face. Journalist Shirzad Bozorgmehr contributed to this report . | Iranian security forces seize files relating to the case of two American hikers, an attorney says .
"I do not know what they were looking for," he says .
Masoud Shafiee represented Americans Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer .
The two Americans have been released after two years in an Iranian prison . |
244,340 | c834ed620b08f242f2c529b152cec7086f2b2210 | PUBLISHED: . 08:02 EST, 15 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:28 EST, 15 March 2013 . Circling an alleged child kidnapper lying bloodied on the concrete, this photograph shows the moment people in a Mexican town decided to take justice into their own hands. The man, who is suspected of being involved in the disappearance of several children in Chiconautla, was held for three hours after being set upon by an angry crowd of up to 1,000 people yesterday. Federal police who swooped on the scene in Ecatepec de Morelos in Mexico yesterday evening had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd and rescue the man, according to local reports. WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT . Mob rule: The alleged child kidnapper was lynched by members of the public in Chiconautla, Mexicoeditors note: graphic content . The man, who is understood to be 25, was driven away from the scene in an ambulance, according to a report in Mexico's El Universal. Anger erupted in the community last Friday following the disappearance of two children and other young women from the area, the newspaper said. The alleged offender was detained by the crowd - some of whom can be seen wielding sticks in the photograph, outside a school in Chiconautla, according to the report. He is reported to have been tied up with a rope and beaten in an attemped lynching before police intervened last night. Chiconautla: Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and drive the alleged offender away in an ambulance, according to local reports . | Photograph shows man lying on street surrounded by locals wielding sticks .
Held by crowd in Chiconautla, Mexico, for three hours before being rescued .
Suspected of being involved in disappearance of several children . |
200,199 | 8f2c2adcd4b04808058c4a2b65d3cfb3b069a65b | By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 07:31 EST, 8 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:31 EST, 8 April 2013 . With multicoloured lights gently glowing from a translucent ceiling, a stream rippling through rocks beneath and a bright light in the distance, this tunnel looks like a passage to fairytale world. But this breathtaking photograph was taken in cave carved out of the living rock and ice of this world - albeit on a remote fringe little visited by outsiders. These incredible pictures show ice caves carved by volcano-fed hot springs through the glaciers of Kamchatka. Treasures Of The Dwarfs: This breathtaking . picture taken by Russian photographer Natalia Balentsova of a cave . carved out of the ice in Kamchatka by a hot spring near the Mutnovsky volcano won the 2012 Russian Wild Nature . competition . They were captured by local guide and photographer Denis Budkov, Natalia Balentsova, a photographer from Chelyabinsk, and others on the peninsula on the eastern edge of Russia's vast Siberian land mass. The intrepid snappers came across the magical caves by chance while on expedition near the Mutnovsky volcano, some 45 miles south of the regional capital of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The incredible lights shining purple, blue, green and yellow are no computer trickery - they are the result of sunlight streaming through the glacial ice into the hidden world below. The cave was carved out of the glacier by an underground river that is sourced in a hot spring gushing from the Mutnovsky volcano itself. Subterranean world: Ms Balentsova and her local . guide Denis Budkov, also a photographer, came across the magical caves . by chance while on expedition near the Mutnovsky volcano, some 45 miles . south of the regional capital of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky . Natural wonder: The cave has been carved out of . the glacier by an underground river that is sourced in a hot spring . gushing from the Mutnovsky volcano itself . Mr Budkov told the Siberian Times: 'Mutnovsky volcano is the heart of Kamchatka. 'This heart is literally beating and you can feel it while the earth is slightly moving under your feet'. He added: 'We found the cave by chance in September 2012. It was not far away from a volcanologists' hut. 'I was taking some photographers for a tour and we saw a spring running from under the glacier. We came closer and saw that there was a hole so we went into this extraordinary cave.' Entrance to the underworld: The expedition . members lit flares in the cave to highlight the undulating erosion . caused by the warm water as it flows through . Geology: The walls and ceiling of the frozen world are made up of layers of compacted snow, with the river softly gurgling through a long chamber here illuminated by a yellow flare . Ms Balentsova spent several hours inside working on photographs to record the incredible subterranean world they found themselves inside. One her pictures - dubbed Treasures Of The Dwarfs - won the Russian Wild Nature competition last year. She said: 'Outside, the glacier was very dirty and grey. But inside, everything was different. 'The snow was melting, and the light passed through the thin walls, reflecting surprisingly bright colours.' The power of nature: Steam spews from the the Mutnovsky Volcano . The walls and ceiling of the frozen world are made up of layers of compacted snow, with the river softly gurgling through a long chamber illuminated by light glinting through windows made of ice, . 'It's hard to find such places without a guide', said Budkov. 'Even me, being an experienced guide, didn't know about this cave as it is off the usual routes I normally take. 'Plus at the moment, it is impossible to get there as we have a metre and a half of snow covering everything. 'I'm not sure if it will even melt during the summer. So maybe the people who want to see the cave will have to wait until next year'. | These incredible pictures were taken by photographers on expedition in the eastern Siberian peninsula .
The caves have been carved into glacial ice by a hot spring gushing from the regions Mutnovsky volcano .
Local guide Denis Budkov says he came across them by chance - and may not be able to find them again . |
191,919 | 8480d3af8dbdf3ddbf1765a4d34eb28ea1dd3385 | Middle-distance runner Caster Semenya carried the South African flag last month in opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. That was quite a change for the powerhouse runner, who three years ago was scrutinized for issues other than her athletic performance before being cleared to compete. Semenya gained attention in 2009 before the World Championships in Berlin -- not for her athletic prowess, but because some questioned the then-18-year-old's gender. Her masculine appearance had raised concerns and complaints to the International Association of Athletics Federations, the governing body for all international athletic competitions outside the Olympics. Before the World Championships began, the IAAF confirmed Semenya was being tested for gender verification. The concept of gender testing for athletes is not new. Various methods have been used to assure that men do not compete as women, which would give them an unfair athletic advantage. While both men and women produce testosterone in their bodies, in men it produces more muscle, adding to athletic prowess. Women use testosterone to produce estrogen, the female hormone. This year, the London Olympic Committee instituted a new testing policy that measures testosterone levels of female athletes, rather than DNA. The testing is performed only if questions are raised about a female athlete's performance, and must be requested by a chief medical officer of a national Olympic committee or a member of the International Olympic Committee's medical commission. While Semenya won the gold medal in the women's 800-meter in 2009, the win was overshadowed by the gender questions, and her competitors complained she should not have been allowed to compete. On September 11, 2009, Australia's Daily Telegraph reported information from "a source closely involved with the Semenya examinations IAAF testing," which revealed that she had both male and female sexual characteristics. Semenya had no womb or ovaries, according to the report, and had undescended testes, causing her to have triple the levels of testosterone of other female athletes. Indian athlete under pressure to prove her gender after accusations . While the politically incorrect term for people who possess both male and female sexual characteristics is hermaphrodite, the proper term is "intersex." The IAAF advised Semenya to get surgery because of the potential health issues caused by her condition. No public information was provided about her treatment. In July 2010, the IAAF cleared Semenya to compete. She took second place in her Olympic debut Wednesday in the 800-meter heats. Commentary: My life as a 'mighty hermaphrodite' Gender testing has been the subject of debate, and different testing methods -- hair patterns, chromosome testing, individual gene testing -- have been used, but no method is perfect. "There's no simple test to determine gender, so what we're left with is an imperfect system," says Dr. Eric Vilain, a UCLA medical geneticist who served as a medical adviser to the IOC on its new policy for testing female athletes for "hyperandrogenism" -- meaning producing too many male hormones. Critics of the female "hyperandrogenism" testing include professors Rebecca Jordan-Young and Katrina Karkazis of Barnard College and Stanford University, respectively. The two say the "new sex testing policy threatens to ban women whose bodies produce high levels of testosterone." They argue in an editorial published in the Guardian that "faulty logic ... links two common but inaccurate assertions about testosterone." "The first is that male and female elite athletes have clear and distinct testosterone levels. ... The IOC then projects this supposed gap onto differences in male and female athletic performance, claiming they 'differ mainly due to the fact that men produce significantly more androgenic hormones than women.'" Vilain disagrees, saying that "there's a huge no man's land" between male and female testosterone levels. He also suggests "there could be no testing, which has been argued," by Jordan-Young and Karkazis, "but the vast majority of female athletes I have spoken with believe there should be some sort of testing" when questions are raised about female athletes. Transsexual athletes treated unfairly . The IOC regulations state that "the performance of male and female athletes may differ mainly due to the fact that men produce significantly more androgenic hormones than women and, therefore, are under stronger influence of such hormones." Women who are found to have abnormally high levels of androgens may have an unfair advantage, according to the regulations. The IOC also notes, "Nothing in these regulations is intended to make any determination of sex. Instead these regulations are designed to identify circumstances in which a particular athlete will not be eligible (by reason of hormonal characteristics) to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games" in the female category. Vilain says he believes it would be "extraordinarily difficult" for women to reach the male range threshold for testosterone, which is not spelled out by the IOC because of differing lab testing methods. He says that for the small number of female athletes who learn they have high levels of testosterone, treating the condition, whether it is caused by a disorder of sex development or an adrenal malfunction, will benefit their health. India athlete makes plea for Semenya . | South Africa's Caster Semenya underwent gender testing in 2009 .
Various methods have been used to test athletes' gender .
The London Olympic Committee has instituted a new testing policy .
"There's no simple test to determine gender," expert says . |
191,497 | 83fbd3d13b1826d685a08b1490a7486d6a5b0ce4 | (CNN) -- The GOP-led House Select Committee on the Benghazi terror attack shows no sign of backing down despite a report from another congressional panel that, according to a top Democrat, found no intelligence failures around the deadly 2012 assault. "There is more work to be done and more to be investigated," a spokeswoman for House Select Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy told CNN on Wednesday. Shortly before beginning its August recess, the House Intelligence Committee, also led by Republicans, approved its report on the militant attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in eastern Libya that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. "Our investigation found the intelligence community warned about an increased threat environment, but did not have specific tactical warning of an attack before it happened," Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, the senior Democrat on the intelligence panel, said in a statement after its vote. Ruppersberger said the finding is "consistent with testimony that the attacks appeared to be opportunistic." Other committee probes . The Intelligence panel, along with several other House committees, has spent the past two years interviewing witnesses and examining evidence about the Obama administration's response to the attacks and the related controversy that has been a flashpoint between Republicans and President Barack Obama over his conduct of foreign policy. In a key finding, the Intelligence Committee reached a conclusion on one of the most contentious issues -- the now-infamous talking points used by a senior administration official to describe publicly what had occurred. Using that information, then U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice explained in television interviews just days after the September 11 attack that it stemmed from spontaneous protests over an anti-Muslim film produced in the United States. There had been such demonstrations in other areas of the Mideast. U.S. intelligence officials soon determined, however, that groups with links to terrorists planned and carried out the armed assault on a diplomatic facility and a CIA annex. A flawed process . The committee report, according to Ruppersberger, found that "the process used to develop the talking points was flawed" and that they "reflected the conflicting intelligence assessments in the days immediately following the crisis." Like an earlier report by the House Armed Services Committee, the Intelligence Committee also found that there was no 'stand down' order issued by the U.S. military command in Tripoli, which sought to support Americans under fire in Benghazi. CNN reached out to Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers for comment on the panel's report but did not receive a response. Gowdy has said repeatedly that the House Select Committee will review what other congressional committees have found, but also seek testimony from those who haven't done so yet. Gowdy told his hometown newspaper, the Greenville News, "witnesses who were previously unavailable or not interested in cooperating are now interested in cooperating." He added that "the universe of witnesses is expanding." Gowdy also indicated that the Select Committee would hold its first public hearing in September to hear how the State Department is carrying out new efforts on diplomatic security. Broader mandate . Gowdy spokeswoman Amanda Duvall told CNN the committee's "mandate is broader" than work done by other panels. "The chairman has repeatedly noted the Select Committee wants every relevant document and all relevant witnesses to ensure every relevant fact is uncovered. This is a fact-centered investigation and the committee will go where the facts lead," Duvall said. The plan now is to declassify the Intelligence Committee report and make it public. A time frame for that, however, is not yet clear. Where are the Benghazi suspects? One of them appears in court . Many questions in handling of Benghazi . | House Select Committee on Benghazi is will press ahead with investigation .
Another committee found no intelligence failures around the deadly 2012 assault .
Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed in the attack .
It was first blamed on a spontaneous demonstration; later, intelligence said it was planned . |
145,820 | 488e1364da6566f79a4c3f94fce404d6dd3c75f2 | Arrives under a cover of darkness at 5.30am . Actress dresses in full black and was ushered in via back door . Is washing blood-stained sheets and was 'shocked' after seeing a corpse . She orders burgers for lunch for other people doing community service . Delivery of cupcakes she bought as a 'sorry gift' to staff are turned away . Lohan was sent away yesterday after arriving 40 minutes late . Lindsay Lohan arrived under a cover of darkness today as she reported for community service at the LA County Morgue. The 25-year-old actress turned up at 5.30am in an apparent bid to slip in quietly and thwart the waiting media. But she was not let in until 6am, when she was pictured being ushered in via the back door. Scroll down for video... Caught on camera: Lindsay Lohan arrived early today to perform community service at Los Angeles County Morgue . Running ahead of schedule: Lindsay turned up at 5.30am - although she was not let inside until 6am . Lohan was chauffeur driven to the morgue in her black Cadillac Escalade and aerial shots capture the Mean Girls star exiting the vehicle. Dressed appropriately in mournful black, Lindsay was wearing a hooded jacket teamed with leggings, booted heels and shades. She kept her face hidden under her . hoodie as she entered the building at the back - a special privilege afforded . to her because of the huge media presence outside. Members of the general public who perform community service at the morgue have to use the front entrance. Going incognito: The actress kept hidden under a hooded jacket and was wearing black leggings and heels . Ready to muck in: The Mean Girls star is ushered into the back of the building by a worker while flanked by paparazzi and camera crews . Media frenzy: Assistant . Chief Coroner Ed Winter speaks to the waiting Press . Yesterday Lindsay was turned away from the morgue by staff after rolling up in an $80,000 Porsche Panamera - 40 minutes late. There are around ten other people . serving community service at the morgue today - but it is believed . Lindsay could be kept separate from them. Lindsay is reported to have cheered staff at the morgue today by treating them to lunch from the California favourite, In 'N' Out burger. The actress made the gesture after staff were told to bring packed lunches today because they are not able to leave the building for a break, due to the extensive media presence outside. But while Radar Online reported that the burger lunch went down well, 36 fancy cupcakes were turned away. It was initially unclear who had ordered the cupcakes, but Lohan's spokesman has now admitted it was Lindsay. The spokesman explained it was intended as a a sorry gesture to staff after she turned up late yesterday, saying: 'Lindsay ordered cupcakes for the staff . and volunteers. When they were delivered, morgue supervisors would not . let them into the building.' 'It is unfortunate that Lindsay's well-intentioned actions were not . taken in the spirit in which she intended... to say she was sorry for . yesterday's misunderstanding.' Assistant chief coroner Ed Winter told TMZ that they wouldn't be accepting food and sent the delivery man from Magnolia Bakery in Beverly Hills away. Everyone has been told to bring packed lunches today - as they will not be allowed out of the building, Good Day LA reports. The TV network spoke to a 23-year-old named only as Evan who is also performing community service at the morgue. He said duties included cleaning sinks . and bathrooms and 'going where the bodies are to cut out plastic sheets . that are used to wrap the bodies in'. Sources have since told TMZ.com that Lindsay is on sheet washing duty - and covered her mouth in shock when she first set eyes on some blood-stained sheets. While her duties do not involve handling corpses in any way, she has apparently set eyes on a dead body and seemed 'shocked', the website reports. Lohan has to complete 16 hours between now and her next court appearance on November 2. Photos from yesterday show her arriving in the morgue's car park before being turned away by staff. After . finding herself with her day unexpectedly free, Lohan decided to put . her time to good use by attending a last minute therapy session. Lindsay posted on Twitter yesterday: 'With all of . the stress and pressure from yesterday and today, I've never been so . happy to go to therapy!!!! Also, I'm sorry for the confusion that I may . of caused to those at the Coroner's office. Won't happen again, now I . know where to go! Thank you for your help.' Although the LA Coroner's spokesman . said Lohan was 40 minutes late to her 8am appointment, she claimed she . was 'approximately 20 minutes late'. Man in demand: Winter turned Lindsay away from the morgue yesterday after she arrived late . But . after her 'confusion' over what entrance to use on Thursday, her . publicist insisted the actress would report to the morgue on time later . today. Her publicist Steven Honig said: 'Lindsay arrived at the . morgue approximately 20 minutes late and will be returning for . orientation tomorrow. 'Her lateness was due to a combination . of not knowing what entrance to go through and confusion caused by the . media waiting for her arrival. Too late! Yesterday Lindsay was turned away after she arrived 40 minutes late in a Porsche . 'Lindsay . spoke with the supervisors at the morgue. They showed her how to get in, . and everything is all cleared up.' Assistant . Chief Coroner Ed Winter, . however, is unconvinced by Lohan's excuse, telling reporters that she . has been to the morgue before so should have known where to go. And she . may not just be able to turn up today without the judge's permission. Winter added: 'Ms. Lohan has to have permission from the probation department and/or . the judge, that she can come back. 'I haven't heard from the probation . department or the judge about whether or not Ms. Lohan will be allowed . to come back.' Well the rest of the day is free now... Lindsay made use of her free time yesterday by going to the dentist to get her teeth whitened . Getting her Hollywood smile back: Lohan is hoping to have pearly whites when she turns up at the morgue later today . However, Lindsay still believes she is on track. 'She is going to . orientation tomorrow unless the Court tells her otherwise, which has not . happened,' Steve Honig, Lohan's spokesperson told Radar. Lohan will face the wrath of Judge Sautner on her November court appearance. Lohan is already skating on thin ice . with Sautner, who on Wednesday blasted the Machete actress for not making . an effort to complete her probation. Where's Lindsay? Camera crews wait for Lohan's arrival at the morgue yesterday when she arrived late . Clean-up duty: Lohan has been ordered to complete 16 hours at the morgue before her next court hearing on November 2 . The judge is incensed the actress has . barely scratched the surface of the 480 hours of community service she . was ordered to complete as part of her sentence for the theft of a gold . necklace earlier this year. Lohan only did around a . day-and-a-half at the Downtown Women's Centre in LA - and failed to show . up nine times, resulting in her being rejected from the programme. This week she did some volunteer work . for the Red Cross - but Sautner ruled it as void because it was not . part of the sentence she had specifically stipulated at an earlier . hearing. Long arm of the law: Lindsay seen here arriving for her court hearing on Wednesday . Finding her feet: Lindsay tweet from yesterday apologising . for the confusion at the morgue and suggesting she had got lost . Sautner said only time completed at the women's centre and the morgue counted. In a further development, LA County . Sheriff Lee Baca has told Fox 11's Good Day LA that the overcrowding . issue will not keep Lohan out of jail. He told the show that if Lindsay is . sentenced to jail time he will make sure he finds room for her, adding . she needs at least 60 days inside to be rehabilitated. What a twit: She also tweeted that she was pleased to be going to therapy after a stressful day yesterday and in court on Wednesday . The news comes after Lohan's father Michael spoke out, alleging his daughter was back on drugs and needs help. He said the recent photos of her . discoloured and apparently rotting teeth was down to her smoking . methamphetamine or crack cocaine. Lohan posted $100,000 bail on Wednesday following her court hearing. Meanwhile, the beleaguered star's mother is set to blow the lid on her daughter's alleged drug and alcohol use in a memoir she's currently shopping around Hollywood. Website TMZ has obtained the draft of a prologue for Dina Lohan's memoir, which Dina's spokesperson is pitching to the literary world. An excerpt from the prologue allegedly written by Dina says: 'I blamed her friends, her career and her handlers for an (sic) newfound lifestyle of partying excessively. 'Drinking, drugging and behaving irresponsibly became Lindsay's way of daily living--and it tore me up inside.' Lead away in cuffs: Lindsay was taken into custody after being blasted by the judge. She later posted $100,000 bail . Laying the lawn down: Judge Stephanie Saunter pulled not punches during yesterday's hearing . Kicked off: Lindsay missed nine scheduled times . to work at The Downtown Women's Center and told the Probation Office it . did not 'fulfil' her . | Arrives under a cover of darkness at 5.30am .
Actress dresses in full black and was ushered in via back door .
Is washing blood-stained sheets and was 'shocked' after seeing a corpse .
She orders burgers for lunch for other people doing community service .
Delivery of cupcakes she bought as a 'sorry gift' to staff are turned away .
Lohan was sent away yesterday after arriving 40 minutes late . |
218,563 | a6efbcdb743c8060b01af7d07c1855633afd9ed7 | (CNN) -- Foreign diplomatic missions in North Korea face an ominous decision after Pyongyang said Friday it could not guarantee the safety of embassies and international organizations in the event of armed conflict. Tensions on the Korean peninsula remain in a heightened state amid new reports that North Korea has prepared missiles for launch, while South Korea has deployed naval destroyers to its coasts. The British Foreign Office said North Korea told British officials that it would not be able to guarantee the safety of diplomats in the capital if fighting breaks out. Several diplomatic missions said the North Koreans held a meeting Friday for ambassadors in which they asked whether anyone needed assistance in evacuating their personnel. "We are consulting international partners about these developments," the British Foreign Office said in a written statement. "No decisions have been taken, and we have no immediate plans to withdraw our embassy." A spokesman for Sweden's ministry of foreign affairs said the North Koreans "did not urge us or ask us to evacuate," but offered assistance for those who wanted to leave. The Swedish Embassy in North Korea acts "as the United States' interim protecting power and provides basic consular services to U.S. citizens traveling in North Korea," according to the U.S. State Department. The Swedish Embassy remains open and operational, the spokesman said. Russian state media reported a more specific suggestion for its diplomats. North Korea asked the Russian Embassy to consider a possible evacuation of its staff because of the tensions, Denis Samsonov, spokesman for the embassy, told Russian state media. France's foreign ministry state it was taking the situation "seriously." It said it had no current plans for evacuations of personnel or French nationals in the country. The developments come as two medium-range missiles have been loaded onto mobile launchers on the East coast of North Korea, a U.S. official told CNN on Friday. A second U.S. official said intelligence on that is not definitive. The account followed a report by South Korea's semi-official Yonhap news agency, citing military sources in Seoul, that the two missiles were ready to be launched. Yonhap said the missiles have been hidden in an unidentified facility. In response, South Korea has sent Aegis destroyers equipped with advanced radar systems to both of its coasts, Yonhap said, citing navy sources. The United States would "not be surprised" if North Korea launched a missile, White House spokesman Jay Carney said Friday. "We have seen them launch missiles in the past and the United Nations Security Council has repeatedly condemned them as violations of the North's obligations under numerous Security Council resolutions." New regional tensions were triggered by North Korean saber rattling, including threats to launch nuclear strikes, and the flexing of military prowess by the United States and South Korea in response. These followed the imposition of stepped up U.N. sanctions against the North after its latest nuclear test in February. North Korea has also said it planned to restart "without delay" a reactor at its main nuclear complex that it shut down five years ago as part of a deal with the United States, China and four other nations. Most observers say the North is still years away from having the technology to deliver a nuclear warhead on a missile. And many analysts say the increasingly belligerent talk is aimed at cementing the domestic authority of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. A U.S. State Department spokeswoman said Thursday the situation did "not need to get hotter," reflecting efforts by the Obama administration to ease its rhetoric and cool tensions. But the latest developments by North Korea, which has accused the United States of pushing the region to the "brink of war," could signal a missile launch soon, officials have said. The missile components, U.S. and South Korean officials have said, are consistent with those of a Musudan missile, which has a 2,500-mile range, meaning it could threaten South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia. U.S. reducing rhetoric that feeds North Korean rhetoric . It is believed a missile launch would be a "test" launch rather than a targeted strike. That is because it appears the North Koreans have only moved the components so far. The United States is waiting to see whether North Korea issues a customary notice to its airmen and mariners to stay out of the region. Communication intercepts in recent days also seem to show that Pyongyang might be planning to launch a mobile ballistic missile in the coming days or weeks, another U.S. official said. Key dates in U.S. military moves near North Korea . Wednesday, the United States announced it was sending ballistic missile defenses to Guam, a Western Pacific territory that is home to U.S. naval and air bases. North Korea has cited those bases when listing possible targets for missile attacks. North Korea: Our global fear and fascination . Pentagon officials, while decrying North Korean rhetoric, said recent announcements of U.S. military deployments in response to belligerent statements by Pyongyang may have contributed to the escalating tensions. As the bombast reaches a fever pitch, the United States is refining its message. The Pentagon now says it is working to decrease the temperature as it maintains a frank and vigilant stance toward the threats. Photos: Painting a picture of North Korea . Starting Wednesday, North Korea also barred South Korean workers and managers from entering the Kaesong industrial complex, an economic cooperation zone that sits on the North's side of the border but houses operations of scores of South Korean companies. It also repeated a threat from the weekend to shut down the complex, where more than 50,000 North Koreans work. CNN's Jethro Mullen reported and wrote from Hong Kong. CNN's Barbara Starr reported from Washington. CNN's Laura Smith-Spark wrote in London. CNN's Kyung Lah, Judy Kwon and K.J. Kwon contributed in Seoul; Per Nyberg in London; Tim Schwarz in Hong Kong; Joe Sterling and Henry Shirley in Atlanta; Elise Labott and Tom Cohen in Washington. | NEW: France does not plan to evacuate staff .
A U.S. official confirms reports that North Korea has loaded a pair of missiles into launchers .
Communications suggest a North Korea missile launch is a possibility, a U.S. official says .
State Department: "This does not need to get hotter" |
93,158 | 03d5c34ba5ba1f409c364f8d7ec365ee5fb5723a | The world's biggest tobacco firms are pouring millions into electronic cigarette advertising, bringing back the cigarette commercials that were banned in the 1990s. Tobacco companies have already spent £11.5million advertising 'smoking deterrent products' in the UK this year - including e-cigarettes and nicotine patches - beating last year's £13.6million record. And the total figure since 2009 amounts to a staggering £60million, according to market research company Nielsen. Scroll down for video . Glamorous: Stephen Dorff fronts a campaign for BluCigs promoting e-cigarettes . Sales of electronic cigarettes have risen tenfold in the last year, labelled as a 'healthy' alternative to smoking and promoted by celebrities who have taken them up. Existing advertising rules ban tobacco products from being promoted, but there are no rules against depicting cigarettes. British American Tobacco, the maker of Lucky Strike and Benson & Hedges, was the first tobacco company to launch an e-cigarette in Britain in July, and Philip Morris International, the world’s biggest tobacco company, is due to launch e-cigarette soon. Imperial Tobacco, the maker of Davidoff, has an electronic cigarette coming out next year. Around 1.3million Britons have taken up 'vaping' - inhaling nicotine vapours given out by the battery-powered plastic devices, which contain liquid nicotine. That figure is up from 700,000 last year - and sales of the fake fags are predicted to rise to £193million by the end of the year and £339million annually, Nielsen said. The devices not due to be regulated . as medicines until 2016, and health experts are concerned that they could glamourise smoking again after decades of fighting to cut smoking rates. Breathe in... Jenny McCarthy, former Playboy model, is also the face of a BluCigs campaign . ...And out: There is no concrete evidence to suggest e-cigarettes are dangerous, but health experts are concerned . Prices typically range from £7 to £60 and the devices come in flavours such as blueberry and chocolate. Analysts at Canaccord Genuity, the investment bank, expect them to be the 'most significant development in the history of the organised tobacco industry'. The existing tobacco business is worth £450 billion, and big tobacco companies companies in the United States have made television advertisements using Jenny McCarthy, a former Playboy model, and actor Stephen Dorff. And e-cigarette campaigns have already come to UK TV screens, with actor and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Mark Benton fronting a £600,000 ad for the E-Lites brand. Gamucci brand plans to raise £200 million from investors partly to fund an advertising blitz in 2014. BAT uses social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, and attractive young people tour cities promoting its smoking devices from cars with Vype branding. Philippe Zell, director of sales and marketing at Nicoventures - owned by BAT, which is using Facebook and Twitter to promote its devices - said that the company 'will be ramping up our presence'. Advertising spending on e-cigarettes and . other smoking materials and accessories went from £1.7 million in 2010 . to £13.1 million last year, according to Kantar Media. Shane MacGuill, a tobacco industry analyst at Euromonitor, says BAT is likely to advertise on television using 'modest, vague and after the watershed' tactics. Tobacco advertising was banned in cinemas in 1986, while cigars and loose tobacco were banned from television commercials in the early 1990s. Cool? Analysts say that if cigarettes appear on TV again, it could undo years of anti-smoking campaigning . And while there is no concrete proof that the e-cigarettes are damaging to health, New York's mayor Michael Bloomberg has said he wants to rid his city of both real cigarettes and the electronic alternative. Recently leaked drafts of three tobacco-related bills that are expected to be introduced into the City Council indicate that Bloomberg's planning to regulate e-cigs into extinction. Sales of e-cigarettes are already banned in Norway, Singapore and Brazil, among others, and France is set to impose the same restrictions on ecigs as on regular smokes. | Tobacco firms spend £11.5million on e-cigarette advertising in UK this year .
Total spending on tobacco advertising up to £60million since 2009 .
Health experts 'concerned' about glamorous celebrity image of e-cigarettes .
Cigarette advertising banned from UK TV in early 1990s . |
133,384 | 38789edd40ca7284fb2978c88a5e424af5b8b836 | A top grammar school was forced to apologise after a group of pupils 'blacked up' for a fancy dress party held as part of a leavers' day celebration. A picture of four students wearing dark face paint during a fancy dress event at the top boys' school was posted online by Stephen Lehec - headmaster at Aylesbury Grammar School in Buckinghamshire. The year 11 pupils had dressed as the Jamaican bobsleigh team from the film Cool Runnings to celebrate the end of their school careers. The headteacher at Aylesbury Grammar School tweeted this picture of four year 11 pupils wearing dark face paint during a fancy dress event held at the top boys' school . A screenshot from the smash hit Disney film Cool Runnings . Three of the pupils are white and one mixed race. In the image, they can be seen wearing wigs and with their faces painted black. Mr Lehec tweeted an image of them, writing, '#AGS2014 #AGSmemories Jamaican bobsleigh team comes to the party! #coolrunnings'. He swiftly deleted the tweet but not before it was criticised by other twitter users. One Julie Davies wrote: 'Aylesbury grammar school students ‘black up’ for a bit of fun? @AGSheadmaster’s timeline makes the 1950’s come alive!' Her son Harry Davies then wrote: 'Why did @AGSheadmaster think it acceptable for pupils to do this?' Aylesbury Grammar School, pictured, is a top boys school in the area. The pupils were in fancy dress for a leaver's day celebration . On Twitter user, Julie Davies, reacted in anger to the head's tweet. Her son Harry then wrote: 'Why did @AGSheadmaster think it acceptable for pupils to do this?' Mr Lehac, who has been head for five years, has now apologised ‘unreservedly’ for the gaffe - and admitted he exercised ‘poor judgment’ in posting the image. He said: 'Three of the boys ‘blacked up’ as part of dressing up as the characters. 'All of the students were enjoying their day of celebration and the experience, and at no time was there an undertone of any act being of a derogatory or racist nature. 'As with many of the groups and individuals on the day, pictures were taken some of which were posted on Twitter. 'It appears that one of those pictures caused offence and as soon as this was known, the picture was removed. The pupils were dressed as characters form the 1993 film Cool Runnings, one frame pictured . Three members of Jamaica's 1988 bobsleigh team who inspired the cult film Cool Runnings . 'It was not the intention of either the students or the school to cause offence and the school unreservedly apologises for any offence that was caused. 'The school accepts that it exercised poor judgement in not acting swiftly when it saw the boys concerned and it has taken steps to ensure that this does not happen at future school events.' Mr Lehec, who leaves his post at the end of this term, dubbed the leavers day ‘emotional and fun-packed’. He also claimed the school is ‘highly liberal and respectful’. | Stephen Lehec is head at Aylesbury Grammar School, Buckinghamshire .
Tweeted picture of year 11 pupils dressed as Jamaican bobsleigh team .
Teens dressed as Cool Runnings characters to celebrate leavers' day .
The image of students provoked fury on Twitter .
Head removed the tweet and has now apologised 'unreservedly' for gaffe . |
59,573 | a93061d1ac217234c5a7b1bc3d105e60c94020ac | Young love can be an awkward and embarrassing affair so one teenager picked a novel way to woo the object of his affections - he decided to record a cover version of a classic love song. Tom chose to perform Bryan Adams' song Everything I Do, I Do It For You, for his friend Emily. He then posted the video online and, predictably, it has gone viral. Scroll down for video . Love-struck: Tom choose to perform Bryan Adams' song Everything I Do, I Do For You, for his friend Emily . Copy cat: In one scene he leans against a tree . and plays an electric guitar like Bryan Adams, bobbing his head . emphatically to the music . Singing over the track, the five-minute video starts with Tom walking through a forest, with his hands in his pockets. It's clear that Tom has closely . studied the Bryan Adams original as, just like the singer's video, Tom performs against a forest background. But unlike Adams who is wearing a blue denim jacket, Tom dons a Hawaiian shirt, beige cargo shorts and white trainers. As he warbles along to the lyrics, the next shot moves to Tom perching on a green bike as he sings longingly into the camera. Best shot: As he warbles along to the lyrics, the next shot moves to Tom perching on a green bike as he sings longingly into the camera . In one scene he leans against a tree and plays an electric guitar, bobbing his head emphatically to the music. The video ends with a rolling message . on a black screen which reads: 'Special thanks to Emily for being . beautiful, Bryan Adams for writing the song, Mike for being camera man. 'Once again Emily, you are beautiful and you are the best thing that's ever happened to me.' The video ends with a rolling message on a black screen which reads: 'Special thanks to Emily for being beautiful, Bryan Adams for writing the song, Mike for being camera man' Tom makes clear the depth of his adoration for Emily . But just when it looks like the love-sick . tribute is over, Tom appears on the screen again. 'Hi Emily, I bet you probably think I am a creep after I gave you the music video and the song and everything,' he says. 'But all I can really do is tell you that I care about you more than words can express and that is why I had to make the video. Last word: Just when it looks the love-sick tribute is over, Tom appears on the screen again against a backdrop of foliage with his hands in his pocket and speaks to the object of his affection down the lenses of the camera . 'I mean you can hate me, do whatever . you want as long as you know how much I care. How much pain I go through . to come up with ideas, just to describe it. 'You're pretty much all I care about, . even just to tell you about this I am making myself feel insane talking . to a camera but I hope you like the video .' Then he adds: 'Enjoy it. I enjoyed making it for you.' The video has already been seen by over 200,000 people and has had over 3,000 likes. Under the clip, which was posted on YouTube, the text reads: . 'Alright, here is the deal, I made this music video for Emily, who you know I love if you watch my vlog. 'This is the full version, every clip is in it. 'I know it sucks, I can't sing very . well. I gave Emily a copy of this before posting it, she liked it, and . that is the point. I hope you like it if you view it, I put a lot of . work in. Credit was given where credit was due.' | Teen called Tom recorded Everything I Do, I Do It For You cover to woo his friend Emily .
'I care about you more than words can express and that is why I had to make the video' |
211,998 | 9e8fbcb3f72adb2b40d3f5a5dc6ce267d00fa0a8 | By . John Stevens . PUBLISHED: . 16:31 EST, 1 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:11 EST, 2 August 2013 . colourWhite: The celebrity chef is definitely not in the pink after being told to repaint his 15th century hotel . When Marco Pierre White chose to repaint his 15th century hotel a shade of pink, he perhaps thought it would add to the colourful palette used on old buildings in Suffolk villages. But the chef is being forced to repaint his historic hotel after locals complained that the Grade-II listed building looked like 'blancmange' as he has not used the traditional Suffolk Pink. Villagers had asked planning officials to investigate after the outside walls of the Angel Hotel, which dominates the market place in the medieval village of Lavenham, were changed from cream to pink. One of the upset local residents said: 'It looks as if someone has got their history badly wrong - Suffolk pink is a traditional colour here and has been for centuries. But it is not that chocolate-box pink that people think it is. 'Real Suffolk Pink dates back to the 14th century or earlier. Then paints were coloured using whatever was to hand, and ox-blood was used to produce the colour properly recognised as Suffolk Pink. 'There is a rich pageant of old colours in this village - from red to yellow and rust to mustard - and frankly the Angel looked ridiculous pink. 'It has changed colour over the years but no-one here can remember it being such a twee colour.' Another resident who lives just yards from the Angel said: 'It is a ghastly inappropriate colour and totally out of place in the middle of so many other buildings painted in proper sympathetic heritage colours. 'The job was done in a couple of days using cheap trade paint that was just slapped on - it's not even lime-wash which is what should be used on property in Lavenham.' Parish council chairman Roy Whitworth, who once ran the Angel which Mr Pierre White took over two years ago, said: 'Villagers were generally appalled by the new colour - no-one liked it.' Blancmange: Residents have fiercely criticised the celebrity chef's choice of colour, which they say looks like the famous dessert . Mr Pierre White upset villagers within days of taking over the hotel and pub when he refused to serve lager or Guinness, claiming it encouraged the wrong sort of people to the establishment, which was built as a tavern in around 1420. 'People here are already fairly cheesed off with Mr White because of the changes he made at the Angel and they would be very upset if he was allowed to get away with things,' said Mr Whitworth. The controversial cook also made the headlines earlier this year when a judge branded him a 'wealthy idiot'. Last night the hotel confirmed that the hotel would be repainted. Manager Rob Jackson said: 'The building needed freshening up and Marco chose the colour but we have agreed to change it and instead have a much darker pink. 'We didn't need permission to change the colour but we are happy to change it and use one recommended by English Heritage.' That's more like it: This Grade II cottage in the coastal village of Stutton has been decorated with proper Suffolk Pint paint . | Outraged residents have rounded on the celebrity chef over choice of paint .
White has agreed to repaint his hotel after it was branded a 'blancmange'
The famously grouchy cook has already upset villagers after banning lager .
Hotel says it will agree new shade of pink with English Heritage . |
148,937 | 4c94155f6681b59c63ad3b06177123081de91574 | Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin is breaking with many in his party by urging the White House to give Congress more time to reach an immigration reform agreement. He wants President Barack Obama to hold off using his executive authority to order major immigration changes, which the President is set to announce Thursday. "I just wish he wouldn't do it. I really don't. I just think we ought to work through this process and, with the new elections and the results of the elections, we ought to try in January to see if we can find a pathway to get something accomplished," the West Virginia centrist said Tuesday. Manchin, who reliably works across the aisle, is concerned Obama's actions will offend Republicans and make it politically much harder for the two parties to agree to broader reforms that still will be needed to fully fix the broken immigration system. He said he would like to see House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, bring up a bipartisan bill that passed the Senate and put it to a vote, something Boehner has refused to do citing a variety of concerns with the bill. "Let's see what everyone intends to do," he said. "I would think the Republicans will have observed and hopefully learned the formula we used before didn't work so I hope they wouldn't repeat it." Manchin's concerns are in contrast to the views of many congressional Democrats who are sighing relief that the President has decided finally to go around the gridlocked Congress to help millions of immigrants living in the country illegally. However, two other moderate Democrats asked by CNN about the issue echoed Manchin's views. When asked whether she thought the President should issue the executive orders, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota said "I think, as I've said, it's better to give Congress time to work on a bill." And Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, who was just elected to a leadership position in the Democratic caucus, said, "It would be great to get the House to take up the bill that passed the Senate. That would be a solution to the problem." Asked whether he would prefer the President not do it by executive authority, he replied, "I would prefer that Congress act, yes." | Sen. Joe Manchin of Montana is parting ways with many of his fellow Democrats .
He wants President Obama to hold off using executive authority to order major changes .
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and Sen. Jon Tester echo Manchin's sentiments . |
179,270 | 74193090f487d11f4c3686ab92533af6027f0e77 | By . Australian Associated Press . and Freya Noble . The number of New Zealanders taking the leap across the ditch to Australia is on the decline, despite more Australians moving to the land of the long white cloud. New statistics show just 30,500 people living in New Zealand opted to move to Australia during the 2013/2014 financial year, just under 40 percent lower than the 48,000 in the previous year. On top of that, the number of people relocating to New Zealand from Australia rose to 22,200 from 16,800 for the previous period. New Zealand citizens were responsible for most movement in both directions. The number of New Zealanders moving to Australia has dropped by nearly 40 percent, despite Aussies moving across the ditch in droves . These figures are in line with statistics from the past month which indicate New Zealanders are choosing to stay home or come home as Australia faces tougher economic times. For the first time since August 1991, migration is at such a low point that there is no net figure for the amount of New Zealanders who made the move to Australia in June. Statistics New Zealand also released figures showing visitor arrivals for June were 162,100, the highest on record for a June month. Population statistics manager Vina Cullum told AAP growth was driven by visitors from Asia, especially Japan and China, who were opting to holiday in New Zealand. New Zealanders are choosing to stay home or come home as economic times in Australia get tougher . Visitor arrivals numbered 2.79 million in the year to June 2014, up six per cent from the previous year. Most flew in from Australia, China, the United States and the United Kingdom. In a historic jump, annual migrant arrivals were 100,8000 - the first time in New Zealand's history that number has been over 100,000. Migrant departures numbered 62,400, down 22 per cent on the previous year, leaving a net gain of 38,300 migrants, the highest annual gain since the October 2003 year. Ms Cullum said net migration has been positive and primarily on the up since September 2012. Annual migrants to New Zealand are at an all time high, while their visitor arrivals are also up . | Rate of New Zealanders moving to Australia is down by 17,500 .
Number of Australians relocating across the ditch up on last year .
No net migration of New Zealanders to Australia in June for first time since 1991 .
Annual migrant arrivals in New Zealand at an all time high . |
173,628 | 6caf9ed1235c4c63754130c221df05bbf5c79d7f | The body of a 28-year-old man who disappeared after a night out clubbing with friends has been found. Patrick Lamb went missing during the early hours of December 13 after a night out in Bar Chocolate in Maidstone, Kent. His father Tony Lamb, 65, confirmed last night that the body pulled from the River Medway at Cuxton Marina, near Rochester, was that of his son. Mr Lamb said police had retrieved Pat's phone and wallet and the family would be issuing a statement tomorrow. The heartbreaking news brings to an end the month-long search for Mr Lamb. The body of Patrick Lamb, 28, has been found in the River Medway in Kent - he is pictured here with his girlfriend Natasha Morgan, 28, who made a tearful video pleading with him to come home before Christmas . Mr Lamb (left) went missing on December 13 and his family put up missing persons posters around Kent . Today, his sister Zoe, 20, paid tribute to her brother on her Facebook page. She wrote: 'My heart truly aches as I have to write this but last night our worlds came crashing down when we finally got our answers for Pat. 'My amazingly kind hearted, talented and selfless brother unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Saturday 13th December. 'I would never be able to put into words how hard this past month has been and for every day that I rung Patrick's phone I wish I heard his voice answer telling me he was safe. 'Patrick was truly the most amazing brother a little sister could ask for and I know he will continue to look out for me. Sleep tight Pat, love you.' The Pat Lamb Search Team posted on its Facebook page last night: 'It is now been confirmed that Patricks Body has been identified as the body found at Cuxton. As a Team we are heartbroken and send our condolences to the Family and Tasha...' Today his sister Zoe, 20, described her brother as 'amazingly kind hearted, talented and selfless' Mr Lamb's mother Sharon Lamb (left), Zoe Lamb (centre) and Michael Lamb (right) had put up posters and distributed flyers around Maidstone in Kent for help tracing the 28-year-old broadcast engineer . The family and friends of Mr Lamb, of Greenhithe, in Kent, had earlier recreated his last known movements on video. It showed the route taken he took up until 12.20pm on December 13, after he left Bar Chocolate sometime after 11pm. CCTV images captured a number of sightings of Mr Lamb, a broadcast engineer. He was last seen on Fairmeadow and had booked into a hotel in St Michael's Road but did not return. The heartbreaking news brings to an end the month-long search for Mr Lamb, pictured with his girlfriend . A post on a Facebook campaign set up to help find him had said it was hoped the video would jog peoples' memories. Days before Christmas, Mr Lamb's girlfriend Natasha Morgan, 28, released an emotional minute-long video urging him to come home. She said: 'Pat, if you're listening, I love you so much. Please come home to me.' Mr Lamb's father, mother Sharon, 57, sister Zoe, 20, and his four brothers had also put up posters around Kent and launched a Twitter campaign with the hashtag #findpatlamb. | Body of Patrick Lamb, 28, found in River Medway at Cuxton Marina .
His father Tony Lamb said police had retrieved his son's phone and wallet .
Search team 'heartbroken' by news that brings end to month-long search .
Mr Lamb went missing after night out clubbing with friends in Kent . |
48,579 | 8918d69cd0dbb13c6e9ea611e77fd3c3de442eb8 | Google will pay a $7 million fine to settle a multistate US investigation into a software snooping program that the firm admitted was on its Street View mapping cars. The software enabled the search giant to intercept emails, passwords and other sensitive information sent over unprotected wireless networks in neighborhoods across the world. The agreement covers 38 states and the District of Columbia, part of the area where households and local merchants unwittingly had some of their communications on Wi-Fi networks snatched by Google from early 2008 until the spring 0f 2010. A Google street view car pictured in Stoneybatter, Dublin: The firm is now being forced to pay $7m for intercepting emails and other information from open wifi networks the cars drove past . A Google Street View camera fastened on top of a car in Amsterdam on March 19, 2009 . The fine works out to roughly the same amount of revenue that Google makes per hour, and campaigners say it is not enough. 'The . penalty won't be enough to prevent Google from continuing to be a . 'serial privacy violator,' according to John Simpson, privacy project . director for Consumer Watchdog. The company brings in an average of $7 million per hour, based on its projected revenue of $61 billion this year. 'It's clear the Internet giant sees fines like this as just the cost of doing business and not a very big cost at that,' said Simpson. Google stopped the data collection in May 2010, shortly before the company revealed cars taking street-level photos for its online mapping service also had been grabbing information transmitted over Wi-Fi networks that had been set up in homes and businesses without requiring a password to gain access. The company blamed the intrusion on a rogue engineer who rigged a data-collection program into equipment that was supposed to only detect basic information about local Wi-Fi networks to help plot the locations of people using its mapping service and other products. After concluding its own investigation, the Federal Communications Commission last year asserted that some of Google's managers knew about the engineer's plan to vacuum information being transmitted over the Wi-Fi networks. Google hasn't identified the engineer who set up the data-collection program. The surveillance triggered outrage among privacy watchdogs and government investigations in more than a dozen countries. The backlash so far has been more of a public relations blow than a financial setback for Google, which has embraced 'Don't Be Evil' as its corporate motto. Even as it repeatedly apologized for a breach of online etiquette, Google insisted that it didn't break any laws in the U.S. The company is maintaining that position in the multistate investigation by entering into a settlement that doesn't include any admission of wrongdoing. Google, based in Mountain View, California, released another contrite statement Tuesday. 'We work hard to get privacy right at Google,' the company said. 'But in this case we didn't, which is why we quickly tightened up our systems to address the issue.' How Google's Street View works . The multistate agreement requires Google to destroy the personal data that it collected from the Wi-FI networks, unless a lawsuit or other legal action requires the information to be preserved. A series of class-action lawsuits are still being appealed in San Francisco federal court. Google says it never looked at the data, although regulators in other countries have reviewed the information as part of their investigations. Canadian regulators said Google had obtained the full names, telephone numbers and address of some people using the unprotected Wi-Fi networks. In France regulators found that Google had grabbed an email exchange between a married man and woman discussing a possible affair and other information about sexual preferences. The Wi-Fi snooping is just the latest of several incidents that have raised questions about Google's commitment to privacy. Google's street view cars have become a common sight on roads around the world - however, for a time they were also found to be snooping on open wifi networks as they drove by . In the past three years, Google also has been reprimanded by U.S. regulators for exposing the personal contact lists of its email accountholders when it started a service called Buzz in 2010 and for secretly tracking the online activities of Web surfers using Apple Inc.'s Safari Web browser last year. The Safari surveillance resulted in the Federal Trade Commission fining Google $22.5 million last year. The FCC also fined Google $25,000 last year for obstructing its investigation into the Wi-Fi spying. The $7 million fine that Google is paying the states and District of Columbia is the biggest U.S. penalty imposed on Google so far for Wi-Fi spying. Connecticut, the lead state in the Wi-Fi investigation, will get the largest cut from the fine - nearly $521,000. Other states getting a share are: . Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware Florida, . Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, . Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, . Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, . Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, . Vermont, Virginia and Washington. The multistate agreement also requires Google to create an instructional video for its YouTube site to help people learn to protect their Wi-Fi networks from interlopers. The video will be promoted with daily online ads for the next two years. Wi-Fi privacy tips also will be provided in print ads that Google must buy in major newspapers in all the states covered by the settlement. Google also will host an annual "privacy week" for its employees for the next decade. 'Consumers have a reasonable expectation of privacy,' said Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen. 'This agreement recognizes those rights and ensures that Google will not use similar tactics in the future.' | Campaigners say fine is not enough - as Google makes $7m in an HOUR .
Firm captured emails, passwords and other sensitive information sent over unprotected wireless networks across the world .
Practice occurred from early 2008 until the spring of 2010 . |
68,095 | c135b691a612f31fceddc11f63c9977af441cc33 | Santa Clarita, California (CNN) -- Paul Walker fans came by the thousands Sunday to mourn for the actor at the site where he and a friend died last weekend. Many of them drove by in souped-up cars fit to be used in Walker's "Fast & Furious" street race scenes, but others parked blocks away and walked to the business park about 30 miles north of Hollywood where eight days earlier Walker and Roger Rodas died in a fiery car crash. A Christmas tree now stands where the red 2005 Porsche Carrera GT burned after clipping a light pole on the afternoon of November 30. Candles, flowers, signs and other mementos left by fans cover the ground. The miles-long line of cars was allowed to drive slowly by the the normally quiet spot on Hercules Street in Santa Clarita. The death of Paul Walker: What we know so far . Two small airplanes circled overhead, towing banners: "RIP God be with Fast & Furious star Paul Walker... Our hearts go out to his friends and family. (Heart) #17 Paris Hilton." It was not clear whether Hilton had sponsored the aerial banners. The appropriation of Paul Walker . The memorial, loosely organized through Facebook pages and Southern California car clubs, was not sanctioned by the families of Walker or Rodas. A spontaneous memorial began the moment Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies removed the yellow tape around the crash site eight hours after last weekend's wreck. Fans were already waiting with flowers that piled up and candles that burned on the roadside where Walker and Rodas died. Every night and day since the crash, fans have gathered and left mementos. Walker's co-stars joined them at times. Vin Diesel used a police car's loudspeaker Tuesday to thank a crowd of mourning fans, calling Walker an "angel up in Heaven." Actor-singer Tyrese Gibson broke down sobbing as he laid a yellow flower at the site. The Los Angeles County coroner's office on Wednesday said Walker died of "the combined effects of traumatic and thermal injuries." Speed was a factor in the crash, the sheriff's office has said. On the day of the crash, Walker was attending a holiday toy donation event for his charity, Reach Out WorldWide, when he hopped into the car with Rodas for a ride, witnesses said. The Porsche, which was one of only a few hundred made, was on display at the event, which was held at a high-performance car shop owned by Rodas. Man arrested for stealing part of Walker's Porsche wreckage . | NEW: A Christmas tree now stands where the red 2005 Porsche Carrera GT burned .
A miles-long line of cars waited to pass the crash site .
Fans organized the memorial on Facebook and through Southern California car clubs .
Every day since Walker's death, fans have gathered and left mementos, flowers . |
100,222 | 0d21dd4036ac3bb1846f5f910429ba6d7f9d7595 | A budget airline is set to take off with more passenger seats than any other carrier departing from Sydney. The Philippines' airline Cebu Pacific has launched a flight which has 436 seats, nearly double the number of your average Qantas plane. But it comes at a price. Passengers should be prepared to sacrifice comfort in exchange for cheap fares, starting from $335, whilst on board Airbus A330. Low cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air launched its Manila-Sydney non-stop flight on Tuesday at Sydney Airport . The all-economy Airbus A330 has 436 seats, more seats than any other carrier departing from Sydney . The all-economy flight, which launched its Manila-Sydney non-stop flight on Tuesday, has more seats than any other carrier flying from Sydney. Its cabin measures narrow seats of about 16.5 inches in width. The standard option provide guests with 30-inch seat pitch while standard plus has additional legroom with 32-inches. The seat pitch at 30 inch is about two inches less than what's offered by Qantas and Virgin Australia, according to AirlineRatings.com. Cebu's A320 standard plus option offers 28-29 inch seat pitch. The airline's chief executive Garry Kingshott said he reject the idea that Cebu's high seat count would deter passengers from flying the seven to eight-hour route. The standard option on Cebu provide guests with 30-inch seat pitch while standard plus has additional legroom with 32-inches . The low cost carrier launched four weekly services from Sydney to Manila, which is set to provide an additional 226,800 seats per year on the route . Cebu Pacific chief executive officer Garry Kingshott . Mr Kingshott said the company has invested in the installation of new technology Geven seats. The thinner seats give more leg room around the knees compared to traditional seats on domestic economy flights such as Virgin, Qantas and Jetstar. 'It's a pretty comfortable aircraft,' he told The Australian. 'The pure metrics is not a great way of comparing it.' The brand new Airbus A330-300 fleet was welcomed by Sydney Airport on Tuesday. The low cost carrier launched four weekly services from Sydney to Manila, which is set to provide an additional 226,800 seats per year on the route. Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer, Kerrie Mather, is expecting inbound and outbound tourism to increase as a result of the new service. 'With more than 170,000 passengers per year, including around 40,000 Filipino visitors a year with a total visitor expenditure of more than $74 million,' Ms Mather said. Cebu Pacific Air is the Philippines' largest airline, serving a network of 34 domestic and 26 international destinations. | Low cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air has launched its Manila-Sydney non-stop flight .
Its all-economy Airbus A330 has 436 seats, more seats than any other carrier .
The seat pitch at 30 inches is about two inches less than what's offered Qantas and Virgin Australia .
The prices for flights start from $335, one way, for the airline is based in Manila, Philippines . |
157,982 | 584037c6bca4c9137516b191221b26312f1941d7 | (CNN) -- A significant number of investors are preparing to confront the management of UBS on Thursday by voting against the Swiss bank's 2011 pay award and denying executives formal approval of their actions. The bank's share price dropped 28 per cent last year and it lost $2.25bn in a rogue trade in London that caused the largest unauthorised trading loss on record in Britain. For the same period, the bank chose to pay 12 members of its executive board SFr70.1m ($77.1m) compared to SFr91m in the year before. That has prompted advisory groups and institutional investors including ISS, Ethos, F&C and Hermes Equity Ownership Services to rebel against what they see as a lack of disclosure on how pay is calculated and a high proportion of variable pay. George Dallas, director of corporate governance at F&C Management, which owns a 0.2 per cent stake in the bank, said: "UBS's bonus pool for its executive board is still too high given the trading scandal, decreasing profits and a drop in market value in the past year." CNNMoney: Occupy boardroom: Shareholders revolt . Natacha Dimitrijevic, head of European corporate governance at Hermes which represents 25 clients with a combined stake of 0.15 per cent, said it was worried about a lack of specific performance criteria for UBS bonuses. "Without assurances that large discretionary payouts can't occur we cannot vote in favour of the pay scheme," she said. Although the exact voting intentions of shareholders will not be clear until the annual meeting, some investors say they expect the bank to face a more forceful vote than at fellow Swiss group Credit Suisse, where more than a third who voted refused to back its pay award. The discontent among UBS shareholders also goes beyond the recent upsurge in investor activism expressed in non-binding votes on pay at other big banks including Citigroup and Barclays. A large number of shareholders are expected to refuse to give management a clean bill of health for 2011 because of the trading scandal and UBS's admission that the incident revealed "shortcomings" in its risk management. Under Swiss law, an investor forfeits most rights to sue management for actions in a given year by formally voting to "discharge" it of responsibility for that period. The trading scandal has triggered management changes including the replacement of chief executive Oswald Grübel by Sergio Ermotti last September. At the annual meeting, investors are being asked to elect Axel Weber, former Bundesbank president, to succeed Kaspar Villiger, outgoing chairman. Two years ago shareholders voted against discharging the former management of responsibility for 2007, the year before the credit crisis brought the bank to the brink of collapse. UBS has already been berated by a strong minority of investors over its pay structures for two consecutive years. Last year, more than a third who voted refused to back the pay report and in 2010 more than 45 per cent of investors declined to endorse it. ISS, the influential US proxy firm and Ethos, the Swiss activist investor that advises domestic pension funds both recommended their clients vote against the discharge of the management and the remuneration report. "ISS continues to have concerns about lack of safeguards against excessive pay and poor pay practices, lack of disclosure in key areas, and certain aspects of UBS's remuneration system," the advisory group said in a recent note to clients. | Investors are preparing to confront the management of UBS on Thursday .
A significant number plan to vote against the Swiss bank's 2011 pay award . |
235,224 | bc825f621434b7f00e3a8578e80f1b08c63c3be2 | Cate Edwards, daughter of disgraced politician John Edwards, today admitted that it would have been far easier to stay angry at her father after he had an affair while her mother was dying of cancer. However she said that with 'commitment and persistence' she now has a good relationship with him and had even met his lovechild, five-year-old Quinn. John Edwards, a one-time presidential hopeful, began an affair with videographer Rielle Hunter on the campaign trail in 2004, around the time his popular wife Elizabeth revealed that she was battling advanced breast cancer. Elizabeth Edwards died in 2010 at the age of 61. His eldest daughter Cate told Katie Couric on Monday that her father gave her the news of his devastating affair in person. Scroll down for video . Cate Edwards talked today about her anger at her father John Edwards following his affair while her mother Elizabeth was dying from cancer . She said: 'My . dad told me, he really felt like he needed to be upfront with me. I was . an adult so he felt like he could have that conversation. It was very . difficult.' Couric, who had interviewed John and Elizabeth Edwards on the campaign trail, asked Cate Edwards if she was 'enraged' by her father's actions. Ms Edwards said: 'There's . anger but there's still so much . love there. We both worked together to work through it and get our . relationship to the point that it is today, which is that we have a great . relationship.' She added: 'It was hard, it took a lot of commitment but I wouldn't have had it any other way. 'We've been through so much together, our family has been through a lot and he was there, we were both there through all of that. 'It's not simple... I think it would be easier to have stayed angry. Forgiveness is tough and it takes commitment and persistence... and a lot of love.' The 31-year-old also revealed that she had met her father's youngest daughter from that affair with Hunter, five-year-old Quinn. Cate Edwards appeared on Katie Couric's chat show on Monday to talk about her charity work for breast cancer research in her mother Elizabeth's memory (pictured on the screen behind her) Family: Cate (center) was very close to her mother Elizabeth (seen here in 2008), who died of cancer in 2010. She works to raise awareness of advanced stage breast cancer. The picture shows the family on the campaign trail with her father John and younger siblings Emma Claire and Jack . She told Katie . that the little girl was 'cute and adorable' but they didn't see each . other much as Ms Edwards lives in DC and Quinn with her mother in North . Carolina. She added that Quinn had a great relationship with her father. Following the testing . time of a public sex scandal, Ms Edwards was by her father's side in . 2011 when he was indicted on six felony counts for allegedly misusing . campaign funds in an effort to hide his relationship with Hunter. A federal jury eventually found Edwards not guilty on one count and deadlocked on the others. Ms Edwards said that following all the trials that life had thrown at her, she was shown 'just how much strength you can garner'. She also used the opportunity to raise awareness for a campaign to help those with advanced stage breast cancer. Support: Cate Edwards was by her father's side during his criminal trial in 2011 . It is an issue she feels passionately about after losing her mother . Elizabeth to the disease. Ms Edwards said: 'I'm doing really well now but I think about my mom every single day. She's a huge part of my life still. 'I'm doing a lot of great work in her honor, things I think that would make her proud.' She said that following her cancer diagnosis, her mother focused on making every day count. She said: 'She didn't bury her head in the sand. She didn't hole up in her bedroom. She decided this was her opportunity to live out her last days. 'She showed her children a graceful, graceful way to live.' Sisters: Cate Edwards said that her half-sister Quinn was 'cute and adorable'. John Edwards fathered the child with Rielle Hunter in a scandalous affair that ended his high-flying political career . Mistress: Videographer Rielle Hunter had an affair with John Edwards on the campaign trail and then wrote a book about it . | Cate Edwards told Katie Couric on Monday that her father had revealed his affair to her in person .
She described her half-sister Quinn as 'cute and adorable'
Ms Edwards said: 'Forgiveness is tough and it takes commitment and persistence... and a lot of love' |
38,249 | 6c27661b7a158518d01aa6ee24fb44c0c6fda1cc | Hearing: Jason Dors-Lake, 45, appeared in court accused of punching a former lover who had said his famous parents had abused her . The youngest son of actress Diana Dors has been cleared of punching a girlfriend who he 'fell in love with' after she told him his famous parents were paedophiles who abused her, a court heard today. Jason Dors-Lake, 45, had a five-month relationship with Chloe Black even though she claimed she had been subjected to sex attacks by 'the English Marilyn Monroe' and her third husband Alan Lake. Diana Dors died of cancer in May 1984 and five months later Alan Lake died after he shot himself in the head in their son Jason's bedroom. The abuse claims emerged after Mr Dors-Lake was accused of punching Ms Black in the head during a drunken late-night row. Mr Dors-Lake was arrested last October after they argued in her car on their way home from a birthday party at a Thai restaurant. But the case was thrown out by a judge because Ms Black changed her story four times, Highbury Corner Magistrates Court heard today. Describing his police interview, prosecutor Manjit Dogra said: 'He said they were both drunk. 'He stated he and Chloe argued in the car on the way home. He said the argument was about her accusing his parents Diana Dors and Alan Lake of sexually abusing her. 'She had sought him out five months ago and accused his parents of being paedophiles. They then fell in love. 'The suspect does not believe Chloe and states he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and stated she had also accused members of the royal family of abusing her.' Ms Black was reluctant to discuss the allegations in court, but pressed by Jade Coleman, defending, she admitted she had said his parents were paedophiles. 'It was not the first part of the argument, but it certainly was why he was screaming at the top of his voice about it,' she told the court. 'If he doesn't want any of my so-called dragging his family name through the dirt, I am totally shocked about how he is behaving. Famous: Blonde bombshell Diana Dors with her third husband Alan Lake taken three years before they both died in 1984 . 'He is the one screaming and shouting about it,' she added. She claimed she tussled with a drunk and abusive Dors-Lake when she tried to retrieve her house keys from his jeans pocket. 'He then made a fist with his left hand and he bashed the side of my left cheek bone and temple,' she said. She told the court she had initially tried to cover for her now ex-boyfriend because she did not want her alleged past experiences to be exposed. Dors-Lake denied hitting her, but did not have to give evidence after Judge Moffatt decided he had no case to answer after hearing Ms Black had now given four different accounts of the incident. Family: Diana Dors, Alan Lake and their son Jason outside their Sunningdale mansion. He said outside court today he 'was exposed to a lot of things when I was younger, but never anything between adults and children' The judge said she had no reason to believe something did not happen, but could not be satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that the offence occurred. On being told he was free to go Dors-Lake thanked the judge and said: 'I would never, ever strike a woman in any way.' Dors-Lake added: 'Be careful who you fall in love with.' The actor and musician co-penned a tell-all book about growing up the son of blonde bombshell Dors, revealing details of wild parties at their Berkshire mansion, Orchard Manor. His mother, who once described herself as 'the only sex symbol Britain has produced since Lady Godiva', became legendary for hosting sex and drug-fuelled orgies. Dors-Lake insisted outside court: 'I was exposed to a lot of things when I was younger, but never anything between adults and children.' He said everything he had to tell had already been written in the book, Connecting Dors: The Legacy of Diana Dors, by him and Niema Ash, which was published two years ago. Dors died of ovarian cancer on 4 May 1984, aged 52, when her son was just 14 years old. Five months later his father, Alan Lake, walked into Jason's bedroom and killed himself by firing a shotgun into his mouth, aged 43. Orchard Manor along with the bulk of the house's contents were sold off to pay taxes and solicitors' bills, leaving little for Jason, who went to live with his half-brother Gary Dawson in Los Angeles. Dors claimed to have stashed a £2million inheritance, which could only be located by cracking a code handed to her son Mark Dawson. The 'key' was allegedly left with Lake and despite her son's best efforts to locate the money the legacy has never been found. Dors-Lake, of Notting Hill, west London, was cleared of a single count of assault by beating. Orgies at 11 and offered drugs aged five: How Diana Dors' son revealed wild parties were the norm in his childhood home . Diana Dors' youngest son Jason used a tell-all book to reveal how he took drugs at the age five and had seen orgies by the age of 11 because of the party lifestyle of his world famous mother. His mother was one of Britain's most famous women who became a Hollywood legend. After two failed marriages, Diana had son Jason with the love of her life, actor Alan Lake, who she met in her late thirties. She already had two sons from her second marriage, who lived with their father Richard Dawson, and had a reputation for being an insatiable party animal. Diana Dors described herself as 'the only sex symbol Britain has produced since Lady Godiva', pictured (left) in the 1950s and (right) in 1964 . The couple held orgies and in Jason's book, Connecting Dors: The Legacy of Diana Dors, written with Niema Ash, it describes the sex parties. It said that participants were offered 'alcohol and erotic stimulants' before each couple 'was led to a special room and . allocated fifteen minutes, unaware that the room was fitted with two-way . mirrors'. Diana Dors later married Alan Lake and the arrival of their son Jason, who she doted on, did not sway her from ending the parties. The book says: 'Diana was reluctant to renounce the parties, the clubs, the fun. She wanted to keep the good times rolling, especially as she could now share them with Alan'. As a result, Diana and Alan's mansion, Orchard Manor in Sunningdale, Berkshire, became a regular haunt for wild parties, which Jason saw as a child. The author Niema Ash told MailOnline previously that aged 11 Jason saw 'sex parties at the house where couples were invited to use the guest bedrooms where a camera was set up inside. A live feed then linked to a giant TV screen in the living room downstairs.' Close: Jason Dors-Lake said he enjoyed a loving relationship with his mother, pictured when he was three-days-old, but used a tell-all book to describe his parents' party lifestyle . And his introduction to drugs was even younger. The book says: 'At the tender age of five, Jason's nursery education was supplemented by an introduction to the joys of recreational drug. In the book it says Jason, then aged five, woke and stumbled into a next door room to find his father's friends passing around what looked like 'a giant white jelly bean' that they cracked open to inhale a white smoke. The youngster insisted on trying the 'candy'. After initial reservations, the party decided to let Jason sniff it 'for fun' as long as he promised not to tell his mother. He said as an adult he has no idea what he took but recalls 'laughing until his tummy ached' after inhaling it. Despite his unusual upbringing, Jason said he has happy childhood memories of his time at Orchard Manor and he never doubted the love his doting mother and father. But he went off the rails after the death of both his parents when he was just 14. Famous: Diana Dors was one of Britain's most famous women and starred in hit films at home and abroad . His mother Diana died of ovarian cancer when she was 53 and his heartbroken father Alan shot himself five months later in Jason's bedroom. He went to live in the U.S. with his half brothers and the party lifestyle he had become accustomed continued. He had a daughter when he was 22 and attempted suicide during one drug-induced episode. Jason's co-author has said his life is back on track. Living in Kent, he has reestablished his relationship with his daughter and attends AA meetings. | Jason Dors-Lake, 45, cleared of punching his ex-girlfriend Chloe Black .
Ms Black told him his parents Diana Dors and Alan Lake had abused her .
But despite allegations they 'fell in love' and had five-month relationship .
Couple had drunken row last year where Ms Black said Dors-Lake hit her .
Dors-Lake told police that part of the row was over her abuse claims .
Judge today threw out the assault case because woman changed her story . |
152,021 | 5078123a92e52ada07d9bc44262986e8972763cb | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:12 EST, 27 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 16:34 EST, 27 November 2012 . He may be one of hockey's rising stars, but Detroit Red Wings prospect Riley Sheahan’s antics are raising eyebrows off-the-ice. Sheahan, 20, of Ontario, Canada, who now plays with the Red Wings minor league affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins, was pulled over in a bizarre drunken driving arrest back on October 29. He later submitted to a breathalyzer test and blew a .30 - more than three times the legal limit - classifying him under Michigan's 'super drunk' law (.17 or higher). Busted: Riley Sheahan, pictured in his mugshot at left, and playing for Notre Dame at right, was charged with DUI last month under Michigan's 'super drunk' law . MLive.com reported that if there is anything more shocking than his blood-alcohol level, it was his choice of attire - a purple Teletubbies costume, that of Tinky Winky. Given the date of his arrest, it is likely that Sheahan was driving to or from a Halloween party, but that detail could not be verified. If convicted, he faces up to 180 days in jail and may be booted back to Canada. When he was pulled over by officers, he allegedly handed over the driver’s license of Brendan Smith, a teammate and fellow Red Wings prospect. Odd behavior: When Sheahan was arrested on October 29, he was reportedly wearing a purple Teletubbies costume, that of Tinky Winky . Police allege that Sheahan was using the 23-year-old Smith's ID so that he could drink alcohol. The arresting officer wrote in the police report: 'Riley is only 20 and I asked him if he had Branden’s (sic) ID so he could get in the bars. He shook his head yes and stated "yea."' MLive.com reported that Sheahan pleaded not guilty to the charges of DUI and providing false information to a police officer on November 6. His next court date is slated for December 13. When asked about Sheahan's arrest, Red . Wings general manager Ken Holland told the Detroit Free Press: 'I'm . aware that Riley was charged with a DUI. We're handling it internally. Ice time: Sheahan, a No. 1 draft pick who had been playing hockey with Notre Dame, was called up by the Red Wings for one game on April 7, 2011, but he collected only a few penalty minutes as the team fell to the Chicago Blackhawks . 'He sat out a game. We've talked to him. We're aware of what's happened.' Sheahan, a No. 1 draft pick who had been playing hockey with Notre Dame, was called up by the Red Wings for one game on April 7, 2011, but he collected only a few penalty minutes as the team fell to the Chicago Blackhawks. The arrest comes at a grim time for the locked out National Hockey League, as labor negotiations remain stalled. The NHL has canceled more than one-third of its regular season, including all games through December 14, the New Year's Day outdoor Winter Classic and the All-Star weekend scheduled for January 26-27 at Columbus, Ohio. | Riley Sheahan, 20, was busted under Michigan's 'super drunk' law for allegedly having a .30 blood-alcohol level .
He also presented officers with the driver's license of a teammate, who was of age to drink .
He could face 180 days in prison and deportation if convicted .
Detroit Red Wings say they're aware of his arrest and handling situation 'internally' |
39,942 | 70bc89f4be707087bd7a1baeff0ad1d0ecf4cd45 | 1. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 3. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) 4. Felipe Massa (Williams) 5. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) The question crowding in on Lewis Hamilton as he lost further ground in the World Championship battle is whether he has any card to play other than his sheer, natural genius as a driver. His voice was thin and meek after he lost the Austrian Grand Prix to Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, the calculating German who is threatening to win the title by small margins of Teutonic precision. VIDEO Mercedes reassert dominance in Austria . Champagne moment: Championship leader Nico Rosberg celebrates his third victory of the season in Austria . The winner: Rosberg (centre) celebrates his victory with Lewis Hamilton 2nd and Valtteri Bottas 3rd . Champagne: Rosberg (right) and third placed Williams' driver Valtteri Bottas celebrate . Jubilant: The Mercedes driver shares his champagne moment with the fans in Austria . Close: Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg (left) and Lewis Hamilton battle it out for top spot in Austria . Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - 165 . Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - 136 . Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) - 81 . Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) - 79 . Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) - 61 . Hamilton . had driven beautifully here at the Red Bull Ring in the rolling hills of . green countryside, threading his car through the pack from ninth on the . starting grid to zoom into fourth place on the first lap alone, en . route to a second-place finish behind Rosberg. But . it is when cool calculation is needed that Hamilton is lacking against . the cerebral, icy Rosberg. For example, in qualifying on Saturday, . Hamilton spun — ‘maybe I pushed the brake pedal too hard,’ he said — and . had one lap wiped because he ran off the track at Turn Eight. Rosberg . was inch-perfect, so much so that the stewards spent half an hour . studying an image that suggested he, too, had put all four wheels off . the tarmac at the same corner. They gave him the benefit of the doubt. Round the bend: Pole-sitter Felipe Massa led the pack into turn 1 but ultimately finished in fourth . So . Rosberg started from third with the Williams cars of Felipe Massa and . Valtteri Bottas surprisingly starting on the front row. Rosberg said he . had been slowed a fraction by Hamilton’s excursion off the asphalt. The . marginally superior pace of Rosberg’s Mercedes allowed him to force his . way into the lead in the 15th of the 71 laps. The win gives him a . 29-point lead going into Hamilton’s home race at Silverstone on Sunday . week. Bizarrely, . Rosberg was asked afterwards whether, if he won the title, he would . grow a moustache to resemble that of his father Keke, the 1982 champion. He said he might. The . similarities are growing: Keke was a pugnacious character and Nico, for . all his blond looks that won him the moniker ‘Britney’, as in Spears, . is showing a hard-edged pursuit of perfection that is not so obvious in . his rival. Costly: Hamilton lost almost two seconds to team-mate Rosberg during the two round of pit-stops . Flying: Lewis Hamilton get off to a stunning start at the Red Bull Ring in Austria . Out: Sebastian Vettel was forced to retire from the race in Spielberg, Austria . This . weekend had echoes of the last race in Canada. Hamilton erred in . qualifying, surrendering pole to Rosberg. That allowed the German to . nurse the technical glitches that blighted both Mercedes from the front . while Hamilton pushed his car until it retired hurt. The . British driver was hindered by two slow pit stops yesterday but, again, . his own minute error was a factor. He admitted he went ‘a bit long’ — . fractionally beyond the ideal pit-box stopping place — on his first . visit to the pits. A . problem with a cracked wheel rim delayed him in the second stop. It . cost him 1.9sec compared to Rosberg. That was almost exactly the margin . by which the pair were separated at the end. ‘Valuable, but it would not . have put me first,’ said Hamilton. ‘There is not much more I can do. I . have good pace. I just need to execute it.’ So close: Hamilton pushed team-mate Rosberg right to the chequered flag but came up short in Austria . Talent: Hamilton battled well to come from ninth position to earn a second spot finish . Peace: Hamilton finished second in Austria . It . was noticeable that Mercedes were not as dominant as in the past. Lauda . said there would be a meeting at the factory in Brackley this week to . analyse how to re-establish their hegemony. The fast Silverstone layout . should suit their super-powerful engine. Toto . Wolff, Mercedes’ executive director, has another job: trying to get the . garage’s two sides working collaboratively. ‘The playing field must be . kept equal,’ he said. ‘On Saturday, the atmosphere wasn’t like in the . races before. We see it’s getting very competitive. ‘We . need the knowledge of the whole group, not only the drivers but the . engineers on both sides of the garage. It’s not about winning the next . couple of races but staying competitive in the next couple of years.’ Williams, a team who deserve some respite, took third and fourth through Bottas and Massa. Red Bull had the indignity on their own track of only one finisher from their team and their subsidiary Toro Rosso. Christian . Horner, Red Bull’s team chief, said of engine suppliers Renault: . ‘Reliability is unacceptable, performance is unacceptable. There needs . to be change at Renault.’ | Rosberg claimed his third win of the year and is 29 points clear of Hamilton .
Hamilton lost time to Rosberg following slow pit-stops during race .
Valtteri Bottas completed podium for Williams following impressive drive .
World champion Sebastian Vettel suffers his third retirement of the season . |
221,733 | ab08cf3607c9fffd7faeeeea2bc94d6db80e8d9f | Philae may have taken the limelight following its landing on comet 67P, but its orbiting spacecraft, Rosetta, still has a few of its own daring manoeuvres to complete. In February, flight engineers in Darmstadt, Germany plan to bring the Rosetta spacecraft down to an incredible 4 miles (6km) from the comet's surface. This will be the closest the comet explorer will come to 67P throughout its mission, and could provide stunning views of the cliffs and craters. Scroll down for video . This animation shows comet 67P, with overlay boxes indicating the fields of view of three Rosetta cameras . Up until now, Rosetta's closet view of the comet has been six miles (10 km), which occurred shortly before releasing the Philae lander. Its orbit currently ranges between 12.4 miles and 18.6 miles (20 km and 50 km) as it monitors the comet's surface, attempting to find Philae's final resting spot. Any manoeuvre to bring Rosetta to the comet is risky, but a low flyby could provide scientists with an opportunity to obtain imagery with a resolution of a few inches (10 cm) per pixel. 'It is the earliest we could carry it out without impacting the vitally important bound orbits that are currently being flown,' said Matt Taylor, the Rosetta project scientist from the European Space Research and Technology Center, Noordwijk, the Netherlands. Closing in: This artist's impression of Rosetta and 67P show previous orbits that edge in closer to the comet's surface. Up until now, Rosetta's closet view of the comet has been six miles (10 km) Bounce back: The blurry image captures the rapid motion in which Philae was launched back out into space. The probe was launched to a height of 0.62 miles (1km) and then to a much lower height of 65ft (20 metres) The Rosetta probe, which was carrying Philae, launched into space in 2004, using the gravity of Earth and Mars to slingshot its way towards comet 67P. It chased comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko through space for more than ten years, and entered orbit in August 2014. After a four billion mile (6.5 billion km) journey, the probe then successfully released the Philae lander from its grip to land on the comet on 12 November 2014, travelling at 1 metre (40 inches) per second relative to the comet. But when it first made contact with the surface it failed to fire harpoons that would have kept it attached to the comet. This resulted in it bouncing to a height of 0.62 miles (1km) above the comet before again landing on the surface. It then bounced again, but to a much lower altitude. Scientists recently said that water on the comet was different to that on Earth - suggesting water on our world came from an asteroid, not a comet. 'As the comet becomes more and more active, it will not be possible to get so close to the comet. So this opportunity is very unique.' The imagery is expected to provide information on the comet's porosity and albedo – or how much it reflects sunlight. The flyby will also allow the study of the processes by which cometary dust is accelerated by the cometary gas emission. 'Rosetta is providing us with a grandstand seat of the comet throughout the next year. This flyby will put us track side - it's going to be that close,' said Dr Taylor. Last week, scientists revealed the dramatic moment that Rosetta's Philae comet lander bounced back into space has been captured in a remarkable image. Philae successfully landed on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, but not before a failure to launch its harpoons and a thruster caused it to bounce twice before settling. The blurry image captures the rapid motion in which Philae was bounced back. The probe was launched to a height of 0.62 miles (1km) and then to a much lower height of 65ft (20 metres) before coming to rest. True colours: The Max Planck Institute revealed the true colour of 67P (left). On the right is an image taken taken by a Rosetta instrument dubbed Osiris . Reflection: This image, named 'Perihelion Cliff', shows a wall next to the robot, with reflections from Philae . Esa scientists also revealed a reprocessed Civa image taken by Philae at the American Geophysical Union's Fall Meeting in San Francisco. The image, named 'Perihelion Cliff', depicts one of the walls looming over the robot, with reflections from Philae shown by glare marks. Civa took sharper images of the 67P's terrain, but these were taken after the probe had fallen into a dark ditch, unable to get the sunlight it needed to recharge its batteries. Another image shows a reconstruction a model of Philae's final landing location. Rosetta engineers claim the plucky probe could come back to life as soon as March next year, as comet 67P gets closer to the sun. Toppled: In this graphic, Civa images have been used to construct a model of the final landing location. Scientists described the ground as being more like a 'trampoline' than rock, owing to its soft and powdery texture, which may have caused the unsteady landing . | This will be the closest Rosetta will come to 67P throughout its mission .
Scientists will be able to take images at a few inches (10 cm) per pixel .
As the comet becomes more active, it will not be possible to get so close .
Last week, scientists released stunning views of a cliff close to Philae . |
20,682 | 3ab0a1b84c7342b9a8b952ed6ee70eca0f2843cb | By . Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 11:44 EST, 7 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 15:20 EST, 7 March 2014 . A mother and her three-year-old daughter were found dead on Wednesday in apparent murder-suicide at their home. Jamie Nicole Helms, 39, and her daughter Blair were found in a car with the engine running around 4.30pm by the children's father who smashed his way inside in Jenks, Oklahoma. Father Steve Helms, a firefighter, tried to revive his daughter. He also found his five-year-old son Cason in the garage and rushed him to hospital where his condition is unknown. Scroll down for video . Jamie Helms, 39, was found dead with her daughter Blair (right) in an apparent murder suicide at their Oklahoma home. Cason, five, (left) survived after being pulled from the garage by his father . Three-year-old Blair Helms was found dead in a car with the engine running by her father at the familys home in Jenks, Oklahoma . The father had gone to the home when he went to pick up his children from school and realized that they were not there. Jenks police chief Cameron Arthur told Tulsaworld: 'He tried to revive (his daughter) but was unfortunately unsuccessful.' Police . found handwritten notes at the scene and were believed to have been . written by Helms. Their contents were not disclosed but Chief Arthur . said they were from somebody 'that really felt helpless'. Ms Helms moved into the neighborhood of Sapulpa in November, according to witnesses at the scene. Cause . of death for the mother and daughter have not yet been confirmed by the . medical examiner but indications are for carbon monoxide poisoning. The police chief said that the father and son were being interviewed at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Firefighter Steven Helms with his two children Blair and Cason. The little girl died along with her mother in an apparent murder-suicide on Wednesday . A mother and her three-year-old daughter were found dead in the garage of this home in Jenks, Oklahoma on Wednesday in an apparent murder-suicide. The father rescued a five-year-old boy . Jamie Nicole Helms filed for a divorce from Steven Helms on December 4 last year and the couple were due in court next week on March 11. Mrs . Helms was charged with domestic assault in November after she allegedly . attacked and scratched her husband as he drove away from their home. The incident was caught on surveillance tape and happened in front of . their children. She pleaded not guilty to the charge and was due to face trial in June. | Jamie Nicole Helms, 39, and Blair, 3, were found in a car with the engine running by .
the children's father in Jenks, Oklahoma .
Five-year-old boy Cason being treated at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa .
Mother and daughter died of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning .
Mother filed for divorce in December and the couple were due in court next week .
For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org .
For confidential support on suicide matters call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch or click here . |
3,826 | 0b0c1b1ea6de8d3beafefd6badb262994ebfbc0d | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 05:00 EST, 11 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 20:03 EST, 12 March 2014 . Elle Wright’s eight-year-old daughter wants nothing more than to be a boy. In a tell-all article for Daily Life, Ms Wright said: ‘I was driving along in the car recently when my daughter Ruby [name changed] asked if she could go to the doctor's and get a penis.' She said her breath caught in her throat and she tried to stay calm as she told her daughter she would ‘have to Google it when I got home’. Gender confusion: Elle Wright is determined to support her daughter, who wants to be a boy, no matter what she decides about her future . The mother, who runs a clothing store in Byron Bay on the north coast of New South Wales in Australia, said Ruby had never been interested in ‘girly’ clothes or toys. She said: ‘Ruby only wanted to play with Tonka trucks and tool belts. By the time she was three, she simply refused to wear anything remotely girlish.’ The eight-year-old now wanted to be called ‘Jack Black’, and wore her hair short with a swept-over, Justin-Bieber-style fringe. 'At eight years of age, Ruby is still so young, and I have no idea what the next few years will bring. But this has been present in Ruby forever, so I'm not going to overlook or ignore it... ‘I have no idea what the future holds for Ruby, but whatever the outcome, I’m firmly in her corner and we’ll tackle it as a team' Ruby, whom strangers often mistook for a boy, also enjoys playing ‘rough-and-tumble games’, walks with a swagger, rides skateboards and surfs like a pro. When strangers call her ‘mate’ or ‘boy’, Ruby never corrects them - and Ms Wright said she barely noticed it anymore. Until recently, Ruby had only ever wanted to play with boys. Lately she had started to play with girls - but Ms Wright said: ‘It’s definitely a different dynamic.’ The issue of Ruby's gender identity came to a head when her class went on a school camp. Boys and girls were made to sleep in different tents and Ruby was heartbroken when she was put in the girls’ tent. Ms Wright said: ‘She tried to cajole the volunteer parents into believing she was a boy, but didn’t succeed.' More... Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 'hire Spanish supernanny with 20 years' experience to look after Prince George' ADHD doesn't exist and drugs do more harm than good: Doctor claims symptoms can have routine causes that are ignored due to knee-jerk diagnosis . Two years ago, the headmaster of Ruby's school called Ms Wright into the office and suggested that Ruby might be more than just a tomboy. He advised Ms Wright to start researching gender identity issues and to contact support groups so she could provide Ruby with the information she needed. Ms Wright said she did not know what the future held for Ruby, and while she did not ‘feel the need to label it at this young age’, she also wanted to be aware of the issues and supportive of her child. She added: ‘At eight years of age, Ruby is still so young, and I have no idea what the next few years will bring. But this has been present in Ruby forever, so I'm not going to overlook or ignore it. 'Once, a couple of mothers suggested I must have wanted a son because of the way I encourage Ruby to dress and behave as she does. I was shocked. I ran away and got into my car shaking with anger. I'd never felt more judged. I've also never been more resolute about letting Ruby be herself' ‘I understand that puberty can be a time of great distress for kids who have gender confusion. Depression and suicide are risks at this time. I believe with love and support you can tackle anything, so I'm going to be as prepared as I can be with information to help Ruby with whatever direction she chooses for her life.’ One option available for children who show evidence of gender dysphoria – where they feel discontent with their sex – is to take drugs that delay the onset of puberty, to give them more time to decide whether they want to begin the process of gender reassignment. Ms Wright said she knew it might be a rocky road ahead for her daughter, and she had already faced criticism from other parents. 'Once, a couple of mothers suggested I must have wanted a son because of the way I encourage Ruby to dress and behave as she does. I was shocked. I ran away and got into my car shaking with anger. I'd never felt more judged. I've also never been more resolute about letting Ruby be herself. ‘I can’t imagine how confusing it must be to feel you’re not in the right skin. ‘I have no idea what the future holds for Ruby, but whatever the outcome, I’m firmly in her corner and we’ll tackle it as a team.’ | Elle Wright's daughter wants to be called Jack Black, hates 'girly' clothes and toys, and always plays with boys .
Devastated when she was made to sleep in the girls' tent at school camp .
In personal essay, Elle says she will support her daughter no matter what . |
26,441 | 4b161bbe44bdee6838cc8402642e297f7a7ae66d | By . Beci Wood . F1 star Jenson Button will wear a special pink helmet at the British GP this weekend in an emotional tribute to his late father. Sunday has been designated ‘Pink For Papa’ day as it marks the McLaren driver’s first trip to Silverstone without his dad John, who passed away in January this year. John Button played a key role in Jenson’s career, only missing one of his son’s races in 14 seasons prior to his death. Pink for Papa: Jenson and his stunning fiancee Jessica pose in the special pink shirts which are on sale to raise money for charity . Close bond: Jenson Button with his late father John who used to wear a 'lucky' pink shirt on race-day . And the McLaren star has is asking fans to show their support by going pink – the colour of John’s traditional ‘lucky’ race-day shirt. McLaren have created a special T-shirt which supporters can buy, with proceeds going to the Henry Surtees Foundation - an organisation set up by former world champion John Surtees, in memory of his son Henry, which assists and supports people with injuries caused by accidents. Other stars including Jenson’s model fiancée Jessica Michibata, former World Champion Damon Hill and TV presenters Natalie Pinkman, Simon Lazenby and Lee McKenzie have already shown their support by posing in their pink t-shirts. Jenson said: ‘This year will be extra special for me, and probably a little more emotional than normal - it’s normally very emotional anyway because of the support, but it will be more so this year,’ said Button. British racing legend: Damon Hill shows his support for Jenson Button and his dad by wearing pink shirt . Emotional: Jenson Button will return to Silverstone for the first time without his beloved dad . Extra lift: Jenson Button says the British crowd will spur him on at Silverstone but admits he has 'no chance' of a podium finish . In the pink: Jenson is asking for fans to show their support by wearing something pink at Silverstone . ‘We’re trying to get as many people wearing pink as we can, which is going very well, and I will be wearing a pink helmet, so there will be a lot of pink at Silverstone in support of my old boy. ‘I’m really excited about it, but it is going to be very emotional.’ Unfortunately for Button, approaching his 15th British Grand Prix, the chances of him ending his wretched podium hoodoo are slim. He is haunted by the fact that not once in 14 previous attempts in his home race as he managed to finish in the top three and soak up the acclaim of an often fervent support. ‘We won’t get on the podium at Silverstone. No chance!’ said a forlorn Button. ‘As it’s my home race I’ll get an extra lift, but it won’t make us go any quicker - I wish it would.’ | McLaren driver asks fans to wear something pink on Sunday in tribute to his dad John who died in January .
John attended all but one of his son's races in the 14 years before he died .
Pink t-shirts - the colour of John’s traditional ‘lucky’ race-day shirt - are on sale with proceeds going to charity .
Jenson's fiancee Jessica Michibata and former World Champion Damon Hill have shown their support . |
36,263 | 66dc240f3cff8be8a5809402d585d056b4a77ba4 | LONDON, England (CNN) -- The British military marked a grim milestone Friday as the number of troops killed in Afghanistan surpassed the death toll in Iraq. A British Marine is shown in Arbroath, Scotland, last year on the eve of a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. An especially bloody 10 days in Afghanistan's troubled Helmand province claimed 15 British lives, putting the total number of dead in that conflict at 184, the Defense Ministry said. The British military has lost 179 soldiers in Iraq. Five soldiers were killed Friday in two explosions that rocked the same patrol near the town of Sangin in Helmand province, where British troops are based. The Defence Ministry earlier announced the deaths of three other soldiers in Helmand. British troops have joined with roughly 4,000 U.S. Marines and sailors, and several hundred Afghan security forces, in Operation Khanjar, a drive to secure Helmand before Afghanistan's presidential elections in August. See a map of Helmand province » . Britain's Chief of the Defense Staff, Jock Stirrup, issued a video statement in which he mourned the latest losses. Watch profiles of six British soldiers killled in Afghanistan on the same day » . "It's important we also remember why our people are fighting in Afghanistan and what they're achieving through their sacrifice and their courage," Stirrup said. "The mission in Afghanistan is about supporting the delivery of governance in order to reduce the opportunities for extremist terrorist groups who are a direct threat to the United Kingdom, its citizens, and their interests." Results are starting to emerge, he said, but the military still has a long way to go. "It's tough going because the Taliban have rightly identified Helmand as their vital ground," he said. "If they lose there, they lose everywhere, and they're throwing everything they have into it. But they are losing." Watch a gallery of Britain mourning its fallen in Afghanistan » . British Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke about the military casualties while at the G8 summit in Italy on Friday, calling it a "very hard summer" so far for British forces. "Our resolution to complete the work that we have started in Afghanistan and Pakistan is undiminished," he said. "We knew from the start that defeating the insurgency in Helmand would be a hard and dangerous job, but it is vital." | UK military deaths in Afghanistan now at 184, five more than in Iraq .
15 British lives lost in past 10 days in Afghanistan's Helmand province .
UK forces have joined with U.S., Afghan troops in offensive in Helmand .
Drive in Helmand is part of effort to secure country before August elections . |
237 | 00ba519cf87a2d49dfb48fadf2af0112dc0e4947 | LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent, has withdrawn his name from consideration as surgeon general of the United States, he said Thursday. Dr. Sanjay Gupta will continue his work as a surgeon and for CNN. "This is more about my family and my surgical career," Gupta told CNN's "Larry King Live." The neurosurgeon said he would likely have had to give up practicing had he taken the job as the nation's top doctor. In addition, the 39-year-old and his wife are expecting their third daughter any time, and the government job would have meant long periods away from his family, he said. "I think, for me, it really came down to a sense of timing more than anything else," he said. "I just didn't feel I should do that now." Watch Gupta explain his reasoning » . Gupta said he had not been formally nominated for the job, though he had spoken with senior members of the Obama administration, who made it clear he was their choice, he said. "I think there was a real melding there," he said, adding that he felt flattered to have been considered. Earlier Thursday, an administration official said Gupta "was under serious consideration for the job of surgeon general. He has removed himself from consideration to focus more on his medical career and his family. We know he will continue to serve and educate the public through his work with media and in the medical arena." Sources said in January that Gupta had met then-President-elect Obama in Chicago, Illinois, in November to discuss the post. At the time, Gupta declined to comment. The transition team was impressed with the combination of Gupta's government experience, as a White House fellow in 1997 and a special adviser to then-first lady Hillary Clinton, along with his medical career as a neurosurgeon and his communication skills, the transition sources said. Gupta is a member of the staff and faculty of the Department of Neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He regularly performs surgery at Emory University Hospital and at Grady Memorial Hospital, where he serves as associate chief of neurosurgery. Gupta joined CNN in 2001. As chief medical correspondent for the health and medical unit, he is a lead reporter on breaking medical news, provides regular health and medical updates for "American Morning," anchors the half-hour weekend medical affairs program "House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta" and reports for CNN documentaries. Based in Atlanta, Gupta also contributes health stories to CNN.com, co-hosts "Accent Health" for Turner Private Networks, provides medical segments for the syndicated version of "ER" on TNT and writes a column for Time magazine. He also anchors the global health program "Vital Signs" for CNN International and is featured in a weekly podcast on health issues called "Paging Dr. Gupta." Just after joining CNN, Gupta became part of the team covering the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. Later that year, he led breaking news reporting on a series of anthrax attacks. In 2003, Gupta reported from Iraq and Kuwait as an embedded correspondent with the U.S. Navy's medical unit -- and worked alongside them, performing brain surgery five times. In addition, Gupta reported from Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami that swept the region in December 2004. He also helped cover the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina from New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2005. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical Center. | "This is more about my family and my surgical career," Gupta says .
Sanjay Gupta is neurosurgeon, CNN's chief medical correspondent .
Gupta mentioned as possible surgeon general in Obama administration .
White House: "We know he will continue to serve and educate the public" |
239,760 | c26439aabafc841ea8b5cb79e155f7ace1cec262 | It's long been thought that chillies can help us lose weight. Now, new research has proved the fiery food can aid weight loss by speeding up metabolism. A study found capsaicin – the ingredient that gives chilli peppers their heat - could help burn off fat in the body. The temptation to eat fatty foods is often so strong that, for many, they can't resist eating fatty or sugary foods even if they are trying to cut down on calories. Scroll down for video . Feel the burn: A chemical compound found in chilli peppers could help prevent obesity - as it speeds up metabolism and helps the body burn off fat, researchers found . Now, researchers believe capsaicin could provide a solution to this problem; speeding up the metabolism without the need to restrict the diet. University of Wyoming researchers found capsaicin may stimulate the body to burn energy and create heat (a process known as thermogenesis) – burning off calories in the process. It does this by activating receptors in the body which set off the process of energy burning. These receptors are found in white and brown fat cells. In the body, white fat cells soak up calories and store them as fat – the dreaded type visible in pot bellies, love handles and wobbly thighs that is the enemy of dieters. It is known as ‘bad’ fat for this reason. Brown fat, found in small amounts on the shoulders and neck, actually burns fat to heat the body – and is therefore known as ‘good’ fat. The researchers found that capsaicin in the diet was able to stimulate a receptor called potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel protein. Activating this receptor suppresses obesity associated with a high-fat diet, the researchers found. They believe this is because it induces ‘bad’ white fat cells to become energy-burning ‘good’ brown fat cells. The researchers carried out the study on one group of wild mice, and another group of mice who had been genetically engineered to lack the TRPV1 Receptor. Metabolism-boosting: Capsaicin, which gives chilies their heat, sped up metabolism by inducing 'bad' white fat to turn into 'good' brown fat, which creates heat and burns calories . They fed both mice a high fat diet, 0.01 per cent was made up of capsaicin. Capsaicin prevented the weight gain associated with eating a high fat diet in the wild mice, but not the mice that lacked TRPV1. It did this without having any effect on how much food or water the mice consumed. ‘It did significantly increase the metabolic activity and energy expenditure in wild type mice fed a high-fat diet, but not for mice that genetically lack TRPV1,’ researcher Vivek Krishnan, of University of Wyoming’s School of Pharmacy said. This is because the fiery ingredient induces ‘bad’ white fat to become ‘good’, energy-burning brown fat and also stimulates the body to create heat, he added. A chemical compound found in spicy curries could help reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer, a study has found. Researchers gave capsaicin, which gives chilli peppers their heat, to mice genetically prone to developing multiple tumours in their gastrointestinal tract. The capsaicin triggered a pain receptor in the cells lining their intestines, setting off a reaction that reduced the risk of growing colorectal tumours. Scientists found that the treatment extended the lifespan of the mice by more than 30 per cent. These steps burn off calories and counteract obesity. This may help to prevent and manage obesity and other related health complications such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases, the researchers said. However, they added this effect has not yet been demonstrated in carefully-controlled clinical trials. Next, the researchers want to further understand the mechanism by which capsaicin prevents obesity, and carry out more trials to further prove that it can help manage weight. They will concentrate on developing drugs which activate the TRPV! Receptors, to help prevent obesity – and carry out human clinical trials - they said. They are even developing a ‘nanoparticle-based sustained-release formulation of capsaicin’ in the laboratory currently, and have submitted a patent application for this. A third of the world’s population is currently overweight or obese, according to World Health Organization’s estimates. This staggering statistic has made finding ways to address obesity a top priority for many scientists around the globe. The research was presented during the Biophysical Society’s 59th Annual Meeting in Baltimore, U.S. | Capsaicin - which gives chillies their heat - could help prevent obesity .
It stimulates the body to burn energy and create heat - burning off fat .
Researchers believe it induces 'bad' white fat ' to become 'good' brown fat .
Brown fat burns calories in order to create heat - managing weight . |
210,526 | 9ca450f8a2605256842317c471f02ce69b61fb1d | (CNN) -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry has removed a fourth member of a state commission charged with investigating claims that an innocent man may have been executed, his office said. A family photo shows Cameron Todd Willingham with his wife, Stacy, and daughters Kameron, Amber and Karmon. The Texas governor has now replaced all of the four members that, under law, he is allowed to appoint to the commission. The remaining five members are appointed by the state's lieutenant governor and attorney general. Perry's critics say his actions are politically motivated, a charge he denies. The investigation into claims that faulty evidence led Texas to execute an innocent man in 2004 was at a "crucial point" when the shakeup occurred, one of the replaced members said. The commission was to hear from the author of a scathing report in the case of the executed man, Cameron Todd Willingham, when Perry announced on September 30 that he would replace three members. The session was postponed indefinitely because of the new appointments, and Perry's critics accused him of trying to quash the Willingham probe. "I think people are making a lot of this issue," Perry said earlier. Commissioner Alan Levy was replaced by John Bradley, a district attorney who was also named commission chairman. Aliece Watts was replaced by Norma Farley, chief forensic pathologist for Hidalgo and Cameron counties. Perry said at the time the replacements were "pretty normal protocol." In a statement Thursday, Perry's office said he had appointed attorney Lance Evans of Fort Worth to replace former commission chairman Samuel Bassett of Austin, and that Randall Frost of Boerne, chief medical examiner for Bexar County, would replace commissioner Sridhar Natarajan. "If you've got a whole new investigation going forward, it makes a lot more sense to put the new people in now and let them start the full process, rather than bring people in there for a short period of time and then replace them," Perry said two weeks ago. "I think it makes a whole lot more sense to make a change now than to make a change later." But the Forensic Science Commission began investigating the Willingham case in 2008, hiring Maryland fire investigation expert Craig Beyler to examine the evidence used to convince a jury the fire that killed Willingham's three daughters was deliberately set. Levy said at the time of his replacement he had told Perry's office "that it would be disruptive to make the new appointments right now." "The commission was at a crucial point in the investigation," he told CNN. Asked about the future of the Willingham investigation, he said, "I don't know if it will ever be heard." Both Levy and Bassett said they had asked to remain on the board. Evans declined to give an opinion on the Willingham controversy when contacted by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for a story Friday, saying all he knows on the matter is what he's read in the newspaper. "Because I haven't had involvement with the commission, I can't really comment on what's been going on in the commission in the past," he said. "I will work very hard to make sure the duties of the commission ... as given by the Texas Legislature are carried out." Beyler's report -- the first commissioned by a state agency -- is the latest of three to conclude that arson was not the likely cause of the 1991 fire. Death-penalty opponents say an impartial review of Willingham case could lead to an unprecedented admission -- that the state executed an innocent man. The Beyler report concluded that the ruling of arson at the heart of Willingham's conviction "could not be sustained" by modern science or the standards of the time. Perry, who faces a Republican primary challenge in his bid for a third term next year, refused to issue a last-minute stay of execution for Willingham in 2004 and has said he remains confident that Willingham was guilty. So have authorities in Corsicana, south of Dallas, who prosecuted Willingham in his daughters' deaths. Asked earlier whether the governor wants to see the Willingham investigation go forward, Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger told CNN, "That's a decision of the commission." However, the first replacements raised concern among Willingham's relatives, who worked to avert his execution and to clear his name after his death. "It sounds like someone made Governor Perry mad," his stepmother, Eugena Willingham, said after hearing the news during an interview with CNN at her home in Ardmore, Oklahoma. "I think it's going to delay things," she added. "It makes me wonder why." Neither Bassett nor Levy would say whether they believed political considerations were behind their replacement, though Bassett said in a written statement that the investigation should not be dropped "because there might be political ramifications." Bradley told CNN at the time of his appointment he did not believe it was meant to stall the Willingham probe. "People tend to read into these things the kind of preconceived notions they come to these issues with," Bradley said. "They're not going to change those positions overnight. They're going to watch how the commission does its work." He said if he does his job right, the commission will "probably satisfy most of those people." CNN's Matt Smith contributed to this report. | Commission was investigating charges that innocent man was executed .
Investigation was at "crucial point" when governor replaced members, one says .
Panel was about to hear from expert who says evidence does not indicate arson .
Governor's office says this is appropriate time to bring in new members on panel . |
39,144 | 6e9c0c9bd11e15037090115b3782a3f56e4927e0 | (CNN) -- Marcos Ugarte was doing his homework when he heard the screams. Outside, the high school freshman saw flames shooting from a house several doors down. A man ran through the smoke with devastating news: A 7-year-old boy was trapped on the second floor. Marcos scaled a ladder, broke through a screen, forced open a window and carried the boy to safety. That was six months ago, less than three weeks into the 14-year-old's freshman year. It's not how you usually think of a high school student kicking off classes in the fall. And this week, Marcos is having a far-from-average spring break. The Oregon teen received a national award in Washington on Monday, picked in part by people who've won the prestigious Medal of Honor. Awareness of the medal Marcos won -- the Citizen Service Before Self Honor -- isn't as widespread. But organizers say they hope to turn the spotlight on ordinary Americans to show the acts of courage and self-sacrifice that they say symbolize the country's spirit. They describe the award as "the most prestigious civilian award in America." Marcos was the youngest person to receive the award, according to his high school, which hailed the news on its website. Candidates are nominated by police, fire officials, mayors, governors and everyday citizens. Recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award for valor in action, pick the winners. "The honorees we celebrate today ... are seemingly ordinary Americans, but far from it, really," said Jim Miklaszewski, the award ceremony's emcee and the Pentagon correspondent for NBC News. "They represent the true spirits of our country, going above and beyond for their communities, our nation and their fellow Americans." Three other people were honored this year: . Jesse Shaffer III and Jesse Shaffer IV refused to give up in August of last year as floodwater rose and torrential rain pelted their Louisiana neighborhood, even though local officials had called off rescue efforts. The father-and-son team used their boat to rescue 120 people during Hurricane Isaac, according to award organizers, including a family of five that was clinging to the roof of a trailer. Monsignor Joe Carroll ran a transitional housing center to help homeless people get back on their feet in San Diego, helping more than 1,000 people every day. He "has gone above and beyond to improve the lives of the homeless in Southern California, and by example throughout the United States," award organizers said. The annual awards, which officials from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation started giving out in 2008, do make a difference, Brandon Wemhoff said. The 31-year-old won last year for pinning a masked robber to the ground at a Walgreens in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2011. People are still giving him hugs of thanks. "If more people cared about other people and they did things that were actually nice without expecting to get anything out of it, things would work out a lot nicer," Wemhoff said. "We'd have a lot less crime and a lot less BS, excuse my language, and more people helping people." As he prepared to head to Washington to receive the prestigious award, Marcos told The Oregonian newspaper that he'd told only a few of his friends. Some classmates, he said, have resented all the attention he's received. "They think I've gotten too much fame from it," he told The Oregonian. "I'm not trying to make it into a bigger deal." In some ways, he's still a typical high school student. | A 14-year-old boy climbed a ladder to pull a child from a fiery Oregon home .
The teen is among four Americans chosen for Citizen Service Before Self Honor .
A father and son used their boat to rescue 120 people during Hurricane Isaac .
A cleric ran a housing center to help homeless people in San Diego . |
61,707 | af4679c0ce288c43b19eed09c256fbd71f82295b | A Ukrainian man miraculously managed to escape unharmed after the road collapsed underneath him as he was driving. Gordey Efremov was travelling home in the city of Dnipropetrovsk in south-eastern Ukraine, when the ground suddenly vanished below. Images from the accident show Mr Efremov's 4x4 lying on its side in a giant pothole, practically swallowed by the road. Potluck: A 4x4 has created a giant pothole after the road collapsed underneath it near Dnipropetrovsk in south-eastern Ukraine . Mr Efremov had been travelling in his Lada Niva when he suddenly found the ground vanishing underneath him. He . said: ‘Because of the rain, traffic was going slowly anyway and then . when the car in front of me stopped I put on the brakes, and slow down. ‘Then . I suddenly got this sinking feeling and before I knew it was . disappearing into the road. ‘The car tipped onto its side and muddy . waters started to flood in through the air vents and door. ‘I had to open the window above and climb out where some people helped me onto the street. Down the drain: The driver of the Lada Niva, Gordey Efremov, was able to climb out of the car and escaped unharmed . ‘I escaped without a scratch but that's more than can be said from the car which was pretty badly broken up.’ Police . said the broken drain had been leaking rainwater into the soil . underneath the road, washing away the foundations and causing it to . collapse when the car stopped. Police spokesman Leonid Pokrovski said: ‘It was an accident waiting to happen. ‘As . long as the cars were moving fast over the top it bore the weight, but . once a motorist stopped it was too much and it gave way.’ | A road in southeastern Ukraine collapsed underneath a 4x4 .
Local police said the pothole was caused by a broken drain .
The unfortunate driver was able to climb out of the car unharmed . |
153,164 | 51ea7534eb8799ddbaff07cafac20f71cdbc0d59 | Arsenal fans have given a mixed reaction to the latest leaked kit image, this time for the new 2014/15 third shirt made by Puma. The design features a light blue base colour and navy blue diagonal stripes running across the front. It is completed with a polo neck collar and light green cuffs. Blues is the colour: Leaked image of Arsenal's third shirt has divided opinion . White Puma logo’s are placed on the side . of both sleeves and the right collarbone, the Arsenal badge is placed on . the left collarbone. It follows Twitter user @oitzbrad tweeted picture below of what he claims is a leaked Arsenal 2014-15 home strip. This isn't the first Arsenal strip allegedly 'leaked' though. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas star in Puma advert . Gunner wear it? This could be the Arsenal kit for next season - their first Puma strip . Gunners midfielder . Mesut Ozil was spotted outside his London home brandishing a replica . shirt complete with No 11 - the squad number designated to the Germany . international. Speculation . is rife that Ozil has got his hands on the Gunners' home shirt for next . season, despite the new design not having been revealed by the club. Twitter . user @ArsenalEdits tweeted Sportsmail with two images of an Ozil shirt . (below), which they claim is Puma's first home shirt of a new five-year, . £150million deal. Ozil was carrying the Arsenal merchandise as well as an iPad as he stepped out of his imported £200,000 Mercedes SLS. London calling: Mesut Ozil was seen carrying the Arsenal shirt, complete with the No 11, on Tuesday afternoon . In the driving seat: Ozil, seen here leaving his Mercedes SLS, has been out of action with a hamstring injury . Making strides: Ozil is nearing a return to first-team action but won't feature in the Cup semi-final on Saturday . | Arsenal's 2014/15 home kit was allegedly leaked recently too .
Mesut Ozil was seen on Tuesday afternoon carrying what looked to be the new home strip .
Image of third strip features a light blue shirt with navy blue stripes .
Arsenal signed a deal with Puma in January worth £150million . |
107,559 | 16b6ba21c75634890afb223699b692743ebafe89 | By . Stephen Mcgowan . Martin O’Neill has warned Roy Keane to expect a Champions League baptism of fire should he agree to step into the Celtic hotseat. Dermot Desmond, Celtic’s largest shareholder, has held ‘informal talks’ with the former Manchester United captain concerning the Parkhead job vacated by Neil Lennon. The Scottish champions insisted last night Keane has not been offered the job and released a statement claiming they are still talking to ‘a number’ of candidates. Mentor: Ex-Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has told Roy Keane to expect Celtic Champions League baptism of fire . Boyhood dream: Keane played for Celtic for a few months during the twilight of his career . And O’Neill made it clear he wants his right-hand man to stay. Indeed, with just eight weeks until a crucial Champions League qualifier at Murrayfield, he urged Keane to consider the implications of stepping into a high-pressure situation. ‘Celtic are back so early because they’re involved in those big (European) games,’ said O’Neill. ‘So it is a case of that being only a matter of days away rather than weeks - and I’m sure that’s something to consider. ‘It was only brought home to me the other day when Anthony Stokes was mentioning he would not be coming with us to America because he would have had no break because Celtic are back training very, very quickly because he’s had no break whatsoever. ‘If Roy is actually offered the job then he’ll have things to consider. The very obvious thing to consider is the speed at which he would go into a big football club and have big, big games right on his doorstep.’ A Celtic manager for five years, O’Neill remains an iconic figure at Parkhead and will advise his right-hand man carefully. He admitted: ‘I have spoken to him. I had a call the other day from Dermot Desmond wanting to speak to Roy if it was at all possible, and I mentioned it to Roy, of course. ‘I am sure he was wanting to have chat anyway because a club like Celtic might not come around too often. ‘It was just a really informal chat, I think, but if you are asking me would I be really disappointed? Of course if Roy was to leave us. ‘But I kind of felt that when I took him on in the first place, that over the course of the next 18 months to two years, that this thing was likely to happen. ‘He was coming right back into high profile again. Perhaps I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, but Celtic is one - he has had a number of offers too from other football clubs as well - so he has obviously a lot to consider.’ Informal chat: Ireland boss Martin O'Neill says Keane has spoken with Celtic owner Dermot Desmond . New job: Roy Keane, the Ireland assistant manager, is set to be named as the new Celtic boss . Still got it: Keane on the ball during an Ireland training session ahead of Saturday friendly with Italy in London . Keane endured mixed fortunes in charge of Sunderland and Ipswich and Celtic fans have reacted coolly to news of the talks. He has been out of frontline management since being sacked by Ipswich in January last year. Insisting the Irish stint - brokered by Desmond and funded by his billionaire business crony Denis O’Brien - has rehabilitated the former midfielder, however, O’Neill said: ‘Roy has been great for me, I’ve genuinely enjoyed working with him, he’s sometimes a totally different character to the one you see in front of the TV camera. ‘He’s been excellent, the players have enjoyed him immensely. ‘I can only say that naturally I’d be disappointed if he left because I really think he’s been terrific. ‘I’ve often said here that he’ll be a manager again himself. I just didn’t expect it that quickly. Again, it was only an informal discussion he was having. I don’t know the ins and outs of it, I don’t know, I think they do have a list of people they’re speaking to and, you never know, they might speak to someone else . ‘I just reiterate he wouldn’t take it lightly. He loves it here, genuinely loves it here. It’s been great for him.’ Discussion: Keane talks to manager Martin O'Neill as coaches Steve Guppy and Steve Walford watch on . Pundits: Keane and O'Neill on air for ITV during coverage of a Champions League tie last season . The statement from Celtic last night made it clear Keane is but one of the candidates they are looking at. It read: ‘Following speculation concerning the manager’s position at Celtic the club can confirm that it is currently continuing its discussions with a number of excellent candidates.’ But last night Charlie Mulgrew backed Keane to show the right stuff as Celtic manager and said: ‘I’m sure he’d be a good man for the job. ‘As a player I think the club needs a big character and he definitely fits the bill. ‘He’s a strong character and probably the type of guy that would be good for the job.‘Of course, we want a manager as soon as possible because it gets us prepared for the Champions League qualifiers. ‘But I’m sure the club will take its time to get the right man. As long as it’s a big character. I’m sure the club will look into it and find the right man for the job.’ One player who may not be around to see Keane’s potential takeover is goalkeeper Fraser Forster with Tottenham placing him on a list of potential replacements for Hugo Lloris. | Roy Keane has had 'informal talks' with Dermot Desmond, Celtic's largest shareholder .
Scottish champions insisted Keane has not been offered the Celtic job and is just one of a number of candidates .
Keane is currently Martin O'Neill's right hand man for Republic of Ireland . |
60,070 | aaa0b65e9f168f2d860d6fbee2fd351c2cb2397b | A private jet en-route to Australia has reportedly been intercepted after violating Indonesia's airspace. The ABC says two fighter planes forced the Gulfstream jet to land in Indonesia on Monday. It was carrying seven passengers and six crew, who are now being questioned by Indonesian authorities, according to an air force spokesman. Scroll down for video . The ABC reports a Gulfstream private jet was intercepted en route to Darwin from Saudi Arabia . The plane's intended flight path starting from Saudi Arabia, with a fuel stop in Singapore . The aircraft is believed to have been travelling from Saudi Arabia to Darwin, and had made a refuelling stop in Singapore before taking off again and entering Indonesian airspace without clearance. The incident comes two weeks after an Australian light plane flew into Indonesian airspace without the correct documentation. Two Australians agreed to pay a fine for flying in Indonesian airspace without permit on October 22. Indonesian fighter jet pilots were moments away from shooting down the light plane piloted by the two Australian nationals who reportedly failed to comply with Indonesia's order to land. Graeme Paul Jacklin (front) and Richard Wayne MacLean (back) were taken into custody after being forced to land their light plane after allegedly 'violating' Indonesian airspace on Wednesday . Two fighter planes forced the jet to land . Indonesian pilot Major Wanda Suriansyah said two Sukhoi fighters 'locked' their weapon systems and aimed directly at the Australian plane carrying pilots Graeme Paul Jacklin and Richard Wayne MacLean,Tempo.co reported. 'If there had been a command to shoot, I would immediately have shot it down, but thank God the pilot was apparently scared and decided to land the plane in Manado,' Major Wanda said. Mr Jacklin and Mr MacLean were en route from Darwin to the Philippines when their light plane was detected over Indonesian waters at 8am on Wednesday. The pair, who are professional delivery pilots, were flying to Cebu in the Philippines to deliver the light plane after selling it. Comment is being sought from Indonesian and Australian authorities. The pair were en route from Darwin to the Philippines to sell the plane when their aircraft was detected over Indonesian waters at 8am on Wednesday . | Two fighter planes force Gulfstream jet to land in Indonesia .
Crews on Darwin-bound private plane from Saudi Arabia questioned .
Comes two weeks after authorities intercepted Australian plane accused of 'violating' Indonesian airspace and questioned two pilots . |
123,798 | 2c0d0b9f429007e9916b22e5a275d2ce963fe264 | Washington (CNN) -- The campaign to feed the world's poor will get some much needed star power Friday when Bono, co-founder of the global advocacy organization ONE, arrives to rally leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized nations to take action. While the crisis in the eurozone will no doubt top the agenda when the G8 leaders gather Friday for a two-day summit, the talks will also tackle the issue of food security and ways to feed a growing world population. At their annual summit in L'Aquila, Italy, in 2009, leaders pledged to provide $20 billion to fight hunger in the developing world over three years. Since then, U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have embraced food security as a signature foreign policy issue, working to support farmers in Africa and other developing countries to improve agriculture. Now, those 2009 commitments are set to expire. In an age of shrinking aid budgets with fewer resources available, donor governments can't solve the problem of world hunger alone. Rajiv Shah, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, said in an interview that major gains have been made in reducing hunger in most of the world, with the exception of sub-Saharan Africa. While he said the private sector has been interested in developing the African market, companies have been reluctant because of corruption and a lack of infrastructure. "They had the sense leaders are not committed," Shah said of the private sector. Since L'Aquila, 30 African governments have developed internationally endorsed plans for investment in food security and agricultural development. Their commitment to policy reforms to create a better climate for investors, Shah said, has created an interest in investing, with a focus on small farms. "These policy reform commitments are unlocking the potential of agriculture to explode and ending the perception of Africa," Shah said. "African leaders are replacing the vision of hunger with growth and opportunity." Before a G8 session at the summit on food security with the leaders of Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana and Tanzania, Bono will join Obama, Clinton and other leaders in government, business, nonprofits and academia to discuss goals for eradicating world hunger . Obama will address the symposium in Washington of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, where administration officials say he will unveil a new G8 food security "alliance" to advance global agricultural development in Africa that includes the private sector and other key players. "We have recognized that it is eight to 10 times more expensive to feed people when they are in crisis than it does to help farmers feed themselves and build better resources," Shah said. "If we can be innovative in the private sector, we can have much better outcomes." Over the last several months, Shah said, the effort has secured more than $3 billion in concrete private investment commitments, almost half of which came from African companies. On Friday, Shah said, 35 companies are expected to make additional commitments for projects ranging from manufacturing fertilizer plants and building storage facilities to providing mobile phones to help farmers use mobile banking and other services to cut out middlemen and become part of a cash economy. "Historically, the private sector has not been as active in the agriculture space as it should be, but that is starting to change" said Ben Leo, global policy director of the ONE Campaign. "There is enormous potential when you have donor countries and the private sector working with African government in support of these country plans. That is where magic can happen." Advocacy groups hope the G8 will shift its focus from money to meeting concrete goals on hunger and nutrition, including lifting 50 million people out of poverty and preventing stunted development of 15 million children over the next 10 years. While praising the efforts of the private sector and recognizing the potential multiplier effect, some advocacy groups voice concern that without the involvement of nongovernmental organizations, the resources will not reach the poorest who are most in need. Sam Worthington, the head of InterAction, an alliance of U.S.-based relief and development groups, says the focus should be on small plots of land for farmers to feed their families and have disposable income to participate in the local economy. "Africa is becoming a big new market. How that market is developed will make a big difference in the lives of its poorest farmers," he said. "You will need multinational companies to drive the development of the market, but you will need just as much the voice of local groups providing checks and balances to help ensure the market is supporting the needs of local shareholders." | Europe's crisis will top G8 meeting agenda Friday, but talks will also focus on world hunger .
As commitments expire, donor governments won't be able to solve hunger problem alone .
30 African governments have food security, agricultural development investment plans .
They have created an interest in investing, with a focus on small farms, USAID official says . |
269,351 | e8e1b7cf430a0a69a13f3a387e3905c044ac83ae | She is known for writing about her colourful private life, her dramatic conversion to Islam and a spectacular falling-out with her half-sister, Cherie Blair. So perhaps it’s no surprise that when Lauren Booth decided she wanted a new husband, she advertised on Facebook. And after announcing her quest for a partner to her 7,000 Facebook ‘friends’ last year, Ms Booth, 45, has now announced she is wed. Activist Lauren Booth is pictured with her husband Sohale Ahmed whom she met after posting an ad on the internet . The Mail on Sunday can reveal her husband is Sohale Ahmed, a devout Muslim and divorced father of three from Stockport, Manchester. Mr Ahmed must have survived a stern examination of his credentials to earn Ms Booth’s affections. For in her Facebook announcement, she promised a ‘series of rigorous tests of din [religion], finances and personality’. He would have to have his own teeth and be able to ‘pray’ and to ‘pay’, she added. Secret drinkers, CIA stooges and anyone who fancied Sunday roast at her brother-in-law Tony Blair’s house were told they need not apply. The journalist and broadcaster – a vocal opponent of the Iraq War who now works for Iran’s state-owned news channel Press TV – said anyone who wished to have lunch with Mr Blair was discounted because it meant they liked eating with ‘Muslim-murdering former leaders’. Ex-husband: Lauren Booth and actor Craig Darby pictured on their wedding day in 2000 . ‘Still interested?’ Ms Booth asked at the end of the advert. ‘Well, you’d better be brave and funny.’ Despite issuing such a daunting challenge, Ms Booth has now reported her marriage on Facebook. Mr Ahmed is listed as the managing director of Ms Booth’s pro-Palestinian charity, Peace 2012. Her 49-year-old new husband has also posted Facebook pictures of Ms Booth. It is unclear how the couple met, but Ms Booth, a devout Muslim and human-rights activist, has spoken at various rallies and events, produced by Mr Ahmed through his company X Events. It is not the first time Facebook has played a major role in Ms Booth’s life. Strict criteria: Activist Lauren Booth announced that she was looking for a partner on Facebook . In 2009, she changed her Facebook status from ‘married’ to ‘divorced’, following a row with her first husband Craig Darby when they and their two daughters lived in France. Days later, a serious motorbike accident left him with brain injuries. The accident and recovery were documented by Ms Booth in newspaper articles. Though she had admitted that changing her Facebook status was juvenile, she later wrote that despite being grateful her husband had survived the crash, the man she had loved was dead. ‘I miss my dead husband, his passion and his bravery,’ she wrote. The couple divorced in 2011. | Ms Booth, 45, announced her quest for a partner on Facebook .
She has now announced she has married a devout Muslim man . |
274,436 | ef7567ac3ef55bfa9e66944a74d5476329ebec79 | (CNN Student News) -- January 4, 2013 . Download PDF maps related to today's show: . Syria . Newtown, Connecticut . Click here to access the transcript of today's CNN Student News program. Please note that there may be a delay between the time when the video is available and when the transcript is published. | The daily transcript is a written version of each day's CNN Student News program .
Use this transcript to help students with reading comprehension and vocabulary .
Use the weekly Newsquiz to test your knowledge of stories you saw on CNN Student News . |
122,167 | 29efea359ea1aac2d8dbe8683ed0e97380b99fde | By . Glen Owen . and Brendan Carlin . MPs are blocking a plan by Speaker John Bercow to install a ‘bullying helpline’ for Commons staff amid fears it would be swamped by the volume of complaints. The proposal followed a string of allegations about MPs shouting, swearing, hurling staplers and sacking staff by Post-it note. The Mail on Sunday has learned Mr Bercow is also investigating claims that sexual harassment is ‘out of control’ at Westminster, with staff too frightened to blow the whistle in case it jeopardises their job prospects. Thwarted: Commons Speaker John Bercow attempted to close a loophole so MPs' staff could complain about bullying, but he was voted down at a recent meeting of the House of Commons Commission . A complaints procedure already exists for officials employed directly by the Commons – but it does not apply to MPs’ staff. When Mr Bercow suggested closing the loophole at a recent meeting of the House of Commons Commission – its supervisory body – he was voted down. Sources say MPs from the three main parties insisted they could not meddle in the relationship between MPs and their staff. But one said: ‘The employment thing is a fig leaf. If you set up a helpline it would be absolutely inundated. Do you know what this place is like? It would be carnage.’ Talk of MPs mistreating staff is rife, with some said to get through ‘dozens of employees’ because of their tempers. Mr Bercow has also asked, discreetly, for information about sexual harassment in the Commons, having been told there might be a ‘problem’ with some high-profile individuals. One union official said last night: ‘The problem is, MPs are judge and jury. If there’s bullying or other misbehaviour, staff have to complain to the MPs themselves.’ In the thick of it: MPs have allegedly shouted, sworn, hurled staplers and sacked staff by Post-it note . | MPs have allegedly sworn, hurled staplers and sacked staff by Post-it note .
Loophole in complaints system means it does not apply to MPs' own staff .
But Speaker John Bercow's attempt to close the loophole was voted down .
There are claims of a sexual harassment 'problem' with high-profile figures . |
253,443 | d41053d7475591fcd95c4dc36a159b36800ad060 | By . James Nye . Dramatic photographs released on Sunday reveal the difficult moment the father of UC Santa Barbara campus shooter Elliot Rodger met the father of one his of shooting spree victims. Peter Rodger came face-to-face with Richard Martinez earlier this month, less than two weeks after his son, 22-year-old Elliot Rodger, shot and stabbed six students including Martinez's 20-year-old son, Christopher. Courageous Martinez met Rodger at a Santa Barbara coffee shop on June 1. They wouldn't discuss details of what they called a 'private conversation between grieving fathers', but did say that they reached common ground. scroll down for video . Dramatic: Peter Rodger, left, with Richard Martinez. Photos released today show the dramatic meeting between the father of the UC Santa Barbara campus shooter and the father of one of the people who were killed during the shooting spree. 'We plan to work together so other families such as ours will not suffer as ours have,' Martinez told the station. Martinez has been an outspoken critic of the nation's gun laws since his 20-year-old son, Christopher Michaels-Martinez, was shot in the rampage that left five other UC San Barbara students dead. Police believe the killer took his own life after crashing his car as officers moved in. Elliot Rodger's parents issued a statement the morning after the killings that they were "staunchly against guns" and support gun-control laws. They said in another statement Thursday that it had been 'hell on earth' knowing their son's actions led to tragedy. 'We are crying out in pain for the victims and their families. It breaks our hearts on a level that we didn't think was possible,' Peter and Chin Rodger said in the statement. 'It is now our responsibility to do everything we can to help avoid this happening to any other family.' Difficult: The father of a college student who was gunned down in the May 23 mass killings near the University of California, Santa Barbara said he met privately with the father of his son's killer in early June . Richard Martinez, left, said he met Peter Rodger, the father of 22-year-old Elliot Rodger, at a Santa Barbara coffee shop. He wouldn't discuss details of what he called a "private conversation between grieving fathers," but said they reached common ground . Rodger killed six people between the ages of 19 and 22 on May 23 after years of what he claimed was rejection and ridicule and sexual jealousy because he was a virgin. He took his own life after his shooting rampage and it was claimed in the days afterwards that his family had tried to get him professional help weeks before the massacre. This comes as ABC announced that Barbara Walters will have the first interview with UC-Santa Barbara shooter Elliot Rodger's father. Peter Rodger has not spoken out about his son's killing spree that left six dead and 13 others injured before killing himself. The special will mark the famed broadcaster's first return to television since she retired last month. ABC did not reveal when the interview will air, saying only that it will be an upcoming special edition of 20/20. The killer's mother, Li-Chin Rodger, was the first one to realize that something was awry at the time of his killing spree. Final warning: Elliot Rodger posted a confessional video titled 'Retribution' shortly before going on a killing spree near the UC-Santa Barbara campus in May . Promising: Christopher Martinez had planned to study in London for a year before starting law school . Victim: Christopher, 20, was one of six students to be killed in May's attack . Emotional: One day after his son was shot dead, Richard Martinez, center, blamed Christopher's death on 'irresponsible politicians and the NRA' Li-Chin, who have been divorced for many years, received an email from her 22-year-old son shortly after 9pm on May 25 which included a 140-page manifesto. She immediately went to Elliot's YouTube page and saw that he had uploaded a video called 'Retribution' wherein he describes how he plans to slaughter sorority girls. His mother knew something was horribly wrong and she called her ex, filmmaker Peter, and after they watched the video, they called 911. Both parents rushed to the scene separately and reportedly realized they were too late once they heard news reports of the ongoing rampage on the car radio. Neither parent has spoken out about the killings yet, and in the immediate aftermath they gave permission to a close friend to speak to the media on their behalf, explaining how Elliot had been receiving professional help for some time. '(His parents) were conscious and concerned about their son's health,' Simon Astaire told CNN. 'They thought he was in good hands.' Change: Richard Martinez, who son Christopher was shot dead in May's attack, called for tougher gun laws . Richard Martinez has become a crusader for more stringent gun laws in the wake of his son's killing. In late May, Martinez addressed a crowd of about 20,000 who gathered for the University of California Santa Barbara memorial, the crowd got to their feet and joined his chant of 'Not One More'. Moments earlier he had given an emotional tribute to his only son, Christopher, who just before his death had been planning a year in London before starting law school. Instead, the 20-year-old became the sixth victim to die on May 23, during a deadly rampage by a college student in Isla Vista. Mr Martinez used the memorial on Tuesday to call for an end to gun violence, telling the crowd: 'Too many people have died, and there should be not one more,' NBC Los Angeles reported. 'How many more people are going to have to die in this situation before the problem gets solved?' he asked. 'They [politicians] have done nothing and that's why Chris died ... in my opinion,' Mr Martinez said. 'It's almost become a normal thing for us to accept [mass shootings] ... It's not normal. Life doesn't have to be like this.' After talking of his son's love of basketball, and describing him as kind and competitive, Mr Martinez addressed lawmakers who had reached out to him after Christopher's death. Composed: Richard Martinez also read statements from relatives of other victims, including the Hong family who called for 'Hatred to be gone with the wind' 'Don't tell me you are sorry about my son's death until you do something,' he said, according to Anderson Cooper 360. Mr Martinez told the crowd he should not be seen as a spokesman for all the families caught up in the stabbings and shootings. But he was asked by the families of Cheng Yuan Hong and Weihan 'David' Wang, to give statements on their behalf. As he held a Gone With The Wind book bag aloft, Mr Martinez read a statement from the Hong family, which said: 'May we together create a peaceful world and let hatred be gone with the wind.' The family of 20-year-old Wang have also called for tighter gun control. In their statement read by Mr Martinez, they said: 'Our child desired a land free from fear.' When Mr Martinez ended his speech, he called on the students gathered there to join him in his demand to end gun violence. As he returned to his seat, the grieving father was given a standing ovation, and the crowd continued the chant 'Not one more', which he had led them in just moments before. Mr Martinez had began his campaign just one day after his son's death, making an emotional televised appearance on Saturday. Clutching a photo of his son, he said: 'Why did Chris die? Chris died because of craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA. 'They talk about gun rights, but what about Chris' right to live? When will this insanity stop?' | Peter Rodger agreed to meet Richard Martinez earlier this month at a Santa Barbara coffee shop .
The two men shared time together and discussed the killing spree of Elliot Rodger .
Dubbed the virgin killer, Rodger shot Christoper Michaels-Martinez dead .
Rodger stabbed and shot dead six people on May 23 in a shocking spree .
Had become isolated and sexually jealous of others and released a series of YouTube videos and a written manifesto outlining his misogyny . |
155,503 | 54fd1f66ab21f3772fa51fe60af095abde90ff7e | A prominent Pennsylvania family's luxurious suburban lifestyle has been financed by more than $20 million in fraudulent insurance claims amid a series of mansion fires and repeated reports of jewelry theft, authorities said on Thursday. An investigation began after a 2013 fire at the stately home Claire Risoldi - a prominent Republican donor and fund-raiser- shared with relatives in Doylestown, an hour's drive north of Philadelphia. It was the third blaze in five years at the property, which she dubbed Clairemont, authorities said. Fraud: Claire Risoldi has been charged with conspiracy, witness intimidation and forgery, with authorities claiming she filed fraudulent insurance claims to fund her luxurious lifestyle . Blaze: The Risoldi family mansion in Buckingham, Pennsylvania, has caught fire three times in five years . Scene: Seen here is the most recent fire at the Pennsylvania property, which is known as Clairemont . Probe: Officials said the investigation began in October 2013 after a fire at a home in New Hope, Bucks County . Risoldi had falsely accused volunteer firefighters of stealing 55 pieces of jewelry worth more than $10 million while battling the flames, according to a grand jury presentment. The family's jewelry collection had included two items valued at $106,000 only four months earlier, officials said. Charge: Thomas J. French, 64, the husband of Claire Risoldi and a retired deputy sheriff, was also involved . Authorities said the ensuing probe uncovered a decades-long pattern of questionable insurance claims by Risoldi. She still possessed jewelry she reported stolen in 1993, according to investigators. She had reported another jewelry theft from a different home in 1984 and a house fire in 1977. As a result of the investigation, authorities seized about $7 million in family assets, including $3 million in bank accounts, $1.2 million in jewelry, six Ferraris and two Rolls-Royces. The state attorney general's office charged Risoldi, 67, with counts including conspiracy, attempted theft by deception, witness intimidation and forgery. Six other people, including her husband, two children and daughter-in-law, also face charges. Also charged was Risoldi's son, Carl A. Risoldi, 43, and his wife, Sheila M. Risoldi, 43, both of Buckingham; Claire Risoldi's husband, Thomas J. French, 64, also of Buckingham; private investigator Mark Goldman, 54, of Wayne, and fabric vendor Richard Holston, 51, of Medford Lakes, N.J. Risoldi, who is free after posting bail, isn't living at the Doylestown home and couldn't be located for comment Thursday. Family ties: Risoldi's son, Carl A. Risoldi, 43, a public relations and marketing specialist, and his wife, Sheila M. Risoldi, have been charged with multiple offenses, including theft by deception . Involved: Carla Risoldi, a former Bucks County prosecutor and now a private attorney, and private investigator Mark Goldman, 54, were also charged on multiple counts . Her daughter's lawyer had no comment. Officials haven't determined the causes of the Doylestown fires, but they said large amounts of highly flammable material had been placed near the origin of each blaze. Video from the home's security system in 2013 showed Risoldi leaving a minute before smoke was visible outside the house, authorities said. An insurance company has paid out more than $20 million for the three fires but is fighting the most recent jewelry claim. Physical evidence 'proved that the jewelry could not have possibly been stolen in the manner described by the Risoldis,' the grand jury presentment said. Scene: Buckingham Fire Marshal Jim Kettler examining the window of a room where a fire broke out on the second floor of the Risoldi's Buckingham home in June 2009 . Destruction: This October 2013 photo shows firefighters from several area companies fighting a house fire in the home of 67-year-old Claire Risoldi and her family . 'This family and their co-conspirators stole millions to fund a lifestyle of extravagance and excess,' Attorney General Kathleen Kane told The Philadelphia Inquirer. 'Insurance fraud drives up the cost for everyone, including seniors and middle-class families. 'Even worse, the scheme was facilitated through threats, intimidation and falsely accusing first responders of serious crimes.' The newspaper also reported that Risoldi has donated tens of thousands of dollars to the county's Republican Party, state lawmakers and a county judge. She also has organized political fund-raisers for local candidates, that were held at her New Hope mansion. | Claire Risoldi, 67, and six of her family members have been charged in an extensive insurance fraud scheme .
Police say they filed a series of questionable claims after suspicious fires and reported jewelry thefts and were paid out $20 million .
Grand jury found Claire Risoldi falsely accused the firefighters who fought the flames of stealing .
Her husband, two children and daughter-in-law also face charges .
Risoldi has donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Bucks County's Republican Party and state lawmakers . |
258,000 | d9e826b4fbdefc582c611de617bf6dcdf8c64fcd | One spellbinding attraction of Lewis Hamilton is that he lives his career on the very edge. When it pays off, he is a hero. But on Saturday, straining for supremacy under the desert sky, he slipped off the track on his final qualifying lap and missed out on pole position. That accolade, ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, went to his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who was three-tenths of a second faster. 'Lewis has gone off,' he was told over the radio. 'You are safe. Well done, pole position.' Eyes on the prize: Nico Rosberg will start Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix from pole position . Frontrunner: Rosberg denied British team-mate Hamilton a hat-trick of poles for the season so far . It was the first time this season . that Rosberg, the championship leader having won the opening race of the . season in Australia and finished second behind Hamilton in Malaysia . last week, had beaten his old friend in qualifying. He held a single . finger up behind Hamilton's head as they posed for pictures afterwards. The beaten man tried his best to raise a smile as the cameras clicked . but it looked an understandably forced gesture made for form's sake. He . is always most annoyed when he is responsible for an error. This was a . case in point, for the British driver had been dominant in practice and . surely realised that by locking up at the first corner of the last lap . he had denied himself a probable third consecutive pole position. 'You can't always get it right,' he sighed. Fastest three: Hamilton, Rosberg and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo were the quickest in qualifying . All class: Rosberg impressed on the Bahrain International Circuit despite trailing Hamilton through practice . Adrian Sutil will start at the back of the grid after a five-place penalty following qualifying. Sutil was found guilty of forcing Lotus' Romain Grosjean off the Bahrain International Circuit 'in an unsafe manner' towards the end of the opening 18-minute session. The Frenchman was forced to take evasive action to avoid being hit by the Sauber driver, although still managed to make it through to Q2, whilst Sutil could only qualify 18th. But after a stewards' hearing Sutil will now line up 22nd and last. His . mistake means Rosberg will start as favourite on the track where his . career began nine seasons ago by his setting the fastest lap for . Williams. The race would appear to be nicely set up. 'It has just worked well through the weekend,' said the German. 'I have found my way, made progress and resolved some issues. 'The . challenge this weekend is that free practice was in such hot conditions . and you have to guess what is needed in the cold conditions for . qualifying.' What he . did not mention was that he roared to pole despite having badly cut his . big toe when his left foot came into collision with a rock while running . in Dubai. His left foot, we note, only his braking foot. Brave face: Hamilton shows no disappointment after his team-mate snatched the front spot from him . Bright lights: Hamilton winds up his Mercedes in the marginally cooler night air in Bahrain . Daniel . Ricciardo again performed brilliantly in his Red Bull, pressing his . claims as the early revelation of the season by finishing third fastest, . albeit a second off Rosberg's mark. However, the 10-place grid penalty . Ricciardo carries over for being released unsafely in the pits in . Malaysia condemns him to start 13th. The poor boy, disqualified in Australia, is on an awful streak of bad luck. 'My . season has been going well but I don't have the points to show for it,' he said. 'I don't need to be conservative tomorrow, but to go for more . points.' It was a good . day for Williams, with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez due to start . third and fourth after Ricciardo's penalty is taken into consideration. Jenson Button, of McLaren will line up in sixth place. Off track, more discussions to discuss the quieter engine noise are planned for Sunday. | Nico Rosberg on pole for Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix .
Lewis Hamilton will start alongside Mercedes team-mate on the front row .
Daniel Ricciardo was third, but will start in 13th after serving grid penalty .
Sebastian Vettel failed to progress from Q2 for the second time this season . |
70,900 | c903aadcf4464120fd529f691fb233c28752730e | (CNN) -- An alarm late Friday night indicating higher than usual levels of airborne radiation led to a first-of-its-kind response at a nuclear disposal facility outside of Carlsbad, New Mexico, an Energy Department spokesman told CNN. An air monitor at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant detected the spike in an isolated area half a mile below the ground. The incident prompted an immediate shutoff of filtered air from the facility into the environment around it. "This is the first time we had to close off air filtered by the facility to the outside," Energy Department spokesman Gregory Sahd told CNN. Investigators from the Department of Energy expect test results this week to help determine whether there was a radiation leak. Officials believe there is no danger to the community because it was quickly contained. The radiation was first detected at 11:30 p.m., according to Sahd. He said the facility's ventilation system monitors air quality in real time and automatically switched to "filtration mode" when the possible leak was discovered. Due to the late hour and the location of the incident, Sahd said there was little risk to employees. Those who were inside the above-ground area of the facility responded quickly and remained quarantined until radiological control technicians cleared them to go home. "No one was underground when the alarm went off," Sahd said. "And everyone that was in the facility (at the time), we know where they are and we've tested them." Sahd said there have been no injuries reported, and the area officials believe was affected has been closed off. "We're pretty sure we know where it's at." New Mexico Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich said in a statement Saturday that they remain in contact with Energy Department officials. "We will continue to monitor the situation as more information becomes available. The safety of WIPP personnel and the surrounding community is of the utmost importance." | Higher levels of airborne radiation trip alarm, shutoff of filtered air .
The late-night alarm occurred with few people around; no injuries reported .
Department of Energy awaits test results on whether there was a radiation leak . |
254,951 | d5fe8169f05b900de99a39d3b91ed11014d9446a | (CNN)I won't take it personally if you yawn while reading this story. Chances are you're sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation is such a rampant problem that last year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called insufficient sleep a public health epidemic. Teenagers may be suffering the most. Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health called the problem "The Great Sleep Recession" in a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. They surveyed more than 270,000 teens in eighth, 10th and 12th grades between 1991 and 2012 and found teens are getting less and less sleep. The average amount is seven hours a day, which is two hours less than the nine hours they should be snoozing. African-American and Hispanic boys are the least likely to sleep enough. But why? Katherine W. Keyes, lead researcher and assistant professor of epidemiology at Mailman, says researchers don't know. She and her team speculate that increased Internet and social media use is a factor as well as pressure and competition over the college admissions process. Not everyone gets all their sleep at night though. Babies and toddlers, for example, take naps to get it all in. But a new study published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood says toddlers sleep better at night without the naps. Australian researchers reviewed 26 previously published studies and found that napping beyond age 2 is linked to poor quality sleep at night. And, as many parents of toddlers will attest to, it can also lead to an array of stalling tactics and protests at bedtime. The authors of the study say there is no scientific evidence to continue having children older than 2 nap and recommend discontinuing it, especially if the child has trouble sleeping at night. We know not getting enough sleep causes all kinds of harm to our minds and bodies no matter your age. Study after study tell us so. Sleep deprivation causes us to eat more, it shrinks our brains, is linked to Type 2 diabetes, leads to slow reaction time that can impair driving and can even cause false memories. And that list could go on and on. So how much sleep do we need? The National Sleep Foundation, recently issued new recommendations on how much sleep we should all be getting. They are based on a review of research and a consensus from a group of 18 experts in sleep, science, physiology and medicine. There are now nine age categories, some of them new. Anything more or less than the identified range is simply not recommended: . • Newborns (0 to 3 months) -- 14 to 17 hours per day . • Infants (4 to 11 months) -- 12 to 15 hours per day . • Toddlers (1 to 2 years old) -- 11 to 14 hours per day . • Preschoolers (3 to 5 years old) -- 11 to 14 hours per day . • School age (6 to 13 years old) -- 9 to 11 hours per day . • Teens (14 to 17 years old) -- 8 to 10 hours per day . • Younger adults (18 to 25 years old) -- 7 to 9 hours per day . • Adults (26 to 64 years old) -- 7 to 9 hours per day . • Older adults (65 and older) -- 7 to 8 hours per day . While there is plenty of research confirming all that goes wrong when you don't get enough sleep, there are also proven steps people can take to help fall asleep and sleep better once they do fall asleep. A new study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine says mindful meditation helps adults fall asleep and stay asleep. Researchers at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, randomly assigned 49 adults, age 55 and older, who experienced minor sleep disturbances, to one of two groups for one year. One group was taught mindfulness meditation, which they practiced for 20 minutes per day. The other group went through sleep hygiene education intervention, which changes daily behaviors and other factors believed to be causing sleep problems. Those who used mindful meditation ended up sleeping better than those in the other group. Of course, a larger study is needed to confirm this finding. But the idea of relaxation leading to better sleep is not so far-fetched. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation recommends a relaxing bedtime ritual and winding down before bed. Meditation certainly qualifies. It also suggests waking up and going to bed at the same time every day, using bright lights to help wake up, avoiding naps and avoiding heavy meals, alcohol and cigarettes at night. It's a lot to think about. Hopefully it won't keep you up, and you'll be having sweet dreams, and enough of them, in no time. | Teens may be suffering the most from sleep deprivation, new study says .
National Sleep Foundation has new recommendations on how much sleep to get .
Mindful meditation can help those suffering sleep disturbances, researchers say . |
276,644 | f266dfe2289bb30d314a5a5d9c6a11dd507e46dd | A television crew recording a documentary about bailiffs were stunned to find £5million stashed in a wooden box hidden in a flat. $8.5million, the equivalent of about £5million, was found by the crew stuffed in a wooden box hidden in the apartment in Silvertown, east London. The apartment is located in Wards Wharf - a collection of luxury new-builds in London's Docklands - and is close to London City Airport. Stash: $8.5million - around £5million - was found hidden in a wooden box in an east London apartment. It was discovered by TV crews from Channel 5 who were making a documentary about bailiffs . The crew, believed to be filming a programme for a Channel 5 series, had followed the bailiffs to the property where they were executing a warrant to recover money in a separate issue. Police were called and officers seized the cash. It has since been sent for authentication. Police confirmed there is no suspicion of a terrorism connection. A Metropolitan police spokesman said: 'Officers in Newham have recovered $8.5million at a residential flat. Location: The money was found stashed in a flat in Wards Wharf - a collection of luxury newbuilds in London's Docklands located near to City Airport. A 29-year-old man was arrested and bailed until August, police said . 'Police were called at approximately 10:25hrs on Wednesday, 11 June to an address in Wards Wharf Apartments, E16 after a large quantity of cash was found by bailiffs who were executing a warrant there. 'Detectives from Newham are investigating.' They added that a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and has been released on bail to a date in mid-August. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | $8.5million, around £5million, found in an apartment in east London .
Was discovered by TV crew filming a show about bailiffs for Channel 5 .
Money found stuffed in a wooden box hidden in Docklands apartment .
29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering .
Has been released on bail until a date in mid-August . |
14,771 | 29dec932502509f74d7843d8dfe7c78f677b15c0 | By . Emily Davies . PUBLISHED: . 07:03 EST, 28 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:10 EST, 28 March 2013 . This adorable English lop-eared rabbit is keeping his enormous ears open for any news that spring might be on its way. Photographer John Daniels, who has worked with animals for decades, photographed the rabbit as part of a special spring-themed photo shoot with newborn animals . The 59-year-old from Dunsfold, Surrey uses studio space and some unusual pairings to create the cute images. I'm all ears: This Easter bunny with ears longer than its body was photographed by 59-year-old John Daniels . Feeling sheepish: Noises are used by photographer John Daniels to make the animals look at the camera . Puppy love: A young dog stands over a four-week-old duckling in the studio of photographer John Daniels . Mr Daniels puts different animals together and cajoles them to pose as if they were a mother and young of the same species. He said: ‘I use the studio . because I can't rely on the British weather. I've had to cancel shoots . in the past, so using the studio and building a set means it's one less . thing to worry about. Young love: An eight-week-old Coton de Tulear puppy kissing a six-week-old Lion Head rabbit . Lend me your ears: An English Lop Eared rabbit sitting with shelters a chick under its enormous ears . Hop on board: Treats are often used to encourage the animals to pose for photographs in the studio . ‘Photographing . any animal can be tricky and with shoots outside there is more chance . of the animal escaping or being frightened by the big outdoors. ‘I . have very good animal handlers that I use, they have lots of contacts . in the animal world and tell me what's available at any time. ‘The hardest part is timing, I have to . get each animal at the right age, so hatching eggs to coincide with . kittens or puppies can take a bit of planning. John Daniels said he never forces animals to anything because it would be clear they are unhappy in the photo . Peekaboo!: A Mini Ivory Satin Rabbit peeps out from a flowerpot with a chick on each side of her . John Daniels prefers to photograph younger animals because they are happy to pose and move about less . John Daniels works with a variety of animals and uses treats to coax them to keep poses for the photo shoots . Mr Daniels has developed techniques to help the animals settle for the photo shoots. He said: ‘I've found that the older the animal . is the harder it is to get it to sit with another, when they are very . young they don't really know what's going on. ‘For example a ducking will happily snuggle up to a kitten or anything else that feels cosy. Spring chickens: Strange noises are used by photographer John Daniels to make the animals look in certain directions . Man's best friend: Younger animals are easier to put together and are happy to be photographed side by side . ‘I never force an animal to do anything, if they don't look happy it won't look good in the picture so I try something else. ‘Without . giving away any trade secrets, I use sounds to attract them, they have . to be soft for kittens but a little louder for puppies and others. ‘Or a strange noise tends to get them to look at the camera. The adorable animals are photographed in a studio so that the shoots are not weather dependent . Snuggle up: A chick nestles in to the white fluffy fur of a Netherland dwarf Himalayan baby rabbit . He added: ‘All the animals react in different ways, so it's quite often trial and error. ‘I love working with any animal, wild or domestic, it's a privilege to be able to and I hope they enjoy working with me. ‘Many of the animals come back to the studio for several shoots and they do seem to remember what to do, little treats always help too.’ | Photographer John Daniels takes pictures of animals in unlikely pairings .
He said younger animals are best because they are happy to sit together . |
42,263 | 774308c365763ab37a02ee145682646279aed641 | HOLLYWOOD, California (CNN) -- Director Antoine Fuqua, the force behind films such as "Training Day" and "Shooter," turned his focus to creating CNN's exclusive short film "From MLK to Today," which airs at 7 p.m. ET Monday. Filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, 43, says he didn't believe he would see an African-American president in his lifetime. Before flying off to the Sundance Film Festival to premiere his latest action-thriller, "Brooklyn's Finest," starring Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke and Don Cheadle, Fuqua, 43, stopped by the CNN newsroom in Hollywood to discuss the making of this film. He outlined his vision for the piece, which chronicles America's civil rights journey from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to Barack Obama. CNN: As a filmmaker, you work with people like Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke and Denzel Washington. Why are you sitting here in our edit bay doing this project? Antoine Fuqua: Because it's Martin Luther King, and because it's Barack Obama's story. And because it's CNN. It's important to be a part of history, and a part of inspiring people today. I think this is one of the biggest times in my life -- besides my children. So why wouldn't I be here? What else would I be doing except flying to Sundance to promote my movie! [Laughs] Watch a clip from "From MLK to Today" » . CNN: You were born in the '60s, so you were very young during the civil rights movement. You were barely out of diapers when Martin Luther King was assassinated. Fuqua: I am familiar with the history because I love history. African-Americans -- I feel we cannot ever forget our past. Not in an angry or negative way -- just to know where we come from, so we get a better sense of where we're going, and how to get there, and what not to do. I don't think you can ever forget Martin Luther King and many other people who sacrificed, whose names we don't even know. CNN: What do you remember from your childhood? Fuqua: I remember being afraid at times. I remember the Black Panthers. When I was a little boy, the men that were around me were part of a movement. There was a lot of tension. There were a lot of weapons around. There was talk of FBI. I was a little kid, you know -- 6, 5 years old. I didn't really know what it meant. But there was a lot of fear -- a lot of fear of police, or of leaving your neighborhood. CNN: Did you experience much racism growing up in Pittsburgh? Fuqua: I remember a lot of racism. I mean, we used to get beat up by the police. We used to go to certain areas, and cops would slap you around, and grab you by your collar and treat you a certain way. I remember getting on a bus and drivers would treat us disrespectfully, assuming we were going to misbehave. And we were just going to school. I got into fights at school. ... No real reason, except for color of the skin. I don't think they even understood really. CNN: Did you understand? Fuqua: Not really. I didn't really understand it. I was used to it. I had an understanding of it at that age, which was I was black and they were white, and I was poor and they had money. CNN: Did you think there were certain things you couldn't accomplish because you were black? What about being a director? Fuqua: When I was a little kid, I used to sleep in my grandmother's basement, and I would read magazines, and books and things -- and I would dream of places I would go. I remember thinking, "Well, if it's just a matter of money to leave my neighborhood, then I have to make money." Then I read something about craftsmanship -- which is not a word you used often in that time in the ghettos. If you learn a craft, then you can make a living for the rest of your life. So I went to school to be an electrical engineer. And when I was in school, I took a Baroque art class. They were talking about Caravaggio, who was a Baroque painter. Now he was from the streets in Italy, and he used to paint these very provocative paintings of people he lived with on the streets -- beggars, and prostitutes and things. It reminded me of my world -- in the sense of being a young kid on the streets, growing up, seeing a lot of provocative images that I was probably too young to see -- and I would express them, and I would do little illustrations or I would paint on a wall. Then I started to study [Akira] Kurosawa, who was a painter as well as a director. I saw his movies -- "The Seven Samurai" and all that -- and I thought, "Wow, that's even more interesting, because it's a moving picture and you get to tell a story." CNN: And now you're telling the story of Martin Luther King and Barack Obama. Did you ever think you'd see an African-American president of the United States? Fuqua: Never. Never. Not in my time. I thought somewhere down the line it would happen, but not in my time -- because I still deal with racial situations. Sometimes people don't do it blatantly. They'll say something, or they'll behave a certain way when I know they don't normally behave that way. As a director, you run into walls where they say, "Well, it doesn't translate well overseas. You know, you need to have a white movie star in it." There's some truth to that. So if Hollywood's not ready to embrace more stories about African-Americans -- and that's based on the money that the movies make -- then would the country really be ready to embrace a president? You know, the CEO of the country? And obviously, we are. We are ready. CNN: As a director, you have this story about an unbelievable presidential election, where a first-term senator wins. Would you have cast Barack Obama in that role? Fuqua: In a heartbeat, in a heartbeat. He's like a movie star. Look at the guy. He's dashing, he's charming, he's got a little swagger about him. He reminds me of Denzel in their way. [Fuqua directed Washington in the 2001 action-thriller "Training Day."] I was with Denzel over Christmas, and they're very similar -- their mannerisms at times. CNN: In the short film you're directing for us, you've drawn the parallel between Obama and Martin Luther King. Fuqua: It is the passing of the torch between Martin Luther King and Barack Obama. I think Barack Obama is the "dream." I mean, we're all the dream. I think it's a bigger picture than one man. CNN: What's the message you want to convey with your short film? Fuqua: Hope. A sense of the past. But more than anything, I would love people to walk away feeling like we've just begun. | Director Antoine Fuqua is filmmaker behind CNN's "From MLK to Today"
Fuqua discusses life, experiences with racism and the hope Barack Obama brings .
Fuqua, director of "Training Day," compares Obama with Denzel Washington .
Fuqua's latest feature-length project, "Brooklyn's Finest," screened at Sundance fest . |
208,892 | 9a8296b0eb858817cc9f352fa1e6618099fcc814 | By . Associated Press . The United States is talking with Israel about releasing convicted spy Jonathan Pollard early from his life sentence as an incentive to the Israelis in the troubled Mideast peace negotiations, people familiar with the talks said Monday. Releasing Pollard, a thorn in U.S.-Israeli relations for three decades, would be an extraordinary step underscoring the urgency of U.S. peace efforts. Two people describing the talks cautioned that such a release - which would be a dramatic turnaround from previous refusals - was far from certain and that discussions with Israel on the matter were continuing. Both spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks on the record. In return for the release, the people close to the talks said, Israel would have to undertake significant concessions to the Palestinians in Middle East negotiations. Spy: This May 15, 1998 file photo shows Jonathan Pollard in Butner, North Carolina. An AP source says the US is talking with Israel about the early release of Pollard for concessions . Such concessions could include some kind of freeze on Israeli settlements in disputed territory, the release of Palestinian prisoners beyond those Israel has already agreed to free and a guarantee that Israel would stay at the negotiating table beyond an end-of-April deadline. Secretary of State John Kerry met for several hours late Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before sitting down with chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and another Palestinian official. Kerry was expected to meet again Tuesday morning with Netanyahu before flying to Brussels for NATO talks on Ukraine. U.S. defense and intelligence officials have consistently argued against releasing Pollard. Pollard, an American Jew, was a civilian intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy when he gave thousands of classified documents to his Israeli handlers. The Israelis recruited him to pass along U.S. secrets including satellite photos and data on Soviet weaponry in the 1980s. He was arrested by FBI agents in Washington in 1985 after unsuccessfully seeking refuge at the Israeli Embassy in Washington. Meeting: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomes US Secretary of State John Kerry in Jerusalem on March 31, 2014. Kerry flew in to Tel Aviv on his latest mission to salvage peace talks after the Palestinians rejected an Israeli proposal for extending negotiations . He . pleaded guilty to leaking classified documents to Israel and received a . life sentence. President Barack Obama and his predecessors have refused . to release Pollard despite pleas from Israeli leaders. Apart from any negotiations in the meantime, Pollard could be released from prison on November 21, 2015 - 30 years after his arrest. He has been serving his sentence at a federal facility in Butner, North Carolina. White House spokesman Jay Carney on Monday declined to discuss any possible deal. 'He is a person who is convicted of espionage and is serving his sentence. I don't have any updates on his situation,' Carney told reporters at the White House. Ahead of his trip to the Middle East last March, Obama told Israeli television station Channel 2 that Pollard 'is an individual who committed a very serious crime here in the United States.' 'He's been serving his time,' Obama . said. 'I have no plans for releasing Jonathan Pollard immediately but . what I am going to be doing is to make sure that he, like every other . American who's been sentenced, is accorded the same kinds of review and . the same examination of the equities that any other individual would . provide.' The president . said at the time that he recognized the emotions involved in the . situation. But he added, 'As the president, my first obligation is to . observe the law here in the United States and to make sure that it's . applied consistently.' Negotiations: Secretary of State John Kerry is greeted by Saeb Erekat, Palestinian chief negotiator, and Palestinian Ambassador to Jordan Attallah Khairy, far right, outside the Palestinian Ambassadorís Residence in Amman, Jordan, Wednesday, March 26, 2014, where Kerry attended a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the Middle East peace talks . Various suggestions for deals for . Pollard's release have been floated over the years, and they were raised . again last week in the Israeli press. The long-running Middle East peace negotiations are snagged over several issues, including wither Israel will agree to release more than two dozen prisoners. They include 14 Arab Israelis whom Palestinian authorities consider to be heroes and freedom fighters. Israel considers them terrorists. Israel has already released three other groups of prisoners as part- of the peace negotiations that began last July. All had served lengthy terms for involvement in attacks on Israelis, and scenes of them returning to jubilant celebrations have angered the Israeli public. A fourth batch was scheduled to be released on March 29, and the delay has prompted Palestinian authorities to threaten to end the negotiations. Netanyahu has said he would present any additional release recommendations to his Cabinet - where approval is not guaranteed. Netanyahu's coalition is dominated by hard-liners who have been extremely critical of the previous releases. The final release is especially contentious because it is expected to include convicted murderers and Arab citizens of Israel. Carney . declined to offer details when asked about that prisoner release. 'This . is a complicated issue that is being worked through with the parties,' he said. Working for peace: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, points out members of his staff to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, at the Palestinian Ambassador's Residence in Amman, Jordan . Pollard is said to be in poor health. His case has become a rallying cry in Israel, where leaders say his nearly three decades in U.S. prison amounts to excessive punishment. Pollard enjoys widespread sympathy among Israelis, and Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have routinely pressed Obama and other U.S. presidents for his pardon or release. Stiff opposition from the American military and intelligence community has deterred the White House. Intelligence officials have argued that his release would harm national security and that the U.S. must maintain a strong deterrent to allies by warning them of the consequences of spying on American soil. But there are signs that that resolve may be softening. In recent years, former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger and George Schultz, along with prominent figures such as Senator John McCain and former CIA Director R. James Woolsey, have all called for Pollard's release. Netanyahu has sought to link a Pollard release to peace talks before. During his first term as prime minister, Netanyahu pressed the issue as part of a 1998 interim deal with the Palestinians. President Bill Clinton rejected that request after fierce opposition from U.S. intelligence officials. Also during Netanyahu's first term, in the late 1990s, Pollard was granted Israeli citizenship. While Netanyahu was out of office, he visited Pollard in prison. In 2011, Netanyahu formally appealed to the U.S. for the release and made a personal plea to allow him to attend his father's funeral. The U.S. denied those requests. | Releasing Jonathan Pollard, a thorn in U.S.-Israeli relations for three decades, would be an extraordinary step underscoring the urgency of U.S. peace efforts .
In return for the release, the people close to the talks said, Israel would have to undertake significant concessions to the Palestinians in Middle East negotiations .
These could include a freeze on Israeli settlements in disputed territory, the release of Palestinian prisoners beyond those Israel has already agreed to and a guarantee that Israel would stay at the negotiating table .
Pollard, an American Jew, was a civilian intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy when he gave thousands of classified documents to his Israeli handlers .
The Israelis recruited him to pass along U.S. secrets including satellite photos and data on Soviet weaponry in the 1980s . |
232,349 | b8daaa741615f2d904fe4c8ec1a024d43e229d20 | By . Amanda Williams . PUBLISHED: . 06:23 EST, 31 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:48 EST, 31 December 2012 . This is the dramatic moment a tram carrying passengers stopped just yards from hitting a car stuck on the line. This picture was taken just seconds before the tram driver managed to avoid crashing into the red Toyota. It is thought the car driver had mistaken the section of line, which runs from Oldham to Rochdale, for a side road. As he drove along the line the car became stuck on a sunken section, wedging him between the tracks. This is the moment a tram carrying passengers between Oldham and Rochdale managed to stop just yards away from a car stuck on the line . A tram which was heading from Shaw towards Oldham at the same time, managed to stop after spotting the car's headlights, avoiding a serious incident. Police arrived at the scene shortly after along with a recovery truck and managed to free the vehicle from the line. The driver was not injured but appeared shaken by the ordeal that happened on Christmas Eve. The quick thinking tram driver managed to stop just before crashing into the red Toyota. It is thought the driver had mistaken the section of line for a side road . Police arrived at the scene shortly after along with a recovery truck and managed to free the vehicle - which had become firmly wedged on the tracks . The tram driver said: 'I saw the car as I came round the bend and managed to stop in time after spotting the car's headlights facing me.' It was the second time in as many days a car became wedged on the tracks at Mumps, Oldham. Tram passengers were also stranded for up to an hour after a motorist drove on to the track on December 23. It was the second time in as many days a car became wedged on the tracks at Mumps, Oldham. (stock image) The car was left stuck with damaged tyres after the driver turned on to the Oldham-Shaw line at around 5pm, close to the A62 Bottom o’th Moor and Brook Street junction. Transport for Greater Manchester suspended services and trams were left queuing behind the car, which triggered the track’s safety device. Services resumed after the vehicle was towed away, Oldham News reports. | Second time in as many days a car was wedged on the tracks at Oldham .
Quick-thinking tram driver managed to stop just in time .
It is thought the car driver mistook the track for a side road . |
167,003 | 63f5fb0ef20c18f19bc13666616b4537f6a92a08 | By . Leesa Smith . Three daring Darwin men have been captured on film using their thongs to fight a grass fire caused by a firecracker on the Northern Territory’s annual day to set off fireworks across the state. Laughter erupted from bemused onlookers as the bare foot men made the halfhearted attempt to put out the billowing blaze with one man encouraging them to ‘keep going for it’ while fireworks can be heard going off in the background. The footage shows another man using the garden hose in an attempt to control the fire before a fire engine turns up to save the day, and a fireman extinguishes the blaze with a hose from the truck. Scroll down for video . One of the three men who attempted to put out a grass fire caused by a firecracker in Darwin on Northern Territory's firecracker night . Bemused onlookers urged the three men to keep going with their attempts to put out the fire . Bushfires NT director Mark Ashley describes the attempts by the men as inappropriate . A Northern Territory Fire and Rescue spokeswoman told MailOnline she was not aware of the incident but there were 70 incidents that firefighters had been called out to that night. ‘I was down there in amongst it and there were a lot of people doing a lot of strange things, so I’m not really surprised, although it hasn’t been brought to our attention,’ she said. More firecrackers wreaked havoc in Stuart Park with a boat catching alight and at Bees Creek where a firecracker torpedoed into a hayshed and burnt it down. Despite these dramatic scenes, authorities were impressed with the behaviour of most Territorians on the only day of the year when it is legal for locals to let off firecrackers as part of the Territory Day celebrations. Bushfires NT director Mark Ashley had expected 30 to 50 significant fires, however there was just one main incident where 100 hectares were burned at Acacia Gap, but wasn’t a threat to homes or people, and just nine fires in total. Mr Ashley described the actions of the men who used their thongs as 'Inappropriate'. He advised people should have a bucket of water nearby on firecracker night in case of a fire. There have been 15 people so far who have turned up to emergency departments and clinics with fire cracker injuries, with most suffering burnt hands and fingers. The most major incidents were when a 19 year-old woman was struck in the ear while another suffered burns to the neck. The garden hose was put to use before the fire brigade turned up . Public Health Registrar Pasqualina Coffey said this was a significantly low number compared to last year with 25 – 35 incidents reported. ‘Although it varies from year to year – we have been monitoring it since 1998 and there seems to be no overall trend,’ she said. But Ms Coffey said it was expected more people would come forward with injuries over the coming days as their condition worsened and possible further firecrackers being let off. The men breath a sigh of relief as the Fire and Rescue service arrive on the scene . The blaze is extinguished by a professional fire fighter . | Three barefoot men used their thongs to attempt to put out a blaze started on Northern Territory's firecracker night .
Bemused onlookers laughed and encouraged them to keep at it .
A woman's ear was struck by a firecracker while another suffered burns to the neck .
But authorities were impressed overall with the behaviour of locals . |
272,930 | ed8013a26fa078497ff106de7d0ff59e4bc72d47 | Parents have removed their children from a primary school after the governors banned packed lunches. At least six children have been taken away from Milefield Primary School in Barnsley because of its strict new policy which aims to have all pupils eating a freshly cooked school dinner. The change follows new rules, championed by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, which force schools to provide a free hot lunch to infants aged four to seven. Scroll down for video . Unhappy: The Martin family, who protested over the move. Adam, 31, and Claire, 30, have now taken their three children - Harry, four, George, five and Amelia, seven - out of the school and moved them elsewhere . New rules: Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has introduced compulsory hot meals for all four- to seven-year-olds . Decision: Milefield Primary School in Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire, told parents of the policy in a letter sent home on the last day of term in July - and it was implemented upon the children's return last Friday . Milefield Primary decided to offer the hot lunch to all pupils, charging those aged over seven £1.75 a day. Children who don’t want the school dinner can be collected and taken home for lunch. But some families are upset that packed lunches, often cheaper to prepare, have been banned. They fear fussy children will end up going without as the school only offers one choice of meal. Parents were told about the meal policy in a letter from the headmistress on the last day of term in July. Paula Murray has said she is proud of the change, which has been backed by a majority of parents. But Adam Martin, 31, has taken his children Harry, four, George, five, and Amelia, seven, out of the school over the dispute. Angry at the decision: IT consultant Mick Curphey, 39, and his wife Debbie, 37, have kept their children - William, eight, and Beth, seven - in school because they do not want to disrupt their education . Defence: Milefield Primary School - rated 'good' by Ofsted inspectors - has stood by its decision to ban pack lunches - and headteacher Paula Murray said it was 'encouraging the promotion of healthy eating' Mr Martin, a gas engineer, said: ‘I feel like our freedom of choice has been taken away. We were appalled to be told our children couldn’t take in packed lunches and further incensed with how the school have dealt with the situation. 'We like our kids to have a packed lunch because, not only does it save us money, but it also allows you to let your children eat what they like.’ He added: ‘The packed lunches we make are healthy, we don’t need somebody to tell us what our children should be eating.’ His attempts to communicate with education authorities over the summer had failed, he said. Parents who had hoped to discuss the meal policy with teachers on the first day of term were met by two police community support officers. Mr Martin said he had allowed his two sons to have the school dinner but sent his daughter with her usual packed lunch. He then received a phone call from the school asking what she was going to eat, as her packed lunch had been confiscated. ‘Maybe the school meal is good value but when your child doesn’t want to eat any of it then it’s too expensive,’ Mr Martin said. He said his children’s new school offers five different meal choices and allows packed lunches. A spokesman for Barnsley council said six children from three families had so far been removed from the school. Notification: A letter sent from Milefield Primary School in July outlining the banning of packed lunches . Explained: The headteacher can decide where pupils should be allowed to bring a packed lunch to school . Q&A: The answer to Question 7 explains what parents should do if they want to give their child home dinners . Headmistress Mrs Murray said no one was being ‘forced’ to participate as parents could take their children home for lunch if they chose. She claimed the cooked lunch policy was having a ‘positive impact’. ‘We’re encouraging the promotion of healthy eating,’ she said. ‘We have to work towards what’s best for a large proportion of children in the school – over 97 per cent of parents are in favour of the changes.’ The Government has set aside £1billion over the next two years to cover the cost of the hot meals, which will be provided to all pupils without any means testing. 'Debt policy': This letter from the school says court action can be pursued if school meals are not paid for . Options: On the first day back at school Mr and Mrs Martin took their children to school, leaving Harry and George to have a cooked school dinner - and Amelia went with her packed lunch . | Milefield Primary School in South Yorkshire wrote to parents with policy .
Rules championed by Deputy PM now force schools to provide meals .
Father Adam Martin, 31, has unsuccessfully protested over the move .
He has taken three children out of school and moved them elsewhere .
Claims packed lunches allow parents to 'let children eat what they like'
Other parents say £1.75-a-day charge is 'awful lot of money' over a year .
School says its helping 'healthy eating' and 97% of parents are in favour .
But six children from three families have now been removed from school . |
52,122 | 9399cb4d464e3c54273a4ae07271bbe9dca21030 | By . Sadie Whitelocks . PUBLISHED: . 10:16 EST, 17 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:03 EST, 17 October 2013 . A mother-of-three who sparked controversy this week after posting a photograph of her toned body to Facebook, captioned: 'What's your excuse?', has spoken out in defence of the image. Maria Kang, 32, from Los Angeles, California, told the Today show this morning that the majority of the 16million people who viewed the picture found it 'inspiring', prompting them to embrace the attitude 'if she can do it, so can I.' Revealing the secret to her enviable figure the stay-at-home working mother said: 'I not a personal trainer and I just make [exercise] a priority.' Scroll down for video . I'm an inspiration: Maria Kang, a mother-of-three who sparked controversy this week after posting a photograph of her toned body to Facebook, captioned: 'Wha''s your excuse?', has defended the image . The pretty brunette says that she likes to do 30 to 60 minutes of strength training and cardio every morning, five to six days a week. On a typical day she tries to get to the gym by 6.30am and then returns home to 'feed, clean and play' with her sons. She then focuses attention on the non-profit business she runs, Fitness without Borders, which promotes fitness education in schools and local communities. 'I built the stamina, I've given birth three years in a row, I can do this,' she said of her hectic schedule. Source of controversy: The exercise-loving mother posted this photograph to Facebook - while many commentators cited her as an 'inspiration' some also accused her of being 'insulting' In her controversial image Ms Kang appears knelt alongside her three young sons dressed in a workout bra and matching micro shorts. Is this exercise-loving mother asking 'What's your excuse?' offensive or inspiring? While many of the 17,000-plus . commentators cited her as an 'inspiration' some also accused her of . being 'insulting', 'obnoxious' and a 'fat shaming bully'. Indeed, one woman wrote: 'You are . . . hurtful to women and think way too much of yourself. Disgusting is what you are!' And a mother-of-two named Sarah added on Ms Kang's website, mariakang.com: 'I hope you realize why some people are not just offended, but also hurt by your post as well. 'First: many of us end up with stretch marks after kids…. A LOT OF THEM! I have two kids and both have caused my skin to stretch soo bad my stomach, from my rib cage straight down the the middle of my vaginal area, look like the U.S. road atlas. Keeping fit and healthy: Ms Kang said that she didn't intend to upset people and she hoped the photo would inspire others to feel better about themselves . Starting from a young age: The mother-of-three runs a fitness-focused non-profit called Fitness without Borders, which promotes fitness education in schools and local communities . 'Second: I am an avid runner. I run my . two kids in a double jogger. Do I look like a runner? Nope. As a matter . of fact, unless people know me, they don't believe me. I do half and . full marathons. She concludes: 'People like you who post pictures like this make people like me cry because I know that without surgery to lose the extra skin I will never look like you. 'People like you who post pictures like . this make me cry because I know that without surgery I will never look like you' 'So what’s my excuse? I do not have the same great genetics you do.' However, Ms Kang says that she did not . intend to upset people and she hoped the photo would inspire others to . feel better about themselves. 'I knew it was going to be a powerful image,' Ms Kang told Today. Responding to critics, she wrote an apology on Facebook reading: 'I'm sorry you took an image and resonated with it in such a negative way. 'I won't go into details that I struggled with my genetics, had an eating disorder, work full time owning two business', have no nanny, am not naturally skinny and do not work as a personal trainer. Bouncing back: Ms Kang documents how she lost her pregnancy weight through a series of selfies . Breaking a sweat: The pretty brunette says that she likes to do 30 to 60 minutes of strength training and cardio every morning, five to six days a week . 'I won't even mention how I didn't give . into cravings for ice cream, french fries or chocolate while pregnant or . use my growing belly as an excuse to be inactive. 'What I WILL say is this. What you . interpret is not MY fault. It's Yours. The first step in owning your . life, your body and your destiny is to OWN the thoughts that come out of . your own head. 'Maybe it's time we stop tip-toeing around people's feelings and get to the point.' ‘I wanted to say, “I know you think you don't have time if you have kids. But if I can do it, you can do it, too’" She notes that she does have . stretchmarks and excess skin from three pregnancies but these 'scars' encourage her to 'keep striving' and 'never stop'. 'Motherhood is beautiful AND it can make you better!' she adds. Her 'what's your excuse?' image has received over 17million views on Facebook, since it was posted a year ago. She decided to re-post it to her 100,000-plus followers last month, tacking on an apology, after she noticed it was attracting dozens of negative comments. Lots of hard work: Ms Kang says that it took years for her to get into shape after battling an eating disorder, struggling with her genetics and having three children . ‘I wanted to inspire people. I wanted to say, “I know you think you don’t have time if you have kids. But if I can do it, you can do it, too,’” she said. It's not the first time a fitness-oriented mom has sparked controversy. Just last month, eight-and-a-half-month pregnant Lea-Anne Ellison received a barrage of criticism after posting a photo of herself lifting weights during a CrossFit workout. | Maria Kang, 32, posted a photo of her toned body to Facebook this week, captioned: 'What's your excuse?'
Commentators accused her of being 'insulting' and a 'fat shaming bully'
The working mother says she gets up at 6.30am .
to do 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days . |
219,928 | a8a9f966ecb99f3cff64a223dd3696221b0bbfee | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:01 EST, 22 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:47 EST, 23 January 2013 . An arena spotlight collapsed on top of a high school wrestler in South Dakota on Friday leaving him lucky to survive. A spectator caught the dramatic moment Michael McComish was pinned to the ground by the 100- pound spotlight in a video that has since become an internet sensation. The senior was left needing 20 stitches after the rope holding the light 15 feet above the mat snapped during his wrestling contest at Madison Middle School. Scroll down for video . Crushed: Michael McComish, a senior at Madison High School was preparing himself in the center circle, left, when a 100-pound light fell 15 feet onto him . Stitches: Senior Michael McComish was taken to hospital after a light collapsed on his head during a wrestling contest. A video of the incident has been watched by thousands . McComish told KSFY: 'After a couple of seconds I realized what it was - I noticed all the glass and thought 'ok, this isn't good''. 'I thought this guy's kind of aggressive and then I realized it was the light. Everyone's been asking if I'm going to look up every time I wrestle now,' he told Today. His mother, Heather Bergheim told the Madison Daily Leader: ‘We are very thankful it was not more serious. We are hoping for the best and taking it just one day at a time.’ McComish is seen crouching into position in the center circle at the start of the video, but as the wrestler looks to the floor the light suddenly crashes on top of him. His opponent and the referee jump back in shock before rushing to help free him. He was taken to hospital and needed stitches in his forehead and the back of his head. Shocked: Spectators rushed to aid teen wrestler Michael McComish, right, after the light fixture dropped onto him, left . 'Scary Moment': Madison Middle School, pictured, was the scene of the incident. Michael McComish, a senior at Madison High School needed 20 stitches . ‘Just letting everyone know I’m fine! Stitches in my head,’ McComish wrote on his Twitter. ‘Gash on forehead and back of me head and little cuts from the glass nothin serious.’ 'It zipped down right square on top of him,' Onlooker and former Madison Junior High principal Dale Waba told the Daily Leader: 'There was no part of his body you could see. I thought he got burned. I have never seen anything like this at all, and I have attended all of these matches.' The match-up between and Chamberlain's Thomas Swanson was part of an annual event billed ‘Madison Square Garden’ A statement from the school said: 'The unfortunate accident that occurred on Friday was indeed a scary moment for everyone involved. We are thankful to report that (McComish) is recovering and is in school.' | Michael McComish, a senior at Madison High School, was knocked over by the lights that suddenly dropped from the roof during his wrestling bout .
Shocking video which captures the moment viewed online by thousands . |
242,164 | c56ceb8693989d7bdba9f4d8f48cca40c784fe9e | By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 03:56 EST, 19 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:56 EST, 19 March 2013 . Storm surges as devastating as those caused by Hurricane Katrina could happen 10 times more often if global temperatures rise by just two degrees, new research warns. An estimated 1,836 people lost their lives and millions more were left homeless by the cyclone, the worst to ever hit the U.S., after it submerged New Orleans and other Gulf of Mexico communities in 2005. Much of the devastation was caused by storm surges whipped up by fierce winds, which saw sea levels rise by between 24 and 28 feet along a 20-mile stretch of the Mississippi coast. Devastating: A Red Cross truck sits flooded with other vehicles in front of a hotel just off Interstate 10 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, as Hurricane Katrina battered the area in August 2005 . A 27.8ft surge at Pass Christian, Mississippi was the highest recorded in U.S. history. The new research suggests that even moderate climate change is likely to make such extreme storm surges as much as 10 times more frequent than they are today. Since 1923, there has been a Katrina-magnitude storm surge roughly every 20 years. Researchers calculated that with less than half a degree Celsius of global warming, this frequency would double. A 1C rise produces a three to four-fold rate increase and if temperatures rise by 2C - the 'safe' limit for temperature change set by climate experts - extreme storm surges will become 10 times more common. Submerged: Floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina flow over a levee along Inner Harbor Navigaional Canal near downtown New Orleans. Some 1,836 people were killed and millions more left homeless by the cyclone . Shocking new images revealed by Nasa show the Arctic is becoming lusher and greener as temperatures rise. 'Vegetation growth at Earth's northern latitudes increasingly resembles lusher latitudes to the south' the agency said after releasing a new study based on a 30-year record of land surface and newly improved satellite data sets. The images show how the extreme of the Northern Hemisphere is changing, with previously frozen areas now showing lush green grass and trees growing. Show temperature and vegetation growth at northern latitudes now resemble those found 4 degrees to 6 degrees of latitude farther south as recently as 1982, researchers found. 'This means there will be a Katrina . magnitude storm surge every other year,' said Danish climate scientist . Dr Aslak Grinsted, from the University of Copenhagen, who led the . research. The study compared historical storm surges with a range of different climate model predictions, taking into account natural phenomena such as El Nino, which warms the eastern Pacific and affects global temperature. 'We find that 0.4 degrees Celsius warming of the climate corresponds to a doubling of the frequency of extreme storm surges like the one following Hurricane Katrina,' said Dr Grinsted. 'With the global warming we have had during the 20th century, we have already crossed the threshold where more than half of all "Katrinas" are due to global warming. 'If the temperature rises an additional degree, the frequency will increase three to four times and if the global climate becomes two degrees warmer, there will be about 10 times as many extreme storm surges.' He added that under normal conditions sea levels around the world were expected to rise as a result of global warming, making storm surges even more extreme and destructive. Findings were reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. | Two degrees celsius warming is the 'safe limit' set by climate scientists .
Storms as severe as the 2005 cyclone could happen once every two years .
Katrina killed 1,836 and left millions homeless . |
276,599 | f258685f0d026ad67b19899df065e698ba2674f6 | They are the golden couple of British cycling. And two years after starring at the London Olympics in 2012, Laura Trott and Jason Kenny have announced they are getting married. Trott, who won Olympic gold medals in the cycling team pursuit and the six-discipline omnium, announced the engagement on Twitter yesterday. Two years after starring at the London Olympics in 2012, Laura Trott and Jason Kenny have announced they are getting married . The couple were pictured kissing while seated behind David Beckham at the 2012 London Olympics . The couple, who live in Manchester, went public with their relationship after they were photographed kissing during the Games in 2012, at the women's beach volleyball final . Writing to her 191,000 followers, Trott said: 'Merry Christmas everyone … I've had the most amazing couple of days thanks to @JasonKenny107 and the whole family #engaged X' The 22-year-old described her delight at the proposal on Christmas Day by Kenny, 26, who won two gold medals in London in the team sprint and the individual sprint to add to the gold and silver medals he won in the 2008 Games in Beijing. Writing to her 191,000 followers, Trott said: 'Merry Christmas everyone … I've had the most amazing couple of days thanks to @JasonKenny107 and the whole family #engaged X'. The couple, who live in Manchester, went public with their relationship after they were photographed kissing during the Games in 2012, at the women's beach volleyball final. They later revealed they had been together for a month but kept the relationship quiet to avoid 'distraction from the Games'. Both are expected to be part of the British team for the Rio Olympics in 2016. | Two years after starring at the London Olympics in 2012, Laura Trott and Jason Kenny have announced they are getting married .
Trott, who won Olympic gold medals in the cycling team pursuit and the six-discipline omnium, announced the engagement on Twitter yesterday .
They were spotted kissing behind David Beckham at the 2012 Olympics . |
102,074 | 0f8a7a2b102b9d0ad04a09587e9dfd927430f67e | By . Kieran Corcoran . Hundreds of mourners - some from as far afield as Australia - paid their respects to a Second World War veteran today, answering a plea after he died with no family. George Thompson was a pilot in the Second World War, and flew night missions over the Burmese jungle in the fight against Japanese forces. He died aged 96 earlier this months with no living relatives and few friends remaining. But a plea from the RAF for people to attend the ceremony at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium in Sheffield received an overhwleming response. Packed: Around 300 mourners turned up to pay their respects to George Thompson, who died aged 96 earlier this month . Full: So many attended that the chapel at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium in Sheffield could not contain them all . Response: The mourners had seen a plea online from the RAF for attendees . Before the service Wally Walsh, 72, of Australia, said: 'We had come over from Australia on holiday and were staying in Berkshire. 'We saw the appeal for people to come in the news and my wife and I decided we would make the trip to pay our respects. It’s a fabulous to see so many people gathered today.' As the coffin was brought up to the church, servicemen, led by the sound of bagpipes, saluted the Mr Thompson. The coffin was then brought inside and at least 300 people - including servicemen, war veterans and members of the emergency services - packed into the tiny chapel. Pilot: George Thompson, pictured in 1945, flew night missions above Burma towards the end of the war . Squadron: Mr Thompson, third from the right, is pictured above in 1942 alongside his comrades . Procession: Military men and women, as well as members of the emergency services were among the hundreds of mourners . Salute: Mr Thompson's coffin was draped in a Union flag as well as a flag showing the RAF's roundel . So many arrived that the chapel could not accommodate everybody and some waited outside. Civil Funeral Celebrant David Hayes led the service and began by thanking people for the 'phenomenal' attendance and read memories of George’s long life. Mr Hayes then read the poem High Flight, by John Magee, and spoke of the love Mr Thompson had for Millie, his wife of 56 years who died in 2004. One of Mr Thompson's friends Joan Hunter said: 'I am pleased you are all here, I would like to thank all of you individually - I am overwhelmed'. 'Overwhelming': One of Mr Thompson's remaining friends praised the unexpected mourners . 'Incredible': The director of the funeral spoke of his surprise at the huge numbers who came. Pictured is a serviceman . As the mourners left the chapel We’ll Meet Again, by wartime singer Vera Lynn, was played. After the funeral Mr Hayes said: 'It was an incredible achievement that so many people came to pay tribute to an amazing man. 'It was an honour to be a part of it and I am so pleased we gave George the send-off he clearly deserved'. The huge funeral attendance - prompted by Mr Thompson's story being extensively shared online - echoes similar events earlier this year. In April John Campbell, a former major who died aged 92, had around 500 mourners attend his funeral. Harold Jellicoe Percival, who lived to 99, received a similar send-off at his funeral held on Armistice Day last year. | George Thompson flew missions over Burma in the Second World War .
He died aged 96 earlier this month with no family and few friends remaining .
Hundreds call to come to the funeral - including people from Australia . |
190,782 | 8308e4b2debfae52f4af2f3a04b8135151ad1a79 | (CNN) -- Israeli President Shimon Peres said he had an amicable phone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a day after Erdogan stormed offstage during an angry exchange with Peres at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan leaves the stage Thursday, as Israeli President Shimon Peres sits, left. Peres said he and Erdogan did not take the spat personally. "I called him up and said, yes, it's nothing against you, nothing against Turkey. We consider you as a friend," Peres said. He said Erdogan reciprocated. Although there was no mention of an apology, Peres said there was a polite exchange between the two leaders. "I didn't take it personally. I didn't go for a personal fight. I answered unfounded accusations. It was my duty. And they didn't change my mind," he said. Watch Shimon Peres on the Gaza conflict » . Turkey, a predominantly Muslim nation, has long been the Jewish state's closest military and economic partner in the region, and Turkey recently mediated indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria. But many Turks have been incensed with Israel over its three-week military operation that ended there earlier this month. And in Davos, Erdogan was angered after Peres said that Israel is committed to peace and blamed Hamas for the fighting in Gaza, where Israel staged a three-week military operation that ended earlier this month. When Erdogan began responding, a moderator cut him off, saying the debate had run over its allotted time. Erdogan patted the moderator on the arm until he was granted one more minute to respond. Watch commentary on Erdogan's angry exchange » . "I know the reason behind raising your voice is because of the guilty psychology," he said to Peres. "My voice will not be that loud. You must know that. When it comes to killing -- you know killing very well. I know how you hit, kill children on the beaches." He then left the stage, complaining that Peres was receiving preferential treatment. "From now on, Davos is finished for me," Erdogan said. "I will not come back. You won't let people talk. You gave him 25 minutes, but you gave me 12 minutes. This is not right." Erdogan had described the military campaign against Hamas fighters in Gaza as "barbaric" and accused Israel of using excessive force. He said: "The Palestinian Territories are like an open-air prison, isolated from the world. I have always been a leader who said anti-Semitism is a crime against humanity. But so is anti-Islamism." Peres had said Hamas was responsible for the "tragedy," accusing the Islamist militants of creating a "dangerous dictatorship." "Israel left Gaza completely -- no occupation," Peres said. "I want to understand why they throw rockets at us." On Friday, after his outburst, Erdogan returned home to a hero's welcome. Thousands of people lined up at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, cheering and waving signs. A large banner read, "You Will Never Walk Alone," and smaller signs bore phrases including "Davos Conqueror." People also were seen waving Turkish and Palestinian flags and throwing flowers on the road leading to Erdogan's home. Despite the glowing response at the airport, there has been some criticism in the Turkish media of Erdogan's exchange with the Israeli president. CNN Turk's Deniz Bayramoglu said the issue was still "hot" with Erdogan's secularist political opponents speaking out against the prime minister. "They also say that Israel's behavior in Gaza is unacceptable but they are very critical of Prime Minister Erdogan's behavior," Bayramoglu said. "Some are saying they are really proud of Prime Minister Erdogan and some are saying it is a diplomatic scandal." Erdogan explained whom he was directing his anger at during a news conference at the airport. "My words were only to the Israeli government, not the Israeli people," he said. CNN's Simon Hooper and Talia Kayali contributed to this report. | Turkish Prime Minister angered during debate on Gaza at World Economic Forum .
Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Israel's Gaza campaign "barbaric," stormed off stage .
Israeli president Shimon Peres said he and Erdogan did not take spat personally .
Erdogan returned home to a hero's welcome in Istanbul . |
36,140 | 6686f16d6dcc9e623e731018da6d2e0f1078f26f | By . Gerri Peev . PUBLISHED: . 21:31 EST, 9 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:13 EST, 10 October 2013 . A pizza containing 35 ingredients from 60 different countries has been discovered by food safety testers investigating the horsemeat scandal. The 35 exotic ingredients - drawn from five different continents - were used as an example by the National Audit Office to illustrate how difficult it was to verify the origins of the processed food eaten in the UK. In a report on food safety and authenticity in the processed meat supply chain, the watchdog warned that ‘food fraud’ was rife. Multi-national product: Food safety testers investigating the horsemeat scandal discovered a pizza that contained 35 ingredients from 60 countries (file picture) In a report prompted by the scandal over horsemeat in British foods, the NAO said it had become even harder to determine what was actually in food because of the long, international supply chains. The NAO report said: ‘Recent analysis of the components of a pizza, carried out for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, found that it was made from 35 different ingredients that passed through 60 countries, on five different continents.’ Irish authorities testing the processed meal did not name the brand. The pizza box had the label: ‘country of origin: Ireland’. The NAO also found that testing for the authenticity of food had become harder because of a split in responsibility between the Food Standards Agency, the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Local authorities reported 1,380 cases of food fraud in 2012 - up by two thirds since 2010. THE BASE: . Dough: France, UK, Poland, USA. Yeast: UK, Ireland, Germany . Salt: UK, France, China . Sugar: Brazil, Indonesia, Jamaica, UK . Herbs: Greece, Italy, Spain, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Morocco . Tomato Paste: Italy, France, Netherlands . AND SOME OF THE TOPPINGS: . Cheese: Swizerland, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Netherlands . Chicken: Brazil, Ireland, UK, Netherlands, Germany . Anchovies: Peru, Argentina, Italy, Falkland Islands, Spain, Iceland, Denmark. Pepperoni: Poland, Italy, Ireland, UK, Denmark, USA . Vegetables 'from a host of Mediterranean countries' Olive oil: Italy, Greece, Spain. Chilli Peppers: 'Africa, Asia, South America' Just one third of local authorities recorded the laboratory results on the Food Standard Agency’s national database. And the total number of food samples tested by official control laboratories in England has gone down by a quarter since 2009-10, the report said. Many tests were now carried out by private food businesses but public authorities did not know the results. The NAO recommended that some money be diverted away from checking slaughter houses to investigating the factories where processed meat was produced and the long supply chains involved. However this change would require agreement at European Union level. NAO head Amyas Morse said: ‘The January 2013 horsemeat incident has revealed a gap between what citizens expect of the controls over the authenticity of their food, and the effectiveness of those controls in reality. ‘The division of responsibilities for food safety and authenticity has created confusion. ‘The Government needs to remove this confusion, and improve its understanding of potential food fraud and how intelligence is brought together and shared.’ Richard Bacon, a Tory member of the Commons Public Accounts Committee said: ‘The public have every right to expect that government should be able to provide a system to ensure food safety, to investigate problems where they occur and to solve problems. In this case, taxpayers and consumers were let down. ‘Food fraud is a serious and growing problem. The government must grip this quickly and simplify the system, removing any confusion over who is responsible for what.’ Outspoken: Maria Eagle, Labour's Shadow Environment Secretary, criticised changes to food safety testing since the Coalition Government came to power . 490,308Registered food businesses (England, 2012) 26 per centFall in the number all local authority food samples tested since 2009-10 . 1,380New reports of fraud recorded on the National Food Fraud database in 2012 - up two-thirds since 2009 . £241mEstimated spend in 2011-12 to protect consumers from food incidents . 75 per centOf this spend related to local authorities in 2011-12 to enforce food law . ThreeDepartments in England with responsibility for aspects of food policy . 12Different national and European databases housing data on food intelligence . Source: NAO . Maria Eagle, Labour’s Shadow Environment . Secretary, said: ‘The chaotic structure put in place after the election . should urgently be reviewed, with serious consideration given to . bringing responsibility for food safety and authenticity back together.’ Which? executive director, Richard Lloyd, said: ‘Our research shows a third of people say they are buying less meat following the horsemeat scandal so there’s still a way to go to restore consumer confidence in the food industry. ‘The scandal exposed a web of confusion, which is why we have been calling for the Government to move responsibilities for labelling and standards back to the FSA.’ There was outrage in January this year when it emerged horse meat was present in products from a number of UK supermarkets including ASDA, Tesco and Iceland. It later emerged that horses from countries like Romania were being slaughtered after suffering appalling cruelty and then shipped into the UK as beef products. Horsemeat was found in a number of popular products including Tesco burgers, Tesco’s everyday value spaghetti bolognaise and a Findus lasagne. | The ready meal contained 35 different ingredients from all around the world .
It was used as an example to show how difficult it is to verify food's origins .
Watchdog the National Audit Office claims that 'food fraud' is rife . |
51,825 | 92c5dffa0a81d8be658feb87ea762053e2f149a8 | By . James Tozer . PUBLISHED: . 12:19 EST, 15 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:08 EST, 16 January 2013 . A choirmaster groomed a pupil at a leading private school and raped her while his wife watched, a court heard yesterday. The teenager was allegedly tied to a bed with a belt before Michael Brewer was told by his wife Hilary to ‘show her what he’d done to her’ during their two-year teacher-pupil affair. The pair, both 68, are on trial over sex offences dating back more than 30 years. Trial: Today Michael Brewer appeared at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court charged with rape and six counts of indecent assault following a police investigation along with his wife Hilary Brewer . Peter Cadwallader, prosecuting, told . the court Brewer was a brilliant and charismatic teacher whose only . problem was he ‘could not keep his hands off’ the girls at Chetham’s . School in Manchester. He allegedly used his office there to initiate sex acts with the pupil, beginning in 1978 when she was 14. He also indecently assaulted her in a . camper van he kept parked at school and at his home when she helped . babysit his daughters, Manchester Crown Court was told. The alleged abuse culminated when she . visited the couple at home aged 18 and was told Mrs Brewer knew of the . affair. Mrs Brewer is said to have told the teenager ‘she had always . wanted a sexual relationship with a woman’ and that the girl ‘owed her’ because of what had happened with her husband. The girl was taken upstairs and forced . to take part in a sex act by Mrs Brewer, who displayed a ‘great . thrill’, said Mr Cadwallader. She was loosely tied to a bed using a . belt, the jury was told, before Mrs Brewer told her husband to ‘show her . what he’d done’ to her, and the pair had sex. Brewer went on to target at least two more girls, the court was told, one of which resulted in a sexual affair. Prestigious: Brewer was director of music at the renowned Chetham's School in Manchester until 1994 . Court hearing: The charges relate to the alleged abuse and rape of a teenage girl . The first, a boarder at Chetham’s at . the same time as the alleged victim, was said to have been propositioned . during a school trip when she was 17. Brewer pinned her up against the wall . in a dark corridor and told her ‘You want it really, don’t you?’, Mr . Cadwallader said. But she told him to ‘**** off’, ducked out of the way . and ran back to her dormitory, he said. Around 15 years later, in the . mid-1990s, Brewer allegedly groomed a 16-year-old, first giving her . ‘platonic’ hugs in his office before moving on to kisses. Eventually he began helping to take . off her top and suggesting she perform a sex act on him, the court . heard. But one evening principal Peter Hullah knocked on Brewer’s door . and heard ‘scuffling’.Brewer called out ‘Wait a minute’ and, when Mr . Hullah was allowed in, the girl could be seen exiting by a second door. Following an inquiry that year, 1994, Brewer resigned. The trial was told the original . alleged victim later told several people of her affair with Brewer but . never directly complained to police. However three decades on she told a . doctor who did inform detectives, resulting in the now divorced . couple’s arrest. The court heard the former pupil – now 48 – had been a hugely gifted musician. But she was also a disruptive, . badly-behaved teenager who used alcohol from a young age and had been . sexually abused by a relative. Court: The pair have both pleaded not guilty at their trial at Manchester Crown Court, pictured . Brewer groomed her and the later pupil . through flattery, Mr Cadwallader said, ‘commenting on their figure, . their dress’ and also ‘their musical talent’. He would encourage the first girl to . take part in sex acts in his office, telling her to use a side door . rather than the main entrance so his secretary didn’t become suspicious, . the jury was told. Her bad behaviour eventually led to her being suspended, and she was sent to live with the Brewers. By the time she was 15 he was treating . her as his girlfriend, taking her to pubs and allegedly indecently . assaulting her beside a canal. She went to study music abroad when . she was 16, but on her return to Britain went to visit the Brewers where . the alleged rape took place. At the time, she didn’t regard what happened as abuse and saw it as ‘a small price to pay for the affection’ he showed her. ‘The prosecution case is very much . that he abused that position using his power, influence and personality . to seduce her,’ Mr Cadwallader added. The alleged victim began her evidence yesterday by describing how her home life was ‘hell’. She said she thought Brewer was ‘the bee’s knees’, ‘a special teacher’ who needed to be ‘worshipped’ by his pupils. Brewer, of Selly Oak, Birmingham, denies one count of rape and 13 counts of indecent assault. His ex-wife, of Rossendale, Lancashire, denies one count of indecent assault and one of aiding and abetting rape. The trial continues. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Michael Brewer accused of abusing teenagers in office at Chetham's School .
His wife Hilary is also on trial for allegedly helping him rape a girl . |
268,798 | e830ffee7cbfcd0f6573015218eded25654b87b6 | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 04:12 EST, 4 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:55 EST, 4 September 2013 . William Hague has been berated by rock star Noel Gallagher for attending an awards ceremony instead of ‘sorting out’ the Syria crisis. The former Oasis star ridiculed the Foreign Secretary’s decision to turn up for the GQ Men of the Year Awards ‘with all the s*** going on all over the world’. With London Mayor Boris Johnson also in attendance, Gallagher likened the star-studded bash to the Tory party conference. Scroll down for video . Swipe: Noel Gallagher, who was named Icon of the Year at the GQ awards, criticised William Hague for attending the event . Red carpet: Mr Hague arrived at the event at the Royal Opera House with his wife Ffion . Mr Hague spent the day being tackled by MPs over how the government will respond to the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime in Syria. But as US President Barack Obama outlined plans for missile strikes, Mr Hague last night walked up the red carpet with musicians, comedians and models. As Gallagher was named Icon of the Year by GQ magazine, he used his acceptance speech to question why one of the most senior members of the government had time to attend a celebrity party. ‘Welcome to the Tory party conference by the way,’ he said. ‘Is this what it’s like at the Tory party conference?’ Star-studded: The event was dominated by celebrities, including singer Rota Ora, Gallagher (centre) and comedian Russell Brand . Pointing at Mr Hague he added: ‘It’s nice to see the Foreign Secretary here while there's s**** going on all over the world he should be sorting out. ‘Good for you!’ he added to applause from the audience. Gallagher went on to thank ‘Dylan, Lennon and McCartney, Townshend, and Morrissey and Marr and all those other people I have been robbing for the last 20 years’. Mr Hague had arrived at the event with wife Ffion to present the award for writer of the year to journalist Charles Moore. Winner: London Mayor Boris Johnson was presented with his politician award by actress Gilliam Anderson . But it was Mr Johnson he took home a gong for Politician of the Year ‘after delivering a spectacular Olympic Games’ and ‘soaring on a wave of popularity’ while ‘expertly dodging the incessant rumours about when, rather than if, he would set his eyes on Number 10’. GQ added: ‘At the goings on in Westminster village seem increasingly stale and lifeless - hello, Ed Miliband - Boris never fails to take an eruditely outspoken view, and it seems the public agrees with him.’ | Ex-Oasis star berates Foreign Secretary for attending despite Syria crisis .
Tory Hague and Boris Johnson among the guests at Royal Opera House .
Gallagher likens star-studded bash to the Tory party conference .
Cheers from the audience as rock star tells Hague 'good for you!' |
13,788 | 271bc20961f08ccdf39543290de99bfe2c810457 | By . Sarah Griffiths . From sleepless nights to mountains of equipment, parents have a lot to contend with when they bring a new baby home. But now a car seat has launched that transforms into a buggy so parents have one less piece of kit to carry – or at least in the boot of their car. The Doona has legs and wheels that fold up beneath it in a single motion, converting the stroller into a car seat. Easy does it: A clever car seat that transforms into a buggie (pictured) has been designed so that parents have one less piece of kit to store - at least in the boot of their car . USP: The Buggie folds up in a single motion from a stroller to a car seat. Folding it back into a chair is a four-step process. Size: The push chair has a height of 39inches (99cm) but is as small as 23inches (60cm) tall and 17inches (44cm) wide when it is folded up. It is designed to free up boot space in cars . Weight: 15lbs (7kg) Colours: Seven, including a bright pink and sky blue . Price: £299 . It weighs 15lbs (7kg) and can be used as a seat in cars and aeroplanes, while two simple manoeuvres convert it back into a pushchair. To unfurl the chair, parents need to undo a clip and pull upwards. Collapsing it again is slightly more labour intensive as there are four steps. While there are plenty of ‘compact’ options, deigned to free-up boot space, they all require that pieces un-clip and wheels have to be separately stowed. Un-clip and go: To unfurl the chair, parents need to undo a clip and pull upwards (illustrated). Collapsing the buggie again is slightly more labour intensive as there are four steps, but the contraption is designed to be used by one parent . But Doona’s folding mechanism is designed to be simple so it can be operated by one parent without any complications. The Israel-based company, Simple Parenting, designed the convertible chair to ‘simplify the lives of parents and their babies’. Founder Yoav Mazar named the product after his daughter, Danielle. ‘When my wife and I had our first daughter, we felt the need to spend as much quality time with her and took her everywhere. While we understood the importance of protecting her, the day-to-day use of infant car seats and strollers was agonising. ‘From my small designer’s workshop, I set a clear goal in mind: To transform the infant car seat into something safe yet simple and practical. This was the idea behind Doona.' The Doona costs £299 and is available in seven colours. Clever: The Doona's folding mechanism is designed to be simple so it can be operated by one parent without any complications. The seat is padded and the wheels cleverly fold up in a way that means they will not leave much mud on a car seat . | The Doona is designed to be used by one parent and can unfurl into a pushchair in one action after a clip has been unfastened .
Israel-based company Simple Parenting made the chair, which has passed numerous safety tests, to simplify the lives of parents .
It costs £299 and comes in seven colours . |
158,617 | 590b6ba8f0a811a08936607b746f41393812a8b9 | Washington (CNN) -- As more than one pundit has noted, President Barack Obama now has three choices in Syria: Bad, worse, and horrible. At least the evidence is steadily stacking up to suggest that is the case. Last year, Obama made it clear that the United States would take action if Syria crossed "a red line" by using chemical weapons in its civil war. And there's evidence that it has. What's not clear is what kind of action the United States will or should take. Some of the players in that troubled country's civil war are more unsavory than others, but there appears to be no clear or reliable "good side" behind which the president might deploy U.S. military might at this moment. Indeed, military, political, and diplomatic analysts widely agree that every potentially positive move on the table is freighted with negative side effects. "I think there are no good options in Syria," says retired Army Gen. James "Spider" Marks, a CNN contributor. "There is an array of bad options and you have to take the least bad option that is out there." So let's break down those options, including some that have already come and gone in this tortured march toward a possible military engagement: . Option 1: Ground troops . The White House called this a non-starter from the get go. You don't have to be a political scientist to know that American voters are exhausted by more than a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and would show little or no tolerance for more boots on the ground in the Middle East. Furl the flag, lieutenant; no one is going anywhere tonight. What do Syria's neighbors think? Option 2: Establishing a no-fly zone . Yes, it might work, but the administration has shown little taste for that, either. Maintaining such a presence over the months it might take to have an impact would be hideously expensive, and would involve endangering U.S. pilots with highly uncertain results in a battle that many Americans find confusing at best, baffling at worst. Option 3: Arming the rebels . This is a monkey trap in which the United States has been snared before. Some brave rebel group proclaiming its love of freedom and democracy arises to oppose a distant tyrant. America rewards the rhetoric with training, missiles and munitions. The coup is accomplished and suddenly, to paraphrase Woody Allen, the oppressed start looking a lot like the oppressors and they no longer return your phone calls. In Syria it is even more complicated. As the civil war has droned on against President Bashar al-Assad, interlopers affiliated with terrorist groups have become big-leaguers. "Al Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra, is generally acknowledged to be the most effective force fighting," says CNN National Security Analyst Peter Bergen who adds, "Al-Nusra's military prowess and close ties to al Qaeda make it a potentially serious threat to U.S. interests in the region." Bergen: Syria is a problem from hell for the U.S. Syria watchers roundly agree that no other rebel group is currently positioned to take control of the country. In other words, if the United States pushes too hard or too fast to overthrow al-Assad (even though in the long run, American officials do want him gone) the U.S. risks helping terror groups take power. And you know what they say about the devil you know... Option 4: Securing United Nations' support . Not going to happen without some other major developments in Syria. Russia and China have left no doubt that they will oppose any effort at the U.N. to approve a strike, and other countries have hardly shown much appetite for the subject. Why Russia, China, and Iran are standing by Syria . President Obama calls it an "incapacity" on the part of the U.N., but there is no sign that the name-calling will change anything. Does the public care about U.N. support? Option 5: Assembling a coalition without the U.N. A week ago, newscasts were buzzing with speculation about a nascent coalition, perhaps born of NATO allies -- a daring group of nations ready to stand with the United States as it punished al-Assad. Secretary of State John Kerry is ballyhooing support from the Arab League, Turkey, and France, saying "We are not alone in our will to do something." One by one, however, names have slipped off of the list from this support group. And with the British Parliament now having rejected the idea of Britain's military getting involved, Obama is looking more and more like the lone commander charging the hill while his allies hunker down in the trenches. Option 6: Firing missiles from warships in the Mediterranean . Yes, it is pretty much down to that now, and even that option is complicated. Make no mistake: Cruise missiles are magnificent, virtually unstoppable weapons capable of pinpoint, devastating strikes. However, all the days of wrangling have given the Syrians an immense amount of time to hide their own weapons, secure their airplanes, and disperse critical command and control assets. Should the Tomahawks start flying, they may well find themselves crashing down into an inordinate number of empty buildings, according to Gen. Marks -- or worse, into places packed with civilians. What's more, Syria's allies such as Iran could respond to what would undoubtedly be called an act of war by stepping up aid to al-Assad, and he could emerge with a stronger military as a result. At home the situation is not much better. The White House has blitzed the airwaves and the Internet with official statements. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has declared the military ready to go. Secretary Kerry has described the lurid pictures of chemical attack victims, saying "All of them show and report victims with breathing difficulties, people twitching with spasms, coughing, rapid heartbeats, foaming at the mouth, unconsciousness, and death..." President Obama himself sat down with PBS to explain the broader, regional implications of allowing Syria to use chemical weapons with impunity. "This is a volatile country in a very volatile region. We've got allies bordering Syria. Turkey is a NATO ally, Jordan a close friend that we work with a lot. Israel is very close by. We've got bases throughout the region. We cannot see a breach of the nonproliferation norm that allows, potentially, chemical weapons to fall into the hands of all kinds of folks." But none of it seems to have mattered much. The president faces stiff opposition in Congress. Democrats, like Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland, are saying that America "cannot be the lone sheriff of the whole world. The United States must be careful in how it proceeds and must act together with a coalition of countries." Republicans, like Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, seem disturbed by the administration's lack of clarity on the mission and timetable. "The administration informed us that they have a 'broad range of options' for Syria," he says, "but failed to layout a single option." As for the public, an NBC poll has found only half of Americans support any kind of military action against Syria, and 80% say it should happen only with congressional approval. So we're back to where we started: The choices are dreadful and would be for any president, Democratic or Republican; the outcomes are wildly uncertain; and the consequences -- no matter which direction he turns -- are likely to be grave. Against this backdrop of unspeakable acts and unfathomable causes and effects, perhaps it is small wonder that Obama keeps saying, "I have not made a final decision." Although in the very act of doing that, he is committing to one choice not mentioned so far: Waiting. Waiting to see if some new evidence, some new ally, some new intelligence clears the smoke over Syria and makes plain a way forward. | Analysts say there are no good options for the U.S. in Syria .
The U.S. has laid out evidence that Syria has used chemical weapons .
Obama vowed to act if Syria crossed that 'red line'
Syria's civil war began in 2011 . |
91,486 | 01af478508d15a7f9102a0994ccba06fbec85251 | (CNN) -- Haiti's earthquake is creating "a generation of amputees," something that will pose a challenge for Haitian society for years to come, experts say. The 7.0 earthquake resulted in thousands having their limbs crushed as Haiti's ramshackle buildings fell on top of them. The number of amputees created by the disaster is hard to measure, but Handicap International estimates it is at least 2,000 and growing. Dr. Mitra Roses of the Pan American Health Organization said some hospitals were performing between 30 and 100 amputations a day after the earthquake. At one small hospital in the capital that is now functioning under a tent, doctors say they are performing more and more amputations on children. "We're having a generation of amputees," said one medical worker. She had just discovered that a 2-year-old girl cannot feel her left foot and may need an amputation. "It's heartbreaking." Amputations in Haiti are especially difficult for patients because so many people get around on foot or by bicycle. Sidewalks and roads are poor and wheelchairs, crutches and canes are few. "What I fear is that if I can't walk, I can't go to school and I can't go to church," said a boy who lost his foot in the earthquake. Without his foot, he said, he can't pedal the bike he normally takes to church and to school. "It's not an environment which is conducive to mobility for people who are not able to walk for a variety of reasons," Stephanie Stuart, director of Handicap International UK, told CNN. Amputees may have trouble getting to work, she said, and the problem is compounded if those people perform manual labor, which requires greater use of their limbs. "Their circumstances are pretty dire, because an amputee in Haiti is highly disadvantaged in terms of being able to be mobile, have a job and look after family," said Eric Doubt, executive director of Healing Hands for Haiti International, which provides treatment and rehabilitation to people with disabilities. Young amputees face different issues, said Stuart. Like the boy who lost his foot, they may not be able to go to school, putting them at risk of losing education. They also can't play with their friends or enjoy the activities they used to, and they may be too young to understand why, Stuart said. Even if those children make it to school, they may have trouble adapting to an able-bodied environment. "A lot of children, if they couldn't manage to go to the loo (toilet) in schools, would they feel they wanted to spend the day there?" Stuart said. Parents of children with lost limbs may also find it hard to adapt, she said. "However much they love them, are (parents) still going to be able to support them and help their education and well-being as much as they could with an able child?" The Pan American Health Organization said disabilities can cause significant and long-term economic and mental health problems for earthquake survivors. With so many earthquake victims having had or facing the prospect of amputations, Haiti's government should prioritize the issue of disability and support for disabled people, Stuart said. Before the earthquake, Haiti had only one facility that produced prosthetic limbs. It survived the earthquake but will not be able to meet current needs, Doubt said. "They actually are able to start fabricating but ... they're very small, and the need is much greater," Doubt told CNN by phone from the organization's offices in Georgetown, Ontario. Even before the earthquake, he said, "we were only really touching the need at the time." There were about 800,000 Haitians with handicaps and disabilities before the earthquake, Doubt said. "Handicapped in Haiti have been largely unattended to or abandoned by their governments, and there are very few medical organizations who attend to them or provide a focus on them, so it was a very large job to begin with," he said. "There are going to be many more disabled (now), and among them a large population of newly amputated patients, and that population is going to grow." Stuart explained that many people with injuries requiring amputation may not have made it yet to hospitals. Others may simply have skin wounds, but if they can't get to a hospital and their wounds become infected, it could necessitate amputation. Anticipating the need, the group Physicians for Peace has begun to collect prosthetics, crutches, canes, walkers and wheelchairs. Amputees are typically fitted with new limbs after two to four months of healing. Used prosthetics will be particularly beneficial in Haiti, where manufacturing artificial limbs is likely to be difficult, said Heather Mills, a U.N. Association goodwill ambassador. "What I'm trying to do is appeal to people to ... contact Physicians for Peace and take back any limbs that they're not using," Mills told CNN's "Larry King Live." "We can reuse the components." Mills, who was once married to Beatle Paul McCartney, lost part of her left leg in a 1993 vehicle crash. She has since been active in charities to clear land mines and provide artificial limbs to tens of thousands of people. "I'm fully aware that they're not going to need the limbs for weeks, but it takes weeks to coordinate," Mills said. "It takes weeks for people to donate. It takes weeks to get them packed and shipped." Handicap International plans to produce between 300 and 400 emergency prostheses in the next six months to cover the need until patients can receive more permanent ones, the group said. Physicians for Peace plans to set up a prosthesis production facility in Haiti, according to the group's Web site. "We will work with our partners to identify whether we can use existing structures or somehow build temporary work space and bring in the specialized equipment needed to prepare and fit prosthetic devices: ovens, routers, vacuum pumps, drills, sanders and saws, as well as generators and lights," the Website said. Refurbished prosthetic limbs and mobility devices collected by the group will also be shipped to Haiti. Handicap International is also expanding its staff to around 100, and they will train local prosthetic technicians to meet the needs of amputees in the long term, Stuart said. "Prosthetics need to be fitted -- they're not off the shelf -- so you need technicians there," Stuart said. Prosthetics "need to be changed if the child is growing, if the person gains weight, loses weight." CNN's Ed Payne in Atlanta, Georgia, contributed to this report. | Experts say Haiti's earthquake is creating "a generation of amputees"
Disabilities can cause long-term economic and mental health problems .
Amputations in Haiti are difficult because people get around on foot or by bicycle . |
256,659 | d82f161ed3a4e79a5667edfb0acda2af6b4c242b | By . Steve Nolan . PUBLISHED: . 06:21 EST, 5 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:57 EST, 5 March 2013 . A biopic of 19th century French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte could see the light of day five decades after the idea was originally conceived - as a television series. It may have proved to be Stanley Kubrick's Waterloo, but Steven Spielberg has revealed that he plans to develop a television version of the late director's biopic of Napoleon which never made it onto the big screen. Kubrick had meticulously planned the project, which he predicted would be 'the greatest movie ever made' but dropped it in the 1970s when he couldn't secure funding. Ambitious project: Director Steven Spielberg has said that he will produce a television series of Stanley Kubrick's unrealised biopic of Napoleon Bonaparte . Unrealised dream: Stanley Kubrick, pictured filming his last film Eyes Wide Shut in 1999, meticulously planned the project but dropped it when it failed to secure funding . The Lincoln director spoke of his plans in an interview on French television channel Canal Plus. He said he will collaborate on the project with Kubrick's family, though it is unclear whether the series is already being developed. Spielberg collaborated with his friend Kubrick on AI: Artificial Intelligence, which he released two years after Kubrick's 1999 death. That idea had been thought up by Kubrick, regarded as one of the greatest directors of all time, in the 1970s, but wasn't released until 2001 when Spielberg had written and directed it. The Shining director Kubrick originally wrote a first draft of a screenplay for a film about the life of Napoleon in 1961 after scouring more than 18,000 documents and books about the historic political leader. According to the Independent, he even sent one of assistant directors on 1968's 2001: A Space Odyssey to search for appropriate locations to shoot the film. Historic: A painting of 19th century French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte . Photographs were taken in Austerlitz and Waterloo as well as the island of Elba where Napoleon was exiled in 1814. According to letters exhibited in Los Angeles last year, some of the big acting names of the day, including Oskar Werner and Audrey Hepburn were approached by Kubrick to take on the film project's main roles, though Hepburn declined. A letter written by the director in 1971 to studio executives read: 'It's impossible to tell you what I'm going to do except to say that I expect to make the best movie ever made.' The project very nearly got the go ahead following the release of 2001, but was shelved again in 1970 for Kubrick to make A Clockwork Orange. But despite that setback, the director still vowed to shoot his project. A Clockwork Orange author Anthony Burgess was enlisted to write a novel on Napoleon for Kubrick to base his movie on. But even though the novel, Napoleon Sympthony, was published in 1974, the film project remained grounded. With studios reluctant to provide funding, Kubrick eventually abandoned the project. Spielberg, who was recently nominated in the Best Director category at the Academy Awards for Lincoln, is said to currently be working on a Second World War drama for HBO with Tom Hanks. He was announced last week as the president of the jury for this year's Cannes Film Festival. Stanley Kubrick was known for exerting complete artistic control over his projects. An American, Kubrick settled at Childwickbury Manor in Hertfordshire. His film credits include Lolita, Dr Strangelove, Barry Lyndon and Full Metal Jacket. He died from a heart attack in his sleep aged 70 just days after shooting a final scene for Eyes Wide Shut starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Meticulous: Stanley Kubrick, pictured in 1966, poured through more than 18,000 books and documents for an initial draft of his biopic of Napoleon . Approached: Kubrick had Audrey Hepburn, left, and Oskar Werner, right, in mind for the film's top roles according to archive letters, though Hepburn had already declined . Napoleon Bonaparte . Napoleon Bonaparte was born to a family of gentry in Corsica in 1769. After being educated at military school, Napoleon rose through the ranks and became commander of the French army in Italy. He conquered Egypt in 1798 but his army was left stranded when his fleet was destroyed at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. As France faced turmoil, a coup d'etat saw Napoleon become First Consul of France in November 1799 and by 1804 he had become Emperor. During his reign he created the Bank of France, reinstated the Catholic Church as the state religion in France and reformed French law with the Napoleonic Code. He abandoned plans to invade Britain after a defeat at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 but went on to conquer large parts of Europe. But the Peninsular War begun in 1808 and five years of battle left French military resources depleted. The French invaded Russia in 1812 but were disastrously forced to retreat. Paris fell two years later and Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. He escaped exile in March 1815 and regained power briefly but was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon was imprisoned by the British on the island of St Helena and died in May 1821. | The Lincoln director will collaborate with Kubrick's family on the project .
Kubrick had meticulously researched the film and written a first draft .
But the project was eventually dropped when funding couldn't be secured . |
233,598 | ba6ba9472f77b3762446d5f2e2431c83709dcfa3 | VRINDAVAN, India (CNN) -- Ostracized by society, thousands of India's widows flock to the holy city of Vrindavan waiting to die. They are found on side streets, hunched over with walking canes, their heads shaved and their pain etched by hundreds of deep wrinkles in their faces. A widow makes her way in Vrindavan, India, where an estimated 15,000 widows live on the streets. These Hindu widows, the poorest of the poor, are shunned from society when their husbands die, not for religious reasons, but because of tradition -- and because they're seen as a financial drain on their families. They cannot remarry. They must not wear jewelry. They are forced to shave their heads and typically wear white. Even their shadows are considered bad luck. Hindus have long believed that death in Vrindavan will free them from the cycle of life and death. For widows, they hope death will save them from being condemned to such a life again. Watch how some widows are rebelling » . "Does it feel good?" says 70-year-old Rada Rani Biswas. "Now I have to loiter just for a bite to eat." Biswas speaks with a strong voice, but her spirit is broken. When her husband of 50 years died, she was instantly ostracized by all those she thought loved her, including her son. "My son tells me: 'You have grown old. Now who is going to feed you? Go away,' " she says, her eyes filling with tears. "What do I do? My pain had no limit." As she speaks, she squats in front of one of Vrindavan's temples, her life reduced to begging for scraps of food. There are an estimated 40 million widows in India, the least fortunate of them shunned and stripped of the life they lived when they were married. It's believed that 15,000 widows live on the streets of Vrindavan, a city of about 55,000 in northern India. "Widows don't have many social rights within the family," says Ranjana Kumari with the Center for Social Research, a group that works to empower women. The situation is much more extreme within some of India's rural community. "There, it is much more tradition-bound; in urban areas, there are more chances and possibilities to live a normal life." But the majority of India's 1.1 billion population is rural. "The government recognizes the problem," Kumari says. "It can do a lot, but it's not doing enough." One woman, a widow herself, is working for change. Dr. Mohini Giri has formed an organization called the Guild of Service, which helps destitute women and children. Giri's mother was widowed when Giri was 9 years old, and she saw what a struggle it was. Then, Giri lost her husband when she was 50, enduring the social humiliation that comes with being a widow. At times, she was asked not to attend weddings because her presence was considered bad luck. "Generally all widows are ostracized," she says. "An educated woman may have money and independence, but even that is snatched away when she becomes a widow. We live in a patriarchal society. Men say that culturally as a widow you cannot do anything: You cannot grow your hair, you should not look beautiful." She adds, "It's the mind-set of society we need to change -- not the women." Seven years ago, Giri's organization set up a refuge called Amar Bari, or "My Home," in Vrindavan. It has become a refuge for about 120 of India's widows. Giri's organization is set to open a second home, one that will house another 500 widows. But as she says, "Mine is but a drop in the bucket." At Amar Bari, most widows reject traditional white outfits and grow out their hair. Along the open air corridors that link the house's courtyard are green wooden doors, leading to dark tiny rooms, home for each widow. See the widows of Vrindavan » . Bent over by osteoporosis, 85-year-old Promita Das meticulously and slowly sweeps the floor just outside her door and then carefully cleans her dishes. "I came here when I couldn't work anymore. I used to clean houses," she says. "Nobody looked after me, nobody loved me. I survived on my own." She married at 12 and was widowed at 15. Seventy years later, she finds herself at Amar Bari. "I used to live in front of a temple, but then I came here," she says. She carries with her not only the pain of a life without love, but also the loss of her only child. She gave birth at 14; her baby lived a year. Another widow, Ranu Mukherjee, wearing a bright red-patterned sari, shows off her room at the home and wants to sing for her guests. The lyrics of her song are about a lost traveler. "When did you come here after losing your way?" she sings. "When I remember the days gone by I feel sad." E-mail to a friend . | India's Hindu widows can't remarry, are forced to shave heads and wear white .
Widow says her son told her she was too old and to "go away"
A women's group is seeking change, has set up refuge for widows .
There are an estimated 40 million widows in India . |
268,180 | e75642baccebfdd683388ec32cb5ab0988693a18 | By . Andy Dolan . An engineer hanged himself days after a controversial group of ‘paedophile hunters’ accused him of grooming a child over the internet. Gary Cleary was arrested by police after being confronted in public by the vigilante group called Letzgo Hunting whose members lure suspected sex offenders into meetings by posing as young girls online. The 29-year-old, who lived with his girlfriend, was released on bail while officers looked into the allegation, but was found dead in the garage at his home four days later. A coroner last week recorded a verdict of suicide. Scroll down for video . Trap: A suspect runs from a member of Letzgo Hunting who lure suspected sex offenders into meetings by posing as young girls online . Mr Cleary lived with Melissa Andrews . and their dog at Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire. A relative of college . worker Miss Andrews said: ‘It’s a tragedy and has left everyone . extremely upset. The family have been told by the police that their . investigation is still ongoing.’ The relative, who asked not to be . named, went on to criticise the actions of Letzgo Hunting. He said: ‘I . think it is a sad reflection on modern life that vigilantes are . operating under cover of the internet. It puts the country back 300 . years.’ Miss Andrews, 30, was unavailable for comment. Letzgo Hunting, which was set up by a . group of concerned parents earlier this year, has achieved a high . profile after posting videos of members confronting suspected . paedophiles on the internet. It has created dozens of profiles on dating and social networking websites pretending to be girls aged 12 to 15. Chase: The footage of the suspect running away was posted by the vigilante group on YouTube . The group then exchanges messages with . those it considers to be ‘interested’ men, sometimes for weeks, before . luring them into meetings in parks or other public areas and filming the . confrontations. The footage is uploaded on to Letzgo . Hunting’s website and Facebook page, as well as YouTube, initially with . the alleged suspects’ faces visible. If an arrest is made, the images are . taken down and doctored, so the men can no longer be identified, before . being uploaded once more. Last night Letzgo Hunting’s founder . told the Daily Mail he has no regrets about the group’s actions, and . said they will continue to work to expose ‘people who pose a risk to . children’. The man, who used to call himself . Scummbuster but now likes to be known as Jamie, said: ‘We are convinced . this man was a danger to children, that is why we arranged to meet him. ‘Plenty of people we come into contact . with only want to talk dirty with our online ‘‘decoys’’ but he wanted . to take things further. We feel sorry for his family for the loss of . their son but our work will continue.’ Group: The website of 'Letzgo Hunting', a group of 'paedophile hunters' who confronted a 29-year-old who killed himself after he was arrested . Mr Cleary was confronted in Braunstone Park, Leicester, four months ago. As he walked across the grass to meet . an 18-year-old ‘decoy’ who Letzgo Hunting say he believed to be a . 14-year-old, he was confronted by two men from the group. They say they asked him why he was . meeting an under-aged girl with a sexual motive but he fled, swearing at . the men, before they could even tell him who they were. He was arrested . a few days later, on May 9, after detectives were handed footage of the . meeting. He was released on bail, before being found dead on May 13. A spokesman for Leicestershire Police . would not confirm Mr Cleary’s name but said the man who went on to kill . himself was arrested following information which was supplied by a . ‘third party’. He added: ‘He was questioned and released on police bail. He was not charged with any criminal offence. ‘On May 13 we were called to his . address and discovered his body.’ Earlier this year the force warned . that such vigilante activity could ‘seriously affect the chances of . success in court, preventing victims from getting justice’. During Mr Cleary’s inquest in . Loughborough last Thursday, coroner Trevor Kirkman did not refer to any . encounter with Letzgo Hunting or his arrest. Direct action: Letzgo Hunting's website says that the police are failing communities so they take gathering evidence into their own hands to get arrests . But he told his parents David, 65, and . Susan, 62, who declined to comment after the hearing: ‘This is not a . court in which one apportions blame as such and nobody is on trial, . still less your son. ‘Whatever may have occurred, or whatever may be thought to have occurred, is not a matter I need to go into. ‘What I have to deal with is how he . came by his death and the means by which he came by his death. I am . satisfied I should record that he came by his death at his own hands. ‘Whatever may have happened, the people who are left to pick up the pieces are those that love him.’ ‘Jamie’ from Letzgo Hunting, who . claims to work in the security industry, has previously explained that . he decided to create the group with close friends in the Hinckley area . of Leicestershire after someone he knew was convicted of offences . against a child and possession of indecent images of children. He said the group posts profiles of . teenage minors on dating and social networking websites such as Badoo – . where he said Mr Cleary was found – and Bebo. He said the first thing . Letzgo Hunting ‘decoys’ did when they got into a conversation with a man . online was to say: ‘I am only 14.’ Mr Cleary’s parents declined to . comment at their home near Leicester. A neighbour said: ‘They’re . devastated.’ Work: The group's confrontations have led to 12 arrests, but nobody has been charged, Leicestershire Police say . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Man was arrested by police after being confronted by Letzgo Hunting .
Four days after being bailed officers found the man hanged at his home .
Letzgo hunting members pose as children online and lure in paedophiles .
After gathering evidence they arrange to meet alleged abusers in public .
Confrontations are filmed, handed to police and posted on their website .
For confidential .
support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local .
Samaritans branch or click here for details . |
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