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99,707 | 0c77ad49591e30f5e0de1a48ca2bde1d1b44356d | By . Mario Ledwith . PUBLISHED: . 14:28 EST, 8 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:14 EST, 9 January 2013 . A drunken bus driver crashed a double-decker into a line of parked cars following a night of heavy drinking. Passengers were astonished when the bus, driven by Steven Derrick, smashed into a Mini Cooper after weaving from side-to-side on a street lined with vehicles. When the 24-year-old from Bristol was arrested after the incident, he was over the drink-drive limit of 80mg, having 95mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. Smashed: The front of the First double-decker after it was crashed by Steven Derrick who was later arrested and found to be over the drink-drive limit . The father-of-one, who worked as a driver since 2008, picked up the First bus from a depot at 6:20am after drinking 'four or five double Jack Daniel's' and a 'pint of lager' the previous night, Bristol Magistrates' court heard. The number 90 bus contained eight passengers before the collision on September 30 last year. One passenger David Summerhayes said that the driver appeared to be 'staring into space' when he boarded the bus and 'blanked' him. Mr Summerhayes said the bus clipped the kerb three times, leading him to assume the driver was a trainee. Derrick later stopped at a bus stop where nobody was waiting, remaining idle for 30 seconds, before doing the same thing further along the route. Passengers were so concerned by his driving that they threatened to leave the bus before their stops. Wreck: The bus crashed into a parked Mini Cooper, which was forced 20ft along the road before hitting another vehicle, which then crashed into a third car . While driving along St John's Lane, having . already narrowly missed a parked car, Derrick swerved into the . middle of the road to avoid parked cars. He then swerved left, hitting the white Mini head-on, forcing it 20ft along the road and into . another parked car, which then hit a third vehicle. Nobody was injured during the incident. Mini owner Sarah Chuk said: 'If I had been in my car pulling away, I dread to think what might have happened.' Derrick resigned after the incident but went on to get another driving job. Passing sentence, magistrate . Roger Dunster said: 'There could have been pedestrians in the vicinity . and the result could have been much more serious.' He was disqualified from driving for a year, ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work and to pay costs of £85. Reckless: Bristol Magistrates' court heard how Derrick had consumed 'four or five double Jack Daniel's' and a pint of lager the night before he picked up the bus from the depot at 6:20am . Lucky escape: The Mini Cooper's owner Sarah Chuk said: 'If I had been in my car pulling away, I dread to think what might have happened' Judy Hampton, mitigating, said her client had personal problems at the time. She said: 'Derrick is extremely remorseful and apologetic to the passengers on the bus that particular morning. 'He is, himself, shocked by what took place. As this was an early start, clearly the alcohol had not all gone from his system.' First Bus spokeswoman Karen Baxter said the company has a 'stringent' drug and alcohol policy. She said: 'We randomly test 10 per cent of our entire workforce on an unannounced basis for any breaches of this policy and in addition to this have a process whereby when there is reasonable suspicion that an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they can also be tested.' | Steven Derrick, 24, consumed 'four of five double Jack Daniel's' and pint .
Collected bus from depot the next morning before picking up passengers .
Passenger said driver was 'staring into space' and hit kerb three times .
Derrick then smashed into a Mini Cooper after narrowly missing other cars . |
61,370 | ae4d728f625f32cc48af081d7a7130909c558896 | By . Fiona Macrae . PUBLISHED: . 20:51 EST, 16 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 20:54 EST, 16 March 2014 . Researchers at University College London found it is natural for people to bump into lamp posts if they aren't looking directly at them . Scientists have shed light on why it is so easy to bump into a lamppost despite carefully walking along a busy street. They have found that when we concentrate hard on looking at some things, others appear dimmer, just as if the light has been turned down on them. This, they say, explains why sometimes we look but don’t see. The University College London researchers asked a group of volunteers to remember where squares of different colours flashed up on a screen. Sometimes, they just had to memorise one square, other times, it was much harder, with six squares. They were also asked a question about a black and white pattern that was also on the screen. When the task involving the coloured squares was easy, they got the question right 95 per cent of the time. But when it was difficult, accuracy dropped to 64 per cent. Altering the contrast of the black and white pattern throughout the experiment, revealed that 50 per cent more contrast was needed for the volunteers to see it as clearly when doing the hard task. In other words, it appeared dimmer. Researcher Nilli Lavie, said this could help explain why when we are looking hard at one thing – such as how to dodge people walking down a busy street – we miss something right in front of our eyes, such as a lamppost. We can lose our footing by accidentally focusing on distant objects rather than nearby obstructions . The knowledge, detailed in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, could also help make jobs that involve processing a lot of visual information safer. This includes pilots, who have to watch numerous dials and instruments, and surgeons, who are at risk of information overload while carrying out complex operations. | University College London researchers found we often look but don't see .
Background object appear dimmer as if the light has been turned down .
Findings could help make visual jobs, such as flying a plane, safer . |
136,182 | 3c2de57af02898a62843369f69caa383c7ed2cd1 | By . Mark Prigg . PUBLISHED: . 11:05 EST, 15 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:06 EST, 15 March 2013 . With the charts already dominated by electronic music, an all robot band is the obvious next step. But while Daft Punk and others have relied on costumes, one Italian music producer decided to actually create a real robot band. The Toa Mata Band is made up entirely of Lego robots, and has already released its first video and become an online hit. Scroll down to see the band in action . Rehearsal time: The band play a variety of instruments, from a Stylophone to a drum machine - although their musuical direction does veer towards instruments that can be hit. A charismatic front man: One of the Lego robot band members, who plays the drums . The robot band is the brainchild of Italian music producer Giuseppe Acito. He built the robots along with his son, and drum pads, percussion instruments and synthesizers. 'My passion for the Lego world was born in the early 70's when I was a child and the bricks had just arrived Italy,' he said. 'I have re-discovered the passion for it with my son Mattia, a big collector of vintage LEGO - and the Bionicle Toa Mata team is part of his world.' 'Opificio sonico (sonic factory in english) is the name of my lab near Modena.' The band is controlled by an iPad, while a small computer called an Arduino converts the singals from the iPad into 'hit's on the robot's arms. One's of the band's members taking a well-earned break during rehearsals . A range of modern and vintage synthesisers are used in the project . | Robots play a variety of instruments, from drum machines to a Stylophone .
Band is controlled by an iPad, and their first video is already an online hit . |
46,755 | 83bc881bf49e737371830dc1d89588841cbfa7b0 | Washington (CNN) -- Senior career executives of the U.S. agency responsible for processing key veterans benefits will not receive performance bonuses this year following congressional complaints that the government has been too slow to process disability claims. Josh Taylor, a spokesman for the Veterans Administration, said the Veterans Benefits Administration has eliminated bonuses to ensure executives responsible for a backlog of claims are not rewarded since performance goals were not achieved. "Instead, the funds will be reinvested to accelerate elimination of the backlog. We remain confident that VBA senior executives are dedicated to our nation's veterans, and they will continue to lead our drive toward VA's goal: eliminating the claims backlog in 2015," Taylor said. The total bonus payout for career VA executives in fiscal year 2012 was $2.3 million, funds that will now be used to eliminate the backlog, according to an agency official with knowledge of the budget. The benefits administration total was not broken out. Political appointees, like Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, do not receive bonuses. The benefits administration processes disability, pension and other claims for the larger agency. The VA announced an initiative last week aimed at expediting decisions for veterans who have waited one year or longer for compensation claims. "Too many veterans wait too long for decisions on their compensation claims, and that has never been acceptable. That's why VA has implemented an aggressive plan that will eliminate the decades-long compensation claims backlog in 2015," Taylor said. Lawmakers have been increasingly critical of the VA and are applauding the move to cut performance awards. "VA employees and managers who fail in their jobs shouldn't receive bonuses -- they should be disciplined or fired," Rep. Jeff Miller, a Florida Republican and chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. | Executives won't get performance bonuses because of claims backlog .
Funds will go back into eliminating backlog, VA spokesman said .
Lawmakers have become increasingly critical of VA's backlog . |
83,602 | ed2c9f91b69c49208d5adad9466488420c297538 | Britain's most expensive one-bedroom flat has gone on the market for £10million. The luxury flat at One Hyde Park has been dubbed the ultimate 'pied-a-terre' and is so expensive that a simple waste bin takes up £6,300 worth of space. But there will be no room for guests at the property, which is regarded as the finest one-bedroom home in the world's priciest apartment block. The lower level of the duplex apartment is the sleeping area and boasts a huge double bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Upstairs is for socialising, with the area dominated by an open-plan living and dining room. There is also a separate toilet. Scroll down for video . It may have only one-bedroom, but the £10million apartment for sale at One Hyde Park boasts this huge living room with a large flat-screen TV . The lower level of the flat is a large bedroom, which has a large window looking out on the area around Hyde Park in central London . The one-bedroom apartment, in Knightsbridge, has now been put on the market for £9.9 million - 56 times the average house price in England and Wales. It works out at £6,300 per square foot and is £4.3 million more than the next most expensive one-bedroom property in the capital. And while large properties have sold for this £ per sq/ft price before, figures from LonRes, which tracks the property market, has a top one-bedroom price of £5,035 per sq/ft. The kitchen, which measures a modest 12'11 x 8'10, takes up around £700,000 of space - the same amount as a large family home in most cities. Whoever buys the flat will have to hand over £1.1 million in stamp duty. They also have to pay £2,000 per year in ground rent along with a £32,000 annual service charge. One Hyde Park was designed by Richard Rogers at Rogers, Stirk, Harbour and Partners. It opened in 2009 and is made up of 86 apartments with the interior designed by Candy and Candy. Residents get 24-hour SAS-trained security, an in-house maid service, same day laundry and dry cleaning, room service from the Mandarin hotel and a private temperature controlled wine store. The huge price tag of the property - which is down the road from Buckingham Palace - means it works out at £6,300 per square foot . As well as a large bedroom, living room and kitchen, the two-storey exclusive apartment also includes a separate bathroom . The development also has 'unmatched leisure and entertainment facilities' which includes a private spa, 21-metre swimming pool, sauna, steam room, squash court and cinema. Simon Barnes, an independent property consultant, has been inside One Hyde Park and deals in the super-prime market. He said: 'It is an amazing place and it is not like buying a one-bedroom flat. It is a very modern, high quality build, you have the Mandarin next door and the ultimate concierge. 'The sort of person who will look at it is likely to be the sort of person who spends a lot of time in a hotel. But for £10 million you could get quite a few nights in the finest hotel suite. 'The bar in residential development keeps being raised. What you lack in London are the locations to build on, which is why they can charge such a price at One Hyde Park. 'Will the quality of developments improve? Yes, but it is highly unlikely you find a better location.' Residents also get the use of a swimming pool, room service from a neighbouring hotel, sauna, squash court and cinema in the building . The apartment block - which is guarded by an SAS-trained security team - has seen a previous penthouse suite sell for £140million . Meet the neighbours: Owners of other apartments in the building are believed to include (left to right) property developer Christian Candy, the former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim al-Thani and the richest man in Ukraine, Rinat Akhmetov . A number of homes like this are bought by people to show off, according to Henry Pryor, a buying agent. He said: 'They see these sort of homes as they do an expensive watch or a supercar. For them, the value with the bragging rights to their friends or impressionable girlfriend is often much more than the price.' The duplex apartment is on the market with Strutt & Parker's Knightsbridge office and also benefits from an underground parking space. James Gilbert-Green, a partner at the estate agency, said: 'One Hyde Park is commonly regarded as the best new residential building in London, if not the world.' The most expensive apartment to sell in One Hyde Park was a penthouse, which was bought for £140 million last year. Plans show the limited size of the apartment - but property experts say the 'bragging rights' of owning a flat in the building will attract the rich . While £10million only buys you a one-bedroom flat in central London's most exclusive apartment block, the same amount can buy you considerably more elsewhere in the world. A 300-acre estate, which includes three miles of beautiful Caribbean coastline, recently went up for sale on the island of Tobago. Luxury real estate firm Debutesq Group said the site offers the perfect opportunity for investors because authorities have granted planning permission for a leisure resort on an area known as the L’Anse Fourmi Estate on the island’s northeast coastline. A 300-acre estate which included three miles of unspoilt Caribbean coastline recently went on the market, also priced at £10million . Meanwhile in the UK, the same amount could buy you 47 houses in Manchester - where the average property price is £211,000. Four Scottish castles - boasting a combined 40 bedrooms and acres of land including coastline - are on the market each for less than £2million - meaning a buyer could purchase all four and still get change from £10million. In 2013, an entire Devon village, Bantham, consisting of 25 homes, a pub and a shop was put on the market valued at £10million. The estate which included the village was later sold for £11million and the owner allowed residents of the village to continue living in their homes. A nine-bedroom regency house in Worcestershire with 19 acres, was recently valued at just over £9.5million and Conkwell Grang, a ten-bedroom country estate near Bath with 278 acres is worth just over £8million. For those who don't want to get tied down to a mortgage, £10million could buy 7,279 nights - 20 years - staying in the Piccadilly Suite at London's The Ritz hotel, with breakfast. The same amount could by you 47 homes - practically a whole street - in Manchester, where the average property is valued at £211,000 . | One-bedroom apartment is spread over two floors of central London's most exclusive block of flats .
The building has its own swimming pool, spa, squash court and cinema and is protected by SAS-trained team .
Value works out at £6,300 per square foot - meaning the small kitchen is worth more than the average home .
One Hyde Park is home to many of the world's richest people and a penthouse suite once sold for £140million .
Property experts say whoever buys the luxury flat will have to pay around £1.1 million in stamp duty . |
280,516 | f76456b508d2e0b3edcd8529474e526a7dc5a7dd | (CNN) -- So, Gary Oldman, tell us what you really think. In a raw interview with Playboy, the actor, 56, railed against Hollywood "dishonesty" and double standards, said that Mel Gibson and Alec Baldwin have been victims of hypocrisy and asserted that not voting for "12 Years a Slave" to win an Oscar meant "you were a racist." Oh, and he doesn't like the Golden Globes, helicopter parents or reality TV, either. Indeed, the "Dark Knight" actor, who's starring in the forthcoming "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," pulled no punches when talking about pretty much anything. The conversation will appear in the magazine's July/August issue. The Gibson and Baldwin affairs really angered him, he said, because he believes their accusers don't exactly have clean hands themselves. "I don't know about Mel. He got drunk and said a few things, but we've all said those things. We're all f***ing hypocrites," Oldman said. "The policeman who arrested him has never used the word 'n*****' or 'that f***ing Jew'? I'm being brutally honest here. It's the hypocrisy of it that drives me crazy. "Mel Gibson is in a town that's run by Jews and he said the wrong thing because he's actually bitten the hand that I guess has fed him -- and doesn't need to feed him anymore because he's got enough dough," Oldman continued. "But some Jewish guy in his office somewhere hasn't turned and said, 'That f***ing kraut' or 'F*** those Germans,' whatever it is? We all hide and try to be so politically correct. That's what gets me. It's just the sheer hypocrisy of everyone." Other Oldman tidbits: . On reality TV: "The museum of social decay." On helicopter parents: "There's never any unsupervised play to develop skills or learn about hierarchy in a group or how to share. The kids honestly believe they are the center of the f***ing universe. But then they get out into the real world and it's like, 'S**t, maybe it's not all about me,' and that leads to narcissism, depression and anxiety." On political correctness at the Oscars: "At the Oscars, if you didn't vote for '12 Years a Slave' you were a racist. " On the Golden Globes: "A meaningless event. ... It's 90 nobodies having a wank." If Oldman is hard on Hollywood and its people, he's equally critical of himself. Asked about "Sid & Nancy," his breakthrough film, he said, "I don't like myself in the movie." Ditto with "The Fifth Element" and "The Dark Knight." "It was work," he said. (He did have kind things to say about the film "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Francis Ford Coppola and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" director Alfonso Cuaron.) As the interview continued, Oldman -- who described his politics as "libertarian" -- recognized that he may have been a little too blunt. "So this interview has gone very badly. You have to edit and cut half of what I've said, because it's going to make me sound like a bigot," he said at one point . "You're not a bigot?" replied interviewer David Hochman. "No, but I'm defending all the wrong people," Oldman said. "I'm saying Mel's all right. Alec's a good guy. So how do I come across? Angry?" "Passionate, certainly," Hochman said. "Readers will have to form their own opinions." "It's dishonesty that frustrates me most," Oldman said. "I can't bear double standards. It gets under my skin more than anything." | Gary Oldman sounds off in Playboy interview .
Oldman says hypocrisy drives him crazy .
Hypocrisy and political correctness hurt Mel Gibson, Alec Baldwin, he said .
Oldman has little patience for Hollywood niceties . |
32,506 | 5c6b9bec07439fbb91daaf15cb7e5990768b7f89 | Most controversial omission of the night was Anderlecht's Alex Mitrovic. The 20-year-old striker turned up to pre-season training overweight and has struggled for form since, enduring criticism from fans and media. Despite being Anderlecht's record signing, he was dropped to the bench on Wednesday night, rather like Adel Taarabt. Striker Alex Mitrovic was left on the bench by Anderlecht during Wednesday's Champions League clash . Wenger must linger for longer . Arsene Wenger is pretty proud of his 17 consecutive years in the Champions League but he'll have to go some way beyond his 65th birthday to match Anderlecht's run in Europe. This is the 50th consecutive year the Belgian champions have qualified for European competitions. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger celebrated his 65th birthday with a dramatic 2-1 victory in Belgium . The Eurostar Derby? Watford and Luton used to call their matches the M1 Derby based on the ease with which you can travel between the towns thanks to the motorway. So Arsenal v Anderlecht should by rights be the Eurostar Derby, with both clubs located within two miles of the respective stations at Brussels-Midi/Zuid and St Pancras. A throwback to Highbury . Arsenal fans of a certain age would have felt at home at Anderlecht’s Constant Vanden Stock Stadium. Not only was there safe standing for both sets of supporters — something fans want at The Emirates — but the ground is compact with terraced houses and bars adjacent to two sides of the stadium, a throwback to the Highbury days. Like our Arsenal Facebook page here. | Record signing Alex Mitrovic failed to make it on to the pitch .
Striker has struggled for form and fitness this season .
Arsenal fans felt at home at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium . |
116,375 | 2233d11148bfaf101839602228c1eaeca28c1d60 | By . Alex Gore . PUBLISHED: . 12:27 EST, 28 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:29 EST, 28 October 2012 . Dazzling bride Liu Cheng made sure she would not be shown up on her big day by donning £200,000 of solid gold jewellery to walk down the aisle. The one-woman Bling Dynasty, from Quanzhou in southern China's Fujian province, staggered to her groom with more than five kilos of necklaces, bracelets, gems, and rings dangling from her body. Proud mum Lin Hu, who spent more than an hour helping her 26-year-old daughter get into her jewellery, explained: 'I wanted to make the day as special as I could for my girl. Blinging: It took bride Liu Cheng, 26, more than an hour to get into her jewellery . Lucky charms: Gold is seen as a sign of good luck and good fortune at a wedding in China . 'I've been collecting these pieces for years, and I got my relatives to do so as well because its important to show her new relatives that she comes from a good family. 'We would save money and when the gold price was low we would buy - and sometimes when it was high we would sell to have cash to buy more gold later - it worked really well.' Dazzling: The bride was wearing more than five kilos of solid gold necklaces, bracelets, gems, and rings . Family values: The bride's mum Lin Hu said she and relatives have been collecting the gold pieces for years . Dynasty: Liu Cheng was married in Quanzhou in southern China's Fujian province . One local wedding planner explained: 'Gold is seen as a sign of good luck and good fortune at a wedding and a sign that the family of the bride is a good one - but this is right off the scale.' Liu who gets to keep the gold said she might sell some of it - but would in any case in future only wear a few pieces at a time. Going for gold: Liu Cheng's mum insisted they wanted her groom to know she was from a 'good' family' Bargain: The family would sometimes sell the gold when the price was high so they could to buy more gold later . Small fortune: Liu gets to keep the gold that her family had bought but said she might sell some of it . | Dazzling bird Liu Cheng spent an hour putting on more than five kilos of necklaces, bracelets, gems, and rings . |
213,902 | a107b131bd3797fd3e14ef42c52f394daac6dda3 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 22:23 EST, 3 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:30 EST, 4 December 2013 . They introduced a fingerprint sensor for unlocking the iPhone 5s and now Apple has been granted the rights for an even more advanced means of security - the face. The tech giant was yesterday awarded U.S. Patent No. 8,600,120, which is a 'personal computing device control using face detection and recognition'. In addition to using face recognition for unlocking an iPhone, it could also be used for unlocking specific features on the phone, according to AppleInsider. For instance, an incoming call or text could only be unlocked by the person who is registered with the facial recognition security. Interfacing: The future of Apple products looks to involve facial recognition in the security process of devices, such as unlocking phones, after the tech giant acquired a new patent on Tuesday . Apple on Tuesday was granted a patent - seen here - that uses facial recognition technology to control a computing device, like an iPhone, iPad or Mac, allowing for a more secure and productive operating environment . The patent's documents note that face detection and recognition are two different processes. Detection involves locating faces within an image, while recognition goes deeper by pairing those faces with a particular person or user . It joins another patent Apple landed two years ago for facial recognition technology, around the time some Android phones began letting users unlock their devices with their faces. Samsung Galaxy devices already use facial recognition to unlock the phones. While experts say the move is likely part of a plan for the iPhone 6, just like many other patents the company have acquired, the technology may never acutally be put into play. Venture Beat reports the patent consists of three systems: A face detection application, which lets it distinguish faces from their surroundings; a face recognition application, which identifies individual faces; and an input/output application, which will let Apple’s devices act on all the facial data. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 also utilize face recognition for easy logins. Computers are expected to be the next device to actively use facial recognition. If facial recognition systems were to be rolled out, all a device would need to operate it is a computer that faces the user . When it comes to computers, the patent says that so long as an image of the person using the device can be seen over a period of time, it could unlock features within the computer exclusive to that user . The technology just requires a camera facing the user, making it easy to implement. Apple also recently completed its acquisition of 3D body sensing firm PrimeSense, an Israeli firm that helped create the original Microsoft Kinect's motion sensing capabilities . It has been rumored that Apple is working on a 4.8-inch edge-to-edge display with sapphire glass. It has also been rumored that the next-generation iPhone will have 3D vision. The next iPhone is expected to be released in spring 2014. | On Tuesday apple were granted the rights to a 'personal computing device control using face detection and recognition'
The technology is expected to be used in both phones and computers and would allow only users to accept calls and texts .
Experts say it could be developed as part of the iPhone 6, rumored to be released in spring 2014 . |
28,754 | 51a482ad57229b35cf2bd8512ad7cfa9071ba3bb | A Chilean court has settled the question of how then-President Salvador Allende died, confirming that the leader took his own life in 1973 amid a coup. Questions over how Allende's life ended culminated in his body being exhumed last year for forensic tests. An appeals court in Santiago on Monday upheld a judge's ruling that the evidence confirmed the accounts in history texts -- that the leftist leader shot himself at the presidential palace as Gen. Augusto Pinochet's troops closed in. The timing of the ruling is symbolic: Allende took his own life 39 years ago, on September 11, 1973. With the ruling, the case of Allende's death is officially closed. Judge Mario Carroza ordered the exhumation of Allende's remains last year as part of a massive investigation into more than 700 alleged human rights violations during Pinochet's rule. Some of Allende's supporters doubted the story of his suicide. There were theories that he was killed by the military, or by members of his own security service. "With the goal of establishing the facts of the case, and motivated by the various versions about this episode that exist, lines of investigation were set and decreed, and all were carried out and every detail was satisfactory," Carroza wrote in his ruling, handed down last December. The appeals court upheld his findings in a unanimous decision. | A court closes the case on the death of former Chilean President Salvador Allende .
Allende committed suicide as troops closed in on the presidential palace .
The ruling comes 39 years after his death . |
91,146 | 013ba9945bbef3a9dc90e0afcaa1e858e19d92ee | The American man brutally gored during a Spanish bull-running festival has been identified as a 20-year-old Ole Miss student on a semester abroad. Ben Milley, 20, from Marietta, Georgia, suffered severe injuries, including a 16-inch wound in the thigh, after he was dragged by the bull during a festival in Ciudad Rodrigo on Saturday. He underwent surgery and was kept in intensive care but was today believed to be out of danger. Mr Milley is studying Spanish and economics in Salamanca. It is believed that his friends accompanied him to the hospital after he was injured and that his mother, Marilyn, was on her way to see her son in Spain. Scroll down for video . Ole Miss student Ben Milley, 20, from Marietta, Georgia, was injured during bull-running at a festival in Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain on Saturday. He underwent surgery for a 16-inch wound to his thigh but was believed to be out of danger. His mother, Marilyn, (pictured right) was on her way to Spain to see her son . The student, from Marietta, Georgia, underwent a three-hour operation to repair damage to his thighs, sphincter and back muscles . Surgeon Enrique Crespo was called to operate on Milley after he suffered serious injuries to his thighs, sphincter and back during the bull-running event in Ciudad Rodrigo . American Benjamin Milley, 20, (above) was hurt at the Carnaval del Toro festival in Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain . Calls to Mr Milley's family in Georgia went unanswered on Tuesday. Mr Milley's father, Ethan, is a managing director at financial services firm JLL. A spokesman for the University of Mississippi told Daily Mail Online that they hadn't heard from the family so could offer no updates on the student's health. However Ole Miss confirmed that Mr Milley was a sophomore at the college who was currently studying abroad with a program at the Institute for the International Education of Students. A family member, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Daily News: 'We had heard from them (Milley’s parents) what had happened, but we didn’t understand the magnitude until we saw the pictures.' The terrifying images showed the student being tossed around by the bull before he was dragged to the side of the road by other participants and spectators. Mr Milley suffered injuries to his sphincter and numerous hemorrhages, according to doctors at Clinic Hospital in western Salamanca. He had a three-hour operation for injuries to his thighs, sphincter and back. Surgeon Enrique Crespo was called to operate on Milley after he was injured on the first day of the annual festival. Crespo said: 'It's not the worst injury I've seen, but it's the biggest goring wound I've ever had to operate on.' He was believed not to have to undergo any more surgeries. Ben Milley pictured with his prom date and parents, Ethan (left) and Marilyn Milley (right) in 2013. The now 20-year-old student was hospitalized in Spain on Saturday and underwent surgery after being gored by a bull . Ben Milley (pictured left) is believed to be out of danger but spent time in intensive care following his bull goring injuries . Two other unidentified men were hurt during Saturday's festivities. Town councilor Pedro Munoz said: 'One man from Scotland and a Spaniard from Salamanca were also injured.' The injured Scot is 46 years old and the wounded Spaniard is 31. Munoz added: 'Doctor Crespo is a world-renowned expert and we have a medically-equipped helicopter on standby every day of our annual fiesta.' The 20-year-old student was injured on Saturday on the first day of the event and had to have emergency surgery after going to the event with a group of friends . Milley was helped by other revelers after being tossed and gored by a bull during the Carnaval del Toro . The festival is an annual event in Ciudad Rodrigo that celebrates the world of bullfighting, according to the Tourist Office of Spain in the U.S. Fiestas featuring bulls are common in Spain, and critics and aficionados alike agree that the events, which attract international audiences, are dangerous. Munoz said somewhere between 45,000 and 50,000 people had been attracted over the weekend to this year's four-day fiesta, that includes afternoon bullfights and bull-running events. Ciudad Rodrigo — population 14,000 — is a small cathedral city close to the Portuguese border that is a popular tourist destination. It retains its ancient defensive walls and was the site of key battles between Napoleon's army and British forces under the command of the Duke of Wellington from 1810 to 1812. The 20-year-old Ole Miss student has been recovering from his injuries in the Clinic Hospital in western Salamanca. Doctors have said he is out of trouble and is not likely to require any more surgeries . In addition to the American student two other people were hurt yesterday including a 46-year-old man from Scotland and a 31-year-old man from Salamanca . | Ben Milley, 20, from Marietta, Georgia, suffered severe injuries, including a 16-inch wound in the thigh .
Mr Milley is studying Spanish and economics in Salamanca during a semester abroad . |
151,559 | 4fef2abb61b88abc8b99a2b285d0cf5df9ea8344 | Madrid (CNN) -- Huge traffic jams snarled central Madrid Thursday, as Spain's first general strike in more than a year kicked off with nine people slightly injured in demonstrations, including police officers, the Interior Ministry said. Interior Ministry official Cristina Diaz said 58 people had been detained. The cause was not immediately clear. Dozens of union members picketed outside the Agriculture Ministry before dawn, with dozens of riot police on hand. Picketers heckled and momentarily blocked a car trying to get into the ministry. Spanish unions are protesting the new conservative government's labor reforms and austerity cuts. The general strike is the first one against the government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, which was elected in November and took office in December, in the midst of Spain's deep economic crisis. Spain's jobless rate is nearly 23% overall, and nearly 50% for youth. Nearly 5.3 million Spaniards are out of work. The Socialist-leaning General Workers Union (UGT) said there was a "massive following" of the strike nationwide, with auto factories, ports, post offices and garbage collection all stopped by the industrial action. The union also said wholesale food markets and large distribution centers for the big supermarket chains were disrupted. The Interior Ministry said public transport was operating almost normally in Madrid and Barcelona, but in Madrid's Plaza Castilla, commuters said they waited up to two hours for public transport. Some bus services which normally run every five minutes had service only every 30 minutes, according to a municipal bus employee who declined to give his name. Madrid's traffic jams lasted beyond the normal rush hour, an indication that commuters who could not get public transport decided to drive in. The last general strike, in September 2010, was against the then-Socialist government, which also had initiated austerity measures. That strike slowed industry and transport, but much of the country went to work and many analysts saw it as a kind of a draw between the government and unions. Since then, the economic crisis has deepened. Union protests across the nation this month and last drew large crowds, which analysts say emboldened the unions to move ahead with a general strike. The government says the latest labor reforms are needed to bring flexibility to the workplace and to simplify the rules for employers. But unions say the effect will be to make it easier and cheaper to fire workers. The unions' strike theme is: "They want to end labor and social rights and finish off everything." At the MercaMadrid wholesale fish market, one of the largest in Europe, seafood wholesaler Alfonso Mozos, who employs 120 people, said before the union action that he doesn't think striking is good. "It would be better if unions, the government and employers would negotiate and find a solution," he said. Union picketers were expected at the entrance to the sprawling market on Madrid's south side, but some employees said they planned to work despite the strike. "If the boss buys fish and we need to come, we'll come," said Pedro Marin, a worker at the wholesale market. "But if the union pickets outside won't let us in, we'll just have to wait, or maybe go home." Many other Spaniards, who have already seen their salaries cut or frozen in the economic crisis, were debating whether to strike. If they walk out, they will lose a day's wage, which for government workers could amount to several hundred dollars. Ahead of the strike, unions and government officials in many, but not all, of Spain's 17 regions agreed on minimum services, which generally call for about 30% of public transportation to run, while public hospitals and other essential services have reduced staff, similar to holiday levels. The unions planned 80 demonstrations across the country Thursday, mostly in the late afternoon or early evening. The strike comes one day before the government unveils its 2012 budget on Friday, with the aim of reducing Spain's deficit to 5.3% of gross domestic product this year, and to 3% next year, to meet European Union requirements. The government already approved a $20 billion (15 billion euro) package of austerity cuts and tax hikes to reduce the deficit, and on Friday it is expected to announce a second package of the same size or larger. Government critics say it will be the first time the government really shows its hand on where to make deep cuts in specific programs and agencies. Rajoy, at a recent European Union summit, was reported by Spanish media to be overheard on an open microphone telling another EU leader that the labor reforms would cost him a general strike. The reforms were approved first as a decree law, with immediate effect, and the unions called on the government to make amendments as the bill moved through parliament. But the conservatives have a commanding majority in parliament and later approved the reforms unchanged. The government says the labor reforms make up only a portion of the elements needed to spur an economic recovery. It predicts a 1.7% decline in the economy this year. The government also has demanded reforms in the banking sector, with the aim of getting credit flowing again and to clean up the books of lenders stuck with huge uncollectible debts left over from Spain's real estate and construction boom that went bust, precipitating the economic crisis. | NEW: Post offices, ports, auto factories and garbage collection all stop, a union says .
Traffic jams snarl central Madrid as people drive instead of taking public transport .
The unions are protesting government budget cuts to reduce the deficit .
Spain has an unemployment rate of 23% . |
96,252 | 07cc49fac23f3e2b91f2bf32f4fc96bee51b4fad | New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) -- Four New Orleans police officers accused of killing two men after Hurricane Katrina are scheduled to appear in federal courtrooms Friday. The officers are charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, weapons and civil rights violations in connection with the well-publicized 2005 shootings in the infamous Danziger Bridge incident. The hearings Friday will determine whether the officers will be held in jail until the trial, according to court documents. Three of the officers -- Kenneth Bowen, Robert Gisevius and Anthony Villavaso -- are scheduled to have their morning hearings in a federal court in New Orleans. The fourth officer, Robert Faulcon, is scheduled to have his afternoon hearing in a Houston, Texas, courtroom. The shootings occurred at the bridge on September 4, 2005, six days after Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast. An indictment alleges that two separate shootings at the bridge resulted in the deaths of a teenager and a 40-year-old disabled man. The indictment contends the four officers opened fire, killing 19-year-old James Brissette. Minutes later, Faulcon allegedly shot and killed 40-year-old Ronald Madison. The indictment also says police supervisors Arthur Kaufman and Gerard Dugue helped the other officers to obstruct justice during the subsequent investigations. An earlier investigation launched by the local district attorney resulted in charges but no convictions. Federal prosecutors then moved in and launched a new investigation. The officers could face the death penalty if convicted, but prosecutors have said in the past that they have not decided whether to seek the death penalty. | The four officers face charges in post-Katrina shootings .
The Friday hearings will determine whether they will remain in jail until trial .
The shootings occurred on Danziger Bridge in 2005 . |
260,951 | ddf64b5e7033b51c6e2f20ac6aa41d176e3899b3 | Mario Balotelli is open to a move to Arsenal after his agent revealed 'anything is possible' this summer. The Italy striker, who scored the winner against England in the World Cup on Saturday night, features highly on Arsene Wenger's shopping list as the manager looks to sign a prolific striker. Arsenal have made contact with his agent Mino Raiola with regards to arranging a deal for the Milan striker and Raiola didn't deny the interest. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Balotelli look sharp taking free kicks in Italy training . Realistic signing: Arsenal chiefs believe Balotelli is a realistic target with AC Milan lowering their wage bill . Meet and greet: Mario balotelli poses with fans prior to Italy's training session on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro . Mr Popular: Admirers of the Milan striker pose for selfies with him as he is mobbed during training . All smiles: Balotelli was delighted to meet some of his young fans on the training pitch . 'Arsenal are a fantastic club,' Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola told Sky Sports. 'Will a transfer happen? Anything is possible.' Arsenal want to find out what the cost of the deal would be before fully pursuing a swoop for Balotelli. AC Milan are keen to offload the striker as they look to ease their wage bill this summer. Arsenal have been made aware of Balotelli's availability and are ready to strike if the deal makes financial sense. Winner: Balotelli scored the decisive goal against England in Manaus on Thursday night . Meanwhile, the Gunners will explore the option of a taking a player from Manchester United as the Old Trafford club step up their interest in Thomas Vermaelen. The Gunners are monitoring the futures of United pair Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley, who could be surplus to requirements at United. And a player-swap deal could persuade the Gunners to part with their captain. I win: Balotelli shows the cameras the score on his fingers, 2-1, with his goal the match-winning moment . London's finest: Fiancee Fanny Neguesha could be joining Super Mario back in England at Arsenal . Arsenal want to sign a new centre-back before letting Vermaelen leave. New United boss Louis van Gaal wants to sign the Belgium international as he looks to put his stamp on the Old Trafford squad. Van Gaal is confident he can lure the central defender away from the Emirates Stadium ahead of next season. United-bound: Vermaelen could be heading for Old Trafford if Arsenal can get Cleverley or Smalling . Unshakeable: Mertesacker and Koscielny's form has seen captain Vermaelen frustrated on the sidelines . Vermaelen grew increasingly frustrated at his role at Arsenal last season as he played second fiddle to first choice central defensive pairing Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is unwilling to let his skipper leave the club without having a replacement lined up. Having already lost right-back Bacary Sagna, who was the club's fourth choice centre-back, to Manchester City, the Gunners boss does not want to leave himself short of cover in the position. Talisman: Balotelli could be the new striker that Arsenal fans have been praying for this summer . Vermaelen has a year left on his current Arsenal contract, meaning he can leave the club for nothing next summer - a scenario the Gunners are keen to avoid. The Gunners are ready to offer Vermaelen a new contract this summer, but without the guarantee of increased first-team opportunities next season, the Belgian is likely to be reluctant to sign. Cardiff defender Steven Caulker is being considered by Wenger, while Manchester City right-back Micah Richards, who can also play centre-back, could also be an option. Three Lions: Smalling could help boost Arsenal's homegrown quota if he signs from Manchester United . | Mino Raiola said 'anything is possible' when asked about summer move .
Gunners chiefs believe Balotelli move would be financially viable .
And AC Milan have made it clear they are happy to sell the Italian striker .
Louis van Gaal is keen on Vermaelen but Arsenal need a replacement first . |
16,307 | 2e4309d68b9034caa89dccf9be24f170f9afc9fb | A popular US-based beauty brand is claiming to have created a one-of-a-kind lip treatment which promises to completely eradicate any signs of dryness or chapping - a common problem which plagues millions people each year as soon as the colder winter months arrive. But according to Bite Beauty, chapped lips could well be a thing of the past thanks to the brand's newly-launched Five Night Fix For Lips, a $15 treatment kit which includes a lip exfoliating stick and an overnight mask. Bite claims that the lip-treating duo will 'replenish and revitalize lips', leaving you with a 'healthy, soft and nourished' pout after just five nights. Scroll down for video . A quick fix: Bite Beauty's $15 Five Night Fix For Lips includes an exfoliating lip scrub stick and an overnight lip mask treatment . Eager to find out if such a quick-fix cure was really possible, I put Bite's treatment to the test. Having been a dedicated lover of lipstick for many years now, I've always found it irksome that, during the coldest times of the year, I am forced to abandon my favorite bold lip colors in favor of boring balms and salves in an attempt to heal my dry, cracked, wind-battered lips. As a result of the recent frosty weather in New York - gale-force winds and sub-zero temperatures - my lips have been worse than ever during the past few months and I was desperate for a solution. On paper the treatment seems incredibly well-thought out. Bite have even ensured that all of the ingredients included in their products, which are intended to be used over night, are 'food-grade', meaning that they can be ingested without any fear that the user will be exposed to something dangerous or unpleasant. Similarly, the dosage is incredibly generous; there is more than enough product to last you through the suggested five nights of use. But how does the treatment fair when it is actually put to use? Day one: My lips were dry and sore, and I am unable to wear lipstick . Day four: After using the treatment for three nights, I braved lipstick for the first time in weeks. Iwas happy to see that it applied smoothly - with just the tiniest hint of dryness detectable . Day six: Following five nights of treatment, my lips were back to their usual, flake-free state and all my lipsticks were back in action . Upon first use, I was quite surprised to find that the exfoliating stage of the Bite treatment, which comes packaged in a fun, medicinal jar, was actually rather uncomfortable to use. According to the brand's description, the Whipped Cherry Scrub Stick is supposed to 'gently buff away impurities' with 'castor oil beads to help leave lips soft and supple' and 'fruit extracts to help brighten and restore lips'. But despite its deliciously sweet scent - it really does smell, and taste, like cherry-flavored sugar - I found that the scrub had a bit of a bite to it and left my already-dry lips feeling red raw and quite sore. In all fairness, I perhaps didn't hesitate to think about was the fact that I was rubbing my lips with a stick of what is essentially a lump of sugar granules; it might have been worth proceeding with a slightly lighter hand, at least initially. Thankfully, the second stage of the treatment - the Agave Lip Mask - was wonderfully soothing, and really felt like it was helping to nourish my flaky, cracked lips. The idea is to leave the lip mask on overnight, in order to allow it to work its 'magic' while you sleep, so, following the instructions carefully, I left the treatment on and headed to bed. Initially, the next morning, I didn't notice a huge amount of difference - until I realized, at around lunchtime, that I hadn't reached for my lip balm once since leaving the house which, given that I had taken to applying some sort of salve almost every 15 minutes, was something of a personal triumph. A further two nights' worth of treatments later and the improvement was far more obvious. My lips were smooth, soft and practically flake-free, bar the odd stubborn crack which refused to heal straight away. I even dared to reach for one of my favorite lipsticks and was happy to see that it applied pretty smoothly - with just the tiniest hint of dryness detectable. And on day six, the cure was complete as far as I was concerned - although I still had plenty of both of the products left over. After five nights of use, my lips were back to their usual, flake-free state and all my lipsticks were back in action. Plus, there is still plenty of both products left over, which means I don't have to purchase the same kit again, should my lips run into any trouble in the future. All in all, I'd consider this test a real success. And I'm not the only one who thinks so; thus far, the product has received an overwhelmingly positive response on social media, with fans of the brand taking to both Twitter and Instagram to heap praise on the treatment. 'Holy grail beauty item! Couldn't live without it this winter!' one person wrote on Instagram, while another added: 'The only thing that works [to help chapped lips] is the 5 night fix for lips by @bitebeauty - I don't wear lip balm anymore!' | The $15 treatment consists of a lip exfoliator and an overnight lip mask .
Bite Beauty claims the lip balm duo will 'repair and restore' your lips no matter what state they are in . |
127,767 | 3127162e13288854666518db0cbf83ac3ce61633 | (CNN) -- The Philadelphia Eagles welcomed Michael Vick back into the National Football League on Friday after the quarterback spent almost two years in federal prison on a felony dogfighting conviction. Michael Vick speaks at a Philadelphia Eagles news conference on Friday. Vick, formerly with the Atlanta Falcons, has signed a two-year deal with the Eagles. "I think everybody deserves a second chance," Vick said at a news conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday. "Now I want to be part of the solution and not the problem." The league suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia. Vick, 29, was freed from federal prison at Leavenworth, Kansas, on May 20 and returned to his Virginia home to serve the last two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement. iReport.com: Is this a good move? "Everything that happened at that point in my life was wrong," Vick said of his involvement with the dogfighting ring. Watch bloggers discuss Vick's return to the NFL » . "I had to reach a turning point. Prison definitely did it for me," he said. Flanked by Eagles coach Andy Reid and former NFL coach Tony Dungy, who acted as a mentor to Vick after he was imprisoned, the newest Eagle vowed "to do all the right things." "I want to be an ambassador to the NFL and the community," he said. "I'm glad I got ... a second chance. I won't disappoint." Dungy said that he thinks Vick can revive his career and turn his life around in Philadelphia but that the quarterback will be tested by fickle Eagles fans. "He is gonna have a lot of people who do not think he should be playing. He's got to prove them wrong on the field and off the field," Dungy said. Watch why Dungy thinks Vick will be a positive force » . Earlier reaction to Vick's signing was mixed. The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Thursday night in a statement that it was "incredibly disappointed" at the news. "Philadelphia is a city of dog lovers and, most particularly, pit bull lovers," said Susan Cosby, the organization's chief executive officer. "To root for someone who participated in the hanging, drowning, electrocution and shooting of dogs will be impossible for many, no matter how much we would all like to see the Eagles go all the way." However, Ed Sayres, president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said in a statement that "[NFL] Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Philadelphia Eagles have granted Michael Vick a second chance, and the ASPCA expects Mr. Vick to express remorse for his actions, as well as display more compassion and sound judgment this time around than he did during his previous tenure with the NFL. "We hope that Mr. Vick uses his stature for the betterment of the community and the advancement of the issue of animal cruelty," Sayres said. Reid said he knows that there are some fans who will not accept Vick. "I understand how that works," he said. "But there's enough of them that will, and then it's up to Michael to prove that that change has taken place. I think he's there. That's what he wants to do." He said Vick "seems very focused, and he wants to get his career back on track." It is unclear what role Vick will play in the Eagles' offense. But it was clear that the move had the blessing of Eagles starting quarterback Donovan McNabb. "I pretty much lobbied to get him here," McNabb said. "Because everybody deserves a second chance." The NFL reinstated Vick on a conditional basis last month. Vick "will be considered for full reinstatement and to play in regular-season games by Week 6 based on the progress he makes in his transition plan," the league said in a statement last month. Week 6 of the NFL season is in October. Vick may participate in practices, workouts and meetings and may play in his club's final two preseason games under the conditions of his reinstatement, the league said last month. "I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for [the] opportunity I have been given," Vick said in a statement last month upon his reinstatement. Goodell said last month that Vick underwent tests, including a psychiatric evaluation, after requests from animal rights groups. Vick has also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At a hearing in that case, he told the judge he earned 12 cents an hour as an overnight janitor while in prison. Court documents released in Vick's case showed that two of his co-defendants, who also pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal, said that Vick helped kill dogs that didn't fight well and that all three men "executed approximately eight dogs" in ways that included hanging and drowning. The dogs were killed because they fared poorly in "testing" sessions held at Vick's property. The Humane Society of the United States has said Vick offered to work with the organization on anti-dogfighting campaigns. Wayne Pacelle, the organization's president, has said Vick was to work on programs aimed at preventing youths from getting involved in dogfighting and on programs to assist youths who have been involved. In November, Vick pleaded guilty to a state dogfighting charge and received a three-year suspended sentence. The Eagles are scheduled to play Vick's former team, the Falcons, in Atlanta on December 6. | Philadelphia Eagles introduce Michael Vick at news conference .
Eagles head coach Andy Reid: I know some fans won't accept Vick .
NFL suspended Vick in 2007 after he pleaded guilty in dogfighting case .
Vick won't be able to play in regular season games until October . |
23,007 | 4149dbfc240313358a74a1f68b6c73cdbbac50ca | By . Helen Lawson . PUBLISHED: . 07:13 EST, 21 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:58 EST, 21 June 2013 . A gang made £1 and £2 coins from lead and sprayed them with silver and gold paint, a court heard. Mark French, 47, Tony Rees, 50, and Anthony Dunn, 53, bought ingots of metal to put through their own press in an east London factory. Coins worth £10,355 were recovered and the gang processed enough metal to make £16,000 worth of counterfeit currency in a month. Mark French, 47, Tony Rees, 50, and Anthony Dunn, 53, made these fake coins out of lead with their own press at an east London factory . The men sprayed the fakes with gold and silver paint to make them look like pound or £2 coins. They disguised their factory as a garage . Tony Rees, of Upminster, was jailed for a year for his part in the coin fraud . Police had been keeping the men under observation and raided two premises - a rented business unit in Tarling Road, Canning Town, and a house in nearby Hoy Street. The business unit was disguised as a vehicle recovery garage as the men worked inside making thousands of coins, the Old Bailey heard. Royal Mint experts examined the buckets of coins and found they were crude copies. The coins would not have been accepted in a vending machine because they were magnetic and the wrong size. Father of-five Dunn rented the premises sprayed the coins and hired the two others to join the team. French, who has a previous conviction for fraudulently taking a £30,000 lorry, was also convicted of cultivating 32 cannabis plants, which he claimed was to ease his back pain. Rees, who claimed he was the operation’s ‘dogsbody’, has a previous conviction for conspiracy to make fake Euro notes. Judge Richard Hone jailed Dunn for nine months, Rees for a year and gave French a nine-month sentence suspended for two years. The judge said he took into account the coins were ‘of poor visual quality’ and that the conspiracy ran for just over a month in April of last year. He told Dunn: 'You were the prime mover in this conspiracy. You paid the rent in cash, and you engaged the assistance of your two co-defendants.' The judge told French that he took into account a recent job offer when deciding on the suspended jail term. ‘You have been friends with Tony Dunn for many years and you were drawn into this conspiracy with him,' he said. Judge Hone said Rees’s previous convictions were a serious aggravating feature. ‘But it seems to me you also were involved for only a few weeks and had the shortest role of the three defendant,’ he added. French, of Canning Town, Rees, of Upminster, and Dunn, of Stepney, all east London, admitted conspiracy to make counterfeit coins. The three men hugged each other in the dock before two of them were led away. DI Doug Blackwood, from the City of London Police, said: ‘Dunn, Rees and French had their criminal counterfeiting conspiracy all set up and were fast on their way to establishing small-scale commercial fake coin production. Mark French, left, was given a suspended sentence while Anthony Dunn, right, was jailed for nine months . French, left, and Dunn, right, were convicted alongside Tony Rees for their roles in the east London-based operation . ‘But they were rather surprised when police officers found all three of them together in the derelict warehouse where the spray painting took place.’ He added: ‘There is no doubt that they could have set up a steady production of fake coins had they not been caught. 'There were around five to eight thousand in various stages of production when officers executed a warrant at the premises. ‘It was quite a labour intensive process. Each moulded coin had to have a penny placed in the centre before it was sprayed gold and then each was finished by hand to make them appear more genuine.’ Tony Rees, left, had a previous conviction for forgery, while Dunn, right, was the 'prime mover' in the gang . | Tony Rees, 50, Anthony Dunn, 53, and Mark French, 47, convicted of crime .
The east London gang smelted fakes in a business unit disguised as garage .
Rees was sentenced to a year in prison while Dunn got nine months in jail .
French was handed a nine-month sentence, suspended for two years . |
130,818 | 352d01da6618cff46312f9d27f5e693077dfe8dc | London (CNN) -- Engineers have uncovered the haunting remains of a mummified cat bricked up inside the wall of a cottage near the site of one of Britain's most infamous witch trials. Workers made the startling discovery during routine maintenance on a reservoir in the shadow of Pendle Hill in Lancashire, England's "witching country." They called in archaeologists, who unearthed a cottage believed to date from the 17th century buried beneath a grassy mound. Inside, they found a sealed room where the cat had been walled up. The area is famous for the Pendle witch trials, which saw 10 women and two men accused of using witchcraft to murder people in the 1600s. It is thought the unfortunate feline may have been buried alive by the cottage's superstitious inhabitants, in an attempt to protect them from evil spirits. "It's not often you come across a fairytale cottage complete with witch's cat," said Carl Sanders, project manager for water company United Utilities. "The building is in remarkable condition. You can walk through it and get a real sense that you're peering into the past. "Pendle Hill has a real aura about it -- it's hard not to be affected by the place. Even before we discovered the building, there were lots of jokes from the lads about broomsticks and black cats. The find has really stunned us all." Simon Entwhistle, an expert on the Pendle witches, likened the find -- which he said could be the Malkin Tower, site of a notorious meeting of the "coven" on Good Friday, 1612 -- to "discovering Tutankhamun's tomb." "We are just a few months away from the 400th anniversary of the Pendle witch trials, and here we have an incredibly rare find, right in the heart of witching country. "Cats feature prominently in folklore about witches," said Entwhistle. "Whoever consigned this cat to such a horrible fate was clearly seeking protection from evil spirits. It's an absolutely spellbinding discovery." "It's like discovering your own little Pompei," said Frank Giecco of NP Archaeology, who led the team which excavated the building. "We rarely get the opportunity to work with something so well preserved. "As soon as we started digging we found the tops of doors and knew we were onto something special. "The building is a microcosm for the rise and fall of this area, from the time of the Pendle witches to the industrial age -- there are layers of local history right before your eyes." Archaeologists also uncovered a host of other artifacts in and around the cottage -- including a 19th century kitchen range, tin bath, bedstead and items of crockery. | Mummified cat found sealed inside wall of cottage hidden beneath earth mound .
Discovery in shadow of Pendle Hill, home to one of England's most notorious witch trials .
Experts say superstitious residents may have buried cat alive to ward off evil spirits . |
76,295 | d85ee6c03649393cb5e72c44bc9634a621bc7d27 | (CNN) -- About 200 demonstrators in Egypt clashed with security forces and local residents, leaving two dead in the country's second-largest city Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said. A crackdown by authorities on Muslim Brotherhood rallies in the coastal city of Alexandria left two demonstrators dead and two policemen wounded, according to the Interior Ministry. "During the demonstrations, protestors cut off roads, threw Molotov cocktails, set fires, damaged private cars, and fired birdshot pellets, and clashed with local residents," the Interior Ministry said. The Muslim Brotherhood, which was recently designated a terrorist organization by Egypt's military-backed government, claimed security forces had opened fire on demonstrators, killing two, including a college student, and wounding several others, according to a statement on the official Muslim Brotherhood website. Social media video, posted by supporters of the now banned Islamist organization, shows a chaotic scene with youths throwing fireworks at police vehicles and small fires smoking near residential apartments and local businesses. The overthrow of President Mohammed Morsy, a Muslim Brotherhood leader, in July 2013 spurred a deadly crackdown on Egypt's most organized opposition group. The group was recently banned by a court. Supporters of the organization demand the reinstatement of Morsy, the country's first democratically elected president, and the full restoration of their political and social rights. But the interim government blames the group for a series of coordinated attacks, including a recent bombing on a police headquarters that left 16 dead and more than 100 injured. | Two people were killed and two police officers hurt in Alexandria, Interior Ministry says .
Police broke up rallies for the Muslim Brotherhood, recently called a terrorist organization .
Protesters blocked roads, threw Molotov cocktails, Interior Ministry says . |
151,687 | 5013a21190a45f74c69bded51f5c13a5eb6c90ca | Tory welfare minister Lord Freud said he could not understand why people go to food banks . A Tory welfare minister is under fire for claiming it is ‘very hard to know why’ people go to food banks. Lord Freud said nobody turned to charities for food parcels ‘willingly’ but could not understand what made them need help to feed their families. Campaigners blame benefits cuts and the impact of the economic crisis for a sharp rise in the number of people using food banks in recent years. More than half a million people across Britain have turned to food banks to stave off hunger, according to charities. Ministers have previously argued that a surge in demand has in part been fuelled by jobcentre staff being allowed to refer the unemployed to food banks for help. Cuts to benefits, frozen or falling wages and rising living costs have been blamed in part for some people struggling to make ends meet. During a debate in the House of Lords, peers heard how changes to the welfare system meant more families were turning to food banks. Labour’s Baroness Lister of Burtersett urged the government to estimate the ‘cost to family relationships of cuts to social security, which are forcing some families to move, breaking up their family and social relationships, and the cost to them of ever increasing punitive sanctions, which are driving more and more families to food banks’. She added: ‘Both these trends are leaving families under more and more stress, leading, potentially, to the break-up of relationships.’ But Lord Freud said the rise in demand for food banks was difficult to understand. ‘Clearly nobody goes to a food bank willingly,’ he said. ‘However, it is very hard to know why people go to them.’ Charities argue that cuts to benefits and increasing use of sanctions mean more people have had to turn to food banks to feed their families . He pointed to a recent report by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which showed there was a lack of systematic peer-reviewed research from the UK on the reasons or immediate circumstances that lead people to turn to food aid. But Chris Mould, chairman of the Trussell Trust which runs 420 food banks, told the People: ‘I'm mystified by his remarks. We've kept statistics for the 14 years we've run food banks. ‘This gives a powerful answer why people are in need of them. It's related to benefit changes and low incomes.’ The Trussell Trust says 347,000 people used its food banks in December, compared with 26,000 a month five years ago. Last year Tory Education Secretary Michael Gove sparked outrage when he claimed families become so poor they are forced to turn to food banks because of their own ‘decisions’, . He suggested that many cash-strapped families have brought their problems on themselves. He added: ‘I appreciate that there are families who face considerable pressures.‘Those pressures are often the result of decisions that they have taken which mean they are not best able to manage their finances. ‘We need to ensure that support is not just financial, and that the right decisions are made.’ | Lord Freud challenged about the impact of benefits changes on families .
Says no one goes to a food bank 'willingly' but does not know why they do .
Half a million people have turned to food banks, according to charities . |
106,965 | 15fa7ccfe8dfe5bb5dff5b20955fe6cede1f0c23 | By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 06:50 EST, 14 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:10 EST, 14 February 2013 . Three people have been killed and 11 injured after a 21-year-old allegedly went on the rampage through the tourist district on the tropical island of Guam. A 51-year-old man, named by a Japan Foreign Ministry official as Hitoshi Yokota, was rushed to Guam Memorial Hospital in critical condition after the incident on Tuesday but died this morning. Chad Ryan De Soto, 21, from Tamuning, is accused of plowing into several people with his gray . Toyota Yaris before getting out a knife and stabbing several victims on Tuesday. Scroll down for video . Arrested: Chad Ryan Desoto, 21, of Tamuning, Guam, left, is in police custody after after allegedly driving a Toyota Yaris through a crowd of people in the island's visitor district in Tumon . It is alleged he drove onto a sidewalk and into a . convenience store at the Outrigger hotel in the Tumon district injuring six people. Authorities say he then got out of his car and started stabbing people . he came across - injuring a further eight victims. Two Japanese women stabbed to death are believed to be 81-year-old Kazuko Uehara and 29-year-old Rie Sugiyama. Those injured with De Soto's knife . included Sugiyama's 8-month-old son. The baby is being treated in hospital and is in a stable . condition. Spokesman Tony Muna of the Guam Visitors Bureau said four victims remain hospitalized in the U.S. territory. Charged: Chad Ryan Desoto is accused of driving this Toyota Yaris into a crowd of people before getting out the car and stabbing them . Aftermath: Guam Police Department officers secure the scene after three people were killed and 11 injured in a rampage in Guam . A 51-year-old woman is in a 'guarded' condition while a 70-year-old woman and two girls - a 3-month-old and an 8-month-old - are all in a stable condition. A 22-year-old woman also in stable condition has been transferred to a hospital in Japan, while six patients were treated and released. Prosecutors claim the suspect committed the 'heinous, extreme' violence rarely seen in Guam - a tropical island about 1,500 miles south of Tokyo that is heavily dependent on tourism. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Alberto Tolentino appointed a public defender to represent De Soto. A video of the brief court proceedings posted online by the Pacific Daily News shows De Soto, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, telling Tolentino he has no job. Distressing: Witnesses comfort each other after the incident in Guam's busy tourist district in Tumon . De Soto told police he wanted to hurt as many people as he could, first with his car and then with his knife, according to a declaration filed by Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Quan. De Soto is charged with two counts of aggravated murder, for which he faces 15 years to life in prison. He also faces a charge of attempted aggravated murder for using a knife to attack Sugiyama's baby, and eight counts of aggravated assault. A Guam judge ordered De Soto held on $2 million bail. It appeared that most of the people injured in Tuesday's attack were Japanese tourists. Guam is well-known for scuba diving, white beaches and historic World War II battle sites, and it depends heavily on tourism - particularly from Japan - for its economy. Japanese people accounted for 73 per cent of the 1.1 million visitors to Guam in the 2011 fiscal year, according to Guam Visitors Bureau data. South Koreans made up 13 per cent, followed by 4 per cent from Taiwan. Crime scene: Cleaners wash down the area where three people were killed and 11 injured -- most believed to be Japanese tourists . Memorial: People pray during a memorial gathering at the site of a stabbing rampage in Guam . | Chad Ryan De Soto, 21, accused of running people over and stabbing them .
He allegedly told police he wanted to hurt as many people as possible .
Two women stabbed to death while a man, 51, died after being run over .
Most of the people injured in Tuesday's attack were Japanese tourists . |
95,969 | 0766fe0c31c53dbabb31b1348c5061fb65b0e404 | By . Tom Gardner . PUBLISHED: . 06:26 EST, 23 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:03 EST, 23 September 2013 . Three people are recovering in hospital today after being injured when a new Routemaster buses . smashed into a queue of stationary traffic. The £354,000 number 11 bus was on its first day in service which it slammed into a two other buses and a line of cars during the six vehicle pile-up. Transport for London has confirmed the bus was not following its normal route - between Liverpool Street and Fulham Broadway, on September 21 - when the crash happened at about 1pm yesterday Chelsea Bridge Road. Investigation: A policeman examines the scene where three London buses and two cars collided on Chelsea Bridge Road, London . Ten ambulances treated passengers at . the scene and London Fire Brigade used hydraulic cutting equipment to . free at least one person from the wreckage. The 58-year-old bus driver was among the three seriously injured, with a further 12 people treated for minor injuries. A . 47-year-old man and 34-year-old woman, the occupants of a Citroen car . left in a crumpled heap of metal following the smash, today remained in . hospital. A police spokesman said: 'At this . early stage it appear the driver of a "New Bus for London" collided with . a line of stationary traffic from the rear. Enquiries continue to . establish the circumstances of the incident. Smash: The £354,000 new Routemaster bus collided with a line of stationary traffic, including two other buses, according to reports . Destruction: The collision on Chelsea Bridge Road, London, left twisted wreckage strewn across the carriageway . 'London Ambulance Service also attended and 12 people were treated for minor injuries. 'A further three people, two men and . one woman, were more seriously injured and taken to a central London . hospital where they remain - none of their injuries are believed to be . life threatening.' Mike Weston, Operations Director for London Buses, said: 'We can confirm one of these buses was a New Bus for London vehicle. 'Our first concern is, of course, for the driver, passengers and others involved in this incident and can confirm the emergency services were in attendance. 'There will be a thorough investigation into this incident as a matter of urgency.' TfL . have launched an investigation after an apparent witness claimed one of . the buses had been going too fast and ran a red light. TfL said the bus would usually have travelled down Lower Sloane Street, before turning left into Pimlico Road. But on this occasion the bus carried straight on a the junction into Chelsea Bridge Road. This new bus is one of 600 TfL hopes to have on London's streets by 2016 at a cost of £212million. The buses, described by London Mayor Boris Johnson as 'a brilliant feat of British engineering', were first trialled on route 38 — where several continue to operate alongside conventional double-deckers. Crash: Ambulances and fire engines rushed to the scene of the crash to help the injured passengers . On . twitter, @ontheriverdave said: 'This was no ordinary bus, I saw a bus . with what looked like a stuck throttle/no brakes, big impact, 30mph+ . really nasty!! :(' He later tweeted: 'crash in Chelsea, I witnessed an out of control bus run a red light and then crash, are new buses safe?' One man, who did not want to be named, said someone had seen a bus speeding past the Rose and Crown pub . moments before the crash. He told the Evening Standard: 'I don’t know if the bus was on its way back the depot, or if it . had been diverted due to the cycle race, but it certainly had no . business being on that road, it’s not the number 11 route.' The Met Police have made no arrests. New arrival: London Mayor Boris Johnson launched the new Routemaster style bus, which cost £354,000 each, to great fanfare . | New Routemaster hit queue of stationary traffic on Chelsea Bridge Road .
Three people seriously injured during six vehicle pile up .
Number 11 bus was 'off route' when crash occurred . |
71,832 | cb9d5330a4d8378bcdb54320596b4a227a75d3e0 | By . Sean Gallagher . New Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has hailed Lionel Messi as miraculous while revealing his admiration for the Argentina captain. Rakitic, who joined from Seville for a reported £14million earlier this summer, is one of a host of big-name signings to arrive at the Nou Campin this transfer window. And the Croatian midfielder has made clear who has made the biggest impression on him since joining the club, despite only training with Messi on a handful of occasions since. New chapter: Rakitic will be hoping to continue the excellent form he showed for Seville at new side Barcelona . In awe: Rakitic has admitted he has a lot of admiration for his team-mate and world superstar Lionel Messi . He told 24sata: 'I trained a few times with Leo because he joined the team later due to the World Cup. 'Sometimes in training I stop and watch him, he is miraculous. I admire him and I learn from him. 'He impresses me with everything he does. He behaves normally, as if he isn't such a big star.' Elsewhere, Rakitic has revealed that he remains in constant conversation with new Barcelona boss Luis Enrique ahead of the new season, although no set position has been assigned to him as such yet. Hard work: Rakitic is determined to fill the void left by Cesc Fabregas' departure to Chelsea this summer . He added: 'I haven't spoken specifically about positions with Luis Enrique because we are still in training. 'It will take time. He talks to me very often, to him the details are very important, he cares a lot about the little things. 'He told me that he realised that I was great when I was playing against his former club Celta.' | The Croatian has heaped praise on Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi .
The former Seville captain joined the Catalan giants for £14m this summer .
Rakitic has admitted he has a lot of admiration for the Argentina captain . |
195,772 | 896529d2e99e807e5d0e99fd8c940c20db19265e | David Cameron must calm down about the European Union's demand for an extra £1.7billion, his new man in Brussels has warned. Lord Hill, Britain's new European Commissioner, urged the Prime Minister to 'look at the facts' to cool the 'political temperature'. Mr Cameron has warned the EU's 'appalling' behaviour has pushed Britain closer to leaving the EU, accusing bureaucrats of 'thumping' Britain with a bill which must be paid by December 1. Brussels is to offer for Britain to pay the bill in instalments, something rejected by Number 10 today. Lord Hill, Britain's new European Commissioner, urged the Prime Minister to 'look at the facts' to cool the 'political temperature' over the row about the shock £1.7billion bill . Britain is locked in intense negotiations with the European Commission about the demand for an extra £1,7billion, which caught Mr Cameron off guard at a summit last month. The European Commission used rules dating back to 1995 and found Britain's economy has grown faster than expected, so must pay a greater share to Brussels. To add insult to injury, France will receive a £790million rebate because its economy is struggling. Bizarrely, Germany is also in line for a rebate while countries like Greece and Italy must pay more. Mr Cameron angrily insisted he will not bow to the demands, declaring: 'I am not paying that bill on December 1. If people think I am, they have got another thing coming. It is not going to happen.' But today Lord Hill, who was appointed by Mr Cameron in the summer, issued a plea for calm and insisted it was time to look for a 'practical' solution. He added that the question over Britain's membership of the EU is at a 'lively stage' and is a 'boil that needs to be lanced. Lord Hill, the EU commissioner for financial services, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It seems to me that this is one of those classic examples you get from time to time where something that a group of people think are technical matters suddenly, and in this case for perfectly understandable reasons, become highly political. 'The sensible thing now is to try to calm the situation down, and to look at the facts, and to look at a practical solution to the challenges that various member states face.' He added: 'These things happen... the political temperature goes up and then it goes down again.' Lord Hill said his job means he is required to act in the interests of all 28 member states, not just Britain. Britain faces by far the biggest surcharge and has been seeking allies among other EU states for a rethink of the contributions. Chancellor George Osborne will use a meeting in Brussels tomorrow to call for a rethink, but is likely to face stiff resistance from states which gain, including France, which is in line for a billion euro (£788.7 million) rebate, and Germany, which stands to receive 779 million euro (£614 million). One idea which has emerged is that officials in Brussels will allow Britain to pay the money in installments, without running up interest. But Mr Cameron's offical spokesman said: 'The right thing is to keep doing what we have been doing, which is to make very clearly our views around the unacceptability of the scale of the bill and to get on with the work we are doing with the European Commission and other EU finance ministers.' Britain has been told to pay £1.7billion by December 1, on top of the £8billion-a-year it already pays. France, Germany and Denmark are among those told they will get money back from Brussels . Lord Hill said Brussels needs to do a 'smaller number of bigger things better' instead of 'intruding' into areas of national life. He told the programme: 'My view is that on the back of a reform process Britain would want to choose to stay in the EU. 'Obviously that's a choice for the people of Britain, there's democratic process to go through if we have that referendum. But I think it is good to address that question, I think there is a boil that needs to be lanced.' He added: 'We have a tendency in Britain to think of all these issues as though they only affect Britain, British exceptionalism, if I can call it that. 'The fact is, when I sit here and look across the EU and what's happening in other countries, many other countries have very similar debates.' Prime Minister David Cameron has refused to pay the £1.7billion bill by December 1, accusing the EU of 'appalling' behaviour . Jean-Claude Juncker, the new Commission President, this week hit out the Prime Minister’s behaviour. Mr Juncker criticised the leaders of Britain and Italy for making critical comments about the EU after both countries were landed with huge cash demands. Matteo Renzi, the Italian premier, was also highly critical of EU civil servants after the meeting. Speaking in the European Parliament yesterday, Mr Juncker said: 'I didn't like the way several prime ministers were behaving after the European Council. 'For a long period of time I've taken notes and I was always comparing what is said in the room and what is said outside the room. And from time to time it happens that the notes are not coinciding.' Mr Cameron tried to block Mr Juncker, a former Luxembourg PM and arch-federalist, from taking the senior EU post. Mr Juncker described the way Mr Cameron was presenting the EU cash demand issue as 'not correct'. 'They are presented in a totally different way in parts of British public opinion,' Mr Juncker said, pointing out that the rules of the EU should be better respected. Mr Renzi had complained that the EU was overtly bureaucratic. At one point he warned that he would make public the cost of EU 'palaces' in a row over Italy's budget projections. Mr Juncker responded: 'I have to tell my good friend Matteo Renzi that I am not the chairman of a gang of bureaucrats... I am the president of the European Commission which is a political body.' David Cameron last night rejected an EU ‘pay-as-you-go’ compromise over Britain’s bill for £1.7billion. At a dinner in Helsinki, he warned his northern European counterparts that the budget demand was pushing Britain towards the exit door. It emerged last night that senior officials in Brussels are suggesting Britain could be allowed to pay its bill – calculated after the UK’s economy was uprated – in chunks over the next year, rather than in full on December 1. Interest payments of more than £40million a month would also be waived. Last night, the Prime Minister argued the row was a ‘prime example of where the EU needs to respond to voters’ concerns’. Mr Cameron said the £1.7billion demand had triggered a 10 per cent poll swing to leaving the EU ahead of his proposed referendum on membership should he win next year’s election. | Britain's new European Commissioner tries to cool 'political temperature'
Urges Prime Minister to 'look and the facts' and seek 'practical' solution .
Says question of EU membership is 'a boil that needs to be lanced'
David Cameron has condemned the 'appalling' behaviour by the EU .
Chancellor George Osborne to use talks in Brussels to challenge demand .
Number 10 rejects the idea of being allowed to pay in installments . |
176,276 | 7032ecbe7220b4b11e65342a6a458d9559d5e6d4 | A neurologist testified Monday that Donald Sterling likely has Alzheimer's disease as a trial over the $2 billion Los Angeles Clippers sale finally got underway. Dr. Meril Sue Platzer testified that she was hired by Sterling's wife, Shelly Sterling, to evaluate him and made the diagnosis based on imaging tests and a two-hour interview at his home with his wife and an attorney present. 'After it was over,' she said. 'I told him and Mrs. Sterling that he probably has Alzheimer's.' 'What was his reaction?' asked Pierce O'Donnell, an attorney for Sterling's wife. 'I'm hungry. I want to eat,' Platzer said. Scroll down for video . Alzheimer's? Dr. Meril Sue Platzer testified on Monday that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, pictured in an April 2014 file photo, likely has Alzheimer's disease . Wife: Shelly Sterling, the estranged wife of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, arrives at a Los Angeles courthouse with her attorney Pierce O' Donnell on Monday . The NBA has moved to oust the 80-year-old Sterling as team owner because of racist remarks he made during a recorded conversation. Platzer was the first witness to testify in a trial to determine whether Sterling's wife was authorized under a family trust to single-handedly make the deal to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Her lawyers actually called Donald Sterling to the stand first, but he wasn't in the courthouse and was ordered to appear when the nonjury trial resumes in Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon. Earlier, a federal judge rejected a bid by Donald Sterling's lawyers to move the case to federal court. Donald Sterling's attorneys argued that their client was induced to undergo mental examination under false pretenses and that his private, personal medical records were given to his wife's 'handpicked' doctors in violation of federal medical privacy laws. Platzer testified that she wasn't told that her evaluation was in connection with the Clippers sale. Shelly Sterling made a brief appearance in court Monday morning but left when the federal court motion temporarily delayed the trial. Head down: Shelly Sterling keeps her head down as she arrives at the courthouse with her attorney Pierce O' Donnell . Shelly Sterling's lawyers claim Donald Sterling has been engaging in tactics to run out the clock on the Clippers sale . The trial is meant to determine whether Sterling's wife Shelly, pictured, was authorized under a family trust to single-handedly make the deal to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer . Her lawyers claim Donald Sterling has been engaging in tactics to run out the clock on the Clippers sale. Donald Sterling's probate lawyer, Gary Ruttenberg, hammered away at the need for a postponement. 'We've been railroaded as quickly as possible into a trial where we have very little discovery,' he said. 'We have not had adequate time to prepare.' O'Donnell replied that the issue had been disposed of earlier, and the judge denied his motion to delay the case. Ruttenberg threatened to object to every question asked by O'Donnell on the same grounds. The judge said he would note that Donald Sterling's lawyers object to every question. Speaking in a packed courtroom, Ruttenberg said: 'This case reads like a Hollywood soap opera. I've called it "a tale of two Sterlings."' Platzer was to undergo cross-examination Tuesday when the trial resumes. NBA owners are scheduled to vote on the sale to Ballmer on July 15. That's also the day his offer is set to expire - and there is no deal without the judge's approval of the sale. If the sale isn't completed by Sept. 15, the league said it could seize the team and put it up for auction. Outside: Pierce O' Donnell speaks to the media outside the courtroom . Donald Sterling's lawyer, Bobby Samini, speaks to reporters outside Los Angeles Court on Monday . Media: Cameramen and reporters are seen on-hand at the courthouse . Scene: Media vans are seen lined up outside Los Angeles Court on Monday . | Dr. Meril Sue Platzer testified Monday that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling likely has Alzheimer's disease .
Platzer testified that she was hired by Sterling's wife, Shelly .
Sterling, to evaluate him and made the diagnosis based on imaging tests .
and a two-hour interview at his home with his wife and an attorney .
present .
She testified that after she told the Sterlings of the diagnosis, Donald Sterling said 'I'm hungry. I want to eat'
Platzer .
was the first witness to testify in a trial to determine whether .
Sterling's wife was authorized under a family trust to single-handedly .
make the deal to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer .
The NBA .
has moved to oust the 80-year-old Sterling as team owner because of .
racist remarks he made during a recorded conversation . |
100,853 | 0df3ca797699de8ceb8e18ae49b6009bf104dd0d | By . Ashley Collman . PUBLISHED: . 12:23 EST, 18 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:17 EST, 18 October 2013 . When 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was discovered murdered in her basement in 1996, many were quick to suspect her parents of carrying out the crime. As it turns out, a grand jury voted in 1999 voted to indict the young beauty-queen's parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, but then-Boulder, Colorado District Attorney Alex Hunter decided not to prosecute - a revelation first reported this year by the Boulder Daily Camera. But that evidence may soon be public record thanks to a judge who ruled yesterday that the indictment should be made public, unless the current DA can make a compelling case for keeping them secret. Scroll down for video . Time for transparency: A judge ruled yesterday in favor or releasing the 1999 grand jury indictment against John (left) and Patsy (right) Ramsey, parents of murdered 6-year-old pageant-queen JonBenet . Murder mystery: 6-year-old JonBenet was reported missing on Christmas Day 1996, and discovered dead in her home's basement the following day. The case remains unsolved . Current DA Stan Garnett will make his case against releasing that indictment mid-week next week. His office has argued in the past that releasing the documents would constitute a 'beach of promise' to the grand jurors. 'The issue raised by the plaintiff's request and the lawsuit are more important than any one case,' said Chief Trial Deputy Sean Finn. 'Every grand juror and every witness who appears before a grand jury, takes an oath of secrecy, and every witness and grand juror is promised that those involved in the process will honor that oath.' Their decision: Members of the grand jury are pictured in October 1999. They eventually voted in favor of indicting John and Patsy Ramsey . No action: But the grand jury's indictment was never prosecuted since then-District Attorney Alex Hunter didn't believe he could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Mr and Mrs Ramsey committed the crime . But Weld County Judge Robert Lowenbach ruled yesterday that it would not be a breach of grand-jury privacy to release the document and instead said that it was in the public interest to see the thought process behind the DA's decision. 'This court agrees that transparency of a prosecutor's decision not to proceed with an indictment from the grand jury is in the public interest,' Judge Lowenback wrote. 'Recognizing that the grand jury's "indictment" is not requited to be supported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, but that the district attorney cannot proceed with a prosecution unless he has a reasonable belief that he can obtain a conviction, the process followed in this case offered citizens no opportunity to consider the conflict between the decisions of the prosecutor and the grand jury.' So DA Garnett will have to find another reason to keep them out of the public. Then and now: Then-District Attorney Alex Hunter (left) decided not to act on the grand jury's indictment. Current DA Stan Garnett (right) will argue to keep the indictment sealed next week . 'This is a complicated legal issue,' Mr Garnett said in a statement Thursday. 'My office is reviewing the court's ruling very carefully and will make a determination how to respond by middle of next week.' The Thursday ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed last month by Daily Camera reporter Charlie Brennan and a press advocacy group. They believe that the indictment is a criminal justice record that 'reflects official action' by the grand jury and should be disclosed. The indictment and ensuing lawsuit are just the latest bend in the legal back-and-forth between the criminal justice system and the Ramseys. Gruesome discovery: JonBenet was found bludgeoned to death in the basement of her parent's Boulder, Colorado home (above) Ongoing case: Patsy Ramsey was a suspect in her daughter's murder for the rest of the life. She died in 2006 from ovarian cancer . No charges were ever actually filed against John or Patsy Ramsy, and the same goes for JonBenet's older brother Burke who allegedly slept through her kidnapping and subsequent murder in the family's basement on December 26. Mrs Ramsey died after a battle with ovarian cancer in 2006 and John has since remarried. In 2008, following the testing of previously unknown DNA found on JonBenet's underwear, the Boulder District Attorney formally ruled out any connection between JonBenet's immediate family members and the murder. A new District Attorney reopened the case in 2009, and it still remains open to this day. Cleared: John and Patsy Ramsy were formally cleared of suspicion in 2008 after the discovery of DNA evidence on JonBenet's clothing . Christmas Day, 1996: Parents of six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey receive a ransom note demanding $118,000 . Boxing Day, 1996: JonBenet found bludgeoned to death in the basement of her home in Boulder, Colorado . Boulder Police quickly placed her parents,John and Patsy Ramsey, under an 'umbrella of suspicion' but they were never formally named as suspects . Detectives were later criticised for losing focus of the crime scene and other leads by concentrating on the family . 2003: DNA taken from the victim's clothes suggests the family were not involved . 2006: Patsy Ramsey dies of ovarian cancer . August 2006: Former teacher John Mark Karr reportedly confesses to the murder while being held on child pornography charges. But no murder charge brought after his DNA found not to match that on JonBenet's body . 2008: Boulder district attorney's office clears parents of any wrongdoing and issues apology . February 2009: Boulder Police Department takes the case back from the district attorney to reopen the investigation . | Beauty-queen JonBenet Ramsey, 6, was found bludgeoned to death at her home on Boxing Day, 1996 .
A grand jury in 1999 voted to indict her parents, but the district attorney never prosecuted them .
A reporter and journalist group filed a lawsuit last month to have the indictment made public .
Yesterday, a Weld County judge ruled in favor of the journalists and ordered the current DA to make his case for keeping the records private .
DA Stan Garnett will argue his case mid-week, next week . |
6,001 | 11063d4a37b2da6ddac8c8d681e9f2d5b9f3189b | Rangers midfielder Lewis Macleod is determined to take all he can from his first experience in the full Scotland squad. The 20-year-old will spend the week training with Gordon Strachan's men ahead of their European Championship qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on Friday night and the friendly with England the following Tuesday. Macleod further enhanced his reputation with his eighth goal of the season on Saturday, heading home the second goal in a 4-0 Scottish Championship win over Falkirk after meeting Jon Daly's cross on the counter-attack. Rangers star Lewis MacLeod (centre) celebrates his goal during the 4-0 league win over Falkirk . He also set up the third for Kenny Miller with a low cross to the far post as Rangers remained four points behind leaders Hearts. His passing ability also helped Rangers put Falkirk on the back foot ahead of Nicky Law's 25th-minute opener, when the former Motherwell man forced the ball home after the visitors struggled to clear a corner. Macleod had sent Miller away to set up a break by drilling a 60-yard pass just inside the left touchline, and then arrived in the attack to thread a defence-splitting ball to the veteran forward, who saw his shot turned wide. Macleod poses with the Saltire after being called up for Scotland to face Republic of Ireland and England . Macleod has already featured for Scotland at Under 21 level as he takes on the Slovakia defence in September . It is such creativity that has earned him a place in the Scotland squad as Strachan continues to involve the country's promising young players. Hull left-back Andy Robertson utilised his chance to force his way into Strachan's regular plans, and although Macleod has a tougher position to break into, he aims to make sure he gives himself every chance. 'I don't expect to play but it will be a great experience training and you couldn't get two bigger games to be involved in,' Macleod said. 'If I get any game time at all I'll be more than happy. 'It's a massive step. It was a big step playing with the 21s and it will be hard but I'm looking forward to it. It can only benefit me.' The 20-year-old is a fast rising star and has been named October's SPFL young player of the month, thanks to performances such as at Livingston when he opened the scoring with an acrobatic effort . The likes of Miller and Kris Boyd have given Macleod some advice ahead of his first involvement. 'They have just told me to take it all in and enjoy every minute of it because, you never know, it could be your last time but hopefully it will be the first of many times,' said the midfielder. Macleod secured another accolade this weekend after helping Rangers win their eighth consecutive game when he was named SPFL young player of the month. 'It's been a great month and the team has played a lot better,' he said. 'The call-up came as a big surprise and I'm delighted with the award too.' | Lewis Macleod doesn't expect to play for Scotland after first-team call-up .
Rangers star recently named SPFL young player of the month .
Scotland play Republic of Ireland in Euro 2016 qualifier .
Gordon Strachan's team then host England in friendly at Celtic Park . |
161,563 | 5ce1e9a9370687572679d0db792e462194b5901f | By . Harriet Arkell . PUBLISHED: . 10:22 EST, 10 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 02:59 EST, 11 December 2012 . A village green in a Cotswold beauty spot has been partly replaced with artificial turf after the grass was being ruined by crowds of tourists. A 100sq ft patch of public land between a path and the river Windrush in the picture postcard Gloucestershire village of Bourton on the Water was dug up and replaced with imitation grass. Councillors in the village, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds', voted to approve the scheme in September after spending £1,000 each year repairing grass which had been trampled by hordes of visitors. Popular spot for sightseers: This patch of grass was often left threadbare by tourists jostling to take pictures . This is the view they're after: Locals say photographers like to stand in this spot to capture the pretty bridges . They considered several different areas in which to trial the long-lasting fake grass before choosing one small patch most popular with sightseers photographing the river where it is crossed by several attractive low bridges. Richard Johnes, chairman of Bourton on the Water Parish Council, said the patch had been looking 'threadbare' before the work. He said: 'I think it's a very good selection for a particularly problematic area. 'The feedback we've had so far has been very positive. The fact people have been walking past without noticing it is artificial is excellent. 'I think it's blended in remarkably well. We will just wait and see how the trial period progresses before we make a decision about other problem areas.' The installed turf, made by Easigrass, won a gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show earlier this year. No need for mowing: Bourton on the Water's grass should last for a decade, despite the hordes of sightsteers . Close up: The imitation grass is designed to look as real as possible,complete with paler 'dying' grass . It is hoped it will help the council cut down on repair costs as it is expected to last for 10 years before it needs replacing. But Matt Shardlow, chief executive of Buglife, was not so enthusiastic about the new grass. He said: 'I hope they assessed the impact on wildlife because I can't imagine that the beetles and the birds are going to enjoy foraging around among nylon turf very much.' Bourton on the Water is known for its pretty High Street and wide greens, as well as its model village that dates back to the 1930s. Other local attractions include Gifford's Circus, the Cotswold Motoring Museum, and a model railway. Beauty spot: The river Windrush passes through some of the most beautiful places in the Cotswolds, including Burford and Witney, where it was used in the manufacture of the famous Witney blankets . | The grass in Bourton on the Water was being left threadbare by tourists .
Councillors hope they will save money with long-lasting imitation grass . |
182,640 | 78852d942b919c0dbe1f24a1e62d4032df926f18 | By . Ashley Collman . PUBLISHED: . 01:44 EST, 20 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:29 EST, 20 December 2013 . Gone: Dr Teleka Patrick disappeared two weeks ago after receiving a suspicious phone call at work . A 30-year-old first-year medical resident has been missing for more than two weeks after receiving a suspicious call the day before she vanished. Dr Teleka Patrick started her residency at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan this year after getting her Ph.D. this spring. Dr Patrick was reported missing when she didn't show up for work on December 6, and surveillance footage showed her the night before failing to secure a room at a Radisson hotel just five minutes away from her apartment. According to police, Dr Patrick worked a shift at Borgess on December 5 and had one of her colleagues drive her to the Raddison hotel after work. Both her purse and cellphone were found left behind at work, and surveillance footage at the hotel shows her trying to get a room with cash, but not having enough money. In the surveillance footage without audio, Dr Patrick talks calmly with the front desk person for about 15 minutes before leaving after not getting the room. She is then seen boarding a complimentary hotel shuttle back to her gold Lexus parked at the medical center - the last time anyone say her. 'It was really sad to watch it because this is the last video record of her before she went missing,' Teleka's sister Tenesha Patrick told WWMT. Scroll down for video . Trying to find a room: Dr Patrick is pictured walking up to the Radisson hotel in Kalamazoo after getting a ride there after work . Close to home: The hotel is located just five minutes from Dr Patrick's apartment . Why was she there? Dr Patrick's family doesn't know why she was trying to book a room. Investigators later found she left both her phone and purse at work . No cards: Dr Patrick was caught on the hotel's surveillance cameras trying and failing to secure the room with cash . Leaving: The last time Dr Patrick is caught on surveillance cameras, she is seen boarding a complimentary hotel shuttle which took her back to the medical center where her car was parked . Just two hours later, Dr Patrick's car was discovered abandoned in a ditch on the wetbound side of 1-94, more than 100 miles away in Portage, Indiana. The keys were missing from the inside of the car. Dr Patrick was officially reported missing the next day when she didn't show up for work. One of her collegaues told investigators that she received a phone call that day and that her demeanor changed after she hung up. 'Who was calling her, what was that about, does that have anything to do with her disappearance,' her sister asked. The Graduate: Dr Patrick had started her first year of residency in Kalamazoo after graduating from medical school last spring . Her family is currently offering a $10,000 reward for information on her disappearance, and have hired their own private investigator. 'We keep getting closer to Christmas, and it keeps getting further and further away,' Tenesha told ABC News. Anyone with information on Dr Patrick's disappearance are being asked to call the Indiana State Police at 219-696-6242 or the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department at 269-383-8748. | Dr Teleka Patrick was reported missing on December 6 when she didn't show up for work .
The day before, colleagues said she received a strange call .
After work, she had a coworker drive her to a Radisson hotel where she failed to get a room .
Her car was discovered two hours later abandoned on the side of the road 100 miles away . |
123,725 | 2bf6702bbdfd75910e6f0627814873ffe8848ca3 | Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid revealed today that he may permanently lose sight in his right eye as a result of an accident that took place at his Nevada home on New Year's Day while he was exercising but is 'very hopeful' he'll fully recover. 'This isn’t anything that is a slam dunk,' he told Las Vegas public radio station KNPR during an interview. 'I had a serious injury in my eye. There was some blood accumulation there and they’re hoping it resolves itself.' Reid traveled to Washington this week with plans to return to work on Tuesday when Congress began anew but wasn't able to leave his house on doctor's orders. He'll continue to work from home next week, he said today, as his face continues to heal. 'I’m just following their orders. It’s a day-to-day deal.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Nevada Sen. Harry Reid is pictured here at his Washington home in a still taken from a video his office posted to YouTube last Tuesday . Unable to go to work, Reid brought the work to him. The top Democrat held meetings with his staff and leadership team at his Washington, D.C. home last week. From left he is pictured with Sens. Patty Murray, Richard Durbin and Chuck Schumer . A former boxer, 75-year-old Reid still works out every day. On Jan. 1 he suffered a concussion after the resistance band he was training with hit him in the face and knocked him off his feet. The fall caused him to break three ribs in addition to multiple facial bones and landed him a nasty black eye. Not one to give up easily, the Democratic senator flew to Washington, D.C. over the weekend with the intention of joining his colleagues on Capitol Hill this week. His office announced on Tuesday that he would not come to Senate after all, however, on the advice of his doctors. Unable to go to work, Reid brought the work to him. The top Democrat held meetings with his staff and leadership team at his home and his office sent out statements on his behalf on major legislative initiatives. 'Senator Reid has spoken with President Obama multiple times since his injury and will continue to keep a busy schedule in the coming days,' the senator's communications director, Adam Jentleson, said in a statement on Tuesday. Appearing in a YouTube video that same day, a bandaged Reid said, 'Most people know I fought [boxed] for a couple of years. After any one of those fights, I never looked like I do now.' Reid joked that he didn't get his black eye from famed Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao or from bull riding or riding a motorcycle. 'I was exercising in my new home,' he said. 'The doctors have told me I'd better take it easy.' Meanwhile, at the Capitol, Reid's No. 2, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, supervised the Democratic caucus in the Nevada senator's stead. 'I think I’ve done a good job directing my crew without me actually being physically present at the Capitol,' Reid told KNPR today, according to the Washington Examiner. Reid told the radio station that his limited vision has caused him to rely more heavily on staff at present. The longtime lawmaker said the incident will have no lasting effects on his ability to do his job and that he still plans to run for reelection in 2016 when his current term is up. 'I’ve always been very confident in my ability to fight back, and I'm going to continue to fight back,' he said. 'I've been set back a little bit but I’m in the process of getting setup for the next go-around.' The septuagenarian pointed out that he's likely in better shape than most of the radio program's listeners. 'I don’t know how many people out there could sit down and do 250 pushups or do the strength exercise I did with those bands hundreds and hundreds of times — hundreds of times — every week, three times a week,' Reid said. 'So no one has to question my physical ability.' After the interview, Reid's spokesman reiterated how tough the senator is on twitter by sharing his workout regimen. 'To recap Sen. Reid's exercise routine: 250 SITUPS 3x/wk (750 total). Arm & chest: 420 reps w/exercise band 3x/wk. Walks 3 mi/day. Plus yoga,' Jentleson said. | Reid told a Nevada radio station that he's 'very hopeful' for a full recovery but 'this isn’t anything that is a slam dunk'
The Senate minority leader traveled to Washington this week with plans to return to work on Tuesday when Congress began anew .
But he wasn't able to leave his house on doctor's orders; he'll continue to work from home next week as his face continues to heal .
Reid suffered a concussion and broken bones last week after a resistance band he was training with hit him in the face and knocked him off his feet . |
61,499 | aeacbe284a6d9c0facc4f2416bd3c2e1e4e40bb4 | The wife of British hostage Alan Henning pleaded Saturday with ISIS to release him, describing her husband as a "peaceful, selfless man" who was only in Syria to help people in need. "I cannot see how it could assist any state's cause to allow the world to see a man like Alan dying," Barbara Henning said, according to a message released by the UK Foreign Office. ISIS refers to itself as "the Islamic State." Alan Henning, a taxi driver from near Manchester, England, was part of a team of volunteers that traveled to Syria in December to deliver food and water to people affected by the Middle Eastern country's devastating civil war. He was abducted the day after Christmas by masked gunmen, according to other people in the aid convoy. In a videotaped execution of British aid worker David Haines, made public last weekend, ISIS displayed Henning and threatened to kill him next. No response to messages . The Sunni extremist group, which controls large areas of Iraq and Syria, has already beheaded three Western captives in recent weeks -- Haines, and the American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff. The videos of the executions have pointed to U.S. airstrikes against ISIS forces in Iraq as the motivation. In Haines' case, the militant group described the killing as "a message to the allies of America." Henning's wife said her husband, a father of two, was only trying to do good in Syria. "Alan is a peaceful, selfless man who left his family and his job as a taxi driver in the UK to drive in a convoy all the way to Syria with his Muslim colleagues and friends to help those most in need," she said in the statement. She expressed concern that his captors weren't answering her calls for his release. "I have sent some really important messages but they have not been responded to," she said. 'Executing this man is not the answer' ISIS has shown no regard in recent weeks for pleas from the families of its Western hostages. Days before Foley's killing was made public on August 19, his family sent the extremists a message, asking them to show mercy. But they never heard back. The week before Sotloff's execution became known, his mother released a video pleading with ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi not to kill him. And news of Haines' death came the same day that his family released a brief message to his captors through the UK Foreign Office. Henning's wife urged the militants to respond. "I pray that the people holding Alan respond to my messages and contact me before it is too late," she said. "When they hear this message, I implore the people of the Islamic State to see it in their hearts to release my husband, Alan Henning." Leading Muslim figures in the United Kingdom have also called for Henning's release in a video posted on YouTube in which they say that killing him isn't permitted by Islamic law. "Whatever your grievance with American or British foreign policy, executing this man is not the answer," said Shaykh Haitham Al Haddad, a judge on the Shariah Council in London. "We ask you to adhere to the Shariah ruling on this matter and release him immediately and unconditionally." The only non-Muslim . Henning was making his fourth trip to Syria with an aid convoy when he was abducted. While part of the convoy stopped at the Turkish border, Henning -- the only non-Muslim in the group -- volunteered to cross into Syria with a 10-person advance party. In video shot on that day, he explained part of his rationale for answering the call to help. "It's all worthwhile when you see what is needed actually gets where it needs to go," he said, before hugging a colleague. Henning was kidnapped the next day. Dr. Shameela Islam-Zulfiqar, a volunteer doctor who stayed behind the main part of the convoy at the Turkish border, said they got a phone call saying Henning had been taken by masked gunmen. "This was something that we thought was just a temporary measure, with him being a non-Muslim and being visibly English," she told CNN. The other members of the convoy thought "that they would just question him further and then they would let him go," she said. But amid clashes between ISIS and rival rebel factions in the area, that didn't happen. 'He is not to blame' Now, Islam-Zulfiqar says she has a message for the people holding Henning. "As your sister in Islam, I would implore you and beg of you: please spare the life of this innocent man," she said. "He is not part of your struggle. He is not to blame for the actions of Western governments that you fight." CAGE, a Muslim-led human rights advocacy group in London, also called for Henning's immediate release, saying he wasn't involved in any hostilities toward Muslims. But in a marked difference from other groups issuing appeals, CAGE called on the UK government to negotiate with the hostage takers. Asim Qureshi, research director of CAGE, told CNN on Sunday that the releases of Turkish and continental European hostages through negotiations "should act as a wake-up call to the British government." He's called 'Gadget' Islam-Zulfiqar said other members of the convoy gave Henning the affectionate nickname "Gadget," for his love of all things technical. "He really is the guy that fixes everything," she told CNN. In Henning's hard-scrabble hometown of Eccles in northern England, well-wishers have tied yellow ribbons to lampposts and street signs. None of his workmates at the taxi company nor any of the neighbors on his street were willing to talk to the news media. Islam-Zulfiqar says the situation is really difficult: "We know time is running out." Asked how people should think of Henning in his hour of need, she mentioned his smile, his concern for those around him and "his beautiful, beautiful golden heart." | Group calls on UK government to negotiate for Alan Henning's release .
Henning was kidnapped in Syria as he was helping an aid convoy .
His wife says ISIS hasn't responded to her attempts to communicate .
Leading Muslims in the UK say killing Henning isn't permitted by Islamic law . |
34,431 | 61dd8dc8a4717259615763b4c54b17c6da6d2854 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 00:06 EST, 5 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 00:27 EST, 5 April 2013 . The widow of West Virginia sheriff who was murdered while he ate lunch in his car has been appointed to replace her husband as the rural county's top cop. Rosie Crum was sworn into office on Thursday to finish the remainder of of Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum's job after county officials agreed she was the best person to continue his legacy of fighting the scourge of prescription pill abuse. Dozens of mourners turned out to pay their respects to Sheriff Crum on Thursday. Carrying on his legacy: Rosie Crum will take over the sheriff's department for her murdered husband Eugene Crum . Killed: Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum died of his wounds on Wednesday after being shot on the streets where he regularly parks his car for lunch . Hope: Sidney Ooten, the granddaughter of Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum, sang at the memorial service for her slain grandfather . His suspected killer, Tennis Melvin Maynard, 37, remains in critical condition at the hospital after he was shot by a Mingo County deputy following a chase. The Williamson Daily News reports that County Commissioner John Mark Hubbard said: 'After much thought and prayer, the three of us have come to believe that the best plan to fulfill this obligation is with the person who knew Eugene the best. The person who knew his stand on crime and drugs, who knew his plans for Mingo County and who was his best friend and soulmate. 'My recommendation is that we appoint Eugene’s widow, Rosie Crum, to fill his position.' Rosie Crum has no law enforcement experience, though county residents said the sheriff is usually a 'politician-type,' who wasn't already a police officer. Melvin Maynard, the father of Tennis Maynard, said his 37-year-old son developed mental issues after he was exposed to chemicals on a job in an Alabama coal mine. Taking the oath: Rosie Crum, the widow of the murdered Mingo County Sheriff, is sworn in to replace her husband . Mourning: Deputies sobbed as they honors their slain leader at a town memorial service on Thursday . Tragedy: Crum died from his injuries at the scene after leading a drug task force and an initiative called Operation Zero Tolerance as part of a campaign pledge . Wounded: Tennis Melvin Maynard, 37, is suspected of killing the sheriff . The elder Maynard would not elaborate . on what kind of mental health problems his son had, although according to a pending lawsuit he was injured in a 2007 explosion caused by a lightning strike at his work. His father says he . believes his son would have shot the first person he saw and Crum's death was not targeted. 'I know he should have been in a hospital,' Melvin said, adding that his son had previously been in an institution. Sheriff Crum led a drug task force and an initiative called Operation Zero Tolerance, making good on a campaign pledge, said Delegate Harry Keith White, who . campaigned with Crum last year. He said his friend was shot to death where he regularly parked his patrol vehicle to eat lunch, near the . site of a former pharmacy known for illegally distributing pills. 'I think anybody you ask would tell you he was a great guy, always with a positive attitude, always trying to help people,' White said. 'It's just a sad, sad day for Mingo County and the state of West Virginia.' The suspect, who was shot by a deputy, was taken to a hospital in Logan, said Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's chief of staff Rob Alsop said. Beloved: Friends say anyone who knew Crum would say he was a great guy who was always surrounded by family as a devote grandfather . Promises: Crum led a drug task force and an initiative called Operation Zero Tolerance, making good on a campaign pledge last year, he's seen while being sworn in . The suspect wrecked his vehicle while . attempting to flee the scene and was shot after he was seen raising his . weapon, Capt Dave Nelson of the West Virginia State Patrol told CNN. The . courthouse was immediately evacuated, streets into the city were . blocked off and officers held white sheets around the crime scene, . Crum's body further shielded by two vehicles. The shooting occurred within a block of the county courthouse, said Office of Emergency Services head dispatcher Willis Spence. Crum had resigned his post as a county magistrate before launching his sheriff's campaign as a signal of integrity, preferring to run as a civilian rather than an official, White said. He won the primarily handily and ran unopposed in the general election in the fall. Crum had been a magistrate for 12 years and had previously served as police chief in Delbarton. White said Crum was dedicated to improving the community and devoted to his grandchildren and adult children. 'He always had family around him,' he said. After dozens of indictments were issued earlier this year, Prosecutor Michael Sparks issued a press release declaring that Crum 'exceeded my highest expectations' and 'has provided a game changing boost to our drug enforcement program.' Crime scene: Law enforcement officers and emergency service personnel cover the vehicle at the scene of the shooting in downtown Williamson with one suspect in custody . Delegate Justin Marcum, D-Mingo and an assistant county prosecutor, called Crum 'a true friend to the county.' 'He'll be dearly missed,' he said. Williamson, a town of about 3,200, sits along the Tug Fork River in a part of the state long associated with violence. Mingo and neighboring McDowell County are home to the legendary blood feud between the Hatfield family of West Virginia and the McCoy family of Kentucky, a conflict dating to the Civil War. Crum's county was dubbed 'Bloody Mingo' during the early 20th century mine wars, when unionizing miners battled Baldwin-Felts security agents hired by the coal operators. In May 1920, after evicting striking miners in Red Jacket, some of the Baldwin-Felts men tried to board a train in nearby Matewan but were confronted by the mayor and the chief of police, Sid Hatfield, a former miner, who had family ties to the Hatfields in the feud. After a gun battle recreated in the 1987 John Sayles film 'Matewan,' the mayor, two miners, a bystander and three agents lay dead. Hatfield became a hero but was gunned down on the courthouse steps a year later in Matewan. Emergency response: The courthouse just one block away was evacuated, streets into the city were blocked off and officers held white sheets around the crime scene . Though there is no indication of a direct connection, Crum's killing comes on the heels of a Texas district attorney and his wife being shot to death in their home over the weekend, and officials suspect a white supremacist prison gang. Those killings happened a couple of months after 1 of the county's assistant district attorneys was killed near his courthouse office. Colorado's corrections director, Tom Clements, was killed March 19 when he answered the doorbell at his home outside Colorado Springs. Two days later, Evan Spencer Ebel, a white supremacist and former Colorado inmate suspected of shooting Clements, died in a shootout about 100 miles from Kaufman. On Monday, judicial officials acknowledged Ebel was freed four years early because of a paperwork error. U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin called Crum's killing 'shocking' and said he's spoken to the State Police, which will lead the investigation. He pledged the assistance of his office and whatever other federal agencies are needed. Over the last century, 14 prosecutors have been killed, according to news reports and statistics kept by the National District Attorneys Association. At least 8 of them were targeted in the line of duty. The Officer Down Memorial Page says 197 police officers in West Virginia have died in the line of duty, 136 of them from deliberate gunfire. | Eugene Crum was known for cracking down on illegal drug trade in West Virginia's coalfields .
Suspect Tennis Melvin Maynard was shot by deputy and taken into custody after fleeing scene . |
86,948 | f6c421dc4f60d809b4ef49d9b89aef4b47fc852f | Scotland's traditional whisky distilleries are facing a spirited fight... from England . Scotland’s traditional whisky distilleries are facing a spirited fight... from England. Sales figures revealed by Marks and Spencer showed the chain’s Fine Single Malt English Whisky out-sold its new Scottish Single Malt by two to one during the Christmas period. Both bottles have been on sale for £35 - and the impressive performance of the English variety is being hailed as a ‘coup’ for the fledgling industry south of the border. Distillers believe a growing ‘English movement’ - as the Scots prepare to vote for independence - could have helped boost sales. M&S’s English Whisky is made by St George’s Distillery, in Roudham, Norfolk, which was set up in 2006 and is currently the only distillery in England - though several others are now being developed. Andrew Nelstrop, managing director of the English Whisky Company Limited, which runs St George’s Distillery, said he was ‘delighted’ at the sales figures. ‘We weren’t expecting to outsell Scottish whisky. It’s a very nice feeling,’ he said. ‘We produce a range of different whisky types, from the malty to the more heathery varieties. The one we did for M&S is a bespoke single malt with a bit of smoke, which is easy to drink. ‘These kind of sales show people aren’t just buying our whisky as a novelty to see what English whisky tastes like but must be coming back for second bottles - meaning it’s been well-received.’ Mr Nelstrop, a farmer before setting up his distillery, says the business is only ‘tiny’ compared with some of the Scottish distilleries - employing just two production and two office staff. But he said the industry is a ‘growing sector’. Sales figures revealed by Marks and Spencer showed the chain's Fine Single Malt English Whisky out-sold its new Scottish Single Malt by two to one during the Christmas period . ‘We were the first English distillery for 100 years but a second is just getting going elsewhere, and four more are being developed,’ Mr Nelstrop said. He added that the Scottish independence referendum may have encouraged some whisky drinkers south of the border to try his product instead. Emma Dawson, spirits buyer for M&S, said: ‘We are all about innovation and new offerings; an approach which is made possible by the confidence we have in our customers to be adventurous.’ | Marks and Spencer Fine .
Single Malt English Whisky out-sold Scottish bottles .
Performance of English variety hailed as ‘coup’ for industry south of border .
Distillers believe demand driven as Scots prepare to vote for independence . |
59,062 | a7a188ab17b293cdab04646cd5c657df479aca6e | By . Wills Robinson . A 12-year-old girl has died after falling from a wall and hitting her head at a youth centre. Nicole Hartup was 'playing chase' and running along a narrow brick wall at the Phoenix Youth Club in Exeter when she tragically slipped and fell head-first onto the ground. The schoolgirl, who was a year-seven pupil at the Isca College of Media Arts in Exeter, tried to get up but collapsed. Nicole Hartrup, 12, died after she fell from a wall while watching a game of football at a youth club in Exeter . She received CPR at the scene and was taken the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, but died a short time later. One of Nicole closest friends said yesterday: 'Nicole was like a sister to me. 'I was at the Phoenix Youth Club when it happened although I didn't see her fall. 'She was playing chase with a boy. They were running along a six foot high wall which is next to the sports pitch where there was a game of football going on. 'The boy jumped down off the wall during the chase but Nicole slipped and fell head first on to the ground. 'She died from a bleed on the brain. People gave her CPR at the scene before she was taken to hospital.' Floral tributes have been been left at . the Phoenix Club as family and friends have been paying tribute to a . 'gorgeous young lady'. Dozens of messages have been posted on social media following the youngsters death and a memorial has been set up by her family. Hundreds of people are expected to attend the event next week at Wonford Playing Fields near where she died. She was a year-seven pupil at year-seven pupil at the Isca College of Media Arts in Exeter . Her aunt Sabina Denham wrote on Facebook: 'My gorgeous, beautiful niece Nicole Hartup has gone to live with the angels. 'As everyone can imagine the family are absolutely devastated beyond words. 'Nicole Hartup you are now your mum and dads shining star.' Chloe Radford wrote: 'You didnt deserve this, heaven has gained another angel! Sleep well princess. Yvonne Stark wrote: 'R.I.P heartbreaking news thinking of her family at this sad time.' A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'The exact circumstances of this incident are still being investigated. 'At this time no other persons are being sought in connection with this.' DI Kevin Till of Exeter CID said: 'On the evening of Friday 23rd May the emergency services were called to a youth centre in Burnthouse Lane, Exeter. 'A 12 year old female was taken to hospital but sadly died. 'The exact circumstances of this incident are still being investigated.' Devon County Council cabinet member for youth services James McInness said: 'This is a very difficult time for all concerned and my heart goes out to the family. 'It appears to have been a tragic accident and we are liaising closely with the police and will continue to cooperate fully with any investigations.' The tragic incident occurred at the Phoenix Youth Club. Police said they are investigating the circumstances . | Nicole Hartup was watching a football match at Phoenix Youth Club in Exeter .
The year-seven pupil tried to get up after she fell, but collapsed again .
Tributes have been posted on Facebook and a memorial has been organised .
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy . |
12,713 | 240bff7a6f89a4c6d5682d7b76f6e3da805063dd | A former tabloid reporter walked free from court yesterday after he was cleared of illegally accessing celebrity text messages. Ben Ashford, 35, was accused of trawling through racy exchanges between a married BBC star and a high profile PR agent. Prosecutors claimed he knew an iPhone which contained the messages was stolen and he did not have permission to view the material. The jury at the Old Bailey took less than five hours to clear former Sun reporter Ben Ashford, 35, of illegally accessing text messages during hacking trial . But a jury took fewer than five hours to throw out the case against him and bring to an end his two year ordeal. The verdict is a blow for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Metropolitan Police which were accused of acting with ‘messianic zeal’. Prosecutors face questions over why it was necessary to use one of the country’ s most senior QCs to prosecute two relatively minor offences. Previous cases led by Peter Wright QC include the prosecution of serial killer Harold Shipman, corrupt cop Ali Dizaei and the airline liquid bomb plotters. Police must also explain why it was necessary to subject Mr Ashford to a criminal inquiry two years after the phone theft in 2009. The woman who stole the phone, who was only identified thanks to information provided by The Sun newspaper, was simply handed a caution. The five-day case also left taxpayers with a hefty bill, it costs an estimated £30,000 a day to put on cases at the Old Bailey, the UK’s top criminal court. The acquittal follows the not guilty verdicts in the cases of former Sun and News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks after a seven month trial. Mr Ashford looked relieved as the jury pronounced its ‘not guilty’ verdicts on the two charges in the five-day trial yesterday. He was the first journalist charged under Operation Tuleta, the investigation into alleged criminal breaches of privacy and computer hacking. The jury had heard how Ashford had been handed the phone when he was working for The Sun in October 2009 in Manchester. He was told to investigate claims that the celebrity had been cheating on his long-term partner and spent hours trawling its contents. He wrote a lengthy memo and returned the iPhone the next day when he realised it was stolen after its owner, a PR agent, posted a message online about the theft. Mr Ashford was interviewed as a witness, not a suspect, the next month. Three years later he was arrested after News International handed a dossier of emails to police. The information included the 18-page memo written by Mr Ashford detailing his findings on the phone. No story was ever published. In court, Mr Ashford said the device had no security code and he suspected the situation was a ruse to leak the story without it being traced back to the woman. His barrister, Orlando Pownall (LEGAL_INSERT)QC(LEGAL_INSERT), said his client was a victim of an over-zealous prosecution that pursued an inappropriate case against him with ‘messianic zeal’. The jury cleared Mr Ashford of possession of criminal property and an offence under the Computer Misuse Act. Speaking outside the Old Bailey, Mr Ashford said: ‘I’m immensely relieved that the jury have reached a just verdict. ‘I’d like thank my family, friends, and my legal team for their unwavering support, and my thoughts remain with my friends and former colleagues who face a similar ordeal.’ His father Frazer added: ‘I’m just so relieved that justice has been done.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Ben Ashford, 35, accused of accessing text messages of married BBC star .
Prosecutors claimed he knew iPhone was stolen when he looked at it .
However jury took just five hours to dismiss the claims at the Old Bailey . |
122,036 | 29c3d11eb9f057fc486f046bce6a6fc57e03642b | Washington (CNN) -- West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd, the self-educated son of a coal miner who became the longest-serving member of Congress, died early Monday at age 92, the senator's office said. Byrd, a nine-term Democrat, was known as a master of the chamber's often-arcane rules and as the self-proclaimed "champion of the Constitution," a jealous guardian of congressional power. His speeches were laced with references to poetry and the Greek and Roman classics, often punctuated by the brandishing of his pocket copy of the national charter. He was also known as the "King of Pork," using top positions on the Senate Appropriations Committee to steer federal spending to his home state -- one of the nation's poorest. Byrd relished the title. "Pork, to the critic, is service to the people who enjoy some of the good things in life, and I've been happy to bring to West Virginia the projects to which they refer. I have no apology for it," he said. "When I am dead and am opened they will find West Virginia written on my heart." He was an outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq, calling his 2002 vote against a "blind and improvident" authorization of military action the proudest moment of his career. West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin -- a Democrat -- has the power to appoint a replacement for Byrd, whose current term is set to expire in 2013. When Byrd entered Congress in January 1953, a postage stamp cost 3 cents and American kids were clamoring for a new toy called Mr. Potato Head. Harry Truman was president, Winston Churchill was Britain's prime minister, and Josef Stalin was still the Soviet Union's leader. In November 2009, two days before his 92nd birthday, Byrd passed Arizona Democrat Carl Hayden's record to become the longest-serving member of Congress. His health problems mounted in his later years, putting him in the hospital four times between February 2008 and September 2009. Under pressure from fellow Democrats, he announced he would step down as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee after the 2008 elections. "I have been privileged to be a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee for 50 years and to have chaired the committee for 10 years, during a time of enormous change in our great country, both culturally and politically," he wrote in a statement announcing his intention. "A new day has dawned in Washington, and that is a good thing. For my part, I believe that it is time for a new day at the top of the Senate Appropriations Committee." Robert Carlyle Byrd was born Cornelius Calvin Sale Jr. on November 20, 1917, in the North Carolina town of North Wilkesboro. His mother died when he was a year old, and he was adopted and renamed by his aunt and uncle, Titus and Vlurma Byrd. He started his political career by running for the state House of Delegates in 1946, while working as a butcher and welder. He won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives six years later, was elected to his first Senate term in 1958, and won his ninth in 2006, three weeks shy of his 89th birthday. "If it's the Lord's will, the people will send me there. Why? This Constitution needs a champion," he said before the 2006 vote. As the senior senator of the majority party, Byrd served as the Senate's president pro tempore -- third in line of presidential succession, behind the vice president and speaker of the House. While he set two endurance records in Congress, he was only proud of one in the end. The other was for his 1964 filibuster against the Civil Rights Act, when he spoke for 14 hours and 13 minutes in an effort to derail the law. He opposed civil rights when he first ran for office, a stance he came to regret later in life. He blamed "that Southern atmosphere in which I grew up, with all of its prejudices and its feelings," for his opposition to equal rights, which included joining the Ku Klux Klan in the 1940s. He called the move "the greatest mistake of my life," an "albatross" that would always shadow his career. "It's a lesson to the young people of today, that once a major mistake has been made in one's life," he said, "it will always be there, and it will be in my obituary." Byrd was married to his childhood sweetheart, the former Erma James, for nearly 69 years before her death in 2006. They had two daughters. "I have met queens and the wives of shahs and great women from all over the world, (but) to me now, this was the greatest woman I ever met in this world," he said. He did not complete a college degree until 1963, when he earned a law degree from American University in Washington after taking night classes -- the only time a member of Congress has earned a law degree while holding office. He also received a political science degree from West Virginia's Marshall University in 1994, at age 76. He rose through the Senate's Democratic ranks in the 1960s, and became the chamber's majority leader in 1977. He kept the party leadership when Republicans won back the Senate in 1980, serving as minority leader for six years, then spent two more years as majority leader after the 1986 elections. In 1989, he became chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee -- one of the most influential posts in Congress, with extensive control over the federal government's purse strings. Years later, Byrd explained to CNN the power of that unique position. "In the forest there is a water hole," he said. "All the animals have to come to that water hole sooner or later. The Appropriations Committee is a water hole." He spent the rest of his career as the panel's chairman or ranking Democrat, steering an estimated $3 billion in federal projects to West Virginia since 1991, according to the watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste. Byrd said he was looking out for the interests of his Appalachian constituents, nearly 20 percent of whom live below the federal poverty line. "My memory is as good as it ever was, and it's stock full of recollections about the poor people of West Virginia, how they were laughed at," he told CNN in 2006. But in the same interview, Byrd said it was his October 2002 vote against the resolution that gave President George Bush the authority to launch the invasion of Iraq "of which I am most proud." He was one of 23 senators to oppose the authorization, warning that Congress was abdicating its constitutional power to declare war by giving the president what amounted to a blank check. "We are rushing into war without fully discussing why, without thoroughly considering the consequences, or without making any attempt to explore what steps we might take to avert conflict," he said. Four months later, with an American-led army poised to move across the frontier and U.N. weapons inspectors reporting no sign of Iraq's suspected weapons programs, Byrd returned to the Senate floor to condemn a "hauntingly silent" chamber. Four years after casting that vote, he called the invasion "the blunder of the age." Though he promised to support U.S. troops "to the last breath, the last dollar," he told CNN that he and other opponents of the war had been right. "History will prove it was wrong to invade another country without provocation. That is wrong. That was wrong then, and it would be wrong 50 years from today," he said. CNN's Dana Bash, Mike Roselli and Candy Crowley contributed to this report. | NEW: Byrd: "When I am dead ... they will find West Virginia written on my heart"
Byrd was a nine-term Democrat .
Known as the "King of Pork" for steering federal funding to his home state .
Said his greatest mistake was his 14-hour filibuster of 1964 Civil Rights Act . |
274,917 | f023c4a1caf0515c71e87e9067859b7094e7457b | Younes Kaboul has been named as Tottenham’s new captain. The Frenchman has led the side on several occasions this season and has now been chosen by manager Mauricio Pochettino as the permanent successor to fellow central defender Michael Dawson, who joined Hull last month. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and striker Emmanuel Adebayor will both act as vice-captains. Younes Kaboul has led the Tottenham on several occasions this season . Sunderland's Connor Wickham challenges Tottenham Hotspur's Younes Kaboul on Saturday . A post on the club’s official Twitter feed read: 'Mauricio has announced that Younes Kaboul has been named our new Club captain with Hugo Lloris and Emmanuel Adebayor as vice-captains.' Adebayor made his 100th appearance for Spurs in Saturday’s Barclays Premier League draw with Sunderland. The 28-year-old Kaboul joined the club for the second time from Portsmouth in January 2010 and has made 131 appearances in his two spells in north London. ounes Kaboul of Spurs and Sebastian Larsson of Sunderland battle for the ball . Younes Kaboul of Spurs clashes with Vito Mannone of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light . | Tottenham have confirmed appointment of Younes Kaboul as skipper .
The Frenchman has led the side on several occasions this season .
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and striker Emmanuel Adebayor will both act as vice-captains . |
177,608 | 71ee5a9c7aefa6e2493cdbd8ea82724d817cb63b | By . John Stevens . PUBLISHED: . 06:59 EST, 23 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:45 EST, 24 August 2013 . If Buddy the parrot was on Old MacDonald’s farm it could squawk here, there and everywhere and no one would mind. But when it spends all its time indoors at its owner’s home and keeps whistling the classic nursery rhyme, it’s a different story. Stephen White, who owns the 12-year-old African Grey, has been threatened with court action after neighbours complained that the bird was too noisy. Scroll down for video . Noisy parrot: Buddy, pictured here with his owner Stephen White, 62, sings Old MacDonald Had a Farm and also performs the Addams family theme tune . Row: Stephen White, 62, with his African Grey parrot, Buddy from King's Lynn in Norfolk today . West Norfolk Council has set up . equipment to monitor the noise and told Mr White he could face . prosecution or an anti-social behaviour order unless Buddy stops . singing. Mr White, 62, who . moved into his King’s Lynn home with his wife Glynnis, 58, and Buddy two . years ago, says it is impossible to keep the parrot quiet. ‘What . do they expect me to do – cut his vocal cords?’ he said. ‘I’ve never . had a problem with Buddy before, wherever I have lived. ‘He’s . an indoor parrot. He never goes outside. The council told me you can . train parrots to keep quiet, but I said you’re having a laugh aren’t . you?’ He was notified by the . council on Wednesday that it had fitted equipment in his neighbour’s . house to record Buddy’s calls. Local residents had kept detailed logs of . its every squawk for two months. Who's an irritating bird then? Buddy, an African Grey parrot, faces being silenced by an Asbo after neighbours complained about the constant noise . Noisy: Neighbours have complained about Buddy, and noise detection equipment has been fitted to a home as the council investigate . As well as performing Old MacDonald Had A Farm, the bird enjoys whistling the theme tune from the Addams Family. It . is also fond of squawking ‘Police!’ at full volume – something it . learned from watching TV crime shows. Mr White has vowed to fight any . potential legal action taken by the council. He said: ‘It’s a complete waste of taxpayers’ money and the council has fallen for it. ‘I’m not sure what will happen next, whether it will go to court, but I’ve told the council it can do what it wants.’ A . West Norfolk Council spokesman said: ‘We have received a complaint . about a parrot and, as with all noise complaints, we are bound by law to . investigate. While the investigation is ongoing, no notices have been . issued and no formal action taken.’ Anger: Mr White, 62, pictured here with his parrot, has said the council investigation is a waste of taxpayers' money . African . Greys, which can live to at least 60 years in captivity, are thought by . some experts to be as intelligent as dolphins, chimpanzees and human . toddlers. They associate . words with meanings and have a grasp of shape, colour and number. They . will imitate telephones, microwave beeps, doorbells and even an owner’s . smoker’s cough. African . Greys are the best mimics of all parrots. One, called N’Kisi, is claimed . to have a 950-word vocabulary and has mastered the past, present and . future tenses. In 1845, US President Andrew Jackson’s pet African Grey, called Poll, was removed from his funeral for swearing. | Buddy also performs the Addams family theme tune and squawks 'police!'
Neighbours of Stephen White in King's Lynn, Norfolk, have complained .
The council have fitted noise monitoring equipment to a neighbour's home as they assess the scale of the problem .
Mr White, 62, branded it 'a complete waste of taxpayers' money' |
14,862 | 2a2ef1ff9e8b0b7e6ee5d9bca83e6e48579c1346 | By . John Stevens . Rebuttal: John Bercow, with his wife Sally, has had previous clashes with MPs . Commons Speaker John Bercow was yesterday accused of driving Parliament’s most senior official to resign by treating him badly and swearing at him. In an extraordinary intervention in the chamber, Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said that the Clerk of the House was retiring early after Mr Bercow used the F-word. The Speaker immediately denied the allegation about Sir Robert Rogers, saying: ‘I’ll ignore that last observation which suffered from the disadvantage of being wrong.’ But Mr Fabricant stood by the claim, declaring he does not believe things should be ‘swept under the carpet’. The Lichfield MP made the assertion under Parliamentary privilege during a motion to mark Sir Robert’s retirement this summer after a 42-year career in Parliament. It has previously been suggested that the 64-year-old is leaving early because of a difficult relationship with Mr Bercow. Sir Robert, who has a £200,000 salary and grace-and-favour home, is the arbiter of the rules of debate. He sits at a desk facing the Speaker’s Chair at part of every sitting in the Commons. In his prepared speech, Mr Fabricant told MPs: ‘Our clerk is one of the most popular we have had and, certainly in my 23 years, I can say that’s probably the case. ‘His cheerful disposition, often under difficult circumstances, has been an illumination to many of us and his detailed knowledge of procedure is important.' Sir Roberts Rogers is standing down as clerk of the Commons, ending a 42-year Parliamentary career . He added: ‘So this clerk will be sorely missed by . the House and by me. We don’t know why he has chosen to retire early, . though his working environment behind closed doors has not always been . easy, as those in the know have already alluded.’ The MP continued, . spelling out the swear word: ‘In that respect, despite Sir Robert having . studied Anglo-Saxon at Oxford and being told at least once in front of . others to F.*.*.* off by you Mr Speaker, I think that wouldn’t have . encouraged him to stay.’ Last night, Mr Fabricant, who is known as a flamboyant and often outspoken MP, defended his claim.‘I . got this from witnesses,’ he said. ‘I’ve heard of this type of thing . happening more than once. A very well-known member of the Establishment, . with a capital “E”, was present and was very shocked. This is a knight . of the shires, a very well-known person, but no one directly to do with . the Commons. ‘I asked him “did he really say that?” I couldn’t believe it.’ Mr Fabricant was the last to be called in the motion and left the chamber after giving his speech.‘I . said it, then I left and bowed at him [Mr Bercow] as I left the chamber . because I respect his position, if not him personally,’ he said. ‘A . number of colleagues came up and congratulated me and said it was a . brave thing to do. A Labour MP said it was not the appropriate place to . say it, but when I asked “where was” she could not answer. ‘I do believe these things should not be swept under the carpet. We know what happens when that occurs.’ Tory MP Michael Fabricant claimed Mr Bercow had told Sir Robert Rogers to 'f*** off' There have been previous confrontations between Mr Fabricant and Mr Bercow, who had proved unpopular with some Tories. The MP has claimed Mr Bercow does not treat him well in the chamber and will often call him last during debates. But yesterday Mr Fabricant strongly denied making the comments to get back at the Speaker. ‘This . is not revenge at all,’ he said. ‘I do not do revenge, that is far too . childish. What I did took a lot of personal courage.’ Last night, a . spokesman for Mr Bercow said he did not have anything to add to his . comments in the chamber. Sir Robert became Clerk of the House in 2011 . after a career which started in 1972. He is technically the legal owner . of all the House’s property, including Big Ben. MPs gave him a spontaneous round of applause when it was announced that he was retiring. During . yesterday’s motion, Father of the House Sir Peter Tapsell, the longest . serving MP, warned that any Speaker would be left ‘hopelessly . floundering’ without the assistance of an expert clerk. Mr Bercow has . aroused controversy by bringing in headhunters for an external search . for a new head clerk as the role is usually filled by an existing . official. | Commons Speaker accused of being difficult 'behind closed doors'
MPs line up to express regret at the early retirement of Sir Robert Rogers .
Tory Michael Fabricant says he was told 'in front of others to f*** off'
Bercow said the claim 'suffered from the disadvantage of being wrong' |
281,332 | f86aefae3ed76b04fe3a0ca25ae2dae7cbe2ac79 | By . Rachel Quigley . PUBLISHED: . 11:41 EST, 30 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 11:58 EST, 30 October 2012 . Millions of New Yorkers were today struggling to go about their normal day after one of the busiest cities in the world was brought to its knees by one of the biggest storm's in its history. The city that never sleeps spent the night at a virtual standstill and cloaked in darkness, waking up today to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy which has so far claimed the lives of 18 people and caused what is expected to be $20billion of damage. As daylight finally illuminated the streets this morning, New Yorkers were faced with a flooded subway, shuttered financial markets, closed schools, deserted streets and many homes still without power after a night which saw a wall of sea water and high winds slam into the city. Homes devastated by fire and the effects of Hurricane Sandy at Breezy Point Queens borough . Water floods the Plaza Shops in lower Manhattan, New York and debris fills the steps . A man looks at the flooded Battery Park underpass after Sandy left most of lower Manhattan without power . Buildings were destroyed, tunnels going into and out of Manhattan were flooded, dozens of trees and power lines were felled and thousands had fled from their homes. Some would have no homes to return to after at least 50 in the Queens area flooded and caught fire. This morning, there were police officers on every corner, patrol cars circling the neighborhoods on the lookout for looters and casualties. Traffic lights were down and streets and subways were eerily empty. Those on the streets seemed confused as to what to do and how to go about it. High above midtown, the broken boom of a crane continued to dangle precariously over a neighborhood. New York City police officers put up police tape in front of a subway station today . A playground stands surrounded by water pushed up by Hurricane Sandy in Bellport, New York . The city's subway, which is 108 years old, has never faced a disaster as devastating as last night, an MTA spokesman said today. 'We knew that this was going to be a very dangerous storm, and the storm has met our expectations,' Mayor Michael Bloomberg said today. 'This is a once-in-a-long-time storm.' From 8pm last night, lower Manhattan was bathed in darkness as the power went out from one neighborhood to another like a domino effect. Soon after, the city's cell phone networks stopped working leaving people in virtual obscurity. 'We see a pop. The whole sky lights up,' said Dani Hart, 30, who was watching the storm from the roof of her building in the Navy Yards. A statue is seen among homes devastated by fire in the Breezy Point section of the Queens borough . A construction site sinks into a large hole on South Street Seaport following Hurricane Sandy . 'It sounded like the Fourth of July,' Stephen Weisbrot said from his powerless 10th-floor apartment.'It's really a complete ghost town now.' Alice Goldberg, 15, a tourist from Paris, was watching television in her hotel when a voice came over the loudspeaker and told everyone to leave. 'They said to take only what we needed, and leave the rest, because we'll come back in two or three days,' she said as she and hundreds of others gathered in the luggage-strewn marble lobby. 'I hope so.' It could be several days to a week before all residents who lost power during the storm get their lights back, officials said. People take their belongings out in lower Manhattan in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy . A pedestrian passes a fallen tree on East 7th Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side neighborhood . A pedestrian passes a fallen tree on East 7th Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side neighborhood . In the early hours of Tuesday morning, it was like a tale of two cities. In uptown Manhattan, windows of apartments and businesses glowed and curious faces peered from windows, eager to see the damage. But to cross through midtown was to be swallowed by darkness. Only a few emergency or backup lights appeared in buildings. Further downtown, only the flicker of candlelight could be seen from windows, the usually bustling financial district was both flooded with water and cloaked in darkness. Even though the worst of the storm had passed, authorities warned people to be on the alert when moving around today for falling debris, felled trees and downed power lines. A woman looks and gestures at debris left behind along the East River . 'This will be one for the record . books,' said John Miksad, senior vice president for electric operations . at Consolidated Edison. 'This will be the largest storm-related outage . in our history.' 'Folks . don't realize that this is the most dangerous time,' Irene K. Asbury, a . municipal prosecutor for the town of West New York, told Yahoo! Shine. 'Your . guard is down, you think your family is safe, the storm is over... then . you step on a rusty nail, a branch falls on you during cleanup, or you . wade through a puddle and there is a live wire.' A man uses his mobile phone to photograph a closed and flooded subway station in lower Manhattan . 'It’s the worst I’ve seen,' said David Arnold, watching the storm from his home in Long Branch, N.J. 'The ocean is in the road, there are trees down everywhere. I’ve never seen it this bad.' 'We are at the mercy of the MTA -- our staff has to be able to get to work -- and Con Ed,' restaurateur Drew Nieporent wrote in an e-mail to Businessweek. His Tribeca Grill flooded and he’s waiting in New Jersey without power, to hear how Nobu and Corton fared in the storm. 'As the storm has come and gone, time will tell how we all fared, the degree of damage suffered, the amount of lives sadly lost to this natural disaster and how long it will take before the city that never sleeps resumes being the be-all and end-all for so many of us.' 'Scallywag' blogger . | Hurricane Sandy has claimed .
the lives of 18 people and caused what is expected to be $20billion of .
damage . |
131,747 | 365417b222453ef45c8af7bc2edcb7f64279c72b | Former Liverpool legend Dietmar Hamann has blasted Mario Balotelli for swapping shirts with Real Madrid's Pepe at half-time at Anfield. Speaking on Irish television as a pundit, Hamann was furious with Balotelli's half-time antics and felt Rodgers would have been angered by the £16m signing's behaviour. Balotelli was taken off after another ineffectual first 45 minutes with Rodgers describing his substitution as 'tactical'. Dietmar Hamann spent seven seasons playing on Merseyside and was furious with Balotelli's behaviour . Balotelli was taken off after another ineffectual first 45 minutes leading Liverpool's attack against Real Madrid . 'I think he would have angered Brendan Rodgers when he came into the dressing room and he (Rodgers) wearing a Real Madrid shirt,' said Hamann. 'It may have had some impact, I could imagine that it angered Rodgers…I think he had every reason to take him anyway, . 'I don't think he's ever played with Pepe. If it's 0-0, if it's 1-1… I would never do it, but if it's 1-1, I don't mind but if you're getting beat 3-0…you've lost the game, the fans have come with high expectations and he swaps shirts and all also he does it for the fans to see. 'I think he did it on purpose. I think it was kind of pre-meditated. He doesn't care.' Balotelli swapped shirts with Real Madrid defender Pepe as he wandered down the tunnel at half-time . Balotellit gets a pat on the back from the Portuguese centre back after the swap . When pressed by host Darragh Maloney whether the Italian striker did it to wind up the Liverpool supporters, the German was in no doubt about Balotelli's intentions. 'I wouldn't be surprised, wouldn't be surprised at all,' Hamann stated emphatically. | Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was taken off after ineffectual first half with Rodgers describing his substitution as 'tactical'
Balotelli swapped shirts with Real Madrid defender Pepe at half-time .
Italian forward did it to wind up Liverpool fans, claims Hamann . |
57,424 | a2b5659b83457dbb835d36a6e037b98fc31af7cd | A coin commemorating Robin van Persie's stunning headed goal in Holland's 5-1 win over Spain in the World Cup has sold out within hours of going on sale. The limited-edition souvenir, costing just under 10 euros, depicts the Manchester United striker's diving header during the opening group game last month. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Robin van Persie's wonder header in flipbook form . Stunning: Van Persie scored one of the most memorable goals in World Cup history . The flip side: The commemorative coin sold out in hours despite 6,000 being produced . His superb piece of improvisation took Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas by surprise, after Daley Blind's cross-field ball. Despite 6,000 being made, the coin is now completely sold out, with Dutch fans seemingly engulfed in World Cup fever as their side face Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday evening. The win, regarded as the most entertaining game of the World Cup so far, opened Louis van Gaal's last tournament as Dutch boss before joining Van Persie in Manchester to replace David Moyes. World Cup fever: The coin set back fans just under 10 euros as they build up to Wednesday's semi-final . Diving in: Iker Casillas is caught out by Van Persie's brilliant piece of improvisation . VIDEO Team Profile: Netherlands highlights . | The 6,000 coins sold out in just hours as World Cup fever continued .
Van Persie's goal was part of Holland's 5-1 group stage win over Spain .
Boss Louis van Gaal will join Van Persie with Manchester United this season . |
197,719 | 8bea8215ad9742b0e47fa95d2dc6c56811a7a165 | By . Catherine Ostler . PUBLISHED: . 19:58 EST, 6 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:01 EST, 7 March 2013 . Carole Middleton's influence is increasing to such a degree that some are suggesting she and husband Michael be given a title . With the words ‘I’ll take the teddy for my dau . . .’ during a walkabout in Grimsby on Tuesday, the Duchess of Cambridge perhaps let slip what the world has been waiting to know — the gender of the royal baby. Is she expecting a girl? Certainly, she is pregnant enough to know one way or the other. As the Palace has announced that the baby is due in July, Kate must be at least 23 weeks pregnant. An ultrasound between 18 and 22 weeks can reveal the sex for those who want to be told. Some tests — amniocentesis, for example, which screens for Down’s syndrome — can provide an answer at 15 weeks. Either way, when the Duchess laughingly protested ‘We’re not telling!’ to one of the Grimsby well-wishers who suggested that she knew whether she was expecting a boy or a girl, it was surely a hint that she definitely knows. Should we see any pink paint being smuggled into Kensington Palace, Apartment 1a, which is currently being refurbished, we won’t be surprised. The prospect of a little Princess increases the already strong chances that this baby will be brought up royal, but essentially a Middleton. Some royal watchers think William has become one. As a first granddaughter naturally gravitates towards her maternal grandmother, and Carole has raised two daughters (in a highly dedicated fashion) and Charles none, this naturally strengthens her position even further. At some stage, Carole will effectively become the Queen Mother anyway. Indeed, her influence is increasing to such a degree that some are suggesting she (and husband Michael) be given a title. Of course, the Queen will take an active interest in her new heir or heiress. So there will be no shortage of strong female role models for the little Princess. THE NAME GAME . The smart money is on Elizabeth, a nod to the Queen, and both Carole and Kate’s middle name. Contenders for the middle name are Carole, Diana, or Frances — Diana’s middle name, after her mother. Although Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have wangled themselves in front of Kate in the royal pecking order, they will have to curtsey to Kate and William’s child. There’s no way round that one, girls. If the Duchess does have a girl, she might name her Elizabeth, as a nod to the Queen. It is also both Carole and Kate's middle name . TIMELESS TOYS . There would be minimal pink plastic for a princess. This is where a royal girl would come into her own: perhaps she alone would be allowed to play with Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, the exquisite mini-palace at Windsor, which was designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Or ‘France’ and Marianne’, the blonde and brunette dolls presented by the French to the Queen and her sister Princess Margaret in 1938, who came with a 360-piece trousseau, including cases by Louis Vuitton, handbags by Hermès and Cartier jewellery. Then there is ‘The Little House’ or Y Bwthyn Bach, a straw thatched cottage given to the Queen and Princess Margaret by the people of Wales in 1932. It is in the garden of the Duke of York’s house, Royal Lodge, at Windsor, and is the perfect spot for playing with elegant little tea sets on summer days. NANNY DILEMMA . The Duchess of Cambridge could have let slip what the world has been waiting to know during a walkabout in Grimsby . There’s no word on whether Kate will have a maternity nurse — if she does, she had better get them to sign a confidentiality agreement because they are usually terrible gossips. There has been talk of her not having her nanny. She may go down the fashionable route (like Gwyneth Paltrow and many others) of having a housekeeper who does childcare duties. This allows the mother rather smugly to say at trendy West London supper parties: ‘I don’t have a nanny.’ If Kate does employ one, a girl will perhaps require a less boisterous type than William and Harry’s former companion Tiggy Legge-Bourke, who loved to romp around with the small princes. Those discreet sorts at the leading firms, Kensington Nannies and Norland, will be waiting for the call . . . WHICH SCHOOL? All the nearest nursery schools, including the Minors Nursery School in Pembridge Square, a short walk across Kensington Gardens, are co-ed. There are several girls’ schools close by, too — Pembridge Hall, sister school of Wetherby (Prince William’s alma mater), and Glendower in South Kensington. But given how much Kate hated all-girls’ Downe House and loved mixed Marlborough, perhaps she will favour co-ed. In which case she might choose between Norland Place on Holland Park Avenue, famous for its emphasis on manners as well as academics, or the more theatrical Thomas’s in Kensington. Other parents at these bastions of privilege will include the English upper middle classes and the international super-rich, keen to give their children an English education — and befriend our future monarch. Whichever establishment Kate chooses can probably get away with doubling the fees the moment the news leaks, given that there is talk of the socially aspirational who live close to Kensington Palace timing their pregnancies as close to Kate’s as possible. BABY FASHION . Move over, Harper Beckham. With a mother who can make wellies sell by the shopload when she pulls them on, the marketing power of a princess would be boundless. A July tot can cool off in frothy dresses with matching pants to cover her nappy. First port of call — though packages will probably arrive without asking — would be the Marie Chantal shop a short pram ride away. Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece designs some of the prettiest girls’ clothes in London, and William is godfather to one of her children, Charles another. These days, a Babygro with angel wings is a must. For later on, a floaty ‘Princess’ dress is £220. A princess would have no shortage of strong female role models . Otherwise there is Rachel Riley in Pont Street — as well as Notting Hill’s fashionable ‘Ilovegorgeous’. Who did they have in mind when they designed a mauve ‘Catherine’ baby dress at £46? As this would be the only girl in England who doesn’t need to indulge a Princess fantasy, we may well see tasteful restraint. THE HEIR'S HAIR . Pippa Middleton could have plenty of advice for any princess parties . Roving hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker cut William’s and Harry’s hair when they were boys and went on the Asian tour last year with Kate. She could do mother and daughter at the same time. A BLING BED . It must be the most regal Moses basket in the world. Furniture shop for Chelsea rich kids, Dragons of Walton Street, makes one called the ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ which has hand-cut glass crystals and French Chantilly lace draping down from the basket. The hood can be made with a coronet on it (a snip at £5,995). Well, a princess can hardly sleep in one from Ikea. PRINCESS PARTIES . These will be the most sought-after invitations — on the junior West London circuit, anyway. But granny Carole and Aunt Pippa will come into their own. ‘Celebrate with a cake’, as Pippa might have written in her book. The Middletons’ firm Party Pieces provides ‘Princess Castle’ and ‘1st Birthday Princess’ ranges of paper plates, cups, banners and other party goods — but that might be a touch naff in the circumstances. P.S. Of course, there is always the possibility that when the Duchess said ‘I’ll take the teddy for my dau . . .’ she was about to say ‘dog’, or ‘darling son’, or even ‘delinquent husband . . .’ | Duchess of Cambridge perhaps let slip gender of the royal baby .
Carole Middleton will effectively become Queen Mother anyway .
Some suggesting she and her husband should be given a title . |
17,856 | 329304d4bbf2de896abe063f4021341f7abaa4bf | The FIA are monitoring the progress of Typhoon Phanfone with Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix under threat from strong winds and heavy rainfall. This weekend's race has been thrown into doubt with the typhoon making its way towards Japan from across the Pacific. Suzuka however, looks like swerving the worst of the weather caused by the typhoon - with heavier winds and stronger rainfall not expected until after the chequered flag. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg previewing Suzuka . Championship leader Lewis Hamilton takes cover underneath an umbrella in the paddock on Thursday . Nico Rosberg takes a stroll along the Suzuka pit-lane ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix . As things stand at the moment, the worst of the typhoon should still be out at sea by the time the lights go out on the track. 'If we focus on the main race day, the centre of the storm looks to be still offshore east of the south island of Japan,' a MeteoGroup forecaster said. 'The typhoon's track is to veer north-eastwards just before it makes landfall and track up the eastern coastline of Japan before heading towards Tokyo. 'It actually doesn't look to make landfall (just south of Tokyo) until well into Monday daytime - therefore the winds may not have too much of an effect at the time of the race. 'However, rain is expected, although the much heavier amounts don't look to hit the Suzuka circuit until later on Sunday and overnight into Monday, at this stage.' Jenson Button and his partner Jessica Michibata are pictured together ahead of this weekend's race . McLaren driver Kevin Magnussen meets and greets enthusiastic fans on Thursday . Heavy rain was falling over the circuit in spells throughout Thursday, with the conditions set to remain in place for both of Friday's practice session. The path of the typhoon could yet alter and, in the worst case scenario, see the race cancelled - with no room for manoeuvre due to the Russian Grand Prix scheduled for next weekend. Indeed Sergio Perez fears the race could be cancelled if the worst of the weather, predicted to fall after the race, hits Suzuka over the weekend. ‘Rain will come tomorrow,’ he said. ‘The hurricane might come. If it comes, probably we won't be able to race.’ | Typhoon Phanfone making its way towards Japan from across the Pacific .
Formula One's governing body, the FIA, are monitoring the situation .
But it is expected it won't hit Suzuka until after Sunday's grand prix .
Sergio Perez fears race could be cancelled if hurricane arrives on Friday .
Lewis Hamilton is three points ahead of Nico Rosberg with five races left . |
50,253 | 8e23727c16fde73d66b7d3001c3d906666f784ea | A man and two children managed to escape with minor scratches after the car they were travelling in split in two. The trio had been travelling along the A45 Fletchamstead Highway in Coventry in the West Midlands when the bonnet and front two wheels were ripped from their green Subaru Impreza. The remaining back portion of the car then came to rest on woodland next to the road and the driver and his two young passengers managed to scramble out, virtually unharmed. A man and two children managed to scramble free virtually unscathed from the wreckage of their car after it split in two on a highway in Coventry, with the wheels and bonnet ripped from the front of the vehicle . The entire engine compartment of the car and the front two wheels were left upturned on the road in a mass of mangled metal. Emergency services were called after the accident on Saturday. A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Fletchamstead Highway in Coventry shortly before 11.40am. 'Two ambulance crews and a paramedic area support officer in a rapid response vehicle attended. 'The man and both children got out of the vehicle and, other than a couple of minor scratches, were uninjured. 'Because of the level of damage to the car, all three were taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further checks, just as a precaution.' The road was closed briefly and the cause of the crash is not yet known. The crash took place on the A45 Fletchamstead Highway in Coventry, West Midlands, on Saturday morning . | Man and two children travelling in car on Fletchamstead Highway, Coventry .
Front two wheels and bonnet were ripped off their green Subaru Impreza .
Back part of the car came to rest on side of road and trio scrambled out .
They were left with minor scratches but virtually unharmed after incident .
Mangled remains of front wheel and engine left in the middle of the road . |
247,358 | cc1a0ec621504634de505aa448043a34038429fb | (CNN) -- Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky's wife, Dottie, told CNN that she is angry about accusations of child sexual abuse occurring in her home, calling them "absolutely untrue." "No child who ever visited our home was ever forced to stay in our basement and fed there," she said. "We would never do anything to hurt them." Her husband faces more than 50 charges surrounding a child sex abuse scandal that allegedly spanned more than 15 years. "We don't know why these young men have made these false accusations, but we want everyone to know they are untrue," she added. An alleged victim testified that he made overnight visits to Sandusky's home as a boy and stayed in a basement bedroom. While there, he described a pattern of sexual assaults over a period of several years, according to the grand jury report. "The victim testified that on at least one occasion he screamed for help, knowing that Sandusky's wife was upstairs, but no one ever came to help him," the report states. Responding to the allegations, Dottie Sandusky said she was "shocked and dismayed" by the alleged victim's testimony, calling his accusations false. "I continue to believe in Jerry's innocence and all the good things he has done," she added. The former defensive coordinator posted $250,000 bail and left jail on Thursday, one day after he was arrested on 12 new counts of abuse involving two new alleged victims, raising the total number of victims to 10. Sandusky was then driven in a three-vehicle motorcade from the jail to his State College, Pennsylvania, home. Authorities say he is currently under house arrest and must wear an electronic monitoring device. He'll also be restricted from contacting the alleged victims, possible witnesses, and must be supervised during any interactions with minors. "As in many of the other cases identified to date, the contact with Sandusky allegedly fit a pattern of 'grooming' victims," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly. "Beginning with outings to football games and gifts; they later included physical contact that escalated to sexual assaults." A grand jury report made public last month detailed 40 charges of rape and molestation against the former coach in a child sex abuse scandal that, at the time, involved eight alleged victims. The lawyer for a 29-year-old man who is suing the school, Sandusky and Second Mile criticized Dottie Sandusky's statement. "It really is a sad, clear demonstration of how sick she is because of how sick he is," said Jeff Anderson, who represents an accuser identified as "John Doe A." The Sanduskys both "in their own way deny what we all know to be and what has been revealed daily." Anderson's client was not cited in the initial grand jury report. The plaintiff, who Anderson said was 10 years old when he first met Sandusky, alleged the former coach sexually abused him dozens of times over several years during the 1990s, the lawyer said. "The idea that 11 men (10 from grand jury reports plus 'John Doe A') who have nothing to do with each other have fabricated this many stories of abuse is beyond rational," said Anderson's co-counsel, Marci Hamilton. "Victims rarely make up being sexually assaulted and abused." "John Doe A" is cooperating with authorities, his lawyers said. Sandusky, who maintains his innocence, will face a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, where his alleged victims are set to testify. It is expected to be the first time the former coach will face them in court. The new accusers -- identified by authorities as Victim 9 and Victim 10 -- are believed to have encountered Sandusky at The Second Mile charity, a nonprofit organization he founded for underprivileged children. Victim 9 was between 11 and 12 years old when he first met the former coach in 2004. Sandusky allegedly gave the boy gifts and money, and took him to university football games, according to the grand jury report. Sandusky allegedly met Victim 10, then about age 10, in 1997 after a counselor recommended the boy attend the charity "because of difficulties in his home life." That witness said Sandusky performed oral sex on him and indecently touched him in an outdoor pool on campus. Penn State, meanwhile, said Thursday it has created the Center for the Protection of Children for "the study, research, prevention and treatment of child abuse." A portion of the funding will come from football bowl game revenues. "We are opting to put our expertise and research power to work confronting the problem of abuse," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson in a statement. The university recently partnered with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center with a commitment of $1.5 million. CNN's Kathleen Johnston, Laura Dolan, Ross Levitt and Susan Candiotti, and journalist Sara Ganim contributed to this report . | NEW: Penn State provides details on Center for the Protection of Children .
The wife of Jerry Sandusky calls the accusations against her husband "absolutely untrue"
Attorney for one alleged victim calls Dottie Sandusky's statement "sad"
He faces 12 new counts related to a child sex scandal . |
275,960 | f18532870a00eb2038f80e723d24dd138d1fcd78 | An Atlantic City casino is suing poker champion Phillip Ivey Jr., claiming he cheated his way to more than $9.6 million in winnings. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa alleges in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that Ivey exploited a defect in the line of cards used by the casino to increase his chances of winning in multiple sessions of the card game Baccarat. The Borgata claims that Ivey used a technique called "edge sorting" to identify cards by memorizing the unique markings on the back of the card. Gemaco Inc., the manufacturer of the cards used at the casino, was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. "The pattern used by Borgata on the back of the cards purchased from Gemaco is required to be perfectly symmetrical so that the back of one card is indistinguishable from the backs of all other cards," according to court papers. During play, Ivey and card player Cheng Yin Sun fixated on pattern flaws on the backs of the cards. The two asked to "turn" cards so that they could be distinguished from all others cards in the deck, according to court papers. Gemaco did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment. "We believe the lawsuit speaks for itself, and in accordance with company policy, we will not be commenting any further on pending litigation," Liza Costandino, a spokeswoman for the Borgata, told CNN. Ivey could not be reached for comment. According to the court documents, Ivey set up four sessions of Baccarat in 2012. For each session, he requested a private area in the pit, an automatic shuffler for the cards and a dealer who spoke Mandarin Chinese. Ivey was accompanied by Sun, who communicated with the card dealer in Mandarin to instruct the dealer on how to turn the cards as they were dealt, the lawsuit alleges. Once Ivey identified the good and bad cards based on their markings, he was able to tilt the odds of the game in his favor in 2012, winning $2.4 million in April, $1.6 million in May, $4.8 million in July and $825,000 in October of that year. Attempts to reach Sun were unsuccessful Sunday. "Ivey's true motive, intention, and purpose in negotiating these playing arrangements was to create a situation in which he could surreptitiously manipulate what he knew to be a defect in the playing cards in order to gain an unfair advantage over Borgata," according to court papers. This alleged incident of cheating is not the first time Ivey had been accused of using "edge sorting" techniques, according to the lawsuit. In August 2012, Ivey was accused of cheating at Crockfords casino in London in a game of Punto Banco, which is similar to Baccarat, according to the suit. The Borgata suit claims they confronted Ivey about the Crockfords allegations on his October visit, and the poker player "did not want to talk about it." According to his website, Ivey began his career as professional gambler at 17 using a fake ID to enter casinos in Atlantic City. Since then he has won nine bracelets at the World Series of Poker. Ivey represents other elite high-stakes poker players on his own "Team Ivey." | The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is suing poker champion Phillip Ivey Jr.
Ivey cheated by exploiting defects on the back of the cards, the casino claims .
Ivey won $9.6 million at Baccarat in four months in 2012, the lawsuit states . |
69,342 | c49ba2936e64f895a75e9922caa780d5e9bbf029 | Leading optometrist Andrew Hogan said a fringe across the face can obstruct light and stimulation to eye making it amblyotic . But expert Dr Leonard Press said this can only happen if the eye is permanently covered BEFORE the age of seven . It's a hairstyle favoured by celebs from Rihanna to Justin Bieber and often copied by their young fans. But a leading optometrist has warned that having a side fringe that falls into the face can cause long-term eye damage. Andrew Hogan told the Australian Daily Telegraph: 'If a young emo chap has a fringe covering one eye all the time, that eye won't see a lot of detail. And if it happens from a young age, that eye can become amblyotic.' Hair raising: Rihanna, left, and Cameron Diaz often wear a side fringe - but could it damage their sight? Not according to experts . Amblyopia is more commonly known as a lazy eye and is a childhood condition which means the sufferer can't see as clearly out of one eye, so they rely on the other. It can occur as a child's sight develops so if a child has one of their eyes blocked, eg by an eye patch, when they are in a key developmental stage then they could develop a lazy eye. Mr Hogan believes having a side fringe means the hair can become like an eye patch across the eye and so cause the condition, and also short-sightedness, by restricting sunlight and stimulation from reaching the eye. 'If you walk around with an eye patch on all day, then that eye will end up seeing more poorly than the other eye,' he explained. Emo trend: Members of the band 30 Seconds To Mars favour the fringe across the face look . He added that he was aware that visual development took place between birth to seven years, but that research had shown him vision could still be affected at later stages. But experts have poured cold water on Mr Hogan's theory. Amblyopia specialist Dr Leonard Press told MSNBC: 'The story would only be true if you had somebody young enough, and if that person never looked out of that eye - if it was blocked 24-7. The reason it's false is that you don’t have that constant deprivation.' Dr Press added that vision is 'so well-established' after the age of seven that 'combing your hair over your eye will not do anything to that system'. So teenagers and young people can rest assured that they won't be risking their long-term eye sight by wearing the trendy style. However, a leading Australian hairdresser told the Australian Telegraph they do run another risk - a sore neck! Roseanne Anderson said: 'I have to wonder how they don't get a stiff neck. I . have seen lots of fashions come and go - but really when I think about . it, this is probably the only hairstyle in my 40 years of hairdressing . that could be a health hazard.' | Leading optometrist Andrew Hogan said a fringe across the face can obstruct light and stimulation to eye making it amblyotic .
But expert Dr Leonard Press said this can only happen if the eye is permanently covered BEFORE the age of seven . |
43,710 | 7b43dfc447da995a5bc0cbc4a213954cd109b11d | By . Alexandra Klausner . PUBLISHED: . 23:39 EST, 28 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 01:47 EST, 29 January 2014 . Gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis' daughters say their mother is 'dedicated' amidst claims that she had 'abandoned' them while attending Harvard Law School. The Fort Worth, Texas Democrat received claims on social media saying she left her daughters behind on her climb to the top and that she 'lost custody of them' after divorcing her husband Jeff Davis. Daughters Amber Davis, 31, and Dru Davis, 25, can only say wonderful things about the woman they say was 'remarkable.' Wendy Davis stands wither her vehemently supportive daughters Dru (left) and Amber (center right) and boyfriend and former mayor of Austin, Will Wynn . How could they say that? Davis is appalled over the rumors circulating about her on social media . Dru Davis spoke passionately in her open letter, reports the Austin American Statesman. 'I hate that I feel the need to write this, but I have been reading and hearing so many untrue things about my mom and I want to set the record straight,'said Davis. 'And sadly I feel the need to be crystal clear on the malicious and false charge of abandonment as nothing could be further from the truth. My mom has always shared equally in the care and custody of my sister and me.' Amber also addressed the libelous social media claims saying that her mother wasn't up to par. 'I have spent the past few days reading the ludicrous comments that people have shared on social media about my mother and our family. It is a shame that those who don’t know us feel the need to comment on the details of our lives as if they’ve lived them. I have a hard time understanding how such hate and negativity can result from one person’s false accusations.' Both Davis' daughters stand by their mother's story that she grew up in a Fort Worth Trailer Park and that she fought her way to becoming a student at Harvard Law. A story that appeared on the Dallas Morning News on January 19 found flaws with the narrative of Davis' life story. Go Mom! Amber Davis (left) and Dru Davis (right) will stand by their mother through thick and thin . Democrat Wendy Davis has raised $12 million for her gubernatorial campaign so far . Twitter users including Bristol Palin claim that Davis lied about how long she lived in a trailer and how much financial aid she received from her husband for school, reports the Washington Post. Davis believes that her republican opposition Attorney General Greg Abbott is to blame for the negative stories and claims that she fabricated her own life story. In addressing the issue of how long her mother lived on a trailer she said, 'My mother had me when she was very young, a kid herself. And although she was married for a short period of time, parenthood was her sole responsibility. Yes, we lived in a trailer. Does it matter how long? Not to me.' Dru Davis had firmly stood by her mother and says that she was always a good parent, even though she took time to further her career after they were born. 'Yes, she went to law school after my sister and I were born. We lived with her the first semester, but I had severe asthma and the weather there wasn’t good for me. My parents made a decision for my sister and me to stay in Texas while my mom kept going to school. But that doesn’t mean she wasn’t there for us.' Davis believes that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (pictured) is to blame for the libelous rumors . Dru says that her mother always had custody of them following the divorce and that the custody was shared equally between parents. The letters from her daughters came right before Davis went on Fusion television with Jorge Ramos on Monday. 'Those allegations are really absurd, Jorge,' she said. 'My life story is my life story. I am a young woman who had lived in poverty for many years before I was able to work and lift myself out of that place, and I know that there are Texans across the state that are facing the same challenges that I once faced.' Davis has raised $12 million for her campaign and is trailing behind Attorney General Greg Abbott who raised $27 million. Davis only gained 34 per cent of voters as Abbot got 40 per cent. 25 per cent are undecided. By her side: Amber (left) and Dru (right) say their mother is not just a politician, but that she is also a remarkable mother . Democratic candidate for Texas governor Wendy Davis is behind in the race with 34 per cent of voters as oppose to Abbott's 40 per cent . | Wendy Davis' daughter Dru, 25, and Amber, 31, say that their mom never abandoned them and that she never lost custody over them .
Twitter users including Bristol Palin claim that Davis lied about her life story in regards to how long she lived in a trailer and how much financial aid she received from her husband to go to Harvard .
Davis believes that her Republican rival Attorney General Greg Abbott is to blame for the negative media attention . |
135,020 | 3aaa1a65792e685bfe95a327c5f3a683327b250e | "Remember: When the buying stops, the killing can, too." That's retired NBA star Yao Ming appearing in a 2009 public service announcement aimed at stopping people in China from consuming shark-fin soup. Yao and other people sitting in a fancy restaurant push their shark dishes forward as a narrator explains that "each year up to 70 million sharks are killed to end up" in that delicacy. It's an important message, and an overlooked one. Much of the effort to combat the global illegal wildlife trade, which United for Wildlife values at $5 billion to $20 billion per year, has focused on additional park rangers and dismantling crime networks. That's important. Somewhat lost, however, have been efforts like those from Yao and WildAid, the group that produced that PSA for China, which are trying to unplug the wildlife trade from the demand that feeds it. Cut wildlife demand and rhinos, elephants and sharks live. There's evidence that tactic is seeing success. "People said it was impossible to change China, but the evidence we are now getting says consumption of shark fin soup in China is down by 50% to 70% in the last two years," WildAid Executive Director Peter Knights told The Washington Post. "It is a myth that people in Asia don't care about wildlife. "Consumption is based on ignorance rather than malice." I find that news encouraging, and it's one reason I'm overjoyed that a group called Education for Nature Vietnam has pledged to make a public service announcement about the pangolin to air in that country later this year or early next. After I featured the pangolin as part of CNN's Change the List project, readers donated more than $17,000 to that group in hopes it would make such a PSA. The group, based in Hanoi, Vietnam, had said it would need $5,000 to cover production costs. The ad wouldn't be happening without you. The pangolin is thought to be the most trafficked mammal in the world. Few people in the West know it exists, but it's trafficked by the ton for its scales, which are used in traditional medicine, and for its meat, which is a delicacy in Vietnam and China. The Vietnamese ad likely will focus on curbing demand for pangolin scales, said Doug Hendrie, adviser of Education for Nature Vietnam's wildlife crime and investigations unit. The extra CNN reader donations not used to create that ad will be used to boost the group's efforts to break up the pangolin trade and out restaurants and medicine shops that are illegally selling pangolin products. Hendrie said he was overwhelmed by the response. He called his wife at 3 a.m. to tell her about the flood of donations. Education for Nature Vietnam has produced and commissioned a number of public service announcements aimed at curbing local demand for wildlife, but never one for the pangolin, which generally doesn't get the funding of the more "charismatic" wildlife species, either because it is little known or isn't thought to be as cute. The group's PSAs try to create associate social shame or stigma with the consumption of wildlife products, Hendrie said. One, for example, shows a business meeting in which a man gives his colleague tiger bone as a gift. He looks up to see his co-workers are leaving the room. "Using tiger bone glue won't impress anyone," the ad says. "Don't embarrass yourself." "We are extremely happy to see the response," he wrote in an e-mail to me, "and surprised as well." I'll second that. I'm humbled by your generosity. The world is a weirder and more interesting place because the pangolin exists. And your kindness is upping the odds this creature will survive. For more on this project, visit CNN.com/Change. | CNN readers donate more than $17,000 to an environmental group in Vietnam .
The group says it will use the money to create a public service announcement for the pangolin .
John Sutter recently featured the pangolin as part of his Change the List project .
The scale-covered mammal is being trafficked by the ton for its scales and meat . |
51,455 | 91ab234162c1f42ae8525ff642ebbf7a9715eb62 | (CNN) -- Dani Pedrosa won a thrilling last-lap duel with championship leader and fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo to claim Sunday's Czech MotoGP in Brno. Pedrosa and 2010 world champion Lorenzo swapped the lead on the 22nd lap of the 5.4-kilometer circuit before the Honda rider claimed a memorable third win of the season. He has cut Lorenzo's lead in the title race to just 13 points with six races left in the elite division of motorcycle racing. Yamaha's Lorenzo had led from pole until Pedrosa took the lead halfway through the race. Lorenzo claimed it back only for Pedrosa to move ahead for the final time and take the checkered flag. "It was half a lap to go and I was a little more nervous than before but... on almost the last corner I got along with him, he tried to release the brakes and we were head-to-head into the corner, but I could... win the race," he told the official MotoGP website. Britain's Cal Crutchlow claimed the first podium spot of his MotoGP career on his works Yamaha ahead of Italian teammate Andrea Dovizioso, who will replace Valentino Rossi at Ducati next season. But they were over 12 seconds behind the leading pair, who dominated from the start. Last year's Brno winner, world champion Casey Stoner of Australia, was absent with a fractured ankle and has conceded his title defense is over as he needs surgery. Stoner will retire at the end of the season and his Repsol Honda team has announced he will be replaced by 19-year-old Spanish prospect Marc Marquez, who will move up from the Moto2 division having been the 125cc world champion in 2010. Marquez won the Moto2 race in Brno, with Germany's Jonas Folger taking the Moto3 honors. | Honda's Dani Pedrosa wins Czech MotoGP in Brno .
Pedrosa cuts lead on title leader Jorge Lorenzo to 13 points .
Yamaha's Lorenzo finished second after last lap duel .
Cal Crutchlow of Britain on podium for first time . |
235,773 | bd325fcb2ead146d344e77608c59f67441308403 | By . Emma Glanfield . PUBLISHED: . 11:53 EST, 8 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:11 EST, 8 March 2014 . Comedian Billy Connolly has stopped taking his medication for Parkinson's disease because doctors told him he was experiencing worse side effects than those of the illness . Billy Connolly has stopped taking medication to treat Parkinson’s disease because he claims the side effects are more damaging than the illness. The comedian, who discovered he had the degenerative brain disorder when a fan told him he was showing early signs of the illness, told a US chat show he had stopped taking the medication. Speaking to chat show host Conan O'Brien, the 71-year-old said doctors took him off the medication. He said: ‘They reckon the side effects were stronger than the effects because it’s very early days. ‘It’s a weird medicine. I asked, “what are the side effects?” and they told me, “an overriding interest in sex and gambling”. ‘So if you see somebody in Las Vegas with an erection, he’s probably got Parkinson’s.’ The actor was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after an Australian fan, who happened to be a doctor, spotted him walking strangely and advised him to see a GP. There are several possible side effects caused by the medication . used to treat Parkinson’s disease including nausea, hallucinations, tiredness . and blurred vision. The Scottish star, who is married to psychologist Pamela Stephenson, 64, and has five children from his two marriages, announced last year he had undergone surgery for prostate cancer. He was given the all-clear in December. This week, he announced he was set to front a two-part documentary called The Big Send Off which will show him revealing the way he wants to die. Due to be aired on ITV in May, the show will see him visit his ‘favourite graveyard’ in his home city of Glasgow and reveal stories about funerals he has attended, including that of Who drummer Keith Moon. Scroll down for video . The Scottish star, who is married to psychologist Pamela Stephenson, joked to chat show host Conan O'Brien, pictured, that the side effects included 'an overriding interest in sex and gambling' The actor was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after an Australian fan, who happened to be a doctor, spotted him walking strangely and advised him to see a GP . For more information, visit parkinsons.org.uk. Helpline: 0808 800 0303 . | Scottish star was diagnosed with disease after fan spotted he had symptoms .
Comedian said side effects included 'overriding interest in sex and gambling'
71-year-old is in early stages of illness prompting doctors to withdraw drugs .
Doctors said side effects of tablets were worse than his current symptoms . |
7,999 | 169f6203951f39a056e7a94bb8db4bbda45e4ae2 | (CNN) -- The widow of a man who set free 56 exotic animals he owned before apparently committing suicide will get back the five animals that survived, Ohio agriculture officials said Monday. A state review board concluded Monday that the animals, which have been kept at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, are free of "dangerously infectious or contagious diseases." The finding required them to lift a quarantine imposed in a move last October to delay their return. State officials said they were concerned that Marian Thompson has said she would put the two spotted leopards, two macaque monkeys and a large brown bear back into the same cages they previously inhabited on her Zanesville, Ohio, farm. "This raises concerns, as she has indicated the cages have not been repaired, and has repeatedly refused to allow animal welfare experts to evaluate if conditions are safe for the animals and sufficient to prevent them from escaping and endangering the community," said Erica Pitchford, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Last fall in Ohio: Wild animals on the loose . State officials have no legal power to inspect the cages before the animals are returned, but they are hoping the local sheriff will seek a court order to inspect the farm "to ensure the safety of the animals and the public," Pitchford said. Thompson has not allowed local law enforcement onto the farm to check the pens, Muskingum County Sheriff Matthew Lutz told CNN Monday. Thompson's lawyer did not immediately respond to a CNN call for comment. Deputies are ready to deal with any problems with the returned animals, Lutz said. "We have the zoo on speed dial," Lutz said. "If we are pushed to do what we had to do the last time, we would take care of it." Terry Thompson died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on October 18 shortly after he pried open cages and opened the farm's fences that held his private menagerie of lions, tigers, bears, wolves and monkeys. Authorities, who did not have access to tranquilizer guns, killed two wolves, six black bears, two grizzly bears, nine male lions, eight female lions, one baboon, three mountain lions and 18 Bengal tigers. One monkey that was unaccounted for might have been eaten by one of the big cats, they speculated. Thompson's property is about two miles outside Zanesville, which is east of Columbus along Interstate 70. The 62-year-old had been released from a federal prison three weeks earlier after pleading guilty earlier to possessing illegal firearms, including five fully automatic firearms. CNN's John Fricke contributed to this report. | Board concludes animals are free of "dangerously infectious or contagious diseases"
Officials: Marian Thompson plans to keep two leopards, two monkeys, bear on her Ohio farm .
State officials raise concern about safety of cages, which they aren't allowed to inspect .
"We have the zoo on speed dial" in case of trouble, the sheriff says . |
186,001 | 7cdf1f23eabc545a39830857443e307f9e2e607c | By . Simon Jones . Hull City are considering a move for free agent Brede Hangeland after completing deals for Harry Maguire and Andy Robertson on Tuesday. Hangeland, 33, is a free agent after being released by Fulham last season. He signed for the club in 2007 and went on to make 267 appearances in all competitions. Target: Former Fulham defender Brede Hangeland is wanted by Hull City . Acquisition: They signed Sheffield United defender Harry Maguire on Tuesday . And he'll give added experience alongside the youth of 22-year-old Maguire who arrived for £3m from Sheffield United. Left back Robertson joined for a similar fee from Dundee United. West Ham, FC Copenhagen and Stoke have also shown an interest in Hangeland. | Hull considering a move for free agent Brede Hangeland .
The club signed Harry Maguire and Andy Robertson on Tuesday . |
235,133 | bc6642538695849b5e8964bd7faee4e0a7eedda2 | Household favourite: Glove puppet Sooty is set to return to TV screens at the age of 65 . The first generation of children to laugh at Sooty’s pranks are now drawing their pensions. But 65 years after he was created, the classic glove puppet is still working as hard as ever – and is about to start a new Sunday morning kids’ TV series. Despite being on air almost continuously since the 1950s, The Sooty Show is still a TV favourite because children are bored of watching TV shows that ‘preach’ and ‘moralise’, its latest boss has claimed. Richard Cadell, who took over Sooty and his sidekicks Sweep and Soo in 1999, said the teddy bear’s mischievous character appeals to toddlers who are bored by more ‘health and safety conscious’ shows. The 44-year-old said: ‘Sooty has a niche. It works because of the old fashioned slapstick humour. The gunk and the custard pies. Most children’s programmes nowadays are very health and safety conscious. ‘We get away with stuff others can’t. Sooty is naughty and impolite. It is like Tom and Jerry. 'And while other shows are worried about setting a good example to the young, we just want to make children scream with laughter. I’m not trying to preach or moralise. There is too much of that. Children get bored of that.’ Sooty’s character was first created by Harry Corbett in 1948, after he bought an old glove puppet for 7s 6d (37.5p) at a novelty shop in Blackpool. After making his TV debut in 1952, The Sooty Show went on to become the longest running children’s TV show ever. Harry’s son Matthew took over the act in 1975 before eventually handing the baton over to Mr Cadell. Classic: Richard Cadell, who took over Sooty and his sidekicks Soo and Sweep in 1999, believes the character will never get outdated . Entertaining: Mr Cadell says modern children's programmes are too 'health and safety conscious' After a TV production company made a disastrous attempt to turn Sooty into a cartoon animation, Mr Cadell bought the rights for £700,000 and has brought it back to mainstream TV. In September, a new series of shows will air at 9.10am on Sunday mornings on ITV1 and CITV. Recent series have regularly drawn in more than 50,000 young viewers per episode. Matthew Corbett – who still regularly speaks to Mr Cadell about the show - said his father loved the character so much he would drill airholes in the box he was kept in while travelling. Saying Sooty could go on ‘forever’, he added: ‘I think the reason for Sooty’s success is the simplicity of it, especially in an era where so much television is computer-generated.’ Mr Cadell agreed, saying: ‘Children . don’t mind that you can sometimes see a piece of string or someone’s . arm. They know Sooty is not real, but they still want to stroke him and . say hello when I do live shows. We do it all very frugally, and that is . part of the charm. Sooty's character was first created by Harry Corbett in 1948, after he bought an old glove puppet for 7s 6d at a novelty shop in Blackpool . After making his TV debut in 1952, Sooty went on to have the longest running children's TV show ever . ‘It is a classic old double act, with Sweep as the slightly foolish sidekick who always gets the blame. It was inspired by Laurel and Hardy originally. Soo is the serious older sister. Lots of children can relate to that.’ Mr Cadell revealed there have been more than 6,000 Sooty puppets in total, used in both the live theatre shows and the TV programmes. He said: ‘Sooty gets up to so much mischief he does get worn out. I go through almost one puppet every episode. We refer to them as stunt doubles, because the character of Sooty never dies. ‘I still mourn the passing of each puppet though. Each one is subtly different. Sometimes one eye will by slightly off, giving him a mischievous squint. We donate the old ones to charity, or auction them for good causes. People often claim they have the original Sooty, but there are so many, nobody can be sure.’ | Glove puppet has been entertaining children since 1952 .
Harry Corbett bought him from a novelty shop in Blackpool .
Richard Cadell, 44, took over the show in 1999 .
Says Sooty works because it is 'old-fashioned slapstick humour' |
116,193 | 21fab8e0e23131197d00d000ab1214dd43a82756 | By . Aaron Sharp . PUBLISHED: . 08:08 EST, 4 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:06 EST, 4 December 2013 . The defense expert who inspired Kelly McGillis's character 'Charlie Blackwood' in the iconic eighties film Top Gun, has become the highest-ever ranking woman at the Pentagon. President Barack Obama promoted Christine Fox to the post of acting deputy defense secretary on Tuesday. Previously, she was chosen to give insight to McGillis during the filming of Top Gun because, like the character in the film, Fox was never a pilot, but was an expert in air and maritime defense. Role model: Christine Fox, left, was the inspiration for Kelly McGillis' character, right, in Top Gun. She advised the actress and producers because, much like 'Charlie' in the film, she was a non-flying military expert . She will replace the current deputy Ashton Carter who is stepping down. In doing so, Fox will make American military history with no female having ever reached that rank in the U.S. defense department. Despite glittering career as a public servant, Fox may be better known as the inspiration for 'Charlie' Blackwood, a flight instructor and love interest to Tom Cruise's 'Maverick.' Kelly McGillis, left, starred alongside Tom Cruise in the iconic 1986 film . During the production, Fox spent time with both cast and crew of the Tony Scott film to advise them on factual accuracy. She famously told People magazine in 1985, 'I don't know anything about flying airplanes, but I know a lot about the guy in the back seat — his mission, his radar and his missiles'. Fox has previously held the post of director of cost controls at the Pentagon, which she left last summer. An American defense spokesperson confirmed that Fox will step into the role until the permanent successor for Carter is appointed. In a statement, defense secretary Chuck Hagel called Fox 'a brilliant defense thinker and proven manager (who) knows the intricacies of the Department's budget, programs and global operations better than anyone.' A senior defense official told NBC News that Fox would be able to 'hit the ground running like no one else can.' U.S. defense secretary Chuck Hagel has welcomed the appointment of Fox who he described as a 'brilliant defensive thinker' | Christine Fox will take up role of acting deputy defense secretary .
McGillis' character 'Charlie Blackwood' was modeled around her .
Like Blackwood in the film, Fox is a non-flying airborne defense expert . |
202,660 | 9262823dc8b1660c43c2ea6a7d92fae2659d9f26 | Dynamo Kiev responded to last week's 2-1 loss at Guingamp with a 3-1 home victory but their triumph was overshadowed by crowd trouble. The tie was halted 15 minutes before the end with the Ukrainians leading by two goals and going through - so the home fans decided to cause trouble. Dynamo goalkeeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy took it upon himself to try and calm the crowd with a place in the last 16 just a quarter of an hour away. Dynamo Kiev's goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskiy (centre) tries to prevent his supporters from fighting . The Dynamo captain intervened and helped calm down the crowds when his side were 3-1 up . Kiev supporters come to blows during the UEFA Europa League, round of 32, second leg in Ukraine . Dynamo Kiev's fans began fighting among themselves and the referee had no option but to halt the game . Oleg Gusev slots home the penalty which was enough to see Dynamo Kiev go through to the last-16 . Prior to this incident game was poised for extra-time when Christophe Mandanne's lucky finish brought the French outfit back from two behind, but Oleg Gusev's penalty settled it in normal time. All five Italian sides progressed to the next round, with Torino, Napoli, Fiorentina and Inter Milan joining Roma. Torino edged a ding-dong battle with Athletic Bilbao 3-2 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate. Torino star Fabio Quagliarella jumps over Bilbao's goalkeeper Iago Herrerin, during the Europa League clash . Gervinho (centre) was subject to racism during the game but still scored a vital goal for Roma . Dinamo Moscow 3-1 Anderlecht (agg 3-1) Zenit 3-0 PSV (agg 4-0) Besiktas 1-0 Liverpool (agg 1-1) Besiktas win 5-4 on penalties . Gladbach 2-3 Sevilla (agg 2-4) Dynamo Kiev 3-1 Guingamp (agg 4-3) Red Bull Salzburg 1-3 Villarreal (agg 2-5) Fiorentina 2-0 Tottenham (agg 3-1) Inter Milan 1-0 Celtic (agg 4-3) Legia Warsaw 0-3 Ajax (agg 0-4) Ath Bilbao 2-3 Torino (agg 4-5) Club Brugge 3-0 Aalborg (agg 6-1) Everton 3-1 BSC Young Boys (agg 7-2) Feyenoord 1-2 Roma (agg 2-3) Napoli 1-0 Trabzonspor (agg 5-0) Olympiakos 2-2 Dnipro (agg 2-4) Sporting 0-0 VfL Wolfsburg (agg 0-2) Fabio Quagliarella's penalty, Maxi Lopez's header and Matteo Darmian's eventual winner ensured Andoni Iraola's excellent goal and one from Oscar De Marcos were in vain. Napoli, already 4-0 in front, saw Jonathan de Guzman net the only goal of the game against Trabzonspor. Sevilla put their Primera Division struggles behind them to win 3-2 at 10-man Borussia Monchengladbach, and 4-2 overall. Monchengladbach twice came from behind to level matters before Machin Vitolo's second goal of the evening proved decisive and Granit Xhaka's red card removed any doubt. Dinamo Moscow came from behind to beat Anderlecht 3-1, Aleksandar Mitrovic's opener rendered academic by Aleksei Kozlov, Artur Yusupov and Kevin Kuranyi. Runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven were thrashed 3-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate by Zenit St Petersburg as Hulk repeated his goal from the first leg and partner Salomon Rondon grabbed a brace. Villarreal came from behind to beat Salzburg 3-1, backing up their 2-1 home success as Luciano Vietto hit the target twice. Former Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle (left) battles for a header with Sporting's defender Cedric Soares . Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik was the match-winner for Ajax, scoring twice in a 3-0 over Legia Warsaw. Club Brugge brushed aside Aalborg 3-0 to ease into the next stage, Wolfsburg advanced despite a goalless draw at Sporting Lisbon and Dnipro's home win was enough to see off Olympiacos, who battled with 10 men to a 2-2 draw. Legia Warszawa's goalkeeper Dusan Kuciak fails to make a save as Ajax forward Arkadiusz Milik scores . | Dynamo Kiev's match with Guingamp was halted with 15 minutes after the home fans started fighting between themselves while 3-1 up .
Olexandr Shovkovskiy attempted to calm down the fans himself .
Torino shocked Athletic Bilbao with an impressive 3-2 victory .
Roma, Napoli, Fiorentina and Inter Milan all joined their rival in the last 16 .
Wolfsburg and Ajax also qualified for the next round of the Europa League .
CLICK HERE for the Europa League last-16 draw . |
4,947 | 0e1bc14edf50679d80b8aec2db4b6d7f01a62f5d | The strong military presence which surrounded England's arrival in Rio on Sunday continued as Roy Hodgson's squad headed off for their first training session in Brazil. With their World Cup opener against Italy now just five days away, captain Steven Gerrard and his team-mates travelled to the Urca military base on Monday morning to step up their preparations. The Three Lions, who left the Royal Tulip Hotel on their team coach, were followed by a large contingent of soldiers in an armoured vehicle. On guard: Military personnel keep watch as the England squad board their coach for training . Leading the way: Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson (right) takes his players towards the team coach . Time to go: England players including Jack Wilshere (sixth from left) head off for their first training session in Brazil . Positive sign: Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (left) was seen walking without a knee brace after injuring himself against Ecuador last week . On patrol: Three armed guards escort England players to training on Monday . The ultra-cautious approach mirrored the scenes on Sunday as Hodgson's men entered their hotel for the first time. A . host of military personnel lined up to watch over the 23 Premier League . stars and it was exactly the same as Wayne Rooney and Co departed for . their session under the shadow of Sugar Loaf mountain. England . will be put through their paces in the Brazilian heat for the first . time in a fully open session, before taking part in closed work-outs on . Tuesday and Wednesday. Hodgson . and his players will then fly to Manaus on Thursday, where they will . train in the jungle-like conditions they can expect against Cesare . Prandelli's side on Saturday night. You and whose army? Brazilian military personnel line up in front of the England coach outside their hotel . Keeping watch: Soldiers follow England's coach to the Urca military base in Rio . Picturesque: England's team coach makes its way towards the Urca military base . No risks: The England team coach heads for the Urca military base with a high-profile military escort . | England were greeted by a large military presence on arrival in Rio .
Roy Hodgson's squad will train at the Urca military base .
Players were greeted by soldiers as they boarded their team coach .
A military vehicle followed the England squad to their first session in Brazil .
The Three Lions face Italy in their World Cup opener on Saturday . |
194,414 | 87aa64f7dd7fede014f46ab0a2508269d6ddea93 | The victims of a burglary captured their alleged intruders after spotting them in the street - on the way back from another break-in. The Wyatt family's surveillance system filmed the moment a woman and two men took two TVs and numerous Christmas presents from their home in Warrior, Alabama, last Friday. Just two days later, Chris Wyatt spotted the suspects' Ford Ranger pickup truck driving down a road and swerved to block them into a corner. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Captured: This is the moment Chris Wyatt and his relatives stopped and detained their alleged home intruders . Vigilante justice: The group held a woman and two men at gunpoint until the sheriff's deputies arrived . Mr Wyatt, his wife Sarah, and two other relatives ordered them out of the car - apparently full of stolen goods - and held them at gunpoint until police arrived. According to Chief Deputy Randy Christian, officers received the 911 call on Sunday afternoon while they were interviewing the victims of another burglary. When they reached Mr Wyatt and his detainees, they found the computer monitor, trumpet, knife collection and jewelry that the second victim reported missing. The case is the latest of vigilante justice in Alabama, where home surveillance systems have soared in popularity over the past two years. After realizing they had been burglarized on Friday, the Wyatts watched the security reel which showed a woman knocking on the door. When there was no answer, she appeared to break through a window with two men before lugging out numerous items. The next day Mr Wyatt posted the footage on Facebook and said that he vowed to find the intruders, commenting: 'guns out and loaded'. But their vengeance came sooner than expected when he spotted the car from the video just hours later. 'They happened to drive by and we seen them drive by and we knew it was them and we stopped them,' Chris Wyatt told WSFA. Home surveillance video: Footage showed a woman knocking on the door before apparently breaking in . Bounty: The suspects then pushed through a window and carried out two TVs and Christmas presents . Relieved: Mr Wyatt said he was shocked to find the suspects' car had more stolen goods inside it . 'They tried to say that they were lost and we corrected them where they were.' Deputies have yet to confirm the identities of the three people detained on Sunday afternoon and no charges have been brought. Incredibly, their vehicle appeared to be full of items stolen from another family. Mr Wyatt said: 'They broke into another house an hour before this and luckily their stolen stuff was still in that vehicle.' | Wyatt family's home surveillance system captured break-in on Friday .
Chris Wyatt was driving nearby when he passed 'the intruders' on Sunday .
Held them with guns until cops arrived, car 'was filled with stolen goods' |
27,294 | 4d66269afedcd2b33eafa77e645f915fbc81d2e8 | By . Margot Peppers . PUBLISHED: . 12:05 EST, 5 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:41 EST, 5 April 2013 . Michelle Obama has admitted that she is already tired of the bangs she first sported in January. The First Lady said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight: 'Bangs are a day-by-day proposition. They're starting to grow out, get a little irritating.' Still, she hasn't let her hairdo woes get her down. 'It's okay,' she said . after her initial complaint. 'We'll be good.' Scroll down for video . Hair regret: Michelle Obama has admitted she is already tiring of the bangs she first sported in January. 'They're starting to grow out, get a little irritating,' she told Entertainment Tonight . The first indication that her hairstyle . was becoming a burden came about last weekend, when Malia, 14, was . spotted adjusting her mother's hair during the White House Easter Egg . Roll. The high school freshman gently smoothed her mother's hair for the cameras, then leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. Mrs Obama's new haircut made headlines when it was first debuted in January, even managing to overshadow the President's inauguration weekend. He jokingly announced at the start of the festivities: 'To address the most significant event of the weekend, I love her bangs.' 'The bangs are fun but you know, I'm like a girl, what's next?' The hairstyle became such a talking point that one fan even created a Twitter account called MichellesBangs. But it appears what at first was a . novelty has turned into a burden for the First Lady, who has grown tired . of her high-maintenance hairstyle. 'It's fun but you know, I'm like a girl, what's next?' she said to the interviewer. While her husband has been supportive throughout, not everybody been a fan of Mrs Obama's hair change; designer Karl Lagerfield, for example, famously described them as 'a bad idea.' Help from family: Malia Obama, 14, lovingly adjusted her mother's hairdo at the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House on Monday . Not slowing down: The First Lady didn't let her bangs bother her as she planted the White House kitchen garden with school children yesterday, as part of her Let's Move initiative . But despite critics and the irritation it may cause, Mrs Obama hasn't let her hairdo slow her down. Yesterday Mrs Obama joined school children . from across the country to plant a vegetable garden on the South Lawn . of the White House, as part of her Let's Move initiative. 'My style is pretty easy and comfortable. Lots of good color and flowy fabrics for spring' Her bangs looked perfectly styled as she crouched to plant and water the greens. And despite her hair frustration, the First Lady told the ET interviewer she is looking forward to sporting floaty fabrics and skirts once spring finally rolls around. 'My style is pretty easy and comfortable,' she explained, noting that she is excited to be able to wear bright spring colors this season. WATCH: Michelle Obama admits her bangs are getting irritating . | Malia Obama was spotted adjusting her mother's bangs at the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday . |
24,277 | 44e367253ff7d90e980debb45f75e1ac8b95ee6e | By . Lucy Crossley . PUBLISHED: . 15:01 EST, 6 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:18 EST, 6 November 2013 . A teenager hanged herself at the same tree where her elder brother took his own life after she was assaulted during a night out, an inquest has heard. Upset Abigail Pollard had been out with a friend when they got into an argument with another group and she was assaulted. The 17-year-old returned home, only to leave again despite her mother Nicola begging her to stay. Tragedy: Tributes left at the spot where siblings Dean and Abigail Pollard took their own lives 11 months apart. The tree has been felled at the request of their family . Just minutes later she was found dead, at the same spot near the house where her brother Dean had died in February 2012. 'If Dean hadn't committed suicide then Abi wouldn’t have done,' ambulance driver Ms Pollard told the inquest into her daughter's death. 'And if Dean, Abi . and myself had received appropriate help from social services when we . asked for it, then none of us would be in this room today.' Newcastle Coroner Karen Dilk heard how Abigail had been known to the local authority for more than a decade after behavioural problems at home and school. The hearing was also told that had attempted suicide twice following the death of her . brother, although in the month before her death . social workers and her mother believed she was getting better. 'She was a vulnerable young person,' said social worker Victoria Chamberlain. 'And there were concerns about her home life and brother’s death. 'She also had alcohol issues but she had a really good support network and was engaging with drug and alcohol services. 'When . we saw her in the December things were going well, her relationship . with her mother was improving and she was considered a low risk, with no . immediate concerns about self harm. It couldn’t have been predicted she . would take her life at that time.' On the night of her death Abigail had been out with a friend in Newcastle city centre, when she was assaulted. Upset: On the night of her death Abigail had been out with a friend in Newcastle city centre when she was assaulted. She returned home to her mother only to leave again in a state of distress, the inquest heard . She then returned to her mother’s house, in Brunswick, in the early hours of January 13. 'Abi was drunk but not stumbling,' Ms Pollard said. 'But she was upset. 'I kept asking, ‘What’s wrong? Where’s your friend? Why is there mud on your jacket?’ but she said nothing. “She went to leave and I said, ‘Please don’t do this’ but she went off and I was left stood at the front door in my dressing gown.' Ms Pollard said she then tried to call Abigail's iPhone, only to speak to a man who had found it - and told her he would take it to a police station. 'I spoke to him for a little while, and thought she’d be over the moon that she’d get her iPhone back again,' she said. 'I went upstairs and got my clothes on and went out looking for her. It was maybe only 10 or 15 minutes after she’d left.' Abigail was found in a copse of trees nearby and emergency services called, but despite efforts to resuscitate her it was not possible to revive her. The coroner recorded that Abigail’s death was a suicide. Yesterday, tributes could still be seen to the brother and sister, sat on the stump of where the pair died. A spokesman for Newcastle City Council confirmed it had felled an 'elder shrub' following a request by the family. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or go to www.samaritans.org. | Abigail Pollard died at the same spot as her older brother Dean .
Before her death Abigail was assaulted while on a night out in Newcastle .
Inquest hears vunerable Abigail was considered her 'low risk' |
244,270 | c82269e4d8edd9bf0dabc90a6789f66172bfd989 | By . Travelmail Reporter . At a time when mankind's encroachment on habitats is increasingly leading species to extinction, scientists have discovered a mass migration of animals in Africa that reaches farther than any other documented on the continent. The journey made by about 2,000 zebra who travelled between Namibia and Botswana, two countries in a sparsely populated part of southern Africa, was discovered by wildlife experts only after some of the zebras were collared with tracking devices. The newfound migration is a rare bright spot at a time when mass movements of wildlife are disappearing because of fencing, land occupation and other human pressures. Species of plants and animals around the planet are being wiped out at least 1,000 times faster than they did before humans arrived on the scene, said a separate study published Thursday by the journal Science. Scientists have discovered a mass migration of zebras in Africa that reaches farther than any other documented on the continent . The previously unheralded trek occurs within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which is the size of Sweden and encompasses national parks in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola. 'It goes to show us that nature still has some surprises,' said Robin Naidoo, senior conservation scientist at the Washington-based World Wildlife Fund that led the two-year study on the migration. He said the main reason that the migration was not detected earlier was because it was impossible to know where the animals were going without GPS tracking technology, which has become more available and affordable in the last two decades. The journey made by about 2,000 zebra who travelled between Namibia and Botswana was discovered by wildlife experts after some of the zebras were collared with tracking devices . The zebra odyssey encompasses a roundtrip journey of 500 kilometers (300 miles), starting in floodplains near the Namibia-Botswana border at the beginning of the wet season. It follows a route across the Chobe River and ends at the seasonally full waterholes and nutritional grass of Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana. The zebras spend about 10 weeks there before heading back. Local residents and conservationists knew the zebras left the Chobe River floodplains and returned months later in the dry season, but they didn't know where the animals went. It wasn't until researchers put satellite tracking collars on eight zebras and monitored their movements in late 2012 and 2013 that the migration was discovered. The findings were published this week in the conservation journal Oryx. 'This is the longest known land migration in Africa, in terms of distance between endpoints,' Naidoo said. The zebra odyssey encompasses a roundtrip journey of 500 kilometers (300 miles), starting in floodplains near the Namibia-Botswana border at the beginning of the wet season . To get the data in a military-style operation,' researchers fired tranquilizer darts at the zebras from a helicopter, landed and affixed GPS collars, Naidoo said in an interview from Vancouver, Canada, where he is an adjunct professor specializing in the environment at the University of British Columbia. David Wilcove, a conservation expert at Princeton University, described the migration as an extraordinary discovery at a time when such mass movements are dwindling. 'Even though people have been fascinated by animal migration since the dawn of history, we are just scratching the surface in terms of understanding which animals migrate, where they go, and how they do it,' Wilcove, who was not involved in the research, wrote in an email. Wildebeest in the Serengeti migration in East Africa meander, possibly covering more ground and certainly migrating in greater numbers than the zebra in Namibia and Botswana. But the southern African zebra move largely in a straight line and the distance between departure and destination points appears to be an average of 10 to 20 kilometers (6 to 12 miles) further than in the Serengeti, according to research cited by Naidoo. The migration follows a route across the Chobe River and ends at the seasonally full waterholes and nutritional grass of Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana . Caribou in North America and Asia, Tibetan antelope and Mongolian gazelles are other animals that travel long migration routes. Other seasonal migrations of note include North America's Monarch butterflies, songbirds in the Americas and humpback whales in the Pacific Ocean. Tony Sinclair, Naidoo's fellow academic at the University of British Columbia and an expert on the Serengeti migration, said the zebra research shows that the animals have to move through 'human-dominated lands' and that the migration could be lost if more protective measures are not put in place. Sinclair wrote in an email that people whose land is traversed by the long migration route may obtain incentives to protect it 'with some innovative thinking,' for example by hooking into tourism. In 2004, a fence that had blocked a zebra migration route since the late 1960s was removed in another part of Botswana. Some 15,000 zebras traveled the re-opened route in 2008-2009, according to research. David Wilcove, a conservation expert at Princeton University, described the migration as an extraordinary discovery at a time when such mass movements are dwindling . Much remains to be learned about the Namibia-Botswana migration. The World Wildlife Fund said long-term research is needed to confirm if the migration is annual and fixed and 'whether this is genetically coded or passed behaviorally from mothers to offspring.' The zebras could have reached similar habitats closer to their starting point but instead chose the longer trek, raising the possibility that they are following a pattern that is so ancient it has become embedded in their genes, according to the Oryx article. Mike Chase, who leads Elephants Without Borders, a Botswana-based group that participated in the zebra migration study, said the trek stirs the heart. 'We all yearn for that, the romance of wild, open spaces,' Chase said. 'There are very few places left on our planet where animals and wildlife have the natural ability to roam in the context in which they evolved over thousands of years.' | The journey was made by about 2,000 zebra who travelled between Namibia and Botswana .
It encompasses a round trip journey of 500 kilometers (300 miles)
Zebra migration reaches farther than any other documented in Africa .
The newfound migration is a rare bright spot at a time when mass movements of wildlife are disappearing . |
132,670 | 378fbec40ebe318b006290848c4a0337efa2b968 | North Korea issued a statement on its official state news agency on Saturday denouncing Sony Pictures Entertainment's release of the movie "The Interview." It called President Barack Obama the "chief culprit" who forced the production company to "indiscriminately distribute" the picture. The statement attributed to the National Defense Commission also denounced the United States for blaming North Korea for a hacking attack on the moviemaker earlier this month. "If the U.S. is to persistently insist that the hacking attack was made by the DPRK, the U.S. should produce evidence without fail, though belatedly," the statement publish by KCNA said. In the screwball comedy, a tabloid journalist, who is granted an interview with the communist dictatorship's leader, is asked to assassinate him. But when he arrives, a fictional version of dictator Kim Jong Un, played by actor Randall Park, charms him. In the end, the journalist confronts the fictional Kim over abuses in the country, and kills the leader, when the two do battle. Sony Pictures IT systems were hacked by a group calling itself "Guardians of Peace" or GoP, which complained about the pending release of the movie. The FBI has blamed North Korea for that cyberattack. Threats were also issued that there would be 9/11 style attacks on theaters that showed the film. The movie was not released as scheduled, and Sony Pictures later said film distributors had decided not to show the movie for security reasons. President Obama expressed disappointment over the move, saying free speech had not been upheld. Sony then arranged for direct distribution online via its own services, YouTube and through independent cinemas. | A statement called President Obama the "chief culprit" who forced distribution of the picture .
North Korea's defense commission denounced the U.S. for blaming a hack on the country .
In the screwball comedy, a tabloid journalist is asked to assassinate Kim Jong-un .
In the end, the leader dies doing battle with the journalist . |
170,462 | 68a75ce3c12ab9709568e1252b8324d88ae5de16 | By . Katy Winter . Relationship break-ups can be tough and sometimes they can take their toll on your body. Some of us might lose weight on the heartbreak diet, others may gain it through comfort eating. Lisa Warmington, from Warwick, fell into the latter category when she split with her boyfriend two years ago – and gained two stone. 'I felt depressed and found myself comfort eating. Any time of the day really, it just made me feel better for a few minutes,' admits Lisa, 30. Scroll down for video . Standing at 5ft 9in, Lisa dropped from 13st and a size 14 to 11st in just eight weeks . 'I was actually aware that I was gaining weight but I just didn’t care as I felt down. Lisa’s formerly svelte figure grew from 11st to 13st and – as her before pictures show – she gained a dreaded muffin top and added bulk to her thighs. 'There were times when I would try to lose weight, but I’d slip back into the habits of snacking on chocolate and so on,' admits Lisa. 'But then there was a moment when I thought that I didn’t want to be like this anymore, and I needed to take charge of it now – if not now, it’s never.' Lisa’s extra weight knocked her confidence especially hard as she had always enjoyed a slim figure and had never had any issue with her weight. 'To me it felt like the end of the world,' she confesses. 'I even considered a gastric band, even though I know they are risky. No1Bootcamp . Lisa turned to junk food and comfort eating when she broke up with her boyfriend two years ago (left) but has since lost the weight she gained (right) 'But then I decided I would do it the healthy way and give myself a proper length of time to lose a proper amount of weight. 'I’d always enjoyed exercise in the past, so I signed up to No1 Boot Camp for eight weeks. 'My goal was to lose the two stone I’d gained within that time. When I arrived at the base in Norfolk I was a Size 14 and – at 5ft 9in. I know that won’t sound heavy to everyone but it wasn’t ‘me’. Lisa admits that it was hard work and there were tears, but never lost sight of the eventual pay-off. 'At the end of each week, you see the weight you’ve lost and it spurs you on,' she says. By the fourth week, Lisa had visibly worked off her stubborn tummy fat and an enviable waistline was forming. Her self-confidence was also growing. Lisa did three daily exercise sessions as well as an hour and half hike every day, meaning that by week 4 (pictured) the changes in her body were already noticeable . 'You do adapt to the exercise – at the start I could barely run, towards the end the team had to set me tougher challenges,' she adds. 'I rarely felt hungry. I struggled a bit at first withdrawing from sugar but after a couple of weeks that passed. We were allowed a treat at the weekend, but you don’t really feel like it.' Lisa left boot camp two weeks ago – at her target weight of 11st and feeling back in possession of a lean, toned body to be proud of. 'I’m at my happy weight,' she smiles. 'It feels great to be back in my old clothes. I’ve found my motivation has stayed strong, I don’t want to put weight on like that again. 'I’m heading back to Norfolk to see the team soon as I want to maintain my weight.' Lisa reveals that she also feels so much better emotionally. 'Before, after the split, I was so down, but now I’m fine being single – although I’m obviously open to meeting someone again now.' 6am Pre-breakfast exercise session . 7am Breakfast of porridge with blueberries/strawberries. Just one cup of caffeinated tea or coffee . Exercise session . 10.30am Snack of seeds or a piece of fruit . Exercise session . 12.30pm Lunch of soup or salad . Exercise session . 3.30pm Protein shake . Daily one and a half hours hike, followed by half hour high intensity exercise . 5.30pm Ice bath . 6.30pm Dinner of lean white meat or fish with vegetables . | Lisa turned to food after being dumped two years ago .
Having always been slim she piled on two stone .
Felt self-conscious and even considered weight loss surgery .
Signed up to an intensive 8 week boot camp and shed all the weight she gained .
Now says she can not wait to show off her body to a new man . |
38,902 | 6df0d6f0956cfd911ea7a4dbd558d0493bb04c3f | (CNN) -- Global warming and environmental concerns are some of the themes being explored at a major exhibition of African photography. The Bamako Encounters African Photography Biennial, held in the Malian capital of Bamako, has gathered together the works of some of Africa's finest photographers and videographers. The exhibition has been held every other year since 1994, but this year's show features a number of works examining ecological issues. In pictures: Life in 'trash land' captured by photographer . A series of works entitled "The Hell of Copper," by Burkina Faso-born Nyaba Léon Ouedraogo, shows how a dump in Ghana's capital Accra is used to dispose of electronic waste from Europe and the United States. "A Look," by Congolese photographer and filmmaker Kiripi Katembo, shows flooding in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa. "Climate change," by Nyani Quarmyne, shows a resident of a Ghanaian fishing village sitting on top of his home -- which is rapidly disappearing beneath the sand as the sea encroaches on the village. The exhibition is supported by the Insititut Francais and runs until 1 January 2012. | Bamako Encounters exhibition shows the best in African photography .
Sustainability and environmental concerns are among the themes explored .
"The Hell of Copper" by Nyaba Léon Ouedraogo, shows e-waste being dumped in Ghana . |
178,620 | 73405f8b9e33725d3c2db123e51b570766a0b472 | Marion Badea has been jailed for five years after he was found trying to smuggle eight Afghan nationals on an inflatable boat on the English Channel . A Romanian man who made a 'brazen attempt' to smuggle a group of Afghan nationals into the UK on a small inflatable boat has been jailed. Seven men, aged between 20 and 35, and a 16-year-old boy, from Afghanistan, were discovered on the boat with Marion Badea when a lifeboat was sent out to rescue them because the vessel's engine had failed. The group were found in the English Channel, just five miles from Dover, and had been trying to enter the UK illegally. Badea, 30, was convicted of assisting unlawful entry into the UK and was jailed for five years. He had previously served nine months in a French prison last year for a similar offence. Crew aboard a passing P&O ferry alerted the Coastguard after spotting the small craft in difficulty in June this year and the RNLI and Border Force officials went to the scene. The 50hp engine on board the boat had failed and the boat was drifting dangerously close to shipping lanes. Crews from the RNLI set up a tow to the boat and then a Border Force cutter vessel took over and brought the boat and its nine occupants to Dover lifeboat station, with the RNLI crew providing an escort. Badea was arrested and charged with assisting unlawful entry into the UK. He was convicted after a two day trial at Canterbury Crown Court. All those found on board the boat were removed from the UK apart from the teenager who was transferred into the care of social services, according to the Home Office. David Fairclough, assistant director of the Home Office immigration enforcement criminal investigations team, said: 'This was an unsophisticated and brazen attempt to smuggle illegal immigrants into the UK. 'Thanks to the excellent interception made by the cutter patrol boat, and the subsequent investigation by our specialist criminal investigations team, Badea is now behind bars. 'Anyone thinking of doing the same should be warned that our specialist teams have the capability and resources to catch you and bring you to justice.' The small boat was seen drifting dangerously close to shipping lanes in the Channel, five miles from Dover . The group of nine were towed to the shore after a boat passing the inflatable craft radioed the Coastguard . It was towed to the shore by crews from the RNLI and Border Force who then arrested Badea on the shore . The Home Office's immigration enforcement criminal investigations team is a specialist unit of seconded police officers working alongside warranted Home Office immigration enforcement officers to investigate organised immigration crime. A ship worker, who witnessed the drama, said at the time: 'They could easily have been run over by a large tanker and they must have set off during darkness so it was incredibly risky.' None of the group needed medical attention after the incident. | Marion Badea tried to smuggle Afghan nationals into UK in inflatable boat .
Was found in English Channel, five miles from Dover, when engine failed .
Seven Afghan men and one 16-year-old were found aboard the small vessel .
They were towed to the shore and Border Officials arrested Badea, 30 .
Badea was jailed for five years for assisting unlawful entry into the UK . |
194,094 | 874150f9f28a1919089aad3a1ed16770784bba1a | Madrid, Spain (CNN) -- Civil Guards arrested five Algerian men early Tuesday in northern Spain on suspicion of providing logistical and financial support for Islamic terrorist activities, Spain's interior ministry said. The suspects, aged 36 to 49, allegedly supported "terrorist groups that operate in the Algerian area of the Maghreb, specifically for al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb," a ministry statement said. They also had suspected links to Islamic militants in Italy, France and Switzerland. Some 150 Civil Guards took part in the operation, making nearly simultaneous arrests and conducting searches of homes and premises linked to the suspects in two towns of northern Guipuzcoa province and two others in neighboring Navarra province, the statement said. Computer hardware and software was seized and will be analyzed. Spain's National Court, which handles cases of terrorism, is supervising the operation, the statement said. Spanish authorities have said repeatedly in the past few years that the group known as al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is of key concern, because of its operational base in northern Africa, just across the Mediterranean Sea from Spain and southern Europe. Last week, Civil Guards arrested a Cuban man on Spain's Mallorca Island in the Mediterranean for allegedly recruiting and indoctrinating others for Islamic terrorist activities. A judge released the suspect from custody Friday, but he must report daily to police while authorities investigate computer documentation seized when he was detained. Since the Madrid train bombings of 2004 that killed 191 people and wounded 1,800 others, Spanish police have arrested more than 400 suspected al Qaeda militants or collaborators, the Interior Ministry website says. Most have been of North African or Middle Eastern origin, with a few from Latin America. | The suspects had links to militants in Italy, France and Switzerland, officials say .
Last week, authorities arrested a man for recruiting others .
Since 2004, Spanish police have arrested more than 400 suspected militants or collaborators . |
18,552 | 347718b4c019923708671bf6db371dbe8387e987 | Avram Grant has followed in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson by becoming technical director at Thai club BEC Tero Sasana. The former Chelsea, Portsmouth and West Ham manager was unveiled by the Thai Premier League club on Tuesday and vowed to use his experience to turn them into serial winners. 'I come here to help make the team become better,' Grant said. 'I come here to create chances for the team - that's my job.' Avram Grant at his unveiling as the new technical director of Thai Premier League club BEC Tero Sasana . Grant follows in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who held the post back in 2012 . The Israeli, 59, guided Chelsea to the Champions League final and second place in the Premier League back in 2008, losing out to Manchester United in both competitions. His last job was with Partizan Belgrade two years ago, whom he guided to a fifth consecutive Serbian SuperLiga title. Former England manager Eriksson was technical director at the club between September and November 2012. Avram Grant was manager of Chelsea during the 2007-08 season, guiding them to the Champions League final . BEC Tero general manager Robert Procureur said: 'This is a very exciting time for the club to have a legend like Avram Grant working with us. 'Avram will attend our players' training sessions and oversee the players' technical development. 'This is a fantastic opportunity for our players to learn from such a highly-respected coach.' BEC Tero, whose nickname is the Red Dragons, are currently third in the Thai Premier League table, seven points behind leaders Buriram United. | Avram Grant appointed technical director of Thai side BEC Tero Sasana .
Post was held by Sven-Goran Eriksson back in 2012 .
Former Chelsea manager vowed to take Thai Premier League club forward .
BEC Tero are currently third in the division . |
34,113 | 60f1778223d1fa879bf2a69e19b6b983962d8f40 | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 14:34 EST, 4 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:45 EST, 4 September 2013 . A cat who was found with a 27-inch arrow shot through his abdomen has survived after undergoing life-saving emergency surgery. A woman discovered the bleeding animal in a field in Waterville, New York 10 days ago and rushed him to Waterville Veterinary Clinic with the projectile still lodged in his side. The weapon had entered the cat's right side between two ribs before exiting from the left side of his body just behind his ribs - lacerating his liver, stomach and spleen. James Gilchrist, the managing veterinarian at clinic, said he and his team rushed the feline into surgery for the first of two operations. Cat-astrophe: In a photo taken August 22, the cat can be seen with a 27-inch arrow in its abdomen. The animal was found in a field and taken to a veterinarian clinic, where it underwent two operations . But Gilchrist shared the good news with the Utica Observer-Dispatch in an email. 'Two hours of surgery later followed by another surgery four days later, he is finally going to make it!!!' he wrote. It was initially reported that the cat has been adopted by a clinic employee and would go to his new home on Thursday, but a family also reached out to the clinic to ask if it was their pet, who went missing last month. Staff are looking into the call. It was suggested that the cat should be called Robin Hood or Arrow but the employee adopting the animal did not want a name reflecting the injury and he has temporarily been named Norman. Before he leaves the clinic, he will have his stitches removed but he is otherwise well. Feline much better: The cat, who has been named Norman, is now recovering after the surgeries . Missing death by a whisker: Police are investigating who shot the cat, who is expected to go home on Thursday . Law enforcement have been notified and officers are investigating who shot the cat, Gilchrist said. Just two weeks ago, a ginger tabby cat named Ninja was sitting outside his family's trailer in Montana when he was shot with an arrow. The projectile pierced his ear and came out the back of his neck. Ninja ran away, but returned that night without the arrow. His family was stunned to discover that the feline had somehow managed to remove the arrow. The cat was taken to a local veterinarian to be treated for his injuries and is expected to make a full recovery, even though he still has a hole in his ear and neck. | Arrow lacerated his liver, stomach and spleen but he is now on the mend .
Authorities are looking for who is responsible . |
4,459 | 0cdaadcae33d868f50c96df821c34aea3c03ff76 | By . Martin Robinson and Ray Massey . PUBLISHED: . 11:04 EST, 12 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:41 EST, 13 March 2013 . Supermarkets have sparked a forecourt price-war by slashing up to 4p a litre at the pumps. Motoring groups welcomed the cuts - worth up to £2 per fill-up - but said that the supermarkets had been until now trailing rivals who'd already started undercutting them over the past fortnight ago. The price-cut moves by Sainsbury, Asda and Tesco also came as campaigners urge the Chancellor ahead of next week's Budget to abandon a planned 3p a litre hike planned for September - or even announce a cut. Price battle: Sainsbury's has cut the cost of fuel from today, with Asda and Tesco following suit . Sainsbury's sparked the price war by announcing that from today petrol prices at the company's 279 forecourts will dip by 4p a litre, with diesel being reduced by 3p a litre. Asda then responded by announcing it would be cutting its petrol by up to 3p a litre and its diesel by up to 2p a litre, adding that drivers would pay no more than 134.7p a litre for petrol and 141.7p a litre for diesel. And Tesco then jumped in with a 3p drop at its 496 forecourts. Latest petrol price figures show the cost of filling up is continuing to put the squeeze on motorists, going up by another 5p a litre in February alone. This increase added £2.50 to the cost of a typical 50-litre refill, or £3.50 to fill up a Ford Mondeo. A family with two petrol cars is now spending £10.62 a month more on fuel than at the beginning of the year. Average UK petrol prices stand at . around 137,08p a litre, following a surge that started in the second . week of January when the price was 132.01p. Since the start of 2013, diesel pump prices have increased from around 140p a litre to 143.96p. The AA welcomed the move. AA head of public affairs Paul Watters said:'This is a substantial fall, worth £2 a tank of petrol, and fairly reflects the drop in wholesale costs which started in late February. 'However, many non-supermarket fuel stations started undercutting supermarket prices a fortnight ago.' He said: 'Drivers will very much welcome Sainsbury's move which gives respite after the third 8p-or-more pump price surge in the past 12 months. 'The response of other supermarkets, hopefully passing on the full drop in wholesale costs and not just where they feel they need to, will dictate the extent of this potential boost to family budgets.' On the rise: The graph shows how prices had dropped in the final months of 2912 but have jumped again in January and February . Whitewash? The Office of Fair Trading said sharp rises in fuel prices was caused by increases in tax and not price-fixing by oil companies . In January motoring groups accused the Office of . Fair Trading of ‘a whitewash’ yesterday after the watchdog ruled out a . full inquiry into petrol prices. The OFT, which launched a probe last year, claimed there was no evidence drivers were being ripped off. For years motorists have complained that pump prices soar when the price of crude oil rises, but fail to drop if it then falls. George Osborne is coming under mounting pressure to order a fuel duty freeze in this month’s Budget, as experts warned prices were spiralling out of control. Pressure: George Osborne is being advised to freeze duty on fuel as experts warn prices are going to soar . Tory MPs are urging the Chancellor to cancel a 3p-a-litre rise in fuel duty planned for September. Motoring organisations warned that families could not take much more, following a 6p rise in fuel prices since the start of the year. Conservative MP Robert Halfon has dubbed fuel duty a ‘toxic tax’ and said action to bring it under control was now more important than raising the income tax threshold, which has been the Coalition’s top tax priority. ‘This Government has . done more than almost any other in recent times to reduce the cost of . fuel but we need to go further... in the long term, when the financial . conditions allow, to actually cut fuel duty,' he said. ‘When . fuel duty goes up it’s not just a tax on fuel because food prices go . up, bus prices go up, it crushes businesses, it crushes families, it’s a . disincentive to work because people can’t afford to drive to work.’ Last week it emerged that the poorest car owners are being forced to shell out more than a quarter of their ready cash to keep a vehicle on the road. Typically, a poor household will spend £44 a week on motoring expenses out of a total seven-day budget of £167, according to the RAC Foundation. Of this, a total of £16 is used to buy petrol or diesel and £8.30 goes on insurance. This means the most hard-up 10 per cent of car-owning households are having to put at least 27 per cent of their disposable income towards owning and running a vehicle. Rising costs: The average 5p a litre increase in February added £2.50 to the cost of a typical 50-litre refill . By contrast, motoring costs only represent about 12 per cent of the disposable income of the wealthiest car-owning households. RAC Foundation director Stephen Glaister said: 'These figures should shock Chancellor George Osborne, with some households mired in transport poverty. 'We already knew transport was the single biggest area of household expenditure bar none. But this spending breakdown just for car-owning households is not normally available. It lays bare the truth about the extent of transport poverty in the UK.' | Sainsbury's announced reductions first before Asda and Tesco followed suit .
It comes after months of rises with 5p alone added in the past month .
Chancellor being urged to scrap 3p-a-litre fuel duty rise in upcoming budget . |
10,901 | 1efb22b8c171113103f9c334c39d336e516cd4eb | By . Gerard Couzens and Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 08:39 EST, 16 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:39 EST, 16 July 2013 . The father of the American student horrifically gored by a bull during the annual event in Pamplona has revealed he specifically told his son not to participate in the iconic run. Describing his son as 'romantic', Vince Eccles said that he was stunned to receive a phone call at 4 a.m. on Friday from the hospital informing him that his son, Patrick, had defied him. 'It's something we had told him not do,' said Eccles from his home in Salt Lake City as he revealed that his son is recovering well in Navarra - despite losing his spleen when the bull's horn pierced his abdominal cavity.Scroll down for video . Agony: Patrick Eccles, a 20-year-old American, was gored in the stomach on Friday during the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona . University of Utah student Patrick Eccles, 20, was one of three people who were injured on Friday during the iconic bull-run in Spain - one man was pinned to the ground and gored three times, once in the groin, knee and thigh. Warning: Vince Eccles (center) first learned that his son had participated in the Running of the Bulls in Spain when he got a phone call at 4 a.m. Friday informing him that his son was in the hospital . Vince Eccles told the Deseretnews.com that so far he has not seen any video of his son being injured, but that he had seen the disturbing and graphic photographs. Eccles tod the Deseret News that the pictures made him 'hurt for him more'. Despite his sons close call, Vince Eccles said that Patrick was able to speak to him by telephone from his hospital bed. 'He said he felt fine after the surgery,' said Vince Eccles. Speaking of his shock that his son participated in the event, Vince Eccles said that 'He's a serious student and maybe a romantic.' Patrick Eccles was valedictorian of his graduating class at Logan High School in Utah, played on the football and soccer teams and was on the student council. Patrick Eccles was in Barcelona for an internship with a computer company working on Android apps. He was enjoying living with other students and learning a new language and culture. Doctors have yet to decide whether he will be well enough to fly home this week - or if Patrick Eccles will have to remain in Spain to recover. A 20-year-old University of Utah student has been revealed today as the American tourist gored by a bull during the famous Spanish Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona. Last week, horrifying pictures showed the American tourist, dressed in traditional white with a red scarf, being pierced in the stomach by a bull's horn as he screams in pain. Thrill-seeker: The 20-year-old architecture student from Utah is having his spleen removed following his horrific injuries . Vicious: Mr Eccles winces in pain as he is gored by a bull - six people in total were taken to hospital after today's run . Tourist trap: Eccles, right, was studying abroad in Spain when he decided to take part in the annual Running of the Bulls . Mr Eccles was studying abroad in Spain but not as part of a university program, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. According to the Utah University's website graduated from Logan High School where he was a member of the football team. He was rushed to Navarra Hospital where doctor's discovered that the bull's horn had pierced his abdominal cavity and punctured the organ. His condition was reported as stable. Mr Eccles and a second American, aged 48 and . thought to have suffered head injuries, were both in hospital. Six people in total were taken to hospital after today's run, the sixth of eight. The . gorings were the first of this year's festival, in which just 15 . runners had been taken to hospital over the first five days. A 42-year-old Spaniard also had his arm punctured on Friday but the most terrifying moments occurred when a lone bull became separated from the pack and attacked a second Spanish runner as he lay helpless on the ground after being mown down by the animal and tripping in front of it. The half-ton beast gored the 31-year-old twice in the groin and once in the leg. Grimace in pain: Red Cross personnel look after Eccles who took part as a runner or 'mozo' after he was gored by a bull . Emergency: The student is taken away on a stretcher to receive treatment after being gored and later had his spleen removed . Off on an adventure: Eccles has posted various pictures during his trip abroad including his 'trail-running flip-flops' Dramatic TV pictures showed him being lifted in the air on the animal's horns with his trousers round his ankles. Other . runners tried to distract the animal by grabbing its tail and waving . newspapers at it. But a friend was only able to drag him away after more . than half a minute of terror. The . injured man, from the eastern Spanish province of Castellon between . Barcelona and Alicante, was undergoing an emergency operation this . morning. His condition was described as 'serious.' Horrifying: Three people were gored today on the bloodiest day of the famous Spanish Running of the Bulls festival so far this year . Menacing: The runner gets tossed in the air by an El Pilar fighting bull after getting gored on Estafeta street during the sixth running of the bull . Trapped: The man is caught between the horns of an El Pilar fighting bull after being gored . Desperate: The man tries to escape the bull as a steward gets out a stick to distract the angry animal . Attack: The half-ton beast gored the 31-year-old twice in the groin and once in the leg . Frantic: A runner pulls on the tail of the bull in an attempt to distract it and make it drop the mauled man . Terror: Other runners tried to distract the animal by grabbing its tail and waving newspapers at it. But a friend was only able to drag him away after more than half a minute of terror . Emergency: The injured man, from the eastern Spanish province of Castellon between Barcelona and Alicante, was undergoing an emergency operation this morning. His condition was described as 'serious' Tradition: Revelers from around the world arrive to Pamplona every year to take part on some of the eight days of the running of the bulls . They included gas firm worker John . Bennett, 44, from Wolverhampton in the UK, who suffered knee injuries on the first . run on Sunday after being trampled on by other runners as he fell near . the end of the course. Fifteen . people have been killed at the annual festival, made famous by a 1926 . Ernest Hemingway novel, since records began in 1911. Between 200 to 300 people are usually injured each year. The most recent death was in 2009 when 27-year-old Daniel Jimeno, from Madrid, was gored in the neck by a bull called Capuchino. The . event has become increasingly popular with foreigners, who join the . locals by staying up all night drinking and partying before thousands . compete in the 8am run. Pamplona's population of 200,000 swells to around two million during the festival, the largest in Spain. After each morning run, the animals are killed in an afternoon bullfight. Around 3,500 thrill-seekers compete in the most popular weekend runs with 2,000 taking part during the week. Annual event: Fifteen people have been killed at the annual festival, made famous by a 1926 Ernest Hemingway novel, since records began in 1911 . Run: The event has become increasingly popular with foreigners, who join the locals by staying up all night drinking and partying before thousands compete in the 8am run . Draw: Pamplona's population of 200,000 swells to around two million during the festival, the largest in Spain . Aggression: An 'El Pilar' fighting bull charges against a reveler . Count: Hospital authorities initially said four people were gored but the regional government revised that down to three . Fail: The woman does not succeed as she runs ahead while the bull makes contact . Sport: A young woman tries to outrun a bull at the close of the running-with-the-bulls in the old city of Pamplona . Duration: Today's event lasted just under five minutes, roughly double the normal length. Longer runs normally occur when some of the bulls get separated from the pack and become disoriented and more dangerous . The black bull which caused most panic Friday made several more attempts to charge people before he was eventually guided along the narrow streets to join the rest for the pack in the pen of the packed bull ring . Legend: Ernest Hemingway popularized the week-long fiesta in his book The Sun Also Rises in 1926 . Deaths: The fighting bulls used in the centuries-old fiesta can weigh up to at 1,380 pounds (625 kilograms) and have killed 15 people since record-keeping began in 1924 . | Patrick Eccles, 20, was gored in the stomach and had his spleen removed .
His father has said that he told him categorically NOT to participate in the iconic annual event .
Patrick Eccles is expected to make a full recovery from his injuries . |
228,481 | b3d5f1f249e040176f659747462f152aefc63f9c | A devoted husband has completed seven of the world's toughest marathons in seven days for his childhood sweetheart. Ted Jackson, 42, from Surrey, has ran 182 miles through the icy blizzards and desert terrain for his wife, Sophie, 40, who suffers from multiple sclerosis - an incurable neurological disease. The father-of-four, has raised more than £160,000 from running the marathons in seven continents, which took more than 45 hours to complete. Ted Jackson from Surrey, pictured here crossing the finish line in Australia, competed in seven marathons in seven days for his wife Sophie who suffers from multiple sclerosis . Sophie was diagnosed in 2010 and has had the help of the charity Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis. By running the marathons Ted raised £160,000 for them . Ted's campaign will help the charity, Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis (OMS), that helps sufferers with the day to day challenges the condition brings. Ted said: 'I was determined to complete the seven marathons for my childhood sweetheart. 'She means the world to me, our family was left devastated when she was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.' He continued: 'It is such an awful disease that millions of people suffer from, but the charity changed our lives and that's why I became so adamant to raise so much money for them. 'There's no cure to MS and it has often felt like a death sentence but since being introduced to OMS, Sophie's life has changed dramatically. 'There used to be a cloud hanging over her head but the charity has really helped her so I wanted to do as much as I could to raise awareness. Ted took part in marathons around the world including Miami (left) and Chile (right) Ted poses in Australia after completing seven marathons in seven days, the Sydney Opera House can be seen behind him . Ted says he wasn't much of a runner before but the thought of his childhood sweetheart, Sophie, got him through . 'I signed myself up for the event without thinking - I'm not athletic at all, that's why I wanted to do it, to prove that if I can do it anyone can. 'I put myself in a position where failing wasn't an option, I often sign up to things without thinking but thankfully I'm stubborn and determined enough to power through.' Competitors had to complete each marathon in under eight hours and often only had time to sleep in airport lounges and on flights as they ran through marathons in Antarctica, Chile, Miami, Madrid, Morocco, Dubai, before finishing in Sydney. His fundraising on Iknowtedjackson.com drew attention from celebrities including Phillip Schofield, Clare Balding and Gary Linekar. Ted was surprised to complete the challenge with very little training for the events in some of the harshest of conditions. He said: 'For me there was 500 per cent more effort going into fundraising than training for the actual marathons, I knew I'd be able to do it - thinking of Sophie got me through. 'The Antarctic marathon was one the most interesting, getting there is so difficult because it's such a remote area, then you have the cold to deal with, by the end of the marathon there were icicles forming on my beard.' Ted relied on compression socks, and careful taping of his sore feet to get through the seven marathons . Joker Ted poses in very little clothing with one of his fellow marathon runners in Antarctica . Ted says that his hardest challenge came on the fifth day: 'Day five's marathon in Marrakesh was the toughest. Having done three marathons in the space of 37 hours I was extremely tired. 'In Dubai's marathon I took a break from the road to sing the song, Nessun Dorma, for a couple who were getting married on the beach. 'It must have been quite a surreal moment for them but I had time to spare on the run and thought it would be something special to make their day. 'They didn't speak English so I couldn't be sure but they seemed to enjoy it, I posed for a few pictures then went back to running.' At the final finish line in Sydney, Australia, Ted was greeted by Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis, Professor George Jelinek, who runs the charity that improved the quality of Sophie's life. The programme encourages MS patients to increase the amount of Vitamin D they intake and eat a meat-free low-saturated fat diet, which dramatically improved Sophie's life after she was diagnosed in 2010. Sophie and Ted met when they were 18 and she says they have been inseparable ever since . Ted looks please to see wife Sophie who says she kept constant track of his progress during his challenge . Sophie says she knew Ted would complete the challenge even though he's not naturally active . Sophie first noticed something noticed something was wrong when her words became slurred while in the bath. At the time she feared she'd had a stroke but brain scans revealed she had multiple sclerosis - a condition that affects more 100,000 people in the UK. Sophie said: 'I wasn't given a lot of hope when they told me I had MS, you can't help but think of a lifetime of wheelchairs and pain. 'Me and Ted have been inseparable since we were 18 and it seemed like a big axe hanging over us, I dreaded the way the disease would affect our family. 'But since the programme I feel a lot more positive about the disease, I'm healthier and am thinking a lot more about life beyond the disease. 'I'm amazed at Ted, he's not a runner or an athlete by any stretch of the imagination, and he knew that, that's why he choose the hardest one out there.' Sophie went to cheer her husband on at marathon number four in Madrid with daughter, Alabama, 17, taking a picture to mark the moment. She said: 'He didn't know I was coming so was just overwhelmed to see me. He looked absolutely exhausted but I knew he could do it. 'I kept in constant contact tracking his whereabouts and how he was getting on, with every marathon he completed I knew he was one step closer to home. 'When we went to pick him up from the airport it was amazing, there were around 50 kids from the boarding school where we work who came to welcome him home. 'The charity has really changed my life, it has given me a spring in my step again so knowing Ted's raised so much for this charity is astonishing, he truly is my hero.' When Ted arrived back home after his grueling challenge he was greeted by happy friends and family . | Devoted husband Ted Jackson took part in the World Marathon Challenge .
Seven marathons in seven days for wife Sophie, who has multiple sclerosis .
Diagnosed with the incurable neurological disease in 2010 .
The father-of-four raised more than £160,000 for an MS charity . |
195,720 | 8955d445831cff7a55309e8a5edf926dfc886d83 | Leading geneticists from around the world have joined forces to slam a new book which claims there is a biological basis for racial differences in behaviour. Nearly 150 geneticists have signed a letter condemning the book, written by science writer Nicholas Wade, called A Troublesome Inheritance: Genes, Race and Human History. The book sparked controversy after claiming recent human evolution has led to racial differences in economic and social behaviour. Nearly 150 geneticists have signed a letter condemning the book, written by science writer Nicholas Wade (left), called A Troublesome Inheritance: Genes, Race and Human History (right) But some of the scientists on whom he based parts of his work have lashed out claiming the old Etonian - a former New York Times science editor - has ‘misappropriated’ elements of research from their field. According the the book's description on the Amazon website, 'Wade argues . that what we might call middle-class social traits: thrift, docility and . nonviolence, have been slowly inculcated genetically within agrarian . societies. 'Also . controversial are his findings regarding the genetic basis of traits we . associate with intelligence, such as literacy and numeracy, in certain . ethnic populations, including the Chinese and Ashkenazi Jews.' The . description continues: 'Wade believes deeply in the fundamental . equality of all people but he is determined to investigate what new . genetic science shows about how race relates to human history and . traits, even if it courts controversy.' In a letter to the New York Times Book Review, they wrote: 'Wade juxtaposes an incomplete and inaccurate account of our research on human genetic differences with speculation that recent natural selection has led to worldwide differences in I.Q. test results, political institutions and economic development. 'We reject Wade’s implication that our findings substantiate his guesswork. They do not. 'We are in full agreement that there is no support from the field of population genetics for Wade’s conjectures.' Prominent geneticists including Evan Eichler of the University of Washington, Seattle and Michael Hammer of the University of Arizona were among those who signed the letter. According to the Independent, Mr Wade, who moved to the U.S. from Britain in 1970, writes in his book that natural selection on the main continents has prompted differences in aspects of the function of the brain. A description of Nicholas Wade's new book on Amazon.co.uk says his work includes 'findings regarding the genetic basis of traits we associate with intelligence, such as literacy and numeracy, in certain ethnic populations' (file picture) A description of Mr Wade's book on Amazon.co.uk says of the work: 'The most provocative claims in this book involve the genetic basis of human social habits. 'Wade argues that what we might call middle-class social traits: thrift, docility and nonviolence, have been slowly inculcated genetically within agrarian societies. 'Also controversial are his findings regarding the genetic basis of traits we associate with intelligence, such as literacy and numeracy, in certain ethnic populations, including the Chinese and Ashkenazi Jews. The description continues: 'Wade believes deeply in the fundamental equality of all people but he is determined to investigate what new genetic science shows about how race relates to human history and traits, even if it courts controversy.' In a statement, Mr Wade responded to the criticism in the letter by writing: 'This letter is driven by politics, not science. 'I am confident that most of the signatories have not read my book and are responding to a slanted summary devised by the organizers. 'As no reader of the letter could possibly guess, A Troublesome Inheritance argues that opposition to racism should be based on principle, not on the anti-evolutionary myth that there is no biological basis to race.' | Nearly 150 geneticists criticise contents of new book by Nicholas Wade .
Science writer's work includes claims there is a biological basis for race .
Leading geneticists claim he has 'misappropriated' research from their field .
Mr Wade, an old Etonian, emigrated from Britain to America in 1970 . |
115,944 | 21a96a9d8379d3919ac8f21f505da1d1cafd911e | (CNN) -- Former world No. 2 Petra Kvitova secured her first WTA Tour title of 2012 by defeating former French Open champion Li Na in Monday's final of the Rogers Cup. Key to the Czech Republic's 7-5 2-6 6-3 victory was her decisive break of serve in the final set to condemn her Chinese opponent to a third final loss of the year -- following Li's reverses in Sydney and Rome. It was Kvitova's first appearance in a final this season and the win meant she won a Tour event for the first time since the season-ending championships in Istanbul last October. "The first set was a really big fight -- every game was very close," world No. 5 Kvitova told the WTA Tour's official website. "Maybe I was a little bit lucky to win the first set. She played very well in the second set. She was very aggressive without any mistakes." Kvitova's triumph in Montreal was all the more impressive considering the 22-year-old suffers from asthma, which usually adversely affects her performances in North America due to the summer humidity. "I have asthma so I have trouble breathing sometimes, but it wasn't too humid here this week," she explained after reaching her first final on the continent. "It's only a problem in North America, unfortunately, because here it's more humid than Europe or Australia, where it's very hot but not that humid. Humidity is the main problem for me. "But it's great to know I can play well here and it's great I finally won a title this year. I'm so glad it could be here at the Rogers Cup in Montreal." Desite the loss, Li showed glimpses of the form which made her China's first grand slam singles champion at Roland Garros last year. At the start of the second set Li, who has returned to the top 10 of the world rankings of the back of her performances in Canada, won 16 points in a row. "I really have to say she played very well today. I think we both played a very good match," Li said of her opponent. "I'm very happy because this was the first hard-court tournament after the Olympics, and my new coach is going to come to Cincinnati, so I think this is a very good start to this season for me." Li recently started working with Justine Henin's former coach Carlos Rodriguez. | Petra Kvitova beats Li Na to win the Rogers Cup in Montreal .
The win in Montreal secures Kvitova her first WTA Tour title of 2012 .
Reaching the final guarantees China's Li Na a return to the top 10 of the world rankings .
Li has now lost three finals in 2012, having also suffered defeats in Sydney and Rome . |
144,046 | 4643b827909a8228262d30da3de9bdadc74db291 | By . Sarah Michael . Rocco Leo, who fled to Fiji in 2010, allegedly promised to save cult members by taking them a place called 'The Island' in the South Pacific . A rural compound belonging to an Adelaide doomsday cult is going up for auction and being billed as a 'unique and flexible property' located in a 'beautiful hills setting'. Agape Ministries cult leader Rocco Leo is being forced to sell the property to repay a $3 million tax bill and another $420,000 he owes to a former cult member who said she was brainwashed. The 15.3 hectare Kuipto Colony Retreat, located one hour south of Adelaide, is set to go under the hammer on August 8 and is being sold by Ray White. The 'highly improved' facilities boast a manager's residence, multiple dormitories, huge sheds, workshop, storage, two large dams and 'an extensive cellar'. 'Overlooking lake-like dams and being privately located in a beautiful hills setting between Meadows and Willunga, this unique and flexible property provides a plethora of possibilities for either private or commercial ownership,' the real estate ad reads. 'Whilst the current owners have upgraded and added to the property over the last 10 years, some finishing touches are still needed to complete the project.' Scroll down for video . Agape Ministries' 15.3 hectare Kuipto Colony Retreat, located one hour south of Adelaide, is being sold . The doomsday cult's compound is being billed as a 'unique and flexible property' Leo is being forced to sell the property to repay a $3 million tax bill and another $420,000 he owes to a former cult member . The Ray White ad says the property is 'overlooking lake-like dams' and 'privately located in a beautiful hills setting' Leo led the notorious Agape Ministries and warned followers of a 2010 apocalypse, claiming that everyone on Earth would be implanted with microchips and those who refused would be killed by the government. Leo, who fled to Fiji in 2010, allegedly promised to save cult members by taking them a place called 'The Island' in the South Pacific if they handed over their life savings. Family members of Agave members said Leo told his followers he had purchased an island in Vanuatu and convinced them to hand over money – in some cases as much as $1 million – to fund their new life, the ABC reported. In 2010 Leslie Baligod, whose son and two granddaughters were members of the cult, said the young girls aged six and eight had been promised in marriage to adult cult members and issued a public plea for their safety. The 'highly improved' facilities boast a manager's residence, multiple dormitories, huge sheds, workshop, storage, two large dams and 'an extensive cellar' The notorious Agape Ministries and warned followers of a 2010 apocalypse . Leo claimed that everyone on Earth would be implanted with microchips and those who refused would be killed by the government . 'These people believe you don't need doctors or hospitals. [They believe] all you do is pray to God and you're cured,' Ms Baligod said at the time. She also told the ABC that: 'They were told to get rid of their mobile phones before leaving. Once they get through customs in Vanuatu they've been told to ditch their passports, so there will be no escape.' Ms Baligod said the group were stockpiling weapons and all cult members had been given firearms training. Agape ministries first came under the spotlight in 2010 after a police raid on a property at Oakden in Adelaide uncovered weapons, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition, the Adelaide Advertiser reported. In 2012 Leo was ordered to pay $420,000 to former cult member Silvia Melchiorre after she claimed he duped her out of money . Ray White says the current owners have upgraded and added to the property over the last 10 years, but some finishing touches are still needed to complete the project . Agape ministries first came under the spotlight in 2010 after a police raid on a property at Oakden in Adelaide uncovered weapons, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition . Leo's assets were subsequently frozen and Agape was stripped of its status as a religion and sued by the tax office for a decade's worth of payments. In 2012 Leo was ordered to pay $420,000 to former cult member Silvia Melchiorre, a stroke survivor who was severely disabled, after she claimed he told her he could heal her and duped her out of money. Last month, Australian Tax Office lawyers asked the Adelaide District Court to appoint receivers to oversee the sale of properties owned by Agape, including Kuipto Colony Retreat, because they still had not received their money, the ABC reported. Agape has been given a final chance to sell the assets, and lawyers acting for Leo told Judge David Lovell the properties would be auctioned in August. Leo's assets were subsequently frozen and Agape was stripped of its status as a religion and sued by the tax office for a decade's worth of payments . Agape has been given a final chance to sell the assets, and lawyers acting for Leo told Judge David Lovell the properties would be auctioned in August . Last month, Australian Tax Office lawyers asked the Adelaide District Court to appoint receivers to oversee the sale of properties owned by Agape, including Kuipto Colony Retreat, because they still had not received their money . | Rural compound belonging to Adelaide cult is going up for auction .
Billed as a 'unique and flexible property' located in a 'beautiful hills setting'
Cult leader Rocco Leo is being forced to sell to repay a $3 million tax bill .
Leo, who fled to Fiji in 2010, led the notorious Agape Ministries and warned followers of an apocalypse but promised to save them on 'The Island' |
114,196 | 1f54bf38e4a94e175734b7569e689ab6fb78b49e | Just a 20 minute drive along the coast from the centre of Marbella lies the Kempinski Hotel Bahia - a five-star resort with all the class and style of the popular holiday city but, thankfully, without the gaudy reality TV stars swanning around like they own the place. Whether I was just fortunate enough to avoid the cast of The Only Way Is Essex during my visit to Hotel Bahia or whether they always opt for a more convenient location for the nightlife I can't be certain, but I suspect it's the latter. This particular property - one of more than 80 owned by Kempinski throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa - doesn't need to be right in the thick of things. In fact, that's the beauty of it. The outside of the Kempinski Hotel Bahia, which is situated near Estepona and Marbella on the Costa del Sol . An aerial view of the hotel and its spacious grounds which lead down towards an area of beach . Visitors can cool off in one of three outdoor pools, while there is also an indoor pool for the winter months . Monarch, the scheduled leisure airline, operates flights to Malaga from Birmingham, East Midlands, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports with fares, including taxes, starting from £32.99 one way . For further information or to book Monarch flights, Monarch Holidays or Monarch Hotels, please visit www.monarch.co.uk . During my stay I felt no desire to wander outside of the hotel grounds, which handily include their own section of beach. My feet could be on the sand within two minutes of closing my room door. Not bad, eh? The hotel is designed to provide guests with everything they need for the entirety of their stay - a choice of restaurants and bars, three outdoor pools and an indoor one, spa treatments and a sauna, a gym, tennis courts and water sports on the aforementioned beach. The only time I ventured away from the 147-room complex was to play two of the Costa del Sol's most popular golf courses - Finca Cortesin and La Reserva - which are just a couple of around 50 in the surrounding area. But more about that later. Numerous palm trees are reflected in one of the hotel's pools as the sun sets in southern Spain . The hotel's Cabana del Mar restaurant specialises in fresh seafood served the Adalusian way . One of the hotel's two bars (left) provides guests enjoying the sun with refreshments throughout the day . If you do fancy exploring southern Spain then the beautiful village of Estepona is less than two miles away. Day trips to Malaga, Seville, Granada and Cordoba are also an attractive option for those wanting to use the hotel as a base, rather than just a retreat. From the moment you walk through the large revolving doors and into the vast reception area it's clear that Kempinski pride themselves on quality. From the decoration of the hotel to the softness of the robe hanging on the back of each bathroom door, the service offered by each smiling member of staff to the taste of the fresh fish served in the beachside seafood restaurant. No wonder the vast majority of guest reviews found elsewhere online are overwhelmingly positive. I witnessed people of all ages enjoying the luxurious surroundings during my trip in mid-September - families with toddlers in tow, couples both young and old and groups of friends, some of which were using the hotel as their HQ to test out the plentiful fairways and greens of southern Spain. Our man Joe Strange poses outside the Kempinski Hotel Bahia after spending two days at the resort . The hotel backs directly onto an area of sandy beach which guests can enjoy peacefully . The sun beams down on the Kempinski hotel - one of more than 80 owned by the company worldwide . The hotel is 75km from Malaga airport, or more importantly about an hour's drive. Its location adds something extra to the plush grounds and top-of-the-range facilities - beautiful views of the Rock of Gibraltar and, if it's clear enough, the northern coast of Africa. The hotel's Arabic-Andalusian design distinguishes it from other coastal hotels in the area, while its lush subtropical gardens cover an extensive area of 45,000 square metres. With 132 spacious rooms and 15 luxury suites, all of which enjoy either a terrace or balcony with views of the garden and the sea, the hotel never seems too busy even when at full capacity. During my two-night stay I was able to sample food from two of the hotel's restaurants and drinks at both of its bars, including their signature The Golfer cocktail - a refreshing mix of vodka, melon and lemon sorbet. There are plenty of sun loungers and beds surrounding the pools for guests to put their feet up and relax . The hotel has views of Gibraltar and the northern coast of Africa when the sky is clear enough . A typical sea view from one of the 132 standard rooms at the five-star Kempinski hotel . The culinary highlight was a delicious sea bass fillet, which followed a delightful mini curried chicken burger, scallops and three different varieties of tomato with the region's famous Jamon Iberico de Castano - chestnut-fed ham to you and me. That tremendous meal arrived after a day spent at La Reserva, one of the most visually-stunning and challenging golf courses on the Costa del Sol. Although my performance left much to be desired, the course was on par with the popular Finca Cortesin I'd played the day before. Both showed off the local landscape, with lush fairways, devilish rough and water features aplenty providing a difficult test for golfers of all abilities. While I left realising lessons are a must in 2015, both courses provided me with the most enjoyable golfing experience of my life. Finca Cortesin is one of the Costa del Sol's most well known and popular golf courses . The first hole at Finca Cortesin is a tricky par four with a hilly fairway and bunkers surrounding the green . A large lake on hole three is sure to have golfers aiming right to avoid going into the water . Every now and then I'd hit a Rory McIlroy-style shot and admire it landing on the perfectly manicured putting surface or flying straight down the greener-than-green fairway. It sure beat a rainy afternoon at my local pay-and-play. La Reserva and Finca Cortesin are just two of more than 20 courses to offer special packages and prices for guests of Kempinski Hotel Bahia, adding another incentive for those wanting to test out their skills in Spain. But whether it's golf or simply a relaxing break you're after, Kempinski Hotel Bahia has the facilities, staff and quality of service to ensure you return home and immediately want to go back. I know I will. La Reserva is another popular track in the Costa del Sol and it's only 20 minutes from Hotel Bahia . The 18-hole course will provide even the most talented of amateur golfers with a stern test . La Reserva's stunning clubhouse welcomes those golfers completing the 18th hole . | The Kempinski Hotel Bahia is just a 20-minute drive from Marbella .
The luxurious beachside hotel has 132 rooms and 15 luxury suites .
Facilities include four swimming pools, a gym, tennis courts and a spa .
Over 50 golf courses in the area including Finca Cortesin and La Reserva . |
115,276 | 20c4884962f6ea6a138fe1b750f4c3d672868e1e | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A former middle-school student who was strip-searched by school officials looking for ibuprofen pain medication won a partial victory of her Supreme Court appeal Thursday in a case testing the discretion of officials to ensure classroom safety. Savana Redding leaves the U.S Supreme Court in April. She was 13 when she was strip-searched. Savana Redding was 13 when administrators suspected that she was carrying banned drugs. No medication was found, and she later sued. The justices concluded that the search was unreasonable but that individual school administrators could not be sued. The larger issue of whether a campus setting traditionally gives schools greater authority over students suspected of illegal activity than police are allowed was not addressed fully by the divided court. "Savana's subjective expectation of privacy against such a search is inherent in her account of it as embarrassing, frightening and humiliating," wrote Justice David Souter for the majority, likely his last opinion before he steps down from the bench next week. But reflecting the divisiveness over the issue, Souter said, "We think these differences of opinion from our own are substantial enough to require immunity for the school officials in this case." Whether the school district would be liable was not an issue before the high court. "I'm pretty excited that they agreed with me, they see that it was wrong for the school to do that," Redding said from her Hobbs, New Mexico, home after the ruling was announced. "I'm pretty certain that it's so far less likely to happen again" to other students. Redding was an eighth-grade honor student in 2003, with no history of disciplinary problems at Safford Middle School, about 127 miles from Tucson, Arizona. During an investigation into pills found at the school, a student told the vice principal that Redding had given her prescription-strength 400-milligram ibuprofen pills. The school had a near-zero-tolerance policy for all prescription and over-the-counter medication, including the ibuprofen, without prior written permission. Redding was pulled from class by Vice Principal Kerry Wilson, escorted to an office and confronted with the evidence. The girl denied the accusations. A search of Redding's backpack found nothing. A strip search was conducted by Wilson's assistant and a school nurse, both females. Redding was ordered to strip to her underwear and to pull on the elastic of the underwear, so any hidden pills might fall out, according to court records. No drugs were found. "The strip search was the most humiliating experience I have ever had," Redding said in an affidavit. "I held my head down so that they could not see that I was about to cry." Souter said Wilson initially had "sufficient suspicion" to justify searching the girl's backpack and outer clothing. But when no contraband was found, the officials went too far by continuing the search of her underwear. With the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, Redding and her family sued, and a federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled against the school, calling the search "traumatizing" and illegal. That court said the school went too far in its effort to create a drug- and crime-free classroom. The Supreme Court found little agreement on key issues. Justices John Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsburg agreed that the search was illegal but would have also made individual officials liable for damages by Redding. "Wilson's treatment of Redding was abusive, and it was not reasonable for him to believe that the law permitted it," said Ginsburg, who was especially forceful during oral arguments in April, criticizing the school's actions. But Justice Clarence Thomas took the opposite view: that administrators deserved immunity and that the search was permissible. "Preservation of order, discipline and safety in public schools is simply not the domain of the Constitution," he said. "And, common sense is not a judicial monopoly or a constitutional imperative." In 1985, the high court allowed the search of a student's purse after she was suspected of hiding cigarettes. Such a search was permitted if there were "reasonable" grounds for believing that it would turn up evidence and when the search was not "excessively intrusive." Opinions in 1995 and 2001 allowed schools to conduct random drug testing of high school athletes and those participating in other extracurricular activities. The court was being asked to clarify the extent of student rights involving searches and the discretion of officials regarding those they have responsibility over. Adam Wolf, an ACLU attorney who represented Redding, applauded the decision. "When parents send their kids to school, they can now breathe a sigh of relief they will not end up naked before school officials," Wolf said . But school administrators said the ruling does not make their jobs any easier. "The home medicine cabinet now poses a serious threat to students, who may take those medications for abusive purposes," said Francisco Negron, general counsel for the National School Boards Association. "That's a problem schools are trying to stem." "How they determine now whether the drug is dangerous, whether it's not dangerous -- that kind of clarity and that kind of guidance, the court did not give us." Redding, now 19, said she has never gotten over her experience. "Before it happened, I loved school, loved everything about it. You know, I had a 4.0 GPA, honor roll, and now, well, afterwards I never wanted to go to school again." She is attending college. The case is Safford Unified School District No. 1 v. Redding (08-479). | Savana Redding was 13 when administrators suspected she was carrying drugs .
No medication was found, and she later sued .
Justices: Search was unreasonable, but individual school officials can't be sued .
Redding, now 19, has said she has never gotten over her experience . |
160,941 | 5c10e8fe3c77e0b26f1ca029ab02c5dcab728637 | By . Steve Nolan . PUBLISHED: . 00:43 EST, 11 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:11 EST, 11 September 2013 . Queen guitarist Brian May has been criticised by Jewish leaders after describing the cull of around 5,000 badgers in south west England as 'genocide in the countryside'. Mr May made the comments during a visit to Gloucestershire to show his opposition to the cull in the county and Somerset to protect cattle from bovine TB. He likened the measure to genocide - a word usually used to describe the mass murder of people. 'Offensive': Queen guitarist Brian May, pictured at a protest against the cull last year, has offended the Jewish community by comparing the cull of 5,000 badgers to genocide . Anger: The cull of badgers in Somerset and Gloucestershire has sparked fierce protest . But he faced an immediate backlash after his comments were reported online, with local Jews describing his comparison as 'dreadful' and 'inflammatory'. Rabbi Anna Gerrard of the Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community said apart from being potentially offensive, using the term was incorrect. She said: 'The use of the word 'genocide' in this context is simply wrong. From an etymological point of view genocide means "killing of people". 'In particular I think high profile people need to be careful when they take a word like that out of context, especially when using it to emote others. 'From a Jewish perspective obviously . it makes people think of the Holocaust, in which not only were many . people killed but they were dehumanised to make that killing seem . acceptable. 'It has the potential to cause offence but I think that most people would just see it as a ridiculous thing to say.' Protection: The cull of badgers is the only way to stop the spread of bovine TB to cows, claim farmers . Jenny Silverstone, chairwoman of the Cheltenham Hebrew Congregation, said that Mr May's choice of words was ill-advised. 'Brian May obviously feels very passionately about the badger cull and we must not fault that,' she said. 'But the Holocaust was a terrible thing. I can understand if some of our members are upset by his ill-advised use of the term genocide. 'Let's put it into perspective though. He misused a word - I'm sure he didn't mean to say something atrocious.' The . badger cull is an attempt to tackle bovine tuberculosis, which is . transmitted by badgers and has led to the death of more than 305,000 . cattle in the UK over the past decade. Connection: Rabbi Anna Gerrard of the Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community said that the word genocide made Jewish people think of the Holocaust . The past 15 years has seen a boom in the disease, which is transmitted by badgers urinating on grass which is then eaten by cows. Farmers say a cull is the only way to protect their livestock, and the Government has approved a trial in west Somerset and west Gloucestershire that could see as many as 5,000 badgers killed. The current scheme, which will last for six weeks, is due to be repeated every year for the next four years, and is predicted to cut bovine TB by some 16 per cent. Two companies have been given the licence to carry out the culling. Defra and Natural England have kept their identities confidential, in case activists target them directly. Animal rights groups, which have received support from Mr May and Dame Judi Dench, say the authorities should vaccinate badgers instead. | Brian May made the comments during a protest visit to Gloucestershire .
His words were described as 'dreadful' and 'inflammatory' online .
Jewish leaders have since criticised his use of the phrase . |
135,123 | 3ac95844935c0d03a882e1086622556203006f10 | (CNN Student News) -- April 12, 2011 . Download PDF maps related to today's show: . • Ivory Coast • Japan • France . Transcript . THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: I'm Carl Azuz, and this is CNN Student News! We don't need 80 days. We're taking you around the world in 10 minutes. Asia, Europe, North and South America. But we're starting things off in western Africa. First Up: Ivory Coast Crisis . AZUZ: The civil war that's been raging in the nation of Ivory Coast seems to be coming to an end. In fact, a United Nations representative said yesterday that while there are still some small signs of resistance, to his knowledge, most of the fighting has stopped. That is because Laurent Gbagbo, Ivory Coast's former president, was arrested on Monday. This is Gbagbo, and this is the hotel that he was taken to yesterday. It's the headquarters of both the U.N. group in Ivory Coast and of Alassane Ouattara, the man who defeated Gbagbo in last year's presidential election. Gbagbo refused to step down despite having lost the election, and that is what led to the violence. Hundreds of people killed. Thousands fleeing from the country. Now that Gbagbo's been taken in, one U.S. official said Ivory Coast can start to return to normal. Libya Civil War . AZUZ: Moving northeast across Africa, we come to Libya. That country's government and military, led by Moammar Gadhafi, have been fighting against rebels who want him out of power. The African Union has come up with a plan to end that fighting. They're calling it a "road map." What it would do is immediately stop the fighting and help bring humanitarian aid into Libya. Colonel Gadhafi has signed off on the plan. But the rebels who are fighting against him haven't. The plan doesn't force Gadhafi to step down from power, so he could continue to lead Libya. And while rebel leaders say they're open to ideas, they say Gadhafi leaving power has to be included. Quake Anniversary . AZUZ: In Japan, rescue workers briefly stopped their search yesterday as the nation paused to remember the victims of the deadly earthquake and tsunami that hit exactly one month earlier. Special ceremonies, moments of silence paying tribute to the more than 13,000 people who were killed and the more than 14,000 others who are still missing. Just a short time later, Japan was hit by another earthquake. There have been hundreds of these aftershocks since the quake on March 11th. Yesterday's had a magnitude of 6.6. It caused landslides that trapped several people in one city. It also caused a temporary evacuation at that troubled nuclear power plant where engineers have been trying to cool down nuclear reactors. Just the Facts . STAN CASE, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Just the Facts! Burqa is an Arabic word that dates back to the 1800s. It is an article of clothing that covers someone's face and body. Burqas are often associated with Islam, as they are worn by some Muslim women. Burqa Ban . AZUZ: In France, it's illegal to wear a burqa according to a new law that went into effect this week. Two women who were protesting the ban were arrested on Monday. Police say they weren't arrested for wearing burqas, but rather for being part of an unauthorized protest. French officials say burqas pose a security concern and affect the dignity of women who wear them. But critics of the ban say it violates European human rights laws. Atika Shubert is in France. She has more on this new law and the reaction to it. (BEGIN VIDEO) ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A highly controversial law has gone into effect, and it's the talk of the country, as you can imagine. In fact, I'm going to hold up just a section of Le Parisien newspaper here. The headline is "the full veil is banned on the road." It actually has a small diagram here to show exactly what is allowed and what is not allowed in France now. The burqa, which covers the entire face, is banned. The niqab, which covers everything but the eyes, is also banned. But the hijab, which covers the head but leaves the face unveiled, is allowed. Now, the nuts and bolts of this law: Basically, it is now illegal for anyone to wear a full veil covering on the streets of France in public. And in public, it means anywhere on the streets, in a public office, such as a post office or a train station, even in a cinema, it is not allowed. Really, the only place where the full veil is allowed is in a car, the private vehicle, or in the privacy of your own home. There are only an estimated less than 2,000 women in France that actually wear the full veil, so it won't impact that many people, but it is highly controversial. Now, CNN did have the opportunity to speak to one woman who is wearing the full veil and says she will continue to wear the full veil even as this law goes into effect. And she told us what she thinks of this new face of France. HIND AMAS, VEIL WEARER IN FRANCE [TRANSLATED]: In all honesty, I'm just sad. I'm just sad and disappointed, because quite frankly to get to this point, I think it's very revealing about many things. And thankfully, thankfully, not all of the French population think like the politicians who voted this law. SHUBERT: Now, even though this only affects a small portion of women here in France, this law is very popular. It was passed with an overwhelming majority in France's parliament. And in the most latest polls, more than 80% of French respondent say they support the law. Atika Shubert, CNN, Paris. (END VIDEO) Debt Ceiling . AZUZ: To North America, Washington, D.C.: the U.S. Congress just finished up one round of financial debate. There are several more of those to go, and one of the big ones coming up soon is about the U.S. debt ceiling. Now, that is the legal limit for how much money the U.S. can borrow. Congress has about a month to work on this. But with a two-week spring break coming up, that doesn't leave a whole lot of time. So, what is the current debt ceiling? How close are we to it? And what are the options facing Congress? Ali Velshi is here to help break it all down. (BEGIN VIDEO) ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: The real fight, the one that's getting started, is over the country's debt limit. By law, the amount that the U.S. can carry, the amount of debt that the U.S. can carry, is $14.294 trillion. It's a credit limit that Congress sets. Now, that's what they can borrow. Here's where we stand right now. The actual current debt of the United States: $14.208 trillion. The difference between the two is $86 billion. Now, the U.S. is going to exceed this limit by May the 16th, based on current spending. The government can pull a few tricks and get away with being over the limit until about July 8th. But not increasing this credit limit is going to create some problems. Now, there are two scenarios for what could happen if Congress doesn't raise that debt limit by May 16th. Neither of them are good. The government can cut spending or it can raise taxes. They need to raise $738 billion to keep the country running until the end of the fiscal year, which is September 30th. But Democrats oppose cuts and oppose increasing taxes, so if they don't do that, the U.S. could default on its loans. That could create a big problem. That could send the dollar plummeting. It could send oil prices higher. It could hobble an already delicate economy, which is why this, this debt ceiling, is going to become the focus of our attentions for the next month. (END VIDEO) Shoutout . TOMEKA JONES, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Today's Shoutout goes out to Ms. Kelleher's computer class at Wesleyan Middle School in Norcross, Georgia! Fort Sumter was where the first shots were fired in what war? You know what to do! Was it the: A) American Revolution, B) War of 1812, C) Spanish-American War or D) U.S. Civil War? You've got three seconds -- GO! The shots fired at Fort Sumter marked the start of the Civil War. That's your answer and that's your Shoutout! Civil War Anniversary . AZUZ: Those shots were fired exactly 150 years ago today. The Civil War, also known as the War Between the States, killed more American troops than any other U.S. war. And it all started here: at Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston Bay. Confederate troops opened fire on the fort. The Union commander surrendered the next day, and the Civil War had begun. Many Civil War battles are played out today in re-enactments like this one. You might've seen one nearby where you live. The Civil War lasted four years, with the South ultimately surrendering in April of 1865. Before We Go . AZUZ: Well, we promised you five continents at the beginning of today's show, and that can be a tall order. But so is this. In fact, when it comes to towers built out of Legos, this is the tallest. It took 6,000 people working on this -- and, yes, they needed a crane -- in Sao Paulo, Brazil to put it together. 500,000 Legos stacked up more than 102 feet high. Something like this takes a lot of planning, a good strategy. So, no matter how fast the finished product comes together... Goodbye . AZUZ: ...We are sure they were toying around with the idea for a while. Will that tower be a building block for future world record attempts? If you ask me, for those builders, the sky's the limit. But for now, we'll "lego" of this story. For CNN Student News, I'm Carl Azuz. We will look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Bye bye! | Find out why the civil war in Ivory Coast is coming to an end .
Consider a controversial new law in France that bans the burqa .
Examine a crucial moment that's looming for the U.S. debt ceiling .
Use the Daily Discussion to help students understand today's featured news stories . |
37,078 | 691b8a7c9376c2116b56a54968ccb12e7e8219a8 | (CNN) -- Lance Armstrong has defiantly posted an Internet picture of himself with the seven Tour de France winner's jerseys he received for performances that have been expunged from the history books. The American's victories from 1999 through 2005 have been annulled by cycling's ruling body following a damning report by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which made allegations of systematic drug use that he refused to contest. The 41-year-old was banned for life, has been ordered to return his prize money and also faces a $12 million lawsuit from a former sponsor. Lance Armstrong quits Livestrong entirely . However, Armstrong -- who has never admitted any wrongdoing -- made his stance clear this weekend on social networking website Twitter, where he has 3.8 million followers. With a status reading "Back in Austin and just layin' around ..." Armstrong posted a picture of himself lying in his lounge with the seven yellow jerseys framed on the wall. His Twitter profile used to say "7-time Tour de France champion" but now it reads "Raising my 5 kids. Fighting Cancer. Swim, bike, run and golf whenever I can." The fallout from the scandal has resulted in Armstrong severing all ties with his Livestrong cancer charity. The Texan stepped down as the organization's chairman last month. CNN iReport: To wear or not to wear? Your views on the Livestrong bracelet . "Lance Armstrong has chosen to voluntarily resign from the board of directors of the Livestrong foundation to spare the organization any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding his cycling career," read a statement from the foundation's chairman, Jeff Garvey. "We are proud of Lance's indelible contributions to the global effort to eradicate cancer and his on-going personal commitment to improving the lives of its survivors. The foundation will continue to grow its free services for cancer survivors, advocate on their behalf and fulfill the mission Lance created 15 years ago." British Armstrong effigy causes outrage . The picture of Armstrong and the seven yellow jerseys has been retweeted almost 4,000 times, drawing a mixture of support and outrage from the online community. "Wow, you really do display all the symptoms of someone sociopathic. I think you'd benefit from psychoanalysis," wrote one Twitter user. "Smug and deluded," said another. "Was that him laying around? or lying around?" Sponsor sad at loss of Lance Armstrong's 'great story' However, Armstrong is still a hero to some after overcoming testicular cancer to win cycling's toughest race seven times in a row, in an era when many of the sport's biggest names were linked with doping. "You earned all of them!!!" wrote one Twitter user. "Level playing field.....this is awesome!!!" said another. Armstrong has never officially failed a drug test, but the USADA report detailed the ways in which he avoided being caught and claimed that positive tests had been covered up. He has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for charity through the Livestrong foundation. | Lance Armstrong posts picture of his seven yellow jerseys from Tour de France victories .
He has been stripped of the 1999-2005 titles after refusing to answer drug charges .
American was accused of systematic doping but has never admitted any wrongdoing .
The Twitter picture has provoked a mixture of criticism and support for the 41-year-old . |
58,078 | a49f378cd6c2466b619718eed36e2f454060dc0b | By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 09:24 EST, 12 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:39 EST, 12 March 2013 . A Washington mother has been arrested and her 22-month-old child put into care after shocking footage of her feeding the boy marijuana from a bong was anonymously handed into police. The cell phone footage shows the young boy taking a hit from the top of the device while his 24-year-old mother, Rachelle Braaten laughs uproariously with a group of adults. Arrested on Friday at home in Centralia along with the boys 25-year-old father Tyler J. Lee, police recovered 40 marijuana plants inside the property in addition to illegal firearms. The boy's name has not been released. Scroll down for video . The little boy is seen here breathing in from the bong - given to him by his 24-year-old mother Rachelle Braaten . Braaten appeared before a Lewis County Superior Court judge in Chehalis on Monday where prosecutors requested she be held for 72 hours - but Braaten was released yesterday on $20,000 bail - she has yet to be formally charged . Parents of the year: Rachelle Lee Braaten and Tyler Lee were arrested after police discovered they let their toddler smoke marijuana from a bong . When the police arrived at her door, Braaten is alleged to have said, 'I guess it was a joke and stupid mistake that wasn't really funny.' Claiming that her son displayed no ill-effects from the cannabis hit, Braaten said that she felt 'horrible' for what she did and said that it happened five-months ago. 'Because he is two and he shouldn't have known about that,' said Braaten. 'He shouldn't have that in his body.' In the disturbing video the young child rears back and coughs after inhaling the drugs as people are heard to laugh in the room. 'At this point, the other people in the room begin laughing louder and the child looks at the camera taken aback, and the video ends,' prosecutors wrote in court documents. Braaten appeared before a Lewis County Superior Court judge in Chehalis on Monday where prosecutors requested she be held for 72 hours - but Braaten was released yesterday on $20,000 bail according to the Lewis County Sirens. Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Shane O’Rourke told the judge there is probable cause for the offense of delivery of a controlled substance by a person over 18 to a person under 18. Father knows best: Both Lee's son and another unidentified child at the house are now in state custody . O’Rourke’s court documents outline how police in Centralia received the anonymous video with information regarding the parents and obtained a search warrant for Braaten's home. Initially denying responsibility, in subsequent police interviews, Braaten allegedly admitted it was her in the video and that she and a number of other people were passing around a bong. She claimed it happened four or five months ago. The wayward mother said to police that she was pressured by the group around her to administer the hit and knew she shouldn't be doing it. Braaten does have history with the police. In 2011, she was arrested for allegedly assaulting a household member 2:20 a.m. at her home in Centralia. It is not known who the family member was. The boy's father, Braaten's fiance Tyler Lee, claimed he was a medicinal marijuana user. But he too was arrested, allegedly confessing he also sold the marijuana to a dispensary. Going down: Lee is accused of unlawful possession of a firearm and manufacturing marijuana . Child protective services took custody of Braaten's boy and put him into care along with her other five-year-old son, while authorities process the accusations against her. The child's father was released on Monday while the police work out what charges to file against him. Braaten was booked on one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance to a minor and one count of manufacture of marijuana - she is expected to be charged on Tuesday. | The infant was given the drug hit by his 24-year-old mother Rachelle Braaten and the incident was recorded on a cell phone .
Police arrested Braaten and the boys father, Tyler J. Lee at their Centralia, Washington, home on Friday and took their two children into custody .
Police also found 40 marijuana plants inside the property . |
65,168 | b90d149a56f0b62594c52326550990e24c9d7b95 | By . Snejana Farberov . PUBLISHED: . 20:47 EST, 1 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 21:15 EST, 1 November 2012 . The desk where author Bram Stoker created his immortal 1897 novel Dracula is going up for auction next month after having been restored and turned into a work of art. California company Profiles in History will handle the sale, which will take place on December 15 and 16. The remarkable piece of furniture has had a long history, which, over the past century, has left it battered, with missing drawers and legs sawn short. Lot: The desk on which Bram Stoker wrote his novel Dracula is going up for auction next month after having been restored and turned into a work of art . The Irish-born Stoker, who died in 1912, initially gave the desk to his friend J.S.R. Phillips. The famous writer often stayed with Phillips at his home in the UK. The current owner commissioned British-based furniture maker and designer Mark Brazier-Jones to preserve the desk, but also make it a stand-alone art piece, the auction house said. Brazier-Jones said in a statement that he wanted to preserve the desk's scars and textures, but also pay homage to the man who introduced the vampire Count Dracula to today's pop culture. Author: Stoker, who died in 1912, initially gave the desk to his friend J.S.R. Phillips, with whom he often stayed . His improvements include embroidered imagery ‘appropriate to the great man's inspirations and imagining’, including bats, a savage hound reminiscent of Dracula’s arrival in Whitby Abbey, and scrolling rose thorns and buds. ‘I visualize Stoker sat pen to paper contemplating a moonlit rose garden, breathless milk white cleavage and blood soaked lace,’ Brazier-Jones wrote, according to the East Valley Tribune. The desk’s new fixtures have all been created in bronze and burnished steel, while the drawers have been lined with blood-red velvet. Brazier-Jones also outfitted with leather two secret compartments which will only be revealed to the new owner of the desk. Another hidden chest within the desk has been created in bronze and carved with a rose bas-relief. The auction house expects the desk, along with a matching baroque candelabra designed and crafted by Brazier-Jones, to sell for somewhere between $60,000 and $80,000. Abraham (Bram) Stoker was born November 8, 1847 in Dublin, Ireland, to a family of a civil servant and a charity worker. As a child, Stoker was sickly and spent a lot of time in bed listening to his mother’s horror stories. In 1864, Stoker entered Trinity College Dublin. While attending college he began working as an Irish civil servant. In 1876 he became friends with actor Henry Irving, and soon after, Stoker met an aspiring actress named Florence Balcombe, whom he later married. His first book The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland though written while he was still in Dublin, was published in 1879. Dracula (above left) was Bram Stoker's fifth and by far his most famous novel. It was first published in the UK in 1897. The classic Gothic novel follows the vampire Count Dracula on his journey from his native Transylvania, Romania, to England, where he is finally slain by a small group of men and women led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing. The character of the bloodthirsty nobleman was inspired by Vlad III, a 15th century Wallachian prince known for his excessive cruelty which has earned him the nickname Vlad the Impaler (above right). Although best known for Dracula, Stoker wrote eighteen books before his death in 1912. He died of exhaustion at the age of 64. | Remarkable piece of furniture to be sold by California company .
Irish writer sat at it to pen his most famous novel, published in 1897 .
Desk has been preserved and improved by a British-based designer . |
148,436 | 4bf0d4c05442bb2ab103e9c8e6f6809aab3e1050 | By . Graham Smith . PUBLISHED: . 01:43 EST, 18 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:16 EST, 18 April 2012 . Legal action: Jack Straw, pictured leaving his London home today, is being sued by a Libyan military commander following allegations he personally permitted the rebel's illegal rendition . Former foreign secretary Jack Straw is facing the prospect of testifying on oath over allegations he permitted the illegal rendition of a Libyan military commander. Lawyers representing Abdel Hakim Belhadj confirmed legal papers have been served on the Labour MP. The move follows reports suggesting that Mr Straw had signed documents that allowed the rebel to be sent back to his homeland in 2004. Mr Belhadj, 45, claims he had been . living in exile in Beijing, China, before being detained with his wife . Fatima while en route to Britain, where they were trying to seek asylum. He alleges they were sent back to Libya - which was under the rule of Muammar Gaddafi - and imprisoned and tortured. The civil action, which is against Mr . Straw personally, seeks to examine his exact role in the rendition and . claim damages from him for the trauma involved. Mr Belhadj's lawyers, Leigh Day & Co, said they sent the MP a letter yesterday asking him to produce a number of documents. They . include papers mentioned in a Sunday Times article which alleged that . Mr Straw signed off the rendition, as well as his diaries, memoirs and . notes from March 2004 onwards. Sami . Al Saadi, who claims to have shared the same fate as fellow Libyan and . Gaddafi opponent Mr Belhadj, is also taking legal action against Mr . Straw. Mr Belhadj, a key military figure in the uprising that toppled Gaddafi last year, is already suing the Foreign Office and MI6. He . alleges that he was tortured by Gaddafi's regime after being rendered . back to Libya via British-controlled Diego Garcia in 2004. The . Metropolitan Police are already investigating the claims. British . ministers have always denied any complicity in rendition or torture. The Sunday Times reported at the weekend that Mr Straw had been confronted about the his alleged role by MI6. Allegations: Abdel Hakim Belhadj suing the former foreign secretary . Sapna Malik, a partner at Leigh Day & Co, said: 'We have said all along that liability must follow the chain of command. 'These latest revelations bring us closer to that goal. If the former foreign secretary does not now own up to his role in this extraordinary affair, he will need to face the prospect of trying to defend his position in court.' Cori Crider, legal director of . Reprieve, said: 'At last it seems we know who signed off Britain’s . involvement in rendition to torture. 'Jack Straw must come clean with Mr . Belhadj, Mr al Saadi and their families. They deserve an apology for the . appalling way they were treated.' She went on: 'It is now also totally . unreasonable for the Government ‘neither to confirm nor deny’ its role . in the al Saadi and Belhadj renditions. 'Yet this is their official position. What is left to be covered up, besides the reasons these terrible . mistakes were made? The case needs to be fully examined - in the open. 'The British public deserve a full . explanation of how their government sank so low as to become complicit . in the rendition of children and pregnant women.' Downing Street said it was 'looking . closely' at the legal action brought against Mr Straw but declined to . comment on the details of the case. A spokeswoman said: 'The Government’s . position on torture is well-known. We stand firmly against it and any . cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. We do not condone . that and we do not ask others to do it on our behalf. 'We take the allegations very . seriously. What is important now is to ensure a fair trial and civil . proceedings when people accuse the Government of mistreatment and seek . compensation. That is one of the issues we are looking at as part of the . Security and Justice Green Paper.' | The move follows reports suggesting the former foreign secretary signed documents that allowed Abdel Hakim Belhadj to be sent .
back to his homeland in 2004 . |
85,510 | f28af86e71a5f3560e11f3943f6b2ed3cc5f06d1 | By . David Mccormack . PUBLISHED: . 00:19 EST, 23 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 00:36 EST, 23 May 2013 . Sisters, who recently lost their beloved mother to cancer, were ejected from a Philadelphia shopping mall on Sunday after refusing to remove profanity-laden hats expressing their hatred of breast cancer. Jackie Underwood passed away on May 14, she had first battled cancer in 2004 before it returned in 2011. In the time leading up to her death, her daughters Makia Underwood, 32, Zakia Clark, 29, and Tasha Clark, 27 had worn hats and shirts featuring the expression ‘F**k cancer’ as a show of support. Makia Underwood, left, and sister Zakia Clark, along with their uncle Curran Underwood, right, wear their anti-cancer gear in Philadelphia, on May 21 . The women, who nursed their mom through her final days, actually designed and produced the clothing to raise money for cancer awareness. On Sunday, the three sisters visited the King of Prussia Mall in the Upper Merion Township, with a group of friends and relatives to pick out a dress for Zakia's 9-year-old daughter to wear to her grandmother's funeral on 22 May. Zakia and Tasha decided to wear their ‘F**k cancer’ hats which include a pink ribbon substituting for the third letter of the first word. Zakia said it is the only word strong enough to defeat the word 'cancer.' After several hours of shopping, several members of the group including Zakia and Tasha decided to get some food. Mall manager Robert Hart at the King of Prussia Mall, near Philadelphia, has since apologized for his staff's heavy-handed behavior . As they were eating, the ladies were approached by a security guard who told them to remove their hats because they were offensive. Zakia instinctively took hers off, but Tasha, who had once worked at the mall, told the guard she wanted to see something in writing. Her brave stance prompted her sister to put her own hat back on. ‘He said, “Since you don't want to take your hat off, you can leave my mall,'" Zakia told Philly.com. ‘He stood there while we ate and threatened to call the cops.’ The ladies say seven more guards appeared and surrounded them, scaring Zakia’s daughter who started to cry. The group was then escorted to the mall office, where they were met by a local police officer who had been called by security guards. ‘The officer said, “I find it offensive that you even have that hat that says 'F**k cancer'" Zakia said. "He said, 'It's their mall, they want you out, you have to get out.'" The ladies objected, pointing out that stores at . the mall, such as Urban Outfitters, sell t-shirts featuring similar . language, but they were then escorted from the premises. Mall manager Robert Hart has since apologized for his staff's heavy-handed behavior. He sent his condolences to the sisters, but noted that since the mall is a family place their code of conduct doesn't tolerate profanity. He also promised to make a donation to a cancer charity of their choice. Video: Profane cancer hats get sisters kicked out of mall . Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. | Jackie Underwood died of cancer on May 14 .
Her daughters wore clothing emblazoned with 'F**k cancer' to support her and as a tribute now she is gone .
Two daughters were asked to leave their local mall after wearing hats deemed 'offensive' |
11,384 | 2062a9b3a575f3dc5d0697f5589d88f7aacd75e1 | The former producer and ex-boyfriend of Lady Gaga must pay a Hollywood songwriter who discovered the pop star $7.3million after he promised to split profits with her, a federal judge ruled. Producer Rob Fusari’s argument to reduce the amount the jury awarded to songwriter Wendy Starland last year was ruled against by U.S. District court judge Jose Linares on Wednesday. Starland testified during the trial that Fusari, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, had asked her to find an ‘edgy, bold, confident, charismatic’ performer and ‘someone that you can't take your eyes off of’. Rob Fusari (left), the former producer and ex-boyfriend of Lady Gaga, owes songwriter Wendy Starland (right) $7.3million, a federal judge ruled. The songwriter discovered the pop star at a New York performance in 2006 . Lady Gaga said in a deposition in 2011 that she believed Starland, who wrote songs with her, and Fusari had a verbal agreement to split their share from her career . She added that Fusari asked her to go out and find him a 'unique female singer, under the age of 25, who could be the female equivalent of the lead singer of the band The Strokes.' The songwriter brought back Lady Gaga after spotting her during a New York City performance at The Cutting Room in 2006, when the pop star went by her given name, Stefani Germanotta. Lady Gaga said in a deposition in 2011 that she believed Starland, who wrote songs with her, and Fusari had a verbal agreement to split their share from her career. ‘My understanding was that Wendy and him had initially agreed upon 50/50 perhaps before Wendy ever found me, and after I was signed to Rob and made music, Rob began to change his mind,’ said Lady Gaga, whose hits have included Poker Face and Bad Romance. Fusari, a Grammy Award-winning producer whose credits include work for Beyonce, Whitney Houston and Will Smith, previously sued Lady Gaga for $35million in court in New York, but that lawsuit was dropped. Lady Gaga said in a disposition that she believed Starland and Fusari (right) had agreed on a 50/50 split before she was discovered. She said that after she signed with Fusari he 'began to change his mind' Starland said Fusari asked her to find him a 'unique female singer, under the age of 25, who could be the female equivalent of the lead singer of the band The Strokes' | Producer Rob Fusari argued amount jury awarded to songwriter Wendy Starland last year should be reduced but court ruled against him .
Starland said Fusari asked her to find an edgy and bold performer .
She spotted Lady Gaga at New York performance in 2006 and told Fusari .
Lady Gaga said the two agreed to split share from her career 50/50 . |
42,457 | 77b7831bcf829791f105dcb8c483f6c3cd141122 | BOGOTA, Colombia (CNN) -- Former hostage Ingrid Betancourt hugged the children she hadn't seen for six years Thursday, and marveled at how they'd grown. Ingrid Betancourt, center, hugs her daughter Melanie and son Lorenzo in Bogota, Colombia, on Thursday. Betancourt, 46, was reunited with her daughter, Melanie Delloye, and son, Lorenzo Delloye-Betancourt, a day after she and 14 others were rescued from leftist rebels in the jungles of Colombia. The three tearfully clung together on the steps of a plane that had just arrived from France at a Colombian airport, hugging and kissing each other fervently before disappearing inside the plane. Betancourt told reporters at the airport that her children looked "beautiful" and she was proud of them. Watch Betancourt describe her joy at reunion » . "They look so different, but they look so much the same at the same time," Betancourt said. "I have so many dreams that I want to share with them. I have so many things that I want to say to them," she said. Betancourt's son, Lorenzo, said it was hard to describe his feelings when he found out his mother had been freed. "I can't give it a name," he said. "It was too much happiness to know that after six years that I had not been able to see my mother, to know that I was going to be able to hold her, tell her that I love her." Betancourt and both children called for action to free other hostages still held by the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC for its initials in Spanish. "We need to keep fighting so this moment [of reunion] will come for everyone," Melanie said. The FARC, which has battled Colombia's government and right-wing paramilitary groups for years, is believed to hold roughly 750 prisoners in the nation's remote jungles. Background: A closer look at FARC » . The children, now adults, were accompanied on the plane by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. Kouchner called the reunion "a magical moment." "The incredible force behind Betancourt's family is going to serve to free other people in captivity," he said. Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said Betancourt will travel to Paris on Thursday night. Hours after the military operation that freed 15 hostages, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe urged peace by calling on FARC to release all hostages. The Colombian military infiltrated the group and deceived its members into giving up the hostages, including Betancourt, according to the country's defense ministry. Uribe called the daring operation "an unbelievable military achievement and an honor to humanity." No shots were fired in the operation. The security forces who deceived the rebels "are entering the page of the heroes of humanity," Uribe said. Along with Betancourt, three American contractors and 11 Colombian police and military personnel were rescued. The Americans -- Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes -- arrived in the United States Wednesday night. The Colombians were with their families and friends in Bogota. Biographies: Who are the hostages? » . Betancourt was abducted February 23, 2002, after venturing into rebel territory in the south while campaigning for the Colombian presidency. Betancourt described later Thursday aspects of her captivity, saying that the hostages lived with death daily, both in the sense that the FARC members could kill them, and in the desire to cut short one's captivity. "The temptation of suicide ... was constant in all of us," she said. She has called the rescue operation "a miracle." She recalled how her day began on Wednesday, waking up at 4:30 a.m. and saying the rosary before being told by her guards that she and the other hostages were to be transferred to another location, where their detention was to continue. "My heart broke because I did not want another transfer, another time, in captivity," she said. Watch Betancourt describe feeling guilty for being kidnapped » . But her guard, a woman, was unmoved and ordered Betancourt to cross a river to the pickup spot -- "very harsh, move, hurry up fast, as always," she said. Soon, two white helicopters approached and several men approached the FARC commanders who were overseeing their transfer, she said. "They spoke with Commander Enrique and Cesar," she said of her captors. As she looked closer, she saw that the men from the helicopter were wearing shirts emblazoned with the likeness of Che Guevara, the Argentine hero of the Cuban revolution. "I thought, this is FARC," she said. Placed in handcuffs, Betancourt got into the helicopter, still unaware of what was happening. "They closed the helicopter doors, the helicopter started flying and suddenly there was something happening," she said. "Suddenly I saw the commander who, during four years, had been at the head of our team, who so many times was so cruel and humiliated me, and I saw him on the floor naked with bound eyes." It was only then that the reality of liberation hit home. "The chief of operations said, 'We are the national army, and you are all free,' and the helicopter almost fell because we started jumping, we screamed, we cried, we hugged. We couldn't believe it." Watch Betancourt describe her feelings during the rescue » . Betancourt described the operation as "a miracle" and "a moment of pride" in Colombia. Betancourt added that she hopes that FARC commanders would not punish the guards who were fooled. It was not their fault, she said; the operation was too perfect for them to detect the deceit. Asked if she still wants to be president, Betancourt said, "If I continue with the dream to serve Colombia, yes, from the presidency, only God knows. At this moment, I just want to feel like another soldier, another soldier for Colombia, in the service of the fatherland." It is estimated that FARC, which has fought a long and complicated conflict with the Colombian government and right-wing paramilitary groups, still holds more than 700 hostages. The organization defends its taking of captives as a legitimate act of war. The U.S. government considers the group a terrorist organization and refused to negotiate with it while publicly urging the group to release the three Americans also freed in Wednesday's rescue operation. Eleven FARC leaders, including the two commanders taken in Wednesday's operation -- Gerardo Antonio Aguilar Ramirez, known as "Cesar," and Alexander Farfan Suarez, known as "Gafas"-- have been federally indicted in Washington on charges of supporting a foreign terrorist organization and hostage taking. The two commanders appeared at a news conference in Colombia later Thursday with Gen. Mario Montoya. Gafas appeared to have a black eye. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who brokered earlier this year the release of six FARC hostages, characterized on Thursday the FARC practice of hostage-taking as "an intolerable behavior." Although the leftist president had once called for diplomatic recognition of FARC as legitimate combatants, he has recently changed his stance, saying they should lay down their arms. A Colombian military strike earlier this year on a FARC camp inside Ecuador led to the seizure of computers that held a wealth of intelligence about the group, including alleged links between Chavez and the rebels. The Venezuelan president denies the accusation. CNN's Jim Bittermann, Ed Henry and Fernando Ramos contributed to this report. | Betancourt, children call attention to hostages still held by Colombia rebels .
Betancourt to travel to France on Thursday night, official says .
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe calls rescue operation "an honor to humanity"
Colombian military infiltrated FARC leadership, defense minister says . |
143,393 | 4571aba86c8bf5165231e18cd8720b07f3f0b573 | By . Becky Evans . A Brazilian hospital doctor used 'fake fingers' made of silicon to record the attendance of fellow medics when they were not at work. Officers seized six 'fingers' from doctor Thauane Nunes Ferreira, 29, when they arrested her on Sunday following a tip-off. The ensuing scandal has led to investigations in Ferraz de Vasconcelos, near Sao Paulo, into the number of 'ghost workers' in the town. Scroll down for video . Digital deception: Nunes Ferreira used these 'fake fingers' made of silicon to sign in absent colleagues at work . The mayor Acir Fillo said as many as . 300 civil servants claimed their salary without going to work, according . to Brazilian website G1. He told a news conference: 'We have an army of ghosts.' He added: 'This case is a huge disappointment. Let's put cameras to monitor the clocks to not let that happen again.' Mr Fillo said they believe 'ghost workers' around found in public offices including health, security and education. Thauane Nunes Ferreira was arrested after signing colleagues into work at a hospital when they were not there by tricking a biometric scanner using 'fake fingers' made of silicon (file picture) Ferreira, who had been under surveillance, confessed to falsifying a public document after she was caught using the fingers to fool the biometric machine into recording colleague's attendance. Police arrested the doctor on Sunday following an anonymous tip-off . Medics at the Office of Mobile Emergency Care (Samu) have to sign in using their hands to record their attendance. Eleven doctors and 20 nurses are believed to be involved in the scam, reported The Telegraph. Ferreira told police that signing in absent colleagues was a condition of her employment and that the system was organised by Samu coordinator Jorge Cury. However he told the G1 website that he had been called by the health secretary and had to speak to police. He said: 'This is absurd! I've been a city official for 25 years and I've never known of this happening.' The Brazilian website reported that five doctors suspended after the arrest are still receiving their wages until an inquiry has concluded. The number of doctors at the hospital has now dropped from 15 to 10, meaning that shifts that used to have two doctors now have just one. Brazil's Health Ministry has started an audit of Samu and staff are working their way through documents to discover who was involved in the scam and how it worked. It is not yet clear whether the doctor used specific finger prints to trick the machine or how they were made. | Thauane Nunes Ferreira, 29, was arrested after being caught tricking the hospital scanner in Ferraz de Vasconcelos, near Sao Paulo, Brazil .
Town mayor Acir Fillo said hundreds of civil servants use similar scams .
He said case is 'huge disappointment' and said there is an 'army of ghosts' |
8,850 | 18f19e1a7bdba43fcf51552a3747249af094f40f | By . Daily Mail Reporter . The Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, has released an additional 400 pages of once-secret security documents in response to changes laid out by President Obama on Friday relating to the nation's polarizing surveillance practices. The declassification of the spy documents is part of a move by Obama to make public as much information as possible concerning the controversial bulk telephone-data-collection program that has angered many Americans over the six months. The documents were posted on the DNI's website. Going public: James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, has declassified a raft of documents, at the request of President Obama, relating to the nation's controversial cell phone surveillance program . In a speech about the National Security Agency (NSA) on Friday, President Obama trimmed the powers of the secretive US eavesdropping agency . Furor: Protests erupted after the extent of the US cellphone surveillance program were exposed by Edward Snowden last year . Obama issued the order in response to an international firestorm over the sweeping nature of the nation's spying that kicked up last summer when former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden began disclosing details of the surveillance programs, according to Fox News. In his speech Friday, Obama said the NSA will need approval from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court each time it searches the trove of phone data. Under the current system, cleared NSA analysts have had ready access to the phone records in an online archive since 2006 when the court first approved the FBI's request to begin the bulk phone records collection. One of the newly-released documents, dated Aug. 18, 2006, details how the FISC court approved a request from then-FBI Director Robert Mueller for 'all call-detail records' or 'telephony meta data'. In the document approving the metadata collection program, the court said the data requested includes 'comprehensive routing information, including but not limited to session identifying information (e.g., originating and terminating telephone number, communications device identifier, etc.), trunk identifier, telephone calling card numbers and time and duration of call'. It also specifies that the data will not include 'substantive content of any communication' or the name, address or financial information of a subscriber or customer. In brief, phone numbers and call durations are stored, but the conversation and communication itself is not. Former CIA technical assistant Edward Snowden revealed details of top-secret surveillance conducted by the NSA regarding telecom data . A protester in a mask depicting U.S. President Barack Obama calls for the U.S. eavesdropping on the leaders of close friends and allies to be stopped . The latest declassification and release of intelligence agency records brings the total of documents made public to 2,300 pages, including orders and opinions of the FISC and pleadings before it, documents the intelligence community provided to Congress, training slides and other internal memos describing the legal basis for the programs and how they operate. Obama has been under pressure since Snowden took an estimated 1.7 million documents from the NSA and gave them to journalists around the world. The U.S. public, Congress and allies overseas were shocked to learn the extent of the NSA’s post-9/11 surveillance. Soon after Snowden’s disclosure in June, Obama promised to review the system that has changed rapidly as technology improved. On Friday, Obama defended the work of the U.S. spying apparatus as necessary to protect Americans and international allies. He left the programs mostly intact, but added restrictions . | In a speech about the National Security Agency (NSA) on Friday, President .
Barack Obama trimmed the powers of the secretive US eavesdropping agency .
As a result, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper released more previously-secret documents about the controversial cell phone surveillance program .
Among the 400 pages released on the DNI website is information showing the 'telephony meta data' was approved in April 2006 .
The documents say the program stored cell phone numbers and call durations but not 'communications data', i.e. conversations . |
169,691 | 67993c37e110a7bcc7e37d927310672079e11542 | By . Associated Press Reporter . A dead body on a gurney fell out of a coroner's van when a door malfunctioned, sending the corpse into the middle of a busy roadway in Pennsylvania. The Bucks County Courier Times reports the accident happened around noon on Friday near a shopping center in Feasterville, Pennsylvania. A photo on the newspaper's website shows the corpse, wrapped in what appears to be a white sheet, lying in the street as cars buzz by. Bucks County officials are investigating how a gurney, with a deceased person on it, fell out of a coroner's vehicle and ended up on busy Street Road in Pennsylvania Friday afternoon . One passer-by said they believed the gurney was part of a prank because it seemed so 'bizarre' The Bucks County Coroner's Office says the driver realized immediately that the door had opened and retrieved the body within minutes. The office says it 'deeply regrets' the incident. They released a statement saying 'that a rear door mechanical malfunction had taken place during the transport of a deceased individual on Street Rd'. A passer-by who helped get the body into the van says he thought it was a prank, calling it 'the most bizarre thing' he'd ever seen. Bradley said it appeared there was a body in a bag and wrapped in a sheet strapped to the gurney. A photo snapped by the man appears to show just that. 'I helped a woman from the coroner’s office get it out of the road, as it appeared to be broken a little,' Bradley said. | Incident occurred about noon Friday in Feasterville, Pennsylvania .
Coroner said it 'deeply regrets' what happened .
Body was retrieved within minutes with the help of a passer-by . |
143,196 | 452e4301a192da0ab3b80f533883fde20c57076c | By . Emma Thomas . PUBLISHED: . 05:55 EST, 30 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:56 EST, 30 October 2013 . Couples are divorcing each other to avoid a property tax imposed by the Chinese government. The number of married couples splitting up in Beijing has soared as people exploit a loophole in new tax legislation. In March, China brought in a 20 per cent tax on the profits owners make when they sell their homes. The number of married couples splitting up in Beijing has soared as people exploit a loophole in new tax legislation . This means couples that sell their marital home together will be stung by the property tax. But the law does not apply to divorced couples. This allows married couples with two properties to put one property into each name, divorce and then sell them tax-free. The couple are then allowed to re-marry. This gap in the statute is leading to thousands of people splitting up just to avoid the costly bills when selling their home. Nearly 40,000 couples divorced in the Chinese capital in the first nine months of this year, up 41 per cent on the same period in 2012, the Beijing Youth Daily said, citing official figures. Warning: A Shanghai marriage registration office, where divorce applications are also processed in China, has put out a sign saying: 'There are risks in the property market, think twice before you get divorced' The growth rate in divorces was 'far higher' than in the previous four years, the newspaper added. 'The exceptionally fast growth is related to tax evasion by some people taking advantage of a loophole in the (new) property purchase regulations introduced by the government,' Li Ziwei, a marriage expert and former civil affairs official in Beijing, said. Couples in other cities, where property prices have rocketed in recent years, have also turned to the practice to avoid the capital gains tax, which can amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Homeowners were previously taxed at just one or two per cent of the sale price. A Shanghai marriage registration office, where divorce applications are also processed in China, has put out a sign saying: 'There are risks in the property market, think twice before you get divorced'. Property prices are a sensitive issue in China and authorities have sought for the past three years to control their rise. As well as the capital gains tax, other measures have included restrictions on purchases of second and third homes, higher minimum down-payments and taxes on multiple and non-locally owned homes in some cities. | China brought in 20 per cent property tax in March .
New law doesn't apply if divorced couples with two homes put one in each name .
Couples are then allowed to re-marry after they have sold their home . |
283,260 | faee0b03bf12794814af52cce7854748ca600de1 | The Royal baby will have the title His Royal Highness Prince [first name] of Cambridge, or Her Royal Highness Princess [first name] of Cambridge. The official title of William and Kate's first child, thought to be due on Saturday, 13 July, will be His or Her Royal Highness Prince or Princess [first name] of Cambridge, following the Dukedom gifted to William and his wife by the Queen as a wedding present in 2011. The baby will be born at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, where William was born in 1982. The Royal couple's first child is due on Saturday, and will hold the title of Prince or Princess of Cambridge . The Mayor of Cambridge said it was a 'great honour' for the historic city (pictured: King's College Chapel in Cambridge) The Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor Paul Saunders, said it was a 'great honour' for the historic city. 'It is a great honour and I'm sure the people of Cambridge will appreciate it greatly,' he said. 'I think it's lovely to continue the close link with the Royal family. I think anything which helps to keep Cambridge in the public eye is a good thing as we rely on tourism.' Former Cambridge mayor Cllr Sheila Stewart, who met Kate on the royal visit to the city last year, added: 'It can only be good news for Cambridge. Everyone is so excited about it. The whole country is waiting for the birth.' The Dukedom of Cambridge was bestowed upon Prince William by the Queen on his wedding day, 29 April, 2011. Kate and William, pictured at the Trooping the Colour in London, currently have the title of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge . On 22 June 1982 a sign on an easel was placed at the gates of Buckingham Palace announcing the birth, the previous day, of Prince William - the same will happen this year with his child . On 31 December, the Queen declared all the Duke's children would be princes and princesses, with the style Royal Highness. A palace spokesman said: 'The royal couple's child will officially be known as His or Her Royal Highness Prince or Princess [first name] of Cambridge.' He said any other children the couple have will also be known by the same title. Kate will give birth at St Mary's Hospital in London, the same hospital in which William was born . In addition, the child will be called after the dukedom of Cambridge, making them Prince or Princess of Cambridge. William also received the titles Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus when he married. These are gifts from the Queen, chosen by her and based on both historical significance and personal preference. The Queen is permitted to choose whichever title she wishes to give, though it cannot be in use by another member of the family or aristocracy. It is possible that she chose Cambridge for William and Kate due to its ancient links with the Royal family. Speaking to MailOnline, St James's Palace said: . 'Cambridge and Strathern have had Royal connections since the fourteenth century in the peerages of England and Scotland, and were both available. 'Prince William is descended from the son of George III, who was created Duke of Cambridge in 1801 through Queen Mary. ‘Carrickfergus is a town in Northern Ireland, and Country Antrim's oldest town, with one of the best-preserved castles in Ireland.' Anticipation is mounting around the imminent birth, with photographers already camped out outside St Mary's Hospital. Once the baby has been safely delivered, Prince William's first call will be to the Queen on an encrypted phone. At the same time, the Royal couple's private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton will inform Prime Minister David Cameron and a small number of other highly-placed individuals, including the Archbishop of Canterbury. Back at Buckingham Palace, officials will notify the head of each of the 54 Commonwealth countries and the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For the public, an official notice announcing the birth will be placed in a glass-fronted easel and attached to the gates of the Palace. Prince George of Cambridge . The royal baby will not be the first Prince or Princess of Cambridge. The last royals to hold the title were Prince George, Princess Augusta and Princess Mary of Cambridge, the grandchildren of George III, in the 19th century. The children were born to Prince Adolphus - the tenth child of King George III - and his wife Princess Augusta, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. All their children, born in 1819, 1822, 1833 were born His or Her Royal Highness Prince or Princess of Cambridge. The title Duke of Cambridge is part of the peerage, a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom. In modern practice, only members of the Royal Family are granted new hereditary peerages (the last non-royal hereditary peerages were created under the Thatcher government) The ranks of the English peerage are, from highest to lowest, Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount and Baron. The Dukedom of Cornwall, created in 1337, is always held by eldest son, and heir apparent, of the monarch, and is currently held by Prince Charles, with his wife Camilla becoming the Duchess of Cornwall. Prince Harry will most likely also be gifted a peerage by the Queen in the future. Peerages, like all modern British honours, are created by the British monarch and take effect when letters patent are affixed with the Great Seal of the Realm. Her Majesty's Government advises the Sovereign on a new peerage. The Great Seal of the Realm, which makes the bestowed title official, is an ancient seal used to symbolise the Sovereign's approval of important state documents and legitimatise them. Sisters Mary (right) and Augusta (left) were both born Princess of Cambridge . The wax is melted in a metal mould and pressed into a wax figure that is attached by cord or ribbon to documents that the monarch wishes to make official. The British Royal Family has created the Dukedom of Cambridge numerous times in its history. It was first used as a designation for Charles Stuart (1660–1661), the eldest son of James, Duke of York (later King James II). The first royal family member to have the peerage Duke of Cambridge bestowed upon him was in James Stuart, son of the Duke of York, in 1664. James, Duke of Cambridge died young and without heirs, and the title became extinct. The following two creations of the title had similar bad luck. Edgar Stuwart and Charles Stewart, who received the title in 1667 and 1677, respectively, both died young, having neither married or had children, meaning the title died out for several years. The Great Seal of the Relm, which makes the bestowed title official, is an ancient seal that is used to symbolise the Sovereign's approval of important state documents . | Royal baby will hold title HRHPrince or Princess [first name] of Cambridge .
William and Kate are currently Duke and Duchess of Cambridge .
Mayor of Cambridge says it will be a 'great honour' for the historic city .
Due date of couple's first child thought to be Saturday, 13 July .
Duchess will give birth in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, west London .
All of the couple's children will carry the same title . |
252,574 | d2de85611f1fe5043792d3e2a7131195349f8ac0 | By . Jim Norton . Plasticine superstars Wallace and Gromit may have had their final adventure, according to their Oscar-winning creator. Nick Park said he was unsure whether to continue the much-loved British comedy without actor Peter Sallis, who has voiced Wallace since 1990 when he accepted the voiceover job for £25, yet is growing increasingly frail at 93. The voice of the veteran, who starred in Last of the Summer Wine, is inextricably linked with Wensleydale-loving Wallace, – but Sallis is said to be in poor health. Scroll down for video . The creator of Wallace and Gromit has said he is unsure whether to continue with the comedy . He suffers from the eye condition macular degeneration and hasn’t voiced the character since the Wallace and Gromit World of Invention series on the BBC four years ago. Instead, Ben Whitehead, 38, has worked as his stand-in in recent projects such as a live show at the Proms and a computer game. Park, 55, said of Sallis: ‘He’s not too well. It’s a big question for us – whether to keep going.’ Nick Park first contacted Peter Sallis in 1982 when the stop-motion animator was still at film school working on a Grand Day Out. The actor who voices Wallace, left, Peter Sallis is growing increasingly frail aged 93 . He decided the actor, who was starring as Clegg in the BBC comedy Last of the Summer Wine, was perfect to voice Wensleydale-loving Wallace. Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebrations for Leith School of Art in Edinburgh, Mr Park said: ‘Peter was really my only choice. ‘Surprisingly, he agreed to do it. I offered him 25 quid. He just said yes, and came round. Then it was the way he said ‘cheese’. Wallace actually didn’t have a wide mouth until Peter said ‘cheese’. It has been lovely to get to know him over the years.’ | Nick Park says he is unsure whether the much loved comedy will continue .
Actor Peter Sallis, who voices Wallace is becoming increasingly frail .
Mr Sallis hasn't voiced the character in four years .
A stand-in has been the voice of Wallace in recent shows and a computer game . |
181,806 | 7767646bbf5209dd89202e0fe6692d096a43ce24 | Pieces of debris from the Virgin Galactic spaceship that broke apart mid-flight have been found 35 miles from the main crash site. Acting National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chairman Christopher Hart said investigators had recovered parts small enough to have been blown that distance by the wind. The main wreckage from Friday's crash that killed one pilot and injured another is spread over a five-mile area in the Mojave Desert in California. Scroll down for video . Virgin Galactic pilot Todd Ericson talks with National Transportation Safety Board investigator Joe Sedor at the SpaceShipTwo main accident site near Mojave . Sheriffs' deputies look at the main wreckage from the crash of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo. Tiny pieces of debris from the spaceship were found 35 miles away . Federal accident investigators have an early sense of what went wrong on SpaceShipTwo, but they still do not know why the craft prematurely shifted its shape prior to the deadly crash. Mr Hart said cockpit video and data showed the co-pilot unlocked SpaceShipTwo's unique 'feathering' system earlier than planned. The system works somewhat like the wing flaps airplanes use to slow for landing — except that SpaceShipTwo's entire twin tails rotate up at a far more extreme angle, to a position that creates strong resistance and slows the descent. Authorities say the co-pilot unlocked the system before planned, but this was one of two steps necessary to change the craft's configuration and was not enough on its own to do so. The main wreckage from the crash on Friday that killed one pilot and injured another is spread over a five-mile area in the Mojave Desert in California . Activating the feathering system requires the pulling of a lever, not unlike a gun that fires only when the trigger is pulled, not just because the safety has been disengaged. But unlocking the system may have set off a chain of events that led to disintegration of the craft. NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said Monday investigators believe once the feathers were unlocked, 'aerodynamic forces' buffeting the craft as it hurtled along about 760 mph caused the feathers to start rotating. Within a few seconds, the craft began to disintegrate, NTSB investigators determined. SpaceShipTwo is carried aloft on the underside of a jet-powered mother ship. It then drops from that ship and fires its own rocket to head higher. These images show the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocket separating from the carrier aircraft, left, and then disintegrating, right, during a test flight on Friday . The feathers are not supposed to engage until the craft reaches a speed of Mach 1.4, or more than 1,000 mph, Mr Hart told reporters. Mr Knudson stressed that a final cause will take months to determine, and that investigators were looking into other factors, including pilot training, mechanical failure and design flaws. Passenger jets typically fly about seven miles high. Virgin Galactic envisions flights with six passengers climbing to more than 62 miles above Earth. Seats sell for $250,000 and the company says it has booked passengers including Justin Bieber, Ashton Kutcher and Russell Brand. The ultimate goal of Virgin Galactic co-owner Richard Branson is to create an industry that can move people around the globe in a fraction of the current time it takes passenger jets, by rocketing them into space and back down. But the company now lacks not only a craft to fly, but also an understanding of what caused the crash. Michael Alsbury (left) was killed in the crash on Friday, while co-pilot Peter Siebold (right) survived . Though rival companies also are pushing ahead, the dawn of space tourism seems to have been pushed beyond the horizon yet again. SpaceShipTwo has been under development for years, and Branson originally predicted passengers would be enjoying the wonders of flight by now. In the weeks before the crash, he said he hoped to fly in 2015. Branson still plans to be on the maiden voyage, with his family. He said that day will not come before a new round of crew-only flights. 'We need to be absolutely certain our spaceship has been thoroughly tested — and that it will be,' he said. 'And once it's thoroughly tested, and we can go to space, we will go to space.' The largest piece of wreckage is a wing but tiny bits of debris have been found 35 miles from the main site . Friday's crash could trigger increased government regulation. To give the fledgling commercial space industry space to innovate, the Federal Aviation Administration has not overregulated test flights during the past decade, according to Diane Howard, an assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University who specializes in space law. But the crash could allow the FAA to propose new rules that would affect future Virgin Galactic flights, and 'it will be very interesting to see how Congress and the FAA and industry respond,' Howard said. The FAA did not immediately comment Monday. The agency is able to initiate a rule-making process that would affect the design or operation of a spacecraft involved in a fatal accident, but is unlikely to do so before the end of the NTSB's investigation. | Disintegration so complete parts were small enough to drift miles in wind .
Main wreckage of SpaceShipTwo spread over five-mile area in Mojave Desert .
Cockpit video shows pilot unlocked 'feathering' system earlier than planned . |
91,423 | 0196128ff34d3d2adb09befee8b7c1e7fefb434d | A number of Sheffield United fans have said they would welcome Ched Evans back to Bramall Lane following his release from jail on Friday. Speaking to Sportsmail outside the Coral Windows Stadium before the Blades' 2-0 away victory over Bradford, the majority of the Sheffield United fans interviewed were in favour of Evans returning to the club. 'The law states that every man should have the right to come back into his own job,' said one Blades fan. 'Whether I agree or disagree with it doesn't matter.' Sheffield United has denied reports that it has offered a contract to Evans since his release from prison . Former Sheffield United striker Evans was released from prison on Friday after serving half of his five-year sentence for rape. The 25-year-old Welsh footballer was found guilty in April 2012 of raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel in May 2011. Sheffield United has denied reports it has offered a contract to the disgraced footballer. Ched Evans in action for Sheffield United against Newcastle United back in November 2009 . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. | Blades fans would welcome Sheffield United striker Ched Evans, who was found guilty in April 2012 of raping a 19-year-old woman, returning to Bramall Lane .
Welsh footballer Evans was released from prison on Friday after serving half of his five-year sentence .
Sheffield United supporters spoke to Sportsmail outside the Coral Windows Stadium before match against Bradford . |
10,977 | 1f3ec6bec21eae712f0c174a1a602ae2b1a37466 | (CNN) -- They are some of the last thoughts of a serial killer, found on blood-soaked, handwritten and often poetic notes in his Alaska jail cell after he took his own life. "Speak soft in your ear so you know that it's true. You may have been free, you loved living your lie, fate had its own scheme, crushed like a bug you still die," Israel Keyes wrote. Keyes killed himself in December. He was in custody in the killing of barista Samantha Koenig, 18, whom he abducted from a coffee stand in Anchorage, Alaska, last February. Koenig was one of at least eight people Keyes admitted to killing, but he may have taken other lives, police have said. Keyes' notes were released by the FBI on Wednesday after they were cleaned up at the bureau's lab in Quantico, Virginia. They were found under his body, written in a combination of pencil and ink on a yellow legal pad, the FBI said in a statement. The bureau said the notes don't confirm any of his killings, add any new victims to his grisly toll, or offer any other clues that might help their investigation. It said an analysis showed no hidden messages or code in the four pages. But a read of them does give a glimpse into Keyes' mind, apparently describing how it felt to take a life and the disdain in which he held much of American society. "I looked in your eyes, they were so dark, warm and trusting as though you had not a worry or care. The more guiless (sp) the gaze the better potential to fill up those pools with your fear," Keyes wrote at one point. "Your wet lips were a promise of a secret unspoke. Nervous laugh it burst like a pulse of blood from your throat. There will be no more laughter here," he wrote later. "Forget the lady called luck. She does not abide near me for her powers don't extend to those who are deceased," Keyes also wrote. Shortly after the killer's suicide in December, Anchorage police Detective Monique Doll described Keyes as a murder addict, saying police interviews with him showed he got "an immense amount of enjoyment" from killing. "Israel Keyes never expressed in any way, shape or form that he was ashamed of or regretted his actions," Doll said in December. "He knew what he was and he was fine with it." While he held no remorse, his writing indicates that he didn't think people in general cared for each other at all. "Soon now, you'll join those ranks of dead, or you're ashes the wind will soon blow. Family and friends will shed a few tears, pretend it's off to heaven you go. But the reality is you were just bones and meat, and with your brain died also your soul," Keyes wrote. Keyes criticizes U.S. society elsewhere in the four pages. "Consume what you don't need, stars you idolize, pursue what you admit is a dream, then it's American die," he wrote. And he appears to rip the American worker. "Punch in the clock and sit on your ass, playing stupid ass games on your phone. Paper on your wall says you got smarts, but you still crawl like the vermin you are once your precious power grids blown," Keyes wrote. On the last page of the note, Keyes may be referring to his impending suicide or to another of his victims, but his words are disturbing. "Okay, all is over, words are flaccid and weak. Back it with action or it all comes off as cheap. Watch close while I work now, feel the electric of my touch, open my trembling flower, or your petals I'll crush." | Israel Keyes admitted to eight killings .
Blood-soaked note was found in Keyes' cell after his suicide .
Police have described Keyes as a murder addict . |
223,752 | adb53c3bce772382d1699d51ba37ae11dcebf0da | By . Ray Massey and Anthony Bond . PUBLISHED: . 18:03 EST, 12 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:46 EST, 13 July 2012 . The M4 motorway has reopened in both directions a week after it was closed for emergency repair works but questions have been raised if the job was rushed to prevent national humiliation. The road, which is expected to be one of the busiest routes during the Olympic Games, was shut last Friday between junctions 2 and 3 after cracks were discovered on a viaduct. It was reopened to traffic - but only to cars and lorries under 7.5 tonnes - at around 5.30am after engineers completed the 'complex' repairs which were due to be fixed yesterday. It prompted Labour to question if safety corners were cut and the job rushed to prevent embarrassment ahead of the arrival of Olympic athletes and their families on Monday. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Good news: The M4 motorway has reopened in both directions a week after it was closed for emergency repair works, the Highways Agency said this morning . Labour shadow transport spokesman John Woodcock described the reopening of the M4 as a 'huge relief', but said ministers needed to come out and confirm they were totally happy that the road was safe to use. He said: ’Given the scale of the problem, ministers need to come out and say they are completely confident the crack is fixed.’He told BBC Breakfast: 'The whole country wants the Olympics to be a huge success so it is a huge relief that the road is open because of the chaos it would have caused with athletes arriving on Monday to travel to the Olympic Village.’ The shadow transport minister added: 'There are real questions as to why this crack was found so late in the day as works have been going on there for some time.'The Highways Agency hinted that an exception to the weight rule may be made for Olympic coaches transporting Olympic VIPs and athletes to and from Heathrow preparations for the games get underway.A spokesman added: "The crack was discovered during an ongoing repair programme. Work on that continues and for this reason vehicles weighing 7.5 tonnes or more will still be restricted from using the motorway between the junctions. A diversion route remains in place via the A4 and A312 dual carriageways.' But Roads Minister Mike Penning blasted Labour and other critics for ‘scaremongering’ over suggestions that engineers might have been bounced off by the Government into re-opening the M4 when it wasn’t totally safe to do so, saying those who spread such tales should be ‘ashamed’ of themselves.Speaking at the worksite on the M4, Mr Penning assured motorists the bridge was safe stressing: ‘Don't be scared. Scaremongers will be scaring you. Structural engineers have specifically done all the work. No structural engineer in this country is going to say "Minister, you can open that bridge" unless they are certain it is perfectly safe. 'Anyone saying it isn't safe is scaremongering and they should be ashamed of themselves.’He also denied political pressure had prompted the swift reopening of the motorway: ‘There was absolutely none at all, structural engineers don't work that way. You can say what you like to them but it's their reputation and their careers, their job is about safety. ‘Yes we have a commitment to have this open not only for the Olympics but for the people of London and this country because it's a major route in and out and of course I wanted it open but I said it would open when it was safe and this morning it was safe for seven and a half tonnes.’ Elsewhere: The first Games visitors arriving at Heathrow¿s Terminal Five faced two-hour immigration queues as Border Force desks remained unmanned . He added: ‘I've just passed a message . from the Prime Minister to the hard working engineers to thank them for . what they have done 24/7 to get this motorway open.’ The hairline crack was found on a highly stressed section of bridge . supports by engineers who had been carrying out other repairs on the . busy section of road. 'The Highways Agency closed the motorway . last Friday night because in entering the final stages of the repair . work, a new crack was found in a highly stressed part of the bridge . supports,' the spokesman continued. 'This required a unique repair solution involving the manufacturing bespoke specialist steel plates and their installation over the crack. 'The crack then had to be removed to prevent further damage to the structure. This intricate part of the operation took several hours - even though the crack was a hairline one.' Summit: Transport Minister Justine Greening has held emergency talks today to try to solve the problems . The M4, which is the main route from London to Heathrow Airport and the West of England, was initially closed between junctions 1 and 3, causing misery for thousands of motorists. It is expected to be one of the busiest routes during the Games because it links London and the Olympic Park in Stratford with Heathrow. The motorway will officially become part of the Olympic Route Network on Monday, with one lane of each carriageway reserved for competitors, officials and sponsors. Drivers have been warned the ORN will include temporary changes including suspended turns, stopping and loading restrictions and traffic signal alterations. A perfect storm of Olympic transport chaos erupted as Downing Street sought to cope with the closure of the M4 and long queues at Heathrow. The first Games visitors . arriving at Heathrow’s Terminal Five faced two-hour immigration queues . as Border Force desks remained unmanned. Before it reopened today, No 10 was drawing up . contingency plans to deal with the M4 fiasco. Downing Street had refused to rule out . options such as opening up a single M4 lane for Olympic traffic – . denying access to the motorway to all other motorists or hauliers – or . even commandeering the Heathrow Express train for the sole use of . Olympic VIPs to avoid putting stress on the stricken M4 bridge. Another . option looked at was to reopen the motorway to cars only – but turn . back all lorries and buses except for the Olympic coaches. Empty: This stretch of the M4 near London was completely closed for emergency maintenance . Cracks: White paint marks the cracks in the elevated section of the Boston Manor Viaduct flyover which need fixing before the Olympics starts. The cracks were first spotted four months ago . The Prime Minister was updated . several times yesterday and sent Transport Secretary Justine Greening to . the scene amid concerns that the repair work is not proceeding quickly . enough. Determined: Roads minister Mike Penning had vowed the motorway would reopen on schedule . Crisis talks were also held with London Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy and London 2012 transport director Richard George. Labour said David Cameron was . presiding over a ‘national embarrassment’ which meant ‘humiliation’ for . Britain as London prepared to welcome the world to the Games. But Miss Greening’s supporters said Labour was ‘deeply irresponsible’ and playing politics with people’s lives over road safety. Adding to the Government’s woes, . there was fury at Heathrow where passengers faced long queues as . immigration desks remained empty. The Home Office has promised to beef up staff numbers for the Olympics though they will not go ‘live’ until Sunday. Airport operator BAA confirmed immigration queues of ‘around an hour-and-a-half’ – double the 45 minute target. The Immigration Services Union said . the combination of the first Olympic visitors with the start of the . school holidays ‘meant things were expected to get bad’ and said not . enough had been done to address the issue. Lucy Noreton, deputy general . secretary of the ISU, said drafting in contingency staff on Sunday was . ‘too little, too late’, adding: ‘Is this a national embarrassment – yes . probably.’ The Prime Minister’s official . spokesman said: ‘We are looking at various contingency plans to ensure . athletes and the Games family arriving at Heathrow can get through . easily.’ Repairs are ongoing on the M4 elevated section in west London after cracks were found in the bridge section . Repair job: Road workers are working around the clock to fix the cracked section of the motorway in West London . Stuck: The Great West Road (A4) is a key diversion route but has been impassible at times . VIDEO: Video of the chaotic traffic or lack thereof on the M4 as it is closed for repairs... | Road was reopened to traffic just after 5.30am after engineers completed 'complex' repairs .
But only cars and lorries under 7.5 tonnes are permitted on carriageway .
Buses and lorries over that limit are being diverted .
Labour questions if safety corners have been cut and the job rushed to prevent national humiliation .
Staffing shortage at Heathrow causing long delays for Olympic visitors . |
60,876 | acf72387e9f12a1f654938eecc5324f9e96cb3cd | (CNN) -- Formula One is a sport where fine margins separate success and failure, with teams going to extreme lengths to squeeze fractions of a second out of their precision-engineered racing machines. As a result, constructors jealously guard the secrets behind the design of their car. If those details were to fall into the hands of a rival team, it could dent a potential world championship charge. With that in mind, the Force India team pursued Italian wind tunnel manufacturer Aerolab for £15 million ($23.6 million), eventually reduced to £13 million ($20 million), after claiming aspects of their 2009 car design had been replicated by a rival team. What followed was a British High Court case involving Force India, Aerolab, and F1 marque Team Lotus -- now known as Caterham. 2012 Formula One teams and drivers . Aerolab initially launched a claim against Force India, run by team principal Vijay Mallya, for unpaid funds. The case was complicated when, shortly after their split from Force India, Aerolab signed a contract to work on Lotus' 2010 car. A statement issued by Aerolab's legal representatives on Wednesday said the company had been ordered to pay €25,000 ($39,500) in damages after work conducted during their contract with Force India had been used on Lotus' 2010 car. The statement read: "The Honorable Mr Justice Arnold held that Aerolab's CAD designers had misused certain of Force India's confidential information as a means of taking a 'short cut' to produce a wind tunnel model which could begin to be used for testing as soon as possible. "He further held that a small number of the relevant wind tunnel model components had found their way as full size components into the car which Caterham F1 Team (then racing under the name of Team Lotus) had raced at the beginning of the 2010 season." It was a victory for Force India, but an expensive one. Despite ruling Aerolab had incorrectly used intellectual property, the judge also said Force India must pay €846,230 ($1.3 million) in unpaid fees. It was also decreed that Force India's claim of "systematic copying" by Lotus, in particular chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne, was unfounded. Force India were unavailable for comment but a statement was issued on their official website. It said Force India will report the case to F1's global governing body, the FIA, while continuing a criminal case against Caterham team principal Tony Fernandes, Gascoyne and Aerolab owner Jean-Claude Migeot. "The UK High Court judgment, in respect of the illegal copying, will now be referred for the consideration of Formula One's governing body," read the statement. "The Italian criminal case against Mike Gascoyne, Tony Fernandes and Jean Claude Migeot remains ongoing." | An Italian design company has been ordered by a British court to pay Force India $39,500 .
Aerolab used the team's intellectual property while designing the 2010 Lotus, now Caterham .
Force India told to pay $1.3 million in unpaid fees to wind tunnel manufacturer Aerolab .
The marque intend to refer the incident to motorsport's global governing body . |
219,264 | a7cf23b0b48b6addbe47ef167869653179150e64 | One direction: Sabine Moreau was meant to pick up a friend at the station in Brussels, but took a wrong turn and ended up 900 miles away in Zagreb . A Belgian woman took an astonishing 1,800 mile detour through six countries after her car navigation system went wrong. Sabine Moreau, 67, had intended to drive to Brussels from her home in Solre-sur-Sambre to pick up a friend from the train station - a journey of just 38 miles. But she took a catastrophic wrong turn and eventually ended up 900 miles away in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite crossing five borders and seeing multiple-language traffic signs, she did not stop to question her sat-nav until two days later when she realised that she may not be in Belgium any more. Although she stopped to refuel her car . several times, Ms Moreau did not think her TomTom could be leading her . down the wrong path. ‘I saw . all kinds of traffic signs. First in French, then in German - Cologne, . Aachen, Frankfurt,’ she told a Belgian news website. ‘But I didn't ask myself any questions. I was just distracted, so I kept my foot down,’ she added. Police believe she crossed through France, Germany, Austria and Slovenia before finally getting to Croatia. Then she faced another 900 mile journey back to get to her home in Solre-sur-Sambre. By this stage her worried son had reported her missing to police. Officers searched her house and . were about to launch a full scale manhunt when she phoned home to say . she was in Zagreb. She told . police: ‘I didn't really notice anything was wrong until I suddenly . arrived in Zagreb and realised that I was no longer in Belgium.’ Long journey: Police believe Ms Moreau's TomTom led her from Belgium through France, Germany, Austria and Slovenia through to Croatia . When asked if she did not find the length of the journey - or the change in language - strange, Ms Moreau replied: ‘Maybe, but I was just . preoccupied.' 'I didn't really notice anything was wrong until I suddenly arrived in Zagreb and realised that I was no longer in Belgium' Sabine Moreau . So preoccupied that even after being forced to stop for petrol several times - as well as a snooze on the side of the road - Ms Moreau still did not question her satnav. 'I stopped several times for petrol and paid with my credit card. When I felt tired I stopped for a few hours sleep in the car on a lay-by,' she said. 'I was a bit absent-minded as I had a few things to think about, I suppose.' Ms Moreau finally made it home 60 hours after embarking upon her inadvertent odyssey. A spokesman for police in Belgium, who had been on the brink of launching a hunt for Ms Moreau after being alerted by her son, said: 'This is an incredible story. 'These GPS systems cause problems from time to time but nothing like this. But this woman has done nothing wrong and we just have to believe her,' he added. Detour: Following her satnav led Ms Moreau from her home in Solre-sur-Sambre, Belgium (left), all the way to the Croatian capital Zagreb (right), almost 900 miles away . | Belgian woman started off outside Brussels and ended up in Zagreb, Croatia .
67-year-old was following her sat-nav to go to train station 38 miles away .
She continued for 900 miles before realising something was wrong . |
46,479 | 82f1e9e4cc0327b881456d834c4ea38f7638f38b | (CNN) -- "A perfect storm" hit Mindy McCready in the days before the country singer killed herself in the same spot where her boyfriend had died five weeks earlier, a close friend said. McCready, who burst onto the music scene in 1996 with the chart-topping country hit "Guys Do It All the Time," suffered from addiction that stalled her career. Her biggest notoriety in recent years came from her participation in the 2009 season of the reality TV show "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew." Dr. Drew Pinsky also hosts a program on CNN sister network HLN, "Dr. Drew on Call." Private investigator Danno Hanks, who knew McCready for several years and frequently advised her, said she called him Saturday, a day before she died from what investigators concluded was a self-inflicted gunshot. "Saturday was a very bad day for her," Hanks said. McCready, 37, told him about an e-mail she received on Friday from the Arkansas' Division of Children and Family Services that included a proposed court order that would send her two children to live with her mother in Florida. "The proposed court order was the nail in her coffin, the thing that sent her over the edge," Hanks said. The Arkansas agency declined to comment on the case, citing confidentiality laws. "When we take children into our care, reunification with the biological parents is always our goal," spokeswoman Amy Webb told CNN. "Sometimes it's not safe and we cannot." McCready's world unraveled in the 35 days after David Wilson, the father of her younger son, was found fatally wounded on the porch of the Heber Springs, Arkansas, home where the couple lived, Hanks said. "After (his) suicide, she essentially fell apart," Hanks said. McCready couldn't go to the hospital to spend Wilson's dying hours with him because investigators held her to test her hands for gunshot residue, he said. The test eliminated her as a suspect in the shooting, he said, but the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office withheld a conclusion that Wilson had committed suicide until the autopsy report was completed. McCready prepped suicide prevention video . Tabloids reported that McCready was a suspect in his death. "There was no murder investigation," Hanks said. "All the police ever said was, 'We have not finished our investigation.'" Cleburne County Sheriff Marty Moss did not return CNN's calls for comment Tuesday. McCready told an NBC interviewer two weeks after Wilson's death that the speculation was painful. "I was hurting so bad, and then they just did whatever they could to make it hurt even more," she said. The long, tortured journey of Mindy McCready . It wasn't long before a children's services worker knocked on her door in response to a request from the father of her oldest son, country singer Billy McKnight, Hanks said. "The father felt that she was a danger to her kids and a danger to herself and she had gone into this deep depression and needed to go and get some mental evaluation," he explained said. The agent placed both children into foster care after McCready tested positive for alcohol, which McCready blamed on mouthwash, Hanks said. McCready, who was also taken into custody for a mental exam, told Hanks she was given a urine and blood test, which showed no drugs or alcohol in her system, he recounted. A doctor released her after several days, he said. "What he was doing was sending home someone who is now made even more distraught by having her children taken away and sending her home to a house that just had lots of guns because David was a gun nut," he said. Her hopes of getting her children back were dashed by that proposed court order from the state agency on Friday, he said. The order would send the boys to their maternal grandmother, with whom McCready had fought for custody of her older son for five years, he said. "In Mindy's mind, a proposed order might as well be written in stone because every proposed order that had been presented in the past down in Florida courts, the judge would just rubber-stamp it," he said. The combined toll of 35 days of bad news, starting with Wilson's death, took a heavy toll on her, Hanks said . "You have this perfect storm of several things that happened to her in succession," he said. "His suicide, her kids being taken away from her, the feeling that the media was out to get her, because they were putting out these reports that she was under suspicion in his murder." McCready's last day was focused on getting the world to hear a song, he said. "I'll See You Yesterday" was the last thing she recorded with Wilson, who was a music producer. "It's such a beautiful song. It must be heard," she told NBC. Mindy McCready: A playlist . She sang: . "I was your sunlight, but now I'm just a shade . "I was your blue sky, now I'm just the rain . "I was your favorite song, but now I'm overplayed . "If tomorrow's gonna be the same, I'll see you yesterday." McCready asked Hanks to help her get it played on the radio. She also asked him to upload it to YouTube along with photos of her and Wilson. "She was anxious to get this video posted," he said. "I didn't realize it at the time, I didn't realize what the urgency (was about)." She told him she wanted it to be a suicide prevention public service announcement, he said. "In retrospect, I realize what she was not revealing was that her true reason was that this was her suicide video," he said. "She wanted it out there because she knew that the video would get more play after she committed her suicide. She wanted the world at the end to know how she had been treated and mistreated and all the stuff that she had gone through." Her last wish came true. The video has gone viral, getting hundreds of thousands of views since her death. Country radio stations are playing her song. "If these people had reached out to her in life as they have in death, maybe it would be a different outcome," Hanks said. "If she had known how many fans that she had out there and how many supporters she truly did have, she might have had the courage to go on. But I think she just felt she was alone, that nobody cared about what was happening to her." In the NBC interview aired on the "Today" show last month, McCready summed it up: "My life hasn't ever really made sense to me, because I do know what kind of person I am and I do know that I try to be as good a person as I can possibly be every day." Stars reflect on McCready's death . | Fear of losing her sons was "a nail in her coffin," a friend says .
Her young boys were placed in foster care recently .
Tabloid reports that she was a suspect in her boyfriend's death also hurt, he says .
Boyfriend David Wilson died from a gunshot five weeks earlier . |
30,854 | 57b2fb88f096388034b860966080e11364b78ac7 | By . Damian Ghigliotty . PUBLISHED: . 13:51 EST, 19 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 14:42 EST, 19 November 2012 . Holiday retail workers watch out. Crazed bargain hunters are already lining up for Black Friday deals at commercial stores. Best Buy shoppers in California have started pitching tents outside several store locations, more than 100 hours before the company’s big holiday sale begins. Shoppers in Arizona are also getting an early start in line, equipped with soda, water, snacks, laptops and air mattresses. Scroll down for video . On the bargain hunt: Elk Grove, California shopper, Sora Barbour, said she's camping outside of Best Buy to save money and make friends . Early shoppers: Shoppers camp outside of a Best Buy store in Miami, Florida . Signs of dedication: Tents lined up outside of a Best Buy in Los Angeles, California . One customer who only works weekends told a local reporter that he expects to 'make' between $4 and $5 an hour waiting for a 40-inch flat-screen television that Best Buy is selling for $180 during its sale. In addition to the direct savings, some are doing it for the thrill, Fox10 in Phoenix, Arizona, reports. ‘We like being number one,’ Angela Gransberry, an eager customer waiting outside of a nearby Best Buy, told a reporter. Tony Avitar, an Ohio father-of-five, set up base outside of a Best Buy in Cuyahoga Falls last Thursday. He said he has camped out for Black Friday deals over the past nine years, and that his family will join him in his tent on Thanksgiving for a family meal. 'When you have five kids and you have limited income what you want to be able to do is provide for them and get them decent Christmas presents,' he told Fox8 in Cleveland, Ohio. Sneak preview: The Best Buy website shows some of the Black Friday deals customers are anticipating . They're here: Shoppers flood a Best Buy store in Mesquite, Texas that opened at midnight on November 25 2011 . Crazed consumers: Shoppers vie for copies of video games at a Black Friday sale at a Walmart store in Mentor, Ohio in 2011 . The flood of bargain hunters could mean an even bigger headache for holiday workers this year. Retail employees recently began protesting the earlier shifts they were given this Black Friday as several chain stores have decided to open earlier than previous years. Target, Walmart, Sears and Toys ‘R’ Us are all opening their doors between 8 and 9pm this Thanksgiving, two to four hours earlier than last year. That news led to the organization of a national Black Friday walkout among Walmart workers and more than 40 petitions on Change.org protesting this year's Thanksgiving shifts at several big chain retailers. Waiting it out: Black Friday shoppers wait in line at a Target store in San Diego, California on November 24 2011 . 'Walkout on Walmart': A 'Black Thanksgiving' Walmart strike sign in West Allis, Wisconsin . Watch video here: . | Best Buy shoppers around the country have .
started pitching tents outside several store locations, more than 100 .
hours before the company’s big holiday sales begin .
One customer told .
a local reporter that he expects to 'make' between $4 and $5 an hour .
waiting for a 40-inch flat-screen television that Best Buy is selling .
for $180 . |
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