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61,999 | b01f668fd744a67f9b0f2d51af7401f591b804b6 | Andy Murray hit back at the critics of his coach Amelie Mauresmo after reaching his fourth Australian Open final in six years in Melbourne. Murray recovered from losing the opening set to win 6-7 (6/8) 6-0 6-3 7-5 against Tomas Berdych in a bad-tempered semi-final on Thursday and set up a Sunday showdown with world number one Novak Djokovic. The 27-year-old lost to Djokovic in the final in 2011 and 2013 and is looking to become the first man in the open era to win the title after losing three finals. His other defeat came to Roger Federer in 2010. Coach Amelie Mauresmo watches on as Andy Murray practises ahead of Sunday's Australian Open final . Murray had plenty of support as he took to the practice court in Melbourne on Friday . The British No 1 is into his fourth Australian Open final in six years and is aiming for his first victory . Murray signs autographs for fans in Melbourne as he prepares for Sunday's Australian Open final . 'A lot of people criticised me for working with her and I think so far this week we have showed women can be very good coaches as well,' Murray said of Mauresmo, who won her first grand slam title in Australia in 2006. 'Madison Keys, who reached the semi-finals here, is also coached by a woman in Lindsay Davenport and I see no reason why that can't keep moving forward so I am very thankful to Amelie for doing it. I would say it was a brave choice from her and hopefully I can repay her in a few days. 'A lot of people were criticising her at the end of last year, like the way I was playing was her fault when I'd spent two weeks training with her up to the end of the year, until the training block. You can't change things during tournaments. There was very little time to spend with each other.' The Scot has defended his coach Mauresmo after criticism that his form was adversely affected by her . Mauresmo, who won her first Grand Slam title in Melbourne in 2006, passes on words of advice to Murray . Murray practises with his coach keeping a close eye on his movements in the background . Mauresmo is all smiles as she walks to the practice session in the Melbourne sunshine on Friday morning . Murray swings during his practice session as spectators watch on from the sidelines . Mauresmo and Murray have a chat in the middle of the training session . Coaches old and new were a major theme of the match, with Murray and Berdych having attempted to play down the significance of Dani Vallverdu, who is now coaching Berdych after several successful years in Murray's camp. However, Murray admitted there had been extra tension, which manifested itself in a tetchy encounter which even saw Murray's fiancee Kim Sears caught swearing on camera. 'A lot was made of Dani working with him,' Murray said. 'We've been friends since we were 15 and I felt like that was a bit unfair and unnecessary. 'This is sport, there is more to life, and I thought it was unfair and created a bit of extra tension. It was there definitely at the beginning but I think everyone calmed down after the start of the match.' Murray arrives at his practice session on Friday morning ahead of Sunday's final . Murray hits during his practice session as he gets ready for his first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon 2013 . Mauresmo keeps a close watch as Murray is put through his paces . The Scot takes on water during a breather in the his practice session . Murray defeated Tomas Berdych in four sets in Thursday's semi-final to reach his sixth Grand Slam final . Murray practises his serves as Mauresmo watches in the background, racket in hand . Spectators line the practice court as Murray gets ready for his latest final . After the first set might be more accurate, with Berdych unimpressed when Murray roared in celebration towards Vallverdu after breaking back at 5-3, Murray being irritated by Berdych asking for balls to be changed at deuce at 5-5 and Murray then complaining to the umpire that Berdych had said something to him after the tie-break. Thankfully things did improve from then on, with Murray breaking three times to race through the second set and then needing just one break in the third and fourth to seal victory after three hours and 26 minutes. | Andy Murray practised ahead of Australian Open final in Melbourne .
He will face Novak Djokovic after Serb beat Stanislas Wawrinka .
The British No 1 defended coach Amelie Mauresmo from criticism .
Murray beat Tomas Berdych over four sets in Thursday's semi-final .
Click here for all the latest from the Australian Open . |
264,759 | e2ee2a92b8f493b2960c4e1ba2abf4f2a54c6758 | A TV and video game actor was charged with killing and cooking his ex-girlfriend's pet rabbit, sending her grisly photos of the procedure and threatening to do the same thing to her, authorities said Wednesday. Dimitri Diatchenko, 46, of North Hollywood, was charged Tuesday with felony counts of cruelty to an animal with use of a knife and making criminal threats. He faces up to four years and eight months in prison if convicted. Small-part actor Dimitri Diatchenko was arrested on Sunday after allegedly killing and eating his ex-girlfriend's pet rabbit. Pictured above in May 23, 2012 at the premiere for the film Chernobyl Diaries . Pictures of a rabbit named 'Miss Bella' are posted to Diatchenko's Facebook account. It's unclear if this is the animal Diatchenko killed and ingested . According to Los Angeles County prosecutors, Diatchenko had been living with the woman for some time after their romantic relationship had ended. She told Diatchenko that they should stop being roommates, prosecutors said. On December 7, while she was out of the house, Diatchenko killed the rabbit, authorities said. 'Diatchenko skinned the pet, cooked it and ate half of it while sending her step-by-step pictures of what he did' according to a statement from the district attorney's office. 'When she returned the defendant allegedly told her he would do the same to her.' Born in San Francisco, Diatchenko is an actor and musician. He mainly has played Russians and Eastern Europeans on television. He also had a small part in the movie 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.' Diatchenko also has had many voice roles in video games, including in several 'Call of Duty' titles. His Facebook profile also shows that he appeared on the TV shows 2 Broke Girls and Bones. He posted two pictures to the social networking site of a rabbit named 'Ella'. Diatchenko was free on bail. His manager, Barry Bookin, declined comment. He is due back in court on December 30, when prosecutors are expected to request his bond be raised to $90,000. On Diatchenko's Facebook, he posted a picture posing with the cast of 2 Broke Girls, pictured second from the left between the show's stars Beth Behrs (left) and Kat Dennings (third left) Diatchenko also posted a still from the episode he appeared in, playing a Brooklyn, New York taxi cab driver . The bit-part actor also appeared on the TV show Bones (pictured on the left with one of the show's main actors John Francis Daley). Seen on the right with actress Jennifer Coolidge, who acts on 2 Broke Girls . | Dimitri Diatchenko, 46, was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend's pet rabbit .
The bit-part actor continued to live with his ex-girlfriend after they broke up and carried out the heinous attack when she asked to stop being roommates .
Sent her pictures of him killing and cooking rabbit, and threatened to do the same to her when she got home .
Diatchenko, known for playing small roles for mostly Eastern European characters, was released on $50,000 bail Monday .
Has posted two pictures to Facebook of a rabbit named 'Ella' |
121,517 | 290ff883ffb0833c038e932853f6cb7d0250b530 | By . Helen Lawson . PUBLISHED: . 06:06 EST, 21 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:47 EST, 21 July 2013 . Two leaping lions gave a safari tour group something to remember by letting off steam in a spectacular show of kung fu play fighting. The big cats were fast as lightning during the airborne tussle at the Madikwe game reserve in South Africa. One executed a kung fu kick while the other slashed at the air before they tumbled to the ground. Two lions at the Madikwe game reserve in South Africa indulged in some kung fu play fighting to the delight of tourists on safari . The fight began when the pair locked eyes and charged towards each other in a burst of energy . The big cats leaped into the air during their clash - but the pair were only letting off steam . Gavin Tonkinson, 35, a manager at the Tuningi Safari Lodge, caught the encounter on camera as he led a group of tourists around the reserve. Mr Tonkinson said: 'They were in a really playful mood that particular morning and definitely in the mood for some aerial acrobatics. 'Only the guests and I got to witness their amazing strength and we were all mesmerised at their jumping powers. The lions fell back to the ground, watched by a group of tourists on safari led by Gavin Tonkinson, who photographed the encounter . One lion came off worse than its friend in the fight, landing on its back while its opponent looked on . 'They do this to hone their hunting skills as well as build their eye muscle co-ordination for the real deal some day. 'Lions are my favourite animal to photograph on safaris especially when they are in this type of mood. They must have jumped around two metres into the air. 'I have never seen them jump so high before and I have been living in the bush for the last 13 years.' | Big cats came to blows at the Madikwe game reserve in South Africa .
A lucky group of tourists on safari were the only ones to witness the tussle .
Photographer Gavin Tonkinson said he'd never seen lions jump so high . |
27,900 | 4f12690920e1db34a18e408fb4a52c603ac9d7af | (CNN) -- The 19-year-old Michigan student with Down syndrome who drew national attention for his fight to play football at his high school will be allowed to suit up his senior year, his father said Thursday. The Michigan High School Athletic Association approved Eric Dompierre's request for a waiver to keep playing, even though he exceeds the state's official age limit, according to his father, who said he learned the news from the athletic director at Ishpeming High School. The Dompierre family had been petitioning the school and athletic association to create a waiver process for more than 2.5 years. They were pushing to give the teen, who was held back in kindergarten because of his disability and turned 19 in January, a way around rules that banned students from participating in high school athletics if they turned 19 before September 1. "We're proud of the way Eric advocated for himself and kids like Eric. We're very grateful for all the people, tens of thousands of people, that stepped forward," Dean Dompierre, Eric's father, told CNN. The student's underdog quest to keep playing sports in Michigan's Upper Peninsula garnered widespread attention. An online petition on Change.org that was started on March 24 garnered more than 94,000 signatures. Yooper Shirts, a T-shirt store in Ishpeming, sold shirts that said "let 'em play." On the football field and the basketball court, the 19-year-old has shown flashes of athletic prowess, kicking an extra point near the end of a football game several years ago and hitting a 3-point shot in the basketball playoffs to help his team maintain a comfortable lead. In May, after the Dompierre family's lobbying, the athletic association created a new waiver process, allowing student athletes who turn 19 before September to play sports under "narrowly defined" circumstances. Under the new waiver rule, a student "must have a defined disability documented to diminish both physical and either intellectual or emotional capabilities, does not create a health or safety risk to participants and does not create a competitive advantage for the team. The burden of proof rests with the school seeking the waiver," the association said in a statement. The age restriction is intended to prevent the possibility of injury or competitive advantage from an older, more developed athlete playing against younger students. "The rule is 100 years old," Dean Dompierre told CNN in May. "We've come a long way in those 100 years in this country in the way that we involve and include people with disabilities. And I think it's time that the rule catches up with that." Eric Dompierre started practicing with the football team before the waiver was accepted, in hopes that he would be cleared. The rule change and waiver acceptance means he will be allowed to play as an extra point kicker on his high school football team. "And when football is over, he'll try out for the basketball team he's been playing on for three years," Dean Dompierre told CNN Thursday. "Thanks to all the people that signed the petition and spoke up. Without them, this couldn't have happened." | The teen's father says officials have ruled he can play, despite age limits .
19-year-old Eric Dompierre has Down syndrome and was held back in kindergarten .
His underdog quest to keep playing for his school garnered widespread attention .
Father: "We're proud of the way Eric advocated for himself and kids like Eric" |
138,770 | 3f77741e992a139127a67365f72a765bbb01b5d6 | It was a semi-naked ring bearer wearing Superman underpants and roller skates who stole the show at a recent Texas wedding - not the bride. Bobby and Shanna Lockhart from Lubbock decided to mix things up at their Willy Wonka-themed marriage ceremony last weekend and booked the elegant skater as a star guest. Video footage from their big day shows the topless male performer, known as Quis, gliding along and handing over the rings at the alter. He appears to be lost in deep concentration as he maintains a focused gaze. The congregation sit watching, open-mouthed. Scroll down for video . Wheely in love: Bobby and Shanna Lockhart from Lubbock, Texas, decided to book a rollerskating ring bearer for their recent wedding . As he reaches his destination, Quis makes a swift exit so the ceremony can continue. Newlywed Shanna, who works in sales for an online real estate company, says she and her husband heard about Quis via social media and thought his eccentric nature fitted perfectly with what they wanted to do. Sticking to the 'wacky' theme, the church organ was adorned with candy-colored decorations and bags of chocolate were scattered around. The bridesmaids - who wore dresses in all the colors of the rainbow - were also armed with giant edible lollipops in lieu of floral bouquets. Head-turner: The performer wore a Superman outfit as he skated along, much to the congregation's amusement . Comical: The stunt triggered laughter and applause from those watching in the pews . Star guest: The Lockhart's flew in the Instagram-famous rollerskater in from Florida because they wanted to make their nuptials extra special . Novel idea: The happy couple opted for a Willy Wonka-theme - chocolates were scattered everywhere, bridesmaids carried giant lollipops in lieu of floral bouquets and even the vicar got involved wearing a candy-stripe shirt . Meanwhile, the vicar stepped out in a colorful candy-stripe shirt and chinos. When he's not playing the role of ring bearer, Quis likes to perform other zany stunts in his skimpy hero outfit. He goes by the stage name 'Superman Drawls' and to date his Instagram page has attracted more than 195,000 followers. Many fans have deemed his recent performance at the Lockhart's December 13 wedding 'epic' and 'hilarious.' Steve Conway, who was the official photographer on the day, described it as the 'best ring delivery . . . ever!' The Lockharts flew Quis in from Florida in a bid to make their nuptials extra special. Husband and wife: The Lockharts share a passionate kiss after tying the knot . Willy Wonker eat your heart out: Instead of a traditional white cake, the couple went for one in all the colors of the rainbow . Dressed to impress: Here a bridesmaid and groomsman get into the spirit of things, with sweet-themed accessories . Footage from their ceremony shows the groom pretending to look frantically for the wedding bands. It seems none of the groomsmen know where the rings are. But then all of a sudden 'Superman' rolls in to save the day. 'You can tell as he starts to come up the aisle, that the back row is kind of shocked,' Shanna, 33, told Fox News. 'Then waves of laughter, then applause, then just absolute eruption. People standing up, hooping and hollering.' Shanna and Bobby first met in 1996 as teenagers but it took more than a decade for them to finally pin down a rendezvous. 'On our first date in March of 2012 I knew this was forever!' newlywed Shannon said. Hold that pose: The Lockharts stand with their superhuman ring bearer, who goes by the stage name Superman Drawls . Newlyweds: Shanna and Bobby first met in 1996 as teenagers but it took more than a decade for them to finally pin down a rendezvous . | Bobby and Shanna Lockhart from Lubbock decided to mix things up at their Willy Wonka-themed marriage ceremony last weekend and booked an elegant skater as a star guest .
The rollerskating ring bearer wore Superman underpants and a cape . |
255,356 | d686edda2e337a8383727d5ac968c30d7d9710b1 | By . Kate Lyons For Daily Mail Australia . Aldi looks set to almost double its sales in the next five years . Aldi sales could double in the next five years, putting pressure on the Coles-Woolworths supermarket duopoly, according to a new report from investment bank UBS, reports the Australian Financial Review. Sales at the German discount supermarket chain are projected to increase from their current level of $5.3 billion to $9.3 billion by 2019 taking an estimated $250 million to $350 million of sales from each Woolworths, Coles and Metcash, which owns IGA. The projected increase in sales will come as Aldi opens more stores across the country and improves conditions to appeal to wealthier customers. Aldi, which launched in Australia in 2001, currently has 350 stores across the country, and plans to open 25 new stores a year for the next few years, including expanding into Western Australia and South Australia, which it plans to do by 2016. The report from UBS also indicated the chain could reach sales of $13 billion, which would present a serious challenge to the stranglehold of Woolworths and Coles on the Australian grocery market. In order to reach sales of $13 billion Aldi would need to fix problems identified by a UBS survey of 600 customers, including lengthy checkout queues, lack of quality fresh food and items being out of stock, three areas that Coles and Woolworths have prioritised. Aldi originally appealed to low-income earners, but it is increasingly appealing to wealthier customers and young families. Stefan Kopp, Aldi's joint group managing director, told the Australian Financial Review that the increase in sales to $9 billion predicted by UBS was 'achieveable and slightly optimistic', though he denied Aldi would ever be a 'big player' or reach the size or Cole and Woolworths. Aldi's increasing sales may threaten the Coles-Woolworths duopoly of the grocery market in Australia . | Aldi sales are predicted to increase from $5.3 billion to $9.3 billion by 2019 .
Predictions in a new report from investment bank UBS .
Aldi currently has 350 stores across Australia and plans to open 25 new stores each year for the next few years . |
257,184 | d8db8dda19b878f13b8f6470d14ce0485629fcdc | (CNN) -- Are you better off today than you were four years ago? With 26 consecutive months of job growth, it seems like the answer should be yes. With an 8.2% unemployment rate, it's no wonder that in a recent Gallup poll, most said no. This disconnect is the reason some Democrats -- meeting for their convention this week in North Carolina -- are having a hard time finding an answer with the right tone. It also explains why Mitt Romney and the Republicans love asking the question: Nuanced answers to what appears to be a simple yes or no question sounds like spin, and voters hate spin. More important, the question tricks the middle class into condensing all of their money problems into the three-plus years of the Obama administration. I say "trick" because the truth is, the "better off" question does nothing to address the real reason why things are tight: Americans' wages haven't kept up with the cost of living for a good long time. And because of that, the middle class has been dying a slow death for the past 40 years, not four. Romney likes to say that he is a financial whiz, so you have to know that this bit of information is not news to him. That he doesn't bother bringing up that trend when talking about the economy is yet another sign that he's more interested in winning the election than helping those less fortunate than himself. Here's what I'm talking about: . In its recent report, "The Lost Decade of the Middle Class," the Pew Research Center found that in 1971, 62% of the country's income was earned by the middle class, which at that time represented 61% of the population. In 1991, the middle class took in 54% of the income and represented 56% of the country. In 2011, the middle class represented 51% of the population, but its earning was down to 45%. Opinion: What Democrats need to do in Charlotte . None of this would be a problem if the percentage of Americans who became rich was in line with the amount of money the rich were taking in. Unfortunately, that is not the case. In 1971, the rich represented 14% of the country and took in 29% of the income. In 2011, the rich represented 20% of the country but took in a whopping 46% of the money. So Romney asking "are you better off today than you were four years ago" is a bit insulting; he's really just a rich guy preying on the emotions of a middle class in long decline. Maybe if he starts talking about the dramatic redistribution of wealth that's occurred since 1971 and the wage/inflation gap, I'll think differently. And that gap? Over a 12-month period ending in December, wages went up 1.8%, while through October, the consumer price index was up 3.5%. This is not an anomaly, it's been the norm. This is why Pew found that "85% of self-described middle-class adults say it is more difficult now than it was a decade ago for middle-class people to maintain their standard of living." We're working just as hard as in years past, but we're behind the 8-ball because for most of the country, wages are not even set to meet the cost of living. Indeed, some of us are closer to being poor than middle class and don't know it. The 2011 middle class median income started at $39,418 for a family of three. Yet Pew found some families making less than $30,000 still self-identified as middle class, even though they're closer to the nation's bottom fifth, according to the U.S. Census. How does this translate on the ground? The starting salary for K-12 teachers in 42 states is below the $39,418 bar of median middle class salaries. Beyond the basic necessities, such as food, housing and a car to get to work, many young teachers are paying back student loans. So if there's a young teacher with a family -- say in a state like Ohio, where the starting salary is $31,876 -- there's a good chance that person is poor, not middle class. The starting salary for a New York firefighter is $43,074. Now, that may sound like a lot of money until you realize that "a New Yorker would have to make $123,322 a year to have the same standard of living as someone making $50,000 in Houston," according to the Center for an Urban Future. Depending on the neighborhood, full-time day care in New York can cost a family about $25,000 a year. I don't know about you, but I think it's kind of messed up that our teachers and firemen, professionals that used to represent a legitimate middle class -- only a short time ago -- are living check to check. That's not all about taxes and government. It's not about Obamacare or a "war on the rich." It's about a trend that has gone on under the radar for decades finally making its presence known. Apple has worldwide sales of $16 billion. But a New York Times article this summer reported "about 30,000 of the 43,000 Apple employees in this country work in Apple Stores, as members of the service economy, and many of them earn about $25,000 a year." Meanwhile, it went on: "Last year, (CEO Tim Cook) received stock grants, which vest over a 10-year period, that at today's share price would be worth more than $570 million." After much criticism, this summer, Apple gave all of its retail stores employees raises up to 25%, and last I checked, the company is still making a lot of money. In fact, both Obama and Romney acknowledge that big business is doing OK, remarks supported by Wall Street. So why are so many of us still struggling? "Are you better off today?" is not a question looking for a productive answer. It's a rallying cry for those opposed to the Obama administration -- an administration that has certainly made its share of economic mistakes but is hardly the reason why this generation is projected to make less money than the one before. If Romney wants to show the nation that he is the truly the best man for the job and not just another candidate seeking it, he will start talking about ways to turn things around for the middle class. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of LZ Granderson. | LZ Granderson: Romney asking if you're better off than four years ago is wrong question .
He says study shows middle class shrinking for 40 years, with smaller share of wage pie .
LZ: In 1971, rich were 14% of U.S., 29% of income; in 2011: 20% of U.S., 46% income .
LZ: If Romney wants to really do something for country, he'll have plan to address this trend . |
51,394 | 9182a30e125aab050c877bd31b9186f76a6f27d7 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:17 EST, 1 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:12 EST, 1 February 2013 . A man in his 20s was stabbed at court today by a gang of masked youths in a suspected revenge attack. The victim saw the gang jump out of a car as he was leaving Inner London Crown Court and tried to run back inside but got stuck in the revolving door. They knifed him in the stomach in front of security and then fled, while police and the London Ambulance Service treated him on the floor of the security hall. The man is thought to be the friend of a defendant who was in court in connection with a gang attack at a London hospital. A man was stabbed outside Inner London Crown Court today and a gang was seen running from the area . The stabbing may have been a revenge attack after a rival gang member was targeted in a hospital . The gang, who were wearing scarves over their faces, were able to get to him before the metal detectors and X-rays that everyone entering the court must pass through. The victim is now in hospital with wounds to the stomach or ribs and police are still looking for his attackers, who are thought to be part of a Brixton street gang. A court source said the victim's friend was a defendant and had seemed terrified after his court appearance. The source said: 'He was extremely frightened and wanted to seek refuge in the court. He hung around right up until lunchtime even though his case finished half an hour before. 'He was afraid to go home. I suggest he never goes home because I don't think he will ever be safe with people like that out there.' The source said the stabbed man was with the defendant when the attack happened. 'The victim was leaving court with a group of other men, some of who were defendants. Shock: Police cars gathered outside after the man, thought to be a defendant's friend, was knifed . 'As he went outside, a group of men with scarves covering their faces jumped out a car and ran towards the building. 'The man tried to get back inside but he got caught in the revolving door and that's when they stabbed him. 'I didn't see a knife but I saw one of them doing a stabbing motion, then they ran off. 'He collapsed as he came back into court and I could see they'd got him in the ribs. There was a trail of blood from the door to where he laid on the floor afterwards.' The stabbing may have been a revenge attack after a rival gang member was targeted in a hospital in 2011. Describing the original attack, the source said: 'They were literally going from ward to ward and pulling back curtains looking for somebody. Violence: The youth collapsed just inside the court and was treated there before being taken to hospital . 'The kid they were looking for had already been stabbed in the eye but I guess they hadn't finished him off properly so they broke into the hospital to get him - but when they couldn't find him they stabbed someone else. 'It's crazy. If they can stab someone in a hospital it's not a big deal for them to come to court and stab someone. It's kudos for them if they're not afraid to do that.' Seven men are due to stand trial over the hospital attack later this year for charges of violent disorder, affray and having an offensive weapon. Police are trying to identify the latest attackers from CCTV footage captured of the assault. A witness, who did not want to be named, said: 'I was sitting inside and there were a group of lads at the top of the steps. They weren’t doing anything then all of a sudden four unknown guys rushed in from the car park. 'They came in and one guy got stabbed. They tried to rush through then stabbed him in the chest, like the lower abdomen, and ran out.' Police cars littered the court car park while the man was treated for his injuries. Paramedics tried to stop the bleeding before he was carried out of court on a stretcher and taken to hospital. Marked man: A source said the defendant linked with the victim had seemed scared to leave the court . Another witness said: 'There were about four or five of them and they looked young. They ran up the steps and started shouting. 'They had scarves over their faces. They ran out about 20 seconds later and went onto the street round the side of the court. 'It was only when I went over that I saw the lad on the ground and realised someone had been stabbed.' A spokesman for the Met Police said: 'There has been a stabbing just outside the front entrance of the court. In terms of who this person is and how they relate to any court case we cannot say at this stage. 'They have been taken to hospital but their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.' A spokesman for the ambulance service said: 'We were called at 12.45 to reports of a stabbing at Newington Causeway. 'We send a car, an ambulance crew and a duty officer and the air ambulance medical team in a car. We treated a man in his 20s at the scene who was then taken to hospital.' | He is thought to be the friend of a defendant who was leaving court .
Stabbing believed to be a revenge attack by a Brixton gang . |
72,851 | ce97f6ceb729c37f02ea26367107209029b8b94a | Emergency workers in Los Angeles who staged a dramatic rescue of a dog from a swollen river this week are now focused on a second part of the operation - finding the animal's owner. Little 'Lucky' fell into the river near the Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, but was quickly swept downstream at least three miles following a sudden downpour, ending up in Glendale. There, a Warner Bros. employee spotted the seven-year-old Shiba Inu flailing in the water and notified authorities. Firefighters chose to do an air rescue because of how choppy the river was, NBC4 reported. Scroll down for video . Dramatic rescue: The Los Angeles Fire Department staged an air rescue for a dog named Lucky who was swept away by a rushing river in Burbank this week . Plucked: The firefighter, John Terrusa, was lowered into the river and able to grab Lucky . Safety: The two were then pulled up and out of the river, which was unusually swollen from a downpour . Lucky: The dog, a seven-year-old Shiba Inu, is yet to be claimed . Firefighter John Terrusa was lowered into the river to pluck out Lucky. 'It was quite a team effort, quite a concert,' Terrusa told NBC4. A group of firefighters were waiting at the river bank with towels to dry off Lucky once he and Terrusa made it safely to shore. Lucky was then checked out by a vet and, despite a leg injury, was in good condition. However he was not micro-chipped. Back on dry land: A group of firefighters were waiting with towels to attend to Lucky and Terrusa . Soggy: Despite a bit of shock and a minor leg injury, Lucky was fine . Loved: Rescue workers say all signs point to Lucky being a well-cared for pet . Help needed: If no one claims the dog by Thursday, he'll be put up for adoption . No one has come forward to claim Lucky. He is currently recuperating in a Los Angeles shelter. Lucky will be kept at the shelter for seven days, in the hope his owners will be found before then. Otherwise he will be put up for adoption. Someone has already offered to take Lucky in. However Terrusa is confident he is a pet and that Lucky will be returned to his home. 'It is definitely a loved animal,' Terrusa told the network. 'It's just one of those things where I'm sure the dog just got out of somebody's yard and got in the wrong place, at the wrong time.' Recuperating: Lucky is being looked after by a shelter for seven days . | Lucky fell into the swollen river in Burbank on Friday .
Sudden downpour swept him downstream three miles to Glendale .
A person nearby spotted him and called for help .
Firefighters plucked him from the water using a chopper .
Lucky's owners have not yet come forward . |
68,072 | c1257211431700ff2e6717635e92e8fa13d5fe9e | (CNN) -- Seagoing vacations have come a long way since TV's sunny Love Boat sailed across 1970s screens. These days, passengers can snuggle up to an ice bar, learn cooking with a Michelin-starred chef or plummet down theme park-size waterslides, all from the comfort of stylish, seagoing resorts. More than 200 passenger vessels ply the world's rivers and seas, and each year brings a new fleet of ships setting sail for new destinations and sporting new amenities. There truly is a cruise ship for every type of traveler. Families, for instance, will appreciate the 4,000-passenger Disney Fantasy, with "enchanted'' art that interacts with guests, over-the-top stage shows and an adults-only zone. But cruising isn't just about the ships themselves. For many travelers, what matters most is the places they take you. New ships are indeed sailing far and wide, along the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia (Uniworld's 60-passenger River Orchid), past historic castles lining the Danube River (the 190-passenger Viking Longships), and even to the Arctic Circle on Compagnie du Ponant's luxe mega-yacht Le Soleal, which departs on its maiden voyage in June 2013. 73-year-old to sail solo around world in 'bathtub' boat . Wherever you go, whatever the ship, at some point you'll likely find yourself standing on the deck, a glass of champagne in hand. You'll pause to admire views of pirate islands and whales and icebergs going by. Or you'll experience the thrill of sailing into Venice's Grand Canal or Hong Kong's futuristic harbor. And for the moment, at least, you're the admiral of all you see. Read on to find the ship that suits your cruise personality. Disney Fantasy . Launched: January 2012 . Capacity: 4,000 . Great for: Kids of every age. Destinations: From Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Caribbean, with stops in St. Maarten, St. Thomas and on Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas. Highlights: "Enchanted" art that interacts with guests; over-the-top stage shows, such as "Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular;" a waterslide that juts beyond the edge of the ship; and (phew) adults-only areas. disneycruise.disney.go.com. Oceania Riviera . Launched: May 2012 . Capacity: 1,250 . Great for: The food-obsessed. Destinations: From Miami to the Caribbean in winter; Venice, Rome, Istanbul and Athens in summer. Highlights: Restaurant by Jacques Pépin; Napa-worthy wine cellar; hands-on cooking classes in the Bon Appétit Culinary Center; chef-led culinary tours. oceaniacruises.com. Carnival Breeze . Launched: June 2012 . Capacity: 3,690 . Great for: Thrill seekers. Destinations: From Miami to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, Aruba and other Caribbean ports. Highlights: Touted as a Fun Ship 2.0, it holds a full water park, a 4-D interactive movie theater, a Guy Fieri burger joint and a comedy club with acts curated by George Lopez. carnival.com. Travel + Leisure: Best Secret Beaches on Earth . Celebrity Reflection . Launched: October 2012 . Capacity: 3,046 . Great for: Urban sophisticates. Destinations: Winter and spring from Miami to the Caribbean; summer from Rome to Greece and Turkey. Highlights: AquaClass Spa Suites, which have full-time butlers and private verandas; a lawn club with grills and live grass; a Turkish hammam. celebritycruises.com. Uniworld River Orchid . Launching: January 2013 . Capacity: 60 . Great for: Soft adventurers. Destinations: The Mekong River, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, Vietnam, including stops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Highlights: Panoramic open-air restaurant; high staff-to-guest ratio; an exterior promenade; sampans (small boats) on loan; film screenings; VIP check-in at onshore hotels. uniworld.com. Travel + Leisure: America's Best Family Hotels . Norwegian Breakaway . Launching: April 2013 . Capacity: 4,000 . Great for: Stuntmen and the people who love them. Destinations: Year-round from New York; winter to the Caribbean, Florida and the Bahamas; summer to Bermuda. Highlights: A ropes course, including a "walk the plank" (with a harness) feature; large aquatic park; restaurant by chef Geoffrey Zakarian; Rock of Ages Broadway production; three-story sports complex; oceanfront "boardwalk" lined with bars and restaurants. ncl.com. Royal Princess . Launching: June 2013 . Capacity: 3,600 . Great for: Revelers of every age. Destinations: Summer Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona and Venice; winter Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Highlights: "SeaWalk" cantilevered over the ship's edge with a private bar; enormous upper-deck pool with an evening light show; private poolside cabanas at an adults-only pool. princess.com. Travel + Leisure: World's best islands . Ponant Le Soleal . Launching: June 2013 . Capacity: 264 . Great for: Jet-setters. Destinations: Summer in the Arctic Circle; fall in Russia or Asia, with stops from Japan to Vietnam. Highlights: Mega-yacht ambience; private butler service; French cuisine; unique itineraries with naturalist guides; Carita spa. en.ponant.com. Viking Longships . Launching: 2012 and 2013 . Capacity: 190 . Great for: Culture vultures. Destinations: The Danube, Rhine and Main rivers. Highlights: Panoramas from a 360-degree-view sundeck; staterooms whose glass walls slide open, turning them into private verandas; two Explorer suites with wraparound terraces. vikingrivercruises.com. Planning a getaway? Don't miss Travel + Leisure's guide to the World's Best Hotels . Copyright 2012 American Express Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. | There are more than 200 cruise ships sailing the world's rivers and seas .
There are ships dedicated to family fun, cooking, active living and high-end travel .
Cruising is taking travelers to diverse destinations, including the Mekong River and the Arctic Circle . |
217,774 | a5f4e440674e9a52f92bcc613041503b31d2b85e | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 8:23 AM on 8th December 2011 . Unwell: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, 56, suffered a 'mild heart attack' Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari was being treated in a Dubai hospital last night amid rumours he was on the verge of being forced to step down by the country’s military. Zardari was said to have suffered a ‘minor heart attack’, according to a spokesman in Pakistan. Officials had earlier claimed that the 56-year-old had gone to the Arab state for treatment for an existing heart condition, angina. In London, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Britain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, said he spoke over the telephone to Zardari on Tuesday night in Dubai. Hasan said doctors in the UAE confirmed Zardari has angina, but it wasn’t clear yet whether he had suffered a heart attack. ‘Whatever the case, he has no immediate plans to step down,’ he added. News that he had travelled to Dubai provoked speculation in Pakistan that Zardari may use ill health as a pretext for stepping down under pressure from the country’s powerful military. The Pakistani ambassador to the U.S. was recently forced to resign after allegations he sent a memo to Washington asking for its help in reining in the generals in Islamabad. This has intensified pressure on Zardari, president for three years, who has many enemies in the media and political elite. Denial: Mr Zardari standing in front of a portrait of his late wife Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in 2007 . The Washington-based Foreign Policy . magazine quoted an unnamed former U.S. government official as saying . Zardari was ‘incoherent’ when he spoke with President Barack Obama by . telephone over the weekend. The official said Zardari may resign on account of ‘ill health’ amid the uproar over the memo. His spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, said: ‘All these reports are untrue, imaginary and speculative.’ The president’s condition was ‘not serious’ and he would return to Pakistan soon, he added . There are several reasons Mr Zardari could be feeling the strain, however. Tensions: Pakistan is under pressure from the West to contain militant insurgents in its borderland region and relations with the U.S. and India are strained . Tensions between the government and military have plagued the country for almost its entire existence, with the military ruling the country for more than half of its 64-year history. Relations with the U.S. have also hit rock bottom after a year of bust-ups, despite the $20billion in security and economic aid given to Pakistan since 2001 - much of it reimbursements for assistance in fighting militants. First there was the jailing of a CIA contractor for shooting dead two Pakistanis in Lahore. Then there was the secret U.S. Navy Seals raid inside Pakistan that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, as well as accusations from the U.S. that Pakistan was involved in attacked on American targets in Afghanistan. Ties were also further split by a Nato air strike on November 26 on two border posts that killed 24 soldiers, infuriating the Pakistan military. And concerns have been raised over the possibility of conflict between Pakistan and India over the disputed Kashmir region, with neither side willing to back down. | Army is said to be on the verge of forcing Asif Ali Zardari to step down . |
186,785 | 7dee7d3d67c46c93823adeb5a3a1920e129c8c2d | A baby girl who suffers from a rare condition that caused her head to swell to nearly double its size is recovering in hospital today after receiving life-saving surgery. Following a series of preliminary procedures last week, 15-month-old Roona Begum, who was born with hydrocephalus, received a major operation at a hospital in Delhi, India, this morning. Surgeons at the private hospital run by the Fortis Healthcare group, offered to treat Roona for free after pictures emerged of her living with the condition in a village in rural state of Tripura. Scroll down for video . Roona Begum, a 15-month-old girl who suffers from a rare condition which caused her head to swell to twice its size is prepared for surgery at a hospital on the outskirts of New Delhi . Success: Doctors said the procedure went 'perfectly' and that the results were 'better than expected' Improved: 15-month old Roona, who was suffering from a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to swelling has had life-saving surgery and the size of her head has reduced . Operation: So far doctors have reduced the swelling around 18-month-old Roona's head by nine inches . One surgeon Sandeep Vaishya told the AFP news agency: 'The surgery went perfectly, much better than expected. After Roona's plight appeared in a number of publications, including MailOnline, a charity came forward to offer help. Norwegian students, Jonas Borchgrevink and Nathalie Krantz, started an online campaign that raised $52,000 to help fund any further care needed. The Fortis Foundation flew the . poverty-stricken family from their rural village to the hospital in Gurgaon two weeks ago. Worried parents: Mother Fatima Khatoon, 24, and 19-year-old father Abdul Rehman . Waiting: Parents Fatima and Abdul at the private hospital near New Delhi where their daughter is being treatedia. New hope: Roona begum will undergo surgery to drain fluid from her brain tomorrow after a charity stepped in to help her . Doctors have already said that the . youngster is lucky to be alive, with most sufferers of the condition not . surviving beyond a year old. Speaking before the procedure was carried out, Dr . Sandeep Vaishya, Director of Neurosurgery at Fortis Memorial Research . Institute, who is treating Roona, said: 'I was surprised when I saw the . baby for the first time. Even though I had seen her pictures, I wasn't . expecting the head to be so big. 'Her head measures 94 cm, in similar cases the average measurement is around 50-60 cm. Getting help: Dr Sandeep Vaishya, from the Fortis Memorial Research Institute, examines Roona Begum, who was born with hydrocephalus . Countdown: Abdul and Fatima sit by their daughter's bedside in hospital ahead of the life-saving surgery . Treatment: Roona is being treated at a private hospital after the Fortis Foundation offered to help . 'It is swollen to an extent that she . is not able to close her eyes completely. We have an opthamologist . looking at her eyes, so that there are no complications there. 'We . are hopeful that she will make a complete recovery. The challenge is to . drain her brain fluid in a gradual manner, so as the brain gets used to . it.' Fatima said: 'When she was born, I wondered why do children of poor people like us suffer this fate? Loving: Fatima Khatoon attempts to comfort her young daughter as she rests in her hospital bed . Poorly: Doctors say that Roona is lucky to be alive as sufferers of the condition normally do not live beyond a year . 'Why is fate cruel to us? Why do rich people who can afford to cure their kids never get diseases like this? 'Before she was born, I went to a doctor twice. Once when I was one month pregnant and than when I was six months pregnant. We did not have money to go more often. 'She was born through a Caesarian operation and the doctor told us we had to take her out of Agartala to get her treated. But we did not have any money at all.' But the devastated mother revealed some family members had been less than supportive. Fatima added: 'When she is better, I hope my in-laws accept her. And she can have the love she deserves from her grandparents.' Roona's father Abdul, 19, added: 'Even though our neighbours come and play with her, my parents have refused to acknowledge her existence, since she was born.' Abdul, who earns the equivalent of just £1.82 a day as a labourer thanked those who had helped Roona. He said: 'I cannot find work every day. Its hard enough to earn for food, so her treatment would have been impossible had it not been for the press and hospital people who have helped us.' | Roona Begum suffers from a severe case of hydrocephalus .
Doctors drain fluid from her brain and say surgery went 'perfectly'
Kind-hearted students raise $52,000 to help fund any further care . |
132,570 | 377153a0835a2b34c9d46b9d1c292656120ad7a8 | BEIJING, China (CNN) -- Consumers in Beijing's malls and shops are shunning the milk and poultry sections -- for good reasons. Poultry products, including eggs, may be contaminated with melamine through animal food. They are shocked and scared by the news headlines: some food produced in China is tainted with melamine. "Of course I'm worried," says a woman shopping in Nanxiaojie Market. Stop eating eggs? "That's not possible," she tells CNN. "If there's a problem with eggs, it should be solved fundamentally." Chinese premier Wen Jiabao says China will take steps to win back consumers. "We will use our actions and high quality of our food products to win the trust and confidence of Chinese people and people around the world," he told reporters at the end of a two-day summit of Asian and European leaders in Beijing last weekend. Watch more about the tainted food scandal » . "Three minister-level officials have resigned and a government investigation is going on. Whoever is responsible must be brought to justice. We need to protect the Made in China brand," said Chinese analyst Victor Gao. But the problem could be more pervasive. The state-run Nanfang Daily published an investigative story saying that adding melamine into animal feed has become an "open secret." The report said adding melamine into feed started in the aquatic farming industry five years ago, as a way of faking higher protein levels. Learn more about chemical melamine » . It then spread into other agro-industries such as poultry. Even more shocking is the allegation that the melamine added is from industrial waste material. CNN contacted the Ministry of Agriculture about the story, but got no immediate response. Two years ago, reports revealed pet food exported from China to the United States was spiked with melamine and had sickened and killed dogs. Several weeks ago, the food scandal spread to milk, biscuits and candies. Now, it is tainted eggs. So far, no illnesses or deaths have been linked to eggs. Tests in Hong Kong last week showed eggs exported by a Chinese company are contaminated with excessive levels of melamine. In recent days three other brands of eggs have also been found to contain the chemical. Small wonder egg sales at the Xinfadi, a wholesale market in Beijing, dropped by 10 percent this week, according to the state-run China Daily. Chinese officials say the source of the problem is melamine, an industrial chemical used to produce plastics and fertilizer. Melamine is high in nitrogen. Unscrupulous milk suppliers would water down milk and spike it with melamine -- but in amounts that allowed it to still pass quality tests. Agriculture experts speculate that eggs tainted with melamine may be the result of tainted feed given to hens. That begs the question: if melamine was in the animal feed, will it make into the meat, and into consumers' bodies? Ingesting melamine in large doses over an extended period of time could cause kidney stones and other illnesses, agriculture and health experts say. But taking in a small amount of melamine poses no such danger. "If it's taken over a long period of time, maybe, but if it's ingested only for short period of time it does not pose harm on animals," says He Jiguo, a professor of food science and nutrition at the China Agriculture University. He says the animals that end up being slaughtered do not live that long and do not actually ingest enough melamine for it to build up in their systems. The dogs and cats that were sickened in the United States were probably eating treats and meals tainted with melamine over a long period of time, he explains. Until the situation is resolved, worried grocery shoppers in Beijing say they'll just have to eat fewer eggs and more bean-products, like soybeans. | Chinese premier Wen Jiabao says China will try to win back consumers .
Melamine is said to have been added to animal food products .
Report: Adding melamine to feed started in aquatic farming 5 years ago .
Some grocery shoppers say to eat fewer eggs and more bean-products . |
14,669 | 299adc21477ccb708a000cb7efd561f85288457d | The headline on the New York Post's cover Sunday about the kidnapping and killing of a Brooklyn man drew heavy criticism and left some calling for an apology from the newspaper known for being provocative. The cover featured a photo of Menachem Stark, 39, accompanied by the words, "Who didn't want him dead?" Stark was found dead in a trash bin Friday with several injuries to his body, Sgt. Lee Jones of the New York Police Department told CNN. Stark died of compression asphyxiation, which means someone or something pressed on his chest and lungs, suffocating him, a law enforcement source briefed on the investigation and autopsy told CNN Monday. There were also marks on his back consistent with him being tied up or otherwise restrained, the source said. Stark and his business partner own a real estate company called South Side Associates. The Post alleges that Stark owed thousands of dollars in penalties from dozens of Department of Building violations. The article also describes awful living conditions that his tenants allegedly endured. "He pretty much ripped off the whole building," the post quoted Ryan Kuonen, a tenant organizer. Titled "Slain slumlord found in trash has enemies list a mile long," the Post's article paints Stark, who was the landlord of dozens of buildings, as a shady character with questionable business dealings. Police are not commenting on these allegations. Stark's family, who is trying to make sense of the death, remembers the father of seven as a generous community man. "It really hurts that such a heinous crime, instead of being condemned, is glorified," said Rabbi David Niederman, president of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn. Niederman told CNN he does not know anything about Stark owing money or having legal problems. People may fall on hard times, but they work it out, he said. The Post is giving people a "license to kill," Niederman added. Abraham Buxbaum, Stark's brother-in-law, calls the Post's reporting character assassination. The article included comments from anonymous law enforcement officials and tenants. "I've had many conversations with him, and of course in many of those conversations, I wanted to kill him," the Post quoted Greg Hanlon, who lived in a Stark-owned building, as saying. Buxbaum, who is also a landlord, said it is impossible to keep all tenants happy. "The question is what is the motive? The motive might be to sell as many copies as possible or it could be that he is Jewish and a lot of people don't like Jews. It makes you wonder," Buxbaum told CNN. Stark's family is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. New York state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who issued a statement on Sunday condemning the Post's reporting, said he was in "absolute shock" when he first read the article. It "almost justifies his murder," added Hikind. "The Post does not say Mr. Stark deserved to die, but our reporting showed that he had many enemies, which may have led to the commission of this terrible crime," said a Post spokeswoman in a statement. "I think what everyone wants is a simple apology," said Hikind. The Brooklyn landlord was last seen on surveillance video on Thursday walking out of his office. He struggled with two individuals who forced him into a Dodge Caravan, according to a police statement. Stark was known to carry large amounts of money, the law enforcement source said. No motive has been established, and authorities are investigating possibilities, including his business dealings, the source said. Stark's body was found inside of a Long Island trash bin with burns to his torso and hands, and bruising to his head and neck, according to Jones. The case is under investigation. New York Post takes heat over haunting subway photo . Rolling Stone cover of bombing suspect called 'slap' to Boston . | Landlord Menachem Stark was suffocated, a law enforcement source says .
The New York Post's cover featured the headline "Who didn't want him dead?"
The newspaper quotes disgruntled tenants and claims Stark owed city fines .
Family, Jewish community leaders are angry and hurt by the headline, article . |
55,181 | 9c4acf3830bffb186eda60a5269dbe77bbcaacc1 | (CNN) -- Juanita Castro Ruz, sister of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Cuban President Raul Castro, is undergoing radiation treatment in Miami, Florida, for lung cancer, her spokeswoman told CNN. Castro underwent surgery more than a month ago in a Miami hospital to remove a tumor in her lung, her biographer and spokesperson, journalist Maria Antonieta Collins, said. Collins said Castro is recovering well and her diagnosis is very good. "I am in the best medical hands, receiving the proper treatment," Castro said on her website. "It's a serious condition, but I'm not at the side of my grave." Castro released an autobiography last year titled "My Brothers Fidel and Raul, the Secret History." The notoriously private Castro decided to go public about her condition unlike her ailing brother Fidel Castro. Fidel Castro fell ill in 2006 of a as yet unspecified stomach ailment. Raul Castro formally took over as President in 2008. CNN's Robert Lenz contributed to this report. | Juanita Castro Ruz undergoes radiation treatment in Miami, Florida, for lung cancer .
She had surgery more than a month ago to remove tumor in lung, biographer says .
"It's a serious condition, but I'm not at the side of my grave," Castro says on her website . |
96,204 | 07b5e3289ee6834cc9e1e97b7b042eb987702fe0 | Silviniaco Conti handed trainer Paul Nicholls a remarkable ninth win in the King George VI Chase at Kempton as he dismantled the opposition with a display of clinical and ruthless steeplechasing. The 15-8 favourite’s former stablemate Kauto Star, a five-time winner of this race and honoured with the unveiling of a statue before racing, produced some brilliant Boxing Day displays. This was a performance of utter control by Silviniaco Conti which would have been worthy of Kauto Star. Noel Fehily celebrates his victory on Silviniaco Conti in the King George VI Chase . Trainer Paul Nicholls celebrates his victory with Silviniaco Conti in the King George VI Chase . Silviniaco Conti secured victory in the King George XI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day . Noel Fehily’s mount jumped with fluency and galloped relentlessly as he drew four-and-a-half lengths clear of Dynaste and a further five from stablemate Al Ferof to win the race for a second year running. That duo, along with Champagne Fever (fourth), Cue Card (fifth) and Johns Spirit (sixth), were all queuing up on Conti’s tail as the field turned into the home straight. But they had nothing left to give. The dual Betfair Chase winner had drawn the sting out of them all, like a boxer who pummels his opponent with a repetitive jab on the chin. The performance made a mockery of the promoter’s not unreasonable efforts to build up this £200,000 contest watched by a crowd of almost 22,000 as one of the most open King George’s ever run. The victory also enabled the eight-year-old to join an illustrious list of horses to have won back-to-back King George’s, including Pendil, Captain Christy, Silver Buck, The Fellow, Kicking King and Wayward Lad. Silviniaco Conti followed up last year’s win with a fourth place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Nicholls’ aim is now to win that race — a feat he feels would truly place the gelding’s name up with the chasing glitterati. Trainer Paul Nicholls horse raced to a second consecutive victory at the race . Silviniaco Conti ridden by Noel Fehily on their way to victory in the William Hill King George VI Chase . He also has confidence he can achieve the feat having identified, and cured, the attack of chronic gastric ulcers which he feels were hampering Silviniaco Conti, jointly owned by Chris Giles and Jared Sullivan, last season. Nicholls, who up until the King George had endured a frustrating day with Saphir Du Rheu falling in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and Irving pulling up in the Christmas Hurdle, said: ‘I think this was a career-best effort. I think he is a better horse than he was a year ago. He is a bit stronger. ‘The Cheltenham Gold Cup is now our No 1 target with him. I know why he didn’t perform last year — a few little things that we have put right. We found out he was suffering from gastric ulcers and the cheek-pieces have helped him concentrate a bit more. ‘If we can get him therein this form we have a big chance.’ Fehily added: ‘I think he’s proved what a very good horse he is, whatever the ground. He did it the hard way, he went a real good gallop and picked it up from the bend. He’s just a hell of a good horse.’ On his own record, Nicholls added: ‘I’ll have to go for 10 and make it a round number. I am astounded — it is incredible. It shows we have a good team at home. We are good with these staying chasers. Our set-up suits well. Hopefully, Conti will come back next year.’ King George sponsors William Hill make Silviniaco Conti 7-2 favourite for the Gold Cup, having halved his odds. The next two in the betting, Bobs Worth (10-1) and reigning champion Lord Windermere (12-1), run in tomorrow’s Lexus Chase at Leopardstown. Conti is 5-1 to win the King George for a third time next year. The two-mile Champion Chase seems the more likely target for Al Ferof after he finished third for a second year running under Sam Twiston-Davies. Nicholls added: ‘I would love to run Al Ferof in the Champion Chase. I think he has all the speed in the world. It amazed me he stayed on to be third because he looked beat turning in. His class gets him there.’ And it seems likely Dynaste will try to win a second Ryanair Chase over two miles and five furlongs rather than go for the three and a quarter mile Gold Cup. Trainer David Pipe said: ‘He’s run his heart out. I’m sure he’ll have entries in both races at Cheltenham (Ryanair and Gold Cup), but I’d rather win a Ryanair than be placed in a Gold Cup.’ One wonders if the Ryanair will also be the target of Champagne Fever after his stamina also looked to be running on empty in the final furlong. | Trainer Paul Nicholls lands ninth King George VI Chase victory .
Favourite Silviniaco Conti wins race for the second year running .
Dynaste finished second with Al Ferof third . |
222,793 | ac68f5635fa56d635751adb396f8cc1c6076f5d1 | By . Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 06:55 EST, 7 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:27 EST, 7 January 2013 . Target: The UKBA's HQ at Lunar House in Croydon (pictured) would be best protected from terrorism with giant flower pots . A Government department has decided that flower power is the best way to defend itself against terrorist attacks - so it wants to surround its headquarters with giant plant pots. The UK Border Agency plans to encircle Lunar House in Croydon with 27 giant concrete flower beds so it can stop a car filled with explosives smashing into it. These massive plant pots would be 'placed strategically' around the 20-storey HQ for 'security purposes' while having a 'positive effect' visually, its planning application to the local council says. The giant concrete 'borders', which are one-metre tall and two-metres wide, would stop terrorists attacking the building, which deals with tens of thousands of applications by asylum seekers every year. The new 'floral displays' will replace a series of unsightly concrete blocks put in place by the UKBA five years ago, at a cost of £10,000. 'The Home Office have instructed (planning agents) to submit a planning application, which seeks approval for the development of 27 planters outside Lunar House for security purposes,' the planning application says. 'They will increase the level of protection from security threats.' The planning application states that the plant pots will be made from dark grey polished concrete and that they will be 'robust' and expected to 'deter security threats whilst enhancing the visual amenity of the building and local area'. How it would look: Their planning application uses this image to show how the flower beds would be pleasant to see and be the first line of defence in a bomb attack . The application continues: 'Due to the nature and scale of the proposed security planters, it is considered they will have a positive impact on the surrounding area. 'The proposals adhere to the policy aspirations for the site as they protect and enhance the Home Office's existing operations on the site.' The UKBA says it is acting on Home Office guidance regarding security measures at the building. A spokesman for the Home Office, which runs the UKBA, said today: 'We don't comment on the measures we take for security reasons so that people who might wish to do us harm are not aware of why we are taking steps to secure buildings.' Busy: Lunar House is visited by thousands of asylum seekers a year who are applying to stay in Britain . Croydon resident Sam Harris, 41, said: 'Lunar House is unsightly as it is and I don't see how sticking a few flowers around it is going to help. 'The cost must be in the tens of thousands to get 27 of these things in, and if someone really wants to bomb the place I don't think a few plants will stop them.' Planning chiefs at Croydon Council are set to make a decision on the giant plants pots in February. | Giant flower beds will look nice and protect Lunar House from terrorists, Home Office says .
Croydon Council to consider planning application for 27 pots surrounding the building . |
225,323 | afc89529aa7d9de3929ed3da60a35721bd50d108 | (CNN) -- Arsenal overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Hull City 3-2 after extra time in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Aaron Ramsey's strike in the 109th-minute sealed an 11th victory in England's premier cup competition and a first trophy in nine years for Arsene Wenger's side. Unfancied Hull, who were playing in their first FA Cup final, raced into a 2-0 lead in a frantic opening to the match. In the fourth minute, James Chester redirected a Tom Huddlestone volley shot past Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabiański. Five minutes later Curtis Davies found the back of the net again, side-footing home after the Polish keeper had deflected Alex Bruce's header onto the post. Santi Cazorla halved the deficit with a superbly taken free-kick in the 17th minute, but Wenger's side remained second best for the remainder of the half as Hull successfully disrupted the north Londoner's usually fluent passing game. Steve Bruce's men continued to frustrate Arsenal who were becoming more potent in open play, but it was another set piece that ended up unlocking Hull's defense -- Laurent Koscielny turning the ball in from a corner kick in the 71st minute. Deadlock ensued for the remainder of normal time but as the game moved into the first extra period, it was Arsenal who grew in stature as Hull's players wilted. Aaron Ramsey finally delivered the killer blow, firing a low shot past goalkeeper Allan McGregor to send Arsenal ahead for the first time in the match. As the clock ticked down Hull searched gamely for an equalizer and nearly got one when Fabianski rushed out from his area, but substitute Sone Aluko's shot from a tight angle rolled agonizingly across the face of goal. "I'm very happy for the players," Arsene Wenger told ITV Sport after the game. "I think it is a turning point in the lifespan of this team -- to know that they can win in that way was very important today." "I have praised many times the spirit of this team and I'm very proud of them today," the 64-year-old added. "Congratulations to Hull, they played fantastic for the whole game today. We won it in the end but they played very well." | Arsenal's nine-year wait for a trophy is over following FA Cup triumph against Hull City .
Arsene Wenger's side fightback from two goals down to win 3-2 in extra time . |
206,602 | 977ef7a195f421a4937e0090c2e9b19d28f81f15 | Sunil Gulati, the president of the United States Soccer Federation, has revealed goalkeeper Hope Solo is at risk of being left out of the team for this year's Women's World Cup. The two-time Olympic gold medallist is currently serving a 30-day ban from the national team and was banned last week, two days after she was in the passenger seat when her husband was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in Los Angeles . The suspension came a week after Solo, 33, was cleared of charges in a domestic violence case. USA goalkeeper Hope Solo is currently serving a 30-day ban from the national team . Sunil Gulati, the president of the United States Soccer Federation, has revealed Solo could miss out . 'There are a number of things that Hope is being asked to do in that 30 days, and we're not going to get into the specifics of that,' Gulati said. 'Then we'll evaluate where things stand.' Solo, who has a record 77 clean sheets from 161 matches for the USA, will miss friendly matches against France on February 8 and England five days later. 'She's been given time to deal with some issues and we think that in this period she will certainly start that process,' added Gulati. Asked if he could imagine a circumstance where Hope would not be in the World Cup team, Gulati added: 'Sure. We hope she's making progress and joins the team. That's the goal, hers and ours.' Solo will miss friendly matches against France on February 8 and England five days later . | Hope Solo is at risk of being left out of the team for Women's World Cup .
The two-time Olympic gold medallist is currently serving a 30-day ban .
Solo was banned last week, two days after she was a passenger when her husband was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence . |
43,060 | 797440fded3e4dff0726a4e16cf6e565951b39e8 | Arianna Hill, aged seven, from . Midvale, Utah, said she couldn't eat a cheeseburger that was chopped in half because it appeared 'broken' By . Sadie Whitelocks . PUBLISHED: . 12:59 EST, 26 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:38 EST, 26 March 2013 . The heartwarming story of how a Chili's server 'fixed' an autistic child's 'broken' burger has attracted more than half a million Likes on Facebook. Arianna Hill, aged seven, from Midvale, Utah, loves cheeseburgers, but couldn't eat one at her local restaurant chain on Sunday because it came chopped in half. When her older sister Anna MacLean asked what was wrong, the youngster calmly replied: 'It’s broken. I need another one that's fixed.' Heartwarming story: Arianna Hill, aged seven, who suffers from autism, couldn't eat a cheeseburger because it came chopped in half and appeared 'broken' but she was over joyed when a new 'fixed' one was served . Mrs MacLean, 25, explained the situation to a waitress . and said she was willing to pay for a new meal, but staff happily served up a whole burger and bun free of charge. She said that the act of kindness made a real difference to her day and she was 'touched' by the experience. When the new burger arrived, a delighted Arianna made staff laugh, as she sat showering it with kisses. Mrs MacLean captured the 'burger kiss' moment on camera and posted a photograph on Chili's official Facebook page with a caption detailing the chain of events. 'I was so touched by this experience. Especially since I know people who have been asked to leave restaurants . when their child with autism is being disruptive,' she wrote. The image currently has 608,178 Likes and 33,074 comments on Facebook, with many saying how they can relate to the story. ''I was so touched by this experience... Especially since I know people who have been asked to leave restaurants when their child with autism is being disruptive' One revealed: 'This story is touching because I have an autistic nephew who reacts the same way.' And another praised the restaurant staff for being so understanding and taking care of Arianna's request. 'Nice to see a restaurant staff who could react so positively to your daughter's 'broken' cheeseburger,' they wrote. 'My daughter had similar issues when she was younger and it was not easy to avoid meltdowns sometimes.' Recalling . the incident, Mrs MacLean said that when they arrived at the Chili's diner Arianna ordered her favorite meal - cheeseburger with pickles, french fries, . and chocolate milk. Helping hand: Anna MacLean with her autistic sister Arianna . But when the food arrived she wondered why the cheeseburger was left untouched. Arianna explained that she didn't want to eat the meat and cheese stack because it was 'broken'. Mrs MacLean soon realized that she was referring to the fact it was cut in two. 'Being a child with autism, she has to have certain things in a particular order at all times,' Mrs MacLean describes on Facebook. I've been with Chili's for 13 years and I've never been as proud as I am today' 'One slight change in her routine can change the course of the day instantly.' She told ABC News that Arianna's verbal skills 'aren’t the best' but she can communicate on a basic level. Lauren Wells and Brad Cattermole - the sever and manager at Chili's who were shifting the day Arianna and Mrs MacLean visited - were quick to remedy the situation. Ms Wells happily took away the 'broken' burger and presented Arianna with a 'fixed' one, while Ms Cattermole offered the seven-year-old a heartfelt apology and an extra side of fries. Harrison Dixson, Chili's general manager ,said that he's received dozens of calls from people and authorities thanking him for the way his staff handled the situation. 'I can't tell you how proud I am of those two. I've been with this company for 13 years and I've never been as proud as I am today,' Mr Dixson said. | Arianna Hill, aged seven, from .
Midvale, Utah, said she couldn't eat a cheeseburger that was chopped in half because it appeared 'broken'
The photo of her with a 'fixed' burger has currently attracted 608,178 Likes and 33,074 comments on Facebook . |
154,563 | 53bc4460ae2ce03d19324c8748fca7a4814cdbc8 | (CNN)The United Kingdom may seem an unlikely candidate to lead a renewable energy revolution; it doesn't have much sun for solar power, it doesn't have much space for wind power and it doesn't have giant coursing rivers for hydro. It does, however, have thousands of miles of coastline and a lowering and restless sea whose tides ebb and flow with tremendous force. Energy companies in Scotland and Wales are seeing the potential from underwater turbines which tap a constant and predictable source of energy, are invisible and can produce as much electricity as a conventional wind turbine. If a test project in the fast flowing marine waters of Pentland Firth in the far north of Scotland goes well, submerged turbines could eventually power as many as 400,000 Scottish homes, according to the Scottish-government backed scheme. Predictable flow . "The demonstration array at the moment is 6MW or four turbines. Hopefully this will be the catalyst for further investment," MeyGen CEO Dan Pearson told CNN. "We are looking to complete construction of that in 2016." Sea water is 832 times denser than air, which means the turbines can be smaller while producing a similar amount of energy to a wind turbine. The force of these tides also means the turbines can be placed closer together, taking up less space on the sea bed than an equivalent wind farm on land. Apart from being invisible -- obviating a factor that has stalled many wind farm projects on land -- the marine turbines have the great advantage of tapping an energy source that does not rely on the weather. Other renewables such as wind, wave, solar and even hydroelectricity depend in large part on seasonal and climatic features, tidal turbines, meanwhile, get two regular tide changes a day. "We can forecast over the next 100 years pretty accurately -- we know when the power's coming," he said. Scrap metal as an anchor . The plan is for the stands for the turbines to be lined up 525 feet (160m) apart and weighted to the sea bed with scrap metal. With a depth of 130ft (40m), Pearson says that vessels would have a clearance of about 8m, plenty, he says, for the small craft that ply the four mile region. "These are really cut down versions of wind turbines, such that most of the electrical equipment is onshore so that if something goes wrong, we can get a Land Rover and drive to the substation rather than having to get a boat and pick them up. "That's one of the core advantages of this technology." Other issues such as maintenance and corrosion have been solved, in large part, by using the advances in other technologies. "It makes use of a large knowledge base, for example the seals and solutions have been solved by propeller technologies on ships, problems of corrosion are well known from subsea structures like bridges or oil rigs. "What you're seeing is nothing brand new, it's just a lot of components coming together and I think that's the beauty of it." Safe for sea life? Concerns over the impact on marine life were also raised during the planning process, but Pearson said the simple fact is the turbines move so slowly -- at between 12-18 RPM -- that experts believe most sea life would be able to either ignore or get out of the way of the blades with ease. "We've been working closely with institutions such as Scottish Natural Heritage and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds because we have diving birds in the area," Pearson said. "We have seals, we have whales, we have dolphins -- it's beautiful up there." He said undersea monitors have been logging the wildlife in the region over the past five years and that various groups now have a clear baseline of which animals populate it. "There has been a lot of work done in other parts of the world on how seals and whales interact with these turbines and they do actually get a bit curious. "But these rotations of the blades are quite slow in comparison with wind turbines and the theory is that they can just get out of the way. He said research had shown that most marine life avoids tidal surges when they are in full flow. "I can imagine seals dancing around them, but the only time they'll be playing around them is when the flow is benign -- and that only lasts for about an hour and a half and at that time the blades aren't rotating. "We don't want to be blasé about it, but at the same time we have a high degree of confidence." The immediate future of the energy source, he said, was looking good, with leases around Scotland showing the potential to produce 1.2GW -- more than twice the energy produced by an average-sized nuclear power plant. "The UK has a good chance to develop and manufacture these turbines for world consumption in a beautiful part of the world which currently has a low GDP," he said. Read more from Tomorrow Transformed: . The first ever 3D-printer President . The hottest apps in tech right now . What can you buy off the Darknet? | Energy companies in the UK see potential from underwater turbines that produce electricity .
The energy is consistent and predictable; companies can model output 100 years in the future .
Meygen has placed four turbines in the north of Scotland to tap the tidal power of Pentland Firth .
The energy source has the potential to produce 1.2GW, the equivalent of two nuclear power plants . |
139,008 | 3fc2a74502a85ee6f71df9577fbdcf76afce67db | By . Tara Brady . PUBLISHED: . 07:23 EST, 7 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:48 EST, 8 February 2013 . Jailed: Adrian James used a digger to bury the shipping container in his back garden where he grew cannabis . A secret tunnel from a man's cellar led to a shipping container buried underground containing a cannabis factory. Adrian James, 43, used a mechanical digger to bury the container in the back garden of his home in St Ann's, Nottingham. The father-of-two then dug a tunnel from his cellar which led to the huge metal shipping trailer and hid the secret entrance with a board covered in tools. The tunnel was 16ft long and covered by 3ft of soil. His drug-cultivating operation included automatic watering systems so he could grow the haul with little effort. James was arrested in October 2011 after police raided his home looking for drugs following a tip-off. At first they only found cannabis plants in one room. But once they uncovered the secret tunnel, they soon discovered the huge container where the cannabis plants were growing. A standard shipping container measures 20ft by 8ft. Inside were hydroponics equipment with timer switches and an automatic watering system for the plantation. In total £86,000-worth of cannabis was seized from the house and container. Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court last Tuesday, James pleaded guilty to production of cannabis at a commercial level and was sentenced to three years in prison. PC Steve Fenyn, who led the investigation, said: 'When we arrived at the house it was quite a surprise to discover this sophisticated set-up, with a concealed tunnel dug through from his house into the metal shipping container in the garden. Buried: The secret tunnel dug by Adrian James led to a shipping container underground where he £80,000 of cannabis plants were growing . Secret: James dug a tunnel from his cellar to the shipping container and hid the entrance with a tool board . 'It would have taken significant time and efforts to dig up the garden, put the freight container in and cover it up, then dig a tunnel into the house. 'The automatic set-up inside the container also required very little maintenance from James. 'There is no doubt cannabis production would have continued here, had it not been discovered.' Busted: The shipping container believed to be the one used by Adrian James to grow cannabis . Adrian James used a mechanical digger, believed to be the one pictured, to bury the container in the back garden of his home in St Ann's, Nottingham . A spokeswoman for Nottinghamshire Police confirmed a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act is going through the courts to seize money and assets that James is likely to have acquired through the criminal activity. | Adrian James used a digger to bury the container in his back garden .
The 43-year-old dug a 16ft tunnel from his cellar leading to the cargo box .
Cannabis plants were discovered in the trailer worth more than £80,000 . |
277,923 | f40ab5bcd3e3b26edd8893cc62f2fe8c3bd41368 | (CNN) -- Out with seekers and brooms. In with stirrups and hooves. This is horseball, where rugby meets basketball on horseback -- but players have more fun comparing it to quidditch, the sport of Harry Potter's wizarding world. "I usually ask people if they've seen the Harry Potter movies," says British horseball player Jamie Gibson. "Quidditch is the nearest comparison I can think of. That usually gets people going." While Potter and teammates pick up gruesome injuries with disturbing ease playing quidditch, full-contact horseball does at least feature helmets. "It looks a little bit violent, but it isn't," says Frederico Cannas, the sport's president, who began playing as a teenager in his native Portugal. "The horses are very well-prepared and there are rules to protect both the horse and the rider. It's intensive, but it's safe." As UK horseball pioneer Jim Copeland puts it: "People have a go at you, that you 'shouldn't be doing that with an animal,' but we only have one horse -- so we want to end up with it at the end of the game, in the condition it started in." Horseball games last 20 minutes, in which teams of six -- four horses per side at any one time -- try to shoot a junior football with leather handles into an oversized basketball net. At the highest level, you can expect up to 20 goals per game. Players can tackle each other, so horses and riders do come into contact, and one of the game's signature moves involves riders swooping low to pluck the ball off the ground, without dismounting. That requires the game's only specialist riding equipment, a "pickup strap" which ties the stirrups together, allowing competitors to lean far below their horse, collecting the ball without falling off. "That's our little secret," laughs Cannas. "For spectators, it looks fantastic when players do that, but for people picking up the ball, it's not that difficult." The sport's passing, movement and some strategies share similarities with rugby and basketball, but horseball first appeared in 1970s France as a descendant of pato, Argentina's national game. Pato is centuries old and looks more like polo -- early players once used a duck in a basket as the "ball" -- whereas horseballers say their sport offers a more modern, spectator-friendly experience. "I believe this is one of the most exciting equestrian sports," says Cannas. "It's a team sport, when equestrian sports tend to be individual sports, and the gear is not expensive. "To start horseball, you don't have to have a lot of riding skills. You just have to be comfortable on a horse." Copeland, who founded the North London club in the 1990s, adds: "It's the team aspect. In the other equestrian sports, like dressage and jumping, the team event just means you're relying on each other for points. "In horseball, you rely on each other the same way you would in a football match. "Horseball encourages men and boys to stay riding longer. The participation is about 50-50, men and women." Gibson, who works at a nuclear power station when not playing, is testament to that. He says horseball kept him riding as a teenager. "I was about 14, and I was leaning more towards football and rugby," he recalls. "But my uncle had a space on his horseball team and I didn't really look back. It kept me involved in horses. "On the team this year there's me, two of my sisters, another lad that's played for about 15 years, and two girls who used to play for Nottingham -- one is a doctor and the other is an accountant." The French, inventors of the game, still dominate the sport. Gibson believes France's senior men's team has never been beaten at international level. (He also complains that his British team, like England's footballers, are "not as good as we should be.") Cannas says more than 80% of the world's players hail from France, while Copeland was inspired to start horseball in the UK when he saw a French demonstration at the 1991 Horse of the Year Show. But Cannas believes his sport can expand quickly in years to come, beginning with a chance to showcase horseball as a demonstration sport at this August's World Equestrian Games in Normandy. "We now have 18 countries playing horseball," says Cannas. "We have already had two World Cups, there is a Champions League, and there are some national championships. "I believe, in five to 10 years, this will be one of the biggest equestrian sports. People love it. Last month I was at an equine fair in Ohio and they were crazy for horseball, it was basketball on horseback. "We even have horseball in Australia at the moment," he adds, "but they are on the other side of the world, and sometimes they try to do their own thing." That makes Copeland chuckle. "The Australians can be quite ... physical. When they go to international competitions, they find they haven't really read the rules properly." Horseball's next move is expansion into the United States. The players, however, have bigger dreams. "They say that if Paris had got the 2012 Olympics, instead of London, horseball would have been looked at as an Olympic event," says Gibson. "I was one of the few who was slightly disappointed when London got the Olympics." Copeland adds: "Personally, I think this would make an excellent Olympic sport. "Whereas the horse world is always very good at attracting its own, horseball attracts people who aren't even interested in horses." | Horseball mixes rugby and basketball on horseback in teams of six .
France dominates the sport, which has its origins in Argentina's national game, pato .
Players say horseball is one of the only "true" team events in equestrian sport .
Horseball is coming to the U.S. and the sport has future Olympic ambitions . |
202,105 | 91a3b13d49a2d6e295a219b5ef04616624ac80aa | LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Stories about Sly Stone usually start with the word "reclusive." Sly Stone sometimes takes the stage at Los Angeles clubs with daughter Novena and her group, BabyStone. Don't call him that anymore, because the superstar who blended funk, rock, soul and psychedelic sounds in the 1960s and '70s before disappearing from the scene in the '80s is not in hiding, his youngest daughter said. Stone's media shyness in recent decades earned him a comparison to the late billionaire recluse Howard Hughes, but he's just been living his life and making his music out of the glare of great expectations that superstars suffer. "It's not like he wasn't making music," said Novena Carmel, his 27-year-old daughter. "He was enjoying his life and riding motorcycles, one of his passions." Now 66, Sly Stone is talking to interviewers again and sometimes taking the stage at Los Angeles clubs with Novena and her group, BabyStone. "She is the force that keeps him straight," said Anthony Valadez, a disc jockey with Los Angeles public radio station KCRW. "I think it's her energy and their bond that is so sacred that keeps him in line. That's what brings Sly out." The Sly and the Family Stone founder gave a rare interview to KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic." Though it airs Monday, the interview was taped days ahead -- given Stone's 40-year reputation for not showing up for concerts and interviews. Sly Stone -- who was Sylvester Stewart before changing his name as a radio DJ -- didn't reminisce in the interview about past troubles. Guest host Chris Douridas kept the conversation about the music. He said he was a child, performing in his family's gospel group, The Stewart Four, when he first realized the power music has over people. It happened as he sang "On the Battlefield" during a Sam Cooke show at the Oakland Auditorium when he was 4. "Towards the end of the song, people starting running down the aisle and I didn't know what was going on," he said. "I didn't know what was going on. I didn't know they were just happy. So, I turned around and ran, and I've been running ever since." Stone now says he didn't know then where he was heading. "Where I was is where I was," he said. Stone wrote his first hit song for someone else. Bobby Freeman made "Come On and Swim" a Top 10 pop hit in summer 1964. When he formed Sly and the Family Stone in 1966, the mix of race and gender was unusual for its time. "It was on purpose -- that's what I intended to do," Stone said. He recruited two white musicians -- drummer Greg Errico and saxophonist Jerry Martini. Though African-American women were mostly used as backup singers back then, Cynthia Robinson played the trumpet. Larry Graham's revolutionary style of "slapping" his electric bass guitar strings added to the Family Stone's groundbreaking sound. The songs appealed to white and blacks equally and regularly topped both the pop and R&B charts. Stone's lyrics often carried dual meanings. "Hot Fun in the Summertime" -- released in summer 1969 -- might be a tribute to the fun of summer days to one listener, while another might see satire about the summertime race riots of the late '60s. Stone set the stage for other superstars to follow, but the band dissolved after one hot decade and success became as elusive as Stone. Novena may understand her dad better than anyone these days. She's lured him back to the stage for several performances, which she avoids calling concerts. With those, "people expect certain things," such as wanting performers to be what they were 30 years ago, she said. Instead, it's the "Sly Stone Variety Show," which allows her father "to do whatever he wants to do in the moment." "It's very wild, in the sense that they have the Sly Stone trivia game onstage with diehard fans," said Anthony Valadez, who has been to several. The show format is designed "for him to connect with people and people to connect with him," his daughter said. Novena also knows to not plan too far ahead with her dad, so he doesn't have time to back out. "If it's done quickly, then it works," she said. "But if he has a tour, then there's a lot of expectations that you have to meet for everybody to be happy." "My dad would be like, 'I wanna do a show as soon as possible,'" she said. That gives her just about a week to get the show together and promote it. P-funk architect George Clinton and actor-comedian Eddie Murphy showed up for the last one, which was a sold-out celebration of Stone's 66th birthday. One indication that Stone has changed his no-show habit, which marred his reputation in younger days, is he actually arrives for shows early, Valadez said. "Coming early to these gigs, you watch Sly and his affection for his daughter and it's evidence he would do anything for her," he said. Stone's complete interview can be heard at KCRW.com. | Stone is talking to interviewers again years after gaining a reputation as a recluse .
Stone takes the stage with his daughter, Novena, and her group, BabyStone .
Once known for being a no-show, Stone now shows up for performances early . |
226,271 | b0ff9a37ba12e91c9eced57b83ed37b121790948 | TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (CNN) -- Hours after the sitting president was deposed by a military-led coup, a new president of Honduras was sworn in Sunday. Honduras President Jose Manuel Zelaya was detained and sent to Costa Rica, the government said. But the former president was not ready to give up his powers. The political developments that swept Honduras over the past weeks and led up to Sunday's coup had the makings of a crisis, but the situation in the Central American nation of 8 million people was calm. Roberto Micheletti was sworn in as provisional president to the applause of members of Congress, who chanted, "Honduras! Honduras!" Outside the building, supporters of ousted President Jose Manuel Zelaya protested, but their numbers were limited, and the streets remained mostly peaceful. Micheletti told CNN en Español Sunday evening that he has imposed an "indefinite" curfew. Micheletti, the head of Congress, became president after lawmakers voted by a show of hands to strip Zelaya of his powers, with a resolution stating that Zelaya "provoked confrontations and divisions" within the country. A letter of resignation purported to be from Zelaya was read to members before the vote. But the deposed president, Zelaya, emphatically denied in an interview with CNN en Español that he wrote the letter. Speaking from Costa Rica, where he was taken after the coup, he said he plans to continue exercising his presidential duties with a trip to Managua, Nicaragua, to attend a summit of Central American heads-of-state. Zelaya awoke to the sound of gunfire in his residence and was still in his pajamas when the military forced him to leave the country Sunday morning, he told reporters. He was flown to Costa Rica, where he has not requested political asylum. "This was a brutal kidnapping of me with no justification," Zelaya said. He called the coup an attack on Honduran democracy. "There are ways to protest without arms," Zelaya said. The coup came on the same day that he had vowed to follow through with a nonbinding referendum that the Honduran Supreme Court had ruled illegal. Watch details on "curious situation" in Honduras » . The coup was widely criticized in the region, in strongest terms by Zelaya's leftist allies, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. A statement from Venezuela's foreign ministry said Zelaya was "violently expelled from his country by a group of unpatriotic, coup-mongering soldiers." The Bolivian government also condemned the coup, accusing Honduran troops of kidnapping Zelaya and violently expelling him from his country. Elsewhere, Jose Miguel Insulza, the secretary-general of the Organization of American States, strongly condemned the coup in a statement. And in Washington, President Obama said in a statement that he was "deeply concerned" by the news. "I call on all political and social actors in Honduras to respect democratic norms, the rule of law and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter," Obama said. "Any existing tensions and disputes must be resolved peacefully through dialogue free from any outside interference." The president of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, called the Honduran military's intervention a "criminal action." But in Honduras, the Supreme Court said in an official statement that the military was acting in accordance with a court order to put an end to Sunday's scheduled vote, which the court's justices had found illegal. Micheletti addressed the issue directly in his first remarks as provisional president. "I did not reach this position because of a coup," Micheletti said. "I am here because of an absolutely legal transition process." No other countries immediately recognized Micheletti as president. Zelaya, a leftist elected in 2005, had found himself pitted against the other branches of government and military leaders over the issue of Sunday's planned referendum. It would have asked voters to place a measure on November's ballot allowing the formation of a constitutional assembly that could modify the nation's charter to allow the president to run for another term. In various interviews Sunday, Zelaya characterized the vote not as a referendum, but as a survey to gauge receptiveness toward a constitutional assembly. He denied that he would have been the beneficiary of any future constitutional changes. Zelaya, whose four-year term ends in January 2010, cannot run for re-election under current law. The Honduran Supreme Court had ruled the poll illegal, and Congress and the top military brass agreed, but Zelaya had remained steadfast. In the end, it appeared the opposition to Zelaya was too great. The military confiscated the ballots from the presidential residence, in effect canceling the disputed vote. In separate appearances Sunday, Zelaya, Venezuela's Chavez and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said that the military had also detained Honduran Foreign Minister Patricia Rodas, further raising regional tensions. Speaking in Havana, Rodriguez said that the Cuban, Venezuelan and Nicaraguan ambassadors to Honduras had tried but were unable to protect Rodas from a group of masked soldiers who forcibly took her from their grasp. Further details regarding that incident were unclear. "If they attack our ambassadors, they will be declaring a state of war," Chavez said. "If they have weapons, then we have weapons, too." | Honduran Congress strips president of powers, names provisional president .
Obama statement: "I call on all ... to respect democratic norms"
Military detains President Jose Manuel Zelaya, flies him to Costa Rica .
Zelaya says he plans to continue exercising presidential duties . |
95,276 | 06711790b8f78f2fdd5b69d65351f82df1416b35 | (CNN) -- Police in North Miami, Florida, are investigating the weekend slaying of a local poet and cafe owner who was gunned down in front of his business, a police spokesman said Sunday. Will "Da Real One" Bell was shot and killed while closing his Literary Café and Poetry Lounge, North Miami police Maj. Neal Cuevas said. Two men in dark clothing were spotted leaving the scene in a car, Cuevas said. Bell, 47, appeared twice on HBO's "Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry" in 2003 and 2004 and won several performance competitions. Miami's alternative weekly New Times named him the city's best poet in 2005, writing that Bell "spits words like high-caliber machine-gun fire, and his booming voice sets ears ablaze." Cuevas said nothing was taken in the robbery, but would not discuss any possible motive. CNN's Maggie Schneider contributed to this report. | Will "Da Real One" Bell was a fixture on the Miami spoken-word scene .
He was shot and killed while closing his cafe, North Miami Police said . |
155,317 | 54bfcf3ff3374cbc8ded4e02abbc11ef965f2564 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 22:32 EST, 18 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:25 EST, 19 June 2013 . A former Playboy Playmate has admitted to helping her Canadian boyfriend after he illegally entered the United States in northern New York last summer. Colleen Shannon pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to a felony charge and faces a sentence ranging from no jail time to 10 months. Federal agents say the 35-year-old Los Angeles resident and her paramour, Robert Skojo, were arrested after he illegally crossed the border and rendezvoused with her in Fort Covington. Officials say Skojo has a criminal record in Canada. Guilty: Former Playboy Playmate Colleen Shannon (left), pictured exiting the federal courthouse in Syracuse, N.Y. with her lawyer, John Conrad (right), pleaded guilty to helping her Canadian boyfriend sneak into the U.S. The statuesque blonde was the centerfold for Playboy's 50th anniversary edition in 2004. Shannon currently works as a disc jockey and calls herself the world's sexiest DJ. She declined to comment after her guilty plea. For her court appearance Tuesday, Shannon picked a conservative ensemble consisting of a white blouse paired with a black jacket, matching tight pants and spiky leather boots. The demure getup was accessorized with two large Louis Vuitton bags slung over the ex-playmate’s shoulders. Shannon's boyfriend told authorities he knew his criminal record would bar his U.S. entry. He's jailed and faces deportation. If the 35-year-old woman gets credit for accepting responsibility for her role in the case, Shannon will face anywhere between no jail time and six months behind bars. Without the credit, she would face a sentence between four and 10 months when she learns her fate October 22, the Post-Standard of Syracuse reported. New lawyer: A federal judge in Syracuse allowed Colleen Shannon, pictured left and right, to drop her lawyer, Mark Sacco, and hire a new one in January . Shannon and Skojo were arrested in August 2012 in Fort Covington, New York, after federal agents said he entered the U.S. illegally by boat through the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation, which straddles the border. Skojo was convicted in Canada in 1990 of 'procuring sexual services' and 'living on the avails of prostitution,' the Post-Standard of Syracuse quotes court papers as saying. He was also convicted of drug charges in 1996 and 1999. Shannon's attorney, John Conrad, said that Skojo's drug convictions got him barred from legally immigrating to the U.S. According to the lawyer, his client was not aware of her boyfriend's prostitution charges. Skojo had applied for a waiver that would have made him eligible to enter the country, and he and Shannnon assumed that it would eventually be granted, according to Conrad. Skojo was sentenced in November to six months in jail for entering the U.S. illegally and he now faces deportation. Skojo began dating Shannon in 2011 after she DJ'd a party he hosted, according to the Post-Standard. Bunny: Shannon, pictured right with Hugh Hefner, was the centerfold for Playboy's 50th anniversary edition in 2004 . Smuggling: Shannon, pictured left and right, and her boyfriend, Robert Skojo, were arrested in August in Fort Covington, New York . The 2004 playmate, who now works as a disc jockey, was taken into custody after being charged with violating a federal statute prohibiting 'bringing in and harboring aliens'. U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped Shannon on August 15 at the Massena point of entry, where she'd driven alone in Skojo's 2005 Bentley, court documents said. The two planned to live together in Los Angeles. Poser: Shannon even posed in her mug shot, pictured, taken in August . The newspaper reported that Shannon . declared that she had $9,800 in cash with her, which she said was from . her job as a DJ, but she couldn't prove Skojo had given permission to . drive his car. Shannon told the agents she was an actress and that she was driving to New York City to meet her agent. Border Patrol let her go, then notified agents with Homeland Security Investigations. Agents watched her drive to a hotel in Fort Covington hotel and Skojo met her there that night, the papers said. The couple were arrested the next morning. Shannon had previously claimed she shouldn't be charged with alien smuggling because she didn't drive Skojo across the border. 'Instead, according to Shannon, she was simply picking up her boyfriend,' the prosecutor's court papers said. The former playmate faces 10 years in prison if convicted. In her 2004 Playboy profile, Shannon, who is from Alaska, said she was turned-on by 'positivity and supportiveness' while turn-offs included negativity and being a bad kisser. She said: 'Everyone is put here to do something. Your subconscious tells you the things that you love to do, but a lot of people put those things aside. 'I think if you stick to things you love, nine times out of ten, circumstances are going to go your way and you will live a happy life.' | Former Playboy centerfold .
Colleen Shannon pleaded guilty to helping boyfriend Robert Skojo enter the U.S. from Canada .
Skojo had been convicted of 'procuring sexual services' and 'living on the avails of prostitution' in 1990 as well as drug charges .
Shannon, 35, could face up to 10 months in jail . |
272,140 | ec7ec8ecf365f7fa12c5df0c6f5e7b455133b5c1 | By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 11:30 EST, 21 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:49 EST, 21 October 2013 . Argentine scientists have found a way to transform the gas created by cows' digestive systems into fuel. They claim the innovation that could curb greenhouse gases that are believed to cause global warming. Methane is separated from the smelly cow gas, which can be used to fuel cars as well as other machines. Argentine scientists have found a way to transform the gas created by the bovine digestive system into fuel - an innovation that could curb greenhouse gases that cause global warming . Argentina's National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) came up with the idea of using a system of valves and pumps to collect and process the gas. The experimental technique channels the digestive gases from bovine stomach cavities through a tube and into a tank. The gases - which otherwise are commonly known as burps, or 'eruptos' in Spanish - are then processed to separate methane from other gases such as carbon dioxide. Methane is the main component of natural gas, used to fuel everything from cars to power plants. 'Once you get it compressed, it's the same as having natural gas,' said Guillermo Berra, head of INTA's animal physiology group. The cow gas is processed to separate methane from other gases. Methane is the main component of natural gas, used to fuel everything from cars to power plants. Pictured is a concept car from the year 2000, made by Jeep, which uses methane and fuel cell technology to power the vehicle . 'As an energy source it is not very practical at the moment, but if you look ahead to 2050, when fossil fuel reserves are going to be in trouble, it is an alternative,' he told Reuters. Each herd of cattle emits between 250 and 300 litres of pure methane a day, which is enough energy to keep a refrigerator running for 24 hours. Argentina is one of the world's top beef exporters, with around 51 million herds of cattle. Gases emitted from those animals account for 30 per cent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions, according to INTA, with methane having 23 times the global warming effect as carbon dioxide. 'This is also a way to mitigate that,' Berra said. A man herds dairy cows in the city of Totoras, 224 miles north of Buenos Aires. Argentina is one of the world's top beef exporters, with around 51 million herds of cattle. Gases emitted from those animals account for 30 per cent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions, according to INTA . | Argentina's National Institute of Agricultural Technology came up with idea to collect and process cows' digestive gases to extract the methane .
The scientists claim their innovation could curb greenhouse gases that are believed to cause global warming .
Gas emitted from Argentina's cattle currently accounts for 30 per cent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions . |
187,567 | 7ee5c0ac25eae76ec9955298a725ecac598793c9 | Copenhagen, Denmark (CNN)Mourners gathered Wednesday in Copenhagen for the funeral of Jewish community member Dan Uzan, killed in a weekend terror rampage that also targeted a free speech forum in the Danish capital. Uzan, 37, was providing security for a bat mitzvah party taking place behind a Copenhagen synagogue when the gunman struck. Large numbers attended Uzan's funeral, held at the Mosaiske Vestre Jewish cemetery in Copenhagen amid heightened security. Armed police patrolled the area, and a sniper could be seen on a nearby rooftop. Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt was among those present for the somber ceremony. Danish authorities are continuing to investigate the events that led to the two shootings. The suspect in both attacks has been named as Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein, 22. He was killed early Sunday in a shootout with police outside a Copenhagen apartment building. The two police officers who shot El-Hussein fired 30 shots toward the suspect, who was still firing in their direction as he dropped to the ground, the police attorney representing the officers told CNN on Wednesday. Attorney Torben Koch said that the officers were in a car carrying out surveillance on the suspect when he suddenly made a turn to enter a building. At this point, the police officers pulled over, got out of their cars and called out to him, Koch said. When El Hussein turned, he opened fire using two guns. The officers returned fire with automatic weapons and a handgun. Police have stated the suspect fired three shots using two pistols. El-Hussein was known to authorities as a gang member but was apparently not on their radar for Islamist extremism. The deadly series of events began with the attack on the free speech forum Saturday afternoon. A 55-year-old man was killed in that shooting, named by the Danish Film Institute as director Finn Noergaard. Three police officers were injured in the melee. | The funeral for Dan Uzan, killed in a shooting outside a synagogue, is held in Copenhagen .
Police attorney: Suspect opened fire on officers using two guns before he was shot dead . |
17,070 | 305aa15499f4033de655303f2412fbffacb62339 | (CNN) -- So many visitors to Turkey see little more than the beautiful but crowded Mediterranean coast or the great mosques and palaces of Istanbul. But the country is huge, and there are many more attractions away from the tourist hotspots. Relics of vanished civilizations, a vast inland sea with a water-loving cat and a Biblical mountain with views deep into Iran and Armenia are just some of the reasons to go. 1. See it all from a train . For people who like intrepid journeys but like them even more when they're sitting or lying down, the Turkish rail system is heaven. From February 2014, if all goes to plan, you'll be able to whiz between Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey's capital, on a new high speed train. East of Ankara the pace slows. The Dogu Expresi (Eastern Express) leaves nightly at 6 p.m. and takes just more than 24 hours to trundle from Ankara to Kars, almost 1,500 kilometers away in the remote northeast. It stops at the cities of Kayseri, Sivas and Erzurum, passes through the rolling fields of Anatolia and ends among snow-topped eastern mountains. The two-berth cabins have a mini-fridge stocked with mineral water and soft drinks, and washbasins with hot and cold running water. A porter makes your bed and brings drinks and snacks during the day, and there's a dining car. You can book online at Turkish State Railways, or by phone (+90 0216 337 8724), but the English version of the site is clunky -- it's easier to book through a travel agent or buy tickets at a station. Tickets cost $45 in a one-berth cabin on the Ankara-Kars route. 2. Hunt rare ruins . It sometimes feels that you can't walk more than a few paces in Turkey without stubbing your toe on some millennia-old relic. Some sites -- such as ever-popular Ephesus -- are packed with visitors almost all year round. But remarkably few people visit the equally spectacular Aphrodisias, where you can wander around a square kilometer of ruined temples and theaters with only tortoises for company. The site reached its zenith around 2,000 years ago, when it was famed for its sculptors. You can see some of their work in the excellent on-site museum. Aphrodisias is around 160 kilometers from the coastal resorts of Bodrum, Marmaris or Kusadasi. The easiest way to get there is by car, and car rental is available at all resorts and at Dalaman Airport. Ancient Aphrodisias, Geyre Bedesi, Karcasu; +90 256 448 8003; open (site and museum) April-October, daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; November-March, daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; admission TL10 ($4.50) 3. Sail an inland sea . Up to 400 meters deep and almost 120 kilometers across, Lake Van is a true inland sea. With no outlet, its waters are saturated with mineral salts that turn the shallows milky blue. In its depths, colonies of extremophile bacteria form weird, 40-meter-high towers. Only one kind of fish -- pearl mullet or inci kefali -- has adapted to live in its hyper-alkaline waters. Van is also famous for a breed of water-loving and often odd-eyed cat, and is rumored to have its own monster. You can swim in the shallows, where it's almost impossible to sink beneath the surface. More than a thousand years ago, the lake was part of the kingdom of Armenia. The ancient Armenian Surb Kach (Holy Cross) church on Akdamar Island, three kilometers from thev lake shore, has remarkable frescoes and carvings, which have recently been restored. It can be visited by a combination of dolmus and small boat from Gevas, about 50 kilometers from Van. Grand Deniz Turizm, Van-Tatvan Highway, 40 kilometers from GevaÅŸ and Van (+90 432 612 4038), offers boat trips to Akdamar and other islands in the lake. 4. Cycle among mountains . Turkey has thousands of miles of mountain and forest trails. Some of the most spectacular cycling country is in the Kackar mountain range and the valley of the River Coruh, where you can also go whitewater rafting. With several peaks rising well above 3,000 meters (the highest, Kackardagi, is 3,932 meters high), these mountains are snow-covered much of the year. In summer -- the best time to visit is June to August -- they're cooler than better known cycling spots closer to the Med. For a really big adventure, you can follow mountain roads all the way down to the Black Sea coast and fly back to Istanbul or Ankara from Trabzon. You can fly to Erzurum from Istanbul or Ankara, or take the train (see above). The Coruh Valley is around 120 kilometers north of Erzurum and more than a thousand kilometers east of Istanbul. 5. Follow an epic walking trail . The Lycian Way feels like a path trodden by the ancients but in fact this walking route stretching from the Aegean coast to the Mediterranean was pioneered in 2000 by an Antalya-based expat, Kate Clow. For most of its length, it parallels the Lycian coast, but it soars to 1,800 meters above sea level at its highest point, the shoulder of Tahtali Dag (Mt Tahtali). The best place to start (or finish) is the small resort of Olu Deniz -- there are village guesthouses and campsites along the way. You need at least four weeks to walk the entire 509-kilometer distance, but public transport is plentiful -- so you can walk for a week, or even just for a day or two. Several airlines fly to both Dalaman (about 50 kilometers from Olu Deniz) and Antalya from Istanbul and direct from European airports. Best times to go are April-May and October. More information at Lycianway.com or Cultureroutesinturkey.com . 6. Climb Mt. Ararat . Noah's Ark is said to have come to rest on top of Turkey's highest mountain, the 5,137-meter Agri Dagi (Mt. Ararat). Some believe it's still there. From the summit of Ararat, you can see a vast swath of Turkey and deep into Iran and Armenia. Ararat is a hard slog, requiring some technical mountain skills. The terrain is rugged, and climbers must contend with extremes of heat and cold -- the highest summit is snow-covered all year, and summer temperatures at the foot of the mountain can reach more than 30 C. It's essential to go with a trustworthy specialist company, avoiding amateur local guides who claim to know the mountain but lack skills needed for a safe trip. Getting to the top and back takes at least five days, using mules to carry tents and supplies. The ascent starts from the the city of Dogubayazit, about 1,500 kilometers east of Istanbul. Nearest major airports are at Erzurum and Van, both around 4-5 hours' drive. Turkish Mountaineering Federation, Hani A Blok Kat 4, 06050 Ulus, Ankara; +90 312310 1578 . Getting around . Travel in Turkey is affordable and efficient. If you mix and match road, rail and air transport, there's no part of the country you can't reach. Every town has its otogar (bus station), from which air-conditioned, long-distance coaches zoom to all points of the compass. On board, you can expect free tea, soft drinks, water, snacks and a squirt of eau de cologne from smartly dressed stewards. You can buy tickets in advance, but you should shop around for the best fare, because several lines compete on each route. For shorter journeys, you can pile into a dolmus. These minibuses run on fixed routes, but not at fixed times -- they leave when they're full. Turkish Airlines (+ 90 212 444 0849) flies to Istanbul and Ankara from major cities worldwide, with connections to Antalya, Dalaman, Erzurum, Trabzon and Van from Istanbul and Ankara. Other internal airlines with extensive domestic networks include Atlasjet (+90 850 222 0000) which flies to Antalya, Erzurum and Trabzon from Istanbul; Onur Air (+90 850 210 6687) flies to Antalya, Dalaman, Erzurum and Trabzon from Istanbul; Pegasus (+90 850 250 0737) flies to Erzurum and Van from Istanbul and Ankara. GoTurkey.com is the official Turkish national tourist office site. | Turkey is huge yet most visitors stick to a tiny part of it .
Ancient ruins abound -- some of the best are weirdly under-visited .
There's an inland sea with a water-loving, odd-eyed cat .
And a mountain where Noah's Ark got stuck -- apparently . |
90,142 | fffc59e9c0915aebd1fdbf9117acedb88893a5ba | (CNN) -- A woman known as Juror B37 thought writing an anonymous book about her experiences on the George Zimmerman trial was a good idea. Many people, including a powerful and tireless group of outraged Twitter users, thought otherwise. News reports surfaced Monday morning that the woman, who gave an exclusive interview that night with CNN's Anderson Cooper about her experiences on the six-woman Zimmerman jury, had signed with a literary agent and was working on a book proposal about the trial. The agent was identified as Sharlene Martin, who has worked on such other post-trial tomes as O.J. Simpson's "If I Did It" and Mary Jo Buttafuoco's "Getting It Through My Thick Skull." Then came the Twitter backlash, led by 29-year-old New Yorker Genie Lauren, who goes by @MoreAndAgain on Twitter. Lauren saw the juror's interview on CNN and decided to take action. "I was angry and I didn't think it was right that someone would make money off of this tragedy -- especially after they let Zimmerman go free," she told NewsOne. Lauren tracked down contact information for Martin, including her Twitter handle, e-mail address, mailing address and phone number, and posted it on the social network and on Storify, which displays social media posts in a blog-like stream. She then asked her followers to write Martin and urge her to drop B37 as a client. Next she launched a Change.org petition with the title, "Sharlene Martin: Drop Juror B37 from Martin Literary Management," which quickly hit 1,346 signatures. Immediately, people began venting on Twitter and contacting Martin. In a matter of hours, Martin announced late Monday afternoon that she and the juror were no longer moving ahead with the book. In a statement released by Martin, the juror said, in part, "I have realized the best direction for me to go is away from writing any sort of book and return instead to my life as it was before I was called to sit on this jury." She elaborated in a statement Wednesday to CNN, saying, "There was an agreement with a literary agent to explore the concept of a book which discussed the impact of sequestration on my perceptions of this serious case, while being compared to the perceptions of an attorney who was closely following the trial from outside the 'bubble.' "The relationship with the agent ceased the moment I realized what had been occurring in the world during the weeks of my sequestration," she said. The quick death of the proposed book startled even those familiar with the power of well-orchestrated social media campaigns to sway public opinion and influence business decisions. It appears that Martin has since deleted her main Twitter account. And Monday, the number of Lauren's Twitter followers has jumped from 1,600 to more than 9,100. A thank-you tweet from The Roots' @questlove probably didn't hurt. "I definitely believe in the power of Twitter. I'm in shock, really, about the whole thing," Lauren told ABC News. "I'm glad that people didn't brush it off and just say, 'Oh, it's just Twitter, and ... nothing will come of this.' " | A juror from the George Zimmerman trial announced Monday she would write a book .
One angry Twitter user led a campaign against the book deal .
She posted contact information for the juror's agent and started an online petition .
By that night the proposed book deal had fallen apart . |
104,736 | 1320155a56cde061d79c9936faa257d9fe7a2829 | By . Tara Brady . A schoolboy almost severed a major artery in his arm after impaling himself on a door handle as he ran along a hallway at home. William Tattersall, 12, caught his left forearm on the metal handle, lodging it under the skin just millimetres away from a major artery. The boy said he thought he had simply caught his arm behind the handle after experiencing a dull pain but was horrified to discover the freak injury. A brave youngster has relived the horrifying moment he almost severed a major artery in his arm after impaling himself on a DOOR HANDLE. See Ross Parry Copy RPYHANDLE : William Tattersall, 12, was running along a hallway at home when he caught his left forearm on the metal handle, lodging it under the skin just millimetres away from a major artery. The schoolboy said he thought he had simply caught his arm behind the handle after experiencing a dull pain but was horrified to discover the freak injury. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the incident on Friday afternoon and the handle had to be removed from the door.\nThomas Temple/Rossparry.co.uk . William Tattersall lies in hospital with the door handle still impaled in his arm close to a major artery . Firefighters and paramedics were called to the home on Friday afternoon and the handle had to be removed from the door. William, who was taken to hospital with the handle still lodged in his arm, said: 'It felt quite painful and I was worrying thinking it would be quite serious. 'I felt like I was going to collapse.It was just a blunt pain.' The metal handle had lodged under the skin of the underside of William’s arm, yet it did not draw any blood. Luckily for the youngster his mother Alex and older brother James, who are both nurses, were at home and able to reassure him that everything was going to be okay. James, 23, a nurse at Chorley Hospital, in Lancashire, said: 'It could have pierced a major artery so it could have been a lot more serious. 'What happened beggars belief. We were all in shock.' Mother Alex said: 'I could see from the way it had gone in it wasn’t going to do any lasting damage. 'It wasn’t gory, it was so neatly in it was as if it had been professionally put there.' The freak accident gave the biggest shock to dad Simon, who was out at work at the time. William Tattersall photographed in hospital (left) and with his arm still attached to the door handle (right) Firefighters and paramedics were called to the home and the handle had to be removed from the door . William, who is now recovering at home in Blackpool, Lancashire, said the injury looked worse than it was . He said: 'I got this text saying William had impaled his arm and he was in hospital. 'In A&E they said they’ve seen all sorts in their time but never anything quite like this. 'We can’t thank the emergency services and the staff at the hospital enough, they were marvellous.' Manager Chris Wareing, from Forest Gate Fire Station, praised William’s bravery. He said: 'He was very calm and very brave.' The wound is around the same size as a 10 pence piece and William had four stitches. William, who is now recovering at home in Blackpool, Lancashire, added: 'I think it looked worse than it was.' The family is now in the process of changing the door handles throughout the house. On the mend: The brave youngster relived the horrifying moment he almost severed a major artery in his arm . | William Tattersall, 12, caught his left forearm on the metal handle .
It lodged under the skin just millimetres away from a major artery .
Firefighters and paramedics called to home on Friday and removed handle .
Luckily William's mother and brother, who are both nurses, were on hand .
The boy is now recovering at home in Blackpool, Lancashire . |
132,764 | 37ab8c9e673b957a8c7cdb7e03ea3c45fe171fe0 | By . Nick Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 20:25 EST, 4 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:52 EST, 5 March 2013 . New mothers are up to five times more likely to have the condition than other women (posed by model) Worries about the responsibilities of motherhood are making women more prone to obsessive compulsive disorder. New mothers are up to five times more likely to have the condition than other women. More than one in 10 of those who have recently given birth experience symptoms. These can include an irrational fear of accidentally injuring the baby, increased worry about germs and hygiene, and obsessive checking for mistakes. For example some women with the condition feel the need to constantly check that baby monitors are working, that cots and high chairs are secure, or that bottles are sterilised. The condition is now even more common in new mothers than post-natal depression, which affects around one in ten. Scientists believe that in many cases the two may be linked. OCD is a mental condition characterised by unwanted and repeated thoughts that create anxiety, and a compelling urge to dispel them. This can result in repetitive actions, such as constantly washing hands, or mental rituals that can include counting or avoiding ‘unlucky’ colours. In severe cases, the disorder can have a devastating effect on an individual. Some new mothers report intrusive fears that they might harm their baby. ‘It may be that certain kinds of obsessions or compulsions are adaptive and appropriate for a new parent, for example those about cleanliness and hygiene,’ said lead researcher Dr Dana Gossett, from Northwestern University in Illinois, US. ‘But when it interferes with normal day-to-day functioning and appropriate care for the baby and parent, it becomes maladaptive and pathologic.’ An estimated two to three per cent of adults have OCD, with famous sufferers including David Beckham. The former England captain has spoken of his compulsion to count clothes and place magazines in straight lines and symmetrical patterns. The condition may be triggered by stress, which could explain its association with pregnancy and childbirth, according to the researchers. The study looked at 461 women who were due to give birth and screened them for anxiety, depression and OCD. Famous OCD sufferers include David Beckham. The former England captain has spoken of his compulsion to count clothes and place magazines in straight lines and symmetrical patterns . Tests were carried out two weeks after delivery and six months after the women had gone home.The results, published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, showed an OCD rate among the women of 11 per cent - up to five times the risk for the general population. In about half the cases investigated, OCD behaviour began to improve after about six months. However, some women only begin to display symptoms this long after delivery and the risk remains for up to a year after giving birth. The most commonly-reported examples of OCD found in the study were concern about dirt or germs followed by compulsions to check that they did not ‘make a mistake’. Other manifestations included constantly testing baby monitors were working, washing and re-washing bottles, and constantly checking a baby is still breathing or its cot is secure. About 70 per cent of women who screened positive for OCD were also found to be suffering from depression, with the overlap suggesting post-natal OCD is a previously unrecognised mental problem. ‘There is some debate as to whether post-partum (post-natal) depression is simply a major depressive episode that happens after birth, or its own disease with its own features,’ said co-author Dr Emily Miller, also from Northwestern University. ‘Our study supports the idea that it may be its own disease with more of the anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms than would be typical for a major depressive episode.’ | More than one in 10 of those who have recently given birth have symptoms .
They include fears of injuring baby, germs, and obsessing over mistakes .
Affects around three per cent of adults - sufferers include David Beckham . |
60,512 | abfd30fe10ff7b6b1e4d7ccc981e5b711b7f6dd4 | Ross McEwan, who only took over the State-backed bank in October, was quietly handed an astonishing £1.5million in free shares . Fury over bankers' pay erupted again last night after the new boss of RBS was quietly handed an astonishing £1.5million in free shares. Ross McEwan, who only took over the State-backed bank in October, was given the stock as compensation for missing out on bonuses at his previous employer. The announcement was made after markets closed for the New Year holiday, and was seemingly designed to attract minimum publicity. Mr McEwan's payout emerged as Goldman Sachs revealed 'obscene' pay deals worth more than £3 million each to 115 of its senior bankers. The bumper packages were disclosed as Archbishop Justin Welby said foreign-owned banks in the City of London were 'in denial' about their role in the financial crisis, and Barclays boss Antony Jenkins admitted it could take a decade for the sector to win back public trust. Deborah Hargreaves, of the High Pay Centre, said: 'When you look at the pay everyone else is getting, to see bankers on that kind of salary is just not justified.' She added: 'We live in a country where some people are being forced to go to food banks because they can't feed themselves, so it's obscene to see bankers being paid £3 million on average. It's an outrageous indictment of a civilised society.' New Zealand-born Mr McEwan, who is paid a basic salary of £1 million, was given 454,106 RBS shares when he joined the bank in 2012 as its head of UK retail to make up for leaving his job at Commonwealth Bank in Australia. In October, he became chief executive after Stephen Hester walked away from the role. The 454,106 shares were paid out to Mr McEwan yesterday, with a value of £1.53 million. RBS issued a statement confirming the figures only after the stock market had closed for the year. Mr McEwan immediately sold 214,019 of the shares to cover tax liabilities arising from the vesting, but will hold on to 240,087 shares, worth £816,775, which he will not be able to sell for six months. He is entitled to a further 1.05million shares – worth £3.5 million based on RBS's closing price yesterday of £3.38. They can't be vested until August 2015. An RBS spokesman said: 'Ross McEwan will not sell any shares in RBS while he is chief executive of the bank. He wants everyone to have confidence that his interests are 100 per cent aligned with our customers and our shareholders, including UK taxpayers.' (File picture) A man uses a cashpoint machine outside a branch of RBS in the City of London. The bank has given its boss stock as compensation for missing out on bonuses at his previous employer . Goldman, meanwhile, said 115 of its top staff around the world shared a cash pool worth £122 million, or more than £1 million each. But senior bankers are also entitled to a bonus paid in shares, which are awarded in three instalments and cannot be cashed in for five years. The shares are currently worth a combined £250 million, or £2.2 million for each recipient. Taken with the cash, this adds up to a payout of more than £3 million a head. Justin Welby, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, says foreign banks are 'in denial' about their role in the financial crisis . Goldman Sachs (pictured here in Fleet Street, London) said 115 of its top staff around the world shared a cash pool worth £122million, or more than £1million each . Goldman employs 5,000 staff in London and 32,400 worldwide. The bank's role in the global crisis came under heavy scrutiny in 2010, when it was slapped with a £333 million fine by US regulators over claims that it misled investors. New rules limiting what banks in the European Union can pay in bonuses come into force today. They will be banned from paying bonuses worth more than a banker's annual salary, or twice as much as their pay if sanctioned by shareholders. But most banks are expected to raise basic pay in order to offset the decline. '[Ross McEwan] wants everyone to have confidence that . his interests are 100 per cent aligned with our customers and our . shareholders, including UK taxpayers.' RBS spokesman . Mr Welby, an Eton-educated former oil executive who sat on the influential Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards, said many bankers did not understand how the industry's culture of high risk and reckless pursuit of profit had brought the global economy to its knees. 'I don't want to name names but I came across some people recently who were senior members of the City from foreign organisations, but who were very clearly still absolutely in denial about what happened in 2008,' he said. Mr Welby called on banks to think harder about their role in society. But he was forced to admit that the Church had yet to sell £80,000 worth of shares in Wonga, the controversial payday lender that has been attacked for charging sky-high interest rates. Mr Jenkins, speaking in his role as a guest editor of Radio 4's Today programme, said: 'Trust is a very easy thing to lose and a very hard thing to win back. In my view it will take several years – probably five to ten – to rebuild trust in Barclays.' Mr McEwan's first three months as chief executive have been beset by problems, including an IT failure that left 750,000 customers of RBS, NatWest and Ulster Bank unable to use their credit and debit cards for hours. He branded the failure 'unacceptable' and vowed to 'do better'. | Ross McEwan only took over the State-backed bank in October .
He was given stock as compensation for missing out on bonuses .
Announcement made after markets closed for New Year holiday .
Archbishop says foreign banks 'in denial' about their role in crisis .
Barclays boss admits it could take decade for sector to win back trust . |
207,294 | 9861dea6d1223fabb2a2f3638b57a9c9da9003df | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:02 EST, 17 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:31 EST, 18 June 2013 . A toddler whose feet were amputated after her father accidentally backed over her with a lawnmower in a horrific accident in April took her first steps on her new prosthetic test legs on Monday. Two-year-old Ireland Nugent has been in a wheelchair and undergone seven surgeries since the April 11 event. She was released from hospital in Tampa at the start of May. Nugent was fitted with her new legs Monday and promptly took off walking as soon as they were on and there were emotional scenes after the five-hour fitting procedure. Scroll down for video . Brave: While holding onto handrails to steady herself, Ireland Nugent, 2, walks on her prosthetic legs for the first time on Monday. She lost both her feet in an accident in April . Colorful: Prosthetist Stan Patterson makes an adjustment to one of Ireland Nugent's test legs, accessorized with Dora the Explorer stickers and pink sneakers on Monday . Fighter: The toddler shows off the stickers on her temporary prosthetics in Orlando on June 17 . Quick learner: Ireland Nugent, 2, walks on her prosthetic legs while holding on to her mother Nicole (left), and sister, Italia Nesbitt (right) The Tampa Bay Times reported that her father was tearful as he recorded her first steps on his iPad. 'I'm just speechless and so proud,' said Jerry Nugent. He also referred to the toddler's determination and bravery in recovering from her injuries. 'She took it over the top ... She's not ever going to hold back. 'That's my superhero. That's my angel,' Nugent added. The little girl was injured April . 11th when she ran after Jerry as he rode a lawn . mower up the driveway at their Palm Harbor home. Emotional: 'That's my superhero. That's my angel,' said the toddler's father . Preparations: A doctor takes a measurement of Ireland Nugent's leg for her new prosthetics on June 17 . Touching: Ireland makes a connection with father Jerry . Her mother, Nicole . Nugent, frantically motioned for him to stop, but he misunderstood, put . the lawn mower in reverse and backed over the child. The toddler's legs were severed below the knees and she had cuts to her hand. She also broke her thumb. Experts were worried that the little girl might refuse to walk with her new prosthetic limbs, but the Tampa Bay Times reported that the girl has already become emotionally attached to the legs. When the prosthetist said he would need the test limbs back, the little girl said she wanted to keep them. Ireland will get to practice with the test legs on Monday night in the hotel room before receiving her finished prosthetics Tuesday. Giggles: Mother Nicole Nugent kisses her daughter while prosthetist Stan Patterson checks the fit of her test sockets for her prosthetic leg . Inspirational: Ireland Nugent lost her legs on April 11, when her father ran her over with is lawn mower. She has undergone 7 surgeries and has amazed her family with her upbeat outlook and joyful spirit . Little Ireland was brimming with joy when she left hospital in May, donning a fancy yellow dress and hot pink sunglasses as her . father wheeled her out from the premises. Her parents said the toddler . was giggling with excitement as she left the facility and couldn't wait . to join her sisters at home. 'We're very excited to be back with the girls and the other kids and our family. A little nervous trying to figure out how everything's going to work. 'But I know we can do it. If we can do this, we can do anything,' the child's mother, Nicole, told the Tampa Bay Times. Joy: Ireland's courageous spirit has captured the hearts of people across the nation (Ireland on May 1 during a visit with Ronald McDonald) The shocking case garnered national attention and photos of Ireland's bright smile warmed the hearts of thousands who followed her progress. In the days immediately after her . terrible accident, Ireland's parents were adamant that she would make as . full as a recovery as possible. 'She will continue to succeed. She will do great things in her life,' her mother Nicole told reporters at a press conference in April. 'This will not stop Ireland.' Ireland's family has banded together in the face of the terrifying ordeal. Recovery: Ireland has suffered a setback during her recovery, including a dangerous infection. But doctors say she is making progress and can return home . Family: The little girl was injured April 11 when she ran after her father, Jerry Nugent, as he rode a lawn mower up the driveway of their home. Her mother, Nicole Nugent (pictured left), frantically motioned for him to stop . Police said the father was going to park the mower into . the garage at the family's Palm Harbor, Florida home in April. He is said to . have not noticed that his daughter had tripped behind the machine, and . he only realized that something may be wrong when he saw his wife was . alerting him that he was about to drive over something. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says the man responded by putting the mower in reverse, running over his daughter. According . to police, the father dragged the little girl down the driveway of . their subdivision and onto the street before he realized what had . happened. Too late: Police said her father swaddled her with a blanket and immediately called 911 . Horrific: A two-year-old girl lost both of her legs and part of her hand last night after her father accidentally ran over her in a ride-on lawnmower, pictured, and then dragged her the length of their drive way . Once he did, Mr Nugent immediately turned off the mower, and the woman called 911. Authorities say the child's feet were severed above the ankles. Her left hand was injured but intact. Her mother told a . group of reporters in April that their neighbors have banded . together and begun raising funds so that the Nugents will be able to pay . for prosthetic limbs for Ireland. 'Never in my life did I think this would happen to my child,' Mrs Nugent said according to NBC News. | Toddler Ireland Nugent's legs were severed in an accident involving a lawnmower on April 11 .
Her father, Jerry Nugent, started up the mower at the family's Palm Harbor, Florida, .
home and didn't notice his daughter run in front of .
him .
He dragged the little girl, Ireland Nugent, down .
the driveway and onto the street before he realized .
what had happened .
The toddler instantly lost both of her legs below the knee .
Little girl starts walking on prosthetic limbs as soon as they are fitted on June 17 . |
276,856 | f2aa10d82a19652e658b932cf17cf255d3fc9b1f | (CNN) -- NASCAR driver Tony Stewart won't face charges in connection with the on-track death of sprint car racer Kevin Ward Jr., a New York district attorney announced Wednesday. Stewart, a three-time NASCAR top series champion, was driving a dirt-track car when the right rear tire hit Ward, who was walking on the track as cars slowly circled during a break in an Empire Super Sprints series race August 9 in Canandaigua, New York. Ward, 20, died of massive blunt trauma before paramedics could get him to a hospital. The Ontario County District Attorney said a grand jury found no reason to charge Stewart. "After listening to and questioning all the witnesses and reviewing all of the evidence, the grand jury has decided that there is no evidence to charge Tony Stewart with any crimes," District Attorney Michael Tantillo told reporters. He said he thought the fact that Ward came down the track into an area where cars were still moving played a big factor in the grand jury's decision. The 23 members of the Ontario County grand jury heard testimony for almost two days from more than two dozen witnesses and reviewed photos and two videos before making their decision, Tantillo added. They took about an hour to deliberate, he said. "While the process was long and emotionally difficult, it allowed for all the facts of the accident to be identified and known," Stewart said through a press release. "While much of the attention has been on me, it's important to remember a young man lost his life. Kevin Ward Jr.'s family and friends will always be in my thoughts and prayers." Ward, who exited his car after he and Stewart were involved in a racing incident that left Ward's car wrecked near the top wall of the track, was under the influence of marijuana that night, the district attorney said. "The levels that were determined were enough to impair his judgment," Tantillo said, citing toxicology evidence. Ward's family indicated it might pursue a civil case and said Stewart was to blame for the accident. "Our son got out of his car during a caution, while the race was suspended," the family said in a written statement. "All other vehicles were reducing speed and not accelerating except for Tony Stewart, who intentionally tried to intimidate Kevin by accelerating and sliding his car towards him causing this tragedy. The focus should be on actions of Mr. Stewart and not Kevin. This matter is not at rest and we will pursue all remedies in fairness to Kevin." After Ward exited his car, he stormed down the track, apparently to confront Stewart. One car avoided hitting Ward but as Stewart passed close by his tire struck Ward, slinging him down the track. The videos showed Stewart drove a "pretty straight" course until he hit Ward, Tantillo said. "The videos did not demonstrate any aberrational driving by Tony Stewart until the point of impact with Kevin Ward, at which point his vehicle veered to the right up the track as a result of the collision," the district attorney said. Stewart could have faced charges of second-degree manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide. He was interviewed the night of the race by a certified drug recognition expert who determined Stewart wasn't under the influence. "There are no winners in tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Kevin Ward Jr. family and Tony Stewart as they all cope with this tragic incident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park," NASCAR spokesman Brett Jewkes said in a written statement. "This has been a difficult time for everyone involved and we have respected the local authorities responsible for reviewing this case." CNN's Christie Bear, Rob Frehse and Jill Martin contributed to this report. | Family of Kevin Ward Jr. still blames Stewart, indicates might pursue other legal options .
Ward Jr. was killed during a break in a dirt-track race when he was hit by Stewart's car .
Ward was under the influence of marijuana, district attorney says .
Stewart says he will keep Ward in his thoughts . |
158,098 | 586bf7ad08a96bad396da44cb028c355bdbb5102 | By . Rebecca Brett . People from the North East splash out more than any other region on their summer getaway - spending an average of £1,150 per person on holiday. Sunseekers from Wales and the South East closely follow to make up the top three biggest spenders. Meanwhile those in the West Midlands and Yorkshire typically fork out the least, down to just £310 a head. Getting away from home: People from the North East splash out more than any other region in the country, spending an average of £1,150 per person . The survey polled 2,542 UK adults, from a balanced age range and an equal spread of regions who had been away on a summer holiday in the past year. It also compared their bills to their wages, revealing that residents of the North East spent seven per cent of their annual income on the trip, whilst Londoners only spent 2.6 per cent. George Charles, spokesperson for VoucherCodesPro.co.uk, said the results were surprising. 'Many would assume that high fliers of London would spend more money on their holidays, as they earn more money. 'However, our research has shown that the lower earners of the North East spend the most, showing that perhaps they like to spend their hard earned money on more expensive, luxury holidays. The survey compared bills to wages, revealing that residents of the North East spent 7 per cent of their annual income on the trip . 'I am a little surprised that the North East spends the most on their holidays, considering it is a higher percentage of their annual wage than other areas of the country. 'Getting the most out of your money is important in life and that includes with holidays. 'There are fantastic deals around so that you can get the luxury holiday you desire for less.' | North East holiday makers spend an average of £1,150 per person .
Those from Wales closely follow spending £1,035 .
People from Yorkshire and Humberside spend the least at £310 . |
185,471 | 7c3f5f038ff3690311a72986f93a4c59ca4b8ca6 | Video on demand service Netflix will bring Disney magic to Australia when it launches in March, it has been confirmed. Hit movies and TV shows from the creators of Mickey Mouse, including box office hit Frozen, Cars, Monsters Inc. and UP, will be available to watch via the streaming service at a cost of $9.99 per month. However, Netflix, which is set to launch in Australia and New Zealand on March 31, has still not confirmed if original award-winning shows House Of Cards and Orange Is The New Black will be part of the deal for viewers in the two countries. Scroll down for video . Angelina Jolie's Maleficent will be available in the future on Netflix after it launches . The hit 2013 animated film Frozen from Walt Disney Animation Studios will be a main attraction on Netflix Australia . Long running American series Lost will be part of the Disney deal with Netflix Australia . Netflix announced on Monday that animated and live-action films and shows from The Walt Disney Company’s extensive back catalogue will make up part of the subscription deal. Long-running American series Lost, created by JJ Abrams, will be available as well as Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Saving Mr. Banks and Muppets Most Wanted. In the months following launch, Netflix also will have streaming rights to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Maleficent and Big Hero 6. ‘As part of our long-standing global relationship with Disney, we're thrilled to bring fan favourites like Tangled and Star Wars: The Clone Wars to Netflix members in Australia and New Zealand,’ said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer of Netflix. Muppets fans will be able to watch the antics of Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Animal and Walter in Muppets Most Wanted . The critically acclaimed tear jerker UP from Disney will be available on Netflix Australia . Hit movies and TV shows from the creators of Mickey Mouse will be available to watch via the streaming service at a cost of $9.99 per month . Monsters Inc. is one of Disney Pixar's hit animation movies . ‘Disney is excited to join with Netflix to provide consumers in Australia and New Zealand with even more options when it comes to how and when they enjoy our fantastic entertainment content,’ said Catherine Powell, managing director, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand. ‘In today’s world, subscription over-the-top services play a critical role in media consumption, and we’re delighted to bring our top-quality films and television series to these fans.’ Netflix Australia won't confirm if the two popular shows will be available and it's believed to be because of licensing agreements already in place with pay TV operator Foxtel. Marvel film Captain America: The winter Soldier will be offered up by Netflix . Chris Hemsworth can be watched in Thor: The Dark World . In the months following launch, Netflix also will have streaming rights to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy . The surprising backstory behind the making of Mary Poppins, Saving Mr. Banks, will be on Netflix Australia . They are reportedly now scrambling for deals to try and salvage the rights from Foxtel. The new trailer for House Of Cards has been released advertising that season three will air via Netflix in the United States from February 27. But when the Australian branch Netflix launches on its rumoured March 31 date, the show will already be a month behind. Aside from Disney productions, other shows Netflix will have on offer when it launches in Australia include Marco Polo, Bojack Horseman and a Chelsea Handler comedy. Rival streaming services Presto TV – from Foxtel and the Seven Network – and Stan – from Fairfax and Nine Entertainment – also just launched Down Under. Netflix won't confirm if season three of the award-winning House Of Cards will air when it launches its Australian branch in March . Netflix's popular Orange Is The New Black is also in murky waters due to licensing agreements already in place with pay TV operator Foxtel . Netflix . Launch date: March 31. Price: $9.99 per month . Confirmed shows: Marco Polo, BoJack Horseman, Uganda Be Kidding Me, Live from Chelsea Handler, Bloodline, Daredevil, Sense8 and Grace and Frankie. Presto TV (Foxtel/Seven Network) Launched. Price: $9.99 for movies, $9.99 for TV and $14.99 for TV and movies . Confirmed shows: The Sopranos, The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, Band of Brothers, Entourage, The Newsroom, True Blood, The Pacific, Girls, Six Feet Under, Hung, Veep, Big Love, Dexter, The Borgias, Brotherhood, Californication, Deadwood, Nurse Jackie, Ray Donovan. Stan (Fairfax/Nine Entertainment) Launched. Price: $10 per month . Confirmed shows: Better Call Saul, Transparent and Fargo. Other confirmed shows on Netflix include Marco Polo, BoJack Horseman, Uganda Be Kidding Me, Live from Chelsea Handler, Bloodline, Daredevil, Sense8 and Grace and Frankie . | Netflix Australia is set to launch on March 31 at a cost of $9.99 per month .
Animated and live-action films from The Walt Disney Company's extensive back catalogue will be available .
Long-running American drama Lost is also part of the package .
News comes as video on demand service still hasn't confirmed if original award-winning show House Of Cards will be part of the deal .
They are reportedly scrambling to salvage the rights from Foxtel . |
247,016 | cba844a24b3c37ce576c7a1ec4f2243649fab584 | (CNN) -- There is no mystery to the popularity of the HBO series "True Detective." Solid writing, excellent acting by stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson and the greatest of all TV currency these days: positive social buzz. The first season of the series ended Sunday night and was apparently so popular that it crashed the HBO to Go app during the time it was on (full disclosure: HBO is owned by CNN's parent company). For those fortunate enough to watch the episode, there was plenty of debate as to whether it was a satisfying ending to a thrilling eight episodes. EW writer Darren Franich noted that "It was a lot to take in -- an hour that veered more towards philosophy than final-act thrills (although it had plenty of that, as well)." That publication's TV critic, Jeff Jensen, wrote, "Culminating a remarkable first season in fine, moving form, 'True Detective's' finale, titled 'Form and Void,' took us to the heart of darkness at the vortex center of its weird fiction -- as well as the final stage of its meta-commentary on the stories we tell ourselves, about ourselves, for better and worse." Time's James Poniewozik found some flaws in the ending even as he said, "True Detective was an artfully written, remarkably acted, stunningly visualized portrait of Marty and Rust trying to find the path in an overgrown world of decay." " 'True Detective' was the closest thing American TV has done in a while to the British model of drama, a story told in one season, from the keyboard of a single writer (and the lens of one director)," Poniewozik wrote. "There was nobody to dilute the creator's perspective, or to call b.s. on it. A more collaborative show, in the typical American model, might have fixed many of its problems." The Atlantic took the approach of having a "round table" of writers discuss the season finale. Spencer Kornhaber, Christopher Orr and Amy Sullivan each weighed in with their thoughts on the show's wrapup. Sullivan said she "vowed to watch the finale as a fan, not as someone trying to figure it all out." "But even as a fan, I still found these dangling threads and implausibilities frustrating because the show practically begged us to get into the weeds, to wade into swampy waters," Sullivan wrote. "That's okay if it winds up giving viewers some extra insight. But it's another thing entirely if the show is just messing with us." The show attracted plenty of famous fans also. Mario Lopez tweeted, "I can now say that True Detective had the best first season of any show I've ever seen..." And according to his Twitter account, actor Colin Hanks was scrambling to find somewhere to watch the show in Canada and finally lucked out. "Major thanks to @sarajeanhughes and @josiahhughes for opening up their home to me so I could watch the True Detective finale," he tweeted. What did you think of the finale? | "True Detective" season one finale aired Sunday .
EW said it was "a lot to take in"
Actor Colin Hanks was seeking a way to watch while in Canada . |
246,543 | cb0fff6b99049e76e7cacd2b6c017ed6170d18cb | Iraq's second largest museum in Sulaimaniya is recovering stolen artifacts by paying smugglers to return the treasures. Located in the semi-autonomous northern region of Kurdistan, the Slemani Museum has taken drastic measures to refill display cabinets following looting. "The position of not just UNESCO but the international museum community is that we don't buy back looted objects because it encourages looting. Simple. Full stop," says Stuart Gibson, director of the UNESCO Sulaimaniya Museum Project. "The Kurdish authorities took a very difficult and I must admit a very courageous position and they said we are going to buy these objects," he added. Iraq has struggled with looters, most notably in 2003 when thieves sacked the National Museum in Baghdad stealing treasures dating thousands of years to the beginnings of civilization in Mesopotamia. Original estimates said 170,000 pieces had been looted from the museum. However, authorities say it was closer to around 15,000 artifacts, of which 6,000 had been recovered by the time the museum reopened in 2009. While paying smugglers for the return of lost treasures is a controversial move on the part of the museum, it seems to have worked in this instance. One of the recently-recovered artifacts is an ancient democratic text that smugglers asked just $600 for. "It's a full Sumerian text written during the old Babylonian period, around 1,800-900 B.C.," says Dr. Farouk Al-Rawi, a professor in the Department of Languages and Cultures of the Near and Middle East at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. "It is the first document to tell us about democracy. It concerns the establishment of two assemblies," he added. The return of this tablet to the museum is ironic considering that thousands of years later, Iraq is still trying to establish a semblance of a democracy. Despite the Slemani Museum's unorthodox move, smuggling has decreased in the region in part due to the growing awareness of the problem and a joint effort by authorities. But organizations say more help is needed to stop thieves. The museum's director Hashim Abdulla says that in the region of Kurdistan there are still thousands of undiscovered sites yet to be excavated. He points out a recent site in a small village 20 minutes outside of Sulaimaniya. Artifacts at this location have dated back to the Assyrian period, almost 3,000 years ago. Under Kurdistan regional governmental laws the site should become a protected area but in reality in many cases those laws are too difficult to implement. | Selmani museum in Kurdistan is paying smugglers to return looted treasure .
Controversial move as international museum community don't usually buy back artifacts .
UNESCO says paying for stolen objects can encourage looting to continue . |
71,104 | c99b533f6e64f60cc37c919b863c6b816c19bdad | (CNN) -- Worries about the Superdome's wiring led to an order for hundreds of thousands of dollars in "emergency" electrical repairs in the months leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl, documents show. Although there is no proof the problems were behind the partial blackout at the multi-million-dollar extravaganza, they are among the latest details to emerge in the mystery surrounding the embarrassing snafu. Power company Entergy upgraded service at the Superdome, but had "concern about reliability" of service from its connection point to the dome, according to a memo dated October 15, 2012. An attorney for the Superdome's managers provided the documents to CNN. The new information includes memos and meeting minutes prepared for the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, a state agency that oversees a group of facilities including the Superdome. An October LSED memo mentions that a firm was hired to test the secondary electric feeders at the dome. It was "determined that the feeders had some decay and had a chance of failure." Those same tests led an engineering firm to conclude that "the Superdome's main and only electrical feed, based upon test results ... are not sufficiently reliable to support the high profile event schedule." The board categorized these repairs as an "emergency," according to minutes from an LSED meeting in October. By that point, the board had already approved spending up to $700,000 to replace parallel electrical power feeds. In November, the board was updated about "the replacement of the electrical feeders that connect the Superdome to the Entergy power vault." The board approved spending $513,250 on what the minutes referred to as the "Emergency Feeder Repair Project." The company confirmed it completed some upgrades to electrical delivery systems to the facility on December 21, but Entergy has said that may have had nothing to do with Sunday night's problem. The dome hosted a few major events after that work was carried out, including the Sugar Bowl. Entergy says a piece of equipment designed to monitor electrical load sensed was tripped by an "abnormality" and partially cut power to the stadium, as designed. The switch gear is designed to cut some power so as to isolate the problem and prevent a larger outage. LSED, Entergy and the company that manages the Superdome, SMG, said in a joint statement Tuesday that they have hired an independent third party to investigate the cause of the blackout. Entergy will continue to conduct its own investigation. The 35-minute electrical outage during the Super Bowl set off a storm of social media amusement among viewers and inspired advertising tweets with blackout twists. Carmaker Audi took a swipe at its competitor, tweeting that it was sending "LED lights" over to the dome, which is officially named the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. But for the picturesque Super Bowl host city -- perpetually concerned with its reputation, especially since Hurricane Katrina -- the power failure broadcast to the world was a huge embarrassment. Mayor Mitch Landrieu promised that night there would be answers soon. Opinion: Wacky, weird and wonderful Super Bowl . The council member who heads New Orleans' utility committee, Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, hopes some will be forthcoming at the meeting this week. 5 Super Bowl moments to talk about Monday . "I am extremely disappointed in the power failure at the Superdome during last night's Super Bowl game," she said in a statement Monday. The NFL has said the incident will not likely diminish the city's chances of hosting another big game. The general consensus on social media appeared to be that Beyonce's high-wattage half-time performance was mostly likely to blame for the blackout. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell countered the virtual chatter, saying, "There is no indication at all that this was caused by the halftime show, absolutely none." The blackout triggered calls by industry leaders for the building of a nationwide smart power grid, which could reroute electricity seamlessly in such cases. This would avoid such public displays of momentary weaknesses in the system, said Andres Carvallo, former chief technology officer at Austin Energy, where he says he built the nation's first smart grid. On Monday, CBS aired video shot from inside a stadium control room as the outage occurred. "All right, we lost lights," says a man as the room darkens. Funniest tweets of the #Blackout . CNN's Brian Todd, Dugald McConnell, Lindsey Knight, Tom Watkins, Tina Burnside, Ben Brumfield and Chelsea Carter contributed to this report . | NEW: Power company concerned about "reliability" from its connection point to Superdome .
NEW: Independent third party hired to investigate blackout .
Board minutes show hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on Superdome electrical repairs .
Friday meeting could reveal clues to what caused the Super Bowl blackout . |
55,716 | 9dee9f6d1a1bd1d0151860b44c04b1849dab2d7b | By . Kieran Gill for MailOnline . Follow @@kie1410 . Manny Pacquiao has branded Chris Algieri an 'okay' fighter ahead of his bout against the unbeaten American. The PacMan will put his WBO welterweight title on the line against Algieri on November 22 but the Filipino doesn't seem to be too worried about emerging the winner in Macau. Pacquiao, posing for photographs with his opponent in the Chinese region on Monday, said: 'He can box. I'm not saying he's really good but he's not bad. He's okay.' VIDEO Scroll down to watch Manny and Chris discussing their upcoming WBO bout . 'Not bad': Manny Pacquiao branded Chris Algieri 'okay' ahead of his bout against the unbeaten American . Height: Pacquiao will put his WBO welterweight title on the line against Algieri on November 23 in Macau . Ready? Pacquiao posed for photographs with his opponent in Macau on Monday and labelled him 'not bad' Algieri will be quick to remind the confident Pacquiao of his major upset in June, as Russian Ruslan Provodnikov lost by a split decision. Pacquiao, however, watched the fight and remains unmoved. 'I saw his fight with Ruslan,' said the 35-year-old. 'He took a lot of bad punches from Ruslan but he's tough. He can box. I'm not saying he's really good but he's not bad. He's okay.' Algieri, at 5ft 10in, has the height advantage over his 5ft 6.5in counterpart, which PacMan recognises. 'The biggest challenge for me is to fight another tall guy. I have to use my speed and footwork for this fight.' Algieri started slow against Provodnikov before coming out on top - a mistake he knows he cannot afford to make against the punishing Pacquiao. 'First round I made a mistake,' said Algieri. 'Paid for it for the next 11-and-a-half rounds. Got a little too aggressive too early against a very dangerous guy.' Man of many talents: Pacquiao remains player-coach of the Philippines basketball team but took a break . 'Okay': Pacquiao saw his upcoming opponent beat Russian Ruslan Provodnikov and recognises he is 'tough' Provodnikov and Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, remains respectful of the towering American. 'It surprised me because I actually think Ruslan won that fight. (Algieri) got beat up a little bit,' he said. 'Algieri has a good reach advantage and we're going to have to get past that and his jab. That will be our biggest problem. We have ways to do that.' One of Roach's latest endeavours is to help Pacquiao manage his role as player-coach of the Philippines basketball team. 'We came to an agreement that four weeks before a fight he will stop playing (basketball) because of injuries. We negotiated that deal a long time ago,' he said. 'He's always busy. I don't think it's a problem.' | Manny Pacquiao on upcoming opponent Chris Algieri: 'He can box. I'm not saying he's really good but he's not bad. He's okay'
Algieri impressively beat Russian Ruslan Provodnikov to earn bout in June .
Pacquiao and Algieri fight in Macau on Nov 22 for WBO welterweight title . |
260,638 | dd7e0ba459635c9109e04474611216d74222d0d9 | Students at a Florida high school were forced to scatter on Friday night after a gunman opened fire in the parking lot. The shots rang out following a basketball game in the gym at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Florida around 9.30pm. A 14-year-old girl, who attends Howard Middle School, was shot in the arm. A 19-year-old woman was injured by flying glass after a bullet came through her car window. Scroll down for video . A bullet was fired through the windshield after a gunman opened fire at a Florida high school on Friday night . Local 6 reported that the 19-year-old suffered injuries to her neck from glass shards. She did not want to reveal her identity for fear of reprisals. The school was immediately placed on lock down following the gun fire. Police found a white car that they believed to hold a shooting suspect. One person was held by police out of the four traveling in the vehicle at the time. However no suspects were taken into custody and the shooter remains at large. Several parents told Local 6 that their children were afraid to go to school following the apparent random shooting. A basketball game has been scheduled at Vanguard High on Tuesday against Lake Minneola High School. Daily Mail Online had reached out to Marion County Public Schools to see if the game would go ahead tonight but had received no response at the time of publication. The police investigation is ongoing. Students were leaving a basketball game on Friday night at the high school when shots were fired in the parking lot (pictured) | The shots rang out on Friday night following a basketball game in the school gym at Vanguard High School in Ocala, Florida .
A 14-year-old girl, who attends Howard Middle School, was shot in the arm .
A 19-year-old woman was injured by glass after a bullet came through her car window . |
219,717 | a869361b2647775720c934f9aba405f4926750a0 | Louis van Gaal still intends to contest his FA disrepute charge despite asking the governing body for an extra 24 hours to officially respond. Van Gaal was charged for criticising referee Chris Foy after United’s 0-0 draw with Cambridge in the FA Cup two and a half weeks ago, with United subsequently winning the replay. 'We knew in advance everything would be against us - but you have to survive,' the 63-year-old said after his side were forced to a rematch by a stubborn Cambridge performance at Abbey Stadium. Louis van Gaal is to appeal on Monday after being charged following Man United's draw with Cambridge . The Dutchman asked the Football Association for more time ahead of making his official appeal . Van Gaal made comments about referee Chris Foy after his side were forced into a replay against the U's . 'And then you have seen the referee - its always the same. Everywhere I have coached these games, and I have coached them with other clubs, it's always the same. 'What was wrong with the referee? You can give your own opinion, I can't give mine.' The Manchester United manager said on Friday he would dispute the charge and was due to inform the FA by close of play on Monday. It is understood that Van Gaal will still do this and that he has merely been given an extra day by the FA after asking for more time to formalise his response. Radamel Falcao had a another frustrating night in a Manchester United shirt against Cambridge . | Louis van Gaal will continue to contest his FA charge for disrepute .
Van Gaal made comments about Chris Foy following their FA Cup draw against Cambridge .
The Manchester United manager asked for more time to make an appeal . |
193,272 | 863951d5147333f76dc59faba2f7470913bb8bec | His only child hoped to inherit . £11million. But with the prospect of lengthy and expensive legal battles . ahead as victims file damages claims, and his paintings plummeting in . value, much of Rolf Harris’s fortune could be wiped out. Recent . published accounts show that his millions are tied up in a network of . companies and family trusts, two of which were set up in 2012 – months . before he faced police investigation. His oldest company, Rolf Harris Enterprises, was launched in 1963. Scroll down for video . Rolf Harris with his portrait of Queen Elizabeth II taken in 2006. His paintings are now plummeting in value . It has £1.13million in . the bank and £2.5million in assets, with directors including his brother . Bruce Harris, wife Alwen, niece Jennifer Harris and daughter Bindi . Nicholls. A separate . company set up in January 2012 called Rhel Holdings lists Harris and his . wife as shareholders and Bruce, Alwen and Jenny Harris as directors. Figures show it contains profits of £1,654,379 and capital of £2,080,528 from Rolf Harris Enterprises. A third company, RHE Investments – also set up in 2012 – is a family . trust which controls £1.6million in cash and £5.3million in fixed assets . and investments. Veteran entertainer Rolf Harris leaves Southwark Crown Court, with his wife Alwen and daughter Bindi (right), after being found guilty of 12 sex charges involving four women . But Southwark Crown Court heard Bindi was anxious that her future should be secured. She wrote an email to her parents on July 25, 2012 – before his arrest – referring to an inheritance of ‘around £11million’. She . said: ‘I understand that I am sole inheritor of your estate – is this . true? If I am, then I feel you both have to sit down and discuss your . feelings or beliefs about this inheritance. ‘If . I am going to inherit this money, I need to be part of the running of . the company as it will be my responsibility in the future? It’s a . massive responsibility that I need to understand and feel empowered by . and part of... ‘Please imagine how it is for me... figures in millions are being talked about willy-nilly. ‘It’s . like being told that you might be winning the lottery at some point and . you get excited and dream about the things you “could” do.’ | Accounts show that his millions are tied up in a network of companies .
His oldest company, Rolf Harris Enterprises, was launched in 1963 .
Court heard daughter Bindi was anxious that her future should be secured . |
94,227 | 051de616eb0847768a6d91d90df5140895af4d02 | Phillip Lemonheigh turned his car into a fake ambulance by using a flashing blue light and 'emergency response' stickers . A driver who turned his car into a fake ambulance by using a flashing blue light and 'emergency response' stickers was caught after speeding through a red traffic light. Phillip Lemonheigh disguised his wife's Renault Laguna estate car as an ambulance for three months before he was eventually caught. Lemonheigh, 59, was seen travelling at 73mph in a 50mph zone in Llantrisant, near Cardiff, as he ran errands for his bed-bound wife Noreen. He was arrested after being recorded running the light in the 'ambulance' almost 24 seconds after it had turned red. Despite not having a driving licence, Lemonheigh got behind the blue Renault as he ran errands for his wife who suffers from a 'chronic medical condition'. A judge at Swansea Crown Court told Lemonheigh - who arrived at court in a wheelchair - that he had 'never come across something so bizarre' in his entire career. The 59-year-old disguised the blue Renault Laguna estate car as a first response-style ambulance and then spent three months speeding in it and running traffic signals, the court heard. But his deception came to an end when he was caught by a speed camera on the A4119. Lemonheigh, who admits dangerous driving, will be sentenced next month because he suffered a heart attack in the days leading up to the hearing. He also perverting the course of justice after claiming he was a 'volunteer ambulance driver' at the time of the offence. Judge Peter Heywood said: 'I don't think I have ever come across something so bizarre, these clearly are very unusual offences to which you have pleaded guilty. 'As you know the court will be minded to consider a prison sentence and I will be asking for medical and psychological reports to be made.' Lemonheigh was caught travelling at 73mph through the red light as he ran errands for his wife in the Renault Laguna, seen with a blue, flashing light on the roof . The driver was caught by this speed camera in Llantrisant, near Cardiff, as he ran errands for his wife in the fake ambulance . The judge also imposed an 'interim disqualification' to stop Lemonheigh from driving ahead of his sentencing on March 20. Speaking after the court hearing, a laughing Lemonheigh admitted that he had been driving the fake ambulance for three months before 'going a bit far'. He said: 'I had the words emergency response stuck on the side, I paid a printer £18 to have them put on, I had the car like that for three months. 'I just went a bit far and they caught me. I don't think I was doing anything wrong. But each to their own.' Teresa Healy, operations manager at GoSafe - who are responsible for speed cameras around Wales - said: 'This case should be a lesson to everyone who is considering lying to the police. 'It is disappointing to find that people are still going to great and calculated lengths to avoid prosecution.' | Phillip Lemonheigh turned his Renault estate car into a fake ambulance .
He stuck 'emergency response' stickers on his car and used a blue light .
Lemonheigh disguised his car for 3 months and does not have a licence .
Driver caught speeding through red traffic light at 73mph in 50mph zone .
Judge says he has 'never come across something so bizarre' in his career .
Laughing Lemonheigh says he went 'bit far' and admits dangerous driving . |
204,444 | 94ad7fa228e39042ef778a033e2b2cb0ec0a6149 | (CNN)Ten students at Connecticut's Wesleyan University and two visitors were hospitalized Sunday from "complications" arising from the use of the drug Molly or alcohol. The Middletown Police Department reported that 11 were hospitalized because of Molly and one because of alcohol. Four people remained in the hospital Monday, including two in critical condition, according to police. University President Michael S. Roth described Molly as a refined form of MDMA with "extremely dangerous" effects. MDMA is the active ingredient in the drug Ecstasy. But according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, most often Molly is not MDMA, but a toxic mixture of lab-created chemicals. 9 things everyone should know about the drug Molly . "I ask all students: Please, please stay away from illegal substances the use of which can put you in extreme danger," Roth wrote in a letter to the community. "One mistake can change your life forever." The chemicals in Molly are made to mimic the effects of MDMA; most of them are central nervous system stimulants that cause euphoric highs. They can also cause a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, blood vessel constriction and sweating, and can prevent the body from regulating temperature. Some of the chemicals have been reported to cause intense, prolonged panic attacks, psychosis and seizures. "I just don't really know how to feel right now. It's very shocking," Wesleyan student Lisa Shepard told CNN affiliate WFSB. "It's to be expected from a college environment, but it is disappointing to know that people are exposed to these kind of dangerous drugs." According to the affiliate, police were interviewing people at a coed group house at the university. Some students told WFSB that the drugs were allegedly taken at a party at that location. CNN's Jean Casarez, Drew Griffin. Nelli Black and Patricia DiCarlo contributed to this report. | 11 people are hospitalized for effects from Molly, and another for alcohol-related illness .
Molly is a synthetic drug with dangerous effects . |
52,950 | 9630ebecbea0f3c3105a4aae3894198fccde01c6 | Challenge: Mr Conville honed his skills in Scotland, where he was an adventure activities instructor . He was the climber whose love of Scotland’s mountains inspired his attempt on the feared Matterhorn - an Alpine adventure that ended in tragedy and left his body locked in a tomb of ice. When Jonathan Conville plunged from the 14,690ft peak in 1979, the odds against finding his body were as high as the vertical challenges he lived for. But, 34 years on, melting glacial ice - a result of global warming - has revealed his remains, which have finally been reunited with his family. The 27-year-old ex-paratrooper was an instructor at an outward bound centre at Loch Eil, near Fort William, Inverness-shire, when he set out to conquer the Matterhorn – only to join the 250 mountaineers whose bodies have never been recovered from its perilous north face. Now his family - who founded a charity in his honour - are preparing to scatter the ashes of the English former public schoolboy. Mr Conville had overcome troubled times to find peace in the Highlands. Honing his craft on the demanding peaks, he became a highly respected mountaineer. A few days after spending Christmas with his family, the Marlborough College ex-pupil set off for Switzerland with a Dutch friend. The path to his final adventure had been long and often troubled. He was not regarded as a model pupil at his school and left under a cloud, developing a drug problem in his teens. But after leaving school he travelled to Nepal, where he turned his life around. Ambitious: Mr Conville made his attempt on the Matterhorn, alongside a Dutch friend, in 1979 . Feared: The ominous Matterhorn in the Alps, viewed from Zermat . Once back in Britain, he joined the Parachute Regiment, developing a passion for the outdoors and learning to ski and climb. He left the Army in the 1970s and studied to be an outdoor instructor, eventually working for the Outward Bound Trust at Loch Eil. Scotland provided his ‘role in life’. Mr Conville’s sister, Katrina Taee, recalled yesterday: ‘He loved the Scottish mountains and the charity we founded in his honour to help young climbers continues to have very strong ties to the Highlands.’ Adventurous: Mr Colville was foiled by bad weather as he descended the Swiss peak . The Alpine colossus stands at 14,690ft on the Swiss-Italy border . It was in the Highlands that he was reunited with childhood friend David Tidmarsh and together they took on harder and harder challenges. Mr Tidmarsh said: ‘As climbing partners we challenged ourselves on the classic routes. His death was hard to deal with at the time.’ Mr Conville’s quest for challenges led him to attempt one of the world’s toughest ascents. But bad weather closed in on him and his climbing partner as they descended the Matterhorn. Mr Conville disappeared and his friend had to be rescued by helicopter. The legendary Matterhorn, pictured right in 1937, is one of the most celebrated mountains in the world, and legendary in the sport of mountaineering. The Alpine colossus stands at 14,690ft on the Swiss-Italy border and with its four steep sides is one of the most photographed mountains in the world. But its reputation comes from being one of the most dangerous peaks for climbers, with 500 having perished attempting to reach the summit. In fact, so awe-inspiring is the Matterhorn that no climber visited its summit until 1865 – pretty late in Alpine terms. Of the seven men who reached the summit . in that first successful ascent of 1865, four met their maker on the way . down, courtesy of a broken rope. The mountain still claims a . regular supply of victims . Mont Blanc was first conquered in 1786, while the Grossglockner (Austria's highest peak) was crested as early as 1800. His remains were finally located by Swiss rescue helicopter pilot Gerold Biner, who was flying near the peak’s north face last month when he spotted abandoned equipment. Searchers then discovered bones and clothing bearing the dead climber’s name. The remains were taken to a forensic laboratory involved in the investigation in 1991 of ‘Otzi’, the 5,000-year-old ice age ‘mummy’ also revealed by the ‘retreat’ of glacial ice. The pathologists contacted the Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust website and Mrs Taee and her sister, Melissa, travelled to Switzerland to identify their brother’s equipment and provide DNA samples. Mrs Taee said: ‘It was poignant. There was a mummified hand, with nails and skin, and cupped, as if it was waiting to be held. ‘It was 34 years on and I was holding my brother’s hand. It was bittersweet but wonderful. It took ages for the DNA results to come through but they confirmed what we already knew.’ Mr Conville’s remains have since been cremated and the family are still deciding where to scatter his ashes. Mrs Taee added: ‘It will be somewhere in the mountains he loved.’ | Former paratrooper Jonathan Conville plunged from the Matterhorn in 1979 .
The 27-year-old's remains were revealed by melting ice .
Mr Conville had been inspired by the Scottish Highlands to make the climb .
For more information on the Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust, visit www.jcmt.org.uk . |
132,529 | 3760543340b5f2bbcf53c45baa9e5fb692cf657b | A first round of Syrian peace talks didn't go too well, and now the government delegation won't commit to a second round. Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime has failed to turn over its known chemical weapons stockpiles on time, causing U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to warn on Friday that all options remain available to force compliance. The dual developments showed the challenges facing efforts by the international community to halt the Syrian civil war through talks intended to set up a transitional government, and rid Syria of its chemical weapons that already have been used in the conflict. President Barack Obama threatened a military response last year when U.S. authorities determined the al-Assad regime attacked its own people with chemical weapons. However, Obama failed to secure backing from Congress or key ally Great Britain. Instead, Syrian ally Russia stepped in to persuade al-Assad to hand over the chemical weapons stockpiles to the international community in order to be destroyed. That process started on schedule, but the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that is overseeing Syria's handover of its stockpiles said Friday that Syrian officials need to speed things up. "While the two shipments (of chemicals) this month represent a start, the need for the process to pick up pace is obvious," Director-General Ahmet Uzumcu said. Kerry: Fresh barrel bomb attack shows Syrian regime's 'true colors' Kerry to Syria: all options on the table . In Germany, Kerry said al-Assad "needs to understand that he agreed to an international U.N. Security Council Resolution which has reinforced a requirement that he remove all of those weapons and that he do so in a specific period of time." "Every indication we have is there is no legitimate reason that that is not happening now," Kerry said, noting that an international military response remained a possibility. "And therefore, we call on Bashar al-Assad to live up to his obligations or we will join together with our friends and talk about which, if any, of the options we deem necessary at this point to proceed forward." In Geneva, the initial talks involving al-Assad's government and the Syrian opposition came to a quiet close on Friday, a week after they started with much fanfare. "This is a modest beginning, but it is a beginning on which we can build," U.N. special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi told reporters. He said the peace talks were scheduled to resume in Geneva on February 10. While the opposition has agreed to the date, the Syrian government delegation said it must first consult with Damascus, according to Brahimi. Noting that "the gaps between the two sides remain wide; there's no use pretending otherwise," he said that "nevertheless, during our discussions I observed a little bit of common ground -- perhaps more than the two sides themselves realize or recognize." The more than two years of fighting have embittered both sides to the point that reconciliation seems unreachable, particularly involving the opposition demand -- backed by the United States -- that al-Assad can't be part of any future transitional leadership. "We felt like we were drinking from a poisoned chalice while the criminal was killing our women, children, young men and women, and elderly," said a statement released Friday by Syrian National Coalition leader Ahmad Jarba after the close of the first round of talks. "The only consolation that we had was that the regime which had been oppressing us for more than 50 years had arrived in Geneva to dig its own grave with its own hands." Brahimi focuses on tiny steps forward . Emphasizing the positive, Brahimi said that over the past eight days, the two sides at least became used to being in the same room, and that moments occurred when one side acknowledged the concerns of the other. Both sides understand that Syria's civil war has caused immense suffering, recognize the urgent need to bring the violence to an end and are committed to discussing the full implementation of the so-called Geneva I communique to achieve a political solution, he said. They also understand the need to rapidly address the humanitarian situation in Syria, wherever that need exists in the country, Brahimi added. However, he acknowledged no breakthrough so far on delivering aid to the besieged city of Homs. "Some good news came yesterday with the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees," he said. "But so much more is needed." Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said the government was still "hopeful" and wanted to engage in dialogue, but that the differences between the two sides had been very apparent. "They are not in touch at all with what is happening on the ground in Syria," he said, adding that Syria rejects outside interference in its affairs. Opposition spokesman Louay Saif said just starting the talks with the government represented progress in the fight. "We believe the only way to stop violence and to ... end the work of any group that is part of a terrorist agenda is to start the transition," he said. A terror group too brutal for al Qaeda? A call for constructive engagement . The U.S. State Department was critical of the Syrian government's delay in confirming the date for the start of the next round of talks. "The opposition has once again shown a seriousness of purpose in these negotiations by quickly committing to participate in the next round of talks, while the regime continues to play games," said Edgar Vasquez, a State Department spokesman. Heading to a security conference in Munich, Kerry described the Syrian conflict as a destabilizing factor in the region. The Munich Security Conference also will be attended by Brahimi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif -- all major players in the Syrian situation. The Geneva I communique of June 2012 called for a transitional government and for al-Assad to step down. The government has said that is not an option. More than 100,000 Syrians have been killed in the conflict, which has forced more than 2 million people to become refugees. Opposition groups have long called on the Syrian government to halt its relentless attacks on rebel-controlled areas. The government argues that it is fighting terrorism backed by outside parties. The conflict has also been mired by accusations that the Damascus government used chemical weapons and that the opposition includes al Qaeda-affiliated groups. | Secretary Kerry says Syria is failing to comply with chemical weapons deal .
U.N. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi calls peace talks a "modest beginning"
Negotiations on halting Syria's civil war are supposed to resume Feb. 10 .
Meanwhile, Syria has failed to hand over known chemical weapons on time . |
16,850 | 2fc2a5eeb6cc0e8173f7330da709570aa9c16c68 | The Daily Mail reported that Princess Beatrice will not be boarding the Virgin Galactic spacecraft . At least 24 of the wealthy investors who signed up to be among the first space tourists with Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic programme have given up their tickets. The 800 passengers have stuck with Branson's venture for 10 years despite numerous set-backs and hiccups. But the crash of SpaceShipTwo in California's Mojave desert last Friday that killed one pilot and left another in hospital finally prompted three per cent of the 'future astronauts' to pull out. Peter Ulrich von May, an asset manager based in Switzerland, told The Independent he no longer wishes to travel into space with Virgin Galactic and he has demanded his money back. He said: 'I want out. I subscribed seven years ago at 63, am still an active private pilot and in good health but who knows how long it will now take. I have already informed VG of my wish - no reply yet.' The Daily Mail reported two days ago that one of the program's highest-profile customers, Princess Beatrice, will not be boarding the Virgin Galactic spacecraft after the disaster last week. 'Beatrice was excited by the idea of space tourism, but there is no way she will be going on one of the flights, if they are ever allowed to take place,' a source close to Buckingham Palace revealed. Tonight, the Telegraph understood 24 have officially filed for a refund. Galactic Chief Executive George Whitesides told the Telegraph the news was ‘unsurprising’ but his resolve remains 'unshaken'. He told the paper: 'A few people have asked for a refund. I don’t think that’s surprising and I think what is relevant is that the vast majority have said "don’t give up, keep going, we’re with you".' An anonymous source told The Independent that a group of more than 30 people had been talking about asking for a refund, a move that could cost Branson millions. 'Before this tragic event happened I had been thinking of pulling my money anyhow because there had been various reports saying it doesn't stand a chance of getting into space,' the source added. 'I am giving serious thought to pulling out.' More than 700 people - including Hollywood A-listers Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio - have bought tickets for Virgin Galactic space voyage flights, which sell for $250,000. Ashton Kutcher was one of the first celebrities to book his ticket - and the 500th person overall - and he has since been joined by Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Russell Brand and Lady Gaga. Actress Victoria Principal bought a ticket in 2009, but her representative Alan Nierob told USA Today that she withdrew from the program in 2012. Scroll down for video . The crash of SpaceShipTwo in California's Mojave desert on Friday, which killed one pilot and injured another, has reportedly caused many of the millionaire clients of Virgin Galactice to rethink a flight into space . Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson insists Virgin Galactic can 'move forward' and has vowed to travel on a space flight with his relatives once safety tests have been completed . On Friday, Branson announced on the Virgin Galactic site that refunds would be available following the tragedy and a spokesperson said that a number of people have asked for their money back. 'We can confirm that less than three per cent of people have requested refunds,' the spokesman said. But the anonymous source also told The Independent some people are 'die-hard Richard Branson supporters and they will go on it whatever'. Igor Kutsenko, who runs an advertising agency in Moscow and plans to go into space with his parents, said: 'We were all shocked and disappointed by the tragic news. We are in the project from very beginning. More than 700 people - including Hollywood A-listers Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt - have bought tickets for Virgin Galactic space voyage flights, which sell at $250,000 . Tom Hanks (left) and Leonardo DiCaprio (right) also shelled out for tickets on the spacecraft . 'My parents are getting older and I'm only worried that their physical ability to participate in this obviously challenging adventure is deteriorating. But we stay firm in our desire to make this suborbital flight.' Branson had previously said, 'Everybody who signs up knows this is the birth of a new space program and understands the risks that go with that.' Since Friday's crash the billionaire tycoon has insisted Virgin Galactic can move forward' and vowed to travel on board the space flight with his relatives once safety tests have been completed. He told Sky News: 'We've spent many, many years building a spacecraft, a mothership, a space port, that I think can do the job and do the job safely. Actress Victoria Principal bought a ticket in 2009, but her representative Alan Nierob told USA Today she withdrew from the program in 2012 . Ashton Kutcher (left) was one of the first celebrities to book his ticket and he has since been joined by Katy Perry (right) 'We will not start taking people until we've finished a whole massive series of test flights and until myself and my family have gone up, and until we feel that we can safely say to people 'we're ready to go'.' He added: 'All I can say is we will not fly members of the public unless we can fly myself and family members. 'We need to be absolutely certain our spaceship has been thoroughly tested - and that it will be - and once it's thoroughly tested and we can go to space, we will go to space. 'We must push on. There are incredible things that can happen through mankind being able to explore space properly.' One pilot died and another was injured in Friday's crash in the Mojave desert in California . Russel Brand (left) and Justin Bieber (right) are two of the celebrities signed up to Branson's spaceflights . | 24 high-profile ticket holders have asked Richard Branson for refunds .
A wealthy asset manager confirms no longer wants to fly Virgin Galactic .
Daily Mail reported Princess Beatrice will not board Virgin spaceship .
Angelina and Brad, Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio among 700 set to fly . |
117,927 | 2446e934dff677e744461a4ba817d313911a2ed6 | By . Associated Press Reporter and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 10:12 EST, 17 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:10 EST, 17 August 2013 . A fifth Vanderbilt football player and two other men have been arrested following the rape of a 21-year-old female student in a dorm last June. The three suspects are being indicted for their actions after the rape, and will not face sex crimes charges. Four other football players were indicted earlier this month for raping a student and taping the assault. Wide receiver Chris Boyd, 21, is being charged with accessory after the fact. Another arrest: Wide-receiver Chris Boyd is being charged with accessory after the fact for allegedly trying to help the four accused rapists cover up the sexual assault . Sex crime: Four Vanderbilt University football players were indicted earlier this month in connection with the June 23 rape of an unconscious 21-year-old girl in a dorm room . The Roswell, Georgia native is being accused of giving the suspects advice on how to cover up the sexual assault. Boyd was expected to surrender himself to police. Since the indictment, he has been suspended from the team. Beth Fortune, the university's Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs issued a statement following the fifth indictment. She said that all of the allegations are 'deeply troubling' and that the university is taking them very seriously. 'Pursuant to the athletic department conduct policy, Mr Boyd has been suspended from the football team, pending further review,' Ms Fortune said. Two other men, acquaintances of Brandon Vandenburg, one of the players charged with rape, were arrested yesterday in Riverside County, California. Miles Joseph Finley, 19, and Joseph Dominick Quinzio, 20, are being charged with tampering with evidence. Accomplices: 19-year-old Miles Joseph Finley, left and 20-year-old Joseph Dominick Quinzio, right, are acquaintances of Vandenburg's accused of tampering with evidence . Initially Finley tried to flea when he saw authorities arrive at his house, but he was quickly apprehended. The two are being held as fugitives wanted by the State of Tennessee and will be extradited to the to face trial. Nashville Chief of Police Steve Anderson stated that the new indictments were reflective of hundreds of law enforcement hours spent on the case. He reiterated that the investigation remains open and active. 'We are looking at all persons who may have been involved in this event, before, during and after the fact. Additional charges cannot be ruled out,' he said. The arrests yesterday come after the four players suspected of carrying out the rape were arrested indicted earlier this month. Safety Cory Batey, 19 of Nashville, Tennessee; defensive back Brandon Banks, 19, of Brandywine, Maryland; receiver Jaborian 'Tip' McKenzie, 19, of Woodville, Mississippi; and tight end Brandon Vandenburg, 20, of Indio, California were charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery for an incident tipped to campus officials by surveillance video. Vandenburg also is charged with one count of tampering with evidence and one count of unlawful photography. Tight end Brandon Vandenburg, 20, of Indio, California (left) and safety Cory Batey, (right) 19 of Nashville, Tennessee, are among the four Vanderbilt football players charged with rape . Brandon Banks, 19, of Brandywine, Maryland (left) and Jaborian 'Tip' McKenzie, 19, (right) of Woodville, Mississippi are also charged in the crime . Vanderbilt dismissed the players June 29 and barred them from the campus pending the investigation. At the time, Ms Fortune said that their first thoughts are for the victim, a Vanderbilt student, and that the university will continue to offer her all of its services and support. 'We are shocked and saddened by the allegations that such an assault has taken place on our campus and that they include members of our football team,' she said in a statement. 'The charges brought today against the four former Vanderbilt football players allege conduct which is abhorrent and will never be tolerated. We will review our athletics program to be sure that it, like all other programs at the university, reflects our culture of community and respect for others and that our student athletes are held to the same high standards of conduct as all our students.' According to Nashville police, the four men are charged with raping the unconscious woman inside Vandenburg's room at Gillette House dormitory early on June 23. University officials checking the dorm's surveillance in the hallways on an unrelated matter noticed the four's behavior and notified the Vanderbilt University Police Department the night of June 25. Campus police contacted Nashville's sex crimes unit June 26. Vanderbilt did not identify the four players until July 15 before the Commodores headed to Alabama for Southeastern Conference media days. The players already were listed in the team's media guide for the upcoming season but no longer are on the roster. Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin watches his players during an NCAA college football practice on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in Nashville, Tennessee . None of the four played a snap for Vanderbilt last season. Batey came in last season as a receiver and redshirted behind Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd before switching to safety this spring. Banks also redshirted as a freshman last season. His attorney Grover Collins declined to comment on the indictment but said last month that Banks is innocent and fully cooperating with police. McKenzie redshirted in 2012, but the 5-foot-8 receiver had four catches for 83 yards in the Commodores' spring game -- the most yards receiving in the game. His attorney, Jodie Bell, did not immediately return a message by the AP. The 6-foot-5 Vandenburg was considered one of the top junior college tight ends nationally coming out of Xavier College Prep, and he became the first junior college transfer at Vanderbilt since Jordan Rodgers in 2010. The Commodores, who went 9-4 and won the Music City for their best season since 1915 last season, opens the 2013 season Aug. 29 hosting Mississippi. | Chris Boyd, wide receiver, was indicted Friday for accessory after the fact .
He is being accused of giving advice to the suspects on how to cover-up the sexual assault that happened June 23 in a Vanderbilt dorm room .
Two acquaintances of suspect Brandon Vandenburg were also indicted .
Miles Joseph Finley and Joseph Dominick Quinzio were arrested in Riverside County, California and will be extradited to Tennessee . |
67,223 | beaf0065417ecc3e0549437d0678b6133997dc85 | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 10:16 EST, 8 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:17 EST, 8 October 2012 . His day job involves running the National Health Service. But today Jeremy Hunt was running the line during the annual party conference football match between Tory MPs and political journalists. While the Health Secretary avoided any controversy during the 90 minutes, the game ended with his fellow MPs winning 4-2. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt ran the line today during the annual Conservatives v Lobby football match . The game saw Tory MPs including Karl . McCartney and Nick Boles, planning minister, take to the field for the . Conservative Party team against the Lobby XI of political hacks. After making headlines for his . support for reducing the abortion limit and his handling of Rupert . Murdoch’s BskyB takeover bid, Mr Hunt will be relieved that the game . passed off without controversy. At one stage he failed to raise his . flag to call offside, but it was seen as the right thing to have done . because it would have interrupted the flow of play. Mr Hunt trained decided to train as a referee as a New Year's resolution . Mr Hunt is a fully qualified referee after being trained by the Football Association . As Culture Secretary, he decided on New Year’s Eve 2010 to train as a referee. Working with the Football Association . he completed hours of training, matches and tests before becoming a . fully qualified referee and linesman. He has officiated at games in his South West Surrey constituency and across the country. Earlier this year he claimed swearing on the pitch had gone too far. Officiating for a full 90 minutes was obviously thirsty work . The minister keeps a close eye on two Tory players . He said: ‘I do know a little bit . about this because I'm a qualified football referee. I've been at the . receiving end of it and I do think that it has gone too far. ‘I would like to see the football . authorities do more because I think we just have to recognise that . football has huge influence on thousands and thousands of young people . and we do need footballers to set an example.’ The game was played at West Midlands Police football ground. Fortunately, Tory chief whip Andrew . Mitchell, who launched a foul-mouthed tirade at officers last month, was . not in the Conservative squad. | Party conference game ends with a 4-2 victory for the politicians .
Minister trained as a referee as a New Year's resolution .
He has called for less swearing after being on the receiving end of abuse . |
222,471 | abfa61e71047af6cd27618a41b04ee5a24b6ed20 | (CNN) -- In Florida, one could coin a new term for black bears: Pets. Or maybe: Pests. Some have gotten into the habit, it seems, of visiting neighborhoods there, and on Thursday, one was caught literally hanging around -- in a Daytona Beach man's hammock. "He got in the hammock like he was a tourist or something," homeowner Vincent James told CNN affiliate WESH. Usually, James is the one lounging on his back in the white rope mesh hanging between two trees. The bear enjoyed the respite enough to savor it. He -- or she -- stayed in the hammock for about 20 minutes, said photographer Rafael Torres, who snapped pictures of the bear from 60 feet away. Torres' presence did not seem to disturb the wild animal's repose. Residents say the bear has been scrounging for food in the neighborhood since Wednesday, ripping through garbage cans and knocking down bird feeders. Aw, isn't that cute? Torres and James may have enjoyed the visit by the large, furry character lumbering among the ranks of chirping birds and foraging squirrels on their lawns, but other Floridians haven't shared their glee. In April, a black bear attacked a woman in her garage and dragged her out onto the driveway. She claimed it was a posse of five bears that roughed her up, but authorities said it was only one. But there was a handful of black bears roaming the neighborhood at the time of the attack, they said. Don't feed the bears! Wildlife officials also discourage the warm, fuzzy feeling some residents have for the black bears, pointing to the dangers they pose. Wildlife law enforcement officers arrested an 81-year-old woman from Sebring in February for feeding loads of dog food to bears on her property. She dished out up to 18 bowls at a time to furry bunches gathered in her yard. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission warned her multiple times to stop, but she would not, for fear the animals would starve without her. Officers were afraid the bears would get hazardously close to humans, and they killed one bear that was frequenting her feedings. Once a bear feels too at home among people, relocating it doesn't help, the FWC said back then. It will keep coming back. | Homeowner Vincent James watches a black bear get comfortable in his hammock .
A photographer snaps photos while the bear hangs out .
Bears often turn up in residential neighborhoods in Florida .
Wildlife officials become concerned when bears get too accustomed to contact with humans . |
260,872 | dddbaa61d437fcd364f0cca6005d357a92da898b | (CNN) -- Remember Wikipedia's black banner ads that asked for money to keep the lights on at the not-for-profit online encyclopedia? Expect more of those. "We think it's really important to maintain the independence of Wikipedia. We like to keep it ad free," said co-founder Jimmy Wales to CNN's Richard Quest. Loyal users of the crowd-sourced information portal have answered the call for coin in the past. In 2010, the last time Wikipedia asked for donations, the website pulled in the requested $16 million dollars in 50 days from 500,000 people, according to the Wikimedia Foundation. While critics might compare the black banner blitz to begging, Wales implies he does not want conflicts of interest to arise. "When people go read the entry to General Motors you might find it a little disconcerting if you find an ad for the new Corvette there," Wales says. Still, the American internet entrepreneur admits he is not opposed to advertising. Wales runs Wikia, a for-profit video gaming website. With more than 200,000 wikis, or pages that are collaboratively built and maintained, Wikia describes itself as "the world's largest network of collaboratively published video game, entertainment, and lifestyle content." While Wikia is a place for profit, Wales likens Wikipedia to a place of worship. "It's a temple for the mind. It's a place where we think and reflect -- that place of quiet -- somewhere to go and learn something. And we really want to preserve that." With more than 1.7 billion edits and counting, users around the world continue to build and change Wikipedia, with thousands of volunteers self-monitoring information and collaborating for free. Wales says its "completely insane." "It's completely impossible and it can't work and yet she flies. It really comes down to something quite wonderful about human nature that it turns out there's lots and lots of really nice, thoughtful people who want to come and help -- and they do." | Founder of Wikipedia starting new fund raising drive to keep site free .
The 2010 fund drive raised $16 million in 50 days from 500,000 people .
Jimmy Wales: "It's a temple for the mind. It's a place where we think and reflect" |
258,687 | dacd61d74d77d6da62c41c3f01df49663ec4cceb | Gaza City (CNN) -- With the latest failed cease-fire quickly becoming a distant memory, the two sides in the Israel-Gaza conflict traded rockets and airstrikes Saturday -- as well as blame for not stopping the bloodshed. Israeli airstrikes killed at least five more people in Gaza on Saturday, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. The area around central Gaza's Qassam mosque, in particular, was a frenzy of activity as medical workers sifted through rubble there. WAFA claimed that Israeli fighter jets struck that mosque and another, killing at least three people. Less than a mile away from the Qassam mosque, a strike killed two men riding on a motorbike, Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Ashraf el-Qedra said. Israel's military confirmed the strike, saying the two men were militants. El-Qedra added Saturday night that a 13-year-old girl died in an airstrike on her family home in Rafah. That was in addition to a 10-year-old boy who died while playing with friends, the Palestinian health ministry said. Then again, Israel is on the defensive as well. The Israel Defense Forces said that, since the end of the cease-fire early Friday, about 100 rockets were fired toward Israel from Gaza. That figure includes at least 30 launched Saturday, of which 24 hit Israel, the military said. The IDF responded by targeting "some 120 terror sites and nine terror operatives." All this back-and-forth, of course, is nothing new. The Israelis and Palestinians -- particularly Hamas, the Islamic militant group and political party that controls Gaza -- have been at it for weeks, with the former fending off persistent rocket attacks and the latter dealing with relentless Israeli strikes. There have been efforts to halt the bloodshed as well as to broach some of the thorny issues related to it. And there have been some breakthroughs, including a few cease-fires. Yet none of those peacemaking attempts, so far, has stuck. Death toll's rise slows . The death toll's climb has slowed since IDF announced overnight into Saturday an end of its ground incursion in Gaza -- even as it continued to strike from the air. Israeli forces say troops redeployed after completed their mission of destroying Hamas' tunnels. Still, while there weren't scores of dead Saturday as has been true many other days over the past few weeks, the total carnage remains significant. According to el-Qedra, at least 1,911 in Gaza have died since the conflict began, in addition to just under 10,000 injured. It's unclear how many casualties were militants: The United Nations estimates that about 70% of the dead were civilians, or about 1,340. IDF, meanwhile says about 900 militants have been killed, which would put the civilian death toll at around 1,000. IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said that that number was a preliminary estimate based on field reports from troops returning from battle. Israeli officials say 64 Israeli soldiers have died, and three civilians were killed in Israel. The Iron Dome missile defense system has intercepted many of the rockets Gazan militants have fired at populated areas of the country. Blame game continues . Besides the violence, another thing that hasn't stopped is the blame game. One point of contention: who broke the most recent cease-fire hours before it was supposed to run out? Hamas denied firing rockets into Israel on Friday. Yet militants from Islamic Jihad and the Al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades admitted to doing just that -- blaming Israel for refusing to accept their demands during negotiations. Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said it was Hamas' fault regardless, telling CNN the group runs Gaza and "can't outsource terrorism to the other groups. When they want to enforce a cease-fire, they do it very well." Hamas has been in charge of the Palestinian government in Gaza for years, while the Palestinian faction Fatah runs the government in the West Bank. The two groups have been at odds but also made repeated efforts at a unity government, including one earlier this year. One sad irony of all this bloodshed is that -- according to the Egyptian foreign ministry, which brokered recent talks -- the parties have reached an agreement on most issues. Those not agreed upon were few and limited, the ministry said in a statement. Still, there's too much history to show that agreement on some issues will not necessarily lead to a grander breakthrough. The Palestinians have asked for Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza and to re-open the air and seaports, a Palestinian negotiation who spoke on condition of anonymity said. Israeli authorities fear Hamas could import weapons by sea and maintains a ship blockade off Gaza's shores. Palestinians also wanted Israel to extend Gaza's fishing zone in the Mediterranean from three miles off the coast to 20. Fishing is a keystone of Gazan livelihoods. But Israel was willing to extend fishing rights to only six miles off the coast, said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. Yet Israel is resisting in-depth talks as long as rockets continue to head toward its territory. After Gazan rocket fire on Friday, Israel's Foreign Ministry said the country "will not conduct negotiations while under fire." CNN exclusive: Inside the mind of Hamas' political leader . Nobel laureate Wiesel: Hamas must stop using children as human shields . Gaza conflict: Can economic isolation ever be reversed? Life in Gaza: Misery heightened by war . CNN's John Vause reported from Gaza, Matthew Chance reported from Jerusalem; Ben Brumfield and Greg Botelho wrote and reported from Atlanta. CNN's Jethro Mullen, Ali Younes, Tal Heinrich, Jake Tapper and Samira Said also contributed to this report. | NEW: Palestinian official: 13-year-old girl killed by Israeli airstrike .
NEW: Israeli military: About 100 rockets from Gaza since cease-fire's end .
Israel and Hamas criticize one another for not doing more to halt violence . |
253,040 | d37fb9b1b4090d1036d424f8d96a7170f47e02dd | Manchester United star Angel di Maria's traumatised wife has told her husband she's unwilling to return to their family home after thugs attempted to smash their way into the house using scaffold poles. Jorgelina Cardoso has told di Maria, 26, she never wants to return to their family home in Cheshire after she was left shaken and traumatised by the terrifying raid on Saturday night. The couple, along with their one-year-old daughter Mia, were at home eating dinner when the gang of three tried to break through patio doors just hours after Manchester United's victory over Leicester City. The family have been staying at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester following the harrowing ordeal. Here the couple are pictured giving their daughter Mia a kiss at Christmas time . The footballer with his young daughter Mia. The family are said to be 'very shaken up' by the incident . A window at di Maria's Cheshire home was yesterday boarded up after the burglars attempted to break into the property using scaffold poles . Footballer Angel di Maria pictured in action against Leicester City on Saturday just hours before the terrifying attempted break in at his family home . On Sunday Manchester United placed security guards at their house, while photographs of the property showed a window was boarded up. The couple were whisked to the Lowry Hotel in Manchester after the attack and remain staying there in a bid to ease Mrs Cardoso's concerns,The Sun reported. A source told the paper: 'Angel's wife is completely freaked out. 'She has told Angel that she never wants to go back. She may calm down in time but she is very family oriented so she has been really shaken by what happened.' The former Real Madrid winger was shadowed by a security guard on Sunday as he drove from his hotel in his Range Rover. Di Maria's agent confirmed the incident on Sunday and Cheshire police are investigating reports of a burglary. 'At 7.30pm on Saturday, January 31, police received reports of a burglary at a house in Prestbury,' a spokesman told MailOnline. The family are staying at Manchester's Lowry Hotel (pictured) and Jorgelina is said to be too scared to return home . Police said the offenders tried to enter the player's Cheshire home by smashing a back door. Here the couple are pictured at the Manchester United Christmas party last year . The footballer, pictured with his wife, put his success with Real Madrid last season down to the lessons he has learned from his baby daughter . 'A number of offenders tried to gain access to the property by trying to smash the back door. 'The alarm was raised before the men got inside and they fled the scene.' The Argentina international signed for Manchester United from Real Madrid in August for a British record transfer fee of £59.7million, moving to Cheshire with his wife, who he married in 2011, and daughter, who is almost 22-months-old. Due to its proximity to both Manchester and Liverpool, Cheshire is popular with Premier League footballers and several players' homes have been targeted by burglars in the past. Everton and England defender Phil Jagielka was robbed at knifepoint at his home near Knutsford in 2009. Stoke striker Peter Crouch suffered two break-ins, in 2011 and 2006, at two properties he's owned in Cheshire. United star Darren Fletcher's wife and mother were threatened with a knife when raiders burst into their home in Bowdon in 2009. Baby Mia and her mother sport United shirts in honour of their footballing father and husband . The toddler, who is now nearly two, sports an Argentina strip with her father's number on the back . Little Mia was born three months premature on April 22, 2013. He and his wife have backed charity Unicef's campaign to raise awareness of premature babies . And the wife of Bolton striker Emile Heskey was also held at knifepoint when a gang raided their mansion in Hale during his time with Wigan Athletic in 2008. The series of raids led to claims that top footballers were installing panic rooms in their homes. Di Maria's daughter Mia was born three months premature on April 22, 2013 - the night before her father's then team Real Madrid faced Borussia Dortmund in a Champions League semi-final. Di Maria missed the game to be with his wife and their baby spent the next two months in intensive care before the couple were allowed to take her home. The footballer has previously said of his little girl: ‘My daughter taught me that everything that appears to be really difficult can end up being easy if you put the effort in and wait for the rewards. ‘She transmitted so much energy to me and it helped me to have the spectacular year that I had.’ Di Maria’s wife had suffered pregnancy complications and doctors had given the couple’s baby a 30 per cent chance of survival if the birth was not induced . | Angel di Maria's wife left terrified after attempted break in at family home .
The couple and their one-year-old daughter were eating dinner at the time .
Three thugs using metal poles attempted to smash their way into the house .
Jorgelina Cardoso has now told her husband she does not want to return .
The family are living at a Manchester hotel as they recover from the ordeal . |
183,425 | 7999327e59f350c9ebe65906385ed7db6fd1bc5a | (CNN) -- An American arrested after a car bombing in northern Sinai in August was found dead in an Egyptian police station Sunday, authorities said. The man -- identified as James Lunn by a U.S. State Department official -- was discovered hanging by his shoelaces and a belt from a bathroom door in a waiting area of the Awal police station in Ismailia, Egypt, public prosecutor Hisham Barakt said. An investigation has been ordered to determine if the death was a suicide, Barakt said. Lunn was taken into custody on August 27 after a car bomb exploded near a police station in northern Sinai, according to a statement from Egypt's Interior Ministry. His death came on the same day that his detention was extended for another 30 days, the ministry said. Investigators found "a computer and maps of vital installations" in his possession after he was detained, the ministry said . "The duty officer in the Awal Police Station in Ismailia, while passing by the administrative detention room where the accused was being held alone, found that the accused had committed suicide by hanging himself from the bathroom door," the ministry statement said. A vice consul from the U.S. government visited the man at the jail "and noted the good treatment of the prisoner," the ministry said. "Our thoughts are with his family as they cope with their loss," the State Department official said. "We have contacted his family and are providing appropriate consular assistance." Personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo were "in regular touch with Mr. Lunn during his detention," the official said. Attacker kills 4 in Egypt's Sinai . CNN's Ahmed Housam and Elise Labott contributed to this report . | Jail guard says James Lunn was hanging by shoelaces and belt from a bathroom door .
Prosecutor orders probe to determine if the death was a suicide .
Lunn was arrested in August after a car bomb exploded near a northern Sinai police station .
Lunn had "a computer and maps of vital installations" when arrested, official says . |
72,074 | cc459ca154e69dd967f5537a931cb40e95ec5cf6 | Giglio, Italy (CNN) -- Rescue workers -- who had suspended their underwater search of the Costa Concordia after the cruise ship moved, making it too risky for divers to operate -- resumed searching Friday night on the upper part of the ship, the Italian coast guard said. Rescue workers previously suspended their search when sensors on board the vessel measured movement, Massimo Maccheroni, of the Coast Guard general command, told CNN. "When this happens all rescue forces have to leave the ship, (so as) not to put their lives in danger," he said. Underwater searches will not resume until Saturday, the Italian coast guard said. The authorities are now assessing their options. One possibility being considered is an attempt to anchor the vessel to the rocks off Giglio island using chains. But, warned Maccheroni, "It's very difficult. The Concordia weighs 110,000 tons and it's like a 300 meter-high skyscraper in an horizontal position." Italian authorities are considering when to call off the search for survivors and start the recovery operation, which would mean salvage workers can start emptying the ship's huge fuel tanks. Coast Guard Captain Cosimo Nicastro said that preparation for the fuel removal operation is underway, though it has not started yet. A vessel with a huge tank still needs to come to the island to store the fuel. This will happen in the coming days, he said. At least 11 people are known to have died in the disaster, and 21 are still missing, according to the Italian Crisis Unit. A week after the ship ran aground off the Tuscan coast, it appeared increasingly unlikely that any survivors will still be found aboard the ship. On Friday, more relatives of the missing passengers arrived on the island. "It's terrible, we spend all day with relatives of those that have someone still missing and of those that have been identified," Giglio Vice Mayor Marco Pellegrini said. A little bar located on the harbor was drawing a bit of business selling hot drinks and coffee. A private boat carrying French, Italian and Peruvian relatives of the dead and missing, chartered by the Italian authorities, sailed from Porto Santo Stefano on the mainland Friday lunchtime, to Giglio. Cook: Captain ordered dinner after crash . A spokesman for the mayor of Giglio said the families had scattered flowers on the water by the wreck site. Also on the boat was Susy Albertini, the mother of a missing 5-year-old Italian girl, Dayana Arlotti. The girl's father, Albertini's ex-husband, William Arlotti, is also unaccounted for. "Dayana was very happy and excited for this trip," said Davide Veschi, lawyer for Susy Albertini. "She packed all her nicest clothes last Thursday. We know from other passengers that she was wearing a life vest but her father no. They are not experienced swimmers. Susy tried to reach the father's mobile many times that night, but nobody answered." Eight of the dead have so far been named -- four French passengers, a Spanish passenger, and Italian and one crew member each from Hungary and Peru. Criticism from both Costa Cruises and the authorities has focused so far on Capt. Francesco Schettino, who is under house arrest and facing possible charges of manslaughter, shipwreck and abandoning ship. His lawyer, Bruno Leporatti, spoke to Sky Tg24 on Friday, urging people to reserve judgment on the captain until they have all the facts. "Obviously, before we can talk about responsibilities, we need to make sure that there is a series of facts that are corroborated. Until now we only have one fact: the fact that the ship Concordia hit a rock. What were the causes of the collision: a wrong maneuver? A missing sign on the sea maps? High speed? A sudden change of route? Improvised route? I am not able to determine this," Leporatti told the Italian news channel. "It will be the technical examinations that will in their entirety clarify the dynamic of the events," Leporatti reportedly said. Further doubt was cast on Schettino's leadership late Thursday when a cook from the ship told a Filipino television station that the captain ordered dinner for himself and a woman at about 10:30 p.m., less than an hour after the collision. "We wondered what was going on," cook Rogelio Barista told GMA Network. "At that time, we really felt something was wrong. ... The stuff in the kitchen was falling off shelves and we realized how grave the situation was." However, a Moldovan woman Domnica Cemortan, 25, who also works for the Costa cruise line but said she was on the Concordia as a passenger, defended the captain in a TV interview. "I've heard in Russian media that the captain left the ship first, or among the first. But this is not true," she said. "I'm a witness -- I don't know if I'm invited to testify in the court or not, but as a witness I can say that I left the deck at 11:50 p.m. following an order from the captain who told me to go to the third deck to get into a lifeboat that could take more people." Cemortan said she had gone to the deck to help translate the captain's orders after hearing a coded announcement that raised the alarm for crew members. Coast guard records published Thursday by an Italian newspaper added to the pressure on Schettino and his officers, suggesting authorities first became aware of the crash from a friend of the mother of a passenger about 15 minutes after the ship hit rocks. The Coast Guard identified the ship in trouble and contacted it, asking if there were problems on board, at 10:14 p.m. -- more than half an hour after the 9:41 p.m. collision -- according to a Coast Guard log published in the newspaper La Repubblica. The ship responded that it was experiencing a "black out," according to the log and said the crew believed it could solve the problem in a short time. The log does not indicate which crew member was speaking. What appears to be the audio of that first radio call between the Costa Concordia and the Coast Guard was broadcast on Italian media Thursday. A Coast Guard official is heard to ask: "What kind of a problem is it? Just something with the generator? The police of Prato have received a phone call from the relatives of a sailor who said that during the dinner everything was falling on his head." The unidentified crew member responds: "We have a black out and we are checking the conditions on board." "The passengers say they have been told to put on the life vests, is this correct?" the Coast Guard then asks, to which the crew member repeats the same answer, before promising to keep the Coast Guard updated. In Schettino's hometown of Meta di Sorrento, residents were standing by the cruise ship captain. A spray-painted sheet left hanging outside the home where Schettino is under house arrest says, "Captain, don't give up." "It looks like the only one responsible is the captain. That's what everyone on the outside think," Mayor Paolo Trapani said. "But in this village, people know he cannot be responsible for everything. It's not like journalists want to portray it." The decision to give up the search for survivors is expected to come by the weekend, when the weather is forecast to deteriorate. Declaring the operation to be recovery rather than rescue would allow salvage experts to start pumping fuel out of the ship, potentially averting an environmental catastrophe. The ship was carrying about 2,300 tons of fuel when it hit rocks. Prosecutors have accused the captain of piloting the ship too fast to allow him to react to dangers, causing the shipwreck, according to legal papers. Judge Valeria Montesarchio's initial ruling found Schettino changed the ship's course, steering too close to shore and causing the ship to hit a rock. Costa Cruises chairman Pier Luigi Foschi earlier this week placed the blame for the wreck squarely on the captain, saying it was his choice to deviate from frequently traveled routes. There were roughly 4,200 people on the Costa Concordia when it ran aground -- about 3,200 passengers and 1,000 crew members, the vast majority of whom made it off the ship safely. CNN's Dan Rivers, Hada Messia, Livia Borghese and journalist Barbie Nadeau contributed to this report. | NEW: Search operations resume on the upper part of the vessel .
NEW: The captain's lawyer talks to an Italian news channel .
Underwater searches were suspended when the ship moved .
Relatives of some of the victims scatter flowers from a boat at the wreck site . |
27,233 | 4d3a5c126bc8020d70726b644c5889e324e6d1c2 | (CNN) -- About 1,500 texts, voice mails and e-mails, some from people he hasn't spoken to in 20 years, have deluged Andy Enfield's in-boxes over the past few days. "Ninety-nine percent of it is all excited and congratulatory. But there are some people that e-mail me just out of the blue, or somehow get my cell phone number, and text me and say derogatory things. And that just comes with the Internet age," the youthful-looking 43-year-old Florida Gulf Coast University head basketball coach said Tuesday. "I believe that this doesn't happen to every coach, because every coach is not a 15 seed," Enfield told CNN's Rachel Nichols on "The Lead with Jake Tapper." Florida Gulf Coast is the lowest-seeded team to ever advance to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA college basketball championship tournament. That accomplishment has focused the spotlight on the previously-little-known coach of a previously-little-known university. And it's also focused TV cameras on his telegenic wife, the mother of his three children, who boasts a higher-profile past -- as a model who appeared on the cover of magazines such as Maxim. "We don't talk about it. Amanda doesn't walk up to people and just say, 'Hey, look at my pictures on the Internet,'" Enfield said. "So, this media scrutiny and attention, I think we're all flattered by it, but it's just not who we are. We're so laid back about our past and what we've done. Really, we just want our focus to be on our team, on what FGCU has done, and this great institution." Florida Gulf Coast stuns Georgetown in shocking upset . Before last weekend's upsets of regional No. 2 seed Georgetown and No. 7 seed San Diego State, most people -- even players Enfield was recruiting -- had no idea know where Florida Gulf Coast University is. "They'd think we were the Gulf Coast Community College in the (Florida) Panhandle," he said recently as his basketball team prepared for its first NCAA tournament game. "I would to keep saying, 'No, we are a Division I school. We are in Fort Myers.' "It just wouldn't register because they had never heard of us." It's been a quick rise to prominence for a school that didn't even exist 16 years ago and only started its sports program in 2002. The hoops team, which joined Division I just five years ago and became eligible for tournament play two years ago, was coming off a 10-20 season when Enfield was hired away from his assistant position at Florida State. It was a tough start. Three team leaders transferred. He had to recruit players while his wife was in the hospital having their third child. (Well, he didn't HAVE to, but he did) The coach recalls telling his staff that they had two goals: Quickly recruit talent and make the players that were recruited better. "The chemistry on the team in unbelievable. It's the best I've been around in my years of coaching. I think people see that on the court. We look for the individual personality side when we recruit, and also the talent. Then, we try to develop our players on and off the court," Enfield told Nichols. "I think what you're seeing is our style of basketball these last two games ... we've been successful because our players enjoy their friends and they enjoy playing with each other." Enfield is used to success. He was valedictorian in high school in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. As a college guard at Johns Hopkins University, he set the NCAA Division III record in 1991 for career free throw percentage at 92.5%. He parlayed his reputation as a great shooter into a job as a consultant to NBA teams where he helped players improve their form. Two of those gigs turned into full-time positions as an assistant coach, one with the Boston Celtics. While Enfield taught good shooting technique, he also learned about coaching from Rick Pitino, who is now the head coach of No. 1 seed Louisville. "Basketball's always been in my blood. My father was a high school coach. He coached ninth grade for 20-something years. It's always been with me. It's my passion," Enfield said. He majored in economics at Johns Hopkins and received an MBA from Maryland, then left coaching in 2000 to co-found Chattanooga, Tennessee-based TractManager, a contract management company in the health care industry. Sports Illustrated reported that the privately held company is worth at least $100 million. "I retain a part of company, but I'm not involved any way in management,'' Enfield told the magazine this week. His partner, Tom Rizk, said he asked Enfield to be one of the initial investors because he saw some genius in him. "One of his very significant talents was to be a leader," Rizk told the News-Press of Fort Myers. "People were following him. He is a special guy. He's smart. He's articulate. He's very positive. If there's a guy that could turn a program around like yours, it's him." March Madness A to Z . While he was working in New York for the company, he was set to drive to Boston to watch the NCAA tournament. A friend said her girlfriend had tickets, too. They were going to fly, but Enfield offered them a ride so they could save the $500. The girlfriend was Amanda Marcum, a model who had appeared on the covers of magazines such Maxim and Vogue and did runway work in Europe. "I didn't know her at the time," Enfield said, "but I knew as soon as she got in the car, I knew it would be a great trip to Boston." For the future Mrs. Enfield, it wasn't exactly love at first four-hour trip. "No. No. But it worked out after a while," the ardent Oklahoma State fan told the Oklahoman newspaper. "We got engaged pretty quickly after we started dating, and that happened fast, but, no (immediate attraction)." So Amanda modeled and Andy continued to work as an entrepreneur (he also had a basketball shooting technique video and company). She traveled the world and he watched his company grow. He wanted to go back to coaching and thought it would be better to raise a family in a college environment. He got an offer from Florida State in 2006, joining the staff of a middling team in the powerhouse Atlantic Coast Conference. When the Florida Gulf Coast job opened up, Enfield e-mailed about it. Like so many people, he only had seen the young school's scores on the TV ticker and had never been to the campus. "I didn't know much about the school when I took the job," he said, adding that Athletics Director Ken Kavanagh sold him on the idea of quickly making it a place to build a tradition. "I wanted that opportunity, so that's why I took it." Enfield signed a five-year contract (which may not stop larger schools from looking to Fort Myers for a coach this off-season) and quickly built a program almost from scratch. There are just two seniors and two juniors on this year's roster. He recruited four high school seniors and one transfer. The young Eagles are exciting to watch, and their high-flying offense and highlight reel jams have given Fort Myers a new nickname -- Dunk City. "I'm pretty confident that we can run with anybody," said Eddie Murray, a 6-foot-8 senior forward. "We don't have the typical big body guys. We have the long, athletic guys who want to run." They also play tough defense, just like Florida State. Enfield knows that when it comes to recruiting, he's not necessarily going to get guys ready for Division I. Those players go to Kentucky or Duke or other top schools, he said. He gets players who have some talent -- and some flaws, he said. "We have some of the most improved players in the country on our team this year. They've made huge jumps, and I think that's big in selling that recruiting," he said. Besides good technique, there is one other thing he teaches them. "The biggest thing he's given me has just been confidence," Murray said. The Eagles are confident they can keep pulling off upsets like the ones they sprung on Georgetown and San Diego State. The Enfields' daughters are hoping the streak continues. "My oldest daughter's focus is to go to Target to buy a dinosaur from the dollar bin, because that was promised after we got back from the tournament," Amanda Enfield said of their 6-year-old. Andy Enfield added, "Yeah, I told her if we won the first game, she could get a dinosaur, and our other daughter would get a Barbie. They hit me up after winning the first game and said, 'Can we get another if you win a second game?' At that point I said, 'Sure.' (Laughs) And Amanda said, 'Hey you should ask for more than that.'" On Friday, they face Florida in a game scheduled to begin just after 10 p.m. ET. Regional No. 3 seed Florida began the tournament as the 12th-ranked team in the country. Odds makers have the Gators as heavy favorites. Speaking of his intrastate foe, Enfield joked, "It's just unique that we're playing them in the Sweet 16. I blame that on the selection committee. They should have put us in separate parts of the bracket, and we shouldn't have met until the championship game." Whether Enfield's Eagles pull off an upset, one thing is for sure: Recruiting will be a whole lot easier when he has to call prospects' parents this off-season. | Andy Enfield's team is the first No. 15 regional seed to ever get to the Sweet 16 .
Florida Gulf Coast University near Fort Myers has more than 11,000 students .
Enfield has been successful throughout his life, even off the court .
The basketball program became eligible for the NCAA tournament two years ago . |
227,687 | b2ce5a856a8979883951a9c8cadd33cc83cb415e | Michael Abberton was visited by Cambridgeshire police on Saturday after a complaint about a tweet . An education official was visited by police because he had upset Ukip on Twitter. Officers knocked at Michael Abberton’s door to question him about a mocked-up poster he had placed online that criticised the Eurosceptic party’s policies. They asked him about his ‘intentions toward Ukip’ and suggested he should tell no one that the visit had taken place. Mr Abberton, a Green party member, said police had overstepped the mark. The Cambridgeshire force said it had acted over a possible breach of electoral law. But their heavy-handed actions were condemned by civil rights campaigners and politicians from across the political spectrum. David Davis, a former Tory home affairs spokesman, said the incident could have a ‘chilling effect’ on freedom of expression. ‘This is the opposite of what the traditions of British democracy and free speech are all about,’ he said. And the Green Party said it would write to the Home Secretary to demand an investigation into why the visit took place. Mr . Abberton, who works as an assessor for an exam board, used his Twitter . account last week to post a spoof Ukip poster, which supposedly listed . the party’s policies. Mr Abberton was questioned after he posted a picture online mocking what he claimed were UKIP's policies . Cambridgeshire Police later commented on the controversial investigation on their own Twitter feed . The poster had originally been produced by an online activist who was unknown to Mr Abberton. The 47-year-old, from Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, said two officers arrived at his home, one wearing a bodycam to record evidence. ‘It . did stress me out because I didn’t know what to do,’ he said. ‘I . couldn’t believe it had happened. I’ve never had any contact with police . apart from the odd demo.’ Green party member Mr Abberton, who has often attacked UKIP on his Twitter feed, later described the visit from police on his blog . Lib Dem MP Julian Huppert (left) has hit out after police while Green Party leader Natalie Bennett (right) has branded the police investigation 'disturbing' He added: ‘When they asked me to take the . tweet down they said obviously we can’t force you to do that because of . freedom of speech.’ A police spokesman said officers had intervened because the post was sent out a fortnight before European and local elections. He . added: ‘Inquiries were made as to whether any offences had been . committed under the Representation of the People Act but none were . revealed and no further action was taken.’ The . act forbids the publishing of false statements about candidates ahead . of polls, and bans people from impersonating a candidate. The complaint . came from a Ukip councillor. Emma . Carr of Big Brother Watch said: ‘It is time that the police focus on . bringing to justice those who seek harm, not those who cause offence.’ Peter Burkinshaw, secretary of Ukip’s Cambridge branch, said: ‘I don’t understand why the police would go round.’ | Green party member Michael Abberton posted picture about Ukip 'policies'
The blogger was visited by two police officers after complaint was made .
Police say they were investigating possible breaches of electoral law .
Local MP says force's actions 'worrying' and has called for investigation . |
48,522 | 88ee2099c32fc5209351af3b7e7ead0101824003 | Women going through the menopause may suffer hot flushes for as long as 14 years, warn researchers. They found half the women in a large study had uncomfortable, often distressing symptoms for more than seven years on average. US experts said greater efforts are needed to find new ways of helping women at the menopause as HRT is currently recommended for five years of maximum use. Nancy Avis, a professor of social sciences and health policy at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, North Carolina, and the study’s lead author, said doctors should advise women that vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats might last longer than they had been led to believe. Women going through the menopause may suffer hot flushes for as long as 14 years, warn researchers . She said ‘The duration of 7.4 years highlights the limitations of guidance recommending short-term hormone therapy and emphasises the need to identify safe long-term therapies for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms.’ In the UK, the average age of the menopause is 51 years, when periods stop and oestrogen hormone levels decline. The study of 1,449 women with frequent hot flushes or night sweats is the largest study of its kind and included four ethnic groups. The average length of time women endured symptoms was 7.4 years. Half of the women were affected for less than that time, but half had symptoms longer — some for at least 14 years, researchers reported in JAMA Internal Medicine (must credit). Overall, African-American and Hispanic women experienced hot flashes significantly longer than white or Asian women. The study found that the earlier hot flushes started the longer they lasted. Researchers found half the women in a large study had uncomfortable, often distressing symptoms for more than seven years on average. For women who got hot flushes before they stopped menstruating, they were likely to continue for years after the menopause, longer than for women whose symptoms only began when their periods had stopped. In the study, one in eight women began getting hot flushes while still having regular periods. For two-thirds of women, they began in perimenopause, the period of time before the menopause sets in when periods become more scant. Women who started getting hot flushes when they were still having regular periods or were in early perimenopause experienced symptoms for around 11.8 years. About nine of those years occurred after menopause, nearly three times the average of 3.4 years for women whose hot flushes did not start until their periods stopped. Prof Avis said ‘If you start later it’s a shorter total duration, and it’s shorter from the last period on.’ The study also found that women with longer-lasting symptoms tended to have less education, greater perceived stress, and more depression and anxiety. Hot flushes (known as flashes in the US) are caused by dilation of the blood vessels and increased flow of blood to the head and neck, causing reddening of the skin and sweating. Night sweats are hot flushes that take place at bedtime, disrupting sleep and causing fatigue and stress. Studies have found that women with hot flush symptoms also face increased risk of cardiovascular problems and bone loss. Researchers followed the women in the study, who came from seven American cities, from 1996 to 2013. All of them met the researchers’ definition for having frequent symptoms: hot flushes or night sweats at least six days in the previous two weeks. None had had a hysterectomy or both ovaries removed and none were on hormone therapy. The study comprised of women from different ethnic groups living in America, including African-Americans, Japanese and Chinese descent and Hispanic as well as white women and reasons for variation in the length of menopause between the groups were unclear, said the researchers. Dr JoAnn E. Manson, chief of preventive medicine at the Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an author of a commentary on the study, said ‘Women with more stress in their lives may be more aware of their symptoms and perceive them to be more bothersome. ‘But also having significant night sweats that interrupt sleep can lead to stress’ she added. | Researchers found half the women in study had symptoms for seven years .
US experts say more must be done to help women through the menopause .
In the UK the average woman begins menopause at the age of 51 . |
185,358 | 7c16544a3213df4faf28b485797f10cc0b84174a | By . Chris Foy . Follow @@FoyChris . Northampton staged their second Friday-night fightback in a week as Stephen Myler’s supreme goal-kicking in Cardiff swept them to the Amlin Challenge Cup title and part one of their Double target. Seven days after rallying from a 17-6 deficit to finally trump Leicester and earn a place in the Aviva Premiership Final, the Saints fought their way out of another tight corner to claim European glory. Just after half-time, Jim Mallinder’s side were 13-6 adrift, down to 14 men and Bath had a routine shot at goal. Cup run: Northampton captain Tom Wood and Phil Dowson hold the Amlin Challenge Cup aloft . On target: Stephen Myler kicked impressively for Northampton in their 30-16 Cup final win . Opportunity lost: Bath couldn't capitalise on their periods in control and the Saints' class overcame them . The Saints were staring into the . abyss, but they turned the tide as Myler claimed a 20-point personal . haul with six penalties and a conversion, and late tries by Phil Dowson . and Ben Foden sealed the comeback. There . were some grim sights for watching England head coach Stuart Lancaster. Bath’s electric wing, Anthony Watson, hobbled off with a suspected . hamstring strain and his team-mate, prop David Wilson, was removed after . being treated for what appeared to be pain in his shoulder. The . Saints’ challenge was founded on a dominant scrum, with Alex Corbisiero . making his presence felt before being yellow-carded for illegally . charging into a ruck after the ball was out. But before their . second-half decline, Bath capitalised on Springbok flanker Francois . Louw’s ability to wreak regular havoc at the breakdown. Almost wasted: Luther Burrell crossed the line but Northampton needed Ben Foden's input to score the try . Close call: Ben Foden gets the last touch to score the match-clinching try for the Saints in the closing stages . Watson . struck from 60 metres out in the first half when ruck pressure created a . turnover, but once the pendulum had swung Northampton’s way and Myler’s . right boot edged his team ahead, the Saints crossed the line twice late . on. Dowson scored from a lineout catch and drive, before Foden applied . the crucial touch after a midfield break-away almost came to nothing. ‘It’s . been hugely frustrating in the last four years to go so close to . winning titles and not quite getting over the line, so it is great to . finally get winners medals,’ said Northampton captain Tom Wood. ‘We want . to go on and get that Double now.’ Mallinder . added: ‘This sets us up perfectly for a massive challenge in the . Premiership Final and we’ve got a good chance. Saracens are a great team . but we’ ll look forward to watching them play tomorrow and hopefully . Toulon will get stuck into them!’ Arms up: Bath and Northampton contest a line-out at Cardiff Arms Park . Dominant: Myler controlled the game after the break as the Saints overpowered Bath . Referee . Jerome Garces awarded Bath a penalty that Ford missed, but he opted not . to award a yellow card that England flanker Wood's indiscretion . warranted. Northampton did . not learn their lesson, though, and three minutes after the break . Corbisiero was sin-binned for tackling Bath captain Stuart Hooper off . the ball, but Ford again drifted his kick wide. Myler . then completed his penalty hat-trick and it was the cue for Bath boss . Mike Ford to make his first change as scrum-half Peter Stringer replaced . Micky Young before Ford missed with another shot at goal. Ford's . inaccuracy off the kicking tee came as an unexpected bonus for . Northampton, and it meant they were still in a game that Bath should . have been on the verge of closing out. Crossing over: Saints flanker Phil Dowson (left) celebrates his try with Christian Day (centre) in Cardiff . Just reward: Anthony Watson sped away to score a deserved first-half try for Bath . But . Bath substitute prop Anthony Perenise was yellow-carded 10 minutes from . time and Northampton made them pay instantly when Dowson was driven . over from a lineout and Myler's conversion sealed the deal. A . Myler interception of Ford's pass then had Bath retreating rapidly in . defence, and although supporting centre Luther Burrell slipped with the . line at his mercy, Saints had enough players in support for assist Foden . and Garces awarded the try on confirmation from television match . official Eric Gauzins. Bath . were finished and it meant they ended a season that promised so much as . losing Amlin finalists just two weeks after they finished fifth in the . Premiership and missed out on the play-offs. | Saints scored two tries to Bath's one to win the Amlin Challenge Cup .
Fly-half Myler kicked 20 points for Northampton, including six penalties .
George Ford missed three of his six penalty attempts .
Bath took a seven-point lead into half-time after an Anthony Watson try .
Dowson and Foden scored tries in the closing nine minutes .
Bath finished with 14-men after Anthony Perenise was yellow-carded .
Ford will miss England's tour of New Zealand to have shoulder surgery . |
275,713 | f129b382f59a67f7842433d8e205d8493661277b | (CNN) -- Sally Ride became the first American woman in space when she flew into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983, but that was far from her only achievement. The 61-year-old astronaut, who died Monday after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer was an inspiration to women around the world and a passionate advocate of female advancement in the fields of science, technology and mathematics. She founded Sally Ride Science in 2001 -- an educational organization which sought to encourage girls and young students to pursue their passion for science -- a predominantly male-dominated field. Ride also wrote a number of children's books, earned several degrees (including a PhD in Physics from Stanford University) and returned to space on her second and final mission in 1984. See also: First American woman in space dies . But while she may be best remembered for smashing the glass ceiling of the U.S. space program, the tributes made since her death have emphasized Ride's status as a pioneer and shining example to ambitious women the world over. "As the first American woman to travel into space, Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model," President Barack Obama said soon after news of her death broke. "She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in our schools." Former astronaut and scientist Buzz Aldrin meanwhile tweeted "So sorry to hear of the loss of my friend and fellow astronaut Sally Ride. You will always be an inspiration for women and space." Actor and star of Apollo 13, Tom Hanks, followed up with: "God Speed, Sally Ride. She aimed for the stars. Let's all do the same. Hanx" These emotional sentiments were shared by thousands of others who got in touch with CNN via Facebook and CNN.com to express their condolences. Annabeth66 posted: "Ride, Sally Ride! You were my hero when I was a little girl and was told by my grade school teacher, that girls can not become astronauts. RIP for you are loved by so many." JusticEdge said: "Sally, you were awesome. I hesitate to use the past tense. You made it in the NASA space program that ... regularly reject(s) Navy SEALS. Thank you for breaking the gender barrier and thank you for showing us that in (these) trying times, decent human being can still be everything they hoped for." See also: Photos of Sally Ride's 1983 Challenger launch . Thousands of others took to Twitter to pay their respects, with the tributes coming from every corner of the globe. Ingerlindsay tweeted: "RIP, Sally Ride. You inspired millions of girls to be brave _and_ brilliant. We need more role models like you." DanaGoh chimed in with: "Sally Ride thank you for being a woman of courage, confidence, and character! Thank you for showing girls that they can achieve anything." Hundreds of others who got in touch with CNN were keen to share their own personal stories about how Ride inspired and encouraged them at pivotal stages in their lives and careers, proving that women could make it in science. Marhattan said: "You were a childhood hero and inspiration. I stayed home when I was 9 years old to watch the first woman go to space and it altered the course of my life. I graduated with a degree in astrophysics and have been active in the space community my entire adult life in large part because her actions and courage ... I hope she died having some idea of the extent to which she had a positive impact in the lives of others. Thank you!" KJ posted: "Thank you Dr. Ride; you were my role model. I was given a poster of you on my 6th birthday. You autographed it to me when I was 12. It hung on my wall all through high school, my college sorority house, grad school and I hung my stole next to it after earning a doctorate in physics." "Today when I heard, I brought the poster home from my office and gave it to my 6 year old daughter. You inspired me to fight, to strive and to achieve. Thank you for inspiring my life Dr. Ride." JulieMurphy meanwhile added: "Thank you for being such a positive role model and an inspiration! You were my childhood hero and I was blessed to have the opportunity to meet you a few years ago. That was one of the greatest experiences of my life! May you rest in peace. I think the stars are shining a little brighter tonight in your honor." | Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, died aged 61 .
Ride was a passionate advocate for female advancement in the sciences, math and tech .
CNN readers have shared their memories and condolences on CNN.com, Facebook and Twitter . |
211,699 | 9e22663cf8b7ae0419054ea3af52e444738c79f1 | It was a sarcastic Facebook comment during an argument about a video game. And, according to the father of 19-year-old Justin Carter, it was enough to land his son behind bars for months, facing the possibility of years in prison. Carter, who is currently on suicide watch in Comal County Jail near San Antonio, Texas, has been locked up since February. He faces a charge of making terroristic threats, a felony that could theoretically bring a sentence of up to eight years. "He's very depressed. He's very scared and he's very concerned that he's not going to get out," Jack Carter, Justin's father, told CNN on Tuesday. "He's pretty much lost all hope." In February, Justin, then 18, and a friend were arguing on Facebook with someone else over the online video game "League of Legends." "Someone had said something to the effect of 'Oh you're insane. You're crazy. You're messed up in the head,'" Jack Carter told CNN affiliate KVUE in Austin. "To which he replied 'Oh yeah, I'm real messed up in the head. I'm going to go shoot up a school full of kids and eat their still-beating hearts.'" According to court documents, Justin wrote "I'm f---ed in the head alright. I think I'ma (sic) shoot up a kindergarten and watch the blood of the innocent rain down and eat the beating heart of one of them." Jack Carter said his son followed the claim with "LOL" and "J/K" -- indicating that the comment wasn't serious. But someone else -- Carter says a woman in Canada -- noticed the comment and reported it to authorities. Coming two months after the deadly shootings at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, the report wasn't taken lightly. According to court documents, Carter lived less than a half-mile from an elementary school in New Braunfels, Texas. A search warrant was issued on February 13 and, a week later, a judge issued a warrant for his arrest. "I thought it was a joke," Jack Carter told CNN. "I couldn't believe the person that called me. I kept telling them they have to be kidding. When I realized he wasn't, I literally broke down crying." A judge set bond for Justin Carter at $500,000, meaning that 10% of that, or $50,000, would have to be posted to get him out of jail while he awaits trial. His lawyer, Donald H. Flanary III, says that's far more than his family can afford. "It's outrageous," Flanary, who is working the case for free, told CNN Tuesday. "I've represented murderers and their bond was $150,000." Flanary said he planned to meet with Justin Carter Tuesday afternoon and ask a judge for the bond to be reduced. He said police didn't find any weapons or other items to suggest that Justin's comment was serious, but that, "in the times we're living in, it was kind of a perfect storm." "The law enforcement, the sheriff's department, the district attorney's office -- nobody wants to be the one that let him go," Flanary said. "They don't think about the person or the crime or the lack of crime ... they don't want to take responsibility for something happening in the future." A spokeswoman for the police department in Austin, where Justin was originally jailed, referred a request for comment and arrest documents to neighboring New Braunfels Police. A police department spokesman there did not immediately respond to a similar request. Meanwhile, people have come together online to support the jailed teen. A Change.org petition titled "Release Justin Carter and Change the Investigative Criteria for Terroristic Threat Laws" had received nearly 35,000 digital signatures as of Tuesday afternoon. "Too many teenagers are being arrested, jailed and having their lives forever altered because of anti-terrorism laws and investigations that impede their 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech," reads the petition. Jack Carter says that, as a parent, he understands why authorities are so vigilant about threats of school violence. "I definitely see the need to investigate such claims. Absolutely," he said. "But at some point during the investigation there has to be some common sense." | Teen held since February on charges related to Facebook comment .
Justin Carter, 19, was arguing over an online video game .
Father says a sarcastic joke was misinterpreted .
Online petition to free Carter has nearly 35,000 signatures . |
11,033 | 1f5cb5c5d082959520446efc557269f8336196f0 | It has been five years since two Virginia Tech students were shot to death in the parking lot of a Virginia campground. But local detectives are no closer to finding out who was behind the Aug. 26, 2009, slaying of Heidi Childs and David Metzler at Caldwell Fields in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Capt. Robert New on Tuesday said the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office still has no new information regarding the double shooting, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. Childs, 18, and Metzler, 19, had been together for at least four years and had just started their second year at Virginia Tech, where she was majoring in industrial and systems engineering while he studied biochemistry. Victims: Heidi Childs, 18, and David Metzler, 19, were fatally shot in 2009 in a Virginia campground. The case remains unsolved . A white cross marks the spot where the couple was slain at the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests . The night they were killed, the couple, both of Virginia, had planned on chatting and playing guitars while parked at the idyllic campground in Montgomery County. Childs told friends they wouldn't be late because she had homework to do. They left her apartment about 8 pm. Next morning, a man walking his dog found their bodies shot by a .30-30 rifle. He was inside his Toyota Camry. She was on the ground outside. Since then, investigators have remained unable to point to a motive, saying the shootings were likely random, according to the Times-Dispatch. On the third anniversary of the homicide in 2012, Sheriff Tommy Whitt revealed that his detectives had found DNA evidence at the scene and were trying to match it to people who frequent the area. He said his department was still actively working the case. Childs and Metzler had been a couple for four years and wanted to attend Virginia Tech together. They were starting their second year there when they were killed . Every year since their killing, friends and family members have continued to drop by to set memorials at the spot where Childs and Metzler died . Back then, Whitt told WSET that he'd called the original lead investigator in the case out of retirement so he would focus finding the killer. Detectives said the shooter took Childs' purse containing her cell phone, camera, Virginia Tech lanyard, ID and credit card. The items are still missing. A $70,000 reward remains in place for any information related to the shootings. Police in 2009 canvas the area in Virginia where the Virginia Tech couple was killed . In 2009, police brought in recruits from the New River Criminal Justice Training Academy to help search for more clues about the couple's slaying at Caldwell Fields . | Heidi Childs, 18, and David Metzler, 19, were gunned down in 2009 at the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia .
The couple had planned on chatting and playing guitars in the fields .
Five years on, police remain no closer to solving the case . |
202,294 | 91e80abb082163641094c1ec3c5cf39b3c99ef97 | London (CNN) -- John and Frances Canning didn't really expect Queen Elizabeth to come to their wedding, but when they learned she was going to be in Manchester, England, on the day of their nuptials, they sent an invitation on a whim. She showed up. Despite their shock, the groom had the presence of mind to bow, and the bride to curtsey as the monarch appeared and congratulated them, amateur video of the event showed. "Basically it was a wedding gift for us," Frances Canning told CNN affiliate ITN. The queen's husband Prince Philip also wished the couple well. Queen Elizabeth was in Manchester Friday on official duties that included visits to Central Manchester University Hospitals and a new BBC complex. She is making appearances around the country this spring as she celebrates her Diamond Jubilee, marking her 60 years on the throne. | Queen Elizabeth unexpectedly drops in on a wedding while she's in Manchester .
She was invited but the bride and groom didn't really think she would come .
The bride calls the queen's presence "a wedding gift" |
228,138 | b369de610258fa1eb45a2cf603d8e235086a743d | By . Chris Hastings . The great-grandmother who was last night catapulted into the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent has hit back at critics who suggested she had no right to be on the ITV show. Paddy Jones, 79 – whose jaw-dropping routine with her young partner Nico Espinosa, wowed the show’s judges and studio audience – said the fact they had previously won the Spanish TV contest Tu Si Que Vales (You Are Worth It) in 2009 should not count against them. Mrs Jones said: ‘Surely other people do this as well and go in for all sorts of competitions. ‘Nico and I haven’t gone on to BGT with thoughts of gaining goodness knows what, we have gone into it for the pleasure of being able to dance and letting people see what we can do.’ Scroll down for video . Paddy Jones, 79, who was last night catapulted into the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent with her younger partner Nico Espinosa, has hit back at critics who suggested she had no right to be on the ITV show . Mrs Jones' jaw-dropping routine with partner Nico, wowed the show's judges and the studio audience. She said the fact they won the Spanish TV contest Tu Si Que Vales (You Are Worth It) in 2009 should not count against them . The retired dental nurse, who lives near Valencia in Spain but is originally from Stourbridge, West Midlands, insists she has never met any of the show's judges prior to the audition . Tu Si Que Vales is not part of the ‘Got Talent’ franchise and is not owned by Cowell’s production company Syco. The retired dental nurse, who lives near Valencia in Spain but is originally from Stourbridge, West Midlands, insists she has never met any of the show’s judges prior to the audition and was ‘flabbergasted’ when Amanda Holden pressed the golden buzzer which guaranteed her a place in the semi-finals. The show’s ten million fans saw Amanda and fellow judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams initially give a frosty reception to the dancers, who Cowell described as a ‘bit weird’. The opening seconds of the routine seemed to confirm the worst fears of the panel and Cowell registered his disappointment by pressing his red buzzer. But moments later the couple embarked on a series of show- stopping lifts and spins which drew screams of delight from the judges and audience and ended with a standing ovation and an apology from Cowell. Mrs Jones, 80 in July, started dancing when she was two. The mother of four, grandmother of seven and great-grandmother of one said: ‘Because I am whizzed round so much I can’t see the reactions of people until we have finished the routine.’ Mrs Jones, who dedicated her perfornance to her late husband, said she was flabbergasted that judge Amanda Holden pressed the golden buzzer, which guaranteed her and her partner a place in the semi-finals . She said: 'I am flabbergasted to have got this far. I am ploughing ahead with it and enjoying it as much as I can. I would encourage older people to get up from watching TV all day to do something. It is a question of mind over matter' She said she was delighted Cowell had felt the need to apologise for his snub. Mrs Jones gave up on her dreams of becoming a professional dancer when she married her late husband David when she was 22 in 1956. He died from leukaemia in 2003 shortly . after the couple had started a new life in Spain and she began dancing . again at the age of 69 as a means of filling her ‘lonely nights’. Mrs Jones' husband David died from leukaemia in 2003 shortly after the couple had started their new lives in Spain . She walked into Nico’s studio on the off-chance he could teach her Flamenco. The pair hit it off and within months they were performing at clubs and dance competitions across Spain. Mrs Jones, whose real first name is Sarah, said: ‘I spoke to the children and asked them what they thought. 'They said I’d given up everything for Dad and them so do what you want because Dad would have approved. I think he would.’ She said she had no idea how she would top last night’s routine. ‘I am flabbergasted to have got this far,’ she said. ‘I am not expecting the impossible. I am ploughing ahead with it and enjoying it as much as I can. ‘I would encourage older people to get up from watching TV all day to do something. It is a question of mind over matter.’ Mrs Jones, who performed in professional panto when she was younger, insists she does not have a stringent fitness routine although she has never smoked. She said: ‘I live on the side of a mountain so I have to go up and down steps all day, which is pretty good. I go to my dance classes and workout as long as I can, and if I get tired I stop.’ Mrs Jones said she found it hard not to think of her husband as she walked out on stage for last night’s audition. She said: ‘The chappie who went on before us sang so beautifully and it was a song very dear to my heart – a favourite of my husband’s and mine which was a bit upsetting just before going on stage.’ Amanda Holden pressing the new golden buzzer, putting Mrs Jones and Mr Espinosa through to the semi-finals . | Paddy Jones, 79, and her partner Nico Espinosa are through to semi-finals .
She said the fact they won the Spanish contest should make no difference .
Dedicated performance to late husband David who died of cancer in 2003 . |
125,643 | 2e700cb975e41b7c8357d3634682d3511c79f545 | By . Martin Robinson . Last updated at 11:13 PM on 21st September 2011 . Visitors to Vegas are hit with the constant noise of coins cascading out of slot machines and everywhere they look are opulent hotels and their rich residents, but the desert town that is guaranteed to shock has a very dirty secret. According to a new economic study of the 100 largest U.S. cities, since the recession 'Sin City' has become the single most dreadful place to live in America. Academics say although Vegas is undoubtedly the entertainment and gambling capital of the world nowhere has employment, business growth and house prices plunged further. Las Vegas has been voted the worst city to live in in the United States following an economic study of the 100 biggest cities in the country . This map shows the cities ratings from the survey, with 20 worst being coloured red and the 20 best being coloured navy blue . Many homeowners in the city have been ruined by a crash in house prices, which were an astonishing 64.5 per cent lower in June 2011 compared to the market peak of late 2007. And in the same period unemployment is up 7.5 per cent, employment down 13.4 per cent, and gross metropolitan product down 12.8 per cent. Economists from MetroMoniter used these four criteria to rank the worst performing, and therefore the most miserable U.S. cities. Riverside in California was rated the second worst city to live in by the survey, with house prices down more than 50 per cent . Sacramento came in third place in the survey, one of a number of California cities in the top 20 worst places to live . Aside from Las Vegas, every place in the top ten of the misery list is in California or Florida, proving that sunshine is not everything for its residents. Riverside, Sacramento, and Stockton, all in California, follow Las Vegas as the most depressing places with Cape Coral in Florida in fifth place. The rest of the top ten is made up of Sarasota, Palm Bay, and Miami, all in Florida, followed by Fresno, California in ninth and Tampa, Florida, in tenth. 'Our economy is stuck running in place and running out of breath,' said . Howard Wial a Brookings fellow and co-author of the report. 'There has been very slow growth in jobs and economic output, and house prices and wages are at dramatic lows.' The report, released today, shows that while there has been economic improvement in America, many cities are nowhere near recovery. Overall, employment rates rebounded from their low point two years ago in almost all of the largest cities, but only 16 have got back more than half the jobs they have lost since 2007. Stockton, California ranked fourth in the survey, one of four cities from the State in the top ten . Cape Coral was the only city from Florida in the top five. The city has seen employment drop 16.9 per cent, while the price of a home has dropped by nearly 60 per cent . House prices across America have hit new lows as in all the 100 metropolitan areas studied, house prices are still lower than at any time since the recession. Meanwhile the unemployment rate in June 2011 remained above six per cent in almost all of the large metropolitan areas and although they are lower than a year ago, all of the cities had higher unemployment rates in June 2011 than in June 2008. And since the beginning of the recession, wages fell in 51 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas and rose in 49, while more than half of the 100 cities had made a complete output recovery by the second quarter of 2011. | Apart from 'Sin City' every place in the top ten is either in California or Florida .
Economists have looked at employment, growth and house price data from 100 of the largest cities in the U.S. to compile the list . |
282,802 | fa50e12491607e03536661988475420bc67165d3 | By . Zoe Szathmary . A wounded 13-year-old girl and her dead baby sister were found in an Oregon hotel room Friday morning as police launched a desperate search for their mother, who is wanted in connection to the incident. The two children were found by housekeeping at Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach, Oregonlive.com reported. Washington woman Jessica Smith, 40, may . be involved, Cannon Beach Police Chief Jason . Schermerhorn said. Authorities are looking for Jessica Smith, pictured . 'Housekeeping at the hotel had found a 13-year-old child that had critical cuts and a deceased infant,' Schermerhorn said in a release. The 13-year-old was flown to a hospital, he said. The police put out an appeal for anyone who may have seen Smith, who is believed to be traveling in a gold SUV. Smith may be in 'a Gold 2007 Chevy Suburban with WA license plate APX3141 associated with the incident,' Schermerhorn said. In a press conference Friday afternoon, Schermerhorn said both the baby and the 13-year-old are Smith's daughters. The girls' mother is a person of interest, he said - and it is not clear where she may be driving to. 'Our hearts go out to the family and it's always hard when there's children involved,' he said. Schermerhorn told reporters Smith checked into the Surfsand Resort on July 30, and the two girls were discovered Friday morning at 9:40am. There were no signs of forced entry into the hotel room, he said. Schermerhorn said he could not provide a . time of death for the baby girl. The 13-year-old girl went into surgery, . he told reporters. 'We don't know at this time what [weapons were used],' Schermerhorn said. KPTV reported 'Smith's husband filed to end their marriage on June 30. She then filed a restraining order against him on July 17.' Scene: The children were found at Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach, Oregon, pictured . Smith may be in this 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. The SUV reportedly has Washington APX3141 plates . | A wounded 13-year-old girl and her dead baby sister were found in an Oregon hotel room on Friday .
The two children were found at Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach .
The girls' mother, 40-year-old Jessica Smith, has been deemed a person of interest by authorities .
Smith checked into the hotel July 30, and her children were found Friday morning at 9:40am, authorities said . |
45,746 | 80e5bb578e0ec3cf8976d38bc114271b6da3c9f4 | (CNN) -- Oscar Pistorius, the South African amputee who is running in the 2012 Olympics on prosthetic legs, might be surprised to learn he is part of a history that traces back 3,500 years. Many ancient civilizations used prosthetic limbs made of wood and metal to get soldiers back into battle. They were also used for basic health reasons. For example, archaeologists have found two very old Egyptian artificial big toes that had been skillfully crafted. One toe was still fastened onto the right foot of the mummy of the daughter of an Egyptian priest, who may have suffered from diabetes. How good were the Egyptian prosthetics? Modern volunteers with similar amputations tried them on and reported the toes were both comfortable and highly efficient during walking. For most of history, prosthetic limbs were used primarily to restore function and secondarily to mimic the human form (one of the Egyptian toes even had a false toenail). In the 1980s, prosthetic limbs underwent a radical evolution when high-tech materials, sophisticated electronics, hydraulics and even microprocessor-controlled joints began appearing. Today, Pistorius' "Cheetah" legs are made of sophisticated curved composite carbon fiber that can handle fast running. There is no doubt that Pistorius, dubbed "Blade Runner," is a world-class athlete. Born with missing fibulas, his legs were amputated below the knees as a baby. Pistorius holds the double-amputee world records for the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes, and he has performed well against able-bodied athletes in international competitions. He is also courageous and determined. In 2007, however, the International Association of Athletics Federations banned Pistorius from competing in able-bodied competitions after tests at the German Sport University showed the Cheetah blades allowed him to expend less energy than able-bodied runners. Pistorius assembled his own legal and scientific team and successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration in Sport. Further tests showed that Pistorius uses energy at the same rate as other elite runners, and that the Cheetah legs are not more efficient than human legs. Also, while his artificial limbs are lighter than human legs, he must push off the ground harder to get the same thrust, which cancels out any advantage. The International Association of Athletics Federations decision was overturned. However, the story is far from over. The ruling only applies to Pistorius, and right now there is no general decision nor any guidelines about the future use of what the court called "adaptive sports equipment." The issue will have to be revisited by each new athlete who wants to use artificial mechanisms in competition. What happens if one day prosthetic technology advances past the able-bodied athlete? The biophysicist Hugh Herr of MIT, himself a double amputee and one of the scientists who tested Pistorius, suggests that athletes will simply have to use less advanced technology to keep them on par with able-bodied athletes. But such a standard is clearly untenable. We do not ultimately know the degree to which technology mimics true physiological function. What if an amputee high jumper wants to use Cheetahs; what level of springiness is "fair" against able-bodied athletes? What about a swimmer who wants to use prosthetic hands or legs? Or an archer whose prosthetic arm does not tremble like an arm of flesh and blood? We do not have metrics that can determine true equivalence with able-bodied athletes. Then there is the issue of fairness. In this year's U.S. Olympic trials, Dathan Ritzenhein, the two-time Olympian and 5k American record holder, was eliminated from the marathon team because of leg cramps. Pistorius cannot get cramps in his calves because he does not have any, and so he can never be eliminated based on this criterion. The Pistorius case confronts us with two important questions. What is a disability? And what is the rationale for elite sport? Defining "disability" is a notoriously slippery enterprise. In 1997, Casey Martin, a professional golfer with a circulatory disorder, sued under the American with Disabilities Act to be allowed to use a golf cart to play in the U.S. Open. The PGA argued that walking the 72 holes while playing world-class golf was a significant factor in tournament play. Who determines what components of a sport are part of its competitive fabric? In the Martin case, it was the U.S. Supreme Court, who overruled the PGA and allowed Martin to use a golf cart. The world is not divided into the disabled and the able-bodied. "Disability" is a medical term, but it is also a legal and a social term; one can have a disability according to medicine but not law, or be considered disabled by social convention but not law or medicine. "Normal" refers to a range of functioning, and a good case can often be made that those at the lower end of the "normal" range have a disability. Where we draw the line can be arbitrary. What is the purpose of sport? Sport is an artificial world. The rules of a game, the distances we run, the criteria for inclusion are all made up, and we change them regularly. We can either have pitchers in professional baseball bat, as in the National League, or have a designated hitter as in the American League. Neither is "right," no matter how passionately some feel about it. Sports work through convention. The great symbolic power of the Olympics is that we all agree on the same rules and then abide by them. Many opposed to Pistorius' inclusion in the Olympics argue that fair competition requires people who start with the same basic physiological equipment. Pistorius' supporters argue instead that fairness in sport means allowing all qualified people to compete, even those born without fibulas. Pistorius did not advance to the men's 400-meter final, but he is still an inspiration. The decision to let him compete in the Olympics is the beginning of this conundrum. More and more, our powerful technological achievements will butt heads with our sense of naturalness and fairness. A lot of the debate and controversy around biotechnology will be played out in athletic competitions. Let the games begin. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul Root Wolpe. | Oscar Pistorius is running in the 2012 Olympics on prosthetic legs .
Paul Wolpe: Is it fair for amputee athletes to compete with able-bodied athletes?
He asks what would happen when prosthetic technology becomes even more advanced .
Wolpe: Decision to let Pistorius participate in the Olympics raises many ethical issues . |
228,180 | b376170f3c4d0a929b111fa7693ee1953508889d | New York (CNN) -- If saving money in 2010 is on top of your list, we have some simple ways you can cut costs. 1. Your cell phone . Cell phones are a big expense for a lot of folks. The cost of an average plan is $65 per month or $780 a year, according to Myvalidas.com. Chances are you're overpaying. Consumer Reports says about two thirds of people didn't use half the minutes they had available. So make sure you take a look at the minutes and texts you've used in the past six months and compare that to your plan's limits. If you're not even close to maxing out, it makes sense to shop around for other plans. Switching could save you up to $300 a year. Billshrink and Myvalidas.com are two Web sites that analyze your current bill for errors, help you recover money from overcharges and compare your current plan with other plans that may help save you money, depending on your usage. And here's something you may not think about. Let's say you have an unexpected life event ... maybe a birth, a death or an illness. Your cell phone usage is likely to spike. But rather than pay an exorbitant overcharge for a single month of use, ask your carrier about letting you switch temporarily to a higher minute plan. Then switch back when your usage abates. 2. Car insurance . The average premium on car insurance is about $1,800 per year, according to Insurance.com. But there are ways you can whittle down that bill. First, auto insurance companies want to know how safe you are. It's not only how safe you are on the roads. They also want to know how stable you are as a person. The longer you've held the same job, the higher your education level, the fact that you own a home -- that all counts toward what kind of risk you represent. The safer you are, the less money you'll pay in premiums. So, if you've bought a home, gotten your master's degree, if you've found a job you've been with for over a year, make sure you let your insurance company know -- and ask to be repriced. You could save up to $750 a year, according to Insurance.com. Here are some other discounts you don't want to leave on the table: A low mileage discount could save you $100 a year. This is a great option if you drive less than 10,000 miles a year. If you have a good student, cut down on those insurance costs with a good student discount. That could save you $300 a year. Raising your deductible can yield you $200 to $400 a year. And shopping around before your current insurance policy expires can save you $250 a year, according to Insurance.com. 3. Entertainment . If you have old CDs or DVDs or books you don't want anymore, trade them for new stuff online. Check out swapadvd.com and paperbackswap.com. If you're looking for cheaper seats to a concert or sports event, check out zebratickets.com. This site aggregates prices from different ticket retailers. Did you know that your AAA membership can get you more than roadside assistance? You can get discounts at retailers like Target.com, Pearle Vision or Sears.com. CNN's Jen Haley contributed to this report. | Consumer Reports says many people don't use half their phone minutes .
Car insurance can go down if you've made life changes that make you safer .
Internet sites allow you to swap CDs and DVDs instead of buying new ones . |
28,518 | 50e82dc0c2e8b81fa6a36d1eca91c48048d58e06 | By . Kieran Corcoran . PUBLISHED: . 10:27 EST, 12 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 11:23 EST, 12 January 2014 . Hunt: People are trying to trace this woman, who tried to take a baby from hospital last night . Police are hunting for a woman who tried to take a baby from a cot at a London hospital last night. The woman said she 'wanted to see' the three-week-old girl as her cot was wheeled between wards at St Thomas' Hospital last night. She then attempted to reach into the cot, but quickly pulled away. Officers said she did not touch the child. Police described her as 'a light-skinned black woman' in her early twenties, around 5'2" tall and of slim build. She was wearing a grey-hooded jacket, a red jumper, blue jeans, and is carrying a JD Sports carrier bag. The baby girl, who was with members of her family and hospital staff at the time of the incident, was then moved into a lift. They were able to stop the woman from entering the lift with them. She remained in the area for a while before she left the hospital by herself. Officers are appealing for information from the public so that they can trace the woman. However, officers from the Metropolitan Police said they do not think the attempt to take the baby was 'serious'. They are not seeking her in connection with any particular crime - and have said instead that they are 'concerned for the wellbeing of the woman'. A statement from the Met said: 'Police are appealing to trace a woman in connection with an incident at St Thomas' Hospital. 'The incident occurred at around 21.20hrs on Saturday, 11 January, as a three-week-old baby girl was being moved between wards. Incident: The attempt took place at St Thomas' Hospital in London, close to the Thames . 'Whilst officers do not believe this was a serious attempt to snatch the . baby, they are concerned for the wellbeing of the woman and are keen to . make contact with her. 'Anyone who knows the woman or has information that could help to locate her is asked to call 101.' | Woman reached into a cot at St Thomas' Hospital last night .
It contained a three-week-old girl being moved between wards .
But officers say the attempt was not 'serious' - and they are simply 'concerned for her wellbeing' |
119,886 | 26f5731a6ca44ae19cd6221e28f6b87202dfff7c | Neon Roberts spent Christmas Day without his mother because of the bitter family rift caused by her battle to stop him receiving radiotherapy. Sally Roberts’s unsuccessful eight-week legal bid had put her in conflict with her estranged husband Ben, who told her that she would not be welcome at the family gathering. It is the first time Sally has been parted from Neon and his twin sister Electra at Christmas – and last night, her brother Tony Leese said: ‘It could be Neon’s last Christmas, it’s such a shame. Together: Sally Roberts spent Christmas away from her son Neon for the first time due to a family rift . ‘I know family feelings are very strong over Sally’s actions, but she’s only doing what any mother would do for their child. It’s wrong Neon should suffer because people are angry at her.’ Ben initially supported Sally’s decision to seek alternative treatment for their seven-year-old son’s brain tumour, but signed a consent for normal medical treatment when he realised time was running out, sparking the court battle. Mr Leese, 48, first feared that his sister might be barred from seeing Neon after he overheard a conversation at the hospital between Ben and Sally. He said: ‘I heard Ben say to Sally, in front of Neon, “If you want to see Neon at all, you won’t behave like this.” Little Neon’s eyes widened in alarm when he heard it.’ Neon is now due to start his radiotherapy on January 10 – and recently underwent a second operation to remove cancerous cells from his brain. ‘Neon’s made a good recovery from the second operation and has really enjoyed his Christmas,’ Mr Leese said. unit: neon with his parents Sally and Ben Roberts who are separated and are understood to have fallen out over her battle to to stop him receiving radiotherapy . ‘I’ve seen a picture of him fooling around wearing false teeth and enormous glasses on Christmas Day. ‘That’s the Neon we all love, he’s really cheeky with a great sense of humour. It’s good to see him back to his normal self. ‘Hopefully he’ll come through it all – that’s up to Neon and the big man in the sky. If the family can bond together and give him our love and support he will stand more of a chance.’ Doctors treating Neon give him what is . termed ‘playtime’, which is time to get used to the radiotherapy . machines and the mask they will make to cover the part of his head which . will not be irradiated. Mr Leese said: ’He’s having what they call ‘playtime’, he went last . Thursday and they started by making a plaster cast of his hand, to get . him used to how it feels. Separated: Sally Roberts' brother Tony said: 'It could be neon's last Christmas. It's such a shame.' ‘He had his furry toy tiger Tallulah with him when he went to the . hospital and they made a special cast for Tallulah, I thought that was . very sweet. ‘Neon’s made a good recovery from the second operation and has really . enjoyed his Christmas. I’ve seen a picture of him fooling around wearing . false teeth and enormous glasses on Christmas Day. ‘That’s the Neon we all love, he’s really cheeky with a great sense of humour. It’s good to see him back to his normal self.’ Battle: Neon is due to start radiotherapy treatment on January 10 despite his mother's legal bid . Mr Leese’s Christmas present to his nephew was a fishing rod, and hopes to take Neon away on a fishing trip, once he has got through . all his radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Mr Leese, of Island Gardens, east London, said: ’I heard from my mum that . Neon was absolutely thrilled by the fishing rod. 'I had told him when he . was in hospital that I was going to give him one. ‘His eyes had widened with delight and a big smile spread across his . face. I told him that we would go on a fishing trip together and he’s . very excited. ‘Neon’s a real nature boy and I think there would be nothing better then . us sitting together on a bank, watching the birds diving into the river . and waiting for a fish to bite. ‘But of course, that’s all between me, Neon and the big man in the . sky......Neon could be snatched from us at any time, we just don’t know. ‘Hopefully he’ll come through it all, if the family can bond together . and give him our love and support he will stand more of a chance.’ Despite finally recognising that Mrs Roberts must give up her court . fight and concentrate on saving Neon, Mr Leese said he is still very proud of . what his sister has achieved. He said: ’Sally has shone a light on the whole subject of radiotherapy . and alternative treatments, even the Judge had sympathy with her views. ‘I’m very proud of what she has done, initially she knew nothing about . medullablastoma in children, now she has learnt everything she can about . it. ‘Who knows, in years to come, some of the therapies that have been . dismissed as just in the experimental stage now, may be used as standard . medical treatments in the future.’ Last night Mrs Roberts declined to comment. | Told by estranged husband she was not welcome at family gathering .
Understood they have fallen out over her unsuccessful eight-week legal bid .
Uncle Tony Leese said: 'It could be Neon's last Christmas. It's such a shame.' |
60,595 | ac3b4ec13f2ac419c7ba7b2c5f2d34e2f59a8667 | In the escalating battle of big . data vs. human experts, score another win for numbers. The most accurate predictions of which movies the U.S. Library of Congress will deem 'culturally, historically, or . aesthetically significant' are not the views of critics or fans . but a simple algorithm applied to a database, researchers have found. The crucial data, scientists reported in Proceedings of the . National Academy of Sciences, are what the Internet Movie . Database (IMDb.com) calls 'Connections' - films, television . episodes and other works that allude to an earlier movie. By the 25-year-lag rule, the 1971 box-office disappointment 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' should be in the registry:IMDb lists 52 long-lag citations to it, the 37th most in theNorthwestern analysis. In December, six months after the scientists submitted theirpaper, the Library added 'Willy Wonka' to the list of 650cinematic immortals, just as the research predicted. The number of references to a film more than 25 years after its in the IMBD database release was a nearly infallible predictor of whether itwould make the registry, topping 91 percent accuracy, saidapplied mathematician and study author Max Wasserman ofNorthwestern University. For 15,425 films in IMDB.com examined in the study, the . measure that was most predictive of which made it into the . Library of Congress's National Film Registry, which honors . 'significant' movies, was the number of references to it by . other films released many years later. The 1972 classic 'The Godfather,' for instance, is referred . to by 1,323 films and television episodes, which as recently as . 2014 quoted the 'offer he can't refuse' line, referred to the . famous horse-head scene, or played the theme music, for . instance. 'Godfather' made the registry in 1990. The number of references to a film more than 25 years after . its release was a nearly infallible predictor of whether it . would make the registry, topping 91 percent accuracy, said . applied mathematician and study author Max Wasserman of . Northwestern University. Critics' judgments, Oscar wins, and box-office numbers did . not come close. Films are nominated for the registry by the public and . chosen by the Librarian of Congress in consultation with a board . of experts including critics, academics, directors, . screenwriters and other industry insiders. By the 25-year-lag rule, the 1971 box-office disappointment . 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' should be in the registry: . IMDb lists 52 long-lag citations to it, the 37th most in the . Northwestern analysis. In December, six months after the scientists submitted their . paper, the Library added 'Willy Wonka' to the list of 650 . cinematic immortals, just as the research predicted. The end of the Oscars? Critics' judgments, Oscar wins, and box-office numbers didnot come close to the algorithm, the study found. 'Experts have biases that can affect how they evaluate . things,' said physicist and co-author Luis A.N. Amaral of . Northwestern. 'Automated, objective methods don't suffer from . that. It may hurt our pride, but they can perform as well as or . better than experts.' Other movies identified by the Northwestern algorithm as . likely to make the Registry include 'Dumbo,' 'Spartacus' and . 'The Shining.' Of course, humans are not entirely superfluous: . flesh-and-blood creators must decide to refer to an earlier gem . in order to establish the crucial IMDb 'connections.' | Team used algorithm to analyse the IMDB database .
Analysed connections between film and others .
Able to predict better than humans which movies made it into the Library of Congress's National Film Registry for 'significant' films .
Predicted the 1971 box-office disappointment 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' should be in the registry - six months before it was added . |
178,607 | 7338d862029c6f9c2e4b2a0864318d445d44ad5a | By . Larisa Brown . and Harriet Arkell . 'He's got his life back but mine is ruined': Demi Bowers was aged just 13 when she was abused . When a neighbour who sexually abused her was jailed, Demi Bowers hoped she had seen the last of him. So she was devastated when she looked out of her house and saw John Breckon staring at her from across the road. She was even more horrified to discover that he had moved back into the street after completing his prison sentence. Now the teenager has been forced to leave her family home and move miles away to escape Breckon, who groomed and abused her when she was 13. ‘I was home alone and I saw him across the street staring at me from the window laughing,’ said Mrs Bowers, now 18, who has waived her right to anonymity and is calling for a change in the law to ban paedophiles from living near their victims. ‘I rang my mum crying and she said I was seeing things. But then she came back and saw for herself. He’s got his life back whereas I have had to move house and I am the victim.’ Breckon, 52, showered her with gifts before sexually assaulting her over a five-month period while his wife worked night shifts. The attacks happened after Mrs Bowers began babysitting after school for the former factory worker, then a family friend, in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. She viewed him as a father-figure but he became infatuated with her. She was home alone on one side of the street when she realised her abuser had moved in over the road . She eventually told her teachers and in 2010 Breckon was jailed at Hull Crown Court after he admitted sexual activity with a child. He was released in 2012 after serving half his two-and-a-half-year sentence but initially was banned from Bridlington. However, the restriction ended in February last year. Mrs Bowers, who has moved away with . her partner Natalia Bowers, 25, said: ‘When the ban ended, I saw him at . the house his mother left him in her will across the road. ‘When he was jailed I became obsessed . with thinking he was there. I was constantly locking doors. I suffer . from depression and anxiety because of what happened to me. Forced to move: She says she now suffers severe anxiety and depression and is too afraid to leave the house . 'There’s nothing stopping him now and I still keep thinking he is there. He has his house and his wife and has his life back but I am suffering because I have to live far away from my family.’ 'He's got his life back whereas I have had to move house and I am the victim' Demi Bowers . It is understood that Breckon spends . part of his time at the house, which he is renovating, and the rest of . the time at his family home nearby with his wife Karen, 49, a nurse, and . their five-year-old daughter. Mrs Bowers said: ‘He was infatuated . with me when I was 13. He placed a mirror in the bedroom angled so he . could see directly across into my room.’ Her mother Angela Kingston, 39, a . voluntary worker, said: ‘We are living in the 21st century and a . convicted paedophile is allowed to live opposite his victim and nothing . is stopping him. New life: Mrs Bowers married her partner Natalia (left), 25, earlier this year and is hoping to go to college . ‘My daughter was robbed of her . childhood, she can’t come and visit her own mum. He was sat in the . window watching her from her bedroom and now she is too scared to be . here.’ 'He was sat in the window watching her from her bedroom and now she is too scared to be here' Angela Kingston, mother . She said Breckon was taunting them. ‘There is no law stopping it and I feel let down. He has more human . rights than she does. She has had to move away.’ Adam Pemberton of Victim Support said: . ‘Too many times, too many victims of violent or sexual assaults tell us . they do not feel safe when the person convicted of a crime against them . is released. Police declined to comment, as did Breckon. His wife told reporters: ‘He is entitled to live where he wants.’ | Demi Bowers, 18, babysat for the daughter of neighbour John Breckon, 52 .
Beckon groomed her with gifts of jewellery and GHD hair straighteners .
When she was just 13, the father-of-one from Bridlington tried to kiss her .
Then began several months of abuse which ended when she told a teacher .
Breckon was charged and admitted three counts of sexual activity with child .
Jailed for two and a half years, he was banned from going near her for year .
The day the ban ended, she saw Breckon sneering at her over the road . |
283,885 | fbca752468709d94a64bd4255722f07758e7d83d | Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud dealt with the news he will be out for the rest of 2014 by watching his side qualify for a 17th consecutive Champions League group stage on TV with his left foot elevated on a pile of blankets. The France international striker underwent surgery on Wednesday after picking up an injury later revealed to be a small fracture near his ankle in the dying minutes of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Everton. After Arsenal beat Besiktas 1-0 courtesy a goal from makeshift striker Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed he could be without his number one marksman until as late as January. VIDEO Scroll down for Arsene Wenger: Red card was harsh, Giroud out until December . Laid-up: Olivier Giroud's wife Jen posts a picture of the striker watching Arsenal beat Besiktas . Saviour: Giroud celebrates scoring the equaliser for Arsenal against Everton in their 2-2 draw . Nightmare: Arsenal physio Colin Lewin attends to Giroud after he sustained an ankle injury late in the match . ‘He had surgery today and it went well but he will be out for competitive action at top level until end of December, beginning of January,' Wenger revealed after the match. The absence of Giroud, who picked up the freak injury when the ball smashed into the sole of his boot forcing his foot towards his shin, leaves Wenger with a short supply of recognised strikers. But the manager says the set-back won't force him into a panic purchase. ‘I don’t know yet [on signing another striker] but we try to look around and we want quality. We have that with Walcott coming back soon - we have Podolski, Sanogo and Campbell too. ‘You can't always buy if you have a problem. If you have an injury after September 1, you have to live with it. ‘I bought Sanchez to be a striker. Walcott can be very good. Sanogo and Podolski can play there. Ask Campbell what he is, he will say a striker. They are players of quality and we will see.’ On target: Alexis Sanchez celebrates his first goal in an Arsenal shirt with Jack Wilshere (left) Right place, right time: Sanchez slotted home after the ball fell to him in the penalty area . Relief: Gunners players surround Sanchez after his vital goal put them into a 17th Champions League . It was indeed Giroud's understudy Sanchez who delivered the vital goal for Wenger on the stroke of half-time but it would have been tough viewing for Giroud as the Gunners battled to hold on. Giroud’s wife, Jen, posted a picture of her husband with his injured leg elevated as he watched Wednesday's game on TV. Giroud was rushed into surgery after seeing a specialist on Wednesday. The injury may have an impact on Wenger's movement in the transfer market both coming in and out of the club. Lukas Podolski was thought to be heading to Juventus but a loan move is now in doubt, while Wenger may need to strengthen the frontline further. Yaya Sanogo was in good form in pre-season, scoring four goals against Benfica in the Emirates Cup, but Wenger refuses to panic just yet and is still looking ahead to the Beskitas clash. It's not too late to play MailOnline Fantasy Football… There's £1,000 to be won EVERY WEEK by the highest scoring manager . VIDEO We pushed Arsenal all the way - Bilic . | Arsene Wenger said Olivier Giroud could be out until early January .
French striker Giroud suffered a fracture in his leg against Everton .
Giroud watched Arsenal qualify for the Champions League on TV .
Stand-in striker Alexis Sanchez scored the winner against Besiktas . |
12,944 | 24b314bc83a1b1ce9306d0dea961823e37406562 | Argentina take over Brazil’s famous Corinthians Stadium on Tuesday night and star striker Lionel Messi has set aside the national rivalry by posing with a shirt with the message ‘Welcome to the Arena Corinthians’. Messi and Co take on Switzerland in Sau Paulo, a city synonymous with the Brazilian national team, and the atmosphere promises to be white hot. Rivalry between the two major footballing nations in South America goes back decades, but Messi was not afraid to pose with a shirt of Brazil's giants. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Messi and Aguero play keep-ups over a fence . Messi holds a Corinthians shirt with his name and number on . It will be a homecoming of sorts for Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella who was assistant to Daniel Passarella at Corinthians in 2005 in a disastrous spell that lasted just two months. Argentina stars such as Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez have played for Corinthians in the past. VIDEO Messi highlights from qualifying . Messi (right) and team-mates train at the Sao Paulo stadium on Monday . Ready for the big stage: Messi, runs with team-mates Jose Maria Basanta (left) and Fernando Gago (right) The Argentina players got used to the surroundings of the new stadium . The Argentina skipper celebrates after scoring against Nigeria in Porto Alegre . Messi and coach Alejandro Sabella chat during training at the Arena de Sao Paulo . Messi and his team-mates looked in good spirits as they trained head of Tuesday's clash . The Arena de Sau Paulo stadium is the home of Corinthians . | Argentina face Switzerland at Brazil's infamous Corinthians Stadium on Tuesday night .
Lionel Messi has posed with a Corinthians jersey ahead of the clash, despite rivalry between Argentina and Brazil .
Messi has scored four World Cup 2014 goals so far . |
207,800 | 990b6d962295d65c27da864705636062e580eccb | Fox is gambling large on its upcoming reality series 'Utopia,' investing millions of dollars in the show that challenges 15 participants to create their own mini societies on a secluded piece of land. 'Utopia' is what the network calls its 'boldest' and 'most groundbreaking social experiment.' It will put 15 people from all walks of life in a secluded plot of land in California, where they will build their ideal civilization for one year — starting with no heat, no electricity and no plumbing. The set includes a self-filtering lake and a barn, which will provide the participants with two dairy cows and twelve chickens. The 15 'Utopians' start with no more than $10,000 and have to decide how to use it to develop their new economy and develop more of the land. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Fifteen participants will remain in isolation for a year while they build a new civilization for Fox's new reality behemoth, 'Utopia' Aside from a barn with a couple of cows and some chickens, participants have to build new structures and find their own food . The show will air on Tuesday and some Fridays, and is expected to be Fox's big programming bet this fall . The roster includes a bellydancer, an ex-con, a veterinarian technician and a pregnant woman due in December. 'This is the most pure form of reality that I have ever produced in my career,' boasts executive producer John de Mol, the man behind 'Big Brother.' 'Utopia,' which debuts on Sept. 7 with a three-night premiere, comes with 200 crew members, hundreds of cameras and round-the-clock video streaming. Fox has scheduled the show for Tuesdays and some Fridays, counting on it to replace 'X Factor' and 'American Idol.' The network will also stream the show online 24/7. The 15 participants on 'Utopia' come from all walks of life, from a belly dancer to a veterinarian technician, a chili farmer and a pregnant woman . But so far, the series has seen plenty of snags. Insiders say the network stands to spend $50 million on just 20 episodes — and is also struggling internally with a group of new producers involved in the show, TheWrap reported. 'The bill has arrived and it is on the very high end of staggering,' one network executive told the news outlet. Executive producer Conrad Green told Variety the cost for the set was 'not insignificant,' though he wouldn't give any more details. And this is a time of internal changes at Fox. The man behind the project, ex-chairman Kevin Reilly, moved on in June — leaving a group of incoming executives to inherit the schedule he created, Variety reported. It is also the first big project for Simon Andreae, in charge of alternative, who joined the network in October. The dutch version of the show premiered in January and has thus far been a success, industry insiders say. | Network is said to be investing $50 million to produce the show .
Fox is betting on the show to replace 'X Factor' and 'American Idol'
Fifteen participants will reboot society and create their own . |
25,817 | 4929b20405db3419f78a15d609e937b48827d9c0 | Authorities have imposed a curfew in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, following nights of deadly communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims. Two people have been killed and 14 injured since rioting erupted Tuesday, Col. Aung Kyaw Moe, Mandalay Region's Border Affairs and Security Minister, told CNN Friday. The rioting began when a mob attacked a tea shop owned by a Muslim man accused of raping a Buddhist woman, and continued the following night. Citing officials, the state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that eight separate conflicts took place in the region on Tuesday and Wednesday night, involving gangs of as many as 450 people, some armed with weapons including swords, firearms, knives, rods and "incendiary materials." One of the victims was Muslim and one Buddhist, officials said. Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country, with Muslims estimated to account for about 5% of the population. Myanmar has witnessed several outbreaks of violence targeting Muslims in recent years as the country emerges from decades of authoritarian military rule, threatening the country's fragile political reforms. Extremist Buddhist nationalist elements, such as the 969 Movement, have been accused of fanning the flames of hatred, and pushing for discriminatory laws, including a proposed ban on interfaith marriage. Fears of new unrest as Myanmar ponders monk-backed interfaith marriage ban . Radical Buddhist monks, including the 969 Movement's spiritual leader, Ashin Wirathu, appeared to have played "a pivotal role" in contributing to the latest unrest, said David Mathieson, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch. Anger against the Muslim tea shop owner, a Muslim, had escalated after Wirathu had circulated a report of the alleged rape on his Facebook page, and called for a harsh government response to "jihadist Muslims." There had also been a significant monk presence among the mob, said Mathieson. "The area where this happened is 5-10 minute drive from where Wirathu's monastery is," he said. "This really is his heartland." Matthew Smith, executive director of rights group Fortify Rights, said extremists were "using social media as a platform to spread hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric and in some cases to incite violence." Myanmar's government had temporarily suspended Facebook in an attempt to tamp down the unrest, he said. "It's a tinderbox that could erupt to unprecedented levels of violence," he said. "The authorities haven't done nearly enough to stem the rising tide of anti-Muslim sentiment, and in some cases the government is contributing to its growth, lending public support to extremists and inflammatory draft legislation while failing to protect at-risk Muslim communities." However, one positive sign was that activists in Myanmar were beginning to stand up against online hate speech and racial violence, he said. One of the most influential voices in this movement is Nay Phone Latt, a blogger and former political prisoner who in April launched a campaign to counter hate speech with "panzagar," or "flower speech." "Our campaign is trying to change the people's mindset and trying to create a good culture," he said, adding that allowing religious and ethnic conflicts to fester had been a technique of Myanmar's rulers since colonial days. In the case of the Mandalay unrest, he said, "we clearly saw that this conflict started from online incitements." The government's failure to prevent the violence also needed to be questioned, he said. Religious violence has left hundreds of people dead and close to 150,000 homeless since unrest broke out in in the western state of Rakhine in June 2012, with the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority bearing the brunt of the violence. Outbreaks of anti-Muslim violence have occurred elsewhere in the country. Aung said nine people had been arrested over the violence. Five were Muslim and four Buddhist, he said. Aung San Suu Kyi's silence on the Rohingya . | Two people are dead after violent clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar .
Radical Buddhist monks appeared to play a role in inciting mobs, says rights researcher .
Myanmar has had numerous outbursts of anti-Muslim violence in recent years .
The violence threatens the country's fledgling transition from decades of military rule . |
156,791 | 56bc2ff003832f8271a19bbe2697576510f57672 | By . Deni Kirkova . PUBLISHED: . 06:29 EST, 24 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 17:25 EST, 24 January 2014 . Zara Phillips' new baby girl has been given a less than regal title by her rugby-mad dad Mike Tindall: 'Shed Head'. The couple became proud parents of baby girl Mia Grace who was born at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital last Friday. Their first child is 16th in line to the throne and the Queen's fourth great-grandchild. Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall at their Gloucestershire home after they announced their engagement . Mike Tindall in action on the pitch - Australia's George Gregan is sent flying by a tackle during the final of the Rugby World Cup in Sydney in 2003 . Ex-England rugby star Tindall has said she will also be a lifelong supporter of his beloved Gloucester rugby club, whose fans are nicknamed 'Shed Heads' after a stand at their Kingsholm home ground. The North Stand - which houses 3,000 die-hard fans without seating - is known as 'The Shed' because it resembles a giant cow shed. He told local paper the Gloucestershire Echo: 'There's another Gloucester supporter for life - she's a Shed Head.' Describing his daughter's first week, Tindall added: 'It's been alright actually - not going to Perpignan (to play in the Heineken Cup last Saturday) made things a bit easier. Gloucester Rugby club badge . 'It's been a good week with the new arrival and it was topped off with a brilliant result from the boys. 'It's been fun so far. At the moment she's been very good and the nights haven't been too bad.' Zara and Tindall first met in a Sydney bar when he was in Australia for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. They married in July 2011 in Edinburgh at a ceremony attended by the Queen and senior royals. They moved back to Anne's Gatcombe Park estate last January after selling their regency home in Cheltenham. Zara won an equestrian silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics and is planning to take part in the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016. | Zara Phillips gave birth last Friday to 7lb 12oz girl Mia Grace .
She is 16th in line to the throne and is the Queen's fourth great-grandchild .
Tindall has said she will also be supporter of Gloucester rugby club .
Fans are nicknamed 'Shed Heads' after a stand at their home ground . |
17,174 | 30ac727a244eca055b527b88abcaf5839e33b387 | An 8-year-old boy has survived a six-story . fall down a trash chute at a Honolulu high-rise building, and he . escaped the chute with help from a bystander who pulled him out . using a hose, officials said on Tuesday. The boy fell down a chute on the eighth floor of the . condominium building on Monday, coming to a stop on the second . floor when he hit a blockage of trash in the shaft, said . Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Captain David Jenkins. A bystander took an emergency hose from a hallway and . dropped the end down to the child to pull him out, Jenkins said. 'I could hear him screaming,' Dan Kaetsu told KHON. At least one other person appears to have helped Kaetsu. 'We couldn’t see him where he was,' he continued. I broke the glass for the fire hose and sent it down to see if he could reach it. He said he grabbed it, so we started to pull him out.' Scroll down for video . Good neighbor: Dan Kaetsu stepped in to help the trapped eight-year-old . Safe: The boy suffered cuts and was hospitalized but is expected to survive, an official said . The affiliate station reported that Kaetsu had to get into the chute's door as part of the incident. He told KHON the boy 'was way, way at the bottom, but he did fine. We were pulling him up. He was using the wall to walk up the trash chute.' Kaetsu also told the affiliate station 'She said he was taking out the trash and he fell in.' KHON reported the Honolulu Fire Department listed the waste chute door as a fire code violation in its September inspection of the premises. The department told the affiliate station 'the chute door failed to close and latch on its own as designed and required by code.' Speaking to HawaiiNewsNow, Kaetsu said 'I told him to hold on tight see if he could use walls and try to walk his way up. We had to stick our whole entire body into chute to see him. I just tried to talk to him while I pulled him up, just encourage him as he made his way up.' 'He had some cuts on his hand, feet, legs,' he also told the station. 'The biggest cut he had was on the top of his head. I'm not sure exactly how he fell in, but he was walking, crying and talking to me.' The boy had injuries to his hands and face and was taken by ambulance to a hospital but was expected to survive, said Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokeswoman Shayne Enright. Dramatic: The boy fell into this trash chute . Plummet: The boy fell down a chute on the eighth floor of the condominium building on Monday, coming to a stop on the second floor when he hit a blockage of trash in the shaft, a fire department official said . | An 8-year-old boy has survived a six-story fall down a trash chute at a Honolulu high-rise building, officials said .
Dan Kaetsu dropped a fire hose into the chute for the boy to use and climb out with .
The Honolulu Fire Department listed the waste chute door as a fire code violation in an earlier inspection of the premises . |
111,502 | 1bc8fb252fe7ce8311c58bae0c4877667231414b | By . Hugo Gye . PUBLISHED: . 09:43 EST, 1 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:17 EST, 1 November 2013 . A lorry driver has been arrested after his vehicle overturned on the M25, closing a section of the motorway and leaving a workman fighting for his life. The driver is suspected of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the incident in Hertfordshire, which has left Britain's busiest motorways with long tailbacks. The stretch of road which was shut is between junction 23 at South Mimms and junction 25 at the junction with the A10 north of Enfield. Part of the road later reopened, but long delays have been reported in the area, raising the prospect of traffic chaos during the Friday evening rush hour. Crash: A lorry has overturned in the middle of the M25 in Hertfordshire, injuring four people . Closed: The crash has led to the closure of the M25 between junction 23 and junction 25 . Police, . firefighters and ambulance teams all attended today's incident which . was between junction 24 at Potters Bar and junction 25. The . driver of the lorry apparently lost control and swerved in the road, . overturning the vehicle which fell onto workmen in the road. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, which injured three road workers as well as the driver. One man was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital by Hertfordshire Ambulance Service, where he remains in a critical condition. A second man airlifted to a central London hospital in a serious condition, a third man is being treated at in hospital for a leg injury and the fourth received treatment at the scene. Two . of the victims had to be freed from the wreckage by rescue crews - one . was trapped in the cab of the lorry, and the other was pinned under a . barrier. Chaos: This traffic map shows how the closure has brought gridlock to surrounding areas . Motorist Bruno Fernandes told the . Evening Standard: 'You could see skid marks near the lorry where he lost . control and flipped over. 'One . of the roadworks supervisors was shouting at a woman saying there were . two people trapped underneath and one had lost a leg.' A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'Police have arrested a man on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the lorry overturning between junctions 24 and 25 on the M25. 'He remains in custody at a North London police station.' Around midday, the Highways Agency said the closed section was likely to stay shut for most of the day . The agency has urged motorists to avoid the area if at all possible, or otherwise to allow extra time for all journeys. On Tuesday, the M25 had to be closed between in exactly the same area after the driver of a lorry died when the vehicle overturned and caught fire near junction 25. | Britain's busiest motorway closed between junction 23 and junction 25 .
M25 is expected to remain shut for the rest of the day, hitting rush hour .
One man is critically injured and three others were injured in crash . |
148,887 | 4c85bc0d89c83ae4453ebbdffd8608d0078627c4 | Ed Balls has said George Osborne risks permanently damaging the economy . By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 03:43 EST, 29 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:33 EST, 29 July 2012 . Chancellor George Osborne has been accused of permanently damaging the economy. The UK could suffer a triple dip recession next year . Britain could suffer a triple dip recession next year because of the ongoing Eurozone crisis. Leading economists have warned a Greek exit from the EU could plunge the UK into financial chaos next Spring, following a brief recovery from the Olympics. The triple dip would be unprecedented and could threaten Britain's AAA credit rating. The news will no doubt pile more pressure on Chancellor George Osborne who has been criticised for making too many cutbacks and crippling Britain's ailing economy. Azad Zangana, from leading investment company Shroders, said he believed the country's GDP would increase by 0.5 per cent in the current quarter. He predicted it would continue to grow until March before two consecutive quarters of negative growth, he said to the Sunday Times. The growth predictions come following the shocking 0.7 per cent decline in the country's GDP which was announced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) last week. Michael Saunders from Citigroup said he believed the GDP would only grow by 0.3 per cent in 2013 and confirmed the risk of a triple dip recession. 'My guess is that for the next few quarters, after a technical bounce in the third quarter, the economy will be roughly flat, which I would describe as a disastrously bad outcome compared with previous cycles,' he said. These GDP figures show how the economy has changed since 2007 . Vince Cable, left, is being invited to create a new national consensus on the economy by shadow chancellor Ed Balls. It is hoped the move will drive a wedge between him and George Osborne, right . Meanwhile shadow chancellor Ed Balls said Mr Osborne's refusal to change the Coalition's budget meant he risked permanently damaging Britain's economy. He said in an interview with the Independent on Sunday that Mr Osborne's . Ed Balls has said George Osborne risks permanently damaging the British economy . approach of a 'sit on your hands strategy' was dangerous and would leave families and businesses paying a 'long-term price'. Mr Balls also said it was wrong for the Government to sit and hope that the Olympics would save the country from recession. 'As the IMF (International Monetary Fund) said last week, the long-term impact on the underlying strength of the British economy will be more young people unemployed and businesses investing in other parts of the world,' he said. 'All of those things add up to an economy which ends up permanently weaker, not just temporarily weaker.' He also appealed to business secretary Vince Cable to join him in creating a new way forward for the economy. Mr Balls invited the Lib Dem to joine him in a 'new national consensus' which would put Britain on the right track because its what the 'country needs and deserves'. 'I would love there to be a new national consensus on the right way forward, and I would love the Lib Dems to want to be part of that.' The move will no doubt drive a wedge between defecting Lib Dems and the government. Concerns for the Eurozone crisis have also deepened following rumours that Spain is considering asking for a £235 billion bailout. However, officials have denied the reports. | Ed Balls has said George Osborne risks permanently damaging the economy . |
29,901 | 550756701c3f444f11a4aaa2200be06fbf410235 | By . Luke Salkeld . PUBLISHED: . 08:01 EST, 14 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:11 EST, 15 October 2013 . Message: Prep school headteacher Mark Brearey has asked parents to 'avoid bringing any party invitations into school that do not include all children' A headmaster has told parents to invite the whole class when their child has a birthday party – to avoid upsetting those left out. Mark Brearey says including only a smaller circle of friends is ‘divisive and unkind’ to other pupils. A letter from the private mixed preparatory school to parents says its Christian ethic is about being inclusive. But yesterday critics said his policy would only drive up the cost of children’s parties. Mr Brearey, head of Kingswood Preparatory School in Bath, wrote a letter to parents in which he asked: ‘Please could you avoid bringing any party invitations into school that do not include all children in a particular class or year group. This goes completely against our policy of inclusion for every single child and is divisive and unkind.’ Parents criticised the decision, with several using Facebook to call it ‘ridiculous’. Michela Helen Mills said: ‘I think children should be allowed to hand out invites and the head teachers should bear in mind that not all parents can afford to invite the whole class – some classes have 20+ in each class.’ Joanne Oliver said: ‘Kids should invite their friends in numbers the parents have budgeted for. Why invite a kid who’s been harassing you at school all term?’ Jo Whittock added: ‘Most parents do a party on a budget so cannot afford to invite all in the class. Also if you have a theme party you are sometimes limited to a certain number. Kids have to learn that they can’t have everything.’ But several parents came to Mr Brearey’s defence. Nicholas Roper said: ‘He’s not forcing parents to host 30+ kids, just don’t hand out the invites at school. ‘Teaching kids is hard enough without extra drama in the classroom.’ Yesterday Mr Brearey said he stood by his decision, which was designed to prevent children who are left out feeling upset. Grand: The Kingswood Preparatory School building, which said that just inviting a few friends to parties in front of others was 'divisive and unkind' ‘We consider kindness to be one of the key values of our school,’ he said. ‘What . we are saying is that actually handing over party invitations to some . of the group in front of people is not the way we would like it to . happen. 99.9 per cent of our parents are in total agreement with that.’ He . said that if parents wanted to invite just a few of their child’s . friends, they should do it privately, adding: ‘Do it by email, not in a . public place where you find one or two or three people are left. ‘If . children feel like they have been left out by one of the class it can . have a serious impact and it is something that doesn’t need to happen. Why choose to exclude in a public context when you don’t need to?’ Grand: The entrance to the prep schooll in Bath, Somerset, which costs up to £20,000 a year . At the school yesterday, parents appeared to back the headmaster’s stance. One, a mother of three who requested not to be named, said: ‘It is not nice to leave people out. ‘I . usually invite the whole class until they have really made close . friends, but when they are older you just ring the other mums.’ A . mother of eight-year-old twins said parents understood the rule. ‘We . just tell the children about the party outside of school. It would be . too many to invite the whole class.’ The . school, which costs £19,818 a year for boarders and up to £10,602 year . for day pupils, was opened by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in . 1748 for the sons of Methodist clergymen. It has 306 pupils aged three to 11 and ‘seeks to be a caring community based upon Christian principles’. | In letter, headteacher Mark Brearey said just inviting a few friends is 'divisive and unkind'
He says that 99.9 per cent of parents are behind his inclusion policy .
But some say they cannot afford huge parties and refuse to invite class bully . |
68,918 | c3713d40de11f8fe3d932889254f525f09c5df2b | "It's an absolute disgrace." Maureen Faulkner learned Tuesday that her husband's convicted killer was selected as the commencement speaker for a graduating class at the Goddard College in Vermont. Thirty-two years ago Mumia Abu-Jamal, born Wesley Cook, was convicted of shooting and killing Faulkner's husband, Daniel Faulkner, a five-year veteran with the Philadelphia Police Department. "It's a disgrace that you have to even hear his voice. My husband has been dead for 32 years and his voice was taken from him by Abu-Jamal," Faulkner told CNN in a phone interview. Since his trial, conviction and imprisonment, Abu-Jamal, now 60, has been a divisive figure. He had made a reputation in Philadelphia as an outspoken radical and radio journalist before Faulkner's killing in December 1981. He was originally sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to life without parole. Abu-Jamal has maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration and multiple appeals for a new trial, all of which have been denied. Supporters and activists have claimed he is a political prisoner. Human rights groups have questioned whether he received a fair trial. Abu-Jamal resides at Mahanoy state prison in Frackville, Pennsylvania, where he is a correspondent for PrisonRadio.org, which can be heard in more than 100 radio stations each week. He has written seven books and numerous essays, and has been the subject of films and documentaries. This is the second speech Abu-Jamal has given for Goddard students. The first was in 2008. He also recorded commencement speeches for Evergreen State College in Washington state in 1999 and for Antioch College in Ohio in 2000. Goddard spokesperson Samantha Kolber told CNN, "We spoke with Mrs. Faulkner and expressed our deep sympathies, and while he felt for her loss we also felt the students had the freedom to listen to Mumia." Abu-Jamal's commencement speech was recorded via telephone from prison by PrisonRadio.org director Noelle Hanrahan. "He called in to our studio," Hanrahan told CNN. "We will release it after the students hear it. It's a reflection of his experience on campus at Goddard. He went to Goddard in the late '70s as an undergraduate. He talks about being able to experience an intellectual life." Pennsylvania Department of Corrections policy allows general population inmates, such as Abu-Jamal, to make phone calls to an approved phone list. And as long as he is not breaking any rules, there is nothing corrections officers can do. "We have tried to intervene but we have been told by the court that we can't," said the Department of Corrections press secretary, Susan McNaughton. "We are disappointed that a college would choose to have a convicted murderer, especially a cop killer, be their commencement speaker," McNaughton said. Goddard is a small liberal arts college of about 600 students. The median student age is 35 years old. A graduating class of 23 students met with their faculty adviser and a professor, and chose Abu-Jamal as their speaker. "He is a warm, gracious guy who is very articulate and on top of issues," said Hanrahan. "They are adults making their own decisions," said Kolber. She quoted from what she said was an email from a student, saying Abu-Jamal's case "'has been rooted in the struggles for freedom of mind, body, and spirit...' which are values that are important to these graduates." For Faulkner, this is a "tragedy." "He (Abu-Jamal) is a despicable, callous, dangerous man and people try to put him on a pedestal and make him into something he is not," said Faulkner. "What can Abu-Jamal offer anyone after he so violently took my husband's life?" The college defended the student's decision in a statement of support sent to CNN. "Every individual has an inherent worth and dignity and deserves to have their perspective heard even if it is unpopular," it read. "There is academic merit in what Mumia has to say and it is important that we at Goddard College support our students' right to choose and freedom of speech." But Faulkner believes Abu-Jamal lost his freedom when he killed her husband. "He stepped out of society when he put a bullet between my husband's eyes. Just as he took my husband's freedom and life, he lost his rights. Why does he have constitutional rights? My husband doesn't have any. He is 6 feet underground," said Faulkner. Abu-Jamal's speech is expected to be heard Saturday. The recorded remarks will be played alongside a short documentary on his life. | Mumia Abu-Jamal recorded the speech via phone from jail .
Abu-Jamal attended Goddard College; he also gave a speech to students there in 2008 .
He is serving a life sentence at a Pennsylvania state prison .
Maureen Faulkner: "What can Abu-Jamal offer anyone after he so violently took my husband's life?" |
170,787 | 690cc3a786d2def54acca358a408debeae939b43 | By . Emily Crane for Daily Mail Australia . The number of properties that went under the hammer in Sydney at the weekend have more than doubled from the same week last year. Nearly 83 percent of properties up for auction in Sydney sold on Saturday, marking a big result for the first weekend of spring. Of the 711 houses, there were more than 20 properties up for sale with a $2 million plus price tag over the last two weekends, which also doubled from the same period in 2013, according to RP Data. This Burwood home in Sydney's inner west was the top seller on Saturday when it went under the hammer for $4.5 million . The 1,300sqm property is situated on two blocks of land . A four-bedroom home at Burwood in Sydney's inner west was the top seller on Saturday when it went under the hammer for $4.5 million. Sydney's property results follow a record selling August where 1,900 of the 2,660 properties listed for sale were sold. A senior economist for Australian Property Monitors, Andrew Wilson, said buyers weren't deterred from the auctions despite the stormy weather. This property was one of more than 20 up for sale with a $2 million plus price tag over the last two weekends . The four-bedroom has high ornate ceilings, an extra-wide hallway and polished marble flooring throughout . The layout of the house has separate formal lounge and dining rooms that could be used as extra bedrooms if required . The gourmet kitchen is overlooked by family living and dining spaces . 'There’s not much that could get in the way of a Sydney property buyer and an auction at the moment,' Mr Wilson told Fairfax Media. Property sales in Melbourne also had a high clearance rate, with 75 percent of homes listed for sale actually selling. Investors are estimated to have made up approximately 60 percent of sales in Sydney and 40 percent in Melbourne over the weekend. The property's master bedroom is complete with spa bath ensuite and walk-in robe . The sale at Burwood marked a big result for the first weekend of spring . 'Results across capital cities this week, especially Sydney, provide a clear indication that this will be a good spring for sellers,' RP Data housing market specialist, Robert Larocca, said. In capital cities across the country 1,692 properties were listed for auction compared to 1,054 for the same period last year. Other capitals to have increased clearance rates from this time last year were Brisbane with about 50 percent, Adelaide at 70 percent, Canberra with 56 percent and Perth at 27 percent. The Ivanhoe property has two driveways, as well as a double garage with drive-through access to the rear yard and additional off street parking . A glass mosaic swimming pool is the centre piece of the backyard, which also has multiple entertainment spaces . The property has maintains its period charm and stylish contemporary design . The 1,300sqm property is located in the heart of Burwood on a quiet street . | Nearly 83 percent of properties up for sale in Sydney sold at auction .
More than 20 properties in Sydney had a price tag of more than $2 million .
Top seller was a $4.5 million four-bedroom home at Burwood in Sydney's inner west .
80 percent of homes listed for sale in Melbourne went under the hammer .
Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth also had increased clearance rates . |
145,672 | 485ea8e517e85d7e04f06033428dad05781efbb2 | By . Ashley Collman . PUBLISHED: . 18:58 EST, 9 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 09:38 EST, 10 January 2014 . A father dashed back into his burning home to save two of his five children. Three other children, including a seven-month-old baby, were killed during the blaze in Hammond, Indiana after the fire was started by a space heater. The children's 27-year-old father Andre Young is in critical condition after heading back into the inferno to save two of his other sons, aged two and six. The mother was not home at the time and the two surviving children are said to be in good condition. The fire broke out around 10:20 pm on Wednesday night. Family tragedy: Children's toys and clothes lay on the stairwell of a house in Hammond, Indiana where three children died in a blaze . Trying to keep warm: Fire department officials believe space heaters were to blame for a fire that killed three children Wednesday night in Hammond, Indiana . Firefighters found the body of 7-month-old Jayden five feet from the front door. Nearby lay the bodies of his sister, Alexia, 3, and brother, Dasani, 4, holding onto each other. 'That broke my heart,' said Hammond Chief Fire Inspector Michael Opink told the Chicago Sun-Times. Upstairs neighbor Jasmine rice said that she saw Mr Young running out of the house with flames coming from his back. He fell to the ground immediately and began rolling around in the snow to douse the flames. 'I heard him yelling, ‘Everybody get out! Get out! My babies! My babies,’' Rice said Thursday outside the charred two-flat rental house. She told the paper that after smelling smoke, she initially thought it was from something she left on. Then she heard someone scream 'Fire!' leading her boyfriend to grab their kids and escape the burning building. Possible causes: The Hammond Fire Department are investigating a house fire where three children died . Once outside, Rice saw her neighbor Young on fire and her boyfriend attempted to go into the family's bottom apartment to see if anyone needed help. At that point though, flames were already shooting out dangerously and he couldn't get in. 'The smoke, the flames, everything happened so fast,' Ms Rice said. Firefighters found at least three space heaters inside the house, including a portable propane-powered model. Investigators say they found a bed, rocker and piles of clothes - items that could easily catch fire if someone knocked the heater over. 'There was so much fuel for the fire to do what it did,' Opinker said. '\these kids had no chance.' Rice and her boyfriend lived in the unit upstairs and had let the Youngs run an extension cord from their apartment to provide electricity. 'I remember once they had had a propane tank, and it had, like, an open flame,' Rice said. 'I just thought, they've got all these little kids running around and that could get knocked over so easily.' Survivors: Three of the Young family children perished in the blaze but 27-year-old father Andre Young was able to save two of his sons . Breaking in: When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found the father lying on the ground badly burned. They had a hard time getting into the house since two doors seemed to be blocked with furniture . Tragic loss: The mother was not home at the time, and was informed at the hospital that three of her children died in the blaze . When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found Mr Young lying on the ground badly burnt. He managed to get two of his children out of the house, but the rest were still trapped inside. The fire may have been caused by a space heater connected to a propane tank . Firefighters had trouble getting into the burning building because two of the doors were blocked by what appeared to be furniture. By the time they finally busted in, it was too late. Seven-month-old Jayden Young, 3-year-old Alexia Young and 4-year-old Dasani Young were all pronounced dead shortly after midnight and found within six feet of the front door. Healing: As of Thursday morning, father Andre Young was still in critical condition but his two surviving sons were in good condition . The father and his two surviving children were rushed to Stroger Hospital in Chicago which has a burn unit. As of Thursday morning, the father was still in critical condition but his two sons were in good condition and even talking to each other. The mother was not home at the time, but showed up at one point while her house was burning down and was informed at the hospital that three of her children had died in the blaze. Chief fire inspector Michael Opinker said he believes space heaters played a role in starting the blaze, in an interview with Nwitimes.com. According to neighbor Nicki Flick, 70, the Young family had been living in the lower half of the house since last Spring, and since at least last summer had been living without electricity. Ms Flick says she heard a strange sound coming form the house one day and went over to find the mother who said it was a generator. 'She said,"Well, it's better than not having any lights"' Ms Flick recalls. She said she would often watch from her window as the children played with toy trains and trucks — always with at least one of their parents — outside their home. Sometimes an older son would push a younger sibling in a stroller. Other times the father would teach his kids to somersault. 'He was just very friendly, very boisterous with his kids … they would just hang off of him,' Flick said. 'They didn’t have any water in the house, but I never saw the kids grubby.' Living conditions in the rental property had been dire for months, however. Hammond city records show the electricity was shut off in March, and gas service a month later. Water service was stopped in October . Records indicate the building owners, Real Estate Equity Solutions of Indiana, LLC had not allowed in inspectors and ignored citations and penalties — including a $2,600 fine in August. 'We were a week away from getting an order from the court so we could go in,' City Attorney Kristina Kantar said. 'Obviously, if our inspectors found people living there without water or power or heat, we would not let them stay there.' Christian Bartholomew, attorney for Real Estate Equity Solutions, told the Chicago Tribune that he did not know whether utility services were connected at the house. City records show the property had changed owners in 2012. 'My client was attempting to coordinate an inspection with the city. I know there had been difficulty contacting the tenant living there,' Bartholomew said. “We are still looking at the situation, and we are taking it very seriously . Ms Flick remembers the Young kids playing outside, always accompanied by a parent, and how they would run to meet their dad when he returned home at the end of the day. 'He loved all those kids,' she said. According to fire officials, the family had been using propane to heat the home in the middle of winter. 'Unfortunately I see too many of these,' Hammond Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Margat said. | A fire broke out around 10:20pm Wednesday night in Hammond, Indiana .
The family living in the bottom floor of the apartment lost three young children in the blaze .
Father Andre Young, 27, was home at the time and able to save two of his sons from the fire before collapsing from his burn injuries .
Mr Young is in critical condition at the hospital - his two surviving sons are in good condition .
Apartment had no electricity, gas or water .
It's thought a space heater running off a propane gas tank played a part in causing fire . |
255,213 | d659e6eaac00984f3f5f75c4486a71eeb836e611 | After their glamorous trip to California, feted by A-list celebrities, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined the hoi polloi on an ordinary commercial flight home to the UK . They were greeted by British Airways staff on a sun-drenched runway at Los Angeles airport - a marked contrast to their blustery arrival at Ottawa airport last week. Arriving at LAX in a Range Rover, they said their goodbyes after their hugely successful . tour of Canada and California, their first official royal trip. The tour has, apart from a couple of minor demonstrations, been heralded a huge success not just for William and Kate but for the British Royal Family. Final smiles: The Duke and Duchess board their flight after what has been a hugely successful first official foreign tour. They are flanked by BA stewardess Kate Cottrell, left, and Kate Jenkins, right . Prince William puts a reassuring hand on his wife's back to usher her into the British Airways plane back to the UK after their trip to Canada and America . William and Kate arrived at a sunny LAX in a Range Rover before saying a few final goodbyes to well wishers on the tarmac ahead of their flight back to the UK . Some of the BA staff who will look after the royal couple on board line up to greet them. Kate and Williams sunny departure was in stark contrast to their blustery arrival in Ottawa . The Duke and Duchess climb the staircase to their BA flight, led by two BA cabin crew, before turning to have one last look at California before their flight home . The couple were escorted to Los Angeles airport by a police motorcade with several motorbikes closing roads and police cars ensuring safe passage . William and Kate snubbed a private jet in favour . of travelling on the commercial flight . with their entourage and security, taking first class seats on the jumbo. They had travelled through an area with one of the biggest populations of homeless people in the U.S. on their way to LAX. Their last engagement was at a jobs fair at Sony Studios on behalf of Service Nation: Mission Serve - a programme honouring members of the armed services, at which William thanked Los Angeles for welcoming him and his new wife. He said: 'As this is my last opportunity before we leave this afternoon, I would just say, on behalf of us both, how grateful we are to have been welcomed so warmly in the Golden State and the City of Angels. Thank you so much.' They have enjoyed an action-packed tour that has seen them take part in casual events, where their ease as a couple and love for one another was on frequent display, to the more formal, allowing William to show his statesman qualities. That's my boy! Prince William gives a speech at the job fair, and it seems to go down well with his wife Kate who applauds . Impressed: William warms up for his speech at the Service Nation: Mission Serve event which helps get ex-servicemen into employment; he spoke of how he and Kate both had friends in the UK who could benefit from such a scheme . All smiles: The final leg of the royal visit saw William and Kate attend a job fair designed to get ex-servicemen back into work . Among the highlights in Canada were a dragon boat race and a game of street hockey while the Duke . was able to show off his piloting skills, landing a Sea King . helicopter on water for the first time. At their final event in the U.S., for Service Nation: Mission Serve, the . royal couple arrived in a motorcade with an escort of 17 officers from . the Californian Highway Patrol - affectionately known as Chips - who had . British flags fixed to the back of their large bikes. Service Nation: Mission Serve is an umbrella organisation set up by the U.S. government which . brings together different service charities to support the . re-integration of servicemen and women into civilian life. Proud moment: William, who is a service officer, spoke highly of the workshop and hopes it can inspire veterans in their careers . Helping hand: William and his wife Kate help prepare care packages for military children . William and Kate were greeted by Sir Howard . Stringer, chairman and chief executive of Sony Corporation, and then led . inside a building for a 25 minute-long private meeting with the senior . staff from the programme. In . Sound Stage 15, a huge 42,000 square foot open-plan building, dozens of . business recruitment stands for the former U.S. servicemen and women were . set up. Sets from iconic . movies were built in the huge area, ranging from the yellow brick road from the . Wizard of Oz to elements of the latest Spiderman movie. Sir Paul . McCartney has used it as a rehearsal space. The . royal couple were cheered by the ex-servicemen and women and their . partners who were attending the fair when they arrived, and the couple . did a short walkabout. Worthy cause: William boxes USO care packages in a scheme he hopes can be adopted, and acted upon, in Britain while Kate looks on, her usual radiant self . Packed out: William made the audience laugh when he joked that his brother, Harry, was a 'low-flying Apache very average brother' On stage, with an enormous 60ft . American flag in the background, the Duke said: . 'This is the last event on our tour of North America, but to my mind, it . is one of the most important. 'This . is because it is about men and women who - of their own free will - . choose to put their life on the line for their country.' He . added: "Service Nation: Mission Serve, and all the companies and . employers taking part today, are providing opportunities which mean . something very immediate and personal to us. 'Catherine and I both have friends back in Britain who could benefit from a brilliant initiative like this.' William made the audience laugh by . taking a swipe at his brother Prince Harry: 'I am delighted, therefore, . that our Foundation – and in that I include my low-flying Apache very . average brother – is a partner in today’s event.' Before heading to the airport they stopped at the charity, the Tusk Trust, where they met author Kristin Gore, actress Reece Witherspoon and heiress Jessica de Rothschild . William gets a good reaction from one of his jokes as he and Kate meet Charlie Mayhew, chief executive of the Tusk Trust, and director Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson . Kate chats to donors to the Tusk Trust, Ernie and Diane Burgess. Prince William is the royal patron for the charity which used their visit to launch the Trust's U.S. Patron Circle . William went on to tell the audience 'how grateful we are to have been welcomed so warmly in the Golden State and the City of Angels. Thank you so much'. The couple then filled boxes given to youngsters whose parents have been deployed to Afghanistan. William and Kate were first shown a teddy bear called Cuzzie who was dressed in a scarf, goggles, jacket that was one of the main items. The royal couple stood next to each other and filled the package with a journal for the children to jot down their feelings,dogtags, so they can be just like mum or dad, a DVD that takes them through the issues around deployment, and postcards to send to the frontline. When William picked up the popular American toy - Uno playing card - he said: 'I haven't seen these in ages, I used to play this a lot,' then put it in the box. The couple then left for their BA flight back to the UK. The Duke and Duchess took part in an impromptu walkabout outside their residence in LA to the delight of fans who posed for pictures with Kate . Kate speaks to the parent of a girl who appears a little bashful at meeting the Duchess . The crowds weren't as big in the U.S. as they were in Canada, but there were sufficient people to make the couple feel welcome . Full steam ahead: Kate cracks on with a drawing at the Inner-City Arts centre, but William was a little slower off the mark, looking as though he was asking for advice . Coming along nicely: Kate overseas the tortoise operation whilst in the background William seems mesmerised by the shell . Glamour: The couple looked spectacular as they joined Hollywood royalty for a red carpet event while, left, Kate and Nicole Kidman dazzle in their floor-length gowns . Nicole Kidman appears starstruck, smiling as she listens intently to Prince William... but then she breaks into a laugh as the prince pulls a face . Big moment: Kate talks to Tom Hanks and his wife Rita, left, while Jennifer Lopez puts a hand on William and listens intently while the Duchess laughs in the background . | The couple wrap up their action-packed trip to North America with a visit to two charity projects .
At final engagement William thanks 'City of Angels' for welcoming couple so warmly . |
242,758 | c6344ecca53fd1279f38c3bf786195273202cdab | By . Damien Gayle . PUBLISHED: . 13:45 EST, 29 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 14:19 EST, 29 March 2012 . An unemployed man who tortured a pensioner to death for her bank card PIN was today jailed for the rest of his life. John Mason, 55, of Llandissilio, west Wales, beat Angelika Dries-Jenkins to death at her home in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, in a 'brutal and heartless' attack on June 1 last year. Mason then stole the quiet 66-year-old divorcee's car and took £1,000 from her savings account to fund his impending wedding. 'Brutal and heartless murder': John Mason tricked his way into the home of pensioner Angelika Dries-Jenkins before torturing her for her bank card number and bludgeoning her to death with a blunt object . A jury at Swansea Crown Court took less than two hours today to find him unanimously guilty at the end of a two-week trial. Mason, the son of the victim’s nextdoor neighbour, wore a hi-viz vest and posed as a council workman to trick his way into Mrs Dries-Jenkins's home. He then cruelly tortured the pensioner to force her to reveal her bank card number before grabbing her by the neck and bludgeoning her around her head with a blunt object. The spread of the blood in the dining room where the attack took place showed the ferocity of the attack dished out to Mrs Dries-Jenkins, the prosecution said. The court heard that on the day of Mrs Dries-Jenkins's murder and on following days Mason used her card to take money from her bank account. He was due to marry his girlfriend Denise Evans and had moved their wedding forward to June 10th - nine days after Mrs Dries-Jenkins's savage murder. Mason, who lived on £100 benefits a fortnight, boot himself a new pair of boots and had himself measured up for a wedding ring at Argos in preparation for the big day. But he was traced and arrested for murder within a week and the planned wedding never took place. Jailing Mason for life with a minimum tariff of 30 years today, Judge Mr Justice Wyn Williams described the attack on Mrs Dries-Jenkins as a 'brutal and heartless murder'. He said: 'You killed a kind and gentle woman in her own home, and you did it so you could steal her money. 'In the hours and days that followed, you spent her money and went about your business as if you had no care in the world. 'By any standards, this was a despicable crime. 'The consequences of your crime have been far-reaching. Mrs Dries-Jenkins is dead and her family has suffered, and will continue to suffer.' 'You must realise Mr Mason that there is a very real likelihood that you will spend the rest of your life in prison.' Scene of the crime: Police and forensics officers at the house where Mrs Dries-Jenkins was found murdered in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, west Wales . After the verdict today, the jury heard that Mason had a long history of violence and was effectively a career criminal. At the time of the murder he was already electronically tagged and under curfew for threatening to kill his fiancee. A drunken Mason had also threatened to 'cut the throat' of her 11-year-old grandson during a blazing row at her home in Narberth. Police were called to the scene in March last year to find Mason passed out and part of the house doused in petrol and a lighter nearby. He was dealt with by an order to carry out unpaid community work and received two separate cautions. But within months Mason had tricked his way into Mrs Dries-Jenkins's home to murder her. The peaceful, yoga-loving pensioner suffered a merciless attack at his hands which lasted at least five minutes. Prosecuting, Patrick Harrington QC said: 'Angelika Dries-Jenkins was tortured and murdered in her own home. 'Her killer was John Mason - his reason for killing her was for money. 'After conning his way into her house by wearing a fluorescent jacket posing as a workman, he tortured his victim so she would reveal her pin number. 'He then beat her savagely to death using a blunt item. 'Being the coward that he is, Mason attacked her in the most vulnerable part of her body - her head. 'An already bleeding victim Mrs Dries-Jenkins was then repeatedly struck and the spread of blood shows the ferocity of which she was hit. 'There is also evidence of injury to the throat where he grabbed her during this murderous attack.' Grim discovery: The daughter of Angelika Dries-Jenkins, Eleanor, right, who found her mother dead after paying her a surprise visit . The victim’s horrified daughter discovered her mother’s disfigured body two days later when she made a surprise visit. Mr Harrington said: 'Her daughter chose to pay her mother a surprise visit. 'She had just come back from her holiday in Italy and wanted to surprise her, two days before her birthday. 'But instead of this joyous occasion, Eleanor made the grim discovery of her mother’s body having been left bludgeoned to death by John Mason. 'She suffered extensive head injuries and there was blood everywhere in the dining room of her home.' Mason had insisted from the outset that he was innocent of murder and that overwhelming evidence pointing to him as the killer was 'just coincidence'. The jury rejected that version of events in less than two hours today. The verdict was immediately welcomed by Dyfed Powys Police. Detective Superintendent Pam Kelly said: 'Angelica Dries-Jenkins was tortured for the Pin number of her bank account, she was murdered, her car stolen and her bank account emptied, but that was not enough for John Mason. 'He has put Angelica’s family through a three-week murder trial, he has lied from start to finish and shown no remorse whatsoever. 'Today’s verdict is welcomed, it reflects the strength of Angelica’s family and is a credit to the members of the community who have come forward as witnesses. 'This has been achieved through the dedication of the prosecution team, in particular a small group of local detectives from Pembrokeshire who have shown great dedication and tenacity in bringing John Mason to justice.' Detective Sergeant Paul Callard said: 'This was a complex investigation, which included all facets of forensic and conventional policing techniques. Our small team worked diligently to bring Mason to justice and we are pleased with the verdict.' A keen gardener, Mrs Dries-Jenkins was born in Germany and settled in Pembrokeshire after marrying a local man thirty years ago. She had three children including a son Benedict, 32, and two daughters. Although divorced, Mrs Dries-Jenkins’ former husband Daniel Jenkins was in the public gallery to hear the details of how she died. | John Mason, 55, jailed for life for the murder of Angelika Dries-Jenkins .
Mason tricked his way into the pensioners home by posing as a workman .
He then tortured her for her PIN number then bludgeoned her to death . |
160,215 | 5b18c1b7cbb7160bbb8d3affa3f2f12d1c28ad6e | Washington (CNN) -- Investigators are reviewing the flight data recorder from American Airlines Flight 331, the plane that overran a runway this week near Kingston, Jamaica, and crashed into a fence. A National Transportation Safety Board spokesman said Thursday that the recorder arrived in the agency's Washington laboratory overnight. Crews continue to look for the cockpit voice recorder. The flight originated from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, and landed in Miami, Florida, before heading to Jamaica, the airline said. It had been raining Tuesday when the plane failed to stop and ran into a fence past the end of the runway, Radio Jamaica reporter Kirk Abraham said. Ninety-one people were taken to three area hospitals, where most were evaluated and released, an American Airlines spokesman said. Ten were admitted, he said, and five remain hospitalized Thursday afternoon. The flight was carrying 148 passengers and six crew members when it landed in Kingston, the airline said. CNN's Jim Barnett contributed to this report. | American Airlines plane overran runway, crashed into fence near Kingston, Jamaica .
National Transportation Safety Board investigators are reviewing flight data recorder .
Five people remain hospitalized after accident . |
66,606 | bceb1a781a7708229401ea75db62b6a3c1a61692 | (CNN) -- In many ways, Maha Haddioui is the archetypal young professional women's golfer, desperate to make a breakthrough on one of the major tours in Europe or the United States. Educated at an American university, the 22-year-old speaks four languages. Her Facebook page lists has hundreds of friends from all over the world. A stylist on the course, she sports an elegant line in clothing -- more often than not wearing a polo shirt and pink skirt. But, unlike her peers, Haddioui is a trailblazer in a region of the world that has seen turmoil and political upheaval over the past year, and where women's freedoms are often severely restricted. Hailing from Morocco, she's the first Arab woman to compete in a professional golf tournament. Her lifetime ambition is to follow in the footsteps of the North African nation's legendary middle-distance track and field athletes and win Olympic gold. Golf will return to the four-yearly sporting showpiece in Brazil in 2016 after an absence of more than a century. "I have always watched the Olympics with my father and it is the biggest sports event worldwide," Haddioui told CNN. "We have had some great Moroccan athletes like Hicham El Guerrouj that have made the country proud, and my dream is to follow in their footsteps." Fortunately for Haddioui, she was brought up by a liberal family who did not insist on traditional dress code for their young daughter. Able to practice on local courses near their home in Agadir, she quickly showed an aptitude for golf and received support from the country's ministry of sport. She has spent four years on the collegiate golf circuit in the United States, studying at Lynn University in Florida and earning the accolade of top-ranked NCAA Division II women's golfer during that time. When she graduated, the repercussions of the Arab Spring began to be felt in the wider region, and in Morocco there were also demands for democratic change. The bulk of the country has been ruled by a monarchist dynasty since the 17th century, with King Mohammed VI holding power since 1999. With regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya swept away, Morocco's 48-year-old ruler promised reforms. In November's election he was obliged to choose the prime minister from the largest party, rather than by his own personal choice. He had, in 2004, introduced measures which addressed women's rights. "I am a big supporter for freedom and peaceful change," Haddioui said. "We had a couple of peaceful protests in Morocco which have led to major changes in the constitution of the country, but we have enjoyed our freedoms in Morocco for decades." Haddioui is proud of her country and wants to represent it with distinction. "My aim is to be the first Moroccan and Arab golfer to make it into the European Tour," she said. "I hope that there will be a lot more women that will follow in my footsteps." Success has already come with gold in women's golf at last year's Arab Games in Qatar in a team which included her younger sister Nezha. Last season, her first as a professional, Haddioui finished 25th in the Lalla Meryem Cup held in her hometown, and made the halfway cut at another Ladies' European Tour (LET) event in Germany. But it is a big step from collegiate golf to the cut-throat professional world, and this year she will again rely on invites to main tour events. A disastrous second-round 84 at the LET qualifying school in La Manga in Spain wrecked her chances of winning a card with full playing rights. "I don't know what happened there, it was a tough week," she admitted. But Haddioui is undeterred and will be looking to her home tournament in March on the Golf de l'Ocean course in Agadir to make a big impression. With a men's European Tour event, the Hassan II Trophy, and the Lalla Meryem Cup held in the same week at the end of next month, plus a host of regional tournaments, Morocco is promoting itself as a golf destination par excellence. Outside investment, mainly from the Middle East, has brought several new courses and developments -- as Haddioui says, "taking advantage of our fantastic weather and the opportunity to share a very rich culture." Haddioui aside, Moroccan players either male or female have yet to make a much of an impression among the professional elite, but all that could be changing. "Golf is becoming more affordable for locals thanks to the work of the Royal Golf Federation," she said. With more youngsters playing, the talent is starting to emerge. Ahmad Marjan, 18, has earned an invite to this week's Dubai Desert Classic, where he will rub shoulders with some of the best players in the world. Haddioui will target December's Dubai Ladies' Masters on the LET as she tries to earn enough money to get an automatic card for 2013. Though proud of her roots and background, it was her spell in the United States that decided on her career path. "Getting an education in the U.S. is definitely the best choice I have made in my life," she said. "It allowed me to play golf and pursue my education at the same time. It has prepared me for my current life as a professional golfer where I have to travel on my own." | Maha Haddioui is first Arab woman to play golf in a major professional event .
Haddioui wants to win Olympic gold and tournaments in Europe and the United States .
The 22-year-old from Morocco is supported by her national federation .
She wants "peaceful" changes to spread democracy in her country . |
144,555 | 46f0905384acfdc8e81d30b6116e5d3a2242cc0d | Ward Alshammary died of a cardiac arrest after doctors failed to spot a major infection . As five-year-old Ward Alshammary lay dying, she asked her father one last heartbreaking question: ‘Why are you crying, Daddy?’ The brave schoolgirl was suffering a cardiac arrest brought on by an illness that doctors failed to spot, an inquest heard. She had been sent home from hospital by medics who believed she simply had a virus. But two days later she was rushed back when her condition deteriorated rapidly. It turned out Ward was suffering from bronchial pneumonia and a major infection between her lungs and chest wall. As they prepared to move her to paediatric intensive care from a high dependency unit, they gave her medication to tackle the bacterial infection but the youngster suffered a cardiac arrest. But just moments before she died, Ward gave her crying father Badr Alshammary a kiss and asked him why he was in tears. Speaking about how their lives had been turned upside down by her death, her father and mother Feraihah said they never thought they wouldn't come home from the hospital without their daughter. The couple, who used to live in Southampton, said: 'We were incredibly close to our daughter Ward. 'Although she was only five years old, she cared for us, as much as we cared for her. 'She loved her siblings and all of her friends at school. Ward loved going to school and she loved her teachers. 'When she grew up she wanted to be a paediatrician - she even told the doctor at the hospital that was what she wanted to be. 'After that first visit to the hospital, we thought she would be fine. Even when we went back on 21 January 2013, we did not expect to leave the hospital without our daughter. 'Ward's death has affected our lives significantly: our family life, our studies, every day, even walking down the street. 'We know that nothing can bring Ward back but we hope that knowledge of the circumstances in which Ward died, which we now understand in more detail, can prevent similar deaths in the future.' When she was first admitted, the little girl was examined and given an antihistamine drug before being sent home. And doctors at Southampton General Hospital, in Hampshire, told the family she would be well enough to mix with other children at school. This was despite being severe dehydration and she had not eaten or drunk for two days, Winchester Coroner's Court was told. She died in the early hours of January 22 after being readmitted and concerned staff had called in senior paediatric consultant Dr Peter Wilson. She suffered a cardiac arrest thought to have been brought on by a flood of toxins into her system and having suffered septic shock. Lawyers representing the Alshammary family questioned if the little girl may have survived had she been admitted directly to intensive care rather than time being lost at the high dependency unit. An internal investigation carried out by the hospital revealed there had been failings in her care. However Grahame Short, Senior Coroner for Central Hampshire, said it would never be known if her death could have been prevented by earlier treatment. An internal investigation at Southampton General Hospital, pictured, found there had been failings in the youngster's care . Her devastated parents said their little girl had big dreams of becoming a paediatrician when she grew up. Ward even made the point of telling the doctors and nurses of her chosen career as they checked her over and treated her on admission to hospital the first time. Her father added in a statement that on their first visit to A&E, he had been told by a first year trainee A&E specialist that she would recover within three days. He said: 'The doctor said it was a normal rash and not contagious. 'She told me she would be okay to go back to school and be around other children.' Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, Mr Short said the 'failure to recognise Ward's deteriorating condition' caused 'a delay in the initial amount of immediate treatment'. He said: 'With the benefit of hindsight we now know there have been failings in individual decisions which, if they had been different, might have prevented the tragic outcome in this case.' Her additional infection in the child's lung lining, which clinicians were unaware of at the time, may have been 'highly-relevant' to her sudden, rapid deterioration, he added. Mr Short said: 'The central issue in this case is whether it would have made any difference if her true medical condition had been recognised sooner. 'It may well have been different if she had been moved to the paediatric intensive care unit and she was treated sooner, but I don't know that - and I don't believe that we'll ever know.' The inquest heard how an internal investigation carried out by Southampton General Hospital into Ward's death concluded that there had been failings. It said doctors had not appreciated the gravity of her condition in the final hours of her life, the court was told. Giving evidence, paediatric consultant Dr Jason Barling was asked if she would have already contracted pneumonia three days before her death on her first hospital visit. He admitted it was not known and said: 'It could have been present at the time, but it could also have not been present until 24 hours later.' Dr Barling added that since Ward's death there had been briefings across the NHS region and there was now increased awareness of how to manage Sepsis in children when they were hospitalised. Juliet Pearce, patient safety manager at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, added: 'Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Ward's family at what continues to be a very difficult time for them. 'As reported at the inquest hearing, Ward was assessed appropriately in our emergency department and the circumstances surrounding her death, although extremely sad and distressing, could not have been predicted. 'We hope the coroner's determination will help to give the family a better understanding of the difficulties her condition presented and we offer them our full support as they continue to come to terms with their loss.' | Doctors sent Ward Alshammary home with a virus in January this year .
Two days later, she was back in hospital and suffered a cardiac arrest .
An inquest heard doctors at Southampton General Hospital failed to spot a major infection between her lung and chest wall .
Internal hospital investigation revealed there had been failings in her care .
But coroner Grahame Short said it would never be known if her death could have been prevented by earlier treatment .
Her devastated father revealed the youngster wanted to be a paediatrician . |
254,364 | d53ee769733bade8ba080a02e3190cec5ee71db9 | (CNN) -- Roger Federer fended off an audacious comeback by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win the ATP World Tour Finals for a record sixth time in London Sunday. A pumped up Federer wrapped up a 6-3 7-6 6-3 victory over Tsonga in his 100th career final to end 2011 on a conspicuous high note. Consecutive titles in Basel, Paris, where he also beat Tsonga in the final, and at the season-ending championships have seen the Swiss maestro reclaim the No.3 spot in the world from Britain's Andy Murray. But he had to withstand a mid-match onslaught from his French opponent, who broke Federer as he served for the match at a set and 5-4 to the good. Tsonga also saved a match point in the second set tiebreaker before leveling at one set all. But as in the first set, Federer broke Tsonga again in the eighth game of the decider and made no mistake when he served for the championship for the second time. "I couldn't be more happy my season ends this way. I'm exhausted, Jo sapped every last energy out of me today," Federer said. His triumph lifted the Swiss maestro out of a tie with Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras for titles at the ATP's end-of-season finale. It was his 70th career crown. It will also compensate for failing to add to his 16 grand slam crowns this season as Novak Djokovic, who failed to make it out of the round robin group stages in London, dominated with three. Rafael Nadal, who beat Federer in the final to win the French Open title, was also eliminated at that stage as he lost to Tsonga in a deciding match. Earlier, third seeds Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor beat the Polish pair Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 7-5 6-3 to win the ATP World Tour Finals doubles title. | Roger Federer wins ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena in London .
Federer beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in his 100th career final .
Record sixth win in season-ending finals for the Swiss star .
Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor win doubles title . |
21,005 | 3b9d6a5989ba9dcbf7105859fa35e00e96070032 | One of hate preacher Anjem Choudary’s top henchmen today boasted about how 'Allah made a mockery of British intelligence' after he was able to skip bail and flee to Syria because of police blunders. Siddhartha Dhar, 31, disappeared less than 24 hours after being freed on police bail by Scotland Yard detectives investigating Choudary’s inner circle in September. They asked him to surrender his passport under strict conditions designed to prevent him promoting al-Muhajiroun, the banned extremist group founded by the fanatic preacher. Scroll down for video . Siddhartha Dhar, circled, disappeared only 24 hours after being released on police bail, the follower of Anjem Choudary, centre, took a coach to Paris with his family before travelling on to Syria . Taunt: Dhar - who goes by the name of Abu Rumaysah - apparently tweeted these messages on Monday . But instead, the Islamic convert, known as Abu Rumaysah, took a coach from London to Paris and headed to the Islamic State war zone with his young family. Today a series of tweets were sent from an account which appears to be his. He said: 'My Lord (Allah) made a mockery of British intelligence and surveillance. Make hijrah (flight) Muslims. Place your trust in Allah.' He said: 'What a shoddy security system Britain must have to allow me to breeze through Europe to the Islamic State.' In his first of a series of tweets praising ISIS, he said on Monday: 'Alhamdulillah (all praise be to Allah), that He (and only He) facilitated a path for me and my family to live in the Islamic State.' There is no independent proof of whether Dhar really is with ISIS in Syria - but his boasts are sure to infuriate critics who were outraged at the time that Dhar was allowed to slip through the grasp of police so easily. Dhar, a darling of TV interviewers repeatedly given a platform on the BBC to promote his radical views, had publicly stated that he wanted to live under the Islamic State. Just weeks before his arrest, he told one interviewer that he was willing to renounce his British citizenship if it meant he was allowed to travel. He was a key member of al-Muhajiroun and offshoot groups such as the Shariah Project, masterminding ‘roadshows’ in London that aimed to recruit troubled youngsters to Islam. It was at one of these that he is believed to have met, and possibly mentored, Michael Adebolajo, one of the murderers of Fusilier Lee Rigby. Dhar and nine other men, including Choudary, were held in raids in London and the Midlands in September on suspicion of supporting al-Muhajiroun. Dhar was among nine men including Choudary, right, held and questioned by police in September . They were also questioned on suspicion of encouraging terrorism before being released on bail and ordered to return to police stations in December. Police wanted to impose strict bail conditions to prevent them associating with each other, promoting extremism or going overseas. But Dhar fled to Syria with his wife and four young children the day after he was released. The details emerged at a recent bail hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in which Choudary and other suspects demanded the return of their identity documents. Asked why Dhar was not in court, prosecutor Luke Ponte said he boarded a coach for Paris on September 27. He said: ‘He failed to comply with the conditions to surrender his travel documents to police. It’s my understanding that he is no longer in the jurisdiction and that he is currently in Syria.’ The court refused to hand back the identity documents. Former shadow home secretary David Davis said at the time that it ‘beggars belief’ that Dhar could escape so easily. 'To allow him to surrender his own passport, rather than take it off him, seems at best careless and at worse a terrible error of judgment,' he added. | Siddhartha Dhar was arrested in September with eight other men .
Dhar and the others were questioned on suspicion of encouraging terrorism .
He was released on police bail to reappear in December but fled the country in late September .
Today Dhar posted tweets boasting about how he could 'breeze' across Europe to Syria to join ISIS fighters because of a 'shoddy security system' |
20,683 | 3ab1c423f375a652827fea89974b71d91818bf9b | Visitors to this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference could be forgiven for assuming they had accidentally stumbled upon a Star Trek convention ... if the people in costume weren't some of the most powerful in the world. Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin were among 21 world leaders who attended the summit of Pacific Rim nations in Beijing today dressed in traditional Chinese tunics. But when the official photograph of the event was beamed around the world, many thought they better resembled the likes of Spock of Captain Kirk from the hit television and film franchise. Scroll down for video . Beam me up: Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin (pictured alongside Chinese premier and event host Xi Jinping and wife Peng Liyuan) were among 21 world leaders who attended the summit of Pacific Rim nations in Beijing today dressed in traditional Chinese tunics . Beam me up: Barack Obama also donned the burgundy outfit ahead of a meeting with Xi Jinping later in the day . Star Trek: When the official photograph of the event was beamed around the world, many thought they better resembled the likes of Spock of Captain Kirk from the hit television and film franchise . Smart: Mr Xi appeared to complement Mr Putin on his attire as the Chinese leader's wife looked on . Meet and greet: Then came Barack Obama's turn to receive the compliment . 'Obama wearing Star Trek jacket in China? Someone please beam him up,' wrote Steve Miller on Twitter. Jami_USA added: 'Is this a new Star Trek Episode?' However, AFP journalist Katy Lee pointed out that the APEC has a 'rich tradition' in dressing its members traditional clothing of the country holding the summit. 'Important to remember Obama's suit is part of rich tradition of flamboyant APEC fashion. See Kerry, 2013,' she wrote, referring to the Balinese 'endek' woven shirt worn by Secretary of State John Kerry and leaders attending the summit in Indonesia last year. Meanwhile at the shoot, U.S. president Barack Obama appeared in no mood to break the ice with his Russian counterpart, and even looked away when the two crossed paths. Putin took centre stage at the official photocall, placed at the middle of leaders next to Chinese president and event host Xi Jinping. Mr Obama, however, was left wedged between the wife of Indonesia's president and South Korea's leader, Park Geun-Hye, on the periphery of the photograph. From left to right (front) Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and wife Peng Liyuan and (back) Canadian Prime Minister's wife Laureen and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah-Mansor . Snub: Obama was all smiles as he chatted to Chinese premier Xi Jinping (left) but was less than welcoming when Putin walked past (right) Tension: With Russia-West ties at their lowest point since the Cold War, amid the dispute over Ukraine, the strain in their personal relations was clearly visible . When the photograph was taken and the heads of state filed off stage, Obama seemed to turn his head as Putin came past, rather than catch his eye. The two leaders last met in June, when they exchanged a few words during a ceremony in France marking the D-Day invasion anniversary. With Russia-West ties at their lowest point since the Cold War, amid the dispute over Ukraine, the strain in their personal relations was clearly visible. Together: After the photo call, Obama and Putin joined Mr Xi, his wife and the other delegates to watch a spectacular firework display . Bird's Nest: The firework display was held at the Bird's Nest National Stadium on the sidelines of the APEC Summit, in Beijing, originally built for the 2008 Olympics . Appearances: But Obama and Putin did not seem to talk to each other despite their close proximity. Instead Obama joked with Mr Xi while Putin spoke with China's First Lady, Peng Liyuan . No stranger to cold: Putin wasted no time in trying to charm his hosts and wrapped his blanket around Ms Peng to keep her warm . Keeping warm: She appeared to appreciate the gesture as Barack Obama looked away . The meal: (Left to right) Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping with wife, Peng Liyuan, President of Indonesia Joko Widodo with wife, Iriana, US President Barack Obama, during the ceremonial reception held for members of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting . And, as these pictures show, today was no different. However, Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, has said that no meeting has been set but that Putin and Obama have 'a good chance' to meet on the sidelines. Ushakov emphasized that Putin wasn't shunning such a meeting. In Washington, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice said that while there were no plans for a formal meeting between Obama and Putin, 'I wouldn't be at all surprised if they had some informal communication.' | Pair attended Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing .
They haven't met since June at D-Day invasion anniversary in France .
There they shared a few words but strain in personal relations clearly visible .
And today was no different when Obama looked away as Putin passed by . |
120,410 | 279beeae78b2f2f3401d7f8361ed74bd7e2463c8 | By . Rob Cooper . PUBLISHED: . 07:20 EST, 22 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:16 EST, 23 August 2013 . Sir Paul McCartney's ex-wife Heather Mills today won a silver medal for skiing in a New Zealand Winter Games slalom event. The former model, who lost her leg below the knee in a road accident 20 years ago, was taking part in the adaptive slalom event. She is ranked number 28 in the world but won the silver medal after recording a time of 2 minutes 9.09 seconds at Coronet Peak in Queenstown. Delight: Heather Mills celebrates winning silver in the women's adaptive slalom World Cup race in Queenstown, New Zealand, today . Silver: Heather Mills kisses gold medal winner Melanie Schwartz, of Canada, on the podium today at the Winter Games . Gold medal went to Melanie Schwartz of Canada who recorded a time of 1.59.79. Miss Mills, 45, married Beatles star Sir Paul but they separated four years later and divorced after a protracted battle through the courts. She demanded a payout of £125million from her estranged husband but was eventually awarded £24.3million by the High Court. Miss Mills is hoping to compete in the Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi next February. Embrace: Silver winner Heather Mills and Melanie Schwartz embrace again after coming first and second in the slalom event in Queenstown . Delight: Heather Mills, left, who divorced Sir Paul McCartney five years ago, is hoping to compete in the Winter Paralympic Games next year . On her way to victory: Miss Mills recorded a time of 2 minutes 9.09 seconds at Coronet Peak in Queenstown. Slalom: heather Mills competes in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ . Competitor: Miss Mills is hoping to compete in the Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi next February . Joy: Heather Mills celebrates on the podium today after winning silver in the World Cup event . | Miss Mills won a £24.3million divorce payout from ex-husband Sir Paul .
The former model is hoping to compete in the Winter Paralympic Games next year . |
192,942 | 85c9e06a922d6b54d4b7dc65e8ce131d2dd8cfda | Jerusalem (CNN) -- Israel has placed high-profile prisoner Marwan Barghouti in solitary confinement following his public call for Palestinians to participate in popular resistance against Israel's occupation of lands Palestinians claim, the Israeli Prisons Authority said Monday. Israeli Prisons Authority representative Sivan Weizman said Barghouti had been placed in isolation for a period of seven days following the publication of a letter last week "that called on Palestinians to take action against Israel." The letter was considered incitement, she said. In addition to the period of solitary confinement, Barghouti will not be allowed visitors for 30 days, she said. Last week Barghouti released 17-point letter from prison outlining what he said was a new strategy aimed at achieving Palestinian statehood. Among his suggestions, Barghouti called on the Palestinian Authority to halt its security coordination with Israel in the West Bank. "The job of the Palestinian security services is to provide security and protection to Palestinian citizens, not to protect the occupation," Barghouti wrote. He also called for the end of previous efforts by the West Bank government of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to engage in negotiations with Israel and expressed his support for a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against the Jewish state. "It must be understood that there is no partner for peace in Israel when the settlements have doubled," Barghouti wrote. "It is the Palestinian people's right to oppose the occupation in all means, and the resistance must be focused on the 1967 territories." Barghouti is serving five life sentences following his 2002 conviction in an Israeli court for murder and other charges related to his role in planning attacks on Israelis. He is considered by many Palestinians to be the most important prisoner held by Israel and for some he is seen as the only possible political successor to Abbas. Abbas has said he will not seek reelection. Barghouti has been put in solitary confinement multiple times for public statements leaked from prison. Barghouti is a member of the central committee of the Palestinian movement Fatah, and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. | Marwan Barghouti gets seven days in solitary and 30 with no visitors, Israel says .
The punishment follows his call for new resistance against Israel .
He released a letter which the Israelis consider incitement .
Barghouti is considered a possible future Palestinian leader . |
27,445 | 4dcaa551b5e594375c4d6baf675df556dd60c079 | Regular selfie-takers may be more narcissistic than their photo-shy friends, according to a new study being conducted at the University of Georgia. Researchers working on the study are trying to determine whether some people’s constant desire to snap pictures of themselves suggests that they are more self-absorbed. Keith Campbell, a psychology professor at the University of Georgia leading the selfie study, told the Today show that previous research suggests three reasons people take selfies: 'self-absorption, a social connection and art.' Scroll down for video . Self love: Researchers at the University of Georgia are trying to determine whether selfie-takers, such as Kim Kardashian, are more narcissistic . He has called upon volunteers with a particular penchant for selfies to take one while in his lab so that he can study the effect that the image has on others. ‘We’re going to have people rate those selfies to see if we can detect narcissism from some of those selfies,’ he explained. And it’s not just narcissism that selfie takers need to worry about. Career experts are now saying that the rise in selfie taking could lead to the more regular snappers losing out on jobs. Picture perfect: Keith Campbell, a psychology professor at the University of Georgia leading the study, cited 'art' as another reason people snap selfies - calling to mind Lindsay Lohan's recent snap of herself with her Marilyn Monroe-inspired self-portrait hanging in the background . Popularity contest: Dr Campbell says 'social connection' is another popular reason for taking selfies, as might be the case in Ellen DeGeneres's crowded Oscar selfie . '[Employers may wonder] do you get the line between private versus public and might you share something about their company if you worked there that was inappropriate?' career coach Hallie Crawford recently told KMOV. 'In a career sense, it can really impact your brand.’ The news will no doubt come as a blow to prolific public selfie takers such as Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus, who are all famed for their seemingly non-stop stream of selfies. Dr Campbell, the author of The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement, said he's interested in studying selfies because 'It's a form of communication with simple self-expression.' 'It's just something we've never seen before, at least at this massive scale,' he added. | A new study currently underway at the University of Georgia suggests fans of the self-portrait are more narcissistic .
Head researcher Dr Keith Campbell suggests selfies are motivated by three factors – self-absorption, art or social connection .
According to career experts, taking too many selfies may demonstrate ‘a lack of self-control’ to potential employers . |
72,734 | ce410c00ca22dfa2fe4591bb02725b86b4a54f0d | By . Robert Verkaik . PUBLISHED: . 20:18 EST, 20 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:18 EST, 20 April 2013 . Convictions: Jan Morales has a 40-year history of appalling crimes yet was allowed to work as a paramedic . Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has ordered an investigation into how the owner of a fleet of ambulances was allowed to drive vehicles and work as a paramedic – despite criminal convictions for kidnapping, assault and child pornography. The move follows serious concerns raised by a senior judge after The Mail on Sunday reported how health regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) granted the firm a licence. Jan Morales, co-owner of Staffordshire-based International Medical Assistance, has a string of convictions going back more than 40 years. Despite his history he had access to keys to the front doors of patients who might have to call for help. Now, after blasting the inadequate checks done on Morales by the CQC, the Care Standards Tribunal has referred the case to Mr Hunt. Earlier this year The Mail on Sunday reported that CQC granted the registration in full knowledge of Morales’s 21 child pornography offences, for which he was jailed in 2005. But it took the CQC until this month to stop him from working with patients, even though he was on the sex offenders’ register. The MoS has been told by senior sources in the private ambulance industry that dozens of companies have never been properly inspected. Even before Morales’s firm was approved, concerns had been raised. ‘It is clear at the time of the assessment for registration, Staffordshire Police had disclosed that Mr Morales had been convicted of offences relating to child pornography,’ said tribunal judge Gillian Irving QC. ‘We found it astonishing as the facts of this case materialised that a man with the forensic history of Mr Morales was able to hold the position of director in a company such as this. 'It was difficult to imagine anyone less suitable or appropriate.’ Inquiry: Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has ordered an investigation into how Morales was allowed to drive emergency vehicles . Observing that users of private ambulance services are ‘some of the most vulnerable in our society’, the judge worried that there is no requirement for staff to be checked through the Criminal Records Bureau. A spokesman for the CQC said: ‘We acknowledge that we should not have registered the private ambulance provider. CQC have written to the Secretary of State to make him aware of this case.’ The Department of Health said: ‘This is clearly wrong and never should have happened. We are currently looking into tightening safeguarding measures.’ Concerns: Andy Burnham . NHS bosses are increasingly using ‘poorly trained’ private ambulance crews for the most serious 999 calls as the crisis in emergency care worsens. In London the bill for using private ambulances has gone up ten-fold in two years to more than £4 million due to cuts and an increase in calls. Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: ‘Whistleblowers have contacted Labour with concerns that even the most serious 999 calls are being handled by private ambulances without properly trained staff.’ Gary Palmer, from the GMB union, which represents paramedics, said: ‘The training of the private crews can often be less than for an NHS ambulance.’ A spokesman for Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: ‘The NHS is seeing an extra one million more patients each year in A&E and despite the additional workload is coping well.’ | Jan Morales allowed to work as a paramedic despite string of convictions .
The Care Standards Tribunal has referred the case to the Health Secretary . |
24,784 | 463a40e9926b8b0e47a332eb08b00043c9946562 | By . Mark Duell . Last updated at 9:37 PM on 21st February 2012 . Smiles turned to frowns on Wall Street today as the Dow retreated after crossing 13,000 for the first time since before the financial crisis began. Its last time above 13,000 during a trading day was May 20 in 2008, four months before the Lehman Brothers investment bank went under. The Dow Jones first passed 13,000 two hours into the trading day after a long-awaited bailout deal for Greece, before it fell back to close at 12,966. Happy: The Dow first passed 13,000 about two hours into the trading day, then quickly dropped back. Traders at the New York Stock Exchange are seen today . On the floor: In a market built on perception, the milestone could influence more cautious investors to pump more money back into the stock market . The deal on Tuesday was aimed at . preventing a potentially catastrophic default. It came amid strong . corporate earnings reports in the U.S. The Dow hit 13,000 at 11:30am and stayed there for 30 seconds, then dropped back. It reclaimed the level again at noon and just after 1:30pm. TUESDAY . 2012 . But it gave up most of its gains for the . day and finished up 16 at 12,966. The S&P 500 rose a point to 1,362 . but the Nasdaq fell three to 2,949. The last time the Dow Jones was above 13,000, the unemployment rate in the U.S. was 5.4 per cent, far below today's 8.3 per cent. The Great Recession was six months . old, with the worst still to come. The 13,000 level is generally seen a . psychological milepost. However in a market built on perception, . it could influence more cautious investors to pump more money back into . the stock market, analysts said. ‘You need notches along the way to . measure things, and that's as good as any,’ said analyst John Manley of Wells Fargo's funds group. ‘Is 50 older than 49 and a half? Yes, . by six months. Do those six months really make a difference? Probably . not. But it does give us a fixed point.’ Five years: The Dow's last time above 13,000 during a trading day was May 20 in 2008, four months before the Lehman Brothers investment bank went under . Fluctuations: The last time the Dow Jones industrial average was above 13,000, the unemployment rate was 5.4 per cent, far below today's 8.3 per cent . Last summer the Dow Jones unburdened itself of 2,000 points in three terrifying weeks. It fell as low as 10,655 in the autumn. 'You need notches along the way to measure things, and that's as good as any. Is 50 older than 49 and a half? Yes, by six months. Do those six months really make a difference? Probably not. But it does give us a fixed point' John Manley, Wells Fargo . That came as investors panicked after a . downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and a fight over the federal . government's borrowing limit. The 13,000 marker is a 22 per cent . rally from that low and it’s within 1,200 points of the record closing . high - 14,164 on October 9 in 2007. Under the bailout deal, Greece will . get €130billion, or $172billion, from other European nations and . the International Monetary Fund. It will also owe €107billion less to . investors who own its government bonds. European markets fell after the . Greece deal was announced. At the start: Former first lady Laura Bush, centre, rings the Opening Bell during a visit to the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, ahead of the 13,000 milestone . After months of the talks crawling . along, the conclusion was almost anticlimactic, with an agreement . already expected by the markets. Stocks were down almost 4 per cent in . Greece, a little more than 1 per cent in Spain and less than 1 per cent . in France and Britain. But the euro rose slightly at $1.32, . which may be a sign of confidence in Europe's markets. Investors noted . that Greece remains in deep recession. Its private-sector investors were also . forced to take a 53.5 per cent loss on the face value of their bonds, . which could discourage future investment. The U.S. stock market has climbed . steadily this year thanks to optimism about the economy, but high petrol . prices are becoming a concern. Present: Mrs Bush was there on behalf of the The Bush Institute Women's Initiative Fellowship Program and was joined by 14 female Egyptian Fellows . A gallon of regular costs $3.57 on average, 40 cents more than a year ago and the highest on record for this time of year. With tension building over Iran's . nuclear ambitions, it has halted oil exports to Britain and France and . threatened to stop shipping to others in Europe. U.S. markets enjoyed strong earnings . reports from Home Depot and Dollar Thrifty. But Wal-Mart reported a 15 . per cent drop in quarterly profits. Former first lady Laura Bush rang the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday with by 14 female Egyptian Fellows of her institute. The Bush Institute Women's Initiative Fellowship is a leadership exchange programme to engage women, with an initial focus on the Middle East. | First time stock index hits milestone since May 2008 .
Rally follows long-awaited bailout deal for Greece .
Dow is 1,200 off record high of 14,164 set in 2007 .
Former first lady Laura Bush rings Opening Bell . |
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