Unnamed: 0
int64 0
287k
| id
stringlengths 40
40
| article
stringlengths 117
14.7k
| highlights
stringlengths 37
3.97k
|
|---|---|---|---|
193,551 | 86905fa43e8ac9e3aff7388d11cff112c8dad22d | (CNN) -- Citing recent attacks, the United States on Wednesday announced that it has suspended public services at its embassy in Sanaa, Yemen. "Due to recent attacks against Western interests in Yemen, we have temporarily suspended operations of our Embassy in Sana'a to the public," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. "We continue to evaluate the security situation every day, and we will reopen the embassy to the public once it is deemed appropriate." She described the move as a "precautionary step." The temporary suspension of operations is due to a reemergence of a threat from several weeks ago that the United States thought it had disrupted, according to a U.S. official with specific understanding of the current situation. A credible threat to the U.S. Embassy emerged around March, the official said, in the same time frame that a video appeared showing some 100 al Qaeda operatives in Yemen, including several who had broken out of jail the month before. The United States thought that threat had been disrupted by a number of Yemeni actions, including, but not directly related to a series of U.S. drone strikes and Yemeni military operations in early April. But in recent days, the threat stream has reemerged, the official said. It is currently assessed to be credible and somewhat specific in terms of the embassy being the target, according to the source. The United States is still attempting to corroborate the threat and determine whether there is a specific time and date, as well as any other specific locations. A second U.S. official said the suspension of the embassy activity was based on credible information about threats to Western interests. The senior official was not sure whether the threat was embassy-specific. There have been no evacuations of the embassy. The U.S. intelligence community has struggled in recent months to track al Qaeda in Yemen via electronic intercepts because the group has changed its communications, following disclosures last year of U.S. eavesdropping methods. Still, the United States is using electronic tracking, satellite imagery and operatives on the ground to try to determine what may be planned. The United Kingdom, meanwhile, advised against travel to Yemen and urged all British nationals to leave the country. "There is a high threat from terrorism throughout Yemen and specific methods of attack are evolving and increasing in sophistication," the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement. It continued: "Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has previously targeted western interests and there could be a threat to commercial sites, transport infrastructure, diplomatic missions and any place where westerners gather." Al Qaeda affiliate groups gaining strength . Al Qaeda gunmen kill French EU worker in Yemen . State media: Dozens of militants killed in Yemen . CNN's Elise Labott contributed to this report. | NEW: UK issues warning, advising against travel to Yemen .
A State Department spokeswoman describes U.S. action as "precautionary step"
"We will reopen the embassy to the public once it is deemed appropriate," she says .
Al Qaeda threat disrupted in April reemerges, says a source . |
238,566 | c0d0eecda63e553f389ef551ed12aad14206ed1c | Vrindavan, India (CNN) -- In the picturesque temple town of Vrindavan, 10-year-old Maya and her three siblings walk to school every day on an empty stomach. She says her parents can't afford to feed them adequate meals; they eat bread and milk for dinner and nothing for breakfast. As the eldest child, she often has to skip class to help her parents harvest wheat. Maya says her parents believe this is a more efficient use of her time, but she has another good reason for attending school -- more food. "At school we get the most amount of food. At home we don't get this much. At home my mother tells us to only eat a little bit so there's enough for everyone," she says. Following a landmark decision by the Supreme Court in 2001, all government schools in India are mandated to provide free meals to students below the age of 13. In a country where more than 40% of children below the age of five are underweight, according to UNICEF, India's midday meal scheme is making great strides. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is working with the government to feed 1.4 million underprivileged children every day. They began in 2000, feeding a few thousand school children in several schools in the southern city of Bangalore. But in the space of a decade, they say they've served more than a billion meals across the country. Akshaya Patra's Vice Chairman, Chanchalapathi Dasa, says the benefits are manifold. Enrollment in schools has increased by roughly 20%, attendance has improved, children are healthier and their cognitive abilities have also increased. "If a child is hungry in the classroom then he or she will not be able to receive all this education," says Dasa. But preparing food for so many takes more than an ordinary kitchen. You could call it a culinary revolution. In what looks like a factory for food, fresh meals are being mass-produced for millions of children. Custom-made cauldrons can prepare rice for 1,000 kids in 15 minutes. A printing press-like machine can make an impressive 40,000 Indian flatbreads or chapattis in an hour. "India is a place of numbers. If you're doing something to provide meals for 1,000 or even 5,000 children, you are merely scratching the surface," adds Dasa. "From the beginning we at Akhshay Patra realized that in order to see a significant impact we have to do it in scale and that we have to use modern techniques of management and innovation." They call it a three tier gravity flow kitchen. Tons of raw ingredients like rice, lentils and vegetables are taken to the top floor where they're cleaned, peeled, cut and sent down chutes into waiting cauldrons below. There, steam generated by furnaces cooks the food. The cooked meals are then thrown down chutes to another level where the meals are packaged. By 8 a.m. meals are ready to be delivered in special vehicles designed to keep the food warm. But while the food production process is efficient, it is also considered. "We want to treat these children with dignity. We don't say 'you are poor children and whatever we give you, you must eat that,' no. We adapt our cooking methods, our menus, recipes to meet the local children's requirements," says Dasa. "You see, in India every 300 miles you come across a different culture, a different language, a different kind of food habit, so at Akshaya Patra we are sensitive to local cultural requirements and tastes." While there are several school feeding programs that distribute rations of wheat and rice, cooked meal programs are rare. This is one of the most successful assistance programs yet -- nourishing food for millions of children and food for thought in the fight against poverty. | UNICEF: More than 40% of Indian children below the age of five under weight .
Government schools instructed to give free meals to children under 13 .
Akshaya Patra Foundation working with government to feed 1.4 million kids .
Foundation produces millions of fresh meals at its three-tier gravity flow kitchen . |
13,199 | 257d8d38863175ec9401d0532963fb71a47f0734 | Crystal Palace have never won a game at home in the Premier League in September, losing five and drawing four. Sean Dyche admitted Burnley need to improve in the final third if they are to start winning in the Premier League. They squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to get a first victory since returning to the top tier when Scott Arfield’s tame 84th-minute penalty was palmed away by Julian Speroni. Scott Arfield has his penalty saved as Burnley again failed to find the back of the net in the Premier League . Julian Speroni's save meant that Burnley have still only scored once in their five games this season . Arfield, the scorer of his team’s only goal in five league and cup games this season, was given full backing by Dyche, who conceded there was a lack of ‘clarity and quality’ from his strike force. ‘It’s just small details,’ said Dyche. ‘That’s why the people at the front of the pitch usually drive the big cars and leave for about £50m, because they find ways of breaking teams down.’ Burnley manager Sean Dyche knows his side need a bit more quality in the forward areas . | Burnley have scored just one goal in their first four league games .
Scott Arfield, who scored against Chelsea, misses penalty in Crystal Palace draw .
Dyche admits his forwards lack ‘clarity and quality' |
148,234 | 4ba9363558aa9f160d4b7958fe8ea44657daf886 | By . Ian Birrell In Crimea . PUBLISHED: . 04:01 EST, 2 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 04:10 EST, 2 March 2014 . Ukraine put its armed forces on full alert and braced for an invasion on Saturday night after accusing Russia of ‘naked aggression’ for sending 6,000 troops into its Crimean territory. Tensions rose alarmingly as Russian soldiers, armed with machine guns, surrounded key strategic sites on the peninsula, including the parliament and Council of Ministers. Russian President Vladimir Putin won parliamentary backing to deploy his forces anywhere in Ukraine under the pretext of protecting Russian interests. Occupation: Armed men patrol around the regional parliament building in the Crimean city of Simferopol on Saturday . But Ukraine’s new interim president Oleksandr Turchynov warned his country was threatened with a ‘military invasion and occupation’ and ordered increased security at nuclear power plants and airports. Prime Minister David Cameron said last night there was ‘growing concern’ over the crisis. He added: ‘There can be no excuse for outside military intervention in Ukraine, a point I made to President Putin when we spoke yesterday.’ US President Barack Obama also spoke to Putin in a 90-minute call and warned of the consequences of continued ‘violation of international law’. But Russia’s actions seem to be calling his bluff as a hitherto covert invasion turned into a chillingly obvious new wargame. The news came as: . The UN Security Council called an emergency meeting, and Ukraine has asked the four permanent members other than Russia – the US, Britain France and China – for help as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was ‘gravely concerned’ about the situation. President Barack Obama has warned Russia against any military intervention in Ukraine after the country's new leaders accused Moscow of deploying forces in the Crimea region . Flashpoints: Russia moves in . Yesterday began with troops surrounding key positions. Soldiers patrolling in the Crimean capital Simferopol wore no insignia but spoke with Russian accents. Then Russia claimed gunmen from Kiev tried to seize the Crimean Interior Ministry, and although the claims were heavily contested the pro-Russian Crimean premier asked for Putin’s help to ensure peace in his region, which was granted. After President Obama’s warning, European leaders urged all sides to refrain from anything that might increase tensions. It is hard to envisage a more volatile situation – and Britain, along with the US, is a guarantor of Ukrainian territorial integrity under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. Nato ambassadors will meet today to assess the situation. Yet the reality on the ground is that Russia is already controlling Crimea with support from many residents. Crowds flocked yesterday to the centre of Simferopol to show support for the Russian soldiers. ‘I am very happy to see them here,’ said Galina Filippenko, a pensioner in Lenin Square. Others waved military flags, sang patriotic songs and chanted: ‘Russia, Russia, Russia.’ 'Invasion': These troops, amassed outside the Crimean town of Balaclava, have been decried by the Ukrainian government as an occupying force . There is growing antagonism towards the West over its support for the new government in Kiev. There were also chants of ‘Berkut, Berkut’, a reference to the special forces disbanded after being accused of killing 88 protesters in Kiev. At Simferopol’s Berkut base I found barricades erected, drivers honking horns in support and people taking food to the paramilitaries. One man warned of bloodshed if Ukrainian forces moved on them. According to one witness, the latest Russian troops went into Simferopol city centre shortly after 5am. Within hours, troop trucks were on the streets and cordons were erected around government buildings. The soldiers were supported by locals organised into what they called civil defence groups, who blocked streets, supported by traffic police. ‘We are here to ensure stability and return power to our legally elected president,’ said the leader of one unit. ‘The revolution in Kiev was illegal. We think it was carried out by the Western powers. Their goal is to cause civil war.’ Russia’s foreign ministry claimed ‘unknown armed men from Kiev’ had tried to seize the Crimean Interior Ministry on Friday night, leaving several people injured. It said the assault was defeated by ‘the decisive action of self-defence squads’. But guards at the ministry yesterday said they were unaware of any overnight attacks. Crimean police also rejected the claims. Among the crowds protesting in front of parliament I found Anatoly Madzhar, 72, who spent 15 years in a Soviet jail and five years exiled in Siberia after joining a 1961 uprising. ‘Even if there are sacrifices now they will be for the benefit of our children,’ he told me. Madzhar seemed happy to believe Russian propaganda, which focused heavily on far-Right involvement in the Kiev protests. ‘The people have decided to join Russia where there is no oppression and people are free – and there are no Nazis,’ he said. But support for deposed president Viktor Yanukovych seems to have withered after his flight to Russia, despite his insistence he remains Ukraine’s rightful president. ‘He betrayed his country,’ said activist Marina Fyodorova, 47. ‘He should have stood his ground and taken responsibility for his deeds, even if he was lynched.’ Ukraine’s new president signed a decree yesterday declaring that Thursday’s appointment of Sergiy Aksyonov, the pro-Russian premier of Crimea, was illegal. Aksyonov insisted he had taken control of local troops, customs and tax administration. He also brought forward a referendum on the region’s status to the end of this month. If it goes ahead despite the opposition of the Kiev government, it will almost certainly endorse some form of independence under the wing of Moscow. There are also signs of tensions between the majority Russians and the Muslim Tatars, who comprise 250,000 of the two million Crimeans. Additional reporting: Will Stewart in Moscow . | Ukraine's interim president ordered increased security at nuclear plants .
Prime Minister David Cameron expressed 'growing concern' over the crisis .
Two Russian anti-submarine warships appeared off the Crimea coast.
Armoured personnel carriers were seen in Crimea, amid reports of Russian helicopters in Ukrainian airspace and other aircraft flying in troops to add to an estimated 14,000 soldiers already based in the region.
700 paratroopers were delivered to Russia’s Sevastopol naval base overnight, as Ukraine’s border guards said about 300 armed men were attempting to seize its HQ. Busloads more have been seen in Ukraine’s second city, Kharkiv.
Troops were reported to have taken over a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile base, a TV station, police stations and the ferry point at the Strait of Kerch.
Scores were injured in clashes between pro-Russian protesters and supporters of the new Ukrainian government in the east of the country.
Ukraine’s prime minister demanded that Russian soldiers return to their bases, while boxer-turned-politician Vitali Klitschko called for ‘general mobilisation’ to protect their country.
Ukrainians were fleeing across the border into Russia amid fears of a full-scale war.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said he planned to travel to Ukraine tomorrow as the Russian ambassador to the UK was summoned to the Foreign Office. |
170,966 | 69472243fa3b04e61a4b763e795f07c3e00b90ba | By . John Drayton . Javier Manquillo is close to signing a two-year loan deal with Liverpool, according to Spanish newspaper Marca. The Atletico Madrid defender looks set to seal a loan deal with the Reds after struggling to nail down a first team place under Diego Simeone last season. Brendan Rodgers has been on the hunt for a right back as he looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new Premier League season. Strengthening: Javier Manquillo looks set for a loan move to Liverpool . Marca are reporting that Manquillo will be loaned to Liverpool for the next two seasons with an 'option to buy' for a figure close to £4million. Rodgers is interested in taking the right-back on loan with a view to a permanent deal, although reports in Spain of an agreement already having been reached are premature. Manquillo, who has also interested Arsenal, would provide competition for England international Glen Johnson, who is in the final year of his contract but has reached an impasse with the Reds over a new deal. In action: Manquillo struggled to get into Atletico Madrid's first team last season . New look: Brendan Rodgers has been rebuilding his squad ahead of the new Premier League season . | Liverpool are close to signing Javier Manquillo on loan, according to Spanish media .
Marca report Spanish defender will sign a two-year loan deal .
Manquillo's loan could include option to buy figure close to £4million . |
28,111 | 4fae60610e1913055deecee4e511d5954ed9a77f | (CNN) -- Sarah Palin's selection as John McCain's running mate redefined how vice-presidential candidates influence a campaign. Unfortunately for McCain, the Alaska governor hurt his presidential bid more than she helped. Palin, at McCain's concession Tuesday night, boosted the GOP ticket at first but ultimately became a drag on it. Palin had been unfamiliar to most Americans, aside from some conservative writers and bloggers, who had admired her since she upended Alaska's Republican establishment by knocking off incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski in 2006. That all changed on August 29 -- the morning after Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention -- when Palin was introduced by McCain. It wasn't just reporters who were stunned. Even McCain staffers at the event itself were shocked. Many assumed McCain would tap a GOP heavyweight like Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty. The most daring option, many thought, would be Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat. See Palin's path to the ticket » . But Palin's debut instantly energized the Republican base, which had long been cool to McCain, and the GOP ticket surged in the polls. McCain took a shine to Palin's anti-establishment streak and her familiarity with energy issues. His advisers believed her "average hockey mom" persona would attract women. The party grass roots admired her devotion to family and her conservative positions on social issues. Watch Palin as McCain concedes the election » . But because the Alaska governor was largely unknown, her record and background were immediately under scrutiny. Journalists descended on her hometown of Wasilla to examine her record as mayor and governor, though Palin was still sheltered from questioners. The craving for knowledge spread outside the media and paid huge dividends at the Republican National Convention, when Palin took the biggest stage of her life and assuredly presented herself as both a small-town mother of five and a pit bull who could smile her way through a sharp political attack. The speech garnered mammoth television ratings and rave reviews. McCain came out of the convention with a healthy bounce -- leading Obama by a 10-point margin. Palin's ratings were also riding high, with nearly 50 percent of Americans viewing her in a positive light. She got bigger crowds than McCain, an unusual phenomenon that underscored her newfound political clout. But a series of missteps began to harm her image and McCain's standing. Palin was still kept away from the media, even friendly conservative talk radio shows, in a strategy that campaign aides later acknowledged was flawed. Advisers chose to grant interviews only to two networks. When Palin stumbled over foreign policy questions, she undercut the foundation of McCain's experience argument. Her sometimes-rambling answers in the highly-scrutinized appearances formed the basis for Tina Fey's "Saturday Night Live" caricature. Palin held her own on economic and energy issues in the first half of her debate with Joe Biden -- the highest rated of the presidential and vice-presidential debates. But when questioning turned to national security, she seemed to resort to talking points. Back on the stump, Palin began to attack Obama, accusing him of "palling around with terrorists," being a socialist and not as patriotic as herself and McCain. Her offensives were often scattershot, appearing at one rally and disappearing at the next. And while Republicans enjoyed the aggression, Democrats and independents were turned off. Over a month, poll numbers shifted and Palin became more of a polarizing figure. Liberals called her the most divisive politician since Richard Nixon or George Wallace, and some former Hillary Clinton supporters said McCain's selection of Palin was a cynical gambit that wouldn't help him sway female voters. Palin kept up her rigorous campaign schedule but the problems continued. A long-running ethics investigation in Alaska determined she abused her power in firing the state's public safety commissioner, though she broke no laws. News broke that the Republican National Committee had spent $150,000 on her wardrobe, angering her and prompting her to deviate from the campaign's game plan. iReport.com: What's next for Palin? Aides insisted Palin wanted to speak to reporters but had been reined in. That changed in mid-October when she ditched her staff and launched an impromptu press conference in which she criticized the use of robocalls, even as they were being used for her boss. Later she ad-libbed a diatribe on the wardrobe fiasco, stressing a preference for consignment-store clothing and flashing her $35 wedding ring. McCain aides refused to go on the record about it, but they groused anonymously that Palin was "going rogue," that she was a "diva" and "difficult" to work with. In the final two weeks, Palin was at last given a chance to make in-depth speeches on substantive issues like energy and special-needs children. But the tide had long turned. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll in October showed she had become a bigger drag on McCain than President Bush, with voters citing her qualifications as their primary concern. A CNN poll released last weekend showed Palin's unfavorable ratings were twice as high as when McCain picked her, and 57 percent of Americans believed she didn't have the personal qualities a president needed. As for the future, the poll indicated that only four in 10 voters would support Palin if she chooses to run for president in 2012. But Palin's fortunes have changed before. | The Sarah Palin pick redefined how running mates can influence a campaign .
Little-known before late summer, she soon seized headlines and attention .
She brought energy, popularity but ultimately became a drag on McCain . |
191,836 | 8468eab2c5c73eb84a37d69501d5c1c8c5a3813f | About 9,000 U.S. Marines stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa will be moved to the U.S. territory of Guam and other locations in the Asia-Pacific, including Hawaii, under a U.S.-Japan agreement announced yesterday. The move is part of a broader arrangement designed to ease tensions in the countries' defense alliance, which stem in part from opposition to the American presence on the island. It also reflects a desire by the Obama administration to spread U.S. forces more widely in the Asia-Pacific region, as America rebalances its defence priorities after a decade of war in the Middle East. Moving out: Around 9,000 U.S. Marines stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa are to be relocated under a new U.S.-Japan agreement . The agreement was outlined in a joint statement issued last night by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, and their Japanese counterparts. Citing an 'increasingly uncertain security environment' in the Asia-Pacific region, they said their agreement was intended to maintain a robust U.S. military presence to ensure the defence of Japan. Okinawa: The sub-tropical island is home to around half of the U.S. troops stationed in Japanese territories . 'Japan is not just a close ally, but also a close friend,' Mr Panetta said. 'I . look forward to deepening that friendship and strengthening our . partnership as, together, we address security challenges in the region.' As yet, there has been no indication of when the 9,000 Marines will leave Okinawa. According to the joint statement, their departure will come 'when appropriate facilities are available to receive them' on Guam and elsewhere. Allies: U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said Japan was 'not just a close ally, but also a close friend' to America . Under the new agreement, about 10,000 Marines will remain on Okinawa, which has been a key element of the U.S. military presence in Asia for decades. The U.S. also has a substantial Air Force presence on the island. Japan's Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said the country wanted to 'reduce the burden on Okinawa,' adding, 'I think we have made some progress and this plan offers specific and forward-looking action.' Japan and its territories are central to America's strategy for deterring aggression in the region, and for reinforcing the Korean peninsula in the event of a North Korean attack on South Korea. The Obama administration believes the new agreement with Japan will make the alliance more sustainable, while also giving the Marines more regional flexibility. Between 4,700 and 5,000 Marines will relocate from Okinawa to Guam, while the remainder of the 9,000 will be transferred to Hawaii or be part of a rotational presence in Australia and elsewhere in the region. Earlier this week, Governor of Hawaii Neil Abercrombie said he expects around 2,700 Marines will be moved there. The cost of relocating Marines to Guam is expected to be around $8.6 billion, and defence officials claim Japan will pay $3.1 billion of this. The total cost includes an unspecified amount for possible construction of new training ranges in the Northern Mariana Islands that could be used jointly by U.S. and Japanese forces. Controversial: The transfer of Marines from Okinawa to Guam has been in limbo for years because of issues surrounding the U.S. air base Futenma . The agreement also calls for a phased . return to Japanese control of certain parcels of land on Okinawa which . are presently used by the American military. The . shift of Marines from Okinawa to Guam has been in limbo for years . because it was linked to the closure and replacement of Marine Corps Air . Station Futenma. Okinawans . fiercely oppose the existence of Futenma, and believe the base should . be closed and a replacement established overseas or elsewhere in Japan. The U.S., however, has insisted that Japan should find a Futenma . replacement on Okinawa. For now, the dispute remains unresolved. The accord was timed for completion before Japanese Prime Minster Yoshihiko Noda's . scheduled visit to Washington on Monday for talks with President Barack . Obama. The U.S. military presence on Okinawa has been a cause of historic tension between America and Japan. Many of the island's residents view the troops as a cause of congestion and increased crime. Much of the bad feeling has its roots in the 1995 kidnapping and rape of a 12-year-old Japanese girl by three American servicemen. U.S. Navy Seaman Marcus Gill and U.S. Marines Rodrico Harp and Kendrick Ledet kidnapped the schoolgirl before beating her, duct taping her eyes shut and raping her. Gill pleaded guilty to the rape, and the other two men pleaded guilty to conspiracy. A Japanese judge sentenced Gill and Harp to seven years' imprisonment, while Ledet received six and a half years. The men were released in 2003, and dishonourably discharged from the U.S. military. Unsurprisingly, the incident provoked a public outcry, and the people of Okinawa placed a full-page advert in the New York Times condemning the rape and other aspects of the U.S. presence on their island. Although top U.S. government officials publicly apologised for the crime, tensions continued to brew and the incident remains fresh in the minds of many. Dishonourably discharged: (From left) Rodrico Harp, Marcus Gill, and Kendrick Ledet . | Marines will relocate to Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam - but 10,000 will stay on the island .
Move will cost an estimated $8.6 billion . |
130,137 | 343a6f83c1abc0be307d825218f3421b3ce71a1f | By . Sam Cunningham . Follow @@samcunningham . England's World Cup flops have not only upset their millions of fans, they have left sponsors and advertisers red-faced. Companies have poured millions into advertising with England and their players only to see Roy Hodgson’s side exit within eight days. It has left some with the embarrassment of having positive adverts still running on television, completely at odds with the national mood. VIDEO: Scroll down to see some of England's World Cup adverts . Costly advert: Mars paid big money to get Steven Gerrard, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge for their campaign . Just a dream: Gerrard scores a volley after a clever free-kick in the ad - something he couldn't repeat in Brazil . Not so fresh: Adverts which were popular before the World Cup may now be attracting negative attention . Steve Martin, chief executive of advertising and PR agency M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, said: ‘What is quite startling is those brands still running ads and not reacting to what’s happened on the pitch. 'That can be detrimental to the brand. It’s a bit like people still driving around with England flags on their car as if they’re still in the tournament. ‘You want people having positive conversations about your brand, not people saying, “Why is that ad still running?” ‘It’s hard to put a value on how much England going out has cost them. The advertisers would have paid for the space and creating the advert. That could potentially be devalued. ‘England going out so early will cut in half potential advertising time. Sponsors and advertisers were expecting them to get to the quarter-finals.’ Shaving but not saving: Joe Hart featured in several adverts but couldn't prevent England going out . Anguish: As England crashed out Gerrard's hope turned to despair and sponsors suffered . The end: Luis Suarez's second strike pushed England to the brink before Costa Rica sealed their fate . The humiliated England squad leave Brazil tonight after their woeful World Cup with no bonus payments for their abject failure. The players’ financial reward for the tournament was heavily linked to progress and they would have pocketed £350,000 each if they had lifted the World Cup. The team, as they do for all internationals, will donate their match fees to charity. The cost for official England team sponsors runs into millions. Vauxhall — who have featured captain Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart — pay £5million per year and Mars — with Gerrard, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge — £4m per year to be official sponsors. Neither is extending World Cup advertising beyond the group stage. Vauxhall’s even ended after England’s defeat to Uruguay on Thursday when they chose not to continue. One industry source said: ‘It is the official England team sponsors who are losing out the most.’ For unofficial sponsors, who have struck individual deals with players, the cost can still be up to £150,000 for their time. Sturridge likes doing things his way, we’re told by Subway. Hart is ready to make it count, according to Head and Shoulders, while he has rarely been off our screens in adverts for Doritos and Gillette as well. Wayne Rooney is representing Samsung and Jack Wilshere Pepsi. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s have reduced their Three Lions World Cup merchandise by 70 per cent. Three Lions mugs are now available at £1.19. England flags are now selling at half price for just 49p. Even World Cup teddy bears have had their price slashed in half to £4.99 and wrist bands are going for just 50p. | England players featured in several high-profile World Cup adverts .
Early exit means that companies stand to lose millions from the deals .
Sponsors had expected Roy Hodgson's team to make quarter-finals .
Viewers annoyed by seeing failed players on TV after exit . |
186,648 | 7dc2526dbe4b068b52d0566a1e6114f38e6cfc1f | By . Steve Robson . PUBLISHED: . 08:40 EST, 8 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:44 EST, 8 January 2013 . Victory: Ned RocknRoll leaves London's High Court after winning his legal battle to prevent a tabloid newspaper from publishing semi-naked pictures of him . Kate Winslet’s husband today won his high court battle to ban photographs of him semi-naked in fancy dress from being published. Ned RocknRoll, who married the Hollywood actress a few weeks ago, went to London’s High Court to prevent a tabloid newspaper from printing the pictures taken of him indulging in ‘silly schoolboy antics’. The images of the 34-year-old, who is a nephew of Sir Richard Branson, were discovered on a Facebook page. RocknRoll, who changed his surname . from Edward Abel Smith, was granted a temporary injunction last . Thursday, shortly after The Sun newspaper contacted Winslet’s publicist . about the pictures. The newspaper yesterday contested the injunction. This afternoon Mr Justice Briggs ruled in favour of Mr RocknRoll preventing the newspaper from publishing the photos. He will outline his reasons for the decision at a later date. Mr RocknRoll and Miss Winslet said . later in a joint written statement: 'We have stopped The Sun from . publishing semi-naked photos of Ned taken by a friend at a private 21st . birthday party a few years ago. 'The photos are innocent but embarrassing and there is no reason to splash them across a newspaper. 'We . recognise that in the internet age privacy is harder and harder to . maintain. But we will continue to do what we can, particularly to . protect Kate's children from the results of media intrusion. Kate Winslet's husband Ned RocknRoll, pictured together, went to London's High Court to prevent photographs of him semi-naked in fancy dress from being published . 'We refuse to accept that her career means our family can't live a relatively normal life.' The . Sun’s publisher, News International subsidiary News Group Newspapers, . argued the pictures, which were taken from a publicly accessible . Facebook profile belonging to RocknRoll’s friend, James Pope, were . already publicly available. The . group also said that RocknRoll is a public figure and has a lower . reasonable expectation of privacy than an ordinary private citizen. RocknRoll’s . lawyer, David Sherborne, told the court yesterday that the pictures of a . ‘partly naked’ Rocknroll in a fancy dress costume were taken at a . private party, which had the theme ‘outrageous’ and would cause distress . to him if they were printed. Mr . Sherborne told the court: ‘This application is not to hide some guilty . secret, as I said in the interim hearing. It is not to keep something . secret. The claimant is here because the defendant seeks to invade his . privacy. ‘It was a private . party with a private guestlist at a private family home so it is hard to . see these photographs as anything other than private family photos.’ He told the court and judge Mr Justice Briggs that the photos showed Rocknroll indulging in ‘silly schoolboy antics at this fancy dress party. It is embarrassing because of what you can see in these pictures.’ Privacy: Mr RocknRoll's lawyer David Sherborne said his wife's children would be bullied if the pictures were published . Mr Sherborne added that RocknRoll was ‘horrified’ at the prospect of the pictures being published. He explained that they were never intended for public consumption and would cause ‘considerable embarrassment and humiliation’ for Winslet and her children, who would face bullying and taunting if they were made public. He also said that he was not a role model and had been a ‘relative nobody’ prior to his marriage to Winslet in December. RocknRoll, who was previously head of marketing for Branson’s Virgin Galactic space-exploration firm before leaving to work as a sheep farmer, was in court wearing a blue pinstripe suit, married the Titanic star in a low-key ceremony in New York in December. The hearing follows the publication of a report in March last year by the Joint Committee on Privacy and Injunctions that found there was no case for a new privacy law and that cases should still be judged by the courts on an individual basis. RocknRoll is the latest in a long line of figures and celebrities to use an injunction to prevent the publication of detail of their private lives. In 2011, Sir Fred Goodwin, the disgraced banker who took the Royal Bank of Scotland to the brink of collapse, obtained a High Court injunction. The order, which bans mention of matters Sir Fred wishes to keep secret, was disclosed in the Commons by Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming using parliamentary privilege. Footballer Ryan Giggs also took out an injunction banning newspapers from printing details of his affair with model Imogen Thomas, despite his identity being widely discussed across the internet. Hemming again used parliamentary privilege to name the player, saying 75,000 people had already outed him on Twitter. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons. | Ned RocknRoll, 34, was pictured indulging in 'silly schoolboy antics'
Lawyer argues Winslet's two children from previous relationships would be bullied if they were made public .
Mr Justice Briggs ruled in his favour at London's High Court this afternoon .
Photographs were discovered on a Facebook page . |
55,964 | 9ea177dee0f742b9a41b1dfe45c2c70c938d860e | The North Pole is out of police jurisdiction and two boys from Wisconsin learned this lesson the hard way after calling 911 in the hopes of connecting with Santa Claus. Brothers Blake, 6, and Brody, 3, were watching television with their parents Jennifer and Shawn Blake when Brody grabbed hold of his father's cell phone and dialed 911 on November 23. 'They were just sitting there, just talking and stuff and all of a sudden Blake said, "Brody, let’s call Santa,"' Jennifer Becker told ABC NEWS. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Santa's good list: Brody, 3, and Blake, 6, called 911 on November 23 because they wanted to talk to Santa . Let off with a warning: The boys toured the Mayville police station on Wednesday where cops explained they should only call 911 in the case of an emrgency . santa hotline: The boys' mother Jennifer explained that she and the boys call a separate Santa hotline where kids can leave a message with their wishlist to Santa . 'Well, Brody ended up hitting the emergency call button on the cell phone and it dialed 911.' The Becker’s had no idea that the children called 911 until the dispatch called the cell phone to check and see if everything was ok. Jennifer Becker apologized to the police and told them that nothing was wrong but nonetheless the Becker’s heard a knock on their door minutes later, reports Fox. When they opened the front door it was a police officer who explained to the boys hoping to get on Santa's good list, the proper use of 911. 'The kids, they looked scared and I don’t know if it was because they thought it was, like, Santa Claus, but when we opened it, it was a police officer,' she said. The officer from the Mayville Police Department who responded to the call explained to the boys that 911 are just for emergencies. Naughty or nice?: Blake (pictured) and his brother Brody were merely trying to tell Santa their wishlist . 'The children were counselled as far as the proper use of 911 and they were told that the best way to contact Santa Claus was in person,' Mayville Police Chief Christopher MacNeill told ABC News. The cops also gave the boys a tour of the police station on Wednesday and got a bit of a laugh out of the whole situation. 'I kind of chuckled a little bit,' he said, describing his reaction to the call. 'It’s good to know that there was no emergency but to hear that, you know, the two kids wanted to call Santa Claus, you know, was kind of humorous. But what we said is, basically, that the North Pole is out of our jurisdiction.' Becker says she's to blame for the kids attempting to call Santa because she told them about an actual Santa Hotline that plays a recording of Santa’s voice. Callers are told they may leave a message with Santa to tell them their Christmas list. 'Brody was asking for trucks and big cars, and Blake, he wants a bow and arrow, truck, a four-wheeler combine,' Becker said. Santa will be visiting the boys at their school Tomorrow, reports TMJ. | Brothers Blake, 6, and Brody, 3, dialed 911 on November 23 to talk to Santa and got a visit from the police .
The officer from the Mayville Police Department who responded to the call explained to the boys that 911 are just for emergencies .
'The North Pole is out of our jurisdiction,' said police . |
279,295 | f5d7571a63a55734f70cf86fefaea221bf95193e | A major operation has been launched tracking Santa Claus as he makes is annual delivery of presents to all the children who have been good over the past year. Santa left his top-secret toy factory deep underneath the North Pole several hours ago, with Rudolf leading the reindeer on their trip around the world. International aircraft have been warned to steer clear of the North Pole as Santa Claus dashes around the world at almost the speed of light. Scroll down for video . Volunteers are busy working on the phones dealing with questions from children over Santa's location . Hundreds of highly trained experts follow the live action on a big screen normally used by the US Air Force . Central to the tracking operation is the North American Aerospace Defense Command, who have been following Santa's movements from space since 1955. Before the invention of satellites, ground observers had to try and spot the reindeer-powered sleigh as it shot across the night-time sky. NORAD is especially busy on Christmas Eve and has brought in volunteers in order to field hundreds of phone calls, emails and tweets from anxious children, wondering what time Santa will arrive. Also parents and guardians want to ensure that their children are in bed before Santa arrives so he stops and makes his much-anticipated delivery. This year, NORAD has launched a live-feed of Santa's journey from a special satellite which is able to keep up with the Mr Claus as he hurtles across the night sky. The 59-year-old program is based at a special Santa nerve centre at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. In December 1955, children discovered a phone number for the top-secret NORAD facility and rang officers who routinely passed on detail's of Santa's progress. Santa Claus pictured earlier today, said he was making deliveries to everyone who had been good . Pilots have been warned to avoid the area around Santa's top-secret workshop for the rest of the day . At 2pm GMT Santa was spotted in the middle of Australia before heading north east to Papua New Guinea . The volunteers will work for 23 hours today following Santa, before racing home just in time for the delivery of their own presents. By lunchtime today, the Santa Tracker had more than 1.5 million likes on Facebook with more than 19.5 million people visiting the website. Major Beth Castro, who is in charge of communications between Santa and the children said in 2012, 22.3 million people logged onto the website. This year, the website features an animated elf named 'Radar'. Normally the NORAD facility is responsible for defending the skies of the United States and Canada and was originally located deep within Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs. Pilots flying near the North Pole have been advised to avoid the area for the whole of Christmas Eve. A special pilot map produced by Jeppesen warned air crew that: 'Departures may be illuminated by a blinding red nose. The notice also warns of 'supersonic heavy departures' and that 'non-sleigh traffic discouraged'. Pilots are also warned that 'reindeer and elves on and in the vicinity of the runway'. British Airways Captain, David Thomas, said: 'Santa has absolute priority over the skies on Christmas Eve and we’ll be cheering him on. 'There will be 28 British Airways aircraft flying tonight to the four corners of the world, so we’ll be telling our customers to look out for the sleigh and to give Santa and his reindeer a wave.' The National Air Traffic service tracked Santa's deliveries last year as he flew all over Europe, pictured . Santa is based in a top-secret workshop at the top of the world, known only to a few people . | Santa Claus is travelling almost at the speed of light according to NORAD .
Santa is delivering thousands of presents every second to nice people .
Naughty people face an anxious wait to see if they will receive any gifts .
Pilots have been warned to avoid the North Pole due to 'blinding red lights'
British Airways said 'Santa has absolute priority in the skies tonight' |
167,302 | 645fe0c157ca156a4d76f4c81c913bc37a0f8c2c | (CNN) -- Argentina star Gonzalo Higuain has made a surprise return to Real Madrid's squad for Saturday's La Liga match against Sporting Gijon, but the Spanish giants fear Cristiano Ronaldo could be ruled out of their next two games. Ronaldo, who has scored 27 goals in 27 league matches this season, has a hamstring problem which could see him miss Tuesday's European Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Tottenham Hotspur in the Bernabeu. The 26-year-old has been joined on the sidelines by France striker Karim Benzema and Brazil defender Marcelo and the trio look certain to miss this weekend's match as well as the clash with English Premier League Spurs. "Regarding Cristiano, Marcelo and Benzema, they will only be available to play against Bilbao [on April 9]. That is what the reports that the medical staff say," coach Jose Mournho told the club's official website. Higuain, 23, underwent surgery in January for a slipped disc he suffered in November and initially returned to training in February. "Not even the best forecasts could have predicted that Higuain would be ready to play so quickly," Mourinho added. "We are very happy for him. His recovery is an important and positive surprise. His rehab was a well-organized process. It's a great surprise because we may have as many as 15 matches left to play and he is an important addition." The nine-time European champions are currently second in the Spanish La Liga table heading into their contest with Sporting, five points behind arch rivals Barcelona. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp also has injury worries, with winger Gareth Bale and central defender William Gallas both doubts for the Madrid clash. Bale, who has scored four goals in Europe's premier club competition this season, has a hamstring problem, while France international William Gallas is battling an injury to his knee. When asked whether the duo, who have been ruled out of Saturday's English Premier League clash with Wigan, would feature against Real, Redknapp told Spurs' website: "We'll have to wait and see. "Gareth's hamstring is still tight and you can never tell with a hamstring injury, until you really push it, you are not sure. William is struggling at the moment." Tottenham, currently fifth in England's top flight, are battling with Roberto Mancini's Manchester City for fourth position and a place in next season's Champions League. City, who are four points ahead of Spurs in fourth place, have been hit with their own injury blow, with the news Germany defender Jerome Boateng could be out for the rest of the campaign. Boateng, who joined City from Hamburg in June 2010, will require an operation on a knee injury sustained while playing in Germany's win over Kazahkstan on Saturday. | Gonzalo Higuain has returned to the Real Madrid squad for their match with Gijon .
Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Marcelo are all set to miss the match .
The injured trio also look unlikely to feature in the Champions League on Tuesday .
Their opponents, Tottenham could be without William Gallas and Gareth Bale . |
129,291 | 331a6f7b27c185c19fde4e89334d60813bff9df5 | By . Martha Kelner . Follow @@marthakelner . Nicola Adams guaranteed a Commonwealth medal to add to her collection after easing into the women’s flyweight semi-finals. A unanimous verdict over Erandi de Silva of Sri Lanka did not tell the whole story as London 2012 gold medallist Adams dominated the contest, landing crashing hooks with both hands. A left had De Silva in trouble and Adams went on to land punches at will. She now faces Mandy Bujold of Canada. Adams said: ‘Everything went to plan. If you stick to the tactics and listen to the coaches you will always do well. She was a game fighter, she never gave up. Everybody wants to be the new Nicola Adams. Everybody wants to beat me and take the No 1 spot. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Commonwealth Games: Day 7 review . Ready to rumble: Adams celebrates after sealing her place in the semi-finals with a win over De Silva . Concentration: The English boxer won by a unanimous verdict after dominating the fight . ‘But I have to stick to cutting my grass and not worry about how green everybody else’s is.’ Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh joined Adams in the semi-finals after a points win over Sarah Joy Rae of Jamaica, but will face a stern test against Pinki Jangra of India. Walsh’s team-mate Alanna Audley- Murphy squeezed through to the middleweight semi-finals on a split decision over Islington-based Dominican Valerian Spicer. On a good morning for Northern Ireland, Michael Conlan guaranteed a medal in the men’s bantamweight division with a comfortable win over Bashir Nasir of Uganda. Welshman Sean McGoldrick won a split decision against Ayabonga Sonjica of South Africa, while England’s Qais Ashfaq beat Scotland’s Joe Ham. Connection: Adams lands a left hook on De Silva's face during her one-sided bout with the Sri Lankan . VIDEO Commonwealth Games: Day 7 review . | Adams dominated her contest against Erandi de Silva of Sri Lanka .
She landed a number of heavy punches on her opponent during the bout .
Adams now faces Mandy Bujold of Canada in the last four .
Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh joined Adams in the semi-finals after a points win over Sarah Joy Rae of Jamaica . |
89,313 | fd7f2be2b5d1b0e936ec4f9d11e8bd114f31661a | The federal government pays for a $15 million 'wool trust fund,' runs a $170 million program to protect catfish growers from overseas competition, sets aside $3 million to promote Christmas trees, funds another $2 million to help farmers sell more sheep, and plunks down $100 million researching how to get Americans to buy more maple syrup. And that spending is just three one-hundredths of one per cent of the Farm Bill that President Barack Obama signed Friday in Michigan. Liberal and conservative watchdogs alike are hopping mad at what they say are pork-barrel projects included in the five-year agriculture spending law as home-state perks to lawmakers that are unneeded or redundant. There's a new 15-cent levy on every live-cut Christmas tree, a proposal that Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack had blocked but will now be beyond his control. Tree growers will put the money into a fund for 'industry-funded promotion, research, and information program[s],' but the cost will inevitably be passed on to consumers. A table made from a pork barrel? Obama signed the nearly $1 trillion Farm Bill in Michigan on Friday . Like maple syrup on your stack? The feds will plunk down $100 million in the coming years to help the industry lure more breakfast eaters . The Farm Bill also includes $1 million in grant money to buy weather radios, despite the ubiquity of weather.com and the plummeting costs of both Internet service and smartphones. And it continues a $200 million 'market access' program that has paid companies like Fruit of the Loom and McDonalds to run commercials. One grant from that fund even funded a reality TV show in India aimed at promoting cotton. Another paid Welch's $844,000 to hawk grape juice outside the U.S. The conservative Club For Growth called the legislation, which took members of Congress three years to write, 'a "Christmas Tree" bill where there’s a gift for practically every special interest group out there with a well-connected lobbyist.' It's $956 billion of spending overall in a ten-year period, sketched out in legislation 959 pages long – nearly $1 billion per page. But most of that money goes to food-stamp and nutrition programs, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The 10-year spending total for those entitlements will hit $756 billion under the new law. Get ready to pay more: Christmas tree growers will put millions into a Farm Bill-approved fund to hep them with marketing, with consumers likely footing the bill in the form of higher prices . Food stamp costs make up most of the Farm Bill -- more than 80 per cent . Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (R) had blocked the Christmas tree tax in the past, but is now powerless to stop it . That amount is $8.7 billion less than the previous Farm Bill included, but trends suggest it may have to be revised. Since President Obama took office, the number of Americans receiving those benefits has nearly doubled. One in five American households receive food stamps today. More than 1 million people were added to the rolls in 2013, including residents who live in the country illegally. In the year 2000 the entire food stamp program cost $17 billion. Last year that figure was $78 billion. The rest of the Farm Bill, all $200 billion of it, includes some subsidy payments to members of Congress and their families who are engaged in agriculture. The left-leaning Environmental Working Group reports that in 2013, In 2013, more than $237,000 was paid to federal lawmakers and their spouses. All but two were Republicans. Still, Democrats scuttled a bipartisan House amendment that would have required public disclosure of such payments. North Carolina Republican Rep Virginia Foxx and Minnesota Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison pushed the transparency tweak unsuccessfully last year. Also on some watchdogs' lists of Farm Bill waste is an estimated $1 billion per year taxpayers lend out to protect the sugar industry against price fluctuations, shielding it – mostly in the form of just three companies – from being undercut by cheaper imported sugar. The result also raises sugar prices nationwide. How much in taxes? Baaaah! The U.S. sheep industry is thriving, but taxpayers will shell out $2 million to help ranchers sell even more . Back to Washington! Obama signed the Farm Bill in front of John Deere tractors, representing the big agribusinesses that will largely benefit from the new spending law . 'By keeping an unnecessary catfish inspection program and refusing to reform crop insurance or eliminate the unnecessary sugar program, members of both parties and both chambers missed a golden opportunity to fundamentally shift agriculture policy from government-centric to one that embraces the free market and common sense,' said David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.' And the left-leaning Citizens Against Government Waste is no more enamored with the final law. 'The bill is a disaster for taxpayers and has the potential to be even more expensive and wasteful than the abysmal 2008 Farm Bill that it is replacing,' the group's president, Tom Schatz, complained. Obama signed it into law at Michigan State University alongside Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow. He called it a 'Swiss Army knife,' with something for everyone, including the catfish lobby. Taxpayer lobby groups failed to cut that industry's hand-out from the Farm Bill, despite pointing out that there's already a similar program funded by the Food and Drug Administration. | The massive five-years agriculture spending plan, signed Friday by President Obama, includes a $3 million plan for Christmas tree taxes .
Most of the bill covers food stamps, with the number of benefit recipients doubling since Obama took office .
The U.S. will spend $1 billion per year loaning money to sugar barons so they can keep prices stable and avoid overseas competition .
Another $100 million will go to study how to get Americans to buy more maple syrup .
$1 million will buy weather radios for rural Americans, despite plunging hundreds of weather apps for smartphones and plunging access rates . |
149,838 | 4dbb0d448724427fb87b86c48e2b7370c0e970d9 | To shoot oneself once is unfortunate, but to shoot oneself twice is simply careless: a sentiment that a police chief from Connersville, Indiana, would surely agree with. Police Chief David Counceller's 40-caliber Glock handgun accidentally discharged last Saturday while he was at Wulff's gun shop examining a handgun similar to the one he carries - he shot himself in the leg. Counceller, 60, who was off duty at the time, said: 'I need to pay more attention. I know what the dangers are. It was pure carelessness on my part.' Police Chief David Counceller, a 34-year veteran of law enforcement, has shot himself for a second time, calling it 'carelessness' Counceller shot himself when he was putting his gun into its holster, after he removed it to compare it side-to-side with a newer model. 'It got tangled in my clothing. I was wearing a sweatshirt and a fleece jacket,' he said. 'I felt the gun go in the holster and I pushed it, but it was tangled in the material which caused it to discharge. 'The bullet went into my leg and then into the floor.' Counceller drove himself to a Fayette Regional Health System for treatment of the wound, where nurses said they thought he was joking when he told them he'd shot himself. 'It is an entrance and exit wound. I'm really lucky. It doesn't even hurt. I'd have been at work on Monday if it wasn't Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but I'll be back at work on Tuesday.' Counceller's claims of luck might be up for debate, as it seems the self-inflicted gunshot wound is not his first. Fifteen years ago he accidentally shot himself in the hand. He said: 'I was working third shift as a captain. I was unloading the gun to take it to the gunsmith and I didn't drop the barrel to see if there was a bullet in the chamber. 'The shot hit my hand. That one really hurt.' Police Chief David Counceller has been called 'an excellent shot', despite having shot himself twice during his time as a policeman . Upon hearing Counceller had shot himself in the leg last Saturday, Mayor of Connersville Leonard Urban thought too he was joking when he got the call. He said: 'It was just a little accident. Dave is an excellent marksman. 'Apparently the Glocks don't have the trigger safety that they should have.' Counceller has been with the Connersville police department 33 years, starting his career in law enforcement as a military policeman in the 1970s. Compounding his embarrassment, the latest incident came in the middle of a run for the Republican nomination for Sheriff of Fayette County. But he said he sees the accident as an opportunity in his run ahead of May's primary. He said: 'If anyone says this could . never happen to them, they’re mistaken.' 'You have to . keep your guard up at all times. Some candidates are out there doing . things for kids to try to get elected. 'Me, I shoot myself. What a way to . get publicity.' A case of road rage on a highway in Orlando, Florida on Monday ended with a victim shooting himself in the leg. He had been traveling on the I-4 when another driver showed him a gun in what he described as a 'road rage incident'. Police officers in Orlando, Florida responded to a call of a shooting at the ramp at I-4 and Princeton Street at around 11:30am yesterday, and arrived to find the victim, Richard Coles, 36. Coles was taken to hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. | Police chief is running for Fayette County Sheriff after 30 year career .
His Glock handgun got caught in his fleece as he was holstering it .
Bullet went cleanly through his leg, and he was back at work the next week .
Police chief also shot himself through the hand fifteen years before . |
161,883 | 5d533546b9411e597c24092f2db96b119076b719 | By . Amy Oliver . PUBLISHED: . 06:57 EST, 26 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:57 EST, 26 May 2012 . A newly-crowned carnival princess has been stripped of her title after organisers spotted an 'inappropriate' piercing on her neck. Sharlie Lightfoot, 15, of Faversham, Kent, was chosen to represent Teynham earlier this month and was due to make her first public appearance at Sittingbourne Carnival next month. But this week the teenager was sacked from the job for the piercing at the back of her neck, which organisers saw on her Facebook page. Axed: Sharlie Lightfoot, 15, of Faversham, Kent, who was stripped of her carnival princess title for her metal bar neck piercing . Fuming, Miss Lightfoot said there had been 'no mention' of piercings when she was awarded the role, something the organisers admit. The teen said she would not have had the piercing if she had known it would cost her the title, but did admit to having a tattoo, despite being underage. Miss Lightfoot said: 'I signed a contract and it didn't say anything about piercings so I never imagined I'd get sacked for it. 'I had a tattoo clearly on show when I was selected and no one seemed to mind that, so I didn't think twice about the piercing. 'Being in a carnival means everything to me. I have always wanted to do it.' Honour: Miss Lightfoot's mother Jodie said it had been her daughter's dream to represent the town of Teynham in the carnival line-up . Miss Lightfoot has offered to replace the metal bar with a transparent one or to take it out completely but she was told by organisers that it was too late. Miss Lightfood's mother, Jodie, 33, said: 'It was her dream. It is so unfair they have taken it away from her.' Teynham carnival chairman, Terry West, said: 'I saw the picture and decided it wasn't satisfactory for a girl representing Teynham, so the only thing I could do was to take away her sash. 'You hope the girls will set an example as they are meeting mayors, MPs and councillors. I don't think a neck piercing is appropriate. 'Unfortunately she has ruined it for herself. But she is welcome to try again next year - without the piercing.' Mr West admitted he had never specified a policy on body piercings but would formulate new rules for next year's court. | Sharlie Lightfoot said there had been 'no mention' of piercings when she was awarded role .
Teynham carnival chairman Terry West said the teen had 'ruined it for herself'
Miss Lightfood wears a metal bar that goes through back of her neck . |
57,258 | a23e976e5b03fd9774e7711a6dc26bc9c2931b4b | By . Catherine Eade . Anyone with a sneaking feeling that London living is not all that it's cracked up to be might want to consider a rather more spacious alternative to living in a cramped city centre apartment. Isola di Mal Ventre is one of the few remaining private islands available for sale in the Mediterranean, and will set you back just under £1.2million - cheaper than a semi-detached property in some areas of the capital. Barely 130 miles from the fashionable resort of Porto Cervo where even the most modest of villas could set you back over £10 million, the island is located just a few miles off the coast of Sardinia and is completely uninhabited, with only the remains of a shepherd dwelling visible. Scroll down for video . Blue paradise? The Isola di Mal Ventre is one of the few private islands for sale in the Mediterranean . Tranquillity: The island has crystal clear waters and numerous coves composing spheres of pure quartz . Proof if any were needed that you don't have to be Richard Branson to own an island, the 200 acre island on sale is around two kilometres long at its longest point and rises around 18 metres above sea level. The agents selling the piece of land known as Isola di Mal Ventre, or roughly translated as 'the Island of the Sore Belly' has been inhabited on and off since Roman times with a watering well and buildings foundations still evident. These could be incorporated in the design of a modern villa and the agency selling it says it may be possible to construct a jetty from which trips to the mainland could be done in minutes by boat. Historic: Proof of the island's Roman past is clear with some architectural remains still standing . Located within a marine protected area, the island's current owners took it on in 1972 . As far as the eye can see: The island's south east coast has some beautiful sandy beaches . The west coast of the island is quite exposed to the Mistral and is rugged as a result, whereas the south east coast has beautiful sandy beaches with crystal blue waters and numerous coves composing spheres of pure quartz. The island itself is mainly granite covered in low vegetation with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Situated within a marine protected area, the island has not been the subject of any planning application since its current owners took it on in 1972. It's cheaper than this.... the 'ice cube house' in Brixton, on the market for £1.5m . And this...David Cameron's former home in West London was valued at £1.5million recently . Local architects suggest that a low rise villa could easily be constructed around the remains of former buildings, while water could be drawn from the existing well. 'This is one of the most unique properties in the Mediterranean, with potential revenue from holiday makers looking for sanctuary or something a little different,' said spokesperson Alexandra Hayward of the sale, which is advertised on real estate website debutesq. Direct flights flights to Sardinia are available from London and many other major European cities . | Island is uninhabited, with only the remains of a shepherd's dwelling visible .
Isola di Mal Ventre has belonged to its current owners since 1972 .
Now on sale for just under £1.2m, less than many London properties . |
218,029 | a649f2be423deef9160f0144d4c26d140a99f11e | (Health.com) -- Your idea of a good time after a bad day is a scoop of dulce de leche ice cream piled high atop a fudge brownie. You aren't eating it because you're hungry, and you certainly aren't trying to get your recommended daily allowance of calcium. Nope, you're digging in because each creamy mouthful makes you feel inexplicably happy. Is that really so bad? Surprisingly, emotional eating doesn't have to be a problem, says Michelle May, M.D., author of "Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat." "Trying to talk yourself out of getting a mood boost from food only sets you up for a bigger overeating problem -- like bingeing," she says. You can comfort yourself with food and stay thin with these simple ground rules. Health.com: 25 diet-busting foods you should never eat . Why we snack our way happy . "We're hardwired to eat for emotional reasons," May says. "From the moment you're born and your mother holds you close to feed you, there's an emotional connection between being fed and being loved. That's why it's counterproductive to say to people, 'Just don't do it.'" The treats we crave most are packed with powerful natural chemicals that bring on pleasure. Chocolate, for example, contains serotonin and another happy-making neurotransmitter, anandamide. And once that double-fudge brownie makes its way to your stomach, your body responds with a rush of endorphins, giving you a kind of snacker's high. Health.com: How to make chocolate a healthy indulgence . Tip 1: Emo-eat only what you love . Before you crack open the Ben & Jerry's, though, do what May calls the "Four-Really Test": Ask yourself if you really, really, really, really want it. "That will help keep you from grabbing whatever is in front of you," she says. "Reach for something you don't really want, and you're likely to eat more of it because it isn't satisfying." That's the danger of answering a craving with a lighter version of what you want or with something else altogether. Not only does it defeat the purpose of giving yourself a gooey treat -- with the bonus of taking you back to a happy time in a way that only food can -- but it sets you up for a pig-out. "If I'm not hungry, but I need a little pleasure in my life, isn't it ridiculous to eat a rice cake?" May asks. "Not only do I not need that fuel, but it's not even going to give me the pleasure." At all. Health.com: Boost your mood with these foods . Tip 2: Make it blow your mind . Step away from that laptop, TV, or iPad, so you can focus fully on the treat you want to eat. Here's why: If you don't take a moment to enjoy everything about it, "then the real reason you're eating it won't be served," May explains, and you'll be more likely to give in to other high-calorie foods -- not to mention more of them. Tip 3: Don't eat it on an empty stomach . Even if what you're dying for is a slice of carrot cake, play the part of your mother and tell yourself, Not till you've finished your dinner. "If you've had a good meal with protein, vegetables, and a healthy fat, your dessert has a better chance of being emotionally satisfying," says Julia Ross, director of the Recovery System Clinic in Mill Valley, California, and author of "The Diet Cure." "But a lot of women skip meals to save calories and go straight to dessert, so their blood sugar spikes, then crashes, and they end up going back for seconds and thirds. Over time they aren't saving calories." Going back for another and another also puts you scary-close to emotional eating's danger zone: overeating. "There's no harm in meeting any need with food -- unless it becomes chronic or extreme," Ross says. Health.com: Eat (yes, eat!) to lose weight . Tip 4: Bag the guilt . It'll strip the pleasure right out of your splurge. "Nobody should feel guilty if they use food to celebrate or feel comfort," Ross says. Besides, hating yourself for loving that chocolate shake will only make you need another (high-calorie) mood boost. It comes down to this: When you eat to feel good, let yourself feel good. Then move on. Copyright Health Magazine 2011 . | Ask yourself if you really, really, really, really want it .
Step away from that TV, or iPad, so you can focus fully on the treat you want to eat .
When you eat to feel good, let yourself feel good. Then move on . |
231,162 | b74b40242be658b600f8ec1ac890edd0d519cff7 | A 41-year-old mother-of-two who was caught on camera ransacking a Florida McDonald's wearing nothing but a thong has spoken out about her rampage, saying she does not remember anything about the incident but was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time. Sandra Suarez is alleged to have offered a restaurant worker oral sex in the parking lot of the Pinellas Park store on March 24, with the subsequent rejection causing her to flip out, police said. CCTV footage of her reign of destruction - including destroying a register, throwing around equipment and eating soft serve straight from the dispenser - surfaced this week after two employees posted it online. Both have now been fired. No memory: Sandra Suarez, 41, says she's not recall flipping out inside a Pinellas Park McDonald's and has blamed her behavior on Bipolar disorder . Rude: Sandra Suarez was caught on camera going berserk inside the Florida McDonald's, with the footage posted online by an employee, who was fired as a result . Self serve: After no one offers to give her whatever it is she wants, the woman decides to serve herself . According to Fox 13, Suarez was arrested and immediately sent for a medical examination, with a doctor telling police she was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Suarez was interviewed on Tuesday by Fox 13 under the provision she didn't have to speak on camera. She blamed the tirade on bipolar disorder. Suarez was charged with criminal mischief and resisting arrest, then was released on $7,000 bond. The video has gone viral and is narrated by the now-terminated McDonald's employees, who were watching it after the fact on the store's security cameras. 'This woman is my new role model,' joked one employee. Restaurant owner Juan Illas said 'posting of the video was without authorization and inconsistent with my values and how we operate our restaurant'. Scene: The Pinellas Park McDonalds has gone into damage control over the incident and fired the two employees responsible for leaking the security video, which has gone viral . Crazed: Employees stand by bewildered as Suarez opens and closes the door of a refrigerator . After dumping the contents of the fridge to the floor, Suarez yanks out the shelves and even flings one at a manager who tried to calm her down . Worked up an appetite: Sandra Suarez sticks her head directly under a soft serve spout and helps herself to some ice cream . According to the video's narration, Suarez finishes her tirade by going into the kitchen to get some French fries . | Sandra Suarez was arrested on March 24 after ransacking a McDonald's store in Pinellas Park, Florida .
Was was wearing nothing but a thong .
The 41-year-old was charged with criminal mischief and resisting arrest .
Doctors who examined her told police Suarez was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol .
She says it was a bipolar episode .
The tirade is said to have been sparked after a male employee rejected her sexual advances . |
25,606 | 488406080dec2db91c122aae1f782e0a8dc0de95 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 00:46 EST, 14 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:27 EST, 14 October 2013 . An expert skydiver in Michigan died on Saturday while practicing an extremely difficult method of flying. Kenneth Ryan Bernek, 34, was trying to fly close to the ground at a maximum speed for a long distance before landing when he collided with a woman before hitting the ground. The method of flying was called ‘high performance canopy flight’, commonly referred to as ‘swooping’. Deadly jump: Kenneth Ryan Bernek, 34, died on Saturday during a skydive practice in Michigan . Daredevil: Bernek was practicing a difficult method where divers fly very close to the ground for a long period of time at high speed . Expert: The skydiver, left, had around 1,800 dives under his belt and routinely filmed people's jumps . According to Randy Allison, the manager of Midwest Freefall Sport Parachute Club in Ray Township, where the fatal dive occurred, Bernek was diving too low. ‘The dive that he executed was a little too low and as a result he impacted the ground prematurely,’ Allison told the New York Daily News. The woman was standing just outside the landing zone when she was hit and was taken to hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The plane took off at 6:10 p.m. and the rest of the load went up 14,000 feet above ground for standard jumps but Bernek hopped out earlier — at 5,000 feet — to work on the dangerous technique. Dangerous: Bernek hopped out of the plane at 5,000 feet, which is much closer to the ground than normal jumps at 14,000 feet above ground . Many years' experience: He had been jumping for 15 years when the tragic accident happened on Saturday . Bernek, who started jumping at Midwest Freefall in 2002, had about 1,800 dives under his belt over the past 15 years. He already had his own equipment at this point so he just paid for the plane ride to altitude. He became a videographer for the club and recorded others' dives with helmet-mounted cameras. He also started teaching tandem and solo flights. ‘He was a mentor to a lot of people here and a guy who always had a smile on his face… this saddened us greatly,’ said Allison. Midwest Freefall has had no other serious injuries in its history, Allison said. The club adheres to the licensing system defined by the United States Parachute Association, which outlines what manoeuvres an individual is allowed to perform. Happy in the sky: Bernek had started teaching tandem and solo flights . 'Very accomplished': The club's manager says Bernek was well-respected in the community . Bernek met all the requirements for an expert D license. ‘He was very accomplished and well-respected in the community and very well-credentialed,’ said Allison. A friend's comment on Bernek's Facebook profile picture on August 11, which shows him doing the low-flying stunt, says: 'U look a little low...' Bernek's answer was: 'That explains the hands on the brake toggles... ha'. | Kenneth Ryan Bernek, 34, was trying to .
fly close to the ground at a maximum speed for a long distance .
The method is called high performance canopy flight .
He collided with a woman before hitting the ground .
The woman sustained non-life threatening injuries .
Bernek had about 1,800 dives under his belt over 15 years . |
191,162 | 838e56316c8dbabd0a6fcef9a71af62fc97cfde7 | (CNN) -- Some people see The Hague as Amsterdam's more sedate (read stodgier) cousin. Fact is, The Hague can be a welcome, peaceful diversion from the nonstop energy (read crowds) of Amsterdam. The streets are wider, the buildings grander and thanks to nearly 1,000 acres of green space, The Hague is a place where you can catch your breath and take in your surroundings at a leisurely pace. You may know it as home of the International Court of Justice, a city of diplomats, the seat of the Dutch government, the official residence of King Willem-Alexander and maybe even as the home of the notorious World War I spy, Mata Hari. (Her former residence is the pretty but nondescript Nieuwe Uitleg 16.) It's also a city rich in the arts. Less than an hour by train takes you to The Hague -- Den Haag -- from Amsterdam. Here are a few of the most intriguing things to see when you go: . Mauritshuis museum . Topping the list is this jewel box of a museum, which reopened on June 27 after a two-year renovation. The project connected the original 17th-century residential building to an early 20th-century building across the street via an underground passage. In the process, the museum doubled its size yet left most everything at street level unscathed. You'll visit -- as everyone does -- to see Johannes Vermeer's "Girl With a Pearl Earring." She's flanked by two equally charming domestic scenes by Dutch Golden Age painter Gerard ter Borch. In an adjacent room is "The Goldfinch" by Carel Fabritius, now best known as cover art on Donna Tartt's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Other paintings you'll recognize include Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Nicolaes Tulp," a portrait of Jane Seymour by Hans Holbein the Younger, "Laughing Boy" by Frans Hals, and "Old Woman and Boy with Candles" by Peter Paul Rubens. The genius of the Mauritshuis is its small but exceptional collection -- 800 paintings, with about 260 on display here and another 150 at the Prince William V Gallery. "As you go through the rooms you see masterpieces everywhere," says museum director Emilie Gordenker. "There is so much to see, but not too much." www.mauritshuis.nl . Gemeentemuseum . At the opposite end of the Dutch art continuum is Piet Mondrian, the modern artist and proponent of the holistic art movement known as De Stijl. The Gemeentemuseum contains the world's largest collection of Mondrian's work presented in a chronological display that lets you appreciate the evolution of his style from realism to the abstract blocks of primary colors for which he's famous. The highlight is "Victory Boogie Woogie," left unfinished with bits of masking tape still in place on the surface of the canvas when Mondrian died in 1944. You'll see it behind the waves of tourists posing in front of it, one of whom was President Barack Obama when he visited The Hague for the International Nuclear Security Summit in March. The museum also has an excellent permanent collection of Delftware ceramics and will open a major retrospective of American modern artist Mark Rothko starting September 20. www.gemeentemuseum.nl/en/ . Peace Palace . To the world at large, The Hague is most closely associated with the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, the judicial arm of the United Nations. Constructed between 1907 and 1913, the grand Peace Palace seems to embody the international unity it was intended to foster: A French architect designed the structure built of Dutch brick and Belgian stone, with German iron gates at the entrance, English stained glass in the windows, a Swiss clock in the clock tower and so on. Ironically, World War I commenced a year after the Peace Palace opened, effectively quashing the dreams of world peace its founders envisioned. Although the visitors' center is open regularly, guided tours of the building are conducted sporadically based on the court's schedule. The current window for visits runs through August 27. If you happen to be in town, take advantage of the opportunity to see the Peace Palace from the inside. Should you be interested in watching international courts at work, trials at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, in a separate courthouse nearby, are open to the public. www.vredespaleis.nl . Het Binnenhof . The seat of the Dutch parliament is Het Binnenhof, a complex of buildings with roots that extend to the 13th century. The Ridderzaal, or Hall of Knights, is the most interesting and historic of them. In the 15th century, Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, held meetings with his Knights of the Golden Fleece here. His son, Charles the Bold, used it as a court of law. On its vaulted ceiling, made to resemble the inverted hull of a ship, are the carved heads of "eavesdroppers" -- little men with big ears who heard everything, prevented secrecy and conspiracy and ensured that justice was served. Today, it's a ceremonial venue, especially important on Prince's Day (the third Tuesday of September), when the reigning monarch makes a speech to begin the new parliamentary year. English audio tours and brochures are available for the parliament buildings. Tours with historical or political themes are conducted by ProDemos, a nonpartisan, government-funded, nonprofit created to educate the public and encourage participation in the political process. english.prodemos.nl . Escher in Het Paleis . It's rare to find an artist whose admirers include a devoted community of mathematicians, but such is the case with M.C. Escher. The 20th-century artist is known for his graphic optical art linking infinity and impossibility, which famously inspired the great British mathematicians Lionel and Roger Penrose (not to mention the fashion designer Alexander McQueen) and has graced an incalculable number of dorm room walls. The Escher Museum is actually three museums in one: the building itself is the former working palace of four generations of Dutch queens; the rooms contain whimsical crystal chandeliers by contemporary artist Hans van Bentem (Madonna owns one); and then of course there is the Escher artwork. All the museums mentioned here have programs designed to appeal to children, but Escher might be the artist that will blow their little minds (in a good way!), particularly when they reach the optical illusion room. www.escherinhetpaleis.nl/ . Panorama Mesdag . And speaking of optical illusion ... long before the IMAX theater, people wrapped their heads around the panoramic paintings of the 19th century -- full 360-degree visual experiences intended to transport the viewer to another place and time. In their heyday there were hundreds of them, depicting subjects from ancient Jerusalem to the battle of Waterloo, each displayed like a carnival attraction in a cylindrical structure specially built for the purpose. Only 23 survive (one is the Cyclorama in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, depicting Pickett's Charge). The Panorama Mesdag, painted by Hendrik Willem Mesdag in just four months, is one of the finest examples, not least because it's displayed in its original structure. Although you're standing just 14 meters (45 feet) away from the 120-by-14-meter (393-by-45-foot) canvas, your eye is fooled into believing you're seeing the Dutch seaside resort of Scheveningen from a great distance. Because the painting is illuminated by natural light, the view literally changes with the time of day and the weather. In its quiet way, it's a marvel. Even Vincent van Gogh thought so; he attended the panorama's opening in 1881. panorama-mesdag.com . Scheveningen . The real seaside at Scheveningen is a quick tram ride or an easy bike ride from the city center. It no longer resembles the 19th-century coastal enclave depicted in the Panorama Mesdag, but it remains a popular "day out" spot for residents of The Hague. The centerpiece is the Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel, a 19th-century bath hotel that gained a certain infamy when the Rolling Stones played there on August 8, 1964. They were four songs into their set when a riot ensued, and police were called in to shut down the show. That event largely ended the hotel's days as a rock venue, although Bon Jovi played there in 2010. The beach offers a boardwalk lined with kiosks and amusements, a lighthouse and the chance to cool your toes in the North Sea, plus the picturesque dunes that have drawn nature lovers to the area for centuries. | The Hague is home to the newly renovated Mauritshuis museum .
"Girl With a Pearl Earring" is among its most notable works .
Piet Mondrian and M.C. Escher also have ties in the city .
The Peace Palace embodies international unity . |
94,321 | 053a43c9216262acc8e48288108a1bcedf9968ec | Revealing: Ola Jordan has lifted the lid on some of Strictly Come Dancing's secrets . To viewers it is a well-oiled production of glitz, glamour and dazzling sequins. But behind the scenes, Strictly Come Dancing is melting pot of high emotion, sexual tension – and lots of fake tan, according to one of its stars. Dancer Ola Jordan even admitted what many suspect – that relationships do develop between dancers and celebrities, but many are hushed up. Mrs Jordan, who is married to former Strictly professional James Jordan, 36, said: ‘It happens in the movies with actors and it happens on Strictly. ‘There have been relationships that have happened that have never come out in public, quite a bit. It happens as people get close. It is the bond you have with your partner.’ In 2009, boxer Joe Calzaghe split from girlfriend of five years Jo-Emma Larvin after being on the show. He went on to date dance partner Kristina Rihanoff for four years. Mrs Jordan also revealed how the male celebrities face increasing pressure to appear shirtless, while the women are urged into skimpy outfits. Last year, finalist and former Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede, 30, repeatedly had to ask designers to add extra inches to her dresses. Mrs Jordan said: ‘One day they are just going to give nipple tassels to come out with.’ Now aged 31, Mrs Jordan said she hated being filmed in high definition as she is conscious of being the oldest female dancer on the show and knows she could face the axe at any point as she has been performing on the show for so long. Speaking at a launch for beauty brand Proactiv, which she is the face of, the dancer was scathing about use of fake tan by her colleagues. She said: ‘Some of the girl dancers go crazy with tan. They have spray tans in the week and then on a show day they have more tan make-up on and they look dirty and streaky. Joe Calzaghe (pictured with his BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2009) split from girlfriend of five years Jo-Emma Larvin after being on the show . They go through a lot of tubs. It stains the clothes and goes everywhere. It is horrible. I hate it.’ But she added: ‘I am not going to say who are the worst culprits but they know who they are. They know who I am talking about. They are orange and they look as though they have been dipped in gravy.’ And Mrs Jordan remained diplomatic when discussing the atmosphere behind the scenes, saying: ‘You can’t get on with everyone. This is it. Strictly the show is quite stressful and hard but I have never cried. ‘It is not all glamour. What you see on a Saturday is the show and it is all perfect and we all look beautiful but behind the scenes there is a lot of hard work.’ Strictly returns in September, with Claudia Winkleman replacing Sir Bruce Forsyth as co-host. Mrs Jordan said: ‘I will miss Brucie as a person being there. I had a soft spot for him and he had a soft spot for me. ‘But I like Claudia. She is so quirky. She can’t dance but you don’t have to dance to present the show.’ | Relationships do develop between dancers and celebrities, claims Ola Jordan .
Dancer says show is melting pot of high emotion and sexual tension behind scenes .
Mrs Jordan says some other female dancers 'go crazy' with fake tan . |
119,892 | 26f791cb97e509154268b995c5a520cff424905a | Children often learn to count to ten using their fingers or toes, but that wouldn't help one four-year-old boy in India who has 25 digits. Arpan Saxena from Bhopal, India, suffers from two rare genetic disorders called Polydactyl, a disorder that gives rise to excess digits being formed, and Syndactyly, which leads to fingers and toes being fused together. Arpan, who has 13 fingers and 12 toes, enjoys celebrity status in Bhopal, with his picture plastered on city walls. Unlucky for some: Arpan Saxena shows his 13 fingers at his home in Bhopal, India. He said he liked being a local celebrity . Arpan says he wishes he could wear normal shoes . 'I love it when people come to see me and take photos,' he said. 'But the only thing I don't like is that I can't walk a lot because my feet never fit in any shoes.' His father, Anil Saxena, 35, a rickshaw puller, confirmed the toddler was originally born with 26 digits. 'When he was born, we were surprised to see that he had 26 fingers and toes,' he said. 'I had never ever heard of anyone being born with so many fingers.' Following an accident, Arpan lost a finger when he was just two years old. 'He was out playing when he injured one of his fingers and it just sort of came off,' Anil said. Arpan Saxena with his mother Taruna and doing some school work (right). They live in Bhopal which is known as the City of Lakes . Arpan . Arpan with his father Anil who survived an industrial disaster in 1984 . Arpan's mother, Tanu, 30, said they wouldn't be getting Arpan an operation, even though a lot of people have offered help. 'Its every parents dream to be known for their children,' she said. 'Arpan is famous all over Bhopal and we like it that way, and I am apprehensive about how an operation might affect him at this age.' His father survived the Bhopal disaster - a huge industrial accident at a pesticide plant in 1984. Campaigners say at least 15,000 were killed within days and that the effects of the gas continue to this day. They also say Bhopal has an unusually high incidence of children with birth defects, as well as cancers and other chronic illnesses. Arpan does not hold a world record for most number of fingers and toes. The current world record is held by fellow Indian, Akshat Saxena, a two-year-old boy who was born with 34 fingers and toes. | Arpan has 13 fingers and 12 toes - he lost another finger when he was two .
He suffers from two genetic disorders, that caused extra digits and his double thumbs to fuse .
His parents don't want him to have surgery due to his local fame . |
146,315 | 493359e79c948f919d42dca9596a1047cf369535 | Arriving at your destination, tired and jetlagged from the plane ride, doesn't necessarily have to be an unpleasant experience. Luxury accommodations around the world are now offering airport and hotel transport that is just as extravagant as their lavish suites. So, go ahead, start your relaxing vacation off on the right note with these top transfer options. Hong Kong's Peninsula Hotel has a fleet of customised Rolls Royce Phantoms in their signature green hue . If you prefer to arrive by air, a private helicopter service is also available from The Peninsula Hotel . A traditional Rajastani boat shuttles guests to The Leela Palace Hotel in Udaipur, India . Perhaps the most comprehensive of all hotel transfer options, The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong offers guests the option to arrive via one of their 14 Rolls-Royce Extended Wheelbase Phantoms or instead, to use the hotel's helicopter service and private helipad. Transfers by Rolls Royce between The Hotel and Hong Kong International Airport are priced at about HK$2900 (£228) per round trip, whereas arriving via helicopter will set you back about HK$18,000 (£1413). For something a bit more traditional, look no further than the Leela Palace Hotel in Udaipur, India, where guests arrive at the resort, situated in the middle of Lake Pichola, on a Rajastani boat. At Six Senses Zighy Bay Hotel in Oman, adrenaline-seeking guests can paraglide onto the hotel's property . Istanbul travellers can avoid traffic and instead take the hotel's private, 45ft boat to Armaggan Bosporus Suites . At The Wellesley, guests have complimentary access to a Rolls Royce for any 1.5 mile radius transfer . Adventurous travellers on the other hand may prefer a one-of-a-kind paragliding experience at the Six Senses Zighy Bay Hotel in Oman. Don't worry, the hotel sends a professional paraglider to meet you en route to the property to ensure a safe arrival. Guests at the Armaggan Bosporus Suites Hotel in Istanbul, on the other hand, have the option to be ferried from the airport to the hotel in just 15 minutes - on the resort's 45ft Riza Tansu-designed boat. Not to be outdone, London's boutique hotel The Wellesley offers guests complimentary Rolls Royce transfers, provided that the destination is anywhere within a 1.5-mile radius of the Knightsbridge property. The Four Seasons George V in Paris offers a similar option - with a distinctively high-fashion twist. There, guests can book a ride in the hotel's Hermes-inspired Rolls Royce (the only one in the world!), which offers customised upholstery and accessories, for €700 (£550) for two hours. Best of all? The car even has "a romantic canopy of lights so guests in the backseat can enjoy a starry-eyed ambience as they cruise the City of Lights." Arrive in style in the Maldives! Travel from the airport to the luxe Cheval Blanc Randheli on the hotel's seaplane . Book a ride in the world's only Hermes-inspired Rolls Royce at the Four Seasons George V in Paris, France . The St. Regis Hotel in Rome offers a similarly stylish sedan option: a transfer to Fiumicino - Leonardo da Vinci International Airport by Bentley . ME Ibiza offers guests the option to use the hotel owner's own private plane to reach the popular party destination . At the world's first seven star hotel, Burj Al Arab in Dubai, guests can arrive by private helicopter or Rolls Royce . In the Maldives, which is known for its luxurious resorts, Cheval Blanc Randheli will shuttle guests from Male International Airport to the hotel on their own DeHavilland Twin Otter seaplane. The Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai has a Rolls Royce airport transfer, beginning at approximately £200 (AED 1,200) each way. For those looking to make even more of an impression upon arrival, helicopter transfers from the Dubai International Airport are also available. Prices start at £1665 (AED 10,000) each way. Meanwhile, the ME Ibiza resort offers an even more personal touch. With the hotel's new package, JET by ME, you can travel by private plane - the same plane owned by the hotel's CEO - from your home airport to the Ibiza airport. From there, the hotel will arrange for a bespoke airport transfer. A traditional boat transports guests to the Hoshinoya resort on Kyoto's Oigawa River . Visit the protected nature reserve on Turkey's Datça Peninsula - easily reached by the hotel's private helicopter . A charter plane transfer service from the nearby town of Maun offers Belmond Khwai River Lodge visitors a bird's-eye view of the wildlife reserve . In Japan, a traditional riverboat takes visitors to the Hoshinoya resort on Kyoto's picturesque Oigawa River. Likewise, La Réserve Geneva offers holidaymakers the chance to beat traffic with the hotel’s Venetian taxi-boat, which takes "just 10-15 minutes to cross Lake Geneva from the city centre," a spokesperson for the hotel said. However, to reach the unspoilt nature reserve of Turkey's Datça Peninsula, the D-Hotel Maris offers a private helicopter transfer, which takes only 25 minutes by air. At the Belmond Khwai River Lodge in Botswana, guests can arrive in ultimate style with the resort's private charter service from nearby town, Maun. 'This thrilling 20 minute journey on board an air-conditioned 12-seat aircraft allows guests to transfer in privacy while admiring a bird's-eye view of the magnificent Moremi Wildlife Reserve,' added Karin van Zyl, General Manager of Belmond Safaris. La Reserve Geneva has a private water taxi to ferry visitors from the five-star hotel across Lake Geneva to the city centre . Why only book an airport transfer? The Four Seasons jet will take you from one hotel property to another . And if all of these little luxuries still aren't enough, the Four Seasons has plans for a rather revolutionary idea that will all but make airport transfers a thing of the past. As of next year, luxury hotel enthusiasts will be able to book a place on a 52-person private jet that travels from one Four Seasons property to another. Unfortunately, the inaugural 24-day round-the-world trip, which costs £71,000 per person, has already sold out. Dare to dream. | The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong offers customised Rolls Royce Phantoms and private helicopter transport .
At the ME Ibiza, guests can charter the hotel owner's private plane to arrive on the island in style .
Thrill-seeking travellers have the option to paraglide into the Six Senses Zinghy Bay resort in Oman .
Most lavish transfers will set you back anywhere from £250 to £1400 (not including the use of a private jet) |
246,796 | cb66206514d2511c669b4ce809223e5dbcb63fa8 | On a wet Tuesday, I am hovering furtively in the fresh produce section of Sainsbury’s. But my absorption in the merits of Golden Delicious and Washington Reds is but a cunning charade. I’m really on a mission. I have just received four hours of tuition in the art of flirting from relationship coach Jean Smith and I’m here to put my skills to the test . Spotting a middle-aged victim, I sidle up and deliver the line suggested by Jean to provoke conversation. Scroll down for video . Could the fresh produce section of your local Sainsbury’s be the ideal place to meet your new man? ‘Um,’ I begin magnificently. ‘Have you tried that kind of apple before?’ The man gives no sign of noticing that I have spoken. I clear my throat and repeat myself. He looks up vaguely, and responds: ‘Mmm?’ I say the words for a third time. He stares at me, shakes his head and ambles off. Clearly, I’m in need of more practice. Flirting has been Jean’s specialist subject for more than a decade, after doing a masters degree in social anthropology. Not only has she produced an entire book on the subject (The Flirt Interpreter), but she runs ‘Flirtology’ courses. It has to be said that they’re not cheap. There’s a two-session Quick Fix for £299; a three-session promotion called Bag A Babe For Valentine’s (‘babe’ referring to either sex) at £399; and a three-month Ready For Change programme at £900. Relationship coach Jean Smith advises spending time in places where you can start up a conversation with a stranger without any expectations, such as a supermarket (picture posed by a model) Each one promises to identify where you are going wrong and give you a game plan to find your future partner. As a 51-year-old divorcee who has been largely single for a year, I give it a go. And I’m not the only one — business is booming for Jean, whose clients’ age range spans from the early 30s to the mid 50s. ‘I’m busier all the time, not because it’s harder to flirt these days, but because it’s become more acceptable to ask for help,’ she says. ‘People are just expected to know this stuff, and they think everyone else is born good at it.’ Jean’s three flirting secrets: . 1. If you see someone attractive, show signals of approachability — eye contact, open body language, smiles . 2. Ask an open-ended situational question involving a prop (so in a supermarket: ‘That cheesecake looks great — have you tried it?’) 3. Don’t worry about taking the direct approach. At the worst you’ve had a short conversation with someone you’ll never see again. At best — who knows? Indeed, the boom in online dating and the rise of so-called ‘silver splitters’, who divorce in midlife, means more of us than ever are struggling on the dating scene: one in five women over 45 is now single. ‘Clients appreciate a scientific approach. Flirting is a skill — you can learn it. I’m a catalyst to set people on track — it’s up to them to act on it,’ Jean says. My four hours with her are a condensed version of one of her courses. Judging by her central London flat where we met for the first two hours, she is doing very nicely. Jean asks what I’m looking for, ushering me away from ‘objectifying laundry lists’ such as height, weight and income. This is not to say she advocates hooking up with a short, fat pauper. But she urges me not to rule out someone just because I prefer taller men: ‘It’s holding you back. How much of your life are you standing up next to each other?’ Then she asks what I’m doing to improve my chances of meeting someone, and suggests a big party where everybody brings a single friend, adding: ‘You need to spend more time in places where you can start up conversations without expectations.’ This, it turns out, is largely what Jean’s ‘flirtology’ is about — not being coquettish, but simply going to places where there are other people, and talking to them. The idea is meeting as many potential partners as possible in the hope one will click. It’s a numbers game, but one you can only embark on if you’re confident enough — which is what Jean hopes to teach. Jean says that flirting is 'building rapport with strangers, with a frisson in the undertone to distinguish it from normal conversation' (picture posed by models) She has also devised an unlikely acronym for six flirting signals to look for. ‘It’s HOT APE — Humour, open body-language, touch, attention, proximity and eye contact. That’s what you look for to tell someone is flirting with you. Also self-disclosure — they tell you something about themselves.’ She tells me flirting is building rapport with strangers, with a frisson in the undertone to distinguish it from normal conversation. ‘British people don’t like intrusion, but they love to be talked to,’ says Jean. ‘My clients can be worried about bothering people. I teach you to break these unwritten rules about being polite which make it so hard to meet people. The real key to flirting is having the confidence to talk someone you find attractive (picture posed by models) ‘Would you be offended if you were at the supermarket and someone asked you: “Have you ever tried that kind of apple before?” ’ She seems astonished when I say I might be a tad surprised. ‘It’s only by trying it in a fun way that you’ll realise people respond really well,’ she replies brightly. I fear I’m not very good at this after being turned down in Sainsbury’s. Jean tells me I am ‘resistant’ to my ‘dating journey’, relating an anecdote about a client who asked a guy in a supermarket what rice he would recommend. ‘After a ten-minute chat, he invited her to his favourite curry house,’ she concludes triumphantly. I’m awed that anyone could have a ten-minute conversation about rice. But she is also very good at matters relating to rejection. ‘What does it matter if the person you’re talking to doesn’t engage? You’ve had a nice chat with someone you’ll never meet again.’ Some clients vouch for Jean’s methods. Laura Durham, a 28-year-old from London who works in marketing, describes Jean’s seminar last September as ‘life-changing’. ‘I had a two-year relationship which ended six years ago, and had only been on a few dates since,’ she says. ‘I was feeling hopeless because I find it so hard to initiate contact. ‘It’s made such a difference to my confidence to be able to talk to people without worrying I would do something wrong.’ Laura loved the £35 Fearless Flirting tour, a two-hour group outing starting at the National Portrait Gallery ‘where you will learn how to approach anyone without fear’. So I join one of these outings. Seven women and one man assemble, aged from their mid 20s to mid 50s, all sociable and attractive. James Hardcastle, a 35-year-old software developer, is the lone male. Jean tells us to make eye contact with and smile at three fellow gallery goers. Again I don’t have the knack, resembling a crazed escapee. Others find it easy. Then Jean dispatches us into a local Tesco to strike up conversation about groceries, telling us one client was so successful in a chat over cheesecake that the guy asked her out and they dated for three months. Jean says her goal is not always to find someone a partner, but rather to make people realise the great things they already have in their lives (picture posed by models) Unfortunately there are hardly any shoppers. I attempt a conversation about light bulbs with someone who it turns out cannot speak English. Or so he claims. We move on to a busy market to accost strangers for restaurant recommendations, and eventually adjourn to a bar. Everyone has enjoyed it, and James has even bagged a phone number. It turns out he is on Jean’s £900, three-month course. He has been single for several years, and I genuinely cannot work out why. ‘I have loads of friends but nothing seems to spark beyond that,’ he says. ‘I’ve done online dating and met one crazy person after another. I must be doing something wrong.’ Actually, it turns out Jean’s goal may not coincide with James’s. It’s not completely hooked on the end result of having a partner, more about realising the great things in what you already have,’ she says. And as bonkers as this course can seem, that’s a valuable lesson. The real thing she teaches is not flirting, but having the confidence to flirt. If you see someone attractive. Don’t contemplate talking to them. Do it, without worrying what they will think or whether they are single. ‘If he’s not single and you’re just having a friendly chat, is it inappropriate?’ says Jean. When I say I am going to the theatre that night, she tells me that in the bar at the interval, I must say to the man of my choice: ‘That looks an interesting drink. What is it?’ That night at the theatre bar I find myself next to a reasonable-looking man. He orders water. Sometimes, life just isn’t on my side. | Relationship coach Jean Smith has written an entire book on flirting .
Jean says that 'flirting is a skill' that can be learnt .
She now runs ‘Flirtology’ courses to give you a game plan to find a partner .
The courses include 'Quick Fix' and 'Bag A Babe For Valentine’s' sessions . |
239,769 | c26798c70986a45d6cf3b6144e11912de1bba690 | By . Beth Stebner . PUBLISHED: . 10:33 EST, 20 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 21:15 EST, 20 March 2013 . The closed-circuit television footage showing a double-amputee Marine going through a TSA checkpoint does not show him being forced to remove his prosthetic legs, the government agency claimed today, going directly against the complaint a congressman filed against the government agency earlier this week. On Monday, Rep Duncan Hunter (R-California) wrote a terse letter to Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole asking why Cpl Toran Gaal was forced to remove his prosthetic legs and later had to stand on them without the use of his wheelchair in what the congressman called a ‘humiliating’ experience. However, the TSA has fired back with their own account, saying that initial CCTV footage shows Cpl Gaal passing through the security checkpoint at Arizona’s Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on March 13 without removing his prostheses. Scroll down for video . Humiliated: Marine Cpl Toran Gaal, pictured, lost both of his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan; a congressman wrote the TSA to say he was 'humiliated' at a recent security check after he was forced to remove his prostheses . Disputed: The TSA says after a preliminary review of CCTV footage, the Marine was not forced to remove his prosthetic legs (file photo) Cpl Gaal, who was not named in the letter Rep Duncan sent the TSA agent, lost both of his legs to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Sangin Province, Afghanistan. The Marine currently lives in San Diego and serves in the Wounded Warrior Battalion out of Camp Pendleton. He and other wounded Marines were flying back after a spring training fundraiser, according to NBC San Diego. The TSA told the Arizona Republic in a statement: ‘Preliminary review of CCTV indicates there was no removal of prosthetic limbs.’ They added that the two men who conducted the March 13 screening are veterans themselves – one, a former Marine and the other, an 18-year veteran of the Air Force. Joe Kasper, Rep Hunter’s Deputy Chief of Staff, spoke to . MailOnline by phone from the congressman’s headquarters in Washington. He said that . the TSA is trying to throw a red herring into the greater argument of how the . war-wounded are treated at airport security. ‘Here’s the thing – TSA’s going to make you think what they . want you to think,’ he said. ‘The Marine never complained. It was the people . who were escorting him. They felt disrespected, they felt mistreated. The . problem here is the situational awareness in the tone and lack of awareness. ‘There has to be a part on TSA to acknowledge there is an . issue – not the leg issue, but the bigger problem that he and other veterans . and the war-wounded need extra help. That’s what it’s all about and that’s what . Mr Hunter was getting at,’ he said. In transit: Cpl Gaal and other wounded Marines were in Phoenix for a spring training event; the alleged incident happened on March 13 when they were flying back to San Diego . He said that Mr Hunter, a combat veteran himself who served . in Fallujah, is passionate about fighting for the rights of U.S. military . members and veterans. ‘He understands what’s involved and there’s nothing that . bothers him more than seeing servicemen mistreated.’ The larger issue, Mr Kasper added, is the lack of respect . and professional courtesies by TSA agents towards those who need extra . assistance – something that is difficult to legislate. 'The . problem here is in the tone and lack of awareness. There has to be a part on TSA to acknowledge there is an . issue, the bigger problem that he and other veterans . and the war wounded need extra help. That’s what it’s all about.' -Joe Kemper, Rep Duncan Hunter's chief of staff . ‘As federal agents themselves, they’re the ones who should . know better, first and foremost,’ he said. ‘Hearing back from the TSA is going to be important,’ he . added, saying that he’s heard no official response from the government agency . since sending the letter via fax on Monday, though he added that the process . can sometimes take weeks. When asked if he could definitively say whether Cpl Gaal was . forced to remove his prostheses, Mr Kasper answered that the other veterans who . were traveling with him would ‘stand by it. ‘Witnesses said he took off his legs,’ Mr Kasper said. ‘At a . bare minimum, he was at least asked to take off his legs.’ Servicemen: Cpl Gaal lost his legs after an explosion in Afghanistan; he is currently stationed in the 'Wounded Warrior' battalion out of Camp Pendleton . He concluded: ‘All the problems with TSA is indicative of . the bigger problems they refuse to address,’ he said. Fight: Rep Duncan Hunter has been vocal in his support of the rights of servicemen . The TSA has not yet responded to MailOnline’s request for . comment. The government agency currently offers a ‘Wounded Warrior’ program where injured service members are allowed to go through an . expedited screening process, but said it would expand its screening . options. Neither Sky Harbor nor the TSA said they received a complaint from the alleged incident. In . his original complaint, Rep Hunter wrote: ‘These Marines had an . unfortunate experience, which is worthy of your attention and any . explanation you can provide.’ In his letter, he included two photographs of the Marine, saying they corroborated Cpl Gaal’s complaint. As the Marine Times notes, Cpl Gaal and his fellow Marines were initially escorted to the wrong checkpoint. Rep Hunter wrote that no TSA officers offered to help him to the correct security checkpoint. ‘I would like to know what discretion a TSA officer has in this situation as well as the ability of TSA officers to assist and individual between screening locations, especially if that individual is unable to walk or move on his or her own,’ he wrote. Rep. Hunter asked in his letter for more sensitivity and awareness when examining military workers. View more videos at: http://nbcsandiego.com. | Rep Duncan Hunter (R-California) wrote terse letter to TSA on Monday on behalf of wounded Marine who he claims was forced to remove prosthetic legs at checkpoint .
TSA disputes congressman's allegations, saying initial review of CCTV does not support their claims .
Rep Hunter's chief of staff told MailOnline that TSA is missing larger issues .
Cpl Toran Gaal lost both of his legs to an IED in Afghanistan . |
171,039 | 69600755c07654112f04ae46df71a2b0ee5f8fe7 | It is an old fortress on a tiny island, surrounded by pine trees and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea – the sort of property that looks like it should play host to the great and good. Indeed, for a long time, it has. Three years ago, Fort de Bregancon hit the international headlines when a pregnant Carla Bruni - wife of the then-French president Nicolas Sarkozy - was photographed strolling on its terrace. Island hideaway: The Fort de Bregancon was the holiday home of the French president from 1968 to 2013 . For over four decades, the Fort has been the very private holiday retreat of French leaders – a hideaway that has witnessed the private sojourns of the Gallic men (and women) of power. Now, after 45 years of being a restricted area, it is open to the public. The . current French president Francois Hollande has decided to break with . tradition and show the villa to the population for the first time – . as a symbol of a toned-down presidential lifestyle in tough economic . times. However, there are also suggestions that he has dispensed with the property because he is not enamoured with the lack of privacy it affords. Carla Bruni would surely agree. Sarkozy holiday retreat: The former French president and his wife Carla Bruni, were fond of the retreat, and pictures of her with a growing baby bump in 2011 were broadcast round the world . Favourite of French presidents: Francois Hollande (pictured with his ex Valerie Trierweiler in 2012) is also a fan of the holiday location but has opened the doors to the public . Images of her with a growing baby bump, captured by paparazzi in May 2011, broadcast news of her pregnancy to the world. The . property has no swimming pool – forcing bathers out to the beach, giving any lurking photographers better opportunities to take pictures of . presidential couples in swimwear. Sarkozy was fond of the fort, using it as a regular summer base, and was often seen cycling and jogging in its vicinity. But after . he married model-singer Bruni, he also liked to escape to her more . luxurious villa at Cap Negre. Dream hideaway. Or is it? Although based on its own island, the property falls within range of paparazzi lenses . The villa . is located on one of the most beautiful parts of the French Riviera, . some 25 miles east of Toulon, and a similar distance west of the gilded . resort of Saint-Tropez. It was a closed shop between 1968 and 2013 – but as of this summer, visitors can walk in its salons, dining rooms and offices. They . should not, though, expect the marble, gilding and elegant parquet . floors that you find in many French palaces. Instead, the white walls . and simple tiles on the floor – in the local Mediterranean style – make . it look like a family house. A certain simplicity: The property is more of a rustic Mediterranean retreat than a grand palace . The property’s simplicity is its main attraction, says Bernard Le Magoarou, the administrator of the fort. ‘It is the charm of the place,’ he says. ‘The president can live like ordinary people do, in a simple environment.’ Built in the Middle Ages, it became state property during the French Revolution of the late 18th century. Former president Charles de Gaulle made it the official residence after spending a memorable – if not very pleasant – night at the fort in 1964. ‘He had a terrible night, because of the mosquitoes and a bed that was too small. He decided to renovate it,’ Le Magoarou says. Taking a peek: The public are now able to visit a property that hosted French leaders for over four decades . Since then, every French president has ventured to the property to take time off from the demands of the Elysees Palace in Paris, to rest under the sound of the cicadas, and to enjoy the private beach and the spectacular view from the patio. Jacques Chirac and his wife Bernadette visited the island many times during his presidency (from 1995 to 2007), regularly meeting residents of the neighboring village. Not ideal: Some of the stylings in the property are decidedly dated - and its is very close to a public beach . | Fort de Bregancon hosted holidaying French leaders for almost 50 years .
Then-First Lady Carla Bruni was snapped at the property while pregnant .
Worries over privacy may be behind decision to open property to public . |
161,195 | 5c60cd1a773fa27ca78a6168ab099248856c8323 | A lamp bought for just 50p at a church fete turned out to be an ingenious device that helped the Allies bring about the downfall of the Nazi regime in the Second World War. The beacon lamp was used to flash Morse code signals from the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day landings in 1944, directing troops to landing points on the five designated beaches as they raced over the sea in landing craft. Martin Billenness, of Eastbourne, East Sussex, had no idea of the lamp’s history when he was given it as a present from his mother, who had bought it for next to nothing in the 1990s. Landing light: This Second World War beacon lamp was bought at a church fete by for just 50p . To his amazement, specialists at London’s Science Museum and Imperial War Museum identified it as a beacon lamp specially commissioned by the War Office. The 11in lamp displays the Morse signal for any chosen letter of the alphabet, helping to direct soldiers to their correct landing zones. To understand the inner workings of the lamp better without damaging it, two x-rays were taken. They revealed a small 2.5v electric motor driven by a 2.4v battery. Innovation: Specialists at London's Science Museum and Imperial War Museum used x-rays to identify it as a beacon lamp commissioned by the War Office . A dial on the top of the lamp allows it to be set to the desired Morse code letter, and when switched on it flashes its signal every seven seconds. The lamp would have been taken onto the beach by an advance party and turned on, identifying the correct beach and correct landing point for the landing craft. The Normandy landings, codenamed Operation Neptune, were the beginning of Operation Overlord, the Allies’ assault on German-occupied western Europe. The mission, which took place on June 6, 1944, was the largest amphibious invasion in history and mainly involved British, American and Canadian soldiers. The Normandy coast was split into five sectors for the attack - Juno, Sword, Gold, Omaha and Utah. The savage and bloody landings turned the tide against the enemy forces, opening up a second front (the Russians were advancing on Germany from the east) and leading to the liberation of occupied Europe. Mr Billenness, 52, took the beacon lamp along to the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow in his hometown of Eastbourne to show experts and reveal the remarkable story. The lamp is now on display to the public at the Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum in Eastbourne. Mr Billenness, a self employed glazier, said: 'I was given this lamp as a present from my mother who had picked it up at a church fete. Signal: A dial on the top of the light allows it to be set to the desired Morse code letter, and when switched on it flashes its signal every seven seconds . The lamp would have been taken onto the beach by an advance party and turned on, identifying the correct beach and correct landing point for the landing craft . 'At the time I was into beach fishing so she had bought me a Tilley lamp but at the same time spotted this lamp and thought it looked interesting. 'I had no idea what it was or where it had come from. 'The only giveaway was the Ministry of Defence stamp on the top of it so I knew it had something to do with the military. 'It also had a very strange dial on the top with each letter of the alphabet on it. 'I was really intrigued so I took the lamp to the Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum in Eastbourne and asked them. The Normandy coast was split into five sectors for the attack - Juno, Sword, Gold, Omaha and Utah. D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in history and opened up a second front against the German war machine . American soldiers disembark from Coast Guard landing craft at the shores of Normandy on 22 June 1944 . 'They were equally bewildered and said they had never seen anything like it before. 'They then sent it to the Science Museum and the Imperial War Museum to study. 'The experts there told me it was a beacon lamp that would have been used for beach landings such as the D-Day raids. 'It is incredible to think this lamp could have been used in the D-Day landings. 'As I understand it, very few of these exist now, probably because they would have been left behind or thrown away once the job had been done. 'It’s a very special and unusual item.' | Martin Billenness, 52, was given the unusual lamp by his mother .
Intrigued, he took it to experts who identified it as a WWII beacon lamp .
The contraption was used to coordinate landings at D-Day . |
235,660 | bd117e7cc9a7c87bb20b5b94ead45dd4e3238fb4 | FARGO, North Dakota (CNN) -- The Red River began to recede Sunday after rising to record levels, but officials cautioned residents not to let their guard down, especially in the face of an approaching snowstorm. A makeshift levee protects a house Sunday in Moorhead, Minnesota. "We are very confident now that [the] river is in a slow decline," National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Gust said. "Hopefully, it will be at about 38 feet by next Sunday." A winter storm warning was issued Sunday for the Red River Valley area between North Dakota and Minnesota, from midday Monday through Tuesday evening. Forecasters expected as many as 10 inches of snow in the area and wind gusts up to 35 mph. Officials said the wind will cause waves in the floodwaters that will put more pressure on the sandbag dikes along the Red River, but the river levels were expected to continue their gradual decline. At 7:15 p.m. Sunday, the river at Fargo was at 39.75 feet, lower than its early Saturday peak of 40.82 feet and below the previous record of 40.10 feet set in 1897, according to the weather service. River levels were expected to stay below 41 feet and slowly drop over the next three to seven days, the weather service said. The river is considered at flood stage in Fargo when it reaches 18 feet. Watch how Fargo residents are "guardedly optimistic" » . By Sunday morning, two deaths and 50 injuries had been reported in flood-related incidents. The injuries included victims of car wrecks caused by flooded roads, said Kirby Kruger, an epidemiologist with North Dakota Health Department. Other illnesses, including mental health issues, carbon monoxide poisoning and cardiac-related events were reported, Kruger said. Water seeped into two of five buildings at the Oak Grove Lutheran School primary and secondary complex after a flood barrier began to leak, officials said. School officials said the two buildings had about 6 inches of water in the basement. The school last flooded in 1997. "We knew this flood was going to be different," school spokeswoman Ann Marie Campbell said. "There was a lot of emotion this morning when we got the word we had a breach." The school has 493 students from kindergarten through high school, Police Sgt. Ross Renner told CNN. A contingency dike contained the water, said Mayor Dennis Walaker, but three homes between the contingency dike and the primary dike also flooded. "What happened up in Oak Grove, again, is a wake-up call for the general public," Walaker said. "Those things will continue to happen. I guarantee it." Watch front lines of flood battle » . The University of North Dakota has canceled classes until noon Monday, while the Fargo campus of the North Dakota State University has been shut down until April 6 as the state waits to see whether the worst has passed. Despite reports the river was dropping, Fargo officials have said they are holding their breath. "In past flooding, you have to understand, we've had times in which people thought it crested and then it came back and went up," Fargo Deputy Mayor Tim Mahoney said. "And our temperature is changing, so we will be reluctant to announce a crest until we truly feel there's been a crest," he said. iReport.com: Are you there? Share your photos, video . City Manager Pat Zavoral added, "We cannot think that we've passed some milestone here." "We've been under tremendous pressure to evacuate the city," Walaker said. "We're not going to abandon our city. We've invested too much effort into this process." iReport.com: Home's residents cut through deck to build dike . Some residents, however, have evacuated some neighborhoods, hospitals and nursing homes. iReport.com: . A storm with snow was approaching the area, Gust said. "The snow [is] coming with that winter storm Monday night into Tuesday -- and Fargo could have 6 to 7 inches of snow here, the South Dakota border could see a foot or more -- but that snow should not affect that rate of decline one iota," he said. However, winds associated with the storm could affect the dikes, he said. iReport.com: "It's as if it were a lake, not a river" Like the Fargo authorities, officials across the river in Minnesota said the revised forecast did not allay their concerns. Residents of Moorhead, Minnesota, warily waited to see if miles of levees and sandbags would hold. Watch how flooding is affecting Moorhead » "We're all in this together -- so far, so good," said U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota, at a Sunday news conference. "Keep vigilant -- keep checking the dikes." Watch workers monitor the swollen Red River » . Evacuations in Moorhead were proceeding smoothly, Mayor Mark Voxland said on Sunday. No breaches of dikes were reported, he said. "Sandbagging is ramping up again," said Mike Redlinger, Moorhead city manager. "We're evaluating our supplies." Sandbagging operations came to a close in Fargo on Friday, after weary volunteers had filled about 3 million sandbags. See map of affected area » . About 1,700 National Guard members were checking dikes in the city of about 90,000 residents. Mahoney said the city -- North Dakota's most populous -- also had prepared "sand balloons," about two tons of sand that could be dropped via helicopter onto any breach. President Obama said he was monitoring the situation carefully. The president has signed emergency and disaster declarations for Minnesota and North Dakota, freeing up federal funds for the region. Saturday's flood crest at Fargo set a new level that had held since 1897, when the Red River flooded and reached 40.1 feet at the city. The Red River approached the 1897 level in 1997, when it reached 39.6 feet, a level that many residents thought would be the highest they'd ever see. "Everybody thought after '97 that we had seen the worst possible situation," Fargo resident Jim Shaw said. "We thought we were safe, we survived that one, we're good for the rest of our lives. So believe it or not, even though this area is prone to flooding, this is a big shock, this is a big stunner, and it's probably a wake-up call," he said. "Some people might reconsider wanting to stay here." CNN's Susan Roesgen, Steve Kastenbaum, Dina Majoli and Chuck Johnston contributed to this report. | Officials expect continued receding despite coming snow, but wind a concern .
Red River at Fargo nearly foot below Saturday's level .
Flooding of homes, school a "wake-up call," Fargo mayor says .
Two deaths, 50 injuries blamed on flood-related incidents . |
184,759 | 7b51e5425c78416ec47a754e51e321ca36f71846 | By . Darren Boyle . A Russian tycoon who was gunned down in front of his luxury London flat two years ago will face an extradition hearing in September over an alleged plot to assassinate a rich banker. German Gorbuntsov, 48, who was shot six times in a murder attempt in March 2012, is wanted in Moldova to stand trial over the claims. He was discharged from hospital today after having surgery for his injuries. German Gorbuntsov, pictured, was shot six times outside his London flat in March 2012 . Gorbuntsov is accused of ordering the contract killing of businessman Renat Usatiy, in a fight for control of a bank. He was not required to attend the hearing today at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The extradition hearing will take place on September 1 at Westminster Magistrates' Court in front of senior district judge Howard Riddle. Gorbuntsov went into hiding at a secret address guarded by armed police after the shooting two years ago. Following the botched murder attempt in March 2012, detectives released CCTV images of a man suspected of carrying out the shooting. A suspected was seen in Canary Wharf underground station. Authorities in Moldova want to question Gorbuntsov over an assassination plot against Renat Usatiy, pictured . Michael Evans, representing Gorbuntsov, said there is an ongoing threat to the defendant’s life. ‘The assassins are still at large, as are the people who instructed them,’ he said. ‘Gorbuntsov’s life could be endangered.’ He added: ‘Gorbuntsov has been in hospital and on bail to the hospital address. ‘It was anticipated he would be in hospital for four weeks for an operation following on from the 2012 assassination attempt. ‘This morning doctors told him he had made a speedy recovery and they want to discharge him today. ‘We would like to make an application to vary bail to his home address with curfew conditions.’ The feud allegedly started after Mr Usatiy bought a stake in Universal Bank in Moldova for £1.2 million at a time when Gorbuntsov was facing debt problems. Moldovan prosecutors have confirmed their request to Britain to put Mr Gorbuntsov on trial. There will be a preliminary hearing on August 6. Gorbuntsov is on bail with a curfew requirement. The suspect, pictured, shot German Gorbuntsov at least six times with a handgun before fleeing . Officers investigating the attempted murder released CCTV footage from Canary Wharf station . The suspect, left, escaped from the scene of the crime on March 20, 2012 using public transport . | German Gorbuntsov was shot six times in the chest by a would-be assassin .
Gorbuntsov needed emergency surgery following the March 2012 shooting .
The businessman is accused of trying to arrange the murder of a rival .
Moldovan authorities wish to extradite Gorbuntsov to answer the charges .
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' court on September 1 . |
99,476 | 0c28fbc3af2ee29adf8be9b8ec25a2d4bb258878 | By . Bianca London . Spend hours in the gym carving out abs good enough to grate cheese on but nowhere to show them off? Well maybe your body ifs good enough to be on the books of a new model agency called Ripped. As the name suggests, it's looking for well honed men and women who have an athletic body they want to showcase. How do you get noticed? Founder James said it goes without saying that you have to have an amazing figure to be apart of the agency . The agency describes itself as an 'elite group of the UK’s fittest male and female fitness models and bodybuilders who either work in the fitness industry, are passionate about sports, are competitive bodybuilders or simply live for their next workout.' Ripped claims it's at the very cutting edge of fitness and specialise in fitness, underwear, sports, physique and fashion modelling. A lot of the 60 models on its books, who range from a 16-year-old to a 38-year-old, also go on to do swimwear, sportswear, protein bars and vitamin range campaigns. Most of the talent work as bodybuilders, circus performers, boxers, martial artists, fire-breathers and fire fighters and model in their free time. Peak physical condition: Ripped claims it's at the very cutting edge of fitness. One of their models, Adam, 26, is an example of this . Range of talent: A lot of the 60 models on its books go on to do swimwear, sportswear, protein bars and vitamins and supplement range campaigns . In shape: Speaking about the agency, the founder described fitness modelling as an 'art-form' The agency don't charge the models to be listed on its website and claim to only take a small commission when one of their models gets signed for a job. Speaking about setting up the agency, founder James Bishop said: 'I have always believed in physical fitness as a way of de-stressing and as a way of getting some good, quality time to yourself. 'I also enjoy seeing the results it brings. So, I decided to open the agency and it has gone from strength to strength in the short time it has been open.' 'Fitness modelling is an art-form,' he added. 'Just as an artist will put all his efforts into the final product, so do our guys and girls. They spend hours in the gym most days to reach perfection - and this is what our clients want. 'There are huge numbers of underwear brands, fitness equipment manufacturers and fashion labels who want models who are at the peak of their physical fitness. 'They want guys with abs of steel, powerful pecs and muscles on top of their muscles and ripped or defined girls who are the picture of health and fitness. 'Our models are dedicated to their training. Most of them work out in the gym as the basics, most supplement this with running, team sports and swimming. Some of our guys and girls are professional athletes and of course, some have full-time jobs. We have a firefighter, a serving soldier and, of course, we have lots of personal trainers on our books. They work out! Most of the models at Ripped work out in the gym as the basics and most supplement this with running, team sports and swimming or body building like Richard, pictured . 'There has been lots of media attention in recent years about the negative effect of using size-zero models, and there will always be a stereotype that models exist on one lettuce leaf a day. 'Our guys and girls are the opposite. They can eat up to 6,000 calories of nutritional - this is the keyword - food a day, but of course they burn it off through their exercise and training, leaving an amazing body which can potentially earn them thousands.' Speaking about the agency and getting noticed, James said: 'It goes without saying that you have to have an amazing figure. With guys, you can be a huge man-mountain of muscle like a really huge bodybuilder, or you can be slim and defined. Here come the girls: For girls to get noticed, James said you can be petite and slim, or again, bigger defined bodybuilders adding that 'as long as you look amazing, you will be fine' 'What you must have are impressive abs though, this is the true mark of a fitness model. 'For girls, you can be petite and slim, or again, bigger defined bodybuilders. As long as you look amazing, you will be fine. 'What sets us apart though is that we insist you are fun to work with, and are down to earth. We don't put up with divas and neither do we think much to dull personalities. 'If you look good, know how to stay calm and happy, love showing off your body then please get in touch.' For more information, visit rippedmodels.co.uk . | Ripped was set up by James Bishop .
Has 60 models who take fitness regime seriously .
Go on to model for fitness brands and sports fashion brands .
A lot of them work as bodybuilders, acrobats and firefighters . |
203,323 | 9334431f9cdd1738e354864a48fa8d47910f8e00 | Is there anything more important to a bride and groom at their reception than getting that all important first wedding dance just right? Perhaps ensuring that there is at least one super-cute kid making everyone smile by busting a few serious dance moves. This little boy was captured on film expressing himself through dance in the way only young children can, and YouTube regular Blake Weir posted it on his page with the title 'The best dancer I've ever seen' - for obvious reasons. One Direction eat your heart out: The boy is clearly enjoying himself as he spins around and points his toes . The dance floor is mainly filled with children but one little boy stands out a mile with his unforgettable dance moves. The phrase 'dance like nobody is watching' might have been invented for this little boy as he spins around, jumps and leaps in the air and generally looks like he's having the time of his life. Oblivious to his surroundings - and to the fact that he's being filmed by one of the wedding guests - he gives One Direction a run for their money with his highly original dance moves. Get your groove on: The boy is certainly light on his feet - perhaps helped by the fact that he's kicked his shoes off and is able to slide around on the dancefloor. The arm movements are pretty cool too . The man filming the footage is clearly impressed by the display, commenting: 'Look at this kid go. Yes, he is fabulous.' As the boy approaches a young girl his age, the man filming says: 'Leave her alone it's all you bro you got this.' Laughing at the energetic display, he adds: 'He is talented.' he's been inspired by modern singers and dance groups or perhaps seen some old films with Fred and Ginger isn't clear, but this boy has certainly got some style. At one point he spins around and nearly loses his balance but manages to recover himself and carry on dancing totally unconcerned about who is watching. | Super-cute kid busts some serious moves at a wedding .
Boy dances like no one's watching, totally engrossed .
Video was posted on YouTube with the title 'Best dancer I've ever seen' |
242,384 | c5bc98eb9a56257a6c3a707fc3be2f45988d5e7a | Arlington, Texas (CNN) -- A deep freeze across the South appears to have dampened the pre-Super Bowl fun for fans gathering in the Lone Star State. Salt spreaders and plows rumbled through Arlington, where sub-freezing temperatures hung in the air amid a mix of debilitating sleet and snow that canceled hundreds of flights Friday, raising questions about whether the Super Bowl host was ready for the rash of inclement weather. Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck gave the most direct response to critical out-of-towners who showed up days ahead of Sunday's big game, calling their chilly assessment a Super Bowl-size case of sour grapes. "They're probably jealous," Cluck said. "Everybody is going to be able get in and out easily. So I don't pay any attention to that." But former Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner called the city "unprepared" to handle the nation's biggest sporting event in the wintry weather. "When you drive around here right now, there's nothing going on," Warner said. "It's like the city is dead, which you don't expect Super Bowl week." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was a bit more diplomatic, saying the city faced "a few challenges that we didn't expect, weather-wise." The big game will be played in Cowboys Stadium -- a domed arena with a retractable roof. Ice and snow slid off the stadium roof Friday and caused injuries to workers below, authorities said. Gusty winds on the south side of the stadium sent ice falling up to 50-60 feet from the stadium, striking contract employees, according to fire department officials. One man was struck in the head by ice and was in stable condition at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, said Lt. Pedro Arevalo of the Arlington Fire Department. Five other men and women had minor injuries, he said. All stadium entrances have been closed except for an adjacent truck tunnel, which workers and visitors will exit through as a precaution, said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. "The ice should be melted off tomorrow," Arevalo told CNN Friday night, describing the hard freeze as extremely unusual. While Dallas Fort Worth Airport was open, although with reduced traffic, neighboring Love Field Airport in Dallas was closed until Friday afternoon, officials said. Flights later resumed. In Dallas, icy roads forced schools and some government offices to close earlier this week, said mayoral spokesman Frank Librio, who appeared undeterred by the weather. "We have been planning for this for a whole year," Librio said of Sunday's match-up between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. "We'll be ready." Both teams and their fans are cold weather clubs, accustomed to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Forecasters say the sub-freezing temperatures are likely to be gone by game day, when a high of 44 degrees is expected. While the weather outside won't exactly be balmy, the day might be remembered fondly three years from now. The New Meadowlands Stadium, co-owned by the New York Giants and the Jets, won the bid to host Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Fans may then be forced to don winter gloves underneath their giant foam fingers while inside the open-air stadium in what could be the first true cold-weather Super Bowl. The big game has always been played in either domed stadiums or traditionally warm-weather states. The 1967 "Ice-Bowl," in which Green Bay eked out a 21-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the 35th National Football League championship game, was played amid teeth-chattering temperatures at Lambeau Field. The Packers then traveled to the warmer climate of Miami to defeat the Oakland Raiders 33-14 in Super Bowl II. Sunday's game, Super Bowl XLV, is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m ET. CNN's Ed Lavandera and Phil Gast contributed to this report. | Ice and snow sliding off Cowboys stadium cause several injuries .
Former Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner calls the city "unprepared"
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck says, "Everybody is going to be able get in and out easily"
Hundreds of flights are canceled in Dallas because of the weather . |
210,951 | 9d359d7d55c30d240c50d750f11fa22c39effe9a | New York (CNN) -- The suspect in the Times Square bombing attempt was caught as he was seeking to flee to Pakistan, a nation that analyst Fareed Zakaria calls the "epicenter of Islamic terrorism." "It's worth noting that even the terrorism that's often attributed to the war in Afghanistan tends to come out of Pakistan, to be planned by Pakistanis, to be funded from Pakistan or in some other way to be traced to Pakistan," said Zakaria. He added that Pakistan's connection with terrorist groups goes back decades and has often been encouraged by that nation's military for strategic reasons. Faisal Shahzad, a 30-year-old naturalized citizen of Pakistani descent, had recently been trained in bomb making in Pakistan's Waziristan province, according to a federal complaint filed in court Tuesday. CNN reported Tuesday that Faisal Shahzad's father is a retired vice-marshal in the Pakistani Air Force. Shahzad was arrested around 11:45 p.m. ET Monday at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport just before he was to fly to Islamabad, Pakistan, by way of Dubai. Zakaria, author and host of CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS," spoke to CNN on Tuesday. Here is an edited transcript: . CNN: Based on what we know so far, what lessons can be learned from this incident? Fareed Zakaria: This does not seem to be part of a larger and more organized effort to penetrate the United States. That doesn't mean such efforts are not under way....it does make you realize just how open we are as a country and how open we are as a society. There is always a level of vulnerability that comes from being an open society and this guy, Mr. Shahzad obviously took advantage of that openness. CNN: Apparently he traveled to Pakistan on a number of occasions. Does that signal that Pakistan isn't vigilant enough about terrorism? Zakaria: Well it certainly signals something that we have known for a while, which is that Pakistan is the epicenter of Islamic terrorism. ... The British government has estimated that something like 80 percent of the terror threats that they receive have a Pakistani connection. So there's no question that Pakistan has a terrorism problem. It has radical groups within the country that have the ability to recruit people and have access to resources that makes for a very combustible mixture. It should remind us that even when looking at the war in Afghanistan, ultimately the most important place where jihadis are being trained and recruited is not in Afghanistan but in Pakistan. And there's no other part of the world where you have quite the same concentration of manpower, resources and ideology all feeding on each other. CNN: What feeds the ideology that drives the terror effort? Zakaria: Pakistan has been conducive to this kind of jihadis for a number of reasons. For the last three or four decades, the Pakistani government, the Pakistani military has supported, funded many of these groups in a bid to maintain influence in Afghanistan, in a bid to maintain an asymmetrical capacity against India -- in other words, to try to destabilize India rather cheaply through these militant groups rather than frontally through its army. So it has found it useful to have these militant groups and to support them. It has always assumed that these groups will not attack Pakistanis and therefore was not a threat to Pakistan itself. And to a large extent that's true, these groups by and large have attacked people in Afghanistan, India, in the West but not in Pakistan. But that is changing, because these groups are so intermingled and often sufficiently ideological, and also because the Pakistani military is beginning to take them on. But fundamentally the reason this has gone on is that there has been a policy of the Pakistani state and particularly the Pakistani military, to encourage these groups, to fund them, to ignore their most pernicious activities. And some of it goes back even further than four decades. In the 1965 war against India, the Pakistanis used Islamic jihadis... And the great hope now is that finally the Pakistani government is getting serious about this. Frankly it remains a hope. CNN: Why do you say that it's only a hope? Zakaria: Over the last few years, it appears that the Pakistani government has begun to understand that these groups all meld together, that they are a threat to a stable and viable modern Pakistani state. But when I talk about the Pakistani government you have to realize that there are different elements in it. The Pakistani civilian government really does understand the danger that Islamic terrorism poses to Pakistan, but the civilian government in Pakistan appears quite powerless. Most power lies with the military. The military in Pakistan has a somewhat more complex attitude. It does believe that these militants have gone too far. It does believe that it has to take on the militants. And it has actually battled them quite bravely over the last few years. CNN: So what's the reason for thinking the military supports militant groups? Zakaria: It still holds within it the view that at the end of the day, the United States will leave the region and that they will have to live in a neighborhood which will have a very powerful India and an Afghanistan that is potentially a client state of India's -- and that in order to combat this Indian domination, they need to maintain their asymmetrical capabilities, their militant groups. It is interesting to note that Ahmed Rashid, who may be the most respected Pakistani journalist, has reported on the way in which Pakistani government has thwarted and put obstacles in the way of any kind of talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. The message it has sent to the Afghan government is very clear. If you want to have any negotiations with the Taliban, you have to understand that since we are the critical intermediary -- since the Taliban leadership all lives in Pakistan -- the Pakistani military's terms to the Afghan government are, we want you to push back on Indian influence in Afghanistan, we want you to shut down Indian consulates in various Afghan cities. In other words, the Pakistani government is still obsessed with the idea of an Indian domination of the region, and they're using their influence with the Taliban to try to counter Indian influence. This is the old game that the Pakistanis have played. That's what makes me skeptical that there's been a true strategic revolution in Pakistan... There are still people who believe that there are good terrorists and bad terrorists, and some you can work with to further Pakistan's goals. CNN: In the attempted car bombing in Times Square and the Christmas Day attempted bombing, you have two failed plots that don't appear to be highly sophisticated. Does that tell us anything about the terror groups? Zakaria: At some level, that tells you about the weakness of the terror groups. You do not have highly organized terrorist groups with great resources and capacity that are able to plan spectacular acts of terrorism the way they were in the 1990s and on 9/11. What you have now are more isolated, disorganized lone rangers and while they're obviously very worrying and one has to be extremely vigilant, it is also at some level a sign of the weakness of an organization like al Qaeda that it is not able to do the kind of terrorist attacks it used to. To be sure, it's important to be very vigilant and make sure you have groups like al Qaeda on the run. But I don't know that in a free society, you will ever be able to prevent an individual with no background in terrorism who's broken no laws and is radicalized from attempting to make some kind of trouble. | Naturalized U.S. citizen of Pakistani descent charged in Times Square bomb probe .
Authorities say he received bomb training in Pakistan's Waziristan region .
Fareed Zakaria says Pakistan has encouraged Islamic terrorist groups for decades .
Zakaria: Pakistani military sees militant groups as a weapon to prevent Indian domination . |
14,175 | 283a81605ddff80cf2f791097d28da5cd0b06dc5 | A man who was hit by an alleged drunk driver has miraculously survived. The incident took place in the city of Amol, in Iran. The pedestrian, who has not been named, had been returning to his car outside a supermarket at 2am. Just seconds later, as he is preparing to open his vehicle, another driver ploughs into the back of him at high speed. The man was catapulted six-feet backwards and was thrown across the pavement, with the oncoming car appearing to miss him by inches. Amazingly, the man was not killed, and is reported to be in a stable condition. The only injuries he sustained were said to be three fractured bones, in his arm, leg and back. The pedestrian, who has not been named, had been returning to his car outside a supermarket at 2am when the incident took place . Amazingly, the man was not killed, and is reported to be in a stable condition. The only injuries he sustained were said to be three fractured bones, in his arm, leg and back . The footage was captured by the supermarket’s CCTV camera, and was released by the shop’s owner, Hashem Bena. Mr Bena decided to release the video in a bid to warn people about the dangers of drink driving, and ‘how easily it can be to destroy the lives of innocent people in mere seconds’. | The incident took place in the city of Amol, in Iran .
Amazingly, the man was not killed and is said to be in a stable condition .
Footage captured by supermarket CCTV and released by the shop’s owner .
The only injuries sustained were fractured bones in his arm, leg and back . |
21,452 | 3cef98bb60c922a9f67570dcee50ddce281ca17d | By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 1:19 PM on 8th September 2011 . America faced a fresh threat of another pounding from Mother Nature today as three extreme weather fronts began to sweep towards the coastline. Tropical Storm Nate sprang to life in the western Gulf of Mexico on last night, Tropical Storm Maria formed in the Atlantic and Hurricane Katia churned up surf along Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast, forecasters said. The trio of tropical cyclones . came during what is traditionally the busiest part of the . June-through-November hurricane season in the Atlantic basin. Cyclones: This satellite image obtained from the NASA/NOAA GOES Project shows Hurricane Katia (L) and Tropical Storm Maria (R) on September 7, 2011 . Thousands of Americans were fleeing the U.S. East Coast today after being ordered to evacuate during flash floods which have taken two lives. Heavy rains have seen severe weather warnings issued from Maryland to New York early on Thursday morning. In Derry Township, Pennsylvania, an elderly man trying to get water from his basement was killed when the house's foundations collapsed. A motorist in Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania, was also killed after becoming trapped in their vehicle early on Thursday during extreme weather. Rescue: A woman and her dogs are recovered from their home as the remains of Tropical Storm Lee cause havoc in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania . Damage: A 500-ton crane carrying out repair work on the Washington DC National Cathedral collapsed as thunderstorms struck the city overnight . The National Weather Service issued several flash flood warnings early Thursday for parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Mandatory evacuation orders were also issued across several parts of New York state as officials predicted the rain would worsen on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. 'At . this time of year we are essentially at the peak of the hurricane . season,' said John Cangialosi, a hurricane specialist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. Tropical Storm Maria, the 13th named . storm of the 2011 hurricane season, was racing westward across the . tropical Atlantic, with tropical storm watches being issued for the . Leeward Islands, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its . report late Wednesday. The NHC said the government of Antigua has issued a tropical storm watch . for the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, Nevis and Saint Kitts . in the Leeward Islands. At 11:00pm EST, Maria was located about 1,070 miles . east-southeast of the Leeward Islands and was packing maximum sustained . winds of 50mph, the NHC added. Maria was moving toward the west near 23mph, and . this rapid motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours, the . NHC said. Gaining strength: Tropical Storm Maria, the 13th named storm of the 2011 hurricane season, is racing westward across the tropical Atlantic . Storm watch: At 11:00pm EST, Maria was located about 1,070 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands and was packing maximum sustained winds of 50mph . 'Interests elsewhere in the Leeward Islands, The Virgin Islands and . Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of Maria,' the NHC said. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Nate formed in Mexico's Bay of Campeche, prompting the Mexican government to issue storm warnings for its coast from Chilitepec to Celestun. Nate was about 125 miles west of Campeche and had sustained winds of 45mph. It was forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by Friday and move slowly north and then northwest toward the Mexican coast, the U.S. forecasters said. Coastal residents in the warning area could start feeling its gusts and rain by Wednesday night, they said. 'Data from the Pemex oil rigs in the Bay of Campeche measured sustained winds of 43 mph gusting to 50 mph,' the U.S. forecasters said. Trajectory: Forecasters predict Tropical Storm Nate will make landfall in Mexico on Monday evening . Satellite: Coastal residents in the warning area felt Nate's gusts and rain on Wednesday night . Crude oil futures rebounded sharply, partly on fears that Nate could disrupt U.S. and Mexican oil and natural gas operations in the Gulf. Nearly 37 per cent of U.S. oil production in the Gulf remained offline from Tropical Storm Lee's trek through the region last weekend, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said. Katia weakened significantly in the last two days but was still a hurricane with 80mph winds, making it a Category 1 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson intensity scale. It was a Category 4 at its peak. Katia was centred about 335 miles west-southwest of the island of Bermuda and was expected to pass between the eastern U.S. coast and Bermuda by Thursday. Forecasters said the core of the storm would stay out to sea but Katia was wide enough that its outer squalls could reach the shores of Bermuda, a British territory and global reinsurance hub whose 70,000 residents were under a tropical storm watch. Danger: Even with Katia's centr likely staying well away from the U.S. coast, large swells will impact the East Coast the next few days . Taking a turn: Katia weakened significantly in the last two days but was still a hurricane with 80mph winds, making it a Category 1 storm . Katia generated large swells that kicked up the surf and caused dangerous rip currents along the beaches of the Eastern United States, Bermuda and parts of the Bahamas, the forecasters said. Once past Bermuda, Katia was forecast to curve eastward over open seas where it would pose no further threat until it nears Scotland on Monday. By then it will no longer be a tropical system, but could spread out into a larger storm. 'It'll likely be a very big, significant weather system,' Cangialosi said. 'It will evolve into a classic wintertime storm by the time it gets there.' | Tropical Storms Nate and Maria threaten Puerto Rico and Bay of Campeche .
Hurricane Katia and Tropical Storm Lee still causing waves and heavy rainfall .
Two killed in severe weather-related incidents in Pennsylvania .
Evacuation orders served across New York state . |
28,150 | 4fcca29aaa8352aaa1eb8bea504ec1f367e2f4cf | Revenue chiefs are naming and shaming tax dodging small firms while multinationals avoid paying billions. Nine ordinary business people, including a hairdresser and a coach operator, were listed by HMRC as part of a scheme to highlight deliberate defaulters. The idea is that the stigma of appearing on the list, to be updated every three months, will persuade those thinking of avoiding tax to pay up. Name and shame: The list, published on the HM Revenue and Customs website today, name individuals and companies who, after investigation by the HMRC, have been discovered to fail to fully enclose what they owe . List of shame: Nine ordinary business people, including a hairdresser and a coach operator, were named by HMRC today and more will get the same treatment . But MPs and tax experts last night criticised the plan for targeting ordinary individuals while doing nothing to uncover tax avoidance among big companies such as Starbucks, Amazon and Google. Twitter has also been awash with angry members of the public accusing HMRC of being too frightened to target the 'big boys'. Another tweeter said that big business is just allowed to send vast sums offfshore while the tax man embarrass 'small fry' firms. Richard Murphy, of Tax Research, said the list was ‘plain, straightforward hypocrisy’ which was simply ‘identifying plumbers and hairdressers when it should be naming global corporations’. ‘The people named are easy targets. There are clearly different categories of tax crime, with small businesses who put cash in HMRC’s pockets named and shamed; but banks, wealthy lawyers and global corporations offered anonymity. 'It seems that only little people pay tax and only little people are named and shamed.’ And Margaret Hodge, chairman of the . Commons public accounts committee, said: ‘They have named and shamed a . whole lot of small and medium sized businesses. 'That is welcome because everyone should pay their tax. But I hope that they are not letting bigger fish off of the hook.’ Easy targets: Richard Murphy, of Tax Research, said the list was 'straightforward hypocrisy' which was simply 'identifying plumbers and hairdressers when it should be naming global corporations' The . tax owed by the nine on the list amounted to less than £1million – far . less than the £5billion understood to be lost every year because of . aggressive tax avoidance by big corporations. Starbucks, Amazon and Google have all come under fire in recent months for complicated tax avoidance schemes. Coffee chain Starbucks had sales of £400million in the UK last year – but paid no corporation tax. Web . firm Amazon, which had sales of £3.4billion in 2011, only paid . £1.8million while Google paid just £6million out of UK turnover of . £395million. Speaking . in Bombay on Monday, Mr Cameron likened ‘aggressive’ forms of tax . avoidance by multinational companies to illegal tax evasion. ‘I think there is a legitimate debate to say very aggressive forms of avoidance are not appropriate,’ he said. ‘And particularly, in a country which has set a very low tax rate, it is fair to ask people to pay it.’ Earlier this week Mrs Hodge’s committee called on HMRC to publicly list promoters of tax avoidance schemes and those who used them. The list published yesterday by HMRC includes people who have been found guilty of evading more than £25,000 of tax. They were found during investigations . by the taxman after April 2010. Large firms on the other hand do not . evade tax; they seek ever more complicated legal ways of avoiding paying . it. The taxman has cracked down on smaller firms including a plumber. Other targets included a hairdress and coach operator (picture posed by model) Treasury minister . David Gauke said: ‘The publication of these names sends a clear signal . that cheating on tax is wrong and reassures people who pay their taxes – . the vast majority – that there are consequences for those who refuse to . tell HMRC about their full liability.’ When asked why no large corporations . were on the list, Mr Gauke said HMRC was taking action to close legal . loopholes, and those who prompted aggressive tax avoidance schemes were . also being exposed. The first list features nine names, including a hairdresser, the owner of a coach firm, a wine retailer and a knitwear manufacturer. They received fines ranging from a few thousand pounds to £291,830 for wine company The Trade Beverage Company of Mobberley in Cheshire. David Gauke said the publication of the names showed a clear signal that cheating on tax is wrong, but Margaret Hodge said she hoped the big fish were not being let off the hook . Under the new plan, called the . Managing Deliberate Defaulters scheme, anyone who evades tax will also . have their financial affairs watched closely for up to five years to . make sure they do not re-offend. The crackdown was aimed at deterring . would-be tax evaders. It started with letters being sent to 900 known . tax dodgers warning them they will stay in the Revenue’s sights for up . to the next five years. Ordinarily, tax offenders can be fined up to 100 per cent of the tax they have not paid, plus the payment of the back taxes plus interest. Offenders who have been trying to evade tax in some offshore jurisdictions now face fines of up to 200 per cent of their unpaid tax. HMRC has the option of prosecuting the worst offenders, which can lead to them being sent to jail if convicted. In order for someone to be named on the website, they must have failed to fully disclose what they owed at the outset. The taxman can only publish defaulters’ names for a year and within 12 months of the penalty becoming final. Details are published only once all appeal routes have been exhausted. Name . Business, trade or occupation . Address . Default dates . Tax defaulted . Penalty . Southport Leisure PLC . Licensed Bar and Club . Coronation Walk, Southport . 14/06/11 - 30/09/11 . £29,111 . £14,474 . Mr Joseph Tyrrell . Hairdresser . Prescot Road, Liverpool . 01/10/10 - 31/12/10 . £29,868 . £17,248 . The Trade Beverage Company Ltd . Wine trading . Marrion Drive Mobberley Cheshire . 01/04/10 and 25/02/11 and 26/09/11 . £447,904.00 . £291,830.87 . Mr Rafique Maroof Raja . Grocer . Main Street, Thornton, Kirkcaldy . 03/12/10 - 27/06/11 . £27,889 . £27,889 . Mr S Stewart . Pipework Specialist . Bishops Court, Woolton, Liverpool . 06/04/10 - 05/04/11 . £28,536.00 . £10,986.36 . Mr David Alan Jay . Property Maintenance . Roseberry Gardens, Cranham, Essex . 06/04/10 - 05/04/11 and 06/04/11 - 05/04/12 . £39,055.00 £31,579.55 . £27,338.50 £22,105.68 . Gatemain Contractors Ltd . General Building . Holly Road Wainscot Rochester . 06/04/10 - 05/04/11 and06/04/11 - 05/04/12 . £54,687.00 £3337.65 . £32,538.77 £2336.65 . Menemis Ltd, trading as Unlimited Knits . Knitware Manufacturer . Byron Industrial Estate, Brookfield Rd, Nottingham . Dates between 01/04/10 and 31/03/11 . £86,765.84 . £86,765.84 . Mr Brian Clifford Tattersall . Coach Operator . Pixmore Avenue Bolton . Dates between 01/12/10 and 29/02/12 . £87,918 . £52,308 . | HM Revenue and Customs' list name both individuals and companies .
List contains tax dodgers who have defaulted on more than £25,000 .
It 'names and shames' a Liverpool hairdresser, a Cheshire wine trader and a Southport club and bar .
Public furious that HMRC appears 'too scared' to embarrass big business . |
195,277 | 88c7ac46360e1d247794919fd18a083dc37197ef | David Cameron has been urged by a Labour MP to give Dave Whelan's donation to the Conservative Party of £1.5million to charity in light of the Wigan owner's 'anti-Semitic and racist' remarks. Labour MP Karl Turner has written to the prime minister to suggest it would be more fitting the money Whelan has given to the Tories since 2007 be distributed to charities. Whelan has been forced to apologise for comments he made following the appointment of Malky Mackay, who is being investigated by the FA after Sportsmail revealed the 42-year-old sent and received racist, sexist and homophobic texts while he was manager of Cardiff City. THE LETTER Scroll down to read Labour MP Karl Turner's letter in full to David Cameron . Malky Mackay was unveiled at a press conference with owner Dave Whelan at the DW Stadium on Wednesday . Whelan, 77, caused a stir over his appointment of Mackay as the new Wigan manager earlier this week . Turner calls on Cameron to ‘personally condone or condemn’ the 77-year-old’s comments, with Whelan’s most recent contribution £100,000 in August 2014. Whelan sparked outrage on Thursday, making extraordinarily offensive remarks about Jewish people and the Chinese while defending his appointment of Mackay. 'The Jews don't like losing money,' Whelan said. 'Nobody likes losing money. Do you think Jewish people chase money a little bit more than we do? 'I think they are very shrewd people. It's telling the truth. Jewish people love money, English people love money; we all love money. 'If any Englishman said he has never called a Chinaman a "chink" he is lying. There is nothing bad about doing that. It's like calling the British Brits or the Irish paddies.' Turner, a Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East, writes in his letter that Cameron’s leadership should be questioned if he fails to 'act swiftly in this matter'. 'Given his status as a significant contributor to your re-election efforts you must now make it clear if you personally condone or condemn these comments. 'I hope that you agree with me that these anti-Semitic and racist comments have no place in modern British society, and as such I hope that you also agree with me that you must now give up any money that you have received from Mr Whelan and consider which charitable groups would be better recipients of it. 'Failure to act swiftly in this matter will show a lack of leadership. It will not be possible for you to simultaneously condemn offensive remarks while accepting large sums of money from those responsible for them.' Whelan pictured in 2013 with the FA Cup after Wigan stunned Manchester City at Wembley to win the trophy . Matt Lawton’s exclusives in August led the way over Mackay, who was back at Wigan on Wednesday . | Labour MP Karl Turner has called on prime minister David Cameron .
Wigan owner Dave Whelan has donated £1.5m since 2007 to the Tories .
The 77-year-old's last donation was £100,000 in August 2014 .
Whelan appointed Malky Mackay as Wigan manager on Wednesday .
His 'anti-Semitic and racist' remarks in the aftermath have caused outrage . |
236,077 | bd9c095d38eb7694bdcde97f8d6bfc3c438707eb | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 11:27 EST, 4 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:13 EST, 4 March 2013 . Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim was today named the world's richest man for the fourth year in a row as the annual Forbes magazine list was released. This year also marks the first time that Warren Buffett has dropped out of the top three in more than a decade. The list showed that poverty-stricken Nepal had gained its first ever billionaire, entrepreneur Binod Chaudhary, while in the UK the fortune of JCB mogul Anthony Bamford more than doubled to £2.8billion. Other British billionaires to make a splash on this year's edition of the list include larger-than-life businessmen such as Richard Branson, Philip Green and Bernie Ecclestone. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Billionaire: Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim remains at the top of the Forbes list with an estimated wealth of $73billion . Getting bumped: This is the first time sin 2000 that Warren Buffett was not in one of the top three spots on the annual Forbes list of the world's wealthiest people . 1. Duke of Westminster, 61 - £7.6billion . 2. David & Simon Reuben, 70 - £7billion . 3. Srichand & Gopichand Hinduja, 77 - £5.5billion . 4. Earl Cadogan, 75 - £3.7billion . 5. Philip Green, 60 - £3.3billion . Mr Slim's net worth increased to . $73billion from $69billion a year earlier. Bill Gates of Microsoft held . on to his spot at second place, but Berkshire Hathaway's Mr Buffett . slipped to the fourth spot with a $53.5billion net worth. Mr Buffett was surpassed by Spanish . clothier Amancio Ortega, owner of Zara, who jumped two spots from 2012 . with a net worth of $57billion. A record 1,426 people around the world made the Forbes latest annual tally of billionaires, up 16 per cent from last year. The average net worth of the individuals on the list was $3.8billion, rising three per cent from 2012's average of $3.7billion. A total of 37 people on the list were . citizens of the UK, with the Duke of Westminster leading the British . pack in 89th place with a fortune of $11.4billion (£7.6billion). The only other Britons to make it to . the top 200 were two sets of brothers - metals magnates David and Simon . Reuben, who between them control £7billion, and Srichand and Gopichand . Hinduja, owners of an Anglo-Indian conglomerate worth some £5.5billion. Fortune: The Duike of Westminster's property empire has earned him more than £7billion . Flamboyant: Richard Branson, left, and Philip Green, right, are both flying the flag for the UK . Rising fast: The wealth of JCB boss Anthony Bamford more than doubled to $4.2billion . A number of the newcomers made fashionable entrances onto the list, building their empires based around their clothing lines. Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana both reported $2billion each. Tory . Burch made her first formal appearance on the list as she has $1billion . to her name following her ex-husband Chris Burch's sale of part of her . fashion line. The line . with the biggest impact on the list comes from the high street world - . Amancio Ortega, the Spanish billionaire who owns Zara, unseated Warren Buffett to came in third place with $57billion. Other well-known British figures on . the list include entrepreneurs Richard Branson and James Dyson, Formula . One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, press barons Richard Desmond and the . Barclay brothers, Topshop boss Philip Green and former Tory deputy . chairman Lord Ashcroft. In addition, foreigners with strong . ties to Britain who can be found high on the Forbes list include . Lakshmi Mittal in 41st place, Richard Murdoch at 91 and Roman Abramovich . in number 107. Though the top spots remain occupied by some familiar faces, the list did undergo some major geographic and demographic changes this year. There are 210 new billionaires from 42 countries, including 27 from the United States. Sixty people have dropped off the list and eight have died. Dressing the people: Armacio Ortega (left) came in at number two because of his wealth from Zara, while Bernard Arnault from the LVMH group (right) filled out the top ten . The Asia-Pacific region saw the biggest number fall off the list with 29, followed by the United States, which lost 16. The United States had the most billionaires with 442, followed by Asia-Pacific with 386, Europe with 366, Middle East and Africa with 103 and the Americas, excluding the United States, with 129. The number of female billionaires rose . to 138 - less than 10 per cent of the total - from 104. The United States has 50 female billionaires, followed . by 35 in Europe and 22 in Asia-Pacific. Most . of the billionaires are self-made, 961, while 184 inherited their . wealth and 281 inherited part of it and are increasing it. 1. Carlos Slim, 73 - $73billion 6. Charles Koch, 77 - $34billion . 2. Bill Gates, 57 - $67billion 7. David Koch, 72 - $34billion . 3. Amancio Ortega, 76 - $57billion 8. Li Ka-shing, 84 -, $31billion . 4. Warren Buffett, 82 - $53.5billion 9. Liliane Bettencourt, 90 - $30billion . 5. Larry Ellison, 68 - $43billion 10. Bernard Arnault, 63 - $29billion . Friends with money: Buffett and Bill Gates are regularly the two highest Americans on the list, and this year Gates' (right) estimated net worth of $67billion outranked Buffett . The oldest billionaires, on average, are in the Americas, with an average age of 67, with those in the United States slightly younger at 65. Saudi Arabia's 93-year-old Sulaiman Al Rajhi, the chairman of the Al Rajhi Bank, whose estimated net worth is $6 billion, is tied for having the most children of those on the list - with 23. Roman Avdeev, the owner of the Credit Bank of Moscow, also has 23 children, 19 of whom are adopted. The 45-year-old's fortune is valued at $1.4billion. Though the ages of the billionaires listed include a large range through the decades, only four of the top fifty are under the age of 50. Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com is the only one to make it to the top 20 before hitting the mid-life milestone, having accrued a net worth of $25.6billion by the age of 49. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE . | Duke of Westminster is highest British entry with £7.6billion fortune . |
54,704 | 9afee2c140ef903280d30807d5d15d0dc9f95368 | A house where a wealthy jewellery designer was tortured and burned alive has sold for well over its asking price, despite being put up for sale while the murderers were still on trial. An estate agent said the real-life house of horrors in the village of Fernhurst, near Midhurst, West Sussex, which was left gutted by the blaze 'exceeded all expectations' even though the brochure detailed the horrendous crime. The frank listing included grim photographs of the boarded-up semi-detached property, which was set alight by the killers in a bid to destroy evidence. Macabre: The house where jewellery designer Michael Griffiths was burned to death sold for well over the asking price while his killers were still standing trial . Michael Griffiths, 59, was bound, tortured, and eventually killed by 'ruthless' gangsters searching for diamonds worth £40,000, a court heard. He was attacked and doused in an accelerant before his once pretty home was set alight. Prosecutor Christine Laing told Hove Crown Court the 'well-liked' victim was tortured in a 'protracted assault' involving weapons and strangulation. Victim: Michael Griffiths, 59, was bound, tortured, and eventually killed by 'ruthless' gangsters searching for diamonds worth £40,000 . Estate agent Henry Adams said contracts for the three-bedroom family home were exchanged while the defendants were in the dock. The property had a guide price of £100,000, but the undisclosed selling price is said to have 'exceeded all expectations'. It is believed the home was previously worth three times the guide price, at around £300,000. Potential buyers were told they had a 'rare and exciting opportunity' to completely refurbish the 'deceptively spacious' house. Gutted: The living room of the property in the village of Fernhurst, near Midhurst, West Sussex . It is believed the home was previously worth three times the guide price, at around £300,000 . The property had a guide price of £100,000, but the undisclosed selling price is said to have 'exceeded all expectations' The advert added: “As the pictures show, the property has been badly damaged by fire and requires complete refurbishment. 'We are obliged to make all potential purchasers aware that there was a murder committed at the property.' The house has a lounge, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, large gardens, a garage, driveway for two car, and external workshop. The . advert said: 'Stunning areas of National Trust and Areas of Outstanding . Beauty can be found locally for walking and riding enthusiasts to . enjoy. Guilty: Zac Cowdery, left, and Harvey Mumford, right, broke into Mr Griffiths home and lay in wait for him to return. They were found guilty of murder and each sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 32 years . Simon Penton, 27, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 26 years in prison . 'There are good road . links to London and the south coast and Haslemere mainline station . offers a fast train service to London Waterloo in around 52 minutes.' Miss . Laing said firefighters who found Mr Griffiths initially thought he had . no legs because they had been “hog-tied” behind his back. The . antiques dealer and jewellery designer - who was single and lived alone . - hoped to sell the two diamonds, which he kept at his home. His mutilated body was discovered by police at 7am on January 24, 2012, having suffered multiple head injuries. Zac Cowdrey, 24, from Staines, Surrey, and Harvey Munford, 23, from Sunbury, Surrey, were convicted of murder. They both admitted conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and conspiracy to burgle. The pair were each jailed for life, and ordered to serve a minimum of 32 years. Simon Penton, 43, from Sunbury, Surrey, admitted conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for 26 years. Damian Krafft, 27, from Shepperton, Surrey, admitted conspiracy to burgle and was jailed for three years. A spokesman for Henry Adams estate agents said: 'Despite the history, the property attracted enormous interest. | Victim Michael Griffiths was tortured, doused in petrol and set on fire .
His killers were found guilty of murder and sentenced to total of 90 years .
The semi-detached property in West Sussex was left gutted by the blaze .
It was offered for sale at £100,000 in advert that detailed the appalling crime .
In good condition the property has an estimated value of £300,000 . |
104,342 | 129f524e6decb185183640bf348b1a96bd717f26 | By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 05:47 EST, 9 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:48 EST, 9 April 2013 . You might not want to try to pop a wheelie while riding this incredible contraption, a 44ft bicycle that has been created by Indonesian villagers out of rusting iron pipe. It seats just one person and was hand crafted out of 84 feet of piping in Blawe village, Kediri, in East Java. The bicycle has been officially recorded by the Indonesian Record Museum after it beat the previous holder by eight feet. Pedal power: Villagers in Kediri, Indonesia, have built a 44ft bicycle out of scrap metal. It seats just one rider . Record-breaker: The bike is officially Indonesia's longest, although it falls well short of the world record . But despite breaking the Indonesian title, this effort has a long way to go before it beats the world record. That is held by Mijl van Maers Werkploeg, who built one measuring a whopping 117ft 5in long on August 5, 2011 in Maarheeze in the Netherlands. To qualify as the longest true bicycle, the Dutchman's creation could have only two wheels and no stabilisers. The bicycle was operated by two people, one steering at the front and one pedalling at the back. Manoeuvre: The bicycle is so large a small team of people is needed to move it into position . The world's longest bike was built by Dutchman Mijl van Maers Werkploeg and measured a incredible117ft 5in . | The stupendous cycle was created from rusty iron pipes .
It has been recognised as Indonesia's longest ever .
However, it falls well short of world record holding 117ft Dutch bike . |
29,489 | 53d504bbc147e7c14b2ab991dfd2cfcbc32c49aa | Menlo Park, California (CNN) -- On Monday, Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, posted on Netflix's blog that the popular online movie rental service would not be breaking off its DVD-by-mail business from its online streaming business. This was Netflix's third major announcement relating to changes in pricing and service offering in four months. Like BlackBerry and Bank of America, both of which have recently borne the wrath of disappointed customers, Netflix has been subject to tremendous criticism over the past few months. (Full disclosure: I consulted for Netflix for about two years between 2003 and 2005.) While Netflix is taking a beating, with rapidly declining market valuation, angry customers and negative media coverage, Hastings' announcement actually signals the company's willingness to keep tinkering until it gets the service right. He is that rare public company CEO who is willing to take a risk, make mistakes in public and keep trying new things. For that, he deserves some credit. Netflix raised its prices in response to the expected increase in content pricing from major studios, which the company believed made Netflix's flagship offering, one-DVD-out-at-a-time-plus-unlimited-streamed-content for $9.99, impossible for them to continue. As a result, in July, it announced plans to split the DVD business and the streaming business, charging $7.99 for each. Netflix's goal was to convert current clients from "DVDs and streaming" to "DVDs or streaming" and charging a premium for customers wanting to stay with both. The announcement was seen as an attempt to raise the price by 60% without offering additional value, and customer response was fast and negative. Since then, Netflix has been attacked from all sides for poor communication, poor product strategy and poor pricing decisions. Indeed, its communication has been poor: first with the July announcement, because it was misleading, and then with the September and October announcements, because they focused on responding to the wrong problem, thinking customers were angry because they didn't know which of the two new options to choose. In fact, customers were angry because they were being forced to choose or to pay more. Hastings knows that he needs to transition his subscribers from old media (DVDs) to new (streaming) and has been methodically preparing for this transition for several years. The problem came in the timing and the messaging of the transition, not in the transition itself. Too many businesses have failed because they failed to focus on the benefits they provided their customers instead of the technology they used. Companies committed to trains word processors, and typewriters were forced to consolidate or go bankrupt as their technologies became obsolete and they failed to adapt. In their place, consumers spend their money on cars, PCs and tablets. Netflix tried to make that transition, and the process has been painful but may yet be successful. In subscription-based businesses, it is nearly impossible to raise the price for a service without dramatically improving the offering. Since the initial July announcement, Netflix has inked favorable streaming deals with several major studios, including Dreamworks, Epix (Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount), Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel -- a fact Hastings referred to in his most recent blog post. Had Netflix been able to time the price increase with the announcement of significant new streaming content, consumers might have accepted the change. Netflix took a big risk with its new business model and pricing structure. Hastings had a vision of where he wanted his company to go and made some mistakes trying to achieve that vision. Some of those mistakes look like they may have been avoidable, especially in hindsight. Despite my personal annoyance at the price hike and the inconsistent messages, I continue to respect Netflix and its brave CEO for their (multiple) public apologies, their speed in developing a new service (Qwikster) and their speed in canceling Qwikster when they saw the negative response. Hastings "failed fast" and then adjusted and adjusted again, which can be painful. His willingness to move forward, even in the face of public criticism, is all too rare among public company CEOs. Netflix is still a "buy" in my book. It knows how to deliver video content through multiple channels. It seems to be making headway in its studio deals, and it is willing to act fast, admit mistakes and keep moving forward. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Robbie Kellman Baxter. | Since July, Netflix has been taking a beating, says Robbie Kellman Baxter .
It raised prices by 60% and made, and then unmade, a drastic change, she says .
Baxter: But Netflix's CEO, Reed Hastings, is willing to make mistakes and take risks .
"Netflix is still a 'buy' in my book," because it's moving forward, says Baxter . |
37,119 | 6937d304bb8f52f4f2132d3634d4ee24dd5199d0 | (CNN) -- Michael Jackson's life has ended, but the legal battles over his possessions, his debts and his children are likely just beginning. Michael Jackson, seen here with two of his three children, died suddenly on Thursday. Perhaps the biggest and saddest question is what will happen to the late singer's two sons and his daughter: 12-year-old Prince Michael I, 11-year-old Paris and 7-year-old Prince Michael II. Normally in such cases, care of the children would be taken over by the surviving parent or a close relative. But as with many other aspects of Jackson's life, his family situation was complex, unusual and far from normal. Born to two mothers -- Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe and an unidentified woman who reportedly served as a surrogate -- the children lived and traveled the world with Jackson, their faces often covered by veils and masks when appearing in public. Rowe gave up her parental rights to her two kids with the singer, but later battled to have them restored. She may be considered to take over custody for Prince Michael I and Paris, said CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, who has followed Jackson's legal woes for years. "Certainly any court that is looking at that sort of question will say, if the father dies who is the mother and would we consider giving the children to the mother?" Toobin said. "As I understand it, in later years after a substantial amount of time when Debbie Rowe didn't see those children at all, she started to have a relationship with them again. So she'd certainly be an obvious candidate for custody of those two children." Watch Toobin talk about Jackson's legal issues » . The question of custody for the third child would be even more up in the air since his mother was likely never involved in his life, Toobin added. The three kids are staying with their paternal grandmother, Katherine Jackson, People magazine reported. She may just wind up keeping them, observers said. "Katherine is the logical choice -- she has all the grandkids and nieces around her but it will be up to the courts," said Brian Oxman, a former Jackson family attorney, according to People. "I wouldn't be surprised if there are more proceedings regarding the children." Complications may already be looming on the horizon. Katherine Jackson may wish to keep the children, but Michael Jackson wanted them to be taken care of by their nanny if anything happened to him, ABC News reported, quoting Stacey Brown, co- author of "Michael Jackson Behind the Mask." Meanwhile, Rowe's former attorney tells People that a judge returned parental rights to Rowe in 2005, so she is the legal parent of her two children with Jackson and can gain custody of them. Chaotic legal life . Instructions specifying who should care for children after a parent's death are often left in a will, but it's not known whether Jackson had one prepared before his untimely passing. "Michael Jackson led an extremely chaotic financial and legal life. ... Given how chaotic his life was, did he even have a will?" Toobin said. Beyond the question of Jackson's children, a will may also be key to answering questions about what's left of his estate. The pop star's financial ups and downs have been as well-chronicled as his personal problems, including a near-bankruptcy and the threatened foreclosure of his Neverland ranch. Jackson accumulated almost $500 million in debt by living large over the years, but he also had considerable assets when he died, including his own music royalties and a 25 percent stake in a music publishing library that contained many Beatles songs, Fortune reported. Those assets might prompt new legal battles and it may be a long time before the dust settles. "[Jackson] was surrounded by some of the sleaziest, most unethical advisers who came in and came out and he has had a tremendous amount of litigation in his life," Toobin said. "His death will be followed by a great deal of further litigation. ... The sad thing about that is that if it does, it will be part of a pattern that those of us who followed Michael's life saw, which is that ... lots of people with no talent, with none of his charisma, with none of his spirit, lawyers, publicists, hangers on who made money off of his earnings continuing after his death." | Michael Jackson had three children with two women .
Ex-wife gave up her parental rights, but later fought to have them restored .
She may be considered to take over custody for her two kids with Jackson .
It's not known whether Jackson left a will . |
206,035 | 96b5c2cd390f0ca5ec4ff4cdafcadc26d548a322 | Roy Keane and Kevin Pietersen stole the show on Monday as a number of stunning revelations were released from their respective must-read autobiographies. In response, Sportsmail's top team of reporters have had a look at their bookcases and picked out some of their favourite sports reads of all time. ROB DRAPER . A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke (Ronald Reng) A Life Too Short is both a desperate tragedy and the most extraordinary piece of writing. It will also act as an antidote to the froth, nonsense and self importance of Kevin Pietersen. Early indications are that Pietersen has confused settling scores in what amounts to a playground argument as a substantial issue. A Life Too Short chronicles German international goalkeeper Robert Enke's battle with mental illness and his eventual suicide. Friend and journalist Ronnie Reng was allowed access to his private diaries to complete the work. I doubt there has ever been a sports book as moving or profound. A Life Too Short tales German international Robert Enke's battle with mental illness and his eventual suicide . JOE BERNSTEIN . This One's On Me (Jimmy Greaves) Twenty-four years before England's greatest striker released a second glossy autobiography Greavsie, he co-wrote a book that charted his life and career, from sporting icon to helpless alcoholic, with quite remarkable frankness and absence of self-pity. Greaves was between a glittering footballer career and becoming a genuine television star as one half of Saint & Greavsie at the time of publication of This One's On Me in 1979. It was an eye-opener for any fan who wanted to know what it was really like to be top-class player. He wrote about being a golden boy with Chelsea and Spurs, life as an early football expat in Italy, being frozen out of the World Cup final and his friendship with Bobby Moore. And the alcoholism that nearly killed him. Unlike George Best or Paul Gascogine, he refused to blame stardom or the media for his problems, which makes the book all the more fascinating. Jimmy Greaves' first autobiography is a remarkably frank piece into the life of a top-class footballer . MIKE DICKSON . The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro (Joe McGinniss) Like most good sports books The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro provides essential truths far beyond the pure subject matter. In this case it is about a small town football team from an unfashionable part of Italy and their unlikely rise to Serie B. The characters are richly portrayed and it takes you into a part of the world, sporting and geographically, that is rarely touched. Author Joe McGinniss, who died last year, also got lucky in that unexpected events only add to an already extraordinary tale. A very fine book that avoids so many of the usual football clichés. The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro (left) and I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) both make our writers' picks . LAURIE WHITWELL . I Am Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Zlatan Ibrahimovic) Coruscating from the very first words on his fallout with Pep Guardiola, this is a book that burrows into the veins of the football industry as much as life growing up in an immigrant family. Frank, funny, and fascinating to the last, his voice projects from the page and even his agent Mino Raiola is not spared from killer put downs. A real insight into one of the best minds to take to a pitch. CRAIG HOPE . Behind the Curtain: Travels in Eastern European Football (Jonathan Wilson) This is probably the only book I still pick up and reread the occasional chapter. Part history lesson, part travelogue, the subject – previously unchartered territory to my knowledge – and its characters are fascinating, some triumphant, many more tragic. I’ve always been intrigued by football in Eastern Europe, probably because of Red Star’s European Cup win in 1991, and this book feeds that hunger with a brilliant collection of anecdotes. I recently re-read the chapter on Croatia and the fall of Yugoslavia when travelling through the country with the voice of Slaven Bilic depicting the horror of war and subsequent rise of their football team. It’s witty, entertaining and informative. Just a very good read. Jonathan Wilson's 'Behind the Curtain' looks at Eastern European football during the era of the Soviet Union . MARK ALFORD . Unusual for me that my favourite two football books centre on a man who failed so abjectly as manager of super Leeds United. Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 Years with Brian Clough (Duncan Hamilton) Duncan Hamilton’s glorious account working with Brian Clough every single day for two decades. Hamilton was the Nottingham Post’s football correspondent. Hamilton – hands down – had the best and most difficult job in football journalism at the time. Imagine being told one day: ‘You’re f***ing banned forever from this ground. F***ing forever.’ Only for two days later to have Clough on the blower purring: ‘Get you’re a*** down here. I didn't mean it. Spur of the moment thing. Gone and forgotten now. Come down and we'll have a drink. I've got a story for you. Fancy a glass of champagne?’ Duncan Hamilton’s provides a glorious account of working with Brian Clough for 20 years . The Damned Utd (David Peace) David Peace’s Damned United – about Clough’s doomed 44-day tenure following the Don at Elland Road - is hauntingly dark and brilliantly researched. But where Hamilton’s account stands as a journalistic triumph, Peace is a glorious work of fiction that you so hope to be true. It made for quite a film, which you imagine Provided You Don’t Kiss Me would as well. Special mentions, too, for Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream (HG Bissinger’s account following a Texan high school’s American Football team, which inspired the Emmy-award-winning NBC TV series), David Storey’s This Sporting Life (a classic – for anyone daft enough to not appreciate rugby league) and, finally, Hoggy: Welcome To My World (Matthew Hoggard is ‘as mad as a box of frogs,’ according to Freddie Flintoff. Quite). JACK GAUGHAN . Forza Italia: The Fall and Rise of Italian Football (Paddy Agnew) The perfect mix of Italian life and its captivating football culture from the mid-80s, nobody is better placed to tell the inside story of Serie A’s various scandals – and how they were reported – than Agnew. He was in the Mediterranean for over two decades, at the heart of Diego Maradona’s rise at Napoli and the serious match-fixing problems. While Italy has changed immeasurably as a country since Agnew moved over there, the way in which he tells a footballing story paralleled with the state of the country at the time is fascinating. Read in three days on holiday. So too was Soccernomics (by Simon Kuper), although I’m not sure Albufeira was particularly ready for that. Forza Italia (left) and All Played Out (right) are two other recommendations from our writers . ADAM SHERGOLD . All Played Out: The Full Story of Italia '90 (Pete Davies) This all-encompassing account of England at the 1990 World Cup in Italy remains gripping even though we all know how the story turns out. Davies skilfully weaves together a narrative embracing the players, management, fans and opposition and makes it detailed but not at any point dull and simultaneously heart-warming and heart-breaking. The author was blessed with an incredible tale to work with of course - Gazza's tears, penalty pain - but the way in which Davies pulls it all together makes this a must-read. He also enjoyed access to his subjects in a way that will never now be repeated and they were all, to a man, open and honest with him. LUKE AUGUSTUS . Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World (Graham Hunter) A club that reinvented football, and laid down the foundations of Spain's international dominance between 2008-2012, this book provides a brilliant insight into the structure of Barcelona. Graham Hunter beautifully delves into the club's past from the successful Johan Cruyff's 'Dream Team' of the late 1980's and early 1990's and how that all conquering side moulded and defined the club's future from its academy to the first team which saw Pep Guardiola lead Lionel Messi and Co to 14 trophies in four mesmeric seasons. Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography provides an insight to his 26 years as Manchester United manager . Alex Ferguson My Autobiography (Alex Ferguson) Britain's most decorated manager led Manchester United to a period of dominance that English football had never seen before, yet he kept his guard well and truly up when it came to providing any insights into his secrets of success. Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography finally lifts the lid on his 26 years in charge of the Old Trafford hotseat. From his feuds with Roy Keane, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney to his formulae of winning 38 trophies - this book has it all. JONNY SINGER . A Season With Verona (Tim Parks) An English writer spends a season travelling around with a newly promoted Italian team, for their season in Serie A. From life on board the team plane to shockingly racist Ultras, this is a stark and revealing insight into Italian football. Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics (Jonathan Wilson) While autobiographies give you a snapshot of the game at any one moment, a book like this is on a different scale. A tactical odyssey, explaining where it all started, and how we got where we are today, from the days when teams lined up with seven forwards to the current trend of playing one up front. The best history of football you’ll read. A Season With Verona (left) and Craig Bellamy: GoodFella (right) complete our writer's recommendations . SEAN GALLAGHER . Craig Bellamy: GoodFella (Craig Bellamy and Oliver Holt) A misunderstood and controversial figure, this book highlights the true Craig Bellamy. It reveals how especially during his young years as a footballer of his tormented and dark days and how he struggled to cope with life after the tragic death of close friend Gary Speed. Despite all his on and off field problems no one can deny Bellamy’s passion for the game and this book underlines just this. Blessed - The Autobiography (George Best) Unlike other autobiographies you read this one really gets to grip with Best challenging his demons and his future from there on. It is refreshingly open and honest, and particularly poignant, as Best talks about his alcohol problems from the off, his string of female friends, and undisputed success with Manchester United. From a young boy in Belfast to a global super star, this book is one which can’t be missed. | Roy Keane's book The Second Half is published on Thursday .
Kevin Pietersen's autobiography is also published this week .
Sportsmail's reporters now pick their favourite sports books .
Choices include autobiographies by Sir Alex Ferguson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jimmy Greaves, Craig Bellamy and George Best . |
269,900 | e98e838aa2e007d2056c5d37924775ad9ce6a951 | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The rules governing air traffic over New York's Hudson River need to be rewritten to prevent another mishap like this month's fatal collision of a small plane and a sightseeing helicopter, federal safety investigators said Thursday. The wreckage of a plane that collided with a helicopter is lifted this month from the Hudson River. The recommendation comes three weeks after nine people were killed when the two aircraft collided in the congested airspace bordering Manhattan. The recommendation is noteworthy both because of its sweeping nature and its timing. Ordinarily, the National Transportation Safety Board makes recommendations at the conclusion of its investigation, which typically take a year. But in a letter to FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman said that based on preliminary findings, the safety board is concerned about the "safety of flight" over the Hudson River. She outlined a series of changes, among them requiring that helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft fly at different altitudes over the river. She made specific reference to "the performance of air traffic controllers" at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, who were monitoring the plane's flight during the August 8 collision. "The NTSB is concerned with the complacency and inattention to duty evidenced by the actions of the [Teterboro] controller and the supervisor during the events surrounding this accident," Hersman wrote. Hersman said the pilot of the aircraft requested permission to climb to 3,500 feet minutes before the crash. But because there was no coordination between controllers at Teterboro and Newark airports, controllers did not grant the request, increasing the risk of a collision in Hudson River low-altitude airspace known as the "exclusionary zone," she said. Pilots in the exclusionary zone are not separated by air traffic controllers, and instead use visual "see and avoid" tactics. The Teterboro controller was making a personal phone call and "was not fully engaged in his duties" in the minutes leading up to the accident, Hersman said. His supervisor, meanwhile, had left the building on a personal errand without informing the controller. The air traffic controller's inappropriate phone call "likely would not have been permitted" if the supervisor had been in the tower, Hersman said. The FAA on Thursday did not comment on the NTSB recommendation, but said a task force studying flight operations above the Hudson River will soon submit its findings. And the air traffic controllers union defended its member, saying he had handed off the plane's pilot to another radar tower before the helicopter appeared on his radar scope. "The NTSB again has rushed to wrongly blame the air traffic controller in this incident," said Patrick Forrey, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. "The bottom line here is that the controller is not responsible for contributing to this tragic accident. ... We cannot provide traffic advisories to aircraft we are not talking to, cannot see on radar or are not a factor at all." Forrey said the NTSB "inexplicably" made its recommendations before the FAA task force had finished its job. "The task force is due to release its report next week. So why the rush?" Forrey said. In its letter, the NTSB asks the FAA to establish a special flight rules area, or SFRA, for the class B exclusion areas near New York City; require vertical separation between helicopters and airplanes in these SFRAs; require pilots to complete specific training on the SFRA requirements before flight within the area; and conduct a review of other airspace configurations where specific pilot training and familiarization would improve safety. | NTSB advises rule changes over Hudson River after August 8 crash .
Nine people were killed when helicopter, small plane collided .
One proposal: Make helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft fly at different altitudes over river .
NTSB makes recommendation before end of crash probe -- a rare move . |
83,087 | eb963b4e1db77c4c3b28ed42d7f89c7d3b1d8118 | The release of Roy Keane’s updated autobiography has confirmed his status as one of the most intriguing players of the Premier League era. The revisiting of his feud with Sir Alex Ferguson, that leg breaking tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland and a bust up with Peter Schmeichel have made the headlines. But the book has also recalled just how powerful a presence he was at Manchester United. The fearsome Irishman was a true midfield general, enforcing Ferguson’s will on the pitch, winning the ball, carrying it forward and pulling everyone around him into line. Here, Sportsmail considers Keane and some of the other most influential players in the 22-year history of the Premier League. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Roy Keane describe Brian Clough as the best manager . Roy Keane was a midfield general for Manchester United... as his updated autobiography details . Keane clashes with Patrick Vieira during a game at Highbury, a common sight in the Premier League . 10. John Terry . Now in his 17th season as a professional at Chelsea, Terry’s longevity is testament to his talent and unwavering dedication to football. He has not always conducted himself well – appearing on the front pages of the papers as well as the back, but his ability as a footballer is unquestionable. He has an uncanny sense of positioning, rarely misses a tackle and last season made a staggering 600th Premier League appearance. John Terry is in his 17th season at Chelsea - he emerged from the academy to become a true leader . 9. Steven Gerrard . The 34-year-old has been criticised by some this season with Liverpool not firing on all cylinders. But there is no doubt that he has been consistently the most influential player at Anfield since making his Premier League debut in 1998. He cemented his status as a Liverpool legend when driving his side to Champions League glory in Istanbul nine years ago. He is an expert passer and has reinvented himself in recent years, leading his team from a deep-lying midfield role. His desire to succeed for his boyhood team remains undiminished. Steven Gerrard, celebrating scoring against Bolton in 2009, has excelled for Liverpool since 1998 . 8. Tony Adams . Adams spanned two eras at Arsenal, which can be summed up by his diet. The pre-Wenger years were sausage sandwiches. After the Frenchman arrived, it was lean meat and pasta but Adams was still at the forefront of the new Arsenal. A strong and commanding defender, he was an inspirational leader, encouraging the best from his troops like a wartime general. Fittingly, Arsenal won the double in the 2001-02 season, Adams’s final year at the club where he spent his entire career. Tony Adams finished his superb Arsenal career with a double in the 2001/02 season . 7. Ryan Giggs . Giggs racked up 963 appearances and 34 trophies over 24 seasons as a Manchester United player before retiring at the end of last season. He scored in 21 consecutive seasons and hit 109 league goals. The numbers speak for themselves. But few of Giggs’s many opponents over the years describe him as anything but humble. Although his powers waned over the years and his runs became less blistering, he was still an influential presence in the United dressing room. Ryan Giggs racked up 963 appearances for Manchester United and was still going strong in his final year . 6. Frank Lampard . Even when not permanently signed to a Premier League club, Lampard continues to be influential on loan for Manchester City. But it is 13 glittering years at Chelsea, which took in the most dominant period in the club’s history, that earn him a place on the list. Born into a footballing family, what marked Lampard out was his magnificent work ethic. He worked tirelessly and consistently – delivering quietly impressive performances and goals season-after-season for Chelsea and in this campaign became the first player to score against 39 different Premier League sides. As he gets older, he hasn’t been afraid to adapt, sitting back more and exerting his influence in different ways. Frank Lampard helped Terry, more so with his goals, to three Premier League titles in 13 years . 5. Roy Keane . Sir Alex Ferguson broke the British transfer record to buy Keane from Nottingham Forest – the £3.75m proving a bargain for the man who succeeded Bryan Robson as United’s driving force. For what he offered the Premier League in entertainment value, Keane was absolutely priceless. Amid all the controversy and fallings out, he defined an era at Manchester United. He was driven by a need to win and helped instill that hunger in the rest of the team. His rivalry with Patrick Vieira was captivating. Keane succeeded Bryan Robson as United's driving force and proved to be a bargain at £3.75m . 4. Alan Shearer . Simply the most lethal finisher in Premier League history and all time top scorer with 260 goals, almost all celebrated with that famous one arm salute. His goals lifted Blackburn to the title in 1995 and a year later signed for his beloved Newcastle for £15m, a world record signing at the time. Shearer was also completely nerveless, scoring 56 Premier League penalties – the most of any player, by some distance. Alan Shearer celebrates scoring one of his 260 Premier League goals... his record still stands . 3. Patrick Vieira . When his former team-mates speak of Vieira, one word crops up repeatedly – respect. The former France star engendered respect with his brutal, battling midfield performances. Vieira let the opposition know - he had an impeccable tactical awareness and during his nine years at Arsenal Wenger employed him as his brains on the pitch. Patrick Vieira, avoiding a carton of drinks after scoring against Tottenham, was a giant figure for Arsenal . 2. Thierry Henry . Henry had a slow start to Premier League life, failing to score in his first seven games. But he picked up with a vengeance and boasts the second best minutes to goal ratio (one every 121.8 minutes) of any player to grace the top flight. The Frenchman is the gold standard for strikers, tearing through defences with ease and making scoring goals seem so utterly effortless. In the Arsenal invincibles side that went uniquely unbeaten in the 2003/04 season, Henry was the shining star. Thierry Henry - one of the best finishers in Premier League history - scoring past Maik Taylor of Birmingham . 1. Eric Cantona . In late November 1992, the Frenchman strutted into Old Trafford with his chest puffed out and went on to shape the future of Manchester United. He made an instant impact in a side that hadn’t won a title in 26 years, helping them to win eight and draw two of his first 10 games. He helped United win four titles over his five years there, making goals, scoring and beating players in a fashion not seen before in English football. He had his controversial moments as well - such as when he kicked a spectator at Selhurst Park in 1995. But he made much more of an impact on the pitch. What more to say about Eric Cantona? He arrived with a swagger, which never disappeared . | Roy Keane releases updated autobiography, with several talking points .
Also reminded us what an influential player he was at Man United .
John Terry and Frank Lampard helped Chelsea to three titles .
Alan Shearer is the Premier League's record goalscorer .
Steven Gerrard and Ryan Giggs two of the greatest midfielders . |
118,294 | 24bcc721c072adf21d4fd06b9d07349ec73bf2d4 | Killed by racists? Alfred Wright, 28, whose . family have raised questions after his mutilated body was found in an area of Texas notorious . for its racism . The brother of an American Idol . contestant whose mutilated body was found in brush in East Texas may have been the . victim of a racist murder, his family claim. Alfred . Wright from Jasper, Texas, the brother of American Idol contestant . Savion, was found dead last November with his eyes, several teeth, his left ear and his tongue missing. Nevertheless, authorities concluded that he died from a drugs overdose. A . small town near the Louisiana border, Jasper is infamous as the site of . the 1998 murder of James Byrd Jr, who was tied to the back of a pick up . by white supremacists and dragged for three miles along an asphalt . road. Now suspicions have . been raised that Mr Wright's death, like that of Mr Byrd's, was also a . racist murder, after a claim that he was carrying on an affair with the . relative of a white police officer. A local source told Radar: 'Alfred was dating the white relative of someone in law enforcement. 'You can’t do that in East Texas. If you’re a black man, you’ll get killed.They still have cross burnings in that area!' Further deepening the mystery surrounding Mr Wright's death, his wife claims that she found three charges he made at local hotels while she and their children were away in the month before he died. And a private investigator hired by Mr Wright's family claims that local police knew that he had been in some kind of relationship, the nature of which is unclear, with a woman related to the sheriff. '[They] knew about the rumours,' Chuck Foreman told Radar. 'That's what makes it interesting. [They] definitely knew.' The . body of Mr Wright, who was just 28 years old, was discovered by . volunteers last November, in an area of thick East Texas underbrush that . had been supposedly already scoured by Sabine County sheriff's . deputies. His family felt . forced to act themselves to track down their son after the initial . police search - which found some of his possessions and portions of his . clothing - was called off after just four days. Dressed . in just underwear, a pair of spotless tennis shoes, and with one sock . on his left foot, his body was badly disfigured - his eyes, left ear and . several teeth were missing, and his tongue had apparently been torn . out. According to some reports, his throat also appeared to have been slashed. Close: Alfred Wright (right) pictured with his brother Savion, a contestant in American Idol . Tribute: Savion was eliminated from the competition last week after singing a song dedicated to his brother . Mr Wright pictured with his wife Lauren: There . is a suggestion that he had been having an affair with the relative of a . policeman, and his wife said she found he had made payments at a hotel shortly before his death . Mr Wright's father Douglas was one of . the first to the scene where his son's body was discovered amid brambles . on that rainy November night. 'He was just, if I might say, he was neatly laid. He was neatly laid,' he told CNN. 'What . was weird about his sock,' the elder Mr Wright went on, was that it . 'was clean, and his sock was pulled up with his phone stuck in it as if . he was in a Sunday school class. Neat. His tennis shoes was very clean.' An . official post-mortem investigation concluded that Mr Wright had died . accidentally as a result of drug intoxication, and that his mutilations . were the result of animal and insect activity. But . Dr Lee Ann Grossberg, a forensic pathologist hired by Wright's family, . said her preliminary review made findings that were 'suspicious of . homicidal violence'. The questions Alfred Wright's have posed to the authorities include: . Dr . Grossberg said she needs more photos and documents from the . investigation to determine if tissue missing from Mr Wright's neck and . face might have been caused before his death. 'For . me, the most frustrating thing has been not knowing what happened,' said Lauren Wright, Alfred Wright's widow. 'We don't have closure.' Mr . Wright was last seen on November 7. He had been driving around, . visiting his physical therapy patients, when his truck broke down at . around dusk by grocery store in a rural area just south of Hemphill, . about 170 miles north-east of Houston. He called his wife in Jasper, who sent his parents to pick him up. When his parents arrived about an hour later, Mr Wright's truck was there but he had vanished. Wright's wristwatch and pieces of the scrubs he had been wearing were found in a nearby pasture a day later. The search was called off just after four days, with Sabine County Sheriff Thomas Maddox telling reporters all resources had been exhausted and he believed this was a missing person case. Mutilated: Mr Wright was found dead last November with body parts, including his eyes, several teeth and tongue missing, and stripped to his underwear. But authorities claim he died from a drugs overdose . The U.S. Department of Justice this . week took over the investigation into Mr Wright's death, which has been . headed by Texas Rangers since the Sabine County Sheriff's Office handed . it over in November. Tom . Vinger, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, which . oversees the Texas Rangers, said his agency could not comment on details . of the case because of the ongoing investigation. Cade Bernsen, one of the attorneys for . the Wright family, said that he thought the initial search for their . son's remains had been 'incredibly ill-performed'. 'It's questionable how his body was not found when the sheriff said (they) ran dogs through there.' he added. A . toxicology report found drugs in Wright's body, including cocaine and . methamphetamine. The autopsy report did not narrow down when Wright . died. 'I don't feel (the drugs in his system) had anything to do with his demise,' Mrs Wright said. Though . Mr Wright had been facing a federal embezzlement charge in Tennessee, . his wife said she doesn't believe that had anything to do with his . disappearance. Much to live for: A toxicology report found . drugs in Wright's body, including cocaine and methamphetamine, but his . wife said she can't believe that the drugs had anything to do with his untimely death . Mr Bernsen said the Texas Rangers have refused to provide additional information that Grossberg needs to finish her report. And . while the attorney added that there is no evidence this was a hate . crime, Mrs Wright, who is white, said she is not ruling out the . possibility. 'We can't forget the history of the area because we're both from here,' she said. She described her husband as a hard-working, dedicated father. Eerie similarities: Mr Wright's death has awoken memories of the killing of James Byrd Jr, who was tied to a truck by white supremacists and dragged to his death along a rural road in the same area . Davilyn . Walston, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern . District of Texas, said her agency is reviewing the investigation but . declined further comment. J. Kevin Dutton, district attorney for Sabine and San Augustine counties, . said in a statement he 'welcomes the investigation by the Justice . Department as there are serious allegations being made that need to be . resolved.'] . Mr Wright's younger brother, Savion, was eliminated from American Idol last week after singing a song dedicated to his late brother. Sheriff Maddox said on Friday that he could not comment on an open investigation. | Alfred Wright is the brother of American Idol contestant Savion .
It is claimed he was having an affair with a relative of a white police officer .
He was found dead last November with missing eyes, left ear and teeth .
Mr Wright lived in Jasper, notorious for the racist murder of James Byrd Jr . |
258,033 | d9f0a3406b75c002d9230d0438c42ab9700aee40 | Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera and his family have escaped uninjured after a fire ripped through their 7,000-square-foot home in in Charlotte, North Carolina, early Monday. It took roughly 55 firefighters around an hour to extinguish the blaze, with early indicators suggesting it was accidental. The house - situated on the luxury Heydon Hall Circle where properties run upwards of $1million - is now inhabitable due to significant smoke and water damage. It's not yet known how much restoration will cost. Lucky: Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera and his family have escaped uninjured after a fire ripped through their 7,000-square-foot home in in Charlotte, North Carolina, early Monday . According to WSOC-TV, there were six people in the building when the fire started: Rivera, his wife Stephanie, his two brothers and their wives. Rivera's son and daughter were not home at the time. Charlotte Fire Department, Captain Rob Brisley, said that his staff were able to keep flames contained to the roof and attic area, meaning a lot of household items were saved. He added: 'Anytime you are faced with a fire and your family is displaced it is significant for the homeowner and it is significant for the family. We are just grateful that there are no injuries.' State of shock: Rivera and his wife, Stephanie, stand outside their home . Significant damage: It took roughly 55 firefighters around an hour to extinguish the blaze, with early indicators suggesting it was accidental . Brisley said the fire started around 4am at the large two-story house. He said the alarm system worked properly, alerting the family to leave and the fire department. Fire officials reported seeing heavy smoke and fire coming from the house when they arrived. Television footage also shows blackened windows in the attic of the home. The family will not be able to live at the house until necessary repairs are conducted. 'When you at a fire like this, it is never easy to deal with a family that is being devastated,' Brisley said. 'But you can tell they have good support at all levels. It's a busy week for the city of Charlotte including this family.' According to property records, Rivera purchased the abode in April 2011, a few months after he became the Panthers' head coach. Career-driven: According to property records, Rivera purchased the abode in April 2011, a few months after he became the Panthers' head coach . Rivera's Panthers will play Saturday in an NFC divisional playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. The fire comes two days after the Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-16 in an NFC wild-card game, Rivera's first postseason win in his four seasons in Carolina. The Panthers were not scheduled to practice Monday. However, Rivera is likely to address the media Monday afternoon as normally scheduled, according to team spokesman Charlie Dayton. This is the second significant off-the-field problem to hit the Panthers in less than a month. Quarterback Cam Newton was injured in a two-vehicle accident on December 9 and was hospitalized overnight with two fractures in his lower back. Newton missed one game but was able to return the following week. | It took roughly 55 firefighters around an hour to extinguish the blaze .
Early indicators suggest it was accidental .
The house is situated on the luxury Heydon Hall Circle in Charlotte, North Carolina, where properties fetch upwards of $1million .
There were reportedly six people in the building when the fire started: Rivera, his wife Stephanie, his two brothers and their wives . |
198,512 | 8cf55dd9b1bd7a4c8350c81e469d92ec956af62a | Washington (CNN) -- NFL player Samuel Hurd has been arrested and charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Thursday. Agents say Hurd, 26, a wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, was arrested Wednesday night after a five-month investigation that began in Dallas, where Hurd once played for the Cowboys. Authorities say he was trying to set up a drug distribution network in Chicago. The complaint states that Hurd met with an ICE undercover agent at a restaurant in Chicago on Wednesday night when, law enforcement officials say, Hurd introduced himself as the person communicating with a confidential informant. Hurd stated that he was interested in purchasing 5 to 10 kilograms of cocaine, at $25,000 per kilogram, and 1,000 pounds of marijuana at $450 per pound per week for distribution in the Chicago area, according to ICE. Hurd said that "he and another co-conspirator currently distribute about four kilograms of cocaine per week in Chicago but that his supplier couldn't supply him with enough quantity," Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said. After they finished negotiating, according to the complaint, the undercover agent presented Hurd with a kilogram of cocaine that Hurd accepted. "Hurd stated that he plays for the Chicago Bears and that he gets out of practice at about 5:30 p.m., after which he would make arrangements to pay for the kilogram of cocaine," ICE officials said in a news release, "Hurd left the restaurant with the bag of cocaine and was arrested shortly thereafter in the parking lot of the restaurant." If convicted, Hurd faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. CNN's efforts to contact Hurd's lawyers were unsuccessful Thursday afternoon. | Chicago Bears wide receiver Samuel Hurd arrested .
Officials accuse him of trying to set up a drug distribution network .
He accepted a kilo of cocaine from undercover agent, they say . |
106,355 | 152c3e523f2667d533667b13832264e9e8128972 | Revenge came for the Tigers yesterday and sent out an ominous warning to the rest of the Aviva Premiership — the big cats from the east Midlands are in the title hunt again. Bath had braced themselves for a ‘backlash’ after inflicting a record 45-0 humiliation on Leicester in September, but being prepared didn’t save them. At a full and freezing Welford Road, this was a hot and spicy encounter, with countless off-the-ball scuffles as the fired-up home side pounded their way to the result they craved. Leicester Tigers Graham Kitchener (left) celebrates an early try at Welford Road from Tom Youngs . Youngs powers upfield for the Leicester Tigers during the 17-8 victory over Bath on Sunday afternoon . Bath — who had England hopeful Sam Burgess playing at centre for a full 80 minutes — made a sustained response in the final quarter and should have secured at least a losing bonus point, but they were repelled by the Tigers’ defence. A last-minute try by Ross Batty gave England fly-half George Ford a conversion which would have sent the visitors home with some consolation for their efforts, but he dragged his shot wide. Soon after being annihilated at The Rec four months ago, Leicester slumped to ninth place in the table, amid a forensic inquest into the cause of the injury epidemic which was undermining their season. But gradually the cavalry have been returning and Richard Cockerill, the Tigers’ director of rugby, declared this result will serve as a statement to the rest of the league. Sam Burgess, tackled by Freddie Burns, made his first Premiership start for Bath at Welford Road . ‘It sends a bullet across the bows of everybody that we’re still in the mix and we still have the appetite to compete,’ he said. ‘It proves that we can beat the sides who have been on really good form, as clearly Bath have been. It puts us right back in the mix. ‘If we can win that game, with the quality that we’ve still got to come back into the side, it bodes well. In isolation it is a massive win for us. It’s only round 12 so there’s a long way to go but it’s certainly a building block for us. I’m relieved because we’ve put ourselves into a position to compete for the title.’ Kitchener outjumps Stuart Hooper high in the air during the home side's 17-8 win against Bath on Sunday . Cockerill attempted to play down the vengeance theme, adding: ‘We didn’t talk about that (45-0 defeat in the reverse fixture). We didn’t really want to re-visit it too much because every time we watched it, they looked so good! ‘I think it was in the back of the players’ minds but we focused on ourselves and on what we can do well. We wanted it more than they did. We defended exceptionally well and didn’t allow their back-line to create the opportunities they usually get. ‘Bath are a very physical team. The only way to meet physicality is with physicality. We felt we didn’t do that at The Rec and I think we put that right today. 'We’ve seen how good Bath are when they’re on the front foot and playing well, but it’s also about how you deal with having an off-day and coming to a side who are very motivated.’ In many ways, this was a throw-back contest; awash with mud and bad-tempered needle as two pedigree packs jostled for supremacy. England centre Kyle Eastmond had to leave the pitch injured in the first-half after suffering a bang to the calf . Having been taken apart in the previous clash between the sides, the Tigers forwards channelled their angst to deliver a performance full of driving power. They won a series of scrum penalties, although their line-out was hit and miss throughout. Ford and Owen Williams had landed a penalty apiece when Leicester claimed their solitary try in the 17th minute. It came in fitting fashion, from a close-range rolling maul in the Bath 22 which backs Miles Benjamin and Vereniki Goneva joined to help force Tom Youngs over the line. Fast-forward to the 80th minute and Batty’s try came in the same place, by the same method. Aside from those scores, both defences held firm and the Tigers relied on three more penalties by Williams. Bath had several chances to hit back in the last 20 minutes but it was a day when the bounce of the ball and the interpretation of the officials didn’t fall in their favour. Ollie Devoto of Bath is hauled down by Leicester's Tom Youngs during the Premiership clash at Welford Road . Leicester Tigers on the attack again during the 17-8 victory over Bath to move up to fifth in the Premiership . They were forced to cope without Kyle Eastmond for the majority of the game as their England centre went off after suffering a bang to the calf. Burgess featured in the visitors’ midfield and thought he had claimed his maiden first-team try in union in the 31st minute, but it was ruled out as the pass he received from Ollie Devoto was deemed to have gone forward. It was one of several close calls which went against Bath and their head coach, Mike Ford, said: ‘We were on the wrong side of the referee and we couldn’t adapt. Ross Batty scored a late try for the visitors but it wasn't enough to secure a victory on Sunday afternoon . ‘Is it because we’ve come to Leicester and the crowd are baying for our blood? ‘I’m not sure but I’m disappointed. I’m proud of the way we kept going and a bonus point was the least we deserved today. We expected the backlash and we got it, but to finish one try all at Leicester is no disgrace.’ When the dust had settled, Bath remained second in the table, with the Tigers fifth. Both clubs will be in the title shake-up at the end of the season. | Home side up to fifth in the table whereas Bath remain in second .
Early Tom Youngs try guided Leicester to the crucial home win .
Defeat at Welford Road ends Bath's run of five successive league wins .
Leicester were thrashed by Bath 45-0 in the reverse fixture last September . |
208,151 | 9979f26dff6fec99643588803e2e3171c271dcfb | (CNN) -- Niki Lauda is the Lazarus of Formula One. Having risen in triumph from the brink of death, his tale of almost biblical proportions was given the Hollywood treatment in recently-released blockbuster "Rush." But the straight-talking triple world champion does not believe in miracles or the sentiment of the silver screen. The Austrian has built his own legacy by defying not only death, but also his family, employers and arch rivals along the way. "I go my own way," the 64-year-old, whose fightback from life-threatening injuries in 1976 to win two more world titles ranks as one of sport's greatest comebacks, told CNN's The Circuit. "Thank god, I learned in sport, that there is no excuse. It's very simple, if you're first, second or third there's no discussion. "If something goes wrong, look into yourself first -- what did I do wrong? "I only see black and white, I have no gray areas and I hate them. "I try to analyze, take the decision, even if it's the wrong one, it's better than making no decision because if you take no decision you never find out what you have to do. " Maverick racer . Lauda was born into a wealthy Austrian family four years after the end of World War II, but despite growing up with privilege he learned quickly that he would have to make his own way in the world. His family disapproved of their teenage son's racing ambitions. When Lauda found an Austrian bank to sponsor his debut with the March F1 team, his grandfather -- who happened to sit on the board of the bank -- scotched the deal. "He said, 'No way! If this is my grandson, you will not sponsor him,' " Lauda says. "I really got upset with him and said, 'Leave me alone, it is my own business.' Then I started racing my own way." Lauda bankrolled his own way on to the F1 grid, making his debut in the 1971 Austrian Grand Prix for the uncompetitive March team. His decision to take out further bank loans to finance his F1 career paid off at the end of 1973 when he was signed by Ferrari -- but even this new era with the sport's most iconic team saw Lauda continue to do things his way. "I remember my first test in Fiorano," he recalls. "I drove the first couple of laps and (team founder) Enzo Ferrari was there and Piero his son to translate. "Ferrari said, 'So kid what do you think of this car?' "I said the car was s**t. And Piero said, 'You cannot say this. You cannot tell my father that the car is s**t because he will throw you out. Tell him it's no good, it sounds a little better.' "He told him and the old man really got upset because I criticized a Ferrari." Lucky to be alive . Lauda soon earned the respect of "Il Commendatore," a proponent of tough love who the Austrian still describes as "the most charismatic guy I have ever met in my whole life." In 1975 he stormed to five wins to capture his first world title with the Italian powerhouse -- but the following season fate cruelly intervened. Going into the German Grand Prix at the notorious Nurburgring circuit, which he had asked his fellow drivers to boycott due to its poor safety setup, Lauda was leading the 1976 title hunt. He came out of the race fighting for his life. Lauda's Ferrari burst into a fireball after a crash on the second lap. He was pulled from the flames with severe burns and lung damage. Lying in hospital later that night, he was administered the last rites by a priest. Analysis: Does F1 lack the characters of the past? Typically for Lauda, he saw things differently. At the age of 27, he summoned his will of iron to find a way back -- calling it the most courageous decision in his F1 career. "First, I knew about the danger," says Lauda, who wears a baseball cap to hide the scars left by his fiery crash. "I went to every accident, even if I was not involved or didn't see it, to understand what happened. "The accident did not surprise me because I knew it was dangerous. I told myself, 'I was lucky, I'm still alive so why not as I'm alive, God help me, let's try.' "This was the big challenge ... a comeback. For me it was clear, that the longer I wait, the more difficult it's going to be because the more worries you start building up. "I had to do it as quick as possible to overcome these problems and to keep racing as before." Defining moments . Just 42 days after his crash in Germany, Lauda was back in the cockpit of a Ferrari and racing to defend his title at the Italian Grand Prix. It was a comeback that defied the medics and his rivals, but it was another brave decision that decided the title. Lauda refused to race in the torrential rain in the title-deciding Japanese Grand Prix, a decision that saw the title swing into the hands of his rival James Hunt. "I would take the same decision today," Lauda says. "It was stupid to race." The story of those defining points has been turned into "Rush," a movie by F1 fan and director Ron Howard. For Lauda, his self determination has continued to guide him to this day. After winning a second title with Ferrari and moving to the Brabham team, he quit F1 with two races still to run in the 1979 season. Lauda said he "tired of driving round in circles," and a new career as an airline boss beckoned. However, a second coming for McLaren brought his third and final world title in 1984, before an inevitable second retirement followed. Lauda is now an opinionated but respected voice in the inner circle of F1's paddock, where he patrols as a non-executive chairman of the Mercedes team and a TV analyst. If "Rush" is the movie of his life then the soundtrack has to be Frank Sinatra's "My Way." "I do not want to change," Lauda insists. "I will continue all the way through to the end of my life in this way." | Formula One legend Niki Lauda defied his wealthy family to pursue a career in racing .
The Austrian impressed tough team boss Enzo Ferrari despite criticizing his car .
After a life-threatening crash in 1976, Lauda got back in the car after just 42 days .
He would go on to win two more world titles before retiring a second time in 1985 . |
68,448 | c217d630a5954a037a8556d9c55ccc57a424c635 | (CNN) -- Police hunting for a New Zealand couple who fled the country after a bank mistakenly paid them $NZ10 million (US$6 million) believe they traveled to Hong Kong. Westpac bank paid the couple 1,000 times the amount they asked for. New Zealand authorities have sought help from Interpol in locating the couple who disappeared May 7, two days after an employee error at Westpac bank paid them 100 times the amount they asked for. TVNZ, a CNN television affiliate, named the couple as Leo Gao and his girlfriend Cara Young. Gao owned a petrol station in Rotorua, a lakeside tourist town famous for its hot water springs and bubbling mud pools. Police said Friday that the couple were believed to have traveled to Hong Kong. "Enquiries to locate those individuals are continuing through Interpol in Hong Kong and official channels in Beijing," said Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey. Watch as 'millionaires' go on the run » . Police were not confirming the identities of those involved but they were working with the family of one of the individuals named in the media, Harvey said. The family were shocked at their name being associated with the case, he added. TVNZ said the couple applied for an overdraft from Westpac worth up to NZ$100,000 (US$61,000). However, on or about May 5, the bank erroneously put NZ$10 million (US$6.1 million) into their bank account. What would you do in this situation? The next day, the service station closed its doors. And the day after, the couple went missing. TVNZ said Westpac had confirmed that a customer had attempted to unlawfully transfer amounts totaling around $6.7 million (US$4.1 million). Nearly NZ$3 million (US£$1.85 million) had been recovered and the bank was continuing to vigorously pursue the outstanding amount, Westpac Media relations manager Craig Dowling told the station. | Manhunt for couple who fled after bank mistakenly paid them NZ$10 million .
New Zealand authorities seeking Interpol's help to locate the couple .
Police believe the couple flew to Hong Kong . |
100,901 | 0e01ea1eaddd3726727d5fd29caffdc121b6b43b | The website that became ground zero for the nude photos hacking scandal has announced a ban on all naked or sexual images posted without consent. Reddit, the sprawling, user-run forum site which brands itself 'the front page of the internet', will impose the ban next month. It comes months after the site was criticized for openly directing users to pornographic hacked images of the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton on a dedicated page set up to spread them. Victims: Kate Upton, left, and Jennifer Lawrence, were the highest-profile victims of the nude hacking scandal, images from which Reddit allowed on its forums. Lawrence in particular hit back against everyone who shared, viewed and hosted the pictures, saying they were complicit in a 'sex crime' against her . 'Front page of the internet': Reddit, shown above, has 160million users and a history of lax policing on its site. It admitted that it 'missed the chance' to act when the photos first leaked . While the company eventually closed the section down, thousands of people had already accessed the images, generating huge ad revenues for Reddit in the process. Under the new rules, effective from March 10, all images of any person either naked, aroused or having sex which are posted by the site's 160million users without consent are banned. Anything which is posted will be removed, Reddit said, and potential victims were given a contact address to flag any banned posts. Previous rules had banned only child pornography, and content perceived to be spam - though volunteer moderators could also remove items if they chose. In a post signed by Reddit's interim CEO Ellen Pao, she acknowledged that the site 'missed the chance' to act decisively while the nude photos leaks was happening. Caught in the trap: Kirsten Dunset, left, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, right, were also pictured naked in the stolen photographs . She said: 'No matter who you are, if a photograph, video, or digital image of you in a state of nudity, sexual excitement, or engaged in any act of sexual conduct, is posted or linked to on reddit without your permission, it is prohibited on reddit.' The photo leak drew a furious reaction from the celebrities featured, many of whom confirmed that the images were legitimate. Lawrence in particular was strident in her criticism of the leaks, which began last August. She said anybody involved in spreading the pictures was complicit in a 'sex crime' against her and should 'cower in shame'. It comes at the same time as Google announced its Blogger service would also enact a blanket ban on all pornographic posts later this month. New policy: Interim Reddit CEO Ellan Pao, left, announced the policy change. She is pictured above at a California courthouse, where she is suing former employers . From March 23, any sexually explicit or 'graphic nude' images will be removed from public view, and the account owners will find their sites switched to a invite-only mode. Nude pictures which are 'artistic, educational, documentary, or scientific contexts' will not be included in the ban. Social media sites have varying policies on nudity. Facebook prohibits images containing nudity altogether, which has enraged some mothers banned from sharing pictures of them breastfeeding their children. Twitter doesn't mediate legal content but recommends that content with nudity or violence be marked as sensitive. It also lets users flag questionable content for review. | Forum site, which has 160million users, will impose ban from March 10 .
Comes after stolen nude photos were allowed on the site in August leak .
Celebrity victims, including Jennifer Lawrence, hit out over the scandal . |
174,572 | 6df246bb1862905908ec27362f47e32eb94b3561 | A 24-year-old man, shot dead during an early morning walk in Indianapolis on Tuesday, had been excitedly awaiting the arrival of his first baby. Nathan Trapuzzano was shot in the stomach during what police believe was an attempted mugging outside a tire shop at 5.50am. As police intensified their search for two suspects, seen on security camera footage running from the scene, it was revealed that Mr Trapuzzano's wife, Jennifer, is due to have a baby girl next month. Scroll down for video . Loss: Nathan Trapuzzano, pictured with wife Jennifer, was looking forward to the birth of his baby girl . In love: Nathan and Jennifer were due to celebrate their first wedding anniversary next month . Mr Trapuzzano, a computer programmer for Ivy Tech Community College, was found injured outside the Tron Tire Shop, Fox 59 reported. Police believe he was shot during a struggle with a would-be mugger, while another man acted as a lookout. He died at hospital a couple of hours later. The victim had been due to celebrate the birth of a baby girl, who the couple had planned to name Cecelia, and his first wedding anniversary next month. His traumatized family released a statement on Wednesday, saying: '[Nathan] was so in love with his wife Jennifer, and unborn baby daughter, Cecelia. He was so excited about being a new Daddy.' It added: 'Nathan Trapuzzano was the most kind-hearted person you would ever know. He never had an unkind thought in his head ... The loss of this very, very special young man has been such a shock to our entire family.' Attack: Security camera footage shows Nathan Trapuzzano, right, and one of the suspects, left, following him . Confrontation: Nathan Trapuzzano, left, appears to be holding his hands up as the two suspected attackers move closer to him . Crime scene: Nathan Trapuzzano was shot in the stomach outside this tire shop before 6am on Tuesday . Mr Trapuzzano was committed to his Catholic faith and regularly volunteered as a sidewalk counselor outside a city abortion clinic. His priest, Father Roberts, paid tribute to the 'serious young man [who also] knew how to have fun'. He recalled feeling honored to marry the couple last year and said: 'My prayer for Nathan and his wife was simple, "May God grant you many, many happy years".' In his touching tribute to Mr Trapuzzano, Father Roberts said the victim's murderers had taken 'the life of one of the best young men I have ever known'. Mr Trapuzzano's family have sent up a Go Fund Me page to help his young widow raise their baby girl and pay for funeral costs. The fund had raised more than $92,000 in less than 24 hours. Julie, who is Mrs Trapuzzano's sister, posted a statement on the site thanking those who had donated and sent messages of support. Jennifer and Nathan, who worked at Ivy Tech Community College, at a sports game . Nathan and his wife, Jennifer, who is a student, were looking forward to becoming parents . The couple, pictured here when Nathan proposed, were active in the Catholic community . 'Just knowing that others care so much is really helping us through all of this,' she wrote, before adding that her sister had visited a doctor on Wednesday and was told the couple's unborn baby was doing well. The college where Mr Trapuzzano worked also paid tribute to the victim, who they described as a 'young and bright software engineer'. It has also offered a scholarship for the couple's daughter, the Indy Star reported. Mr Trapuzzano was a self-taught computer expert. He had studied Classics at university and had graduated from Ball State in 2011. One of five children, Mr Trapuzzano had always had a strong faith and was raised in Pennsylvania. Fun loving: Friends of Nathan, pictured with Jennifer as they announced her pregnancy, paid tribute to the kind-hearted young man . Faith: Software engineer Nathan was devoted to his wife and the Catholic Church . 'Had his whole life in front of him, never been in trouble before, never been a problem, was minding his own business, doing what anybody in our community should be able to do and that is to take a morning walk,' Commander David Hofmann told 6ABC. No motive for the shooting has yet been found, and police say Mr Trapuzzano did not appear to be carrying anything valuable as he went for his regular early morning fitness walk. Footage from security cameras installed at the tire shop where he was attacked has been released as police try to identity and catch the suspects. | Nathan Trapuzzano was shot in the stomach during attempted mugging .
Software engineer was looking forward to birth of baby girl .
Security camera footage shows two suspects following victim during early morning walk .
Grieving community donate nearly $100,000 and college scholarship to Trapuzzano's widow and unborn child . |
251,372 | d15b4c0450a97e1f89841795d8bf3815ef4d246d | By . Lucy Waterlow . PUBLISHED: . 10:02 EST, 25 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:34 EST, 25 March 2013 . Embarrassing body odour could become a thing of the past thanks to a new range of summer clothing for men from Marks and Spencer. The High Street store are incorporating Odegon DeoTags into the under arms of their latest suits and blazers. The innovative patches are made from nano-porous material that is designed to absorb body odour molecules and then neutralise them to avoid unpleasant smells. Keeping cool: The M&S Man Superlite Suit, £179, uses Odegon DeoTags under the arms to prevent body odour . But while fashion with the material is only just hitting the shops, it has had a lifesaving use for decades. During the Second World War when chemical attacks were feared, the material was patented by the Ministry of Defence for use in gas masks. Embarrassing problem solved: Excess sweating is not a good look - or smell . Lifesaving: The same material is used in gas masks because it can absorb and neutralise harmful gases . The material can absorb and neutralise harmful gases so has been used in the production of chemical, . biological, radiological and nuclear suits and gas masks since 1942. The patches may not be put to lifesaving use by M&S but it could spare many a modern man's blushes by its ability to prevent smelly sweat patches. The technology is used in the M&S Man Superlite Suit, £179, and M&S Man Performance blazer, £99, that go on sale this month as part of the store's summer range for men. Odegon Technologies, who make the DeoTags used in the M&S clothes, say each patch 'has the surface area equivalent of a tennis court and last for the length of the garment, even after washing'. They add: 'Polarised molecules from body odour are absorbed and permanently trapped within the material’s structures until the garment is cleaned, either by hand or machine washing or by dry cleaning, and the molecules are flushed out.' The company also make patches for shoes called 'DeoSole' that eliminate foot odours in the same way. | Summer suits have 'Odegon DeoTags' in underarms .
The patches absorb body odour molecules, then neutralise them .
Same technology is used in gas marks . |
114,199 | 1f56f44fe3af7bc99e527e94fb9087a677226fda | By . Snejana Farberov . A Pennsylvania man on a business trip to the Bahamas was stabbed to death outside his resort Friday, local law enforcement officials announced. The body of Carl Yerger, 45, from Fleetwood, was discovered in the town of Bimini on the western side of the archipelago early Friday morning. According to the victim's wife, Rebecca Snyder Yerger, her husband was a co-owner of Custom Milling and Consulting. Victim: Carl Yerger, 45, from Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, was on a business trip to the Bahamas when he was stabbed to death just outside his resort . Murder in paradise: Yerger's body was discovered outside the Big Game Resort and Marina in Bimini, Bahamas . The father of two young sons, ages 7 and 10, was also a president of the Oley Valley Youth Sports League for just over a year. According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Mr Yerger was found dead from multiple stab wounds at around 7am outside the Big Game Resort and Marina, where he was staying for the duration of the business trip, NBC 10 reported. Investigators say they have taken in four suspects for questioning, but no charges have been filed so far. Police believe that the fatal stabbing may have been a random act of violence. Bahamas Press reported . that Mr Yerger may have been familiar with his killer, and that the . stabbing could be related to a large-scale drug sting that took place in . the vicinity of the resort just hours after Yerger was found dead. The . paper reported that the son of the island's mail boat captain was . arrested by Bimini police, who also seized 500lbs of illegal drugs. Family man: Mr Yerger leaves behind his wife, Rebecca (far left) and the couple's two sons, ages 7 and 10 (pictured center) In a statement released on the Oley Valley Youth League website, Mr Yerger was described as a 'forward thinking, intelligent and thoughtful' leader who volunteered countless hours to the program. ‘He was unique, caring, ambitious, detailed, organized, courageous, a problem solver, and mediator,’ the tribute read. ‘He was patient and a great man that led with his words and more importantly with his actions. He led with class and a smile.’ The youth sports league, a non-profit organization that offers coaching in baseball, softball, basketball, field hockey and soccer, has suspended all its games this weekend in light of Yerger's tragic death, according to WFMZ. Role model: Mr Yerger had served as the president of the Oley Valley Youth Sports League, where he distinguished himself as a forward-thinking leader with a talent for organization . He will be missed: His colleagues at the sports league described the 45-year-old father of two as a selfless and caring volunteer . | Carl Yerger, 45, was found with multiple stab wounds outside a Bimini resort .
Yerger owned a milling company and served as president of a youth sports league in Pennsylvania .
Police in the Bahamas took in four people for questioning in the fatal stabbing believed to be a random act of violence .
Local paper suggested Yerger's death may be related to massive drug bust near the Bimini resort . |
219,654 | a8565dee2008bdf609c2906a618448ab63e4d88d | By . Steve Nolan . PUBLISHED: . 05:43 EST, 13 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:14 EST, 13 March 2013 . Balanced high above the desert skyline at sunset, there can be no doubt that anyone attending Utah's annual slacklining festival needs a good head for heights. Pictured smiling perched 400ft above the ground these daredevils are confident enough in their ability to stay on the highline that they stop and pose for photos. They are among hundreds of adrenalin junkies from across the world who travelled to the Utah desert to take part in the fifth annual slack lining, base jumping and climbing festival known as the Turkey Boogie. Scroll down for video . Head for heights: Adrenalin junkies travelled from all over the world to take part in the fifth Turkey Boogie in the Utah desert . Daredevils: Julien Desforges and Pierre Carrillo pose for a picture as they balance above the Utah desert, left, while Andy Lewis, right, keeps his balance as he negotiates the slackline . Participants' adventures are captured in this stunning set of pictures taken by event organiser Scott Rogers, 25, who started the annual gathering as a way of getting his friends from around the globe together each year. He said: 'People are often all over the world doing their thing so it's a place we can all get together and let off steam and have some fun. 'It started out as something really informal with about 20 people at the first event. 'As the years went on we continued to host the event and word-of-mouth, as well as the beautiful pictures we captured every year, helped it to grow in popularity. 'This year was the biggest yet with more than 100 people attending from lots of different countries.' Balancing act: Pierre Carrillo, left, and Ben Plotkin, right, are pictured perched high above the Utah skyline balancing in the desert sun . Spectacular view: Heidi Blais, Pierre Carrillo, Brian Mosbaugh, Julien Desforges and Andy Lewis (left to right) were among 130 intrepid adventurers who attended the 10-day festival . The festival lasts for ten days but the first two days are devoted to getting ropes and equipment set up. This year, it got off to a dramatic start with one of the 130 people who attended had to be carried down the mountain and airlifted to hospital after picking up an injury. Scott, from Denver, Colorado, added: 'Fortunately she was okay and the rest of us were able to do some really great highlining and BASE jumping during the festival just as I hoped. 'It's just a full on week of absolute shenanigans - it's unbelievable.' Scott, who has been slacklining for 10 years and BASE jumping for four years, got his first taste of the daring sport at a climbing competition he was competing in. Annual gathering: Scott Rogers started the festival as a way of getting his friends from all around the world together once a year . He was so amazed by it that he forgot to compete and just slacklined all day. He said: 'At the festival, which has taken the name Turkey Boogie, the community comes together and creates a space where people can do these dangerous things with the help and support of others. 'For an entire week we walk highlines at or above our ability level. We take falls, we get back up, we try again, we walk across. 'The feeling of doing something both physically and mentally difficult is taken to the next level when you have the support of your friends. 'Spending time here is just unbelievable. Everyone becomes great mates and you never know who you might bump into each year. 'I don't think there is anywhere else in the world you can have as much fun.' Heady heights: Both Ben Plotkin, left, and Pierre Carrillo's, right, faces are etched with concentration in these close up shots of slackliners at the festival . | Adrenalin junkies spent ten days on high wires above the Utah desert .
The annual event was started by Scott Rogers five years ago .
He initially started it as a way of meeting up with friends from abroad .
Now around 130 people from around the globe attend the festival . |
146,677 | 49af639eafedf52e3a36779596499dcec8ac382f | Toasted pigeon was a favourite dish of Neanderthals, who unlike their brutish reputation, had the brains and skill to catch the birds. The discovery was made after an excavation of Gorham's Cave where Neanderthals are thought to have lived for nearly 100,000 years ago. Archaeologists unearthed leftovers of Neanderthal feasts, which included pigeon bone, in sediments that built up between 28,000 and 67,000 years ago on the east face of Gibraltar. Roasted pigeon was a favourite dish of Neanderthals. Pictured here are cut marks found on the excavated pigeon bones, possibly made with stone tools used during cooking . Researchers believe the Neanderthals hunted wild pigeons, possibly by climbing steep cliffs to reach raid their nests. So far, 150 ancient bird species have been identified from bones found in the cave sediments. Many were of rock doves, the ancestors of modern feral pigeons. Twenty eight of the pigeon bones had cuts from stone tools and 15 had tooth marks. So far, 150 ancient bird species had been identified from bones found in the cave sediments. Twenty eight of the pigeon bones had cuts from stone tools (pictured) and 15 had tooth marks . The discovery in Gorham's Cave, GIbraltar where Neanderthals are thought to have lived 100,000 years ago . Some also had signs of charring, which may have been created when the meat cooked on an open fire. These signs were on the pigeon wing and leg bones where the best meat could be found. The thicker bones had puncture marks from smaller bones, which can be caused when chicken wings twisted to get to the meat.' 'They liked what we like and went for the breasts, the drumsticks and the wings,' study author Clive Finlayson, director of the Gibraltar Museum, told journalists of the bone analysis. 'They had the knowledge and technology to do this.' Professor Finlayson said the bone analysis added to a growing body of evidence that Neanderthals were more sophisticated than was once widely believed. So far, 150 ancient bird species have been identified from bones found in the cave sediments. Many were of rock doves, the ancestors of modern feral pigeons . You might think of Neanderthals as lumbering cavemen who feasted on slaughtered beasts, but new research in June suggests they preferred far more refined cuisine. A study of ancient fossilised poo left behind by our distant cousins reveals they had a diet which featured vegetables and nuts. Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of La Laguna in Spain used analytical techniques to find faecal biomarkers from five samples of poo found in El Salt, southern Spain. The scientists analysed each sample for metabolised versions of animal-derived cholesterol, as well as phytosterol, a cholesterol-like compound found in plants. While all samples contained signs of meat consumption, two samples showed traces of plants - the first direct evidence that Neanderthals may have enjoyed omnivorous meals. 'This makes them even more human,' he said.' In June, researchers at MIT reported evidence from 50,000-year-old Neanderthal poo that those living in southern Spain also ate nuts and vegetables. Other researchers recently found plant microfossils trapped in Neanderthal teeth - a finding that suggests the species may have led a more complex lifestyle, harvesting and cooking a variety of plants in addition to hunting prey. It was not known how the birds in this latest study were captured, though the team speculated they would have been relatively easy to snatch from their nests 'by a moderately skillful and silent climber'. The researchers conceded the scorch marks were not conclusive proof of cooking, as they could be from waste disposal or accidental burning. 'Traditionally in human history, the pigeon has been considered a symbol of peace, love, and fertility, three attributes that are deeply interwoven,' the researchers said. 'Its origins may well have been with the Neanderthals who exploited this very fertility in a way that allowed them to target them for food without depleting their numbers.' It was not known how the birds in this latest study were captured, though the team speculated they would have been relatively easy to snatch from their nests 'by a moderately skillful and silent climber' | Discovery was made after an excavation of Gorham's Cave in of Gibraltar .
Pigeon bones found in sediments that are 28,000 to 67,000 years old .
28 pigeon bones had cuts from tools and 15 of them had tooth marks .
Some had signs of charring which may have been created during cooking .
Neanderthals may have hunted the wild pigeons by climbing steep cliffs . |
211,822 | 9e4edc46e0ee2285b4edfa3b4d45512c48f9ac1e | By . Sebastian Shakespeare . Andy Murray split up with his coach Ivan Lendl and replaced the former Wimbledon finalist with Amelie Mauresmo. Now his mother Judy is ringing the changes off court. I hear the 54-year-old, self-confessed ‘white-hot blonde’ tennis coach has broken up with her long-term boyfriend, Phil Reid. Judy, who is said to be in the ‘advanced stage’ of talks to appear in the next series of Strictly Come Dancing, bought a £815,000 ‘dream’ home in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, with the former badminton player in 2012. No more courting: Judy Murray, 54, has broken up with her long-term boyfriend, former badminton player Phil Reid, 48 . Sporting chance: Judy is said to be in the 'advanced stage' of talks to appear in the next series of Strictly Come Dancing . ‘I have no partner,’ is all she will tell me. It is not known if Judy has met anyone since her split from Reid, 48, who is high performance manager for the quango Sportscotland. Only last year, Judy wrote a gushing article about the ‘lovely’ romantic dinners she managed to squeeze into her busy schedule with ‘my long–term partner, Phil’. Her marriage to Andy’s father, Willie, an area manager for Scottish news-agent chain R. S. McColl, ended when the future Wimbledon champion was nine, a year after she became a full-time tennis coach. She was the one who left home, and Willie raised Andy, now 27, and his brother, fellow tennis professional Jamie, 28, for four years. Split: Judy's marriage to Andy's father, Willie, an area manager for Scottish news-agent chain R. S. McColl, ended when the future Wimbledon champion was nine . Growing up: Andy, now 27, and his brother, fellow tennis professional Jamie, 28, were raised by their father Willie for four years . ‘I was away a lot and then you’re coaching until quite late in the evening,’ said Judy. ‘Your domestic life gets hit for six.’ The pair were divorced after a nine-year separation in 2005. Andy has said he always felt there was competition between his parents. ‘I would get stuck in the middle of their arguments,’ he said. ‘I would get really upset.’ Though Judy’s split from Willie was traumatic, their relationship has since become more cordial and they were pictured embracing at the dinner after Andy’s historic Centre Court victory last year. Attraction: Much to Andy's embarrassment, Judy has expressed admiration for some of his peers on the tennis tour, particularly Feliciano Lopez, whom she nicknamed 'Deliciano' Judy does have an eye for a handsome man and, much to Andy’s embarrassment, has expressed carnal admiration for some of his peers on the tennis tour, particularly Feliciano Lopez, whom she nicknamed ‘Deliciano’. Last year, she posted the message ‘Deliciano alert’ on a social network like a love-struck fan. ‘Jaywalking on his phone in Eastbourne,’ she reported, with a photo of the player. She had earlier mentioned the Spaniard, drooling: ‘Ooooooh Deliciano . . . looking good out there. As always.’ Andy responded: ‘It’s making me throw up, it’s disgusting.’ | Judy Murray, 54, has broken up with long-term boyfriend Phil Reid, 48 .
Tennis coach said to be in 'advanced stages' of Strictly Come Dancing talks .
Couple bought £815,000 'dream home' in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire in 2012 .
Marriage to Andy's father Willie ended when tennis ace was nine . |
250,943 | d0c47c3f1447e307ea23ded854f91ce6e0568202 | It was a perfect September day; the air still with small white clouds scudding across a blue sky, the sun warm on our backs. Bees buzzed and small white butterflies fluttered around the wild flowers that lined the deep lane. With the church spire of a peaceful village in the distance, we could have been on a Sunday walk along an ancient drovers' road. But when we stopped, our guide sharply focused our attentions well away from thoughts of a rural idyll. He revealed that we were close to the spot on the Sunken Road where Geoffrey Malins, an official British war photographer, set up his camera to capture the most dramatic shot of his life - as the German redoubt of Hawthorn Ridge was blown sky-high early on July 1, 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Lest we forget: The Thiepval Memorial to more than 72,000 British and French dead of the Somme . It would last until November 13, by which time the British had suffered 420,000 casualties - 60,000 on the first day alone. Our guide, a military historian, knew his stuff and told it well. He knew when to insert an anecdote or flesh out a character, and had an engaging habit of referring to General Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force in France, as Dougie Haig. The Sunken Road was our last stop on an absorbing four-day tour of the Western Front, that shifting barbed-wire battle line between the Allied and German armies running some 440 miles from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border. Over the top: British soldiers advance during the Battle of the Somme in July 1916 . Our group of 21, mainly middle-aged plus, included a father and his quiet, observant 14-year-old son who had a knack of finding fragments of weapons and ammunition. We visited battlefields, cemeteries, field stations, memorial parks, a magnificent museum and a clutch of quirky cafes, once houses close to the front line, now with an assortment of war memorabilia, often including trenches in the back garden. Our trip was moving, heart-rending, often shocking, sometimes light-hearted - but never depressing. One evening at 8pm we stood, part of a silent crowd, at the great Menin Gate of Ypres as the buglers of the local fire brigade sounded Last Post as they have done every evening, except during the Second World War, since November 11, 1929, when the tradition was established. The words 'They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old', often spoken by a visiting dignitary, still touch the heart. The Gate, more a magnificent arch, was built on the crossroads where British and Commonwealth troops marched east out of the town to the battlefields of the Ypres Salient. Thousands would never return. Panels of white Portland stone, chiselled with the names of 54,389 men missing in those battles, line the arch; the Hall of Memory. The silence was intense as the last bugle note died away. Dymphna (right) visited the great Menin Gate at Ypres, where the buglers sound Last Post every evening . Battles result in cemeteries and memorials, and there are hundreds of them, from small plots on the edge of a village to the majestic splendour of the Thiepval Memorial to the 72,000-plus British and South African men missing on the Somme and with no known grave. There is an atmosphere of tranquillity in every carefully tended cemetery, with seasonal flowers or evergreens growing in the small strip of earth in front of each white stone grave. Some of our group had requested 'special visits' to cemeteries where relatives were buried. As my father had survived the Battle of Loos in 1915, I was curious about the site - as was another in our group, Roz Taylor, who by an extraordinary coincidence also had a father who had survived the carnage. The battle lasted 19 days and was a failure. The British used gas for the first time, some blowing back over their own troops. Rudyard Kipling's only son fell at Loos; Robert Graves survived and wrote vividly about his experiences in his autobiography Goodbye To All That. Poignant: Visitors’ crosses in barbed wire at the preserved battlefield of Hill 62 just south-east of Ypres . Roz had brought a copy of her father's war diary and showed me part of his entry for a 6am bombardment at Loos. He wrote: '...the sight of men stumbling into reddish mist [gas] then they sat down suddenly as though tying up their shoes. After a while realized with a shock they were dead.' My father, only slightly gassed, got a bullet through his right arm and was discharged. Earlier that year, he had fought with the Royal Munster Fusiliers at the Battle of Aubers Ridge, another disaster with high casualties. As a child, I thought his picture of a mounted priest standing on a muddy track in front of a group of weary soldiers rather gloomy. As he never talked about the war, I understood the picture's significance only after his death. 'The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue du Bois' took place on May 8, 1915, the eve of the battle of Aubers Ridge. Painted by Fortunino Matania, it caused 'a minor emotional storm' when it appeared in The Sphere magazine in November 1916. Sadly, bombs in the Second World War destroyed the original. My copy will go to my third grandson, who, aged 13, knew more about my father's war than I did at the age of 70. Fleshing out a character: Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig (left) with General Francois Anthoine and, right, First World War trenches at the Sanctuary Wood Museum at Hill 62, south-east of Ypres . Fortunately, the Great War is now on the school curriculum and the course includes battlefield trips. I saw a school group at the Menin Gate and another walking decorously on a conducted tour through trenches at the Vimy Ridge memorial park. Cheery participants in a 10k Sunday run streamed past us as we walked to the excellent interpretative centre in what is now a green 250-acre park - with areas of unexploded bombs safely fenced off. When the Canadians attacked Vimy Ridge in snow and sleet at 5.30am on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917, they fought on devastated war-scarred land, but took the ridge. The guide pointed across the trenches. 'The German front line was there, close enough for the troops to shout across to each other.' One German is said to have warned: 'Hello Tommy, you better be careful. We're moving out, the Prussians are coming and they're very good shots.' Sombre: The group visited the German cemetery at Langemarck where four brooding bronze soldiers guard their fallen comrades buried under black stone slabs without headstones . Somehow it was fitting that we visited the sombre and severe German cemetery at Langemarck early one misty grey morning. Here, four brooding bronze soldiers guard their fallen comrades buried under black stone slabs without headstones, many to a grave. There was no sense of tranquillity here and the folly and waste of war somehow seemed so much more forceful. It was forceful, too, at the preserved battlefield of Hill 62 just south-east of Ypres. The man-made hill was built-up spoil from the adjacent 19th Century railway. New growth has slightly softened the scars and mine craters but randomly scattered lumps of concrete and a massive ruined pillbox, a good 3ft thick and partially covered by brambles, give the place a brutal air. A vital vantage point, the hill changed hands several times during intense fighting. Ypres itself never fell into enemy hands but the bodies of many soldiers from both sides still lie below this battlefield. The adjacent privately owned Sanctuary Wood Museum and cafe is an oldstyle tourist attraction. The remains of trenches, the heaps of shrapnel, barbed wire and rusting weapons in the garden, together with the assortment of military memorabilia in the museum - badges, scraps of letters, yellowing newspaper cuttings, caps, spiked German helmets, bayonets, posters - all touch the heart. Preserving history: The Sanctuary Wood Museum displays an assortment of military memorabilia . On the drive back to the coast, some of us wondered why, when still 80 miles from Calais, lunch was to be at seasidesounding Ocean Villas. Blame the British Tommy, who, unfazed by foreign words, found a simple English equivalent. Ypres became 'Wipers'; Wytschaete, a much fought-over ridge village, 'White Sheet', and Auchonvillers - a village behind British lines - 'Ocean Villas'. There was so much more to see and ponder, such as the astonishing smallness of the operating theatre, a windowless bunker, at the Essex Farm dressing station at Ypres Salient where both surgeon and patient could hear the thunder of the front line a few miles away; the plaque, also at Essex Farm, inscribed with the poem In Flanders Fields, written by Dr John McCrae after the death of his friend; the simple, moving comments in the visitors' books kept in the bronze boxes at the entrance to all Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries. No wonder people return to the First World War battlefields. One could never tire of such a deeply layered human subject. It's A Long Way To Tipperary...An Introduction To The Western Front with Holts Tours (holts.co.uk, 01293 865 000) costs from £765 and includes four days' B&B and coach and ferry travel. | Writer embarked on a four-day tour of battlefields and cemeteries .
Dymphna's father had survived the Battle of Loos in 1915 .
Trip was moving, heart-rending, often shocking - but never depressing .
Visited the great Menin Gate of Ypres as the buglers sounded Last Post .
Also included the majestic Thiepval Memorial to 72,000-plus missing men . |
126,870 | 3001dfe87fde3d76dc67ce65571c891e056f8493 | By . Hugo Gye . PUBLISHED: . 06:46 EST, 23 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:23 EST, 23 December 2013 . The mother of a schoolboy who apparently killed himself after being falsely accused of rape has branded the justice system a 'joke' after one of his bullies walked free. Tom Acton, 16, is believed to have committed suicide following a hate campaign against him which started after he told police about drug dealers plaguing his neighbourhood. Thomas Greenwood, 18, admitted assaulting the teenager, but escaped jail as he was handed a 12-month community order and 100 hours of unpaid work. Grief: Tom Acton, pictured left with his mother Gaynor, apparently killed himself after being bullied; Thomas Greenwood, right, one of his tormentors, has walked free from jail . After the victim reported drug dealers in his home town of Poynton, Cheshire to the police, false rumours spread that he had tied a girl to a tree and raped her. Tom was then targeted in the streets by angry mobs, while vigilantes turned up at his front door saying they wanted to 'get rid of the vermin' - but both his school and the police said they were unable to help him. He began self-harming and was found critically ill in his bedroom on October 31, just days before he was due to testify at Greenwood's trial, dying in hospital two days later. The teenager's death was not mentioned during Greenwood's sentencing at Macclesfield Magistrates' Court. After the thug - who has not been linked to drug dealing - walked free from court, Tom's mother Gaynor described the punishment as 'bloody disgusting' and said the authorities had let her son down. Rumours: After Tom spoke out against drug dealers, he was falsely accused of raping a girl . 'This sentence is absolutely bloody disgusting but sadly I'm not surprised as I wasn't expecting much more,' said company director Mrs Acton, 45. 'The justice system in Britain is just a laugh and a joke. 'My son is dead because of these people and yet this guy is already back out on the streets walking scot-free. I don't even know how to feel about it. I just feel numb. 'In this world as it stands at the moment it seems it doesn't matter who you are or what you've done, you'll get away with it. It's people like my son, the victims, that end up suffering and paying the price. It's quite simply appalling, I'm lost for words.' The bereaved mother has previously denounced officials for failing to protect Tom from local thugs after he spoke out against the drug dealers and was then targeted by the false rape claims. 'The rumour went all over the place and on Facebook and Tom went to live with his gran in Wales for a bit,' Mrs Acton said. Wounded: Tom's injuries after he was attacked by a gang of bullies are pictured here, right . 'Straightaway I called the school and police but they said there was nothing they could do about it. They said it was just a rumour and that Facebook is their bane. 'Tom became a recluse in his own house. It was horrific. He was screaming and crying asking why were they doing it. 'We would have gangs of 30 coming to my door shouting abuse when me and my family were in the house at around 10pm at night. We didn't feel safe in our home, the kids said they had come "to get rid of the vermin". 'This was a kid being called a rapist and it wasn't true. Tom was never questioned as a rapist or charged, it was the bullies making it up. He couldn't even walk along the road because of the name-calling and violence.' In June Greenwood attacked Tom outside his home, and threatened him with what the victim believed was a knife. School: Officials at Poynton High School said they were unable to prevent Tom being bullied . In a statement given before his death, Tom said: 'He grabbed hold of my arms turning me towards him and pushed me into a bush. 'He said, "Tell me tell me." I didn't understand what he wanted me to tell him but he said: "Apparently you strapped someone to a tree and raped them and took pictures." I said, "What are you on about?" 'He threatened to break my nose and said: "If I see you, you are dead." I screamed for my life and I saw him just staring me out. I thought my life was going to end. 'As you can imagine I can no longer walk down the street as everyone calls me a rapist. I felt so scared for my life I wanted to break down and cry. I was scared to go out of the house. I wish I wasn't here.' In mitigation Greenwood's lawyer Anthony Derbyshire said: 'He did approach Thomas and confront him with regards to the issue as to whether he assaulted one of his friends. He is genuinely remorseful.' For confidential . support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local . Samaritans branch or click here for details . | Tom Acton, 16, told police about drug dealers plaguing Poynton, Cheshire .
He was falsely accused of rape and apparently committed suicide .
Police and school refused to step in to stop the teenager being bullied .
Thomas Greenwood was given community order for assaulting Tom .
Victim's mother Gaynor says 'the justice system in Britain is just a joke' |
41,681 | 758f1968d470c3f165ad9be661bd19cc13bffe83 | (CNN) -- As a drone with a sensitive camera scans an expanding search area for missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, investigators are widening their scope to include other missing persons and murder cases. A suspect in custody has been connected to previous sexual assault allegations, and DNA evidence has linked him to the disappearance and death of another young woman in the same area where Graham vanished. At least four women have gone missing there since 2009. Graham, 18, was last seen in Charlottesville's Downtown Mall area on September 13. Investigators believe suspect Jesse Matthew, 32, was the last person with her. He is charged with abduction with the intent to defile. There have been no signs of Graham since. As the search for her and the investigation of Matthew continue, this is what we've learned so far: . Who is Hannah Graham? She's a native of Northern Virginia and tall -- 5 feet, 11 inches with a slender build. Graham has light brown hair, blue eyes and freckles. She was wearing a crop top when she was last seen. She's a second-year University of Virginia student making straight A's, her parents say. And she is a member of the ski team. She had been co-captain of her high school softball team. "She was extremely smart, very witty, very athletic; she was musically inclined," her former coach Craig Maniglia said. She was studying pre-med, he said. There are also photos from a recent trip to France and comments from friends in French on what appears to be her Facebook page. Where was she the night she vanished? On the evening of September 12, she was seen at a party before friends saw her at an apartment complex a couple of blocks away. That was shortly before midnight, according to a timeline compiled by CNN affiliate WVIR. About 12:45 a.m. on September 13, a surveillance camera caught her outside of a pub, about three-quarters of a mile from the apartment complex. Other surveillance cameras captured her, as she ran past a gas station, walked past an Italian cafe and then by a jewelry store. At 1:20 a.m., she texted her friends to say she was lost and trying to find a party, WVIR reported. She and a man were seen having drinks at a bar between 1:30 and 2 a.m., WVIR reports. Police believe she may have been under the influence of alcohol, making her less able to defend herself. What is being done to find her? This is the first time in the state's history that an aerial drone has been used in a missing person search. Authorities are also offering a $100,000 reward for information leading her safe return. More than 3,000 tips to Graham's possible whereabouts have poured in. Police have asked owners of large parcels of property in surrounding counties to search their land and report back. More than 1,200 volunteers have searched around Charlottesville for clues leading to Graham. And the search area has expanded to include U.S. Route 29, outside of Charlottesville, where other women reportedly disappeared. Where is Hannah Graham? What other cases have come up in the investigation? DNA evidence has linked suspect Matthew to the death of a second woman, Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, who disappeared in 2009, authorities said. She was 20 at the time. Her remains were found on a farm months later. Investigators are also checking other unsolved homicide and missing person cases for possible connections: Those of Cassandra Morton, whose body was found in a wooded area near Lynchburg in November 2009; Samantha Ann Clarke, who was last seen on September 13, 2010; and Virginia Tech students Heidi Childs and David Metzler, who were shot to death in 2009. Route 29 seems to be a ghoulish common denominator. Harrington and Clarke disappeared along the corridor, where Graham also may have vanished. Alexis Murphy of Lovingston, Virginia, also vanished there. All the women were between 17 and 20 years old, CNN affiliate WVIR has reported. Another man, Randy Taylor, was convicted in Murphy's case in August 2013. He maintains he is innocent. And this week, his lawyer, Michael J Hallahan II, asked that evidence in the case be re-examined. "This is not a fishing expedition, but rather this request is based upon evidence presented at Randy Taylor's trial and based upon these new developments relating to Matthew in the news," Hallahan said. "Maybe it's him (Matthew), maybe it's not. It doesn't hurt to check." In addition, in 2010, Harrington's case was connected to the 2005 kidnapping and sexual assault of another woman in Fairfax, Virginia. That woman survived her ordeal and provided police a description to make a sketch. Whether the drawing of an African-American male resembles Matthew would have to be left up to interpretation. Authorities check unsolved cases for ties to Graham disappearance . Has Jesse Matthew been in trouble before? Matthew has been accused of sexual assault twice before, when he was in college over a decade ago. A woman reported she was raped on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg on October 17, 2002. Matthew was a student at the evangelical Christian college for three years and played on the football team. However, no charges were filed because the woman didn't want to go forward with the case, and investigators determined there wasn't enough evidence to arrest Matthew. Matthew told authorities that the woman consented. There were no witnesses. This week, a "criminal incident information" report was released by Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, pointing to a sexual assault allegedly involving Matthew on September 7, 2003. Matthew quit the school's football team after the allegations and later left the school. When Virginia police first looked for Matthew for questioning in the Graham case, he went to a police station, and there he asked for legal representation. Days later, after police obtained an arrest warrant, Matthew was found more than 1,000 miles away on a Texas beach. He did not fight extradition in a Texas court and was taken back to Virginia. CNN's Eliott C. McLaughlin, Mike Ahlers and Ed Payne contributed to this report. | The area in which authorities are searching for Graham has expanded .
Investigators are looking for connections to other missing persons and homicide cases .
DNA has linked suspect Jesse Matthew to another murder case .
Sexual assault accusations against Matthew have surfaced elsewhere in Virginia . |
179,928 | 74f6cc635a9d4d90a17ca60108bc00cc50dbbcd7 | By . Victoria Woollaston . Farmers have a wealth of technology and data at their fingertips to get the best from livestock, but one old-fashioned technique still remains. Researchers in Switzerland have fitted 14 cows with cannulas in their sides, that are cut directly into the animal’s digestive tract. The 8-inch (20cm) holes allow farmers to directly see how food is being processed, and are plugged using rubber stoppers when not being used. Scroll down for video . Researchers in Switzerland have fitted 14 cows with cannulas, pictured, in their sides that are cut directly into the cow's digestive tract, and fitted with a plug. The 8-inch (20cm) holes allow farmers to see how food is being processed, and to analyse the animal's energy efficiency . The cannula acts like a porthole and gives direct access to the cow’s rumen. Once the cannula is surgically placed in the cow, the animals grazes for a set period of time before being examined. Farmers remove the plug and pull the grass and oat mixture from the rumen. This . material is collected and tested and this analysis shows farmers and . researches which forages get the best results from the livestock, based . on how much is digested. The . practice is said to have become common place in the 1920s but reports . of cows being used in this way for scientific research date back to . 1833. Cows with cannulas fitted are also known as fistulated cows. Agroscope, in Grangeneuve, Switzerland uses the cannulated cows to test the digestion of different, experimental blends of oats to create a more balanced feed for the animals. The cannula acts like a porthole and gives direct access to the cow’s rumen. Once the cannula is surgically placed in the cow, the animals grazes for a set period of time before being examined. Farmers remove the plug and pull the grass and oat mixture from the rumen. This material is collected and tested, and this analysis shows farmers and researches which forages get the best results from the livestock, based on how much is digested. The practice is said to have become common place in the 1920s but reports of cows being used in this way for scientific research date back to 1833. Cows with cannulas fitted are also known as fistulated cows. Researchers claim the process can help the environment by improving the energy efficiency of cows, which in turn reduces the amount of methane they produce. The cows are anaesthetised during the surgical procedure and are said to experience no pain when being examined. But animal rights campaigners claim it is abuse . Farmers and researchers claim the process can help the environment by improving the energy efficiency of cows, which in turn reduces the amount of methane they produce. The cows are anaesthetised during the surgical procedure and are said to experience no pain when being examined. But animal rights campaigners claim it is abuse, and have branded the practice as cruel. An episode of Ripley's Believe it or Not interviewed Dr. Edward DePeters from the University of California Davis. The report claimed fistulated cows have a longer life span due to the care they are given. The practice is not unique to Agroscope and is also performed in the U.S and across Europe. | Researchers in Switzerland fitted 14 cows with cannulas in their side .
Cannulas are holes that are cut directly into a cow’s digestive tract .
The 8-inch (20cm) holes allow farmers to see how food is being processed .
Monitoring the energy efficiency of cows can help improve farming methods and the environment .
But animal rights campaigners have criticised the activity, branding it cruel . |
191,362 | 83ca975b7382a033d84f3bd246321f4749c7a936 | (CNN) -- With its intense urban center and outlying natural beauty, Hong Kong's intriguing, paradoxical nature beckons you to come for a visit. A thriving metropolis ablaze with millions of scintillating lights is only one side of this city's allure. An extension of Hong Kong, its islands and green expanses offer respite and serenity if a calm vacation is what you crave. "I find it fascinating that Hong Kong has a huge population living in a small area, yet still has large areas of preserved nature," iReporter Emilyinhk said. "I never expected that in just a few minutes you could be in a quiet, rural area, far from the pollution and crowds of the city." Challenge yourself to soak up the split personality of Hong Kong's spirit. Until you do, visitors and natives alike say you haven't experienced the "real Hong Kong." Hong Kong: Metropolis on the brink of beauty . Yvonne Chan lives in Hong Kong, and she is still captivated by all that her city has to offer. Her must-do list is just a taste of the experiences you can have: "Tram up to the Peak, light show by Tsim Sha Tsui's Avenue of Stars overlooking the Victoria Harbour at 8 p.m. every evening, shopping in Causeway Bay, drinks in Lan Kwai Fong, Big Buddha at Ngong Ping, and for those with kids, a day at Ocean Park." Below, iReporters share their tips for making the most of your time in Hong Kong. First-timer tips . It's easy to get caught up in the rush of Hong Kong's bustling city area. Try to see and experience as much as you can, but before you jet off, take note of these tips. Hong Kong's summers are notoriously hot and humid, so plan accordingly. iReporter George Kreif recommends traveling in the fall, "when the temperature is (almost) bearable." But if you do go during the summer, dress as lightly as possible. Hong Kong is also worth exploring on foot. "If you are a first-time traveler, I recommend getting a map and some good walking shoes," iReporter Ray Kirby said. This especially comes in handy when looking at Hong Kong's scenery. "Don't forget to explore Hong Kong's green side," iReporter Shari Nijman said. "The city is amazing, but most of Hong Kong consists of lush, green nature with fantastic hiking trails!" If you feel swept away by all of your options, embrace it. Hong Kong can be dazzling and overwhelming. Let yourself explore. "By all means, if it's your first visit to Hong Kong, don't be afraid to be a 'tourist,' " Kreif said. "Visit Victoria Peak, travel to Kowloon -- be sure to visit 'Flower' and 'Bird Streets' via the Star Ferry. Kowloon at night is ablaze with neon commercial lights, a beautiful sight to behold. The enthusiastic crowds you will encounter there will energize your spirit after a long day of sightseeing. Not to worry, it's perfectly safe to be out and about at night." If you've got shopping on your mind, invest in an Octopus Card, Chan suggests. "The card is available anywhere and is accepted by all transport providers as well as major convenience stores ... beats carrying small change!" she said. But perhaps best of all, keep this advice in mind: "My tip for traveling in Hong Kong is to explore and enjoy all the wonderful things and places this country offers," iReporter Lia Ocampo said. Five tastemakers of Hong Kong's dining scene . Getting around . Perhaps more so than most other cities, Hong Kong is known for its various modes of transportation. Trams are perfect for tourists and locals alike and can take you almost anywhere you want to go. "We are budget travelers," Maureen McLeod said. "We would strongly recommend taking the tram for both the low fare and the view of so much of the city which one gets, particularly from the front seats on the second level. One can see most of the city for only two Hong Kong dollars." Ferries, such as the Star Ferry, are also very popular in the city and for navigating around the islands. "Take a ferry out to one of the islands or a bus into the New Territories," Emilyinhk said. "Many of these places are less than an hour away from Central. The city itself is breathtaking, but unless you get out and see the rural areas, you haven't truly experienced Hong Kong. From a beach in Sai Kung or a hiking trail on Lantau Island, you would never believe you were still in Hong Kong." Fast-paced Kowloon is rich with the city life that entices many visitors to Hong Kong. Crowded night markets and street food vendors give off the vibe that this is the "real Hong Kong." If you want to slow down after a night in Kowloon, explore relaxing Lantau Island. "Something about having to take a boat there makes it seem like you've landed on the other side of the world," iReporter Bo Brennan said. The islands also offer more strenuous recreation for those wanting an adventure. "If you're into hiking -- and still have the energy -- take a ferry out to Lamma Island, where you will find a lengthy, well-maintained hiking trail that offers amazing view of the surrounding islands and ocean," Kreif said. One day in Hong Kong . "If you only have one day in Hong Kong, there is one thing you must do," Brennan said. "It will be a memory you will keep for years to come. Take a boat out on the harbor at sunset. Watch the sun slowly sink behind islands in the far distance. Look at the dying light glint off the buildings of Hong Kong's amazing skyline. "That experience is worth its weight in Hong Kong dollars, and it will be one memory you will tell your children and grandchildren, inspiring the next generation to go out and experience everything the world has to offer." Share your Dubai photos! | With an intense urban center and outlying natural beauty, Hong Kong is a paradox .
Take advantage of Hong Kong's cooler fall weather and explore its scenic islands .
Explore Hong Kong via tram or ferry for an inexpensive, fun way to sightsee . |
280,506 | f7619394bdac01f1b3325f32e2a0c38beaa52d9b | By . Ap Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 23:43 EST, 13 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:22 EST, 14 August 2013 . Hopes were dashed Tuesday when a decades old Florida quadruple murder investigation ended when authorities concluded there was no link between their case and the killings dramatized in the book In Cold Blood. The convicted killers, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, were long suspected in the slayings of Cliff Walker, his wife, Christine, and their two children. The family was killed in December of 1959, about a month after Smith and Hickock murdered a Kansas farmer and his family. Investigators were unable to make a DNA match between Smith and Hickock, and Christine Walker, who was raped and had semen on her underwear. Cold case? Cliff and Christine Walker were murdered in their Florida home along with their children in a crime long connected to In Cold Blood murderers Perry Smith and Richard Hickock . Two families? Richard Hickock, left, and Perry Smith, right, fled to Florida after murdering a family in Kansas and some believe they killed again . Authorities said they were unable to match the DNA because only partial profiles could be taken from the exhumed bodies in December, and the Walker crime scene samples were old and degraded. No more tests were scheduled. ‘The complication lies in the fact that there's still some uncertainty,’ Bell said. ‘It wouldn't exclude them but it also does not provide us with any level of confidence to say there's a match because there's not.’ Police still believe the two men were likely involved. ‘We're not closing the case,’ Bell said. ‘It remains an unsolved murder. The mystery continues and we'll look for other opportunities. We've reached a point where we don't believe we're going to accomplish that through DNA testing.’ Testing decades-old DNA can be difficult, said Dr. Michael Baird, the laboratory director of the DNA Diagnostics Center in Ohio. Red herring? Smith and Hickock's remains were exhumed om 2012 and their DNA taken. However, time had degraded the samples taken from the Florida crime scene in 1959 too much to place them at the scene . Slain: Christine and Cliff met as teenagers, they were murdered in 1959, along with their two young children . Unsolved: Christine twirled ropes at the local rodeo as a teen and Cliff roped calves. Their 1959 murder remains unsolved . He said genetic evidence can degrade . over time. How much DNA was retrieved from samples, how it was stored . and the conditions it was exposed to all play a role in whether a full . DNA profile can be collected. He said testing a partial DNA profile would be like looking at a fingerprint that didn't have all the swirls. ‘The . ability to make a match with an individual would be compromised,’ Baird . said. ‘It's not uncommon for this to happen with a sample that old.’ Smith and Hickock fled to Florida after killing prominent Kansas farmer Herb Clutter, his wife and two of their children. Cleared? Smith and Hickock were cleared of the crime after their capture in 1960 for the Kansas murders of the Clutter family, but experts have since called the lie detector results of the day useless . Truman Capote befriended the killers to write his groundbreaking, novel-like book about the Kansas murders . The murders in Holcomb, Kan., were chronicled in Truman Capote's book, which gripped readers with its vivid narrative of the Clutter family life and the tormented inner workings of the killers' minds. The book detailed the murders, the trial and the killers' execution. The two men — who were drifters — were eventually captured in Las Vegas. A polygraph test cleared them of the Walker murders. But in 1987, a polygraph expert said those tests in the early 1960s were worthless. In 2007, Sarasota Det. Kimberly McGath took a fresh look at the Walker murders and wanted to test the killers' DNA. Smith and Hickock killed the Clutter . family on Nov. 15, 1959, and took off to Florida in a stolen car. They . were spotted at least a dozen times from Tallahassee to Miami and points . in between. On Dec. 19, . the two men checked out of a Miami Beach motel. The Walker family was . killed that day at their home on a ranch in the small community of . Osprey about four hours northwest of Miami. Cliff . Walker was shot to death and his wife was beaten, raped and shot. Three-year-old Jimmie was shot to death and his 2-year-old sister was . shot and drowned in a bathtub. News stories at the time noted that there . were gifts around the tree. In Cold Blood: Smith and Hickock killed the Clutter family, pictured, in their own Holcomb, Kansas home in 1959 . Siblings: Nancy Clutter, 16 (left), and her 15-year-old brother Kenyon Clutter were killed with their parents in Kansas in 1959, a quadruple homicide documented in Truman Capote's In Cold Blood but never connected to the Wilson murders in Osprey, Florida . Connected? The caskets containing the bodies of the Clutter family are loaded into hearses. Many hoped their murders could be connected to the Walkers' in Florida, but those hopes have been dashed . At some point on the same day, Smith and Hickock bought items at a Sarasota department store. On Dec. 21, witnesses say they spoke with Smith and Hickock in Tallahassee. McGath said the Walkers had been considering buying a 1956 Chevy Bel Air, which was the kind of car Smith and Hickock had stolen and were driving through Florida. McGath thinks that somehow, the Walkers and the killers met because of the car. The detective found witness statements — and talked to people who are still alive — who said they saw Smith and Hickock in the Sarasota area around the time of the Walker murders. In Cold Blood mentions the Walker killings in a short passage; Capote incorrectly states that the slayings occurred near Tallahassee, Fla., about five hours north of the actual scene. He also relates a conversation between Hickock and Smith on a beach in Miami, and has Smith speculating that ‘a lunatic’ copied the Kansas killings. The book says that in reply, Hickock ‘shrugged and grinned and trotted down to the ocean's edge.’ | Christine and Cliff Walker were killed along with their two children in their Osprey, Florida home .
Perry Smith and Richard Hickock fled to Florida after killing a family of four in Kansas, as documented in Capote's In Cold Blood .
Smith and Hickock have long been connected with the Florida murder but DNA evidence has been deemed insufficient to draw any conlusions . |
203,832 | 93e9e573cd98057997e40d1dd271d931876e95f5 | (CNN) -- Eight people who died in a fire in an abandoned building in New Orleans, Louisiana, overnight are believed to have been in their late teens or early 20s, the city fire department said Tuesday. The victims, who were in a small warehouse in the Upper Ninth Ward, are believed to have been homeless and were burning a fire to stay warm, officials said. Two squatters tried to wake the others but had to eventually flee through a window in the tin building, authorities said. A fire department dispatcher said the call came in shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday. "The area is known to be frequented by transients," said fire department spokesman Capt. Edwin Holmes Jr. Those inside apparently were burning trash in a barrel, Holmes said. An investigator indicated the bottom of the barrel may have burned through, Holmes said. Authorities also found the remains of two dogs. Chief Charles Parent told CNN affiliate WDSU that the victims may have sough warmth inside the building as temperatures dipped below freezing in the area. A freeze warning was in effect for the region early Tuesday, WDSU reported. Holmes said that numerous phone calls Tuesday indicated that some of the victims may have been from out of town. The building is less than a mile from the French Quarter and was likely abandoned before Hurricane Katrina. Many of the victims may have known each other by nicknames, Holmes said. The area is known for panhandling, he said. Authorities were in the process of identifying the badly burned victims, who may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning or smoke inhalation, Holmes said. | NEW: Victims were in their late teens or early 20s .
WDSU: The victims may have sought warmth from freezing temperatures .
The victims are believed to have been homeless .
The call came in shortly before 2 a.m. |
149,497 | 4d4f5b241458c2c747213be54616d9839190e038 | (CNN) -- Endangered cultural sites are the stars of the annual International Day for Monuments and Sites -- more commonly known as World Heritage Day -- on April 18. Some of these wonders are part of the Global Heritage Fund's first annual list of five endangered cultural sites, issued to mark the day and draw attention to the fund's work. The day was first adopted as a concept in 1983 to draw attention to the cultural heritage of communities around the world. Sites include a natural Guatemalan wonderland larger than Yellowstone National Park, Colombia's Lost City and medieval villages in the Transylvanian Alps. The fund, which works to protect significant and endangered cultural heritage sites in the developing world, named sites they're working to save from the impact of uncontrolled modern development, tourism and looting. "Many cultural sites are endangered, especially those in the developing world (regions where per capita income is less than $2 per day), and they languish without any international attention," wrote Vince Michael, the fund's executive director, via e-mail. "It's our hope that World Heritage Day and our list will inspire community involvement in preserving the legacy of these sites." Travelers' choice: World's top 25 destinations . Why focus on these five sites? Some locations were chosen for their historical significance. "Ciudad Perdida (in Colombia) was once a thriving center of political, social and economic power, and Göbekli Tepe (in Turkey) is the oldest man-made place of worship discovered to date. As awareness of these two sites has grown, threats such as unregulated tourism and looting could harm the sites," Michael wrote. The Minority Villages of Guizhou (in China) and the Carpathian Villages (in Romania) were included because of their important cultural heritage and traditional practices, "which are being eroded by modern development and industrialization," Michael said. "Finally, we included Mirador, Guatemala, because it is facing critical environmental threats -- ranching and logging have destroyed 70 percent of its forests in the last decade." Do you agree with the fund's choices? What would you add? | The Global Heritage Fund issues its first-ever list of endangered sites .
The fund tries to save sites in developing countries .
An 11,000-year-old ceremonial site in Turkey is on the fund list . |
93,225 | 03eb575c3c4e22909d56d318ee6d449f7d159b2f | (CNN) -- An afternoon at an Oklahoma City water park turned unpleasant for visitors seeking a break from the blazing sun Wednesday. Three women at the Whitewater Bay Water Park in Oklahoma were transported to a hospital after sustaining injuries from debris flung in a sudden summer storm. "A gust of wind and a quick deluge of rain caused the injuries," said Lara O'Leary, a spokeswoman for the city's Emergency Medical Service Authority. "It happened so abruptly it took the Whitewater Bay swimmers by surprise, but the weather is, in a way, a welcome relief because we were predicted to get up to 113 here." The injuries sustained were minor and the victims were in good condition as of Wednesday evening. O'Leary said the water park was packed Wednesday with visitors. Paramedics have responded to 269 heat-related emergencies and taken 174 people to area hospitals since a heat advisory was issued on June 17, she said. The heat wave is taking a deadly toll across the nation, particularly on athletes, as two football players and a coach died during summer football practices this week. DonTeria Searcy, a 16-year-old high school student, died Tuesday after he passed out after a morning practice at a Florida football camp, the local sheriff's department said. Another 16-year-old student, Forrest Jones, died Tuesday in a hospital after he passed out during a football practice at an Atlanta-area high school, school administrators said. And on Monday in Texas, Wade McLain, 55, an assistant football coach, collapsed during a morning practice and heat was ruled as a factor in his death, the local medical examiner's office said. The heat wave, now in its second month, is responsible for record-setting electricity use in Texas and dozens of deaths across the U.S. heartland. But this time is especially tough for young football players who don heavy equipment and brave rising temperatures while practicing. "It is tough and this was an unfortunate incident for us," said J.D. Hardin, a spokesman for Georgia's Henry County School District, which oversees Jones' high school. "But our coaches have a lot of ways to deal with this. We try to hydrate the players and if they have to move the practices to the morning, I know they will." On Wednesday, Philadelphia Eagles player Mike Patterson suffered a seizure and collapsed during morning practice, but it was not clear what caused the seizure, the team said. "Patterson was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital where he is being tested to see why he experienced the seizure. Patterson has had no complications from the seizure," the football team said on its website. The team's head athletic trainer, Rick Burkholder, said "there is nothing in Patterson's medical history to indicate that he is predisposed to having a seizure," according to the team website. After Patterson, a veteran defensive lineman, lost consciousness, other teammates tried to shield him from the sun while medics helped him, the football team said. The temperature was about 80 degrees during the Eagles' morning practice. Temperatures reached a record high in Little Rock, Arkansas, Wednesday, soaring to a scalding 114 degrees. It's the hottest day on record for the city, according to CNN affiliate KLRT-TV. Officials restricted high school football practices to three hours after four student athletes were hospitalized with dehydration, KLRT-TV said. Meanwhile, Texas set a new record for electricity demand Tuesday afternoon, breaking a mark established a day earlier. "Due to the high temperatures and high electricity usage expected this week, we are continuing to request that consumers and businesses reduce their electricity use during peak electricity hours ... for the remainder of the week," said Kent Saathoff of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the state's power grid. The council is forecasting a third straight day of record demand on Wednesday. Though exact nationwide figures for heat-related deaths were not immediately available, blistering temperatures have been blamed for at least 22 deaths in Texas and Oklahoma, authorities said Wednesday. Heat was a factor in 20 deaths in Maricopa County in Phoenix, authorities said. Some school kids in Oklahoma City were dealing with the rising temperatures as 94 classes were without air conditioning Wednesday, said Tierney Cook-Tinnin, spokeswoman for Oklahoma City Public Schools. The school system changed its schedule this year so that students came earlier, starting on Monday, the spokeswoman said. The children have been moved out of the classrooms that did not have air conditioning and staff was frantically trying to fix the problem, Cook-Tinnin said. "We've hired outside contractors to help us catch up," she said. Wednesday marked the 33rd straight day of 100-plus-degree temperatures in Dallas. CNN's Mia Aquino, Chuck Johnston and Lateef Mungin contributed to this report. | NEW: Three visitors to an Oklahoma water park are injured Wednesday .
The heat is a factor in dozens of deaths in Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona .
Wednesday is the 33rd straight day of 100-plus-degree temperatures in Dallas .
An Eagles football player has seizure but it is unclear if it is heat-related . |
144,186 | 467308a70f64b90f700d18859455141ce7c39598 | By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 09:12 EST, 16 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:41 EST, 16 August 2013 . Venture out onto this dizzying walkway and you'd be well advised not to look down... but then again, that's rather the point. The Welterbeblick Skywalk hovers 360 metres above one of Austria's most famous lakes with a panoramic view of the alpine village of Hallstatt, a World Heritage site of unbeatable natural beauty. The gangway, which opened to the public yesterday, extends 12 metres into the abyss, weighs about 200 tonnes and cost 240,000 euros to build. Do look down: The Welterbeblick Skywalk hovers 360 metres above one of Austria's most famous lakes with a panoramic view of the alpine village of Hallstatt, a World Heritage site of unbeatable natural beauty . Floating on air: The gangway, which opened to the public yesterday, extends 12 metres into the abyss, weighs about 200 tonnes and cost 240,000 euros to build . Picturesque: Below is the village of Hallstatt, an ancient salt mine that is still in use today, where its designers hope the new attraction will bring more tourists to the area . Below is the village of Hallstatt, an ancient salt mine that is still in use today where its designers hope the new attraction will bring more tourists to the area. 'Many visitors to Hallstatt visit the salt mines in a whistle-stop tour, not leaving much time to take in the area's natural beauty,' said Kurt Thomanek, director of Salzwelten, the salt mine and tourist attraction that built the structure. 'They often travel through Europe too quickly and miss out on the many great things to do. 'We hope the walkway will change this,' he added. World Heritage sight: Dozens of tourists, and many locals, flocked to the skywalk to get the first taste of this knee-wobblingly high attraction . Sky high: Visitors can see for miles along the valley on a clear day, which extends well into the Austrian Alps . The village, and its surrounding area, is so picturesque that China is building a replica Alpine village in a grimy industrial city. It hopes the chalets in the southern city of Huizhou will be sought after by homesick Europeans. The village will be a £5.7billion copy of Hallstatt in Austria, complete with artificial lake. Posing as tourists, the Chinese have been photographing every building there for three years. The plan was discovered when a Chinese guest at Hallstatt’s hotel left behind a bundle of blueprints. China already has Chengdu British Town, modelled on Dorchester, and Thames Town, near Shanghai. | The Welterbeblick Skywalk hovers 360 metres above one of Austria's most famous lakes .
It provides a stunning a view of the alpine village of Hallstatt, a World Heritage site of unbeatable natural beauty .
The gangway opened to the public .
yesterday, extends 12 metres into the abyss and .
cost 240,000 euros to build .
Its designers hope the new attraction will bring more tourists to the area . |
41,252 | 746454296032299d63ccd717e828ed277cfc8049 | By . Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 04:51 EST, 13 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:35 EST, 13 June 2013 . Paedophile: Operation Yewtree was launched after Jimmy Savile's decades of sexual abuse were uncovered, which the officer reportedly told BB producers was 'upsetting' and 'draining' A senior police officer who has been working on Operation Yewtree - the . investigation launched following the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal - is . entering the Big Brother house. It is unclear if the high-ranking detective, who quit his job last month, applied to be a contestant on the . reality TV show while working for the Metropolitan Police. Until recently, he had been hunting celebrities who may also have carried out sex . attacks, either with the help of paedophile Savile or working alone. Bosses at Scotland Yard are said to be furious at his decision to seek celebrity status on the back of Britain's biggest sexual abuse investigation. Arrested stars include Jim Davidson, Rolf Harris, DJ Dave Lee Travis, . Freddie Starr, and Gary Glitter. They all deny the allegations. Big Brother 2013 launches tonight on Channel 5 with a 'secrets and lies' theme, which includes a prison inside the house. His decision to become a reality star will shock Scotland Yard and producers . have said the child abuse expert has told them how life working on Yewtree and . its 400 lines of inquiry was 'upsetting' and 'draining'. MailOnline understands he will enter the house on Friday night. A show insider said the officer knows the confidential nature of his work . but understands 'it is only natural' that other contestants will try to get 'as much . gossip as possible' about the investigation. Concerns: A Scotland Yard child abuse detective who worked on Operation Yewtree will enter the Big Brother House, probably on Friday . Revealed: The officer will be inside the new Big Brother house (pictured), which has been unveiled as producers gear up for this summer's new series . The man, who will be unmasked this evening, also spoke about the hours he . spent sifting through evidence linked to Savile's decades of sexual abuse. He also said he worked in a specialist team of 30 officers and was pleased . they had been able to make a difference to victims. 'The housemate knows they are going to hit the headlines over this. Leaving . the police force to go into the Big Brother house is a massive move,' a show . insider told the Daily Star. 'Their former bosses are going to be shocked about their decision to join . the show and naturally will be worried about what might be said inside the . house. Ready for action: The theme this year is Secret & Lies and the house is decked out with numerous secret rooms - including a prison . Not long now: This year will see Emma Willis take over the main hosting duties to replace Brian Dowling, but will the police officer keep quiet about his work at the Met . 'This person has seen a lot of bad things while working on Operation . Yewtree. They will know what can and can’t be said inside the house but it’s . only natural for their housemates to want to try to get as much gossip as . possible.' New pictures released this week reveaed the house the new set of contestants will live in for the . duration of this year's show. Not only have producers added an . outdoor shower, no doubt in the hope to get some steamy viewing action, . but they've also included a snug treehouse in the garden. Suspects: PR guru Max Clifford, left, and comedian Jim Davidson, right, are among those arrested in the Operation . Arrests: Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck and Australian entertainer Rolf Harris have also been held by Yewtree . Its addition is no doubt put in place in a bid to encourage housemates to get some privacy away from the main building. Other . features include an outside shower, a 'prison' for any bad behaving . contestants and an electricity generating bike in the bedroom. | Unnamed officer was an expert on child abuse but left Met last month .
Detective in team of 30 officers hunting attackers after Savile scandal .
Reportedly told producers Yewtree was 'upsetting' and 'draining' |
70,811 | c8c5975387f369acd88dc4602c9cc38bf08d23cb | (CNN) -- More countries pledged aid to Taiwan on Friday, days after Typhoon Morakot battered the island and left dozens of villages deluged with floodwaters, killing 116 people. This image from an ireporter emphasizes the damage inflicted by Typhoon Morakot. Officials from Hong Kong said they would recommend sending HK$50 million (US$6.45 million) in aid. The aid request needed to get final authorization. Once that happens Hong Kong will join a growing group of countries and territories that have rushed to help typhoon-battered Taiwan. More than 30 countries have offered money, helicopters, medication or other supplies. "They have presented the goodwill to help," said Benjamin Chi, a government spokesman. Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou toured the Jiadong and Linbian townships in Pingtung County Thursday, then visited Kaohsiung County, where a wall of mud had cut off the village of Shiaolin. Watch why public anger's building » . Meanwhile, nearly 1,700 people were rescued from areas devastated by the storm, and a government spokeswoman said she believed "the situation is getting better." Janet Chang said 1,692 people were rescued Thursday, mostly from the two mountainous counties that bore the brunt of the storm -- Kaohsiung and Pingtung. However, a funeral director in coastal Kaohsiung County, where a makeshift morgue was set up, told CNN that about 200 bodies had arrived there -- many from neighboring villages. Relief workers cleaned and photographed the bodies, preparing them for identification by loved ones. Chang said that based on official figures, 45 people were injured in the storm and 59 remain missing. She could not say how many more people needed to be rescued. Watch a grandmother describe her escape » . Since the typhoon made landfall over the weekend, nearly 15,700 people have been rescued from villages hit by mudslides and floodwaters, according to official government figures. Most of the missing were in Kaohsiung County, the National Disaster Prevention and Protection Commission reported. Watch a makeshift morgue and funeral » . Torrential downpours, dense fog, rugged terrain and raging rivers have made rescues difficult. Washed out roads and bridges rendered ground rescue operations virtually impossible in the central and southern regions of the island. Rescuers were forced to search by helicopter, inflatable boats and zip-line mechanisms that suspended them over the muddy waters raging below. In some cases food drops have been conducted over isolated villages tucked amid the rugged terrain, as villagers sought higher ground to stay dry. The Central Weather Bureau in Taiwan said that over a one-day period after the typhoon hit, Pingtung County received a record 55 inches of rain (1,403 mm). Elsewhere on the island, rainfall amounts were as high as 83 inches (2,108 mm). Seattle, Washington, one of the wettest U.S. cities, has an average annual rainfall of 37 inches per year (940 mm). The storm primarily targeted southern Taiwan. Isolated scattered showers and thunderstorms were forecast for Taiwan overnight Thursday into Friday, mostly in the north, where the capital is located, said CNN International meteorologist Brandon Miller. "As a whole, the weather actually is pretty good," he said. It was 90 degrees (31C) late Thursday. Miller said Taipei had had "significant rainfall" of 5 or 6 inches (150 mm) over the past two days. The Red Cross is helping the government dispense food, water and other necessities from a central command center, where helicopters pick up the supplies for their humanitarian missions, said organization spokesman Christian Li on Wednesday. Economic losses due to Morakot have been estimated at U.S. $274 million. After hitting Taiwan, Morakot roared on to mainland China on Sunday, killing at least six people and displacing 1.4 million, authorities said. CNN's Pauline Chiou contributed to this report. | NEW: Death toll rises .
NEW: Hong Kong officials say they will recommending sending US$6.45M (HK$50M)
More than 30 countries offer money, helicopters, medication, other supplies Official: Nearly 15,700 people pulled from flooded villages . |
66,340 | bc31cf37209fed5ddbed71a998cbeec0ea8af659 | London (CNN) -- European leaders have warned Britain against the dangers of cherry-picking European Union policy after David Cameron announced Britain would hold a referendum on its European Union membership if his Conservative Party is re-elected in 2015. Ahead of the British prime minister's speech, U.S. President Barack Obama had also advised Cameron that the United States valued Britain's membership of the European bloc. However, Cameron used Wednesday's speech in central London to say Britons should have a choice about whether to remain in the EU on the basis of a renegotiated settlement. He promised to hold a referendum by the end of 2017. Read more: Cameron promises referendum on Britain's place in Europe . After Cameron's speech, the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz tweeted: "#Cameron's Europe a la carte not an option. We have to focus on jobs & growth rather than getting lost in treaties discussions." "We need a #UK as a fully fledged member not harboring in the port of Dover. UK can shape #EU by working with its partners," the German politician said. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius used similar language in an interview on France Info radio saying Europe could not be "a la carte," Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. "Imagine the EU was a football club: once you've joined up and you're in this club, you can't then say you want to play rugby," it quoted him as saying. "It risks being dangerous for Britain itself because Britain outside of Europe, that will be difficult," Fabius said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters that being part of Europe involved compromise. "Europe also always means that you have to find fair compromises. In this context, we are of course ready also to talk about British wishes but one must keep in mind that other countries also have other wishes," Merkel said. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told reporters his country wanted Britain "to remain an active and constructive part of the European Union" and warned against "cherry-picking." "We strive to create a better Europe, the European Union becoming even stronger with overcoming the debt crisis and regaining global competitiveness," AFP quoted him as saying. "We share a common destiny in challenging times of globalization. And in challenging times of globalization, we as Europeans, we are all in the same boat." iReport: Do you think Britain should stay in the EU? EU Commission spokeswoman Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen told it was "very much in the EU's interest and UK's interest" that London remain "an active member." Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore said Britain's membership of the EU was in both parties' best interests. "And as far as Ireland is concerned, because of our close connections with Britain, we want to see Britain as a fully engaged member of the EU," the Press Association (PA) quoted him as saying. Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt warned against trying "hold the EU to ransom." The leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament said Cameron's speech was "filled with inconsistencies" and showed "a degree of ignorance about how the EU works." "By holding out the prospect of renegotiating the terms of Britain's membership of the EU and subjecting it to a referendum, David Cameron is playing with fire. "He can control neither the timing nor the outcome of the negotiations and in so doing is raising false expectations that can never be met." Obama last week told Cameron that "the United States values a strong UK in a strong European Union." Philip Gordon, the U.S. assistant secretary for European affairs, also made it clear that there would be consequences for Britain if it either left the EU or played a lesser role in Brussels. "We have a growing relationship with the EU as an institution, which has an increasing voice in the world, and we want to see a strong British voice in that EU," he told reporters at the U.S. Embassy in London. "That is in America's interests. We welcome an outward-looking EU with Britain in it." The New York Times reported Wednesday that the implications of Cameron's speech had "alarmed" the Obama administration and were likely to set up "a divisive debate within Britain and across Europe." Deutschewelle's Europe Editor Joanna Impey wrote that leaving the EU would "not insulate the UK from the crisis in the eurozone." "The EU is Britain's biggest trading partner, and it makes sense to remain within the bloc and to be able to make the rules rather than simply abide by them," she said. But Impey added that the Conservative Party would need to be re-elected for the referendum to go ahead. A Downing Street spokeswoman said criticism of Cameron's referendum plan could be expected. "But it is not always our job to worry about what the foreign ministers are saying," she told PA. "It is our job to worry about what the British people are saying." Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg -- whose Liberal Democrat party is in coalition with Cameron's Conservatives -- told PA a referendum was not in the national interest. In Britain's House of Commons, Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband said he was opposed to an in/out referendum. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking at the Davos summit, told Sky News he did not see "a compelling reason" to put the question of Britain's EU membership on the agenda. "Europe does need Britain and Britain needs Europe," Blair said. "Why say we're actually going to put on the agenda the prospect of leaving Europe altogether?" | UK PM David Cameron promises to hold a referendum on EU membership by 2017 .
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says Europe cannot be "a la carte"
Germany warns against "cherry-picking" saying Europeans are in the same boat .
U.S. President Barack Obama had told Cameron the U.S. valued the UK's place in the EU . |
275,054 | f04ea04166ba02c7a48d4cb666b45ec1b503596b | By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 17:49 EST, 16 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 17:56 EST, 16 March 2014 . A 21-year-old woman who was fatally stabbed has been named by police. Kirsty Wright died in hospital Sunday morning and a murder investigation was launched after she was attacked at an address in Redditch, Worcestershire, on Saturday, West Mercia Police said. Detectives are continuing to question a 29-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of Ms Wright's murder. Kirsty Wright, 21, who was fatally stabbed in Redditch on Saturday. A 29 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder . Superintendent Kevin Purcell, of West Mercia Police, moved to reassure local residents and said such incidents were rare. 'We will work with the community to bring the offender to justice and support the family, who my thoughts are with at this difficult time,' he added. Witnesses or anyone with any information should contact the police on telephone 101 quoting incident number 301s 150314 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org . Evesham Road in Redditch, where Kirsty Wright was stabbed . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Kirsty Wright died Sunday morning after being stabbed Saturday night .
Detectives are questioning a 29-year-old man arrested at scene . |
254,689 | d5aeeb3b21ae74770f6f7dafed70c711222d1a12 | Ambergris Caye, in Belize, has held on to the title of world's No. 1 island for the second year running in awards by the travel review site TripAdvisor. The island is acclaimed not only for its beaches but for its coral reef -- the second largest in the world -- limestone caves, and tracts of tropical rainforest dotted with waterfalls. Islands in Polynesia (Bora Bora), Greece (Naxos) and Thailand (Ko Tao), as well as Marco Island, off Florida, were other winners in the top 10 global list. Perhaps less obvious postcard-rack material, the Scottish island of Harris and Lewis ranked no. 5 worldwide and top among European islands. Alastair Lockett, from the Hebridean island's tourist board, was not at all surprised by the accolade. With its "pure white sand" and "turquoise water," Harris and Lewis -- which ranked nowhere in last year's top 10 -- actually "looks Caribbean," he told CNN. Its "accessible remoteness" and "sense of space" were what drew people to the island, he said. Best U.S. islands . Among the 10 best islands in the United States -- aside from Marco Island, at No. 1 -- were Chincoteague, in Virginia, known for its wild ponies, and San Juan island, in Washington, acclaimed for its orca-sighting. Mauii, a beautiful possible shoe-in from Hawaii, was another U.S. winner, as was the "golfer's paradise" of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Trailing in the wake of Lewis and Harris among 10 best European islands was Gozo, Malta; Santorini and Cephalonia, among a clutch of Greek islands; and Mull and Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands -- making up a Scottish trio. TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Island awards are based on the most highly rated hotels, restaurants and attractions listed for each island on the website during a 12-month period. The top 10 islands in the world were: . 1. Ambergris Caye, Belize . 2. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos . 3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia . 4. Marco Island, Florida . 5. Lewis and Harris, Scotland, United Kingdom . 6. Naxos, Greece . 7. Aitutaki, Cook Islands . 8. Nosy Be, Madagascar . 9. Easter Island, Chile . 10. Ko Tao, Thailand . Top 10 islands in the U.S. 1. Marco Island, Florida . 2. Chincoteague Island, Virginia . 3. Anna Maria Island, Florida . 4. San Juan Island, Washington . 5. Maui, Hawaii . 6. Kauai, Hawaii . 7. Island of Hawaii, Hawaii . 8. Nantucket, Massachusetts . 9. Hilton Head, South Carolina . 10. Key West, Florida . Top 10 Islands in Europe . 1. Lewis and Harris, Scotland, United Kingdom . 2. Naxos, Greece . 3. Gozo, Malta . 4. Mainland, Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom . 5. Milos, Greece . 6. Cephalonia, Greece . 7. Santorini, Greece . 8. Capri, Italy . 9. Isle of Mull, Scotland, United Kingdom . 10. Paros, Greece . | Ambergris Caye wins TripAdvisor best island award for second year running .
Scotland's Harris and Lewis is new entrant at no. 5 .
Chincoteague, with its wild ponies, and San Juan island among U.S. top 10 . |
112,139 | 1ca57588da773f135b55951db85faf6b60247213 | Check your Facebook mail lately? Didn't think so. Apparently not many others did, either. So after three-plus years, the world's largest social media outlet is pulling the plug on its little-used e-mail service, the company confirmed Tuesday. "We're making this change because most people haven't been using their Facebook e-mail address, and we can focus on improving our mobile messaging experience for everyone," Facebook said in a statement. For those who do have a Facebook mail account, messages will be forwarded to the primary e-mail address listed in a user's account, the company said. The changes are planned to roll out in March, and users can turn off that forwarding option if they prefer not to have their personal inboxes flooded with these messages. "It's a little bit of bowing to the inevitable," said Justin Lafferty, editor of the trade site Inside Facebook. The e-mail addresses, which showed up as messages for Facebook users, never took off, and when Facebook tried to make them the default e-mail accounts for all users in mid-2012, "a lot of people were unhappy with that," he said. "It was kind of rolled out to everyone regardless of what they wanted," Lafferty said. With last week's $19 billion acquisition of WhatsApp, the fast-growing messaging service, Facebook is focusing more on mobile messaging than e-mail these days. Facebook ventured into the e-mail field in November 2010, adding the service to the messaging system already used heavily by its 1.2 billion users. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said at the time that the system would complement, not compete, with entrenched e-mail giants such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. "We don't expect anyone to wake up tomorrow and say, 'I'm going to shut down my Yahoo account or my Gmail account and switch exclusively to Facebook.' But we do expect a shift to more real-time communication," he said. Lafferty said the reversal is unlikely to be remembered in the company's annals -- much like the service itself. "Many people probably weren't even aware of the change," he said. | "It's a little bit of bowing to the inevitable," analyst says .
Facebook plans to pulls the plug on its e-mail service in March .
Few of its 1.2 billion users used the service, the social media giant says .
Messages from those accounts will be forwarded to a user's primary e-mail . |
8,584 | 18364adba9cc26de52d903cf08cefc2fccfb7abe | By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 09:45 EST, 3 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:00 EST, 4 December 2012 . A pony worth £500 was among £270,000 of Ministry of Defence equipment recorded stolen from April to September (file image) A pony worth £500 was among more than £270,000 worth of military property reported stolen in just six months, it emerged today. It is understood the horse was taken by a serving member of the armed forces, but has since been recovered. But as fresh details emerged about the incredible catalogue of military equipment, clothing, silverware, tools, medals and flags which have been stolen, the Ministry of Defence was accused of being too focused on arrivals on military bases and not on what leaves. Details of thefts reported from April to September reveal even secure defence bases are not immune to metal thieves which have also struck across the country as the process of scrap has soared. But it is the theft of a pony which will have raised eyebrows in the MoD, which Defence Secretary Philip Hammond under pressure to prove he takes seriously the issue of government property walking out of the front gates. The pony, worth £500, was stolen at the very end of 2011 but was not recorded as stolen in MoD records until June this year, according to details revealed by defence minister Mark Francois in a parliamentary answer. In the two years from May 2010 £1.25million worth of kit and equipment was stolen, but Mr Hammond has insisted that a 'significant amount has been recovered'. It is understood the pony was taken from the Royal Artillery Equestrian Centre in Hampshire by a serving member of the forces, who was cautioned and has since left the armed forces. The horse was returned at the start of 2012. The biggest single theft recorded in . the six months to the end of September was £26,000 worth of aluminium . taken in July. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has insisted much of the equipment reported stolen is eventually recovered . In May outboard motors worth £25,233 were stolen along . with diving helmets valued at almost £21,000. Land Rover batteries were also taken. The list also included £1,200 of . racing bikes, a set of £2,000 medical knee braces, padlocks worth £3,280 . and paving slabs valued at £138. A Diamond Jubilee medal worth £150 was among the items stolen . The . Ministry of Defence insisted the high value of stolen property was in . part fuelled by a greater awareness of the need to report thefts. Several brass items were taken, including fire fighting fittings, hoses and nozzles. Some £13,000 worth of copper, including pipes, water tanks and roofing sheets, was taken along with more than £14,200 of lead flashing and pipes. A £20 set of galvanised shackles was taken in September. In September hallmarked Silver catering items, including jugs, teapots and baskets, were reported stolen, worth £6,500. A £245 silver rose bowl was also taken. Labour MP Madeleine Moon, who uncovered the figures through parliamentary questions, said: ‘The high level of metal thefts included in the list provided by the MOD and the loss of valuable military equipment such as night vision goggles and bowman radio equipment is very worrying. ‘The continued high level of theft and losses from MOD establishments shows either inadequate tracking systems or that private security firms guarding military bases are too focussed on stopping people entering. ‘Clearly they also need to stop and check the cars and it would appear lorries leaving bases.’ Gadgets included sat navs, DVD players, camcorders, projectors and two TVs worth £1,360. The list also includes sleeping bags, sleeping tablets, bedding, binoculars, gloves, laptops, torches, fire extinguishers, generators, gas meters, and more than £5,200 in fuel. Equipment reported stolen includes body armour, helmets, boots and jackets . A Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal, worth £150, was reported stolen in June - the same month the Queen celebrated 60 years on the throne. Several sets of body armour, plats and helmets worth more than £8,000. Clothing was repeatedly targeted, including jackets, jumpers and trousers. In July a 'women's jumper, Women's slacks, lanyard and scarf' worth £85 was taken. More unusual items to have disappeared include £12,718 of water, 5KG dumbbells worth £55, a £500 solar panel, ceiling spotlights, a ceremonial tunic, £800 in frozen and dried food, a £270 flag, . Almost £22,000 in cash has been stolen, including £18,000 in a single haul. Tools including chainsaws, welding equipment, a wood router, and a £2,000 winch. Labour MP Madeleine Moon said military chiefs should be as careful at checking what leaves bases as what arrives . A dedicated military police team, working on Operation Embroil, trawls internet auction sites including eBay to catch thieves trying to sell stolen defence equipment online. Last year it uncovered 107 cases where military kit was being sold illegally on websites. The Defence Police Federation, which represents civilian Ministry of Defence Police officers, said too often investigators are called in after the trail has 'gone cold'. Federation chairman Eamon Keating said: 'This list is concerning and shows the potential for vital equipment and resources to either be lost or stolen from MoD sites, which is enormously costly to the Department and can be disruptive to service personnel. 'At present, Ministry of Defence Police officers can only investigate missing assets when called in by the Department, and despite these officers’ expertise and professionalism, they are often faced with the unenviable task of investigating thefts after the trail has gone cold and property disposed of.' He said Ministry of Defence police teams should be used 'proactively as a deterrent and to investigate losses straight away'. A MoD spokesman said: ‘The MOD takes the loss or theft of equipment very seriously and works hard to detect and deter theft. ‘There are robust processes in place to raise awareness of the need for vigilance in all aspects of security and we actively encourage individuals to report loss or theft. This work has resulted in a rise in the number of reports over the last year. ‘Where theft does occur and a suspect is identified, prosecution or internal disciplinary action will follow as appropriate.’ | Catalogue of equipment stolen from April to September includes a pony taken by a soldier - who has now left the forces .
Thieves made off with uniforms, helmets, flags, tools and silverware .
Ministry of Defence hit by metal thefts with copper, lead and brass stolen .
Bikes, boats and Land Rovers also targeted but MoD insists many items are recovered .
Labour MP Madeleine Moon says MoD bosses need to check what leaves as well as what arrives at military bases .
Defence Police Federation warns officers are only called in 'when the trail has gone cold' |
154,521 | 53b1541c3fc44dcb86c99bb0fffe299c4a19a98b | New Braunfels, Texas (CNN) -- Judy Young stoops down to point out her favorite feature of the sidewalk: a thick, bronze ring attached to the curb, about the size of a bracelet, weathered and rusted. The sidewalks of downtown New Braunfels, Texas, are lined with them at inconsistent intervals. They are remnants of the days when European immigrants farmed the lush countryside known as the Texas Hill Country, she says. Farmers of predominantly German heritage rode into town and tied their horses to the rings while they conducted business in stores like Henne Hardware, which still stands, and claims to be "Texas' oldest hardware store in continuous operation" since 1857. Why there's no messing with Texas . The rough, weathered rings are the real deal, products of German ingenuity, says Young, a native of New Braunfels who exudes the requisite boosterism you'd expect from the Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau director, but with a genuine sense of pride. "When the Germans built stuff, they built it to last," Young said, laughing. Many residents of this waypoint between San Antonio and Austin grew up speaking German in their homes and remember when the hometown paper, the Herald-Zeitung, was written entirely in German. Some are fifth generation who can trace their roots back to 1845, when the first settlers arrived after Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, Germany, founded the town on the Comal River under a German charter. KXAN: Comal River overflowing -- with people . Germans were originally lured to the Republic of Texas when it offered public land to Americans and Europeans to pay off war debt and weaken political ties with Mexico. This offer, combined with political strife in their home country, enticed a group of German noblemen to form an immigration company, and German immigrants began arriving in 1844. But times have changed, and now some residents say New Braunfels, sister city to Braunfels, Germany, isn't "German" enough. Sure, it has a German-American society, a shooting club, polka dances and Naegelin's Bakery, Texas' "oldest continuously operating bakery" since 1868, which serves fresh pfeffernüsse and streussel. The town also has Wurstfest, an annual festival that features German food and music. But as the town grows, 56.4% from 2000 to 2010, it wants more visible evidence to let those from outside the area know what New Braunfels is about: a sign that says "Wilkommen," street signs in German, building facades adorned with fachwerk, or timberframe. What's behind the rise of Texas? "We would like to see the town look a little more German. This town wouldn't be here if it weren't started by the Germans. It's a historical fact," said Diane Moltz, who grew up on a farm 15 minutes outside New Braunfels in a German-speaking home. She cited tasteful examples such as Leavenworth, Washington, and Frankenmuth, Michigan, known as Michigan's "little Bavaria," and less tasteful examples, like Helen, Georgia ("Helen's a little over the top," she said). "San Antonio is predominantly Hispanic, it's their heritage, and you can see it in the streets, the buildings. It's celebrated there. We feel like we could play on our heritage." Guenter Dirks, the owner of the biggest German restaurant in town, Freisenhaus, has been asking the chamber for several years about playing up the town's German roots. "People come here looking for a German town and they're disappointed. People come in here and ask where can I buy lederhosen and I don't know what to tell them. There's nowhere," said Dirks, a tall, imposing businessman who moved to Texas with his wife, Cornelia, and two sons in 2004 from Freisen, Germany. He opened Freisenhaus in 2005. The restaurant serves traditional dishes as well as others like Texas schnitzel, made with spicy jalapeño. Americanizing an ancient faith in Texas . Young said the chamber is responding to feedback such as Dirks' and is working on a larger promotional campaign to play up New Braunfels' German heritage. She acknowledges the impetus comes from a desire to draw businesses and tourists, but it's also just a part of growing and sustaining the community, she said. "We've always had a brochure and used our German heritage as marketing tools, but we've discovered our German heritage is not in your face like people expect it to be," she said. "Our heritage is the combination of 1,500 years of German society and our frontier-immigrant roots married together. Where is it? We're walking it and living it. But we need to show it off more." Case in point: Schlitterbahn, the flagship water park that has sprouted three satellite locations since it opened in 1966. Occupying more than 65 acres on the eastern banks of the Comal River -- and growing -- the business is second-generation family owned and operated. With ride names such as Blastenhoff, Surfenburg and Tubenbach, and a replica of the guard tower in Braunfels looming over the park, visible from blocks away, park spokesman Jeffrey Siebert says kitsch is part of Schlitterbahn's charm, but says it's also part of paying homage to New Braunfels' German roots. Otherwise, authentic evidence of New Braunfels' German roots is subtly tucked into curbs, stamped into building facades and embedded in its civic fabric. The hometown newspaper lists community events in the "Stammtisch" section, which loosely translates to "table reserved for regulars." The best BBQ in Texas . New Braunfels also boasts several organizations dedicated to preserving its German heritage, including the New Braunfels Schuetzen Verein, a shooting club that traces its roots back to 1849, and the German-American Society of New Braunfels, which says it has more than 700 members. The group, a co-sponsor of the Edelweiss Kinder Chor, or children's choir, organizes annual events like Maskenball (costume ball) and Weihnachtsfest (Christmas Party) as well as less formal events like games of ninepin bowling and skat, a German card game. Helgard Suhr-Hollis, a co-founder of the society who moved to New Braunfels from Germany in 1962, said it grew out of a desire to bring together the disparate singing societies and social clubs under the banner of German pride. "Germans are a very proud people. They're known to be hard-working, self-reliant, don't take handouts and they believe strongly in education," she said. Since helping start the society in 1978, Suhr-Hollis' has continued to contribute to German social life in New Braunfels. She is a member of the walking club and a docent at several museums and sites dedicated to the town's German heritage. One of them, the Lindheimer Home, is one of the oldest structures in town and the place where "father of Texas botany" Ferdinand Lindheimer lived and died in 1879. The Lindheimer Home is within walking distance of the Comal River, which feeds into the larger Guadalupe River, providing sources of leisure in the summertime. Families walk down the streets lugging inner tubes to the nearest drop-in point, with Landa Park among the most popular. During the day, families park on the banks of the river under shady oak trees while children wade in the water or ride a train that meanders through the park, or visit the Comal Spring. As Young walked through the park barefoot, picking up trash and spouting off facts about its origins, she waved at the conductor of the train, an elderly man named Harvey Soechting, who she said was following in his father's footsteps. Young revealed that she is not German: "Dutch-Irish." But she said she was grateful for what the Germans had done here. "You don't really start thinking about it until you have children. But it's like my second-grade teacher Mrs. Naegelin (of the Naegelin Bakery) told us: It's our responsibility to preserve and enhance our community so future generations won't have to leave. We have to tell our own story and build up our own community, or people from the outside with lots of money will come in and do it for us." | Residents say New Braunfels, Texas, sister city to Braunfels, Germany, isn't "German" enough .
As the town grows, it wants visitors to know what New Braunfels is about .
New Braunfels boasts several organizations dedicated to preserving its German heritage . |
88,877 | fc40c2e0a1b03f5143f71437b625ab5d43eaab9e | Brian Williams has been accused of lying to skip an event honoring members of the armed forces so that he could appear on Saturday Night Live. The allegation comes from a Boston firefighter who served on the committee that organized the Congressional Medal of Honor Society event at the city's national convention center in 2006. Neal Santangelo, a veteran of the Navy submarine service, told the Boston Herald that Williams had agreed six months in advance to serve as master of ceremonies at the gala banquet. Brian Williams appeared briefly during the September 30, 2006, episode when he featured in a Weekend Update sketch alongside Amy Poehler and was informed that Seth Meyers had got the job as her co-anchor . Then on the day of the event the NBC News anchor told organizers that a 'pressing engagement' meant he wouldn't be able speak at the dinner, but could only greet guests and leave. According to Santangelo, he arranged for a police escort to rush Williams to the airport so he could get back to New York. He recalls that he and the other organizers were stunned when they found out that the 'pressing engagement' had been a walk-on part on that evening's Saturday Night Live. Williams only appeared briefly during the September 30 episode, featuring in a Weekend Update sketch alongside Amy Poehler in which he was informed that Seth Meyers had got the job as her co-anchor. 'I … cannot believe that you left us for this,' Santangelo wrote in a letter to Williams the following week. 'In an act of egotistical, blatant self-promotion, you deceived the (Medal of Honor) Recipients, declined to break bread with them and disrespected them. The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States . 'Pressing engagement': Brian Williams has been accused of lying to skip an event honoring members of the armed forces in 2006 so that he could appear on Saturday Night Live . 'You placed comedy before courage … Your conduct was irreverent, insulting, incomprehensible and shameful. 'You may attempt to 'spin' the issue to support your position, but that will do nothing but bring you further shame in my eyes.' Santangelo told the Herald that he never sent the three-page letter, out of fear he would come off as a 'loose cannon'. He says both the local committee and national Medal of Honor society agreed with his sentiments but he was advised against 'burning bridges.' Williams still sits on several advisory boards of the Medal of Honor Foundation, an adjunct of the MOH society. 'You need to apologize to America's veterans, and to the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces defending freedom around the globe,' Santangelo also wrote in his October 5, 2006, letter. 'Anything less is unacceptable.' Sangangelo admitted that his experience of working with Williams mean't he didn't have any sympathy for the anchor's current troubles. Williams apologized last week for falsely claiming that he was in a helicopter that had been hit by a grenade while in Iraq in 2003, but many critics and veterans have called for him to be fired. The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Currently off the air after he admitted to lying about being hit by enemy fire in Iraq, a number of Williams' other seemingly outlandish claims are currently coming under increased scrutiny . Red Bank, New Jersey, 1970s . In a 2011 interview Brian Williams recalled his time as a teenage volunteer firefighter during which he saved a puppy. However in a 2005 Esquire interview, Williams had claimed to save not one but two puppies. In the same Esquire interview Williams also revealed that he had been mugged at gunpoint while selling Christmas trees in the sleepy New Jersey town in which he grew up. A number of locals have questioned the credibility of his claim that someone ‘stuck a .38-caliber in my face.’ Iraq War, 2003 . Over the years Williams has told multiple versions of a story about being in an army Chinook during the Iraq War in 2003. Last month he claimed his helicopter was hit by ground fire, an allegation he was later forced to admit was false after an outcry from soldiers who were present. Williams issued an on air apology. ‘Nobody's trying to steal anyone's valor,’ he wrote on Facebook. Hurricane Katrina, 2005 . Williams has told several stories about his experiences reporting from New Orleans. He has claimed to have seen a dead body float past the window of his hotel in the city's French Quarter – even though the area wasn't flooded. The accuracy of other Katrina claims, including that he caught dysentery drinking the floodwaters and that his hotel was ‘overrun’ with gangs, have been called into question by others who were there. Israel, 2006 . In a 2007 interview with Fairfield University Student Television, Williams recalled ‘Katyusha rockets passing just underneath the helicopter I was riding in.’ In fact he was nowhere near enemy fire and in a broadcast segment filmed that day he described a helicopter under fire a distance away. Boston, 2006 . A navy vet has accused Williams of lying to skip an event honoring members of the armed forces so that he could appear on Saturday Night Live. On the day of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society event the NBC News anchor told organizers that a 'pressing engagement' meant he wouldn't be able speak at the dinner, but later that evening he appeared in a walk-on role on SNL's Weekend Update. | Brian Williams has been accused of lying to skip an event honoring members of the armed forces in 2006 so that he could attend a 'pressing engagement'
That engagement later transpired to be a walk-on part on an episode of Saturday Night Live .
Organizer Neal Santangelo was so angered by Williams' behavior that he wrote him a letter .
'In an act of egotistical, blatant self-promotion, you deceived the (Medal of Honor) Recipients and disrespected them,' wrote Santangelo .
Although the national Medal of Honor society agreed with his sentiments, they advised him against 'burning bridges' and so he didn't send it . |
176,594 | 709f75d979c99e4c0f15e4d6a555d906c6fb57c7 | Pauline Hanson's is ready to again shake up the main political game, announcing that she is set to lead the One Nation party once more. Ms Hanson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday that she has returned to her former party and will aim to have the name officially changed to Pauline Hanson's One Nation. And the outspoken and often controversial politician has wasted no time in making her mark, declaring that Palmer United Party's Jacqui Lambie, who has been dumped as the party's deputy Senate leader: 'Is walking in my shoes'. Scroll down for video . Pauline Hanson's wants back in the main political game, announcing she is seeking to lead the One Nation party once more . Pauline Hanson relaxes at home on Wednesday after announcing she would be seeking to have her leadership of the One Nation party ratified at a November 29 meeting . All smiles. Pauline Hanson is happy to be back in the political fray . Pauline Hanson holds a press conference at her home south-west of Brisbane on Wednesday . Hanson has announced her return to the One Nation party to become its leader after a 12-year hiatus . Ms Hanson started political career as an Ipswich Councillor in 1994 . She has also set her sights on old political foe Tony Abbott labelling the G20 Summit 'was all about grandstanding by supposed world leaders and a huge waste of taxpayer money'. 'I know where the $470 million could have been better spent on Australians,' she added. 'And what do we really know of the free trade deal with China? We will get rid of our tariffs from day one but what about them, they have still got their tariffs in place, when will the Chinese act on that, we haven't been told. And the US President was not immune to criticism. 'They all seem to forget that they were put there to serve the people. Barack Obama, with the rewiring and redoing of a hotel, they are not world leaders,' she told DMA. However, Ms Hanson, 60, freely admits that her family is not entirely convinced about her return. Pauline Hanson began her political career as an Ipswich Councillor before being voted into the House of Representatives in 1996 as Member for Oxley . 'My children do worry for me going back into it but the people of Australia want and deserve an honest voice' said Pauline Hanson as she announced her return to the main political game . A familiar face on the hustings again. Pauline Hanson has vowed to take voter support away from the major parties at the next Queensland and Federal elections . Pauline Hanson co-founded the One Nation Party in 1997 and is set to be reconfirmed as the party leader at a November 29 meeting of members . 'My children do worry for me going back into it but the people of Australia want and deserve an honest voice, so they want to know what's going on,' she told DMA. The plan is to take control of the party she co-founded and the change of name will be put to Queensland members on November 29. First target is the Queensland State Election and then the Federal poll in two years time. But, she also admits that there is much work to be done to rebuild the once powerful but now ailing party. 'There are not many members left, it is going to be a big job to revitalise the party but I am determined to,' Ms Hanson said. 'I have already backed one candidate in the past week and have a few others in mind.' Her political career has been as controversial as it has been colourful. Ms Hanson's "please explain" retort to a television interviewer's question as to whether she was xenophobic has followed her throughout public life. Her initial foray was in fact as a councillor in Ipswich and then, ahead of the 1996 Federal Election, Ms Hanson was disendorsed by the Liberal Party. She would go on to win the seat of Oxley and stood as an Independent MP and a year later the One Nation Party would enter Australia's political landscape. At the two subsequent elections, with redistribution effectively forcing her out of Oxley and into Blair, Ms Hanson would prove unsuccessful despite enjoying very strong primary support. Internal party disputes and allegations further eroded her public backing and then in 2003 Pauline Hanson was convicted of electoral fraud and sent to three years jail. She would spend 11 weeks in prison before the Queensland Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and ordered her immediate release. Unsuccessful tilts at both the NSW and Queensland State elections would follow, as would two more ultimately failed attempts to regain a seat in Federal parliament at the 2007 and 2013 polls. Pauline Hanson said that Palmer United Party's Jacqui Lambie, who has been dumped as the party's deputy Senate leader, 'is walking in my shoes' Pauline Hanson said the G20 Summit was nothing more than 'political grandstanding and a waste of taxpayers money' The decision to return to politics, she says, was prompted by her disappointment at the current crop of politicians. 'I'm very disillusioned by it and I honestly believe I can make a difference,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I'm sick and tired of all the corruption and lies and there is too much interest in overseas interest.' Despite her support for Senator Lambie she said it had become clear to her that Clive Palmer's PUP group was not going to be the alternative third major party Australians were hoping for. 'I'm very disillusioned by it and I honestly believe I can make a difference' said Pauline Hanson . 'I was hoping Clive Palmer and his party would be able to do it but they haven't,' she said. 'How can you criticise Jacqui Lambie? I won't, she has stood up for what she believes in and in some ways she is being that individual on the floor of parliament that I was, I can't criticise that. 'I've been sent to prison and ridiculed all my political life but I haven't given up. 'I got pushed out of my own party in 2002 but I rejoined last year and now it's time to rebuild it. 'This is a huge decision for me but I have always tried to keep Australians aware of what is going on. 'They describe me as far right wing, I am not, I am centre and that's what Australians want. They want to know about their jobs, the home they hope they can afford and if they get sick that they will get a hospital bed.' She sounded a warning to the major parties saying 'they know I can take away their voter base, like I did before'. The One Nation website calls her 'the redhead you can trust'. Pauline Hanson is set to take leadership of the party she co-founded almost 20 years ago . | Pauline Hanson is set to lead One Nation party again .
Ms Hanson said demoted controversial Palmer United Party Senator Jacqui Lambie 'is walking in my shoes'
She also said the G20 Summit in Brisbane was 'a waste of taxpayers money'
Her leadership of One Nation is set to be ratified at a member's meeting in Queensland on November 29 .
Ms Hanson started political career as an Ipswich Councillor in 1994 .
Elected as an Independent MP to House of Representatives in 1996 .
Convicted of electoral fraud in August 2003 and sent to jail, which was quashed on appeal in December of the same year . |
223,114 | acd6af27c36061533f3643e4a3f6901a4630c828 | (CNN) -- When it comes to the Tea Party movement, the stereotypes don't tell the whole story. Here's what you often see in the coverage of Tea Party rallies: offensive posters blasting President Obama and Democratic leaders; racist rhetoric spewed from what seems to be a largely white, male audience; and angry protesters rallying around the Constitution. Case in point: During the health care debate last month, opponents shouted racial slurs at civil rights icon Georgia Rep. John Lewis and one person spit on Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. The incidents made national headlines, and they provided Tea Party opponents with fodder to question the movement. But here's what you don't often see in the coverage of Tea Party rallies: Patriotic signs professing a love for country; mothers and fathers with their children; African-Americans proudly participating; and senior citizens bopping to a hip-hop rapper. Last week, I saw all of this during a five-city Western swing as the Tea Party Express national tour made its way across the country. CNN was along for the ride, and I was charged with planning CNN's coverage for five stops in two states: St. George, Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah; and Grand Junction and Denver, Colorado. This latest Tea Party caravan kicked off on March 27 in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's hometown of Searchlight, Nevada. It is scheduled to make 45 stops before rolling into Washington on April 15, not so coincidentally on "Tax Day." CNN was the only national news outlet on this Western leg of the tour. We had a full team on the ground: myself, correspondent Ed Lavandera, producers Tracy Sabo and Jim Spellman and the crew of the CNN Express bus. For Spellman, it was his third Tea Party Express tour. Together, we beamed out images of the anger and the optimism, profiled African-Americans who are proud to be in the Tea Party's minority and showed activists stirred by "God Bless America" or amused by a young rapper who strung together rhymes against the president and Democrats. The CNN Express traveled with the Tea Party Express buses for hundreds of miles, from rally to rally to rally. Being at a Tea Party rally is not quite like seeing it on TV, in newspapers or online. That's the reason CNN is covering this political movement -- and doing so in ways few others can or choose to do. It is important to show the colorful anger Americans might have against elected leaders and Washington. But people should also see the orange-vested Tea Party hospitality handlers who welcome you with colorful smiles. There were a few signs that could be seen as offensive to African-Americans. But by and large, no one I spoke with or I heard from on stage said anything that was approaching racist. Almost everyone I met was welcoming to this African-American television news producer. And though speakers railed against the "lame-stream media," activists and their leaders praised CNN, especially for being the only national media outlet riding along for the post-weekend stops. Some of them e-mailed me after my trip, thanking our crew for fairly giving them a voice. Speaking of stereotypes, I did get a few curious stares as I pulled up to the rallies. But not because of my skin color. It was because of my car rental: a Volvo. I hadn't intended to rent a Volvo, a car stereotyped as the favorite of liberal elites. But upon arriving at the Las Vegas airport, the rental company was out of American-made cars with a GPS system and satellite radio. I had nearly a thousand miles of driving ahead, through desert, mountains and cities. Since it had GPS and satellite radio, the Volvo fit the bill. Outside of the occasional stare, none of the real cowboys at the rallies came up to the Volvo and asked me, "Hey buddy -- where's your cashmere sweater and arugula?" If they had, I might have pointed out that until just recently, Volvo was owned by Ford Motor Co., an American icon. Jokes aside, stereotypes can loom large when they're magnified through a television lens, on the radio, the pages of a newspaper or in the vastness of the Internet. So, it's important that with a newsworthy, growing phenomenon like the Tea Party movement, viewers and readers fully understand what they see and what they don't. | CNN's Shannon Travis planned coverage of Tea Party Express for five stops in two weeks .
The stereotypes don't tell the whole story, he says .
Being at a Tea Party rally is not quite like seeing it on TV, he says .
Travis witnessed not just anger, but also optimism . |
46,868 | 840a8ca5c0f2a5d2237605ab956a2627fcd090ca | Michigan residents may see a cold and icy winter arrive sooner this year, reportedly due to lower temperatures in the Great Lakes. Average surface temperatures for both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan have dropped: Superior's went from from 53.7 degrees on October 11, 2013 to 47.6 degrees Saturday, while Michigan's went from 62.1 degrees to 56.0 degrees, MLive.com reported. That means both lakes experienced temperature drops of 6.1 degrees, the news site explained. Will winter come sooner? Colder surface water temperatures may mean sooner chilly weather and iced-up lakes . Michigan residents may need to bundle up sooner to brace both November and December chilly weather as a result of cooler lakes, MLive.com reported. Lakes may also ice up sooner because of the extra chilly water temperatures, the news site reported. Despite these potential effects, there may be less lake effect snow, the website explained. 'Lake effect snow is heaviest when the lake waters are warm, and the air above is very cold,' MLive.com said. 'The bigger the difference in lake to air temperature, the more intense the snow can fall. Colder lake waters would mean lake effect snow could be not as intense. That is not to say we won't still have what some would call heavy snow. It means the 24 to 36 inch lake effect snows in one to two days would be harder to achieve.' Getting colder: Lake Superior's average surface water temperature was 45.81 degrees Tuesday . Brrrr: Lake Michigan's average surface water temperature was 53.1 degrees Tuesday. The Coast Guard last week encouraged boaters to wear appropriate clothing . Lake Superior (pictured) and Lake Michigan may also ice up sooner because of the extra chilly water temperatures (file photo) However, none of these effects may take place provided Michigan experiences warmer temperatures this fall, MLive.com warned. Cooler temperatures prevailed Tuesday, when the NOAA Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System reported Lake Superior had an average surface temperature of 45.81 degrees. Lake Michigan, meanwhile, had an average surface temperature of 53.1 degrees. On Friday, the Coast Guard encouraged boaters to wear appropriate clothing for the Lake Michigan temperatures in a news release. 'Survival time is greatly diminished for someone immersed in water below 70 degrees,' Cmdr. Max Moser said in the release. 'Cold water drains a body’s heat up to 25 times faster than cold air. In addition to a life jacket, we recommend mariners wear a dry suit in a cold water environment in order to increase the chances of surviving a fall into the water.' | Michigan residents may see winter arrive sooner this year, possibly due to lower temperatures in the Great Lakes .
Both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan saw their average surface temperatures drop 6.1 degrees last week .
Residents may need to bundle up sooner to brace both November and December chilly weather as a result of cooler lakes .
Lakes may also ice up sooner because of the extra chilly water temperatures .
On Friday, the Coast Guard cautioned boaters against the lower Lake Michigan temperatures . |
166,627 | 6374f7c42abcc0392662c89c76e494f3a003caaa | A new theory has surfaced that downplays North Korea's involvement in the Sony hacking scandal and suggests the people responsible are actually Russian, based on a linguistics study of the leaked emails. Security experts believe the origins of the now-infamous Guardians of the Peace are Russian after analyzing about 1,600 words attached to the Sony emails the hacking group leaked to a variety of media outlets. The words were investigated by Seattle-based cyber security firm Taia Global. 'Our preliminary results show that Sony's attackers were most likely Russian, possibly but not likely Korean and definitely not Mandarin Chinese or German,' the company wrote in a Christmas Eve blog post, according to The New York Daily News. Scroll down for video . New theory: Linguists at Seattle-based cyber security firm Taia Global studied 1,600 words in the 'Guardians of the Peace' emails and postings, and believe the native language of the hackers is Russian. Pictured here is the Red Square in Moscow . The firm deducted that while the analysis did not clear North Korea of any involvement in the hack, it was unlikely. That is based on the phrasing and language used by the hackers, who communicated in English. The Taia Global study determined 15 out of 20 phrasings in the emails matched the Russian language. Nine matched Korean, and none were Mandarin or German. President Obama and the FBI have accused North Korea of being behind the hacking saga in response to the Sony film The Interview, which features a mock death of the country's leader, Kim Jong-un. The government have not released the sources that lead them to direct blame at North Korea. Jong-un has denied any involvement, and accused the United States of temporarily shutting off its internet this week. Earlier this week, Guardians of the Peace failed to deliver a much-hyped 'Christmas gift' they claimed would destroy Sony. 'We are preparing for you a Christmas gift,' the group posted online in mid-December. 'The gift will be larger quantities of data. And it will be more interesting. The gift will surely give you much more pleasure and put Sony Pictures into the worst state.' Yet days later a letter released by the hackers on December 18 said that Sony had 'suffered enough.' People wait in line on Christmas day to watch the first screening of the controversial movie The Interview in Atlanta, Georgia. The promise of more Sony secrets being revealed has so far failed to materialize . Since then the hackers appear to have turned their attention to the FBI and on December 21 they posted a message which cynically 'praised' the FBI's investigation into the hack, with a link to a video that repeated the phrase 'You are an idiot' repeatedly. On Christmas Day, people flocked to the 300 or so cinemas showing The Interview, saying they are taking a stand for freedom. While the Guardians of Peace may be done, a new hacking group has already stepped in and taken their place, managing to shut down the company's PlayStation network at the worst possible time - Christmas Day. According to Deadline, a group called Lizard Squad is taking credit for the hack, which managed to put the network out of commission for hours not just once, but twice during the holiday. They are also claiming to have done the same to Xbox Live. This hack pales in comparison however to the damage inflicted on Sony and its employees as a result of the Guardians of Peace hack. Game over: The Sony hack that resulted in the leak of thousands of emails exchanges between Hollywood heavyweights including studio head Amy Pascal (right) and Scott Rudin (left) seems to be over . No backlash: This despite the fact that Sony decided to reverse their decision made last week to shelve the film following threats of a terrorist incident . And of those employees, no one has had to endure more than studio head Amy Pascal, whose work emails were released on a near daily basis. The hackers began their reign of terror on November 24 by hacking into employee computers and displaying a flashing skull with a cryptic message informing workers 'we've obtained all your internal data.' The computers would remain down for over a week, and a few days later the hackers deliver their first of many shocking dumps when the leak the Brad Pitt war drama Fury as well as unreleased studio titles including Annie, Mr. Turner, Still Alice and To Write Love On Her Arms online. It was around this time in late November that speculation began to mount that North Korea was likely behind the hack, a claim that seems to be based on nothing other than the fact that the country's UN ambassador Ja Song Nam wrote a letter to UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon taking issue that a film that depicts the assassination of a sitting world leader was allowed to be made, let alone released. And although the Guardians fail to even address these claims, or make any demands of Sony, until well into December, the story continues to grow and is accepted by many as fact long before the FBI claims to have actual proof of the country's involvement. Deny: Following an FBI report that North Korea was behind the attack, King Jong-un (above) released a statement denying the allegation and attacking the United States . It is in December that the hackers really turn things up, dumping an astonishing amount of information in the first two weeks of the month. Salaries of the company's top executives become public, the script for the new James Bond film is leaked, and then there are the emails attacking an assortment of A-list actors, writers and directors, along with a racist exchange between Pascal and her frequent pen-pal in many of these leaked emails, producer Scott Rudin, in which the two mock President Obama by listing what his favorite movie might be. The two would later release individual public apologies for their comments. This racist exchange is still being addressed by Pascal, who flew to New York to meet with Al Sharpton and has given the go ahead to a new program dedicated to promoting racial diversity in film. Pascal does however manage to come off as respectful and understanding when speaking about many of Hollywood's biggest stars, save one incident in which she labels Adam Sandler an 'a**hole' not once, but twice. Rudin on the other hand seems to have no problem talking about the talent behind their back, particularly Angelina Jolie who he labels 'a minimally talented spoiled brat' in one email, and in another exchange actually removes from the chain in order to tell Pascal that the actress is 'out of her mind.' During this time the group also starts dumping employee medical records, and most notably there letter on December 8 demanding that Sony stop the release of their upcoming Kim Jong-un assassination film The Interview. Then, on December 13 with the scandal at near fever pitch, the group announces plans for their upcoming 'Christmas gift' which they say will put Sony 'into the worst state.' Then things go quiet until December 16, when the group follows up their demand by threatening a terrorist attack of any movie theater set to play The Interview when it is released on December 25. Everywhere: The film has now been released across three viewing platforms - theaters, on demand and online . By day's end, the four largest theater chains in the country announced they will not show the film, and the following day Sony cancels the film's release. It is then that the Guardians release the aforementioned December 18 letter saying the Sony has suffered enough. Things finally turned around on Wednesday however for Sony, when Christmas came exactly one day early and the studio was able to declare victory over their hackers by releasing The Interview online. Making the release even sweeter for Sony was the massive outpouring of public support for the film, with thousands turning out for Christmas Eve midnight screenings across the country and tens of thousands of Americans streaming the film online. And as an added bonus for Sony, the studio will now go down in the history books for becoming the first studio to release a major motion picture online, as well as being the first studio to simultaneously allow for the viewing of a film across three different platforms - theaters, online and video on demand. 'It has always been Sony's intention to have a national platform on which to release this film,' Sony Pictures chair and CEO Michael Lynton said in a statement. 'We chose the path of digital distribution first so as to reach as many people as possible on opening day, and we continue to seek other partners and platforms to further expand the release.' Even more impressive however is how quickly the studio managed to pull this all together after initially deciding to hold off on distributing the film last week. Sony only announced on Tuesday that the film would play in selected theaters and be released to video on demand on Thursday. As for the big online announcement, that was confirmed less than an hour before the movie appeared on Google Play, YouTube, Microsoft Xbox Video and a Sony website created for the film, with the option of renting the film for $5.99 or downloading it for $16.99. There are still questions as to just who was behind the hacking as well, with many experts in the cybersecurity field questioning an FBI report that they say proved North Korea's government masterminded the attack. The experts all firmly believe the hack had to be an inside job. | Seattle-based cyber security firm analyzed 1,600 words attached to the leaked emails and postings of Guardians of the Peace .
Determined the hackers native is most likely Russian .
Study does not however rule out North Korea .
Obama and the FBI have blamed the country for the attack .
North Korea has blamed the US for shutting down its internet . |
205,049 | 957076ca78987cfcc450bdb2bfd55976740ec3a8 | A probe hurtling towards Pluto has captured the dwarf planet locked in a mesmerising dance with its largest moon, Charon. The New Horizons spacecraft took the footage as it raced through space to rendezvous with the dwarf planet in 2015. The 12 images that make up the animation were taken from a distance ranging from 267 million to 262 million miles (429 million to 422 million km). Scroll down for animation . A probe hurtling towards Pluto has captured the dwarf planet locked in a dance with its largest moon . Put together, the footage covers Pluto and almost one full rotation of its largest moon, Charon, which orbits 11,200 miles (about 18,000km) above the dwarf planet's surface. Charon is almost half the size of Pluto. The moon is so big that Pluto and Charon are sometimes referred to as a double dwarf planet system. The mission team are now using the footage - which focuses on Pluto's position against a backdrop of stars – to fine-tune the distance that New Horizons will fly past Pluto and its moons. Pluto's four smaller satellites are too faint to be seen in these distant images, but will begin to appear in images taken next year as the spacecraft speeds closer to its target. The mission team are now using the footage - which focuses on Pluto's position against a backdrop of stars – to fine-tune the distance that New Horizons will fly past Pluto and its moons . There remain many unanswered questions about Pluto. The New Horizons probe (artist's impression pictured) hopes to provide some answers when it flies by the dwarf planet on July 15, 2015 . The artist's concept shows the Pluto system from the surface of one of the smaller moons. Pluto is the large dwarf planet at centre, right. Charon, the system's largest moon, is the smaller body to the right of Pluto . 'The image sequence showing Charon revolving around Pluto set a record for close range imaging of Pluto - they were taken from 10 times closer to the planet than the Earth is,' says New Horizons mission Principal Investigator Alan Stern, of the Southwest Research Institute. Charon is almost half the size of Pluto. The moon is so big that Pluto and Charon are sometimes referred to as a double dwarf planet system. The distance between them is 12,200 miles (19,640 km). Charon's orbit around Pluto takes 6.4 Earth days, and one Pluto day takes 6.4 Earth days. Charon neither rises nor sets, but hovers over the same spot on Pluto's surface. The same side of Charon always faces Pluto -- this is called tidal locking. Compared with most of the planets and moons, the Pluto-Charon system is tipped on its side. 'But we'll smash that record again and again, starting in January, as approach operations begin. 'We are really excited to see our target and its biggest satellite in motion from our own perch,' he adds, 'less than a year from the historic encounter ahead.' New Horizons is near the end of its final pre-Pluto annual systems checkout and instrument calibration before Pluto arrival. The New Horizons mission operations team at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, will put the spacecraft back into hibernation on August 29 - just four days after New Horizons crosses the orbit of Neptune on August 25. That final 'rest' lasts only until December 6, when New Horizons will stay wake for two years of Pluto encounter preparations, flyby operations, and data downlinks. There remain many unanswered questions about Pluto. The New Horizons probe hopes to provide some answers when it flies by the dwarf planet on July 15, 2015. Pictured here is a scale comparison of Earth and its moon (left and top right) and Pluto and Charon (bottom right). Charon, the dwarf planet's largest moon, is almost half the size of Pluto . | Footage was taken from a distance of more than 250 million miles .
It was captured by New Horizons probe which will fly by Pluto next year .
Animation shows Pluto and almost one full rotation of its largest moon .
Charon orbits 11,200 miles (18,000km) above the dwarf planet's surface . |
30,763 | 57767af7a361e42fab8b67eb193869ba1d0d9499 | Raheem Sterling's driving run saw him equalise for Liverpool after the break - click here for our brilliant matchzone service . It was what one might call a Michael Owen moment. Maybe a Jimmy Greaves moment for those whose memory extends to football's golden age. Raheem Sterling turned and ran, straight at the heart of the Chelsea defence. You know, like the great goalscorers do. In that instant of pure athletic acceleration nobody could live with him. Not Nemanja Matic, the stand-out defensive midfield player of this season, not Gary Cahill who appeared to be plodding through quick-drying cement by comparison. Sterling, having dropped deep to receive the pass, was reaching top gear as he arrived in the penalty area, yet he didn't look at all hurried. As Thibaut Courtois began his advance he slipped the ball smartly past him and into the far corner. It was a gem of a goal, worthy of winning any match. That it only achieved parity for Liverpool is testament to Chelsea's defensive resilience. It was going to take something exceptional to breach that defence, and Sterling provided it. Credit, also, to his manager Brendan Rodgers. After the Christmas and New Year fixtures he gave Sterling time off to recharge his batteries, as promised. Sterling was pictured holidaying in Jamaica. Some mocked. Who do they think they are these softy footballers, unable to play a full season without taking off to the Caribbean? And how foolish is that mug of a manager to fall for it? Yet Sterling played as if revived. Eden Hazard comfortably stroked home a penalty in the 18th minute to give Chelsea the lead against Liverpool on Tuesday night . Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring a superb equaliser for the hosts in the 59th minute in the Capital One Cup semi-final . Liverpool: Mingolet 6.5; Can 6, Skrtel 7, Sakho 7; Henderson 7, Gerrard 8 (Lallana 70), Lucas 7, Moreno 7; Markovic 6.5, Sterling 8, Coutinho 7.5 . Subs not used: Ward, Enrique, Lambert, Manquillo, Borini, Rossiter . Goal: Sterling 59 . Booked: Gerrard, Lucas . Chelsea: Courtois 8.5; Ivanovic 7, Cahill 6, Terry 7, Luis 6 ; Matic 6.5, Mikel 5.5; Hazard 7, Fabregas 7, Willian 7 (Azpilicueta 87); Costa 6 . Subs not used: Cech, Zouma, Ramires, Oscar, Remy, Drogba . Goal: Hazard 18 (pen) Booked: Luis, Mikel . Referee: Martin Atkinson . Att: 44,573 . He was a proper handful, buzzing around Chelsea's back line, desperately trying to make up for the absence of a genuine striker in Liverpool's ranks. With Daniel Sturridge still missing it speaks volumes that Rodgers prefers Sterling to either Rickie Lambert or Mario Balotelli. Certainly it is hard to imagine either of his rivals scoring a goal of that quality on current form. Just like Sterling's trip to Jamaica, that was a bold managerial move. It would have been very easy for Mourinho to keep Petr Cech in goal for one last game - particularly as this competition is regarded as the least important of Chelsea's quartet of campaigns. Instead, Courtois was recalled immediately, and was superb in keeping Liverpool at bay. He saved from Philippe Coutinho in the 67th minute, from Jordan Henderson after 75 minutes and from Sterling again when he tried to capitalise on the rebound a second later. True, Courtois rode his luck when, in gathering the ball under pressure from Sterling, he began to slide out of his area and regained control only with his elbow. It should have been a free-kick for handling, and in a dangerous area just outside the box, but referee Martin Atkinson waved it away. Moments later, the Belgian made amends with a quite magnificent stop from Sterling. Without him, this match could have got away from Chelsea. They will most certainly have felt greatly relieved when Steven Gerrard shot against the post after 66 minutes. Coutinho set him up and the goal was open in front of The Kop. Perhaps he tried to place it too perfectly. With the momentum of a Gerrard goal at the right end, Liverpool's head of steam may have proved unstoppable. Gerrard was taken off soon after, no doubt with mixed emotions. He had more than played his part in Liverpool's comeback but that miss will have weighed heavily. It will be all about him again at Stamford Bridge, too, with Chelsea's travelling contingent ignoring Mourinho's plea to show respect for a great player. Hazard coolly wheels away after sending Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet the wrong way from the penalty spot . Can (right) had been caught out of position in the build-up to the penalty incident before tripping the onrushing Hazard . Branislav Ivanovic (back) joins in with the Blues' celebrations after Hazard had put them ahead at Liverpool . Sterling showcased his blistering pace as he cut Chelsea's defensive shape to pieces before sliding home an equaliser . Sterling bought himself a yard off Gary Cahill and placed across Thibaut Courtois to send Anfield wild . Almost the entire Liverpool starting XI rushed to congratulate their 20-year-old attacker, who hauled them back into the tie . Steven Gerrard winces with anguish after hitting a post when he ought to have scored after Sterling's stunning strike . Lazar Markovic (left), Can and Gerrard appeal loudly after Diego Costa appeared to handle the ball in his own box . Costa - lying on the ground - seemed to drag the ball back, which could have been construed as deliberate handball . John Obi Mikel lunges in on Sterling with his studs showing as the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg started at pace . Sterling tries to weave a way beyond Chelsea's Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic, with Cesc Fabregas watching on . Hazard proved a menace throughout - here attempting to dart away from Liverpool's main central defender Martin Skrtel . The game hadn't even kicked off when the blue corner began taunting Liverpool's captain about the famous slip. The home fans immediately replied with their tribute and at one point in the first half the entire ground was singing Gerrard's name, with levels of appreciation at opposite extremes. Gerrard has heard it all before, of course, and as expected no man did more to try to get Liverpool's noses in front. This being his last season at Anfield there is almost an entire area of The Kop reserved for Gerrard-related banners. 'The best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be,' said the largest, and most poetic - although it's a depressing thought if the best Liverpool will ever have retires without a league championship winners medal. A more attainable ambition was contained in the message 'Get Gerrard to Wembley'. As usual, though, if you want anything done properly do it yourself, and in the first half at least the duties of propelling Liverpool forward fell to the usual suspect again. It was Gerrard who forced the only two saves from Courtois in the first half, Gerrard who was involved in just about every Liverpool move that was memorable or incisive. A fierce shot, 35 yards out, demanded the first stop of the game, then, when Gary Cahill fouled Sterling on the left, it was Gerrard who curled a vicious free-kick in from a tight angle, bringing Courtois into action once more. Serbian defender Ivanovic slides a ball beyond Alberto Moreno into midfield from his station at right back . Gerrard - who was mocked for slipping in this decisive Premier League fixture last year - drove the Reds on from the off . Gerrard is placed into the book by referee Martin Atkinson after dumping Hazard on his backside in the first half . Sterling amusingly tangles with Chelsea captain John Terry in a tussle after half-time . Thibaut Courtois was out quickly to thwart the strong running of Sterling as Liverpool looked to get back in the game . Skrtel (right) and Spain international Diego Costa were always likely to enjoy a real battle and so it proved . Mamadou Sakho (left) charges forward under the watchful eye of Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian . Sakho rose highest against central defender Gary Cahill but wasn't able to force home his header . A determined Sterling whips in a cross on his wrong foot after getting the beating of Willian . Courtois comes flying out from a corner to clear his lines in typically confident fashion . Liverpool supporters (alongside a chirpy steward) hold a banner in support of their captain aloft during the semi-final first leg . It was a brisk evening on Merseyside, with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (right) wrapping up warm on the touchline . Oscar clearly felt the need to keep himself warm on the substitutes' bench - pictured clutching a hot water bottle . Mourinho shakes the hand of Gerrard after the central midfielder was replaced by Adam Lallana in the 70th minute . That he did this in front of Chelsea’s mocking fans made the attempt all the more ambitious. Every neutral must have secretly wished for the perfect retort. The effect of his absence next season is close to incalculable. Chelsea, by contrast, had one first-half chance, and took it - from the penalty spot. Cesc Fabregas played the ball inside to Eden Hazard, who was bundled over clumsily by Emre Can. Atkinson had no doubt and Hazard stepped up to capitalise on his work. Belgian against Belgian, he sent Simon Mignolet the wrong way, planting the ball low to the right. Liverpool will claim the award was soft, but they won’t have much of a case. Can took a chance stepping into Hazard; a penalty the likely outcome. Knowing what we know of Chelsea it was always a foolhardy move. Goals like Sterling’s come rarely, Chelsea nick results like this in their sleep. | Eden Hazard gave Chelsea an 18th-minute lead from the spot after Emre Can had fouled the Belgian in the box .
Liverpool could have been awarded a penalty just before half-time when Diego Costa appeared to handle .
But Raheem Sterling hit back in the 59th minute to ignite the Capital One Cup semi-final at Anfield .
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard struck a post afterwards before being taken off for Adam Lallana . |
5,344 | 0f1faa395ffc86550a033a21d3842191d1a730e5 | 'Drink driving': Guy Pelly, pictured today outside court, denied driving his black Audi TT while over the legal limit . A close friend of Prince William has claimed a drink driving charge against him could be invalid because of malfunctions in a police breathalyser machine. Guy Pelly, 32, was pulled over in his £90,000 black Audio R8 last year, and tests found that he was significantly over the legal alcohol limit. He is currently standing trial in Westminster Magistrates' Court, which heard today that a reading showed the proportion of alcohol in Mr Pelly's . breath was 52 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. But, despite the reading, and the testimony of officers who say his breath smelled of strong liquor on the night, Mr Pelly's lawyer has argued that the reading could have been wrong. He said that signals given off by radios held by nearby police officers, as well as those produced by Pelly's own iPhone, could have interfered with the intoximeter machine used in the police station. However, he was later contradicted by experts, and told the machine had been recently serviced. Pelly had that night refused to give a breath sample at the side of the road after being pulled over near Tonteria, the Sloane Square night club he runs. He was instead arrested and taken to a police station in Belgravia instead to undergo the test. Giving evidence, PC Geoff Parker told the court he stopped Pelly at around 1am on May 28 last year. He said: I noticed a black Audi pull out of a side road and travel down Sloane Street towards Knightsbridge. 'The reason my attention was drawn to the vehicle was because in my opinion it seemed to accelerate at speed. 'I decided to turn around and stop the vehicle and speak to the driver.' 'As I was speaking to him I could smell intoxicating liquor on the male's breath. 'I made a request for Mr Pelly to take part in a roadside breath test. I showed Mr Pelly the device, Mr Pelly said "I don't want to". 'I said to My Pelly "If you fail to provide a sample you'll be arrested, are you refusing to provide a sample?" Supercar: Pelly was pulled over while driving is Audi R8 supercar. He is pictured above with the vehicle in 2013 . 'Mr Pelly replied: "Yes".' 'I asked: "Have you had an alcoholic drink in the last 20 minutes?" 'He replied no. 'I asked: "Have you had a cigarette in the last five minutes?" 'He replied no'. 'When I asked him to take the roadside breath test he replied: "I don't want to". Pelly was taken to Belgravia Police Station where he gave a sample over the legal drink drive limit, around an hour after his arrest. He insists he only drank two bottles of beer that night. Phillip Lucas, defending, said that Pelly could be innocent despite the reading, as the breathalyser machine could have suffered errors in the recording that went unseen by officers. He told the court: 'I'm going to suggest to you that there are certain error messages that can be produced on this device that only come up on the screen. Famous friends: Pelly poses at an upmarket book launch at London's Saatchi Gallery last April . Friends: Prince William, left and Pelly, right, watch a Six Nations rugby match together in 2002 . 'They will not come up on a print out. Is that news to you?' Jon Fairhurst, the custody sergeant who oversaw the two intoximeter tests, said 'yes', adding: 'I would only be guided by the print out. As the print out said no errors, I took that to mean no errors.' Sgt Fairhurst said he only knew of four error messages that suggested the breathalyser machine may have given a faulty reading. But Mr Lucas said there were 13 - some of which only show up on the machine's screen and are not contained in a printout. The officer said he knew 'how to log into it, work it and be guided by it' but he said he was 'no expert' on the number of error messages that exist. Mr Lucas also suggested that police radios and mobile phones were in use near the machine and may have interfered with the reading. He told the arresting officer PC Geoff Parker: 'I'm going to suggest that your police radio was on your person and switched on.' Royal favourite: Pelly is pictured here with Princess Eugenie inside Tonteria . But the officer insisted it wasn't, and told the court: 'My radio and phone are normally taken off me and placed on the custody desk before I approach the procedure. 'I removed them myself. I placed them on the desk myself.' He admitted that there were other police officers in the adjacent custody room who would have had their radios on, but said he wasn't sure what frequency they were tuned into. Mr Lucas also claimed that Pelly still had his iPhone in his pocket when the test was carried out. He said: 'His telephone wasn't taken from him. When he came back to the desk he had to surrender his telephone. 'I'm suggesting that the defendant had his mobile phone on him during the procedure.' But the officer insisted the . socialite had been searched, his pockets emptied and his mobile phone . removed when he first got to Belgravia police station and before he was . breathalysed. The coutr . also heard how the machine was serviced and found to be in working order . on March 4 2013 - just two and a half months before Pelly used it. But Phillip Lucas, defending, said he was 'challenging the reliability' of the device. Party pal: Prince William and Guy Pelly pictured leaving Boujis, in South Kensington, after a night out . He said he had no actual evidence to prove that the machine was working perfectly. He said: 'The furthest I can go is to accept that the engineer went to check the calibration and the device. But I have no actual documentation saying it was fully operational. I don't have any actual figures about how the machine was seen on that date.' Pressed by District Judge John Zani on what the thrust of the defence case is, he added: 'I'm challenging the reliability of the breath analysis on this occasion. That has always been our challenge.' Charlotte Dale, an independent forensic alcohol consultant called by the prosecution, said there was no reason to doubt the machine's findings - especially as a repeat reading had been taken. Club owner: Guy Pelly with Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy at the launch of Tonteria . Branding the idea that it had misread Pelly's alcohol levels twice as 'too incredible'. She said: 'For it to affect two independent specimens to the exact same extent is to be too incredible. 'They are completely independent because they are two separate breath specimens. 'These are two separate breath specimens being analysed by the same hardware and coming up with the same result.' CCTV . footage played to the court shows Pelly being taken the station where . he blew into an intoxicator machine, which measured the amount of . alcohol in his system. He sat . on a bench with his arms crossed after taking the test before being told . to removed the laces from his shoes as he was put into a cell. The . 32-year-old denies the allegation. Pelly owns Mexican-themed Tonteria in Sloane Square and has run celebrity hotspots Mahiki and Whisky Mist in the past. His grandmother, Monica, was a . member of the Tate & Lyle sugar dynasty and his friendship with . Harry stems from their participation in the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt - . one of the oldest fox hunting packs in England. He also organised Prince William's stag party in Devon three years ago. His grandmother, Monica, was a member of the Tate & Lyle sugar dynasty and his friendship with Harry stems from their participation in the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt. Pelly, of Pimlico, southwest London, denies driving a motor vehicle when his alcohol level was above the limit. The trial continues. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Guy Pelly, 32, has known the prince for years and organised his stag do .
He was pulled over in his black £90,000 black Audi R8 by police .
He refused to blow into a breathalyser during the incident in May last year .
Pelly was later tested at a police station and was above the legal limit .
But his defence lawyer has argued that the machine gave a false reading .
Says officers' radios and Pelly's iPhone could have interfered .
But it the machine was serviced and deemed functional just months before .
Forensic alcohol expert said there was 'no reason' to doubt machine .
Pelly denies the drink driving charge at Westminster Magistrates' Court . |
221,851 | ab2a1df64a0fbfc7ddbf0f3bdacd60965ad8b13a | By . Simon Cable . PUBLISHED: . 19:48 EST, 28 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:49 EST, 28 March 2013 . He had the nerve-racking task of saving one of the world’s most-loved voices. Now throat surgeon Dr Steven Zeitels has told how he knew surgery on Adele’s vocal cords had been a success when the singer gave him a ‘beautiful’ private rendition of her hit song, Rolling In The Deep. Dr Zeitels, whose patients have included Julie Andrews, Lionel Richie, and Roger Daltrey, treated Adele at the end of 2011 after a sore on her vocal cords caused her to lose her voice. Star surgeon: Dr Steven Zeitels, left, says he not only saved Adele's (right) voice but improved it . He claims that not only did he save her voice, he even improved it. In a two-hour operation, he used microsurgical instruments and a laser to remove a polyp and repair a burst blood vessel with skills he claims are the result of a teenage passion for sewing leather bags. Dr Zeitels, 55, has told of his pride at the singer’s spectacular comeback, with an Oscar for Bond theme Skyfall this year. The professor of laryngeal surgery at America’s renowned Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, said: ‘There was an overwhelming epiphany that I had restored this beloved voice that would bring joy to and inspire millions of people. Sought help: Dr Zeitels has also treated other big names such as Dame Julie Andrews, left, and Lionel Richie, right . ‘I could see using my laryngoscope that she seemed to have healed properly, but I had to see how her singing voice was faring. ‘I asked her to test her singing voice and she sang Rolling In The Deep beautifully. If anything, her voice sounded cleaner and clearer than before. Who are you: Roger Daltrey also sought Dr Zeiteil's help . 'Of course, I was overjoyed … It was a wonderful moment for both of us and one of the most memorable in my career.’ Sound of Music star Julie Andrews, 77, sought Dr Zeitels’s help after a routine operation with another surgeon in 1997 went wrong. Despite seeing Dame Julie four times, Dr Zeitels was unable to restore her voice completely. Adele has recalled how her voice was reduced to a whisper after developing the polyp. Reappearing after surgery, at the Grammy Awards in February 2012, she thanked Dr Zeitels on stage in the first of six acceptance speeches. The 24-year-old, whose full name is Adele Adkins, said: ‘It was a bit traumatic. Thank God my voice healed. I stuck to all of the rules they gave me.’ She has admitted surgery changed her voice, saying it is ‘not as husky’ and is higher than it used to be. The surgeon, who also treats throat cancer, said: ‘Cancer surgery is rather like a fight with a club, but voice-restoration surgery for benign lesions is more like fencing. ‘With the singers I’ve operated on, I don’t just have to think how it looks at the end of the procedure, but also how it will look and mechanically vibrate in several weeks when it’s healed as well as in years or even decades to come.’ Dr Zeitels is developing a gel which he claims will restore vocal cord elasticity if injected into the throat regularly. | Dr Steven Zeitels treated Adele when she lost her voice in 2011 .
She gave him a 'beautiful' rendition of Rolling in the Deep after treatment .
He has also treated Roger Daltrey, Julie Andrews and Lionel Richie . |
220,141 | a8eea4bb94d58368a6c96bf0d09a0761b0de4027 | By . Sally Lee for Daily Mail Australia . The mother of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has denied her daughter is in a relationship with an Indonesia man who has been arrested for drug possession. It was revealed on Friday, Corby's boyfriend Ben Panagian was allegedly caught with marijuana after he was searched on a Bali street on August 20 and later found more in his wardrobe. The 32-year-old faces a maximum of 12 years in prison if he is found guilty, the Herald Sun reported. Scroll down for video . Schapelle Corby's boyfriend has been charged by Indonesian police after he was allegedly caught in possession of drugs in Bali . Schapelle Corby was released from a Bali jail in February after serving nine years for drug smuggling . Indonesian police allege Ben Panangian was in possession of marijuana . Rosleigh Rose told Nine News was not aware of the specifics of the charge. But she was adamant that 'Ben [was] not Schapelle's boyfriend'. 'They know each other, that's it,' Ms Rose said. Her denial comes despite Corby and Panagian being linked as early as 2006 after meeting in jail while both were serving time for drug offences, according to The Australian Women's Weekly. As Corby is only free on parole in Bali under the condition that she stay away from drugs and crime, she is expected to receive a severe warning and will be monitored more strictly. Panangian first met Corby behind bars while he was serving time in jail . Police on Friday said they had no plans to investigate Corby because the pair's relationship is unclear. Panangian, who's previously been locked up for drug charges, was arrested in Nusa Dua at about 6pm with two packages of marijuana. Police said they seized a total of nine grams of cannabis and arrested him under the name Bernanrd P. Simanjunta. Witnesses confirmed the man was Corby's boyfriend. Corby was released from Bali's Kerobokan Prison five months ago after serving nine years in jail for couriering 4.2 kilograms of marijuana to Indonesia. The 37-year-old got back with her Indonesian boyfriend who supported her while she was locked-up a couple of months after her release from jail, Daily Mail Australia reported in July. The two reportedly met when they were both inmates serving time in prison. Corby was released from a Bali jail in February after serving nine years for drug smuggling. Parole board boss Ketut Artha says officers will now watch the convicted drug smuggler more closely. He may also personally warn her about the company she is keeping - but he won't revoke her parole. 'With this case, we will tighten supervision for her,' he said on Friday. 'We will also warn her and visit her more often. 'Early next month she is due to report [to the parole office] and we will warn her.' Corby's parole officer also said she never mentioned a boyfriend in her counselling sessions. The 37-year-old got back with her Indonesian boyfriend who supported her while she was locked-up a couple of months after her release from jail . Corby was released from Bali's Kerobokan Prison five months ago after serving nine years in jail for couriering 4.2 kilograms of cannabis to Indonesia . In 2004, she was stopped by officers at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar and was caught with 4.2 kilograms of marijuana in her boogie board bag. She was sentenced 20 years behind bars in 2005 but was later granted a five-year sentence reduction. While imprisoned, Corby claimed she suffered from extreme depression and shared with a psychiatrist her thoughts on suicide. Her parole conditions state that she must not be involved with crime. She lives with her sister, Mercedes, in the tourist area of Kuta. It's believed she now works at her sister's surfboard and swimwear shop on the island. | Indonesian police allege Ben Panangian was in possession of marijuana .
The 32-year-old faces a maximum 12 years in jail if found guilty of charge .
Police found marijuana on him and another stash hidden in his wardrobe .
Schapelle Corby was convicted of smuggling drug to in Bali in 2004 .
She was released on parole under the condition she stayed away from drugs and crime .
Police say they have no plans to investigate the 37-year-old Australian . |
256,515 | d80146e3388c0de0bdda60fa4e4dabe60a0788e7 | Alistair Darling has revealed he will stand down as an MP at the next general election with a warning that Scotland could face another independence referendum unless Labour halts the SNP advance. Mr Darling, who led the Better Together campaign against Scottish independence, spoke of his disappointment that Labour had not capitalised on the 'No' vote in the referendum. It comes amid recent opinion polls that suggest Labour is on course to lose the vast majority of its Scottish seats at Westminster to the SNP at the next general election. Former Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced he will stand down as an MP at the next general election . He told the Financial Times: 'My frustration is that we actually won. You can't say it often enough. We made the arguments, we had confidence in ourselves.' The Labour MP for Edinburgh south west backed former Scottish secretary Jim Murphy to reverse the party's fortunes in Scotland following the resignation of Johann Lamont last week. Three candidates - MP Jim Murphy and MSPs Sarah Boyack and Neil Findlay - are standing to succeed Ms Lamont as leader, with Kezia Dugdale MSP and the MP Katy Clark hoping to become deputy. He said: 'Jim has the enthusiasm, the energy and above all he's a fighter. For too long we have sat back when we needed to fight.' The MP for Edinburgh south west recently led the Better Together campaign against Scottish independence . Mr Darling, 60, said he wanted to step aside from politics while he was still 'relatively young'. He may now forge a lucrative career in the private sector, but has hinted he may return to front-line politics to fight to keep Britain in the EU during an 'inevitable' referendum. In a separate interview with the Edinburgh Evening News, he said: I've been an MP for 27 years, many of them on the frontbench, I was Chancellor during the economic crisis and I’ve just fought a gruelling referendum campaign. Now it’s time to move on. ’I'm sorry to go, but it’s better to go when you’re still enjoying it rather than hanging on too long. 'I hope I’ve got many years in front of me, but I want to go and do something different.' His departure comes despite some Labour backbenchers wanting Mr Darling to return to the party's front benches, possibly as a replacement for Ed Balls, the Shadow Chancellor. Mr Darling, who entered Parliament in 1987, served as Chancellor between 2007-2010 after a holding a range of Cabinet roles following Labour's election in 1997. Mr Darling, who turns 61 next month, defeated Alex Salmond in the Scottish independence vote . The MP for Edinburgh south west served as Chancellor from 2007-2010 during the economic crash . Alistair Darling had 'fundamental disagreements' with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown over key economic policies during the last Labour government . He led the Better Together campaign which last month defeated the 'Yes' campaign by 55 per cent to 45 per cent. Prior to that, he served as Chancellor under Prime Minister Gordon Brown during the collapse of Northern Rock and the subsequent global banking crisis. In his memoirs, he spoke of the tensions between the two men which increased markedly. 'Relations between myself and Gordon became progressively more difficult,' he said. 'We had a fundamental disagreement in 2008 as to how bad this (the financial crash) was going to be. And then during 2009 we had this whole argument about what you do about the deficit.' And he said the last 18 months of Mr Brown's government had a 'permanent air of chaos and crisis' about them. He said he always feared Mr Brown regarded him as a 'stopgap' chancellor and said he resisted efforts to replace him with Ed Balls, a close ally of Mr Brown, in June 2009. Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna said Alistair Darling had made an 'immense contribution' Jim Murphy, who Mr Darling has backed to lead the Scottish Labour Party, said he 'deserves all our thanks' Tonight Labour MPs paid tribute to Mr Darling, who also served as Secretary of State for Transport, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Secretary of State for Scotland. Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna said: 'Very sad to hear Alistair Darling is standing down at the next election. He has made an immense contribution to our country and our party. 'When Alistair Darling gets up and speaks in the Commons, all sides of the House of Commons shut up and listen. He'll be greatly missed.' Jim Murphy, who Mr Darling has tipped to lead the Scottish Labour Party, said: 'History will judge Alistair Darling to have made an immense contribution to Labour, Scotland and the whole UK. Deserves all our thanks.' William Bain MP for Glasgow north east said: 'Huge contribution to public life made by Alistair Darling. He showed politics can be honourable, decent and change countless lives for the better.' David Miliband, brother of Labour leader Ed, said: 'My retiring friend and colleague Alistair Darling is a gentle giant of politics: high on integrity, low on ego.' Mr Darling's departure will come as a further blow to Labour leader Ed Miliband, who was found to be even less popular with voters than Nick Clegg in the most recent YouGov survey. Just 18 per cent think Mr Miliband is doing well, giving him an overall satisfaction rating of minus 55 - one point behind Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg. During a near 30-year career in frontline politics, Alistair Darling rose from being a 'safe pair of hands' minister to greater prominence as chancellor. He spent his formative years in Edinburgh, attending the city's exclusive Loretto public school. He became an advocate in 1984, two years after being elected to the former Lothian Regional Council. After becoming an MP in 1987, Mr Darling rose quickly through the Labour ranks. In opposition he served on the front bench in several roles, including as home affairs spokesman. Following Labour's 1997 election win, Mr Darling served as chief secretary to the Treasury. He then replaced Harriet Harman as social security secretary (a job later re-named work and pensions secretary). Mr Darling once said he would like to be remembered as 'the minister who began to eradicate poverty', but was targeted by pensioners outraged when their pensions were raised by only 75p. The episode led to a rebellion at Labour's conference in 2000. Mr Darling, said to have a skill for mastering complex briefs in record time, became Secretary of State for Transport in 2002, when Stephen Byers resigned amid the collapse of Railtrack. His proposals for road pricing - not universally popular among drivers - sparked fierce debate. Mr Darling's later comments, while at the Department of Trade and Industry, that Britain's future energy needs may have to be met partly by a return to nuclear power, also raised eyebrows. Alistair Darling rose from being a 'safe pair of hands' minister to greater prominence as chancellor . Following Gordon Brown's elevation to Prime Minister in 2007, he was handpicked for the job of Chancellor. Mr Darling, memorably warned in the summer of 2008 - not long before the collapse of Lehman Brothers - of the worst financial crisis in 60 years. The chancellor later said the resulting Brown camp backlash was like having the 'forces of hell' unleashed on him, but Mr Darling stood firm. When Mr Brown apparently tried to evict his long-time ally (and neighbour) from No11 in the summer of 2009, it was widely reported Mr Darling threatened to resign. In his memoirs, published after Labour was voted out of office, Mr Darling said there was a 'permanent air of chaos and crisis' when Mr Brown was prime minister. However, the pair were reconciled during the referendum campaign where Brown played arguably the crucial role in helping to keep Scotland part of the UK. Despite losing the election, Mr Darling was possibly able to take some comfort that his prediction of financial meltdown was, as he put it, 'fairly accurate'. Despite initially insisting he was not interested in leading the pro-Union Better Together campaign Mr Darling returned to the fray and helped defeat Alex Salmond in the independence referendum on September 18. | Mr Darling, who led the Better Together campaign, will stand down as MP .
Warned Scotland could face another referendum unless Labour halts SNP .
Spoke of his frustration that Labour had not capitalised on the 'No' vote .
Backed Jim Murphy MP to lead the Scottish Labour Party .
He said he wanted to step aside while he was still 'relatively young'
Mr Darling was Chancellor under Gordon Brown during financial crash . |
281,994 | f94a9d7f65e85cb86dc693af40b65bdccada235f | Editor's note: The staff at CNN.com has recently been intrigued by the journalism of VICE, an independent media company and Web site based in Brooklyn, New York. VBS.TV is Vice's broadband television network. The reports, which are produced solely by VICE, reflect a very transparent approach to journalism, where viewers are taken along on every step of the reporting process. We believe this unique reporting approach is worthy of sharing with our CNN.com readers. Brooklyn, New York (VBS.TV/MOTHERBOARD.TV) -- Military checkpoints line the long and winding road from the airport in Cali, Colombia, to the coastal city of Buenaventura. These are expected sights in the long-running conflict we know as the "war on drugs." Plan Colombia, legislation passed during the Clinton administration, provided billions in military aid to Colombia to help halt the cultivation and transport of cocaine. It has had only mixed success. Buenaventura, a strategic port city and maritime gateway to Central and North America, is a haven for the newest clandestine agent in the illegal drug trade: the "narco-sub." As this decades-old conflict has ebbed and flowed, one thing has remained constant: the sheer ingenuity of narco-traffickers to invent and exploit new methods and routes for smuggling. We were granted access to the Málaga naval base about an hour outside of Buenaventura, which has been at the forefront of interdicting these vessels. The Colombian navy said some cartels are allocating increasing resources to the development of new smuggling technology. Several decades ago, Samsonite suitcases and underwear refashioned with hidden pockets enabled upstart smugglers to carry drugs across borders. Today, narco-subs are at the cutting edge of smuggling technology. The Colombian navy has collected a small group of narco-subs and boats at Málaga. They resemble speedboats with their roofs removed, more than any images you might conjure from "The Hunt for Red October," and most of them aren't engineered to be fully submersible. But despite being built off the grid, having a ramshackle appearance, and occasionally malfunctioning at sea, narco-subs are increasingly used by traffickers to carry millions of dollars of illicit cargo, while evading some of the world's most technologically advanced military equipment. See the rest of Colombian narco-subs at Motherboard.tv . It is unknown how many narco-subs have been deployed. The ones caught so far by the Colombian navy each sports a slightly different shape and set of features -- at least from the outside. But in the dark and musty interior of two semisubmersibles, their shared purpose is clear: to carry illicit cargo, a small crew of men, and enough gasoline for a journey that could last several weeks. What the vessels do not include, said officials, is a bathroom. Miguel Angel Montoya helped spearhead the construction of semisubmersibles for drug smuggling prior to leaving the trade. "At the beginning, in the times of Pablo Escobar, it was common for planes to leave Colombia and land on clandestine strips in the U.S. or Mexico. Later, that was difficult. ... Innovations in drug trafficking come when the situation hits a crisis state," said Montoya. One of his last designs was the "torpedo," an unmanned submersible towed behind another boat on the surface and outfitted with a radio-controlled recovery system in the event the navy captured it. Having temporarily discarded the evidence, the crew could later recover its cargo and continue its journey. The "torpedo" represents the height of narco-sub innovation as it was known five years ago. Who knows what might be crawling under the ocean's surface today. This piece was created in partnership with Dell for Motherboard.tv -- VBS.TV staff . | Colombian traffickers using homemade submarines to transport drugs .
Drug cartels allocating more resources to development of new smuggling methods .
VBS gets access to a naval base at the forefront of finding and intercepting the vessels . |
234,044 | bafc35da43f1e3870551292c4342f569550376d3 | By . Daniel Martin, Whitehall Correspondent . Britain will leapfrog Germany to become Europe’s largest economy by 2030, economists predict. Thanks to our decision not to join the euro, we will overtake France in less than five years to become the fifth-largest economy in the world. In a significant boost to George Osborne’s austerity programme, the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) hailed the UK as the second-best performing economy in the Western world after the United States – and said France was one of the worst. A vision of the future? The predictions, right, could be good news for George Osborne if true. The UK is set to beat Germany and France but lose out to Brazil and India, remaining the sixth-largest world economy . Our strong currency, low taxes and the projected rise in our population – in contrast with some of our competitors – means our GDP will outstrip France by 2018 and Germany 12 years later. But competition from emerging economies means India and Brazil will overtake us by 2028, pushing us to seventh in the world economic league table. By then, France will be only the 13th largest economy in the world – a humiliating blow to the proud nation and an indictment of current Socialist president Francois Hollande’s policies. Unbeatable: We could not hope to rival China, partly because of its huge population . The CEBR said Britain has prospered outside the eurozone and will continue to do so, while our low taxes have promoted growth. By comparison, things are so bad in recession-hit Italy that this year the size of its economy has been exceeded by Russia. Britain avoided a double-dip recession in the wake of the 2008 global economic crisis, and has now returned steadfastly to growth. The UK’s economy is set to grow by 1.4 per cent this year – well ahead of countries struggling under the yoke of the eurozone. Last night a Treasury spokesman said the study vindicates George Osborne’s austerity programme. He said: ‘Britain’s hard work is paying off and the long-term economic plan is working. ‘The economy is growing, the deficit is falling and jobs are being created and while this report is encouraging, the job is not yet done. So the Government will go on taking the difficult decisions needed to secure a responsible recovery for all.’ The study by the CEBR looks at the 30 largest economies in the world and predicts how they will fare in the coming years. It finds that China will overtake the US as the world’s largest economy in around 2028. The report outlines how the so-called BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia, India and China – will soon start to outstrip their Western counterparts as their industrialisation takes hold. India is predicted to outstrip Japan’s . economy by 2028. Despite this exceptional rise, Britain is still giving . the country millions of pounds in aid. Hailing . the strength of Britain’s recovery, the CEBR said population growth . would be a factor in our future success. Germany, on the other hand, is . set to see its population plummet. Booming: China is expected to beat the U.S. to the top spot. Pictured: Workers at a clothing factory in Panjin . Changes: India will surge ahead but still receives British aid, while France could have grim times ahead . However, the CEBR warned that Britain’s prospects could be harmed if it fails to trade more with developing and growing countries such as China. The economists hinted that leaving the EU could also be bad for our prospects, and that if Scotland leaves the union that would hit the size of our GDP. Their report added: The factors driving the UK’s overtaking Germany are the assumption of a falling value for the Euro, Germany’s falling population and the UK’s rising population.’ The CEBR said that by 2028, the UK economy is forecast to be only 3 per cent smaller than the German economy, meaning it is likely to become the largest Western European economy by around 2030. If the euro breaks up, the outlook for German GDP would be much better and the outlook for the other European economies correspondingly worse. On the assumption that the euro holds, Germany drops from the fourth-largest economy in 2013 to the sixth largest in 2028 – after which it would drop below the UK. For France the drop is worse – from fifth in 2013 to 10th in 2023 and 13th in 2028. CEBR’s latest forecasts now show China overtaking the US in 2028 to become the world’s largest economy. This is later than some analysts have suggested and reflects the continuing performance of the US as the West’s strongest economy and the slowing down of the Chinese economy. India is expected to overtake Japan in 2028 to become the world’s third largest economy. Brazil overtook the UK in 2011 to briefly become the world’s sixth largest economy. But it has since fallen back and is not expected to overtake again until 2023. | We are seat to leapfrog Germany and France but lose to India and Brazil .
Austerity and our refusal to join Euro put us in good stead, study claims .
Study was by the Centre for Economics and Business Research . |
20,266 | 3985053215d522440bf37e314342528d4f22b478 | BIRMINGHAM, England -- Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele broke the two-mile world record at an international indoor meeting in Birmingham on Saturday. Bekele shaved 0.34 seconds off the record held by Gebrselassie. The reigning Olympic 10,000 meters champion, on the same track where compatriot Haile Gebrselassie achieved the previous fastest time, shaved 0.34 seconds off his fellow Ethiopian's mark with a time of 8 minutes 04.35 seconds. The women's 3,000 meters was won by another Ethiopian, front-running Gelete Burka, in 8:31.94 - the third-fastest time in history. Britain's Commonwealth champion Phillips Idowu warmed-up for next month's World Indoor Championships in Valencia by winning the triple jump with 17.21 meters. Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia set a world indoor record in the women's pole vault by clearing 4 meters 95 centimeters in Donetsk. She beat her own mark of 4.93m which she set last year at the same venue. It is the third consecutive year in which 25-year-old Isinbayeva, who has leaped 5.02 outdoors, broke the indoor mark in Donetsk. E-mail to a friend . | Kenenisa Bekele breaks the world two-mile record in Birmingham .
He wins the event in 8 minutes 04.35 seconds.
He is 0.34 seconds faster than compatriot Haile Gebrselassie's old record . |
77,806 | dc9a4eae0f154a32c15c1092a19cd72ca0afe10b | (CNN)The private spaceflight company SpaceX will launch another mission to the International Space Station on Tuesday, but the real highlight of the event could be back on Earth. A Falcon 9 rocket will lift the cargo into orbit, and for the first time, the company will try to land the rocket's first stage on a floating platform. Traditionally, rockets have been designed to fall back to Earth after separating from the spacecraft they lifted, and then burn up on reentry or crash into the ocean. The millions of dollars that go into the production of the rockets burn, too. SpaceX wants to pioneer a reusable rocket, a development that could change the economics of space travel. "A fully and rapidly reusable rocket -- which has never been done before -- is the pivotal breakthrough needed to substantially reduce the cost of space access," SpaceX said in a news release. The company has twice attempted soft landings of the Falcon 9's first stage on water. Those tests showed that the rocket is capable of reducing its speed from hypersonic to nearly zero, and deploy landing legs. In those tests, the rocket tipped sideways and crashed into the ocean, causing damage that made the rocket unusable. That was according to plan, SpaceX said. On Tuesday, the company will try the same soft landing for the Falcon 9's first stage, but this time on a custom-built floating platform it calls the autonomous spaceport drone ship. Landing on the platform "is significantly more challenging" than the water landings, the company said. For one, the platform is not anchored, and while the platform looks large from the ground, it is a rather small target for the 14-story-tall rocket. SpaceX described reentry and landing as "trying to balance a rubber broomstick on your hand in the middle of a wind storm." The company puts the odds of success at 50% at best. It adds, however, that this is just the first of a number of tests toward the goal of landing a rocket stage for reuse. As for Tuesday's target, "X" marks the spot: The company will try to land the rocket stage on the SpaceX logo painted on the center of the floating platform. | SpaceX is scheduled to launch a rocket Tuesday .
In a first, the company will try to land the rocket's first stage .
There is at best a 50% chance this attempt will succeed, SpaceX says . |
250,843 | d0a2bed69e396d2b87daca86f926fa73002157f1 | By . Simon Jones . Southampton outcast Dani Osvaldo has agreed wages £1.6m after tax with Inter Milan as he look set complete a season-long loan. The Italy international looks likely to move to Milan for a season with the potential for £7million permanent move after. Greek champions Olympiacos have offered the striker more money but he has his heart set on a return to Italy. Deal: Southampton's Dani Osvaldo has agreed wages of £1.6million after tax with Inter Milan . Away: The striker (left) looks set to return to his native Italy on a season-long loan deal ahead of a £7m move . Discipline: Osvaldo was shipped out to Juventus in January after a training-ground bust-up with Jose Fonte . Osvaldo, 28, joined Southampton last summer in a £12.8m deal. He was shipped out on loan to Juventus in January, however, after a training-ground bust-up with Jose Fonte. Southampton are yet to agree a loan move for Inter’s Algerian midfielder Saphir Taider, 22. Move: Southampton are yet to agree a loan move for Inter Milan's Algerian midfielder Saphir Taider (right) | Osvaldo has agreed £1.6million wages after tax with Italian giants Inter .
He looks set to complete a season-long loan with view to potential £7m move .
Olympiacos offered higher wages but Osvaldo wants to return to native Italy .
Osvaldo joined Southampton for £12.8m just last summer .
He was sent on loan to Juventus in January after spat with Jose Fonte .
Southampton are yet to agree loan move for Inter's midfielder Saphir Taider . |
206,303 | 97141a57d69b7429bd7a9ebc0ecbdb858f29886b | The derby clash between Everton and Liverpool next month will kick-off at 5.30pm as scheduled despite opposition from Merseyside Police and the local council, the Premier League has confirmed. The fixture on Saturday, February 7 at Goodison Park, was moved to a tea-time start in order to be televised by Sky Sports - leading to objections from the police, who decided to elevate the game to a Category C fixture, with reference to there being a high risk of disorder. The police, supported by Liverpool City Council's Licensing Committee, wanted the match to kick-off no later than 1.30pm. The kick-off time of the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool remains unchanged - 5.30pm . Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored as the Merseyside rivals drew 1-1 at Anfield earlier this season . Everton informed the Premier League on December 9 of the police's objections and the issue was then discussed by the council's licensing committee, which initially said it would 'take legal advice on all appropriate options to enforce the position' in the event of no change of kick-off time being determined. However, only if there are concerns over a safety certificate being issued could a change be viable, and that was not a consideration as Everton have confirmed they are in a position to stage the game. And the Premier League confirmed to Mailonline Sport on Monday that the derby will go ahead at the 5.30pm start. Merseyside Police's report last month stressed there was no specific intelligence indicating any organised disorder is planned but stated the wider implications of a late kick-off meant they had to take action. Police and the local council had raised concerns over fans' safety . Everton captain Phil Jagielka scored a last-minute screamer to cancel out Gerrard's effort in September . | Everton and Liverpool will kick-off the derby at 5:30pm on February 7 .
Premier League confirmed the time despite objections from police .
Liverpool City Council had earlier threatened taking legal action . |
107,372 | 167d1817c15216ad788ad7f0a6ba39c371597bc6 | By . James Rush . PUBLISHED: . 13:19 EST, 18 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 02:54 EST, 19 December 2012 . Two men who stole 220,000 litres of cooking oil from KFC stores and supermarkets across the UK and sold it on as biodiesel have been jailed for a combined total of four years. Scheming Stuart Bradley, 38, and Matthew Walker, 27, masterminded a nationwide scam described by one senior detective as one of the most 'complex and elaborate' crimes he had ever investigated. The duo struck at dozens of KFC branches as well as Asda, Tesco and Morrisons supermarkets and stole up to £147,000 worth of cooking oil which they siphoned into their vans. Guilty: Matthew Walker, left, and Stuart Bradley, right, have been jailed for two years each for the 'complex and elaborate' scam of stealing used cooking oil and selling it on as biodiesel fuel . Posing as waste removal staff for an oil recycling company, they then went on to sell the stolen oil at a premium to a processing plant who converted it into eco-friendly biodiesel. Police were first alerted to their suspicious activities in February this year after an alarm on an oil tanker at Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, was activated. The friends claimed to have been looking for somewhere to eat but backtracked when officers discovered a vat of foul-smelling used cooking oil in the back of their Transit van. Although the pair backtracked and claimed they actually worked for a waste company, they were promptly arrested. Officers then linked them to 13 unsolved offences -dating from November 2011 to February 2012 - up and down the UK. Bradley and Walker were charged and . appeared at Dudley Magistrates' Court in July but when they were released . on bail pending their trial they went on to commit further crimes at . the three supermarkets. Other cases: Police were first alerted to the pair's activities in February and linked them to 13 unsolved offences since the previous November . Scam: The pair struck at branches of KFC along with Asda, Tesco and Morrisons supermarkets . They were promptly re-arrested and last Friday the pair, both from Stourport, Worcestershire, were jailed for two years each at Wolverhampton Crown Court after being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to steal. Detective Constable Gareth Homer, from West Midlands Police, who led the investigation, said: 'This was one of the most elaborate crimes and complex investigations I have ever undertaken. 'On the face of it, the crimes of Bradley and Walker may seem harmless enough, but with so many businesses that employ local people struggling to make ends meet in these tough times, sustained losses on this scale could have very well meant they went under resulting in lost jobs.' Theft: The pair posed as waste removal staff before selling the stolen oil at a premium to a processing plant . | Stuart Bradley and Matthew Walker masterminded nationwide scam .
The pair stole cooking oil from stores and sold it on as biodiesel .
The duo have been jailed two years each for 'complex and elaborate' scam . |
106,461 | 154c76e34d3f86d7cad003b07d71024c2e4eefcf | The Indian cricket team has issued a fastidious list of dietary demands to the venues hosting their upcoming test match tour of Australia. The team distributed a document which lists an embargo on all spicy and fried foods, along with severe hygienic measures, in a bid to ensure none of the players suffer gastric upset on the field. The team have demanded that all hot dishes are served at more than 60 degrees Celsius, and cold ones set out below five degrees Celsius, reports News.com. The Indian cricket team in London during a one-day series match. The team have issued a fastidious list of dietary demands to the venues hosting their upcoming test match tour of Australia . The team distributed a document which lists an embargo on all spicy and fried foods,with only mild curries deemed acceptable . Further exacting hygiene demands included the following. 'All utensils should look clean and have no food or anything else visible,' 'all staff must wash their hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water,' and 'utensils must be sanitised in a dishwasher at high heat and must be dried before use, with air drying the best method.' As well as the prohibitions, the documents requests an exorbitant all-day menu which includes beans, salmon, low-fat cheese, poached eggs and grilled mushrooms, with any other foods served must be approved by team management first. During the test Match series of 2011-2012, there were complaints of too much Indian food on the menu for both teams, with Perth chef Gogo Govardhan catering the shared buffet. The English team issued even more elaborate demands last year in an 82 page document which requested pumpkin seed and goji berry breakfast bars and mungbean curry with spinach. The four match test series begins at the Gabba in Brisbane on December 4. As well as the prohibitions, the documents requests an exorbitant all-day menu which includes beans, salmon, low-fat cheese, poached eggs and grilled mushrooms . | The Indian cricket team is coming to Australia for a four match test series .
They have issued a fastidious list of dietary demands to the hosting venues .
It prohibits all spicy and fried foods, instead requesting salmon and eggs .
They also outline severe hygienic measures, including air drying of dishes . |
45,905 | 815b331f1c01ce340fe66c8fe5b3e549e783860b | The use of CCTV spy cars that issue parking fines will be severely restricted to stop their widespread abuse, the road safety minister has promised. Robert Goodwill said profits from parking penalties had more than doubled from £223million to £512million between 1998 and 2011 – and are expected to rise to £635million in 2014. During that time many councils have started using mobile CCTV spy cars in addition to traditional parking wardens. Money spinners: Road safety minister Robert Goodwill said a recent Transport Select Committee revealed some councils have been using CCTV cars for parking enforcement as 'a matter of routine' There was now a ‘deeply rooted public perception’ that local authorities view parking enforcement as a cash cow to boost their coffers Mr Goodwill warned. CCTV would in future be limited to areas around schools, in bus lanes, at bus stops and on red ‘no stop’ routes, he said. Speaking at the annual Parkex exhibition in London, Mr Goodwill said a recent Transport Select Committee revealed some councils have been using CCTV for parking enforcement as ‘a matter of routine’. He said: ‘That is not acceptable. The surveillance camera code of practice has long been clear that CCTV should be used sparingly and only where other means of enforcement are unpractical. ‘What is essential is that the public have confidence that where CCTV is being used it is to promote safety and to tackle congestion. Nothing else.’ Mr Goodwill said his aim was to put an end to practices that ‘offend a sense of natural justice’. 'Offence to a sense of natural justice': Robert Goodwill said profits from parking penalties had more than doubled between 1998 and 2011 . Above all there must be fair enforcement, he said: ‘The use of CCTV, in particular, causes public concern. But so does the perception that enforcement officers are waiting to pounce the moment the meter runs out. ‘Motorists should not be fearful about returning to their vehicles a few minutes late. Indeed, in most cases, drivers return with unexpired time left and the council can then re-sell the space and, in effect, be paid double.’ Mr Goodwill noted how the Transport Select committee had concluded that the current appeals system disadvantaged people who had ‘inadvertently make a mistake.’ He added: ‘Their sense was that the current system discourages people from appealing their tickets. ‘People who have a legitimate reason not to pay are simply giving up and paying the fine. That offends a sense of natural justice.’ Mr Goodwill said he wanted to give parking bosses ‘a flavour of our thinking’ ahead of announcing new rules soon in a new shake-up. But the AA yesterday warned the abuse of CCTV could continue if it was only curtailed rather than banned. AA President Edmund King said : ‘Motorists will still have concerns about CCTV cars, even if their use is curtailed. ‘But we welcome a decent grace period to protect drivers who otherwise get unfairly fined if their watch is two minutes out of synch with the town hall clock.’ | CCTV will be limited to schools, bus lanes, bus stops and red routes .
Aim is to put an end to practices that ‘offend a sense of natural justice’
'Motorists should not be fearful of returning to a few minutes late' |
152,747 | 51674525e2f620f1c3b0846b19c3eba21bca4e73 | (CNN) -- If you happen to browse upon a news story that's too odd to be true Wednesday, hold your outrage and check the calendar. A Lebanese newspaper ran a caricature last year of two opposition leaders hugging in light of April Fools' Day. It's April Fools' Day -- when media outlets around the world take a break from the serious business of delivering news and play fast and furious with the facts. No one quite knows when the practice began, but any journalist will point to what is undoubtedly the biggest hoax that any reputable news establishment ever pulled: A 1957 BBC report that said, thanks to a mild winter and the elimination of the spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. The segment was accompanied by pictures of farmers pulling strands of spaghetti from trees -- and prompted hundreds of viewers to call in, wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti trees. While not as elaborate, the pranks that media outlets harvested this year have been quite rich: . The Guardian in London ran a story Wednesday announcing that, after 188 years as a print publication, it will become the first newspaper to deliver news exclusively via Twitter. Twitter, a micro-blogging site, allows users to post updates that are 140 characters long. In keeping with the limitation, the newspaper said it had undertaken a mammoth project to retool the newspaper's entire archive. For example, Charles Lindbergh's 1927 flight from New York to Paris, France, was condensed to: "OMG first successful transatlantic air flight wow, pretty cool! Boring day otherwise ... sigh." The news isn't always black and white. The Taipei Times, one of three English-language dailies in Taiwan, fooled many readers with a report that two pandas donated by China to the Taipei Zoo were, in fact, brown forest bears dyed black and white. To render a whiff of authenticity to the story, editors made a reference to China's tainted-milk scandal that sickened 300,000 people last year. But the story contained enough outrageous lines to clue in readers. Among them, a quote from a souvenir stand operator who worried the panda deception would affect sales of her "stuffed panda toys, panda T-shirts, panda pens and notepads, remote-controlled pandas on wheels, caps with panda ears on top, panda fans, panda flashlights, panda mugs, panda eyeglass cases, panda face masks, panda slippers, panda wallet and panda purses." Sometimes, of course, the pranks backfire. In Australia, the Herald Sun newspaper drew hundreds of angry comments Wednesday after a story on its Web site said a Chinese construction firm wanted to buy naming rights to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Many readers did not realize the story was a hoax -- despite a quote from a spokeswoman named April Fulton. iReport.com: Share your best April Fools' office pranks and jokes . Geoffrey Davies, the head of the journalism department at London's University of Westminster, said such pranks do not particularly affect the credibility of a news organization. "They are done in a way that you know it's a joke," he said. "In the Guardian story, for example, the clue is in the name of the journalist [Rio Palof] -- which is an anagram for April Fool. People look out for them really, and therefore, you kind of open the paper trying to spot the spoof story." Of course, news outlets aren't the only ones who hoodwink readers on April 1. The town of Rotorua, a popular tourist stop in New Zealand, said a rotten egg smell that permeates the town is such an aphrodisiac that Playboy founder Hugh Hefner wants to build a mansion there. Microsoft Corp. said it is releasing a new Xbox 360 video game, "Alpine Legend," which will do for fans of yodeling what "Guitar Hero" did for rock music. And car manufacturer BMW announced in ads in British newspapers that it had developed "Magnetic Tow Technology." "BMW Magnetic Tow Technology is an ingenious new system that locks on to the car in front via an enhanced magnetic beam," the ad said. "Once your BMW is attached you are free to release your foot from the accelerator and turn off your engine." Steve Price, features editor of the Taipei Times, said such hoaxes are not only good for a laugh but serve a purpose. "It highlights an important aspect of media that readers and viewers should keep a critical mind when they read stories or watch TV," he said. "I think that is especially true with the advent of the Internet and the proliferation of blogging." The origins of pulling pranks on April Fools' Day is unclear. Some believe it dates back to the time when the Gregorian calendar was first adopted, changing the beginning of the year to January 1 from April 1. Those who still held on to the Julian calendar were referred to as "April Fools." Traditionally, the pranks are pulled before noon on this day. But a wildly successful prank this year was conceived and executed much earlier. Millions of Web users fell for a video that claimed to be the first flying five-star hotel in a converted Soviet-era helicopter. The 37-second clip, which was posted online Thursday, was an elaborate computer-generated hoax by the airport hotel chain Yotel. If you were one of the many who fell for the prank, hold your disappointment. You can still reserve rooms on the moon through Hotels.com or book flights to Mars through Expedia.com for $99. But hurry. The offers end Wednesday. | If a news item seems especially outrageous on April 1, it just may be a hoax .
Among the good ones already: The Guardian reportedly switches to Twitter format .
Taipei Times editor says, "Readers and viewers should keep a critical mind" |
141,071 | 4267670f3a2112068c7a753fa8fe8a569a04a337 | David Cameron today insisted he and other democratically-elected leaders should pick who gets the top EU jobs - as he went boating with German leader Angela Merkel and other EU leaders at a lakeside summit in Sweden. The Prime Minister was pictured at the back of a rowing boat at the Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt's summer home in Harpsund 120km west of Stockholm. The summit came after London Mayor Boris Johnson mocked Mr Cameron's bid to block former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Junker getting the EU's top job. He said it was the ‘quintessence of turd-polishing pointlessness’. David Cameron was joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel (second left), Swedish premier Fredrik Reinfeldt (centre) and Dutch PM Mark Rutte (right) in a rowing boat in Harpsund today . The four leaders are holding talks on the EU following the rise of the eurosceptic far right in the European Parliament. Mrs Merkel and Mr Cameron are at odds over the appointment of the next European Commission President . In an extraordinary tirade against the Prime Minister’s European strategy, Mr Johnson insisted it made no difference who held key European jobs because it will still wield excessive power over Britain. The London Mayor claimed vetoing Luxembourger Jean-Claude Juncker is like ‘trying to swat a fly on the leg of the rhino that is standing on your chest’. Mr Junker had been the favourite to succeed José Manuel Barroso as President of the Commission, with the backing of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But Mr Cameron fears the pro-European would scupper his attempts to renegotiate Britain’s membership of the EU. The Prime Minister wants to see more women in senior roles in Brussels and more political balance. He held talks with Mrs Merkel, Holland's Mark Rutte and the Mr Reinfeldt today, where tradition dictates they all take a trip together in the host’s rowing boat. Number 10 stressed that the talks will focus on wider economic reforms, but divisions remain over who should have the Commission presidency. But as he arrived at the summit, Mr Cameron said: 'As the democratically-elected leaders of Europe, we should be the ones to choose who should run these institutions rather than accept some new process which was never agreed. I think that is important.' However, Mr Johnson today mocked the idea of Mr Cameron vetoing Mr Juncker, adding: ‘Here it comes! With a nape-tingling drumroll the national Excalibur is being loosened from the scabbard. ‘The almighty British veto is about to be unleashed after years of cobwebbed desuetude.’ London Mayor Boris Johnson said David Cameron's attempt to block the new head of the European Commission was like 'trying to swat a fly on the leg of the rhino that is standing on your chest' Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Johnson said wielding the veto is ‘a pleasurable and no doubt justifiable but basically futile thing to do’. He argued that the Brussels machine is too big and powerful for the change of personnel at the top to make any meaningful difference. In addition to Mr Juncker, others in the running include Frenchman Pascal Lamy, who used to run the World Trade Organisation and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt. But Mr Johnson said: ‘It doesn’t matter whether you have a Bofferding-quaffing Luxembourger or a dynamic French énarque or a Borgen-esque Scandiwegian or a statue of the Mannekin Pis as president of the EU commission.’ Instead, the EU must be ‘boiled down’ to the single market or Britain should leave altogether. More and more power is being held by Brussels, to the fury of voters who find that major decisions are no longer taken by the UK government, Mr Johnson added. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (left), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (second left), Swedish Prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (second right) and Mr Cameron head in for talks after posing for photographers in front of the summer residence of the Swedish Prime Minister in Harpsund . Sweden's centre-right Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (right) is a close ally of Mr Cameron's. He had been put forward as a potential future EU Commission President but has vowed to fight the next election in Sweden . ‘In the meantime I suppose we can gratify our irritation by vetoing poor old Juncker – who always struck me as rather a nice chap. ‘But it is the quintessence of turd-polishing pointlessness. 'It is like trying to swat a fly on the leg of the rhino that is standing on your chest. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a cochon.’ IMF chief Christine Lagarde has ruled herself out of the race to run the Commission, insisting she is not a candidate. Labour today announced it backed Mr Cameron's attempt to block Mr Junker from getting the EU's top job. A Labour spokesman said: 'The nominee for European Commission president is ultimately a decision for the European Council, including David Cameron. 'Labour will not support Jean-Claude Juncker as a candidate for president of the European Commission. Should Mr Juncker be put before the European Parliament, Labour MEPs would vote against him. 'The message from the European elections was clear - that we need reform in Europe. We need reform so we can promote jobs and growth. 'Mr Juncker's record shows he would make these reforms more difficult.' Angela Merkel is pushing for arch-federalist Jean-Claude Juncker (left) to become the new EC president, but IMF chief Christine Lagarde (second left) has emerged as a compromise candidate favoured by David Cameron. Other politicians in line for Europe's most powerful position include Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny . Jean-Claude Juncker is still the favourite to become the new European Commission President - replacing the outgoing former Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Barroso. The former Luxembourg prime minister was chosen as the candidate for the top job by the European Parliament's main conservative group, the European People's Party. The EPP emerged from last week's elections with the most seats - leaving Mr Junker in poll position for the EU's most powerful job. But the Commission President is chosen by European leaders including David Cameron - and not by the Parliament. MEPs do however have to confirm the leaders' choice for the job in a vote. The other candidates for the top EU job include the IMF chief Christine Lagarde. Miss Lagarde was finance minister under former President Nicolas Sarkozy before moving to the IMF at the height of the euro zone's debt crisis in 2011 to replace disgraced French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Her term runs until 2016. A fluent English-speaker who headed a major US law firm before holding ministerial office in France, she is highly regarded by German leader Angela Merkel. Center-left Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt is also under consideration. The former MEP is the daughter-in-law of Neil Kinnock, the ex Labour leader and European commissioner. If Mrs Merkel was open to a French candidate for one of the top jobs, Paris might offer Socialist former Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault - a fluent German-speaker who was replaced in March but is well regarded in Berlin. Another candidate for the EU Commission President is the current Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The Fine Gael leader became Ireland's leader in 2011, so might be open to moving to Brussels. | Cameron joins Merkel, Dutch PM Rutte and Sweden's Reinfeldt at summit .
Four leaders holding talks over EU reform at Swedish PM's summer home .
PM at odds with German Chancellor over appointment of next EU President .
Cameron said he and other leaders should pick who gets top EU jobs .
Summit comes after Boris Johnson mocked PM's attempt to veto favourite .
Jean-Claude Juncker is the front runner, but UK thinks he is too pro-EU .
Downing Street wants to protect plan to claw back powers from Brussels .
Labour announced today that they backed the PM's bid to block Mr Junker .
But Johnson says: 'You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a cochon' |
124,345 | 2cbdc45afe5460f6e9ba01b6f7b2c0a2c175e860 | By . Jill Reilly . Uriah Gardner, 16, as jailed for 14 years for stabbing a teenager to death . A teenager who murdered a student because 'gangster rap made him want to kill' was jailed for at least 14 years today. Uriah Gardner, 16, plunged a knife into the chest of 17-year-old Fico Dougan with such force that it emerged from his back. Gardner launched the unprovoked attack at a house in Croydon, south London, in the presence of a two-year-old girl. The teenage killer had been listening to rap music in the hours before the attack, and admitted the violent lyrics made him want to ‘stab up someone’s face’. Without warning, Gardner grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Fico as he sat on the sofa watching TV. He dumped the knife in a drain and fled the scene on a bus before trying to burn his jeans in his back garden. Psychiatrist Dr Philip Joseph, who has examined some of Britain’s most dangerous killers, described Gardner as a ‘budding psychopath with a potential for violence’ during his trial. Gardner was today sentenced at the Old Bailey and ordered to serve at least 14 years in custody before being considered for release. The court heard he has a previous conviction for sexually assaulting a girl when aged just 12, and has a string of convictions for robbery, theft, assault, and criminal damage. Judge Stephen Kramer said: ‘You deliberately picked up the knife, you went to the lounge with it and deliberately used it in anger to kill Fico. ‘It was a senseless killing of someone you had only met and been with for a few minutes. ‘You have deprived a family of a much loved son, grandson, and brother.’ The judge said an independent psychiatric assessment had found Gardner was not mentally ill, but had some of the traits of an emerging personality disorder. Victim: Fico Dougan, pictured right with his sister, was stabbed through the chest . Murdered: The court heard how Mr Dougan, pictured above, had done nothing to provoke his attacker . Fico died from a stab wound to the heart soon after the attack on September 25 last year . Gardner, wearing a black Brooklyn logo t-shirt, showed no emotion as the sentence was passed, with the victim’s family watching on from the well of the court. Mother Sandra Opoku said in a victim impact statement: ‘Trying to deal with the shock of losing our wonderful, beautiful son has been heartbreaking and very, very distressful for all of us. ‘We struggled to find the meaning for the senseless manner for which our Fico was taken away from us. ‘The initial shock of it all has now given way to the reality that Fico has been killed by someone he did not offend and had no chance to defend himself. ‘We are living with numbed emotions because we are struggling to be strong for each other and suppress the pain and sense of injustice. ‘How can we ever forget what happened when we are surrounded by memories of Fico day in and day out. ‘Fico was very unique in his own way.’ Fico died from a stab wound to the heart soon after the attack on September 25 last year. On the day of the attack Gardner visited his 19-year-old sister and her friend Montana Riley at a house in Ockley Road, Croydon. Scene: Tributes were left outside the location of the murder in Croydon, South London . He was listening to music on his headphones and said: ‘When I listen to rap music I want to stab somebody’. Fico, who was going out with Miss Riley, arrived at the house and was watching TV with them. The killer suddenly left the room with a ‘vague stare’ on his face and went into the kitchen. Shortly afterwards he burst into the living room holding a large kitchen knife and without warning attacked Fico who was sat on the sofa. Fico’s girlfriend desperately tried to stop the stabbing as Gardner attempted to lash out another five or six times with the knife. She was screaming for him to stop but he paid no attention. Heartbroken: Mr Dougan's parents, Sandra Opoku and Ernest Dougan. Mrs Opoku said: 'Trying to deal with the shock of losing our wonderful, beautiful son has been heartbreaking and very, very distressful for all of us' Miss Riley said: ‘He came out of nowhere and leapt over his sister to get to Fico. 'He was just stabbing Fico constantly. I tried to get between them and stop him. ‘He looked like he was trying to stab his face so I had my hands over his face and his heart. ‘I was trying to talk to Fico and to see if he was breathing but he wasn’t responding. His eyes had rolled back.’ Miss Riley told detectives the teenager had been listening to music on his mobile phone in the hours before the attack. She told them: ‘He said, “When I listen to depressing songs I feel depressed, when I listen to love songs I feel sexually frustrated, and when I listen to rap music I want to stab up someone’s face”. ‘He started clenching his fist. I thought it was weird but you don’t think he actually would. He did not look serious.’ Fico, who had been studying for a BTEC in Business Management at John Ruskin College, suffered a 14cm deep wound to the chest which passed all the way through his body, penetrating his heart. He also suffered a stab wound to his left armpit and a cut on his left arm and was pronounced dead at hospital at 3.15pm. Gardner fled the house after the attack and dropped the knife down a drain before getting a bus home. Neighbours spotted him trying to burn clothing in the back garden and he told them it was ‘stuff that was not good enough to take to the charity shop’. Gardner denied murder, but was convicted after a one-week trial. | Uriah Gardner, 16, plunged a knife into the chest of 17-year-old Fico Dougan .
Was watching television in Croydon, South London, flat when he attacked .
Court heard Gardner stabbed so brutally knife went straight through him .
A two-year-old girl was present at the time of the unprovoked attack .
Judge: 'It was a senseless killing of someone you had only met' |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.